the newlanders cure aswell of those violent sicknesses which distemper most minds in these latter dayes: as also by a cheape and newfound dyet, to preserue the body sound and free from all diseases, vntill the last date of life, through extreamity of age. wherein are inserted generall and speciall remedies against the scuruy. coughes. feauers. goute. collicke. sea-sicknesses, and other grieuous infirmities. published for the weale of great brittaine, by sir william vaughan, knight. vaughan, william, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the newlanders cure aswell of those violent sicknesses which distemper most minds in these latter dayes: as also by a cheape and newfound dyet, to preserue the body sound and free from all diseases, vntill the last date of life, through extreamity of age. wherein are inserted generall and speciall remedies against the scuruy. coughes. feauers. goute. collicke. sea-sicknesses, and other grieuous infirmities. published for the weale of great brittaine, by sir william vaughan, knight. vaughan, william, - . [ ], , [ ] p. by n[icholas] o[kes] for f. constable, and are to be sold at his shop in pauls church at the signe of the craine, imprinted at london : . in verse. the words "scuruy .. sea-sicknesses," on the title page are in two columns with four brackets in the middle. printer's name from stc. the first leaf is blank. reproduction of a photostat of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) 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assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the newlanders cvre . aswell of those violent sicknesses which distemper most minds in these latter dayes : as also by a cheape and newfound dyet , to preserue the body sound and free from all diseases , vntill the last date of life , through extreamity of age. wherein are inserted generall and speciall remedies against the scuruy . coughes . feauers . goute . collicke . sea-sicknesses , and other grieuous infirmities . published for the weale of great brittaine , by sir william vaughan , knight . vbi lux sicca , ibi intellectus multus . imprinted at london by n. o. for f. constable , and are to be sold at his shop in pauls church at the signe of the craine , . to the right honorable my louing brother , iohn earle of carbery , baron of molingar . sir : here you may behold , as in a looking-glasse , many sickely faces , not of heathen men , but of pretended christians , with heathenish conditions . a glasse of steele , farre truer then that mathematicall one , whereby some haue proiected to discouer with more then humane spectacles another world in the moone ; of seas , lands , and woods , like ours , before it was lately dis-robed of this latter ornament by the greedinesse of a few iron ma●●ers . here you may see what a number of diseases haue taken roote within vs. yea more , then euer were practized before noahs flood . the maine cause of their destruction proceeded from their carnall matches , the sonnes of god , with the daughters of reprobates , where we transgresse not onely in that . but in many other ●●a● contrary to our christian duties , who haue bin now enlightned for the space of these foure score yeares . here likewise you may find preseruatiues and cures both to preuent the imminent plagues , ( which we haue worthily deserued , ) as to heale the most disordred , both bodily and spiritually , ( if they be not past grace ; ) yea , and to dispossesse them of diuels , without prophane holy water , or popish exorcismes . but before these , as a frontispice vpon a gate , i haue fixed the foure first verses of purpose , that once a day at least , you may repeat● them ouer . and for the rest , if you read them once a weeke , i doubt not , but you shall receiue thereby some spirituall comfort among other helpes to deuotion , which are not wanting in your house . howsoeuer , i am assured your cogitations shal be somewhat rouzed vp to looke about you , and to make some doubt , that you haue not many yeares yet vnexpired of your pilgrimage here on earth . for our worst part must rot , before it rise vp to immortality . the thought of death , i confesse , is terrible , and hath perplexed many , specially , great persons , insomuch that queene elizabeth of famous memory , albeit in all other matters an incomparable religious princesse , and adorned with masculine vertues , yet she could not endure to heare of old age , nor death . for when a learned bishop of our acquaintance had in a zealous sermon admonished her to thinke on her last end , by reason of her great age , which few princes had attayned vnto , and of the climactericall yeare of her life , which hapned at that time , she tooke it so impatiently that the bishop for his good intentions , was not only distasted by her , but put for a time to some trouble . yet god , who neuer forsakes them , that quit themselues like men in his seruice , did euer sithence , vntill his decease powre downe many worldly blessings vpon him , so that i thinke few bishops of this kingdome left behind them to their wiues and children such faire estates , as be left vnto his wife and children . the which questionlesse were conferred vppon him , to let the cowards and claw-backes of the times vnderstand , what a sweet smelling sacrifice in his sacred presence is magnanimity grounded on faith and piety ; as well appeares by those martyres in queene maries dayes , for whose glorious sakes the eternall maiesty at the intercession of those martyres generall , his dearely beloued sonne , did by shortning of those marian dayes restore that reformed religion to this kingdome , which hath chased hence those false prophets , who set to sale the bodies and soules of men , togither with the rabblement of idolaters , abbey-lubbers , fayries , and hob-goblins ; and doubtlesse will continue the same vntill the worlds end : notwithstanding these our present and last conflicts with the spirituall dragon , and with those spirits , which issued out of his mouth ; wherein we haue much a do to escape their ambuscadoes , quirkes , and socret stratagems practised by our schoole-men , which are farre more dangerous then their open violences , being such , as it is written , able to deceiue the very elect , if it were possible . but to returne where i haue digressed , the remembrance of death will prepare vs for th' other world what can be b●tter for vs , then to be loosed from the lumpish clog of flesh and blood , which must not inherite heauen , before it bee purified , as the holiest and best patriarkes were , and to liue with christ in perpetuall ioyes . seeing that death brings with it so great happinesse , i hope you will not be offended with me , it by calculating our ancestors yeares , for these three last d●s●●n●s , i seeme to put you in minde , that you ought not to expect much longer time , then they enioyed . our great grand father , hugh vaughan , gentle-man vsher to king henry the th who is famous in our english chronicles , for the iustes in richmond , before the sayd king , agaynst sir iames parker , about our ancestors armes and scutcheons : where the sayd sir iames lost his life , in the first encounter . our sayd great grand-father , dyed before he was fifty yeares old . our grand-father , who built our house , nay yours by birth right , ( called the golden groue , ) dyed about the fiftieth sixth yeare of his age. our father likewise about those yeares , payd nature her debt . why then should we expect for a greater lot ? we want not aboue three or foure yeares of theirs . but suppose we should arriue to seauenty , or eighty , or by the helpe of this dyet , which i here discouer , to the long age of the swethens , it would but augment our sinnes and sorrows . therefore let vs liue mindfull of that , which cannot be auoyded . for which purpose a pagan king vsed euery morning to haue a dead mans skull brought to remember him , that he was a mortall creature . so in like manuer we see in our dayes many persons wearing rings with a deathes head engrauen in the seale : others with a posie on the inside , including the remembrance of death . memento mori . but because this subiect breeds sadnesse , i haue added some more plausible passages to profit the body , aswell as the minde . now hauing discharged the part of a brother , in this necessary point , whereto all adams posterity are subiect , sooner or later : i will now shew wherefore i entituled this diminutiue rapture , the newlanders cure , more for others satisfaction , who know me not , and yet may by our free charter of election , and the illumination of gods working spirit meete with some passage in this cure , to confirme them sure in their christian calling , and perhaps mooue some to lend their helping hands to the building vp of our new church , in that remote countrey , then for any desire i haue to reiterate a matter of tauetology , like the cuckoes song , vnto you , who from the beginning haue bin acquainted with my actions in this kinde . about thirteene yeares past , being interessed by patent in the south part of new found land , from our late king of happy memory : i transported thither certayne colomes of men and women at my owne charge : after which , finding the burthen too heauy for my weake shoulders , ● assigned the northerly proportion of my grant , vnto the right honourable the lord vicount faulkland , late deputy of ireland , a noble gentleman , of singular wisedome , vertue , and experience : and vppon your motion to my lord baltimore , who to his immortall prayse , hath liued there these two last yeares , with his lady and children . and for my selfe , during such time as i rem●y●e in this kingdome , for the setling of my priuate fortunes , which for ought i see , i must chiefly relye vppon to supply me there , vntill the plantation be better strengthned , and fearing the displeasure of the almighty , who threatens those , which causelessely looke backe at his plow : i sent forth , ( like noahs doue ) my late workes , called the golden fleece , and my cambrensium caroleia , to stirre vp our ilanders mindes to assist and support for a time our new-found ile , which rightly may bestiled great britaines sister , or britanniol , in regard that for these fourescore yeares and vpwards , she hath furnished vs with fish and traine , which by exchange returne vs sundry kinds of commodities . in like manner to let the world vnderstand , that my zeale to new-found land is not frozen . i tooke her for my gossipto this pigmey infant , which now is named the new-landers cure. but why should i among so many thousands of greater power aspire to such an atlanticke waight , which is able to crush into the earth another sutton ? it is the lord of heauen and earth , whose powerfull presence ouer-lookes all the foure quarters of the earth , who preferres sometimes the most simple to his workes of honour , before the grand epicures of the world , as the lillies of the fields , before the royalties of saiomon , euen our mighty god , who is so wonderful in all his deedes , made ch●yse of me for his vnworthy instrument to doe some good in this heroicall enterprize . for this cause , and also to edifie my country with those bookes , which from time to time , euen from my youth vp i published , hath he bestowed a double talent vppon me . for these ends it pleased his sacred maiesty to reserue my seruice for the publicke good , by preseruing my life most miraculously aboue the ordinary sort of men from fire and water , and twice from his pestilentiall arrowes . vppon a christmas day . in france at a passage of two leagues broad betwixt tremblado and marena falling ouer board a ship , in a most terrible tempest , i floated amidst the waues of the raging sea , being ignorant of swimming , about a quarter of an houre : onely with an oare in my hand , which casually fell vnto me , by what meanes to this present , i cannot tell . and which is most strange to humane sense , the storme calmed suddainly , during my aboad in this perplexity , vntill the barke , from which i fell , found leasure to turne about , and take me vp being ouer-wearied , and at the very point to throw away the oare , and perish . assoone as i was taken vp , the storme beganne againe so suriously , that the mast brake within a foote of the but , and with the f●ll had like to ouer-turne vs all . in ianuary . i was stricken with a sulphureous dampe , my house was battred about my eares with lightning and thunder , the artilleries of gods glory , in that fearefull manner , as your selfe beheld the next day , after the ruines of the catastrophe , not without great astonishment and admiration , how miraculously i escaped . in august . in the hottest time of the sicknesse , in my returne from beyond the seas , i was not affraid to stay a while in london . and during the last and greatest pestilence , . i frequented the citty from the beginning , to the latter end , as our famous country-man sir thomas button , and our vertuous cousen his lady , in whole house i continded the most part of that summer can beare me witnesse , when you and others of my friends wondred at my boldnesse . by which extraordinary deliuerances i gather , that his omnipotent maiesty hath ordayned me , as a fire brand so often taken out of the flames , for some glorious seruice of his , eyther to do some good vnto my follow christians by my publicke writings , or else to aduance this hopefull plantation by my personall paines and industry . and if i faile in my presages for this last , i am fully perswaded , that i shall no tlight vpon a worse fortune then chanced vnto a gentle-woman of italy , who hauing her destiny told her by an astrologer , ( as that sexe like eue is ouer-credulous , ) that she should be married to a prince , she refused many good matches , in hope of her princely preferment , vntill after many yeares expectation in vaine , fearing , as the prouerbe is , to lead apesin hell , she consented at last to marry with the principall of an vniuersity , who in that place had the title of prince . if i misse in my actuall performance for new-found land , it lyes not in the power of flesh and blood , to take away my zealous intentions , nor can my foes ( if any such at all haue ) deny , but that ●ueaner men then i , haue had the lucke to be married to the muses : as also the mightiest lords of the earth haue thought themselues graced to be entertained their seruants and woers . the truth is , i am addicted both to the muses , and new-found land. and i could wish , that i had that command ouer some misers purses , or of theirs , who may dye without issue , and leaue their fortunes to thanklesse worldlings , for the benefit of new-found land , as marke anthony had at athens . for when the citizens had cologuingly presented him with the image of their goddesse minerua , because he wanted a wife : he answered , that he kindly accepted of their offer ; and therefore he must needes haue . talents of them , as a dowry fit for so great a princesse . the charge certainely is great now at the first , yet if there were but twenty such persons but of my poore meanes and resolution , i would not doubt , but before seauen yeares , our new-found land should not onely double those sayles of ships , which trade thither at the present , but likewise the yearely gaines , which our marchants doe reape from that country , for these many yeares togither , computed to be aboue . pounds a yeare . indeed there be some hopes that the london and bristow marchants will now after these late stormes settle there some iron-workes , glasse-houses , and for the making of salt. and likewise that my lord of faulk and , and our noble brother in law , sir henry salubury baronet , with some gentlemen of north-wales , will the next spring proceede to doe somewhat in that country , which with open armes awaites for their comming . and also there be others out of england , to whom i haue freely as i haue receiued , assigned grants , which haue faithfully promised to plant in their seuerall diuisions . the which , if they performe , my costly cares for sacrifice would be the lesse . but because my experience teacheth me , that we oftne● meete with backe-sliding and inconstant men , like worldly demas , then with bountifull conuerts , like that terentiam demea , i cannot build my foundation on such slippery mould , but must resolue with my owne poore estate , to continue what i haue long since fruitlessely begunne . after this sort those renowned monsieurs , de monts , and poutrincourt were deluded aboue two yeares , by some courtiers at paris , and therefore they concluded atlast , no more to trust any but themselues , for the erecting of their plantation in canada , two hundred leagues beyond our new found land. hap what hap may , i haue broake the ice , i haue past the rubicon . in the meane time , let me intreate you to conceiue charitably of our new-land plantation , which by one hard winter , among many more tolerable , is like to suffer ; and to regard this little god-child of hers . and it you , or any other of our friends , when wilde or i● regular passions breake out beyond the bounds of reason , shall meete with some le●●tiue , by meditating on the towardly disposition thereof , as the discased israelites found ease with beholding the brazen serpent : do but say , well-fare the new-landers cure , and that 's as much as i expect for my paines . the lord enrich you with heauenly happinesse , as hee hath bountifully dealt with you in this world. and if hereafter it fortune , according to your hopes , that you shall liue in court , as heretofore you haue , to your singular praise , and your friends comfort , for many yearestogither : let not transitory pompe , nor vaine glory , seduce your noblest part to forget the poore new-landers cure ; nor him , whom you are tyed in nature to respect and chee●●s● , who reciprocally shall cuer , during life , continue in all christian offices your lordships brother at commaund . william vaughan . authoris praecautio ad lectorem morbis vulgaribus laborantem . siquid habent aloes , vel fellis opuscula nostra , me medicum vatem publica cura sacit . depercunt quer●us , silices , et marmore structa : dona sed ingenu posthuma fama canet . curti●eis rodenda sinam monumenta laborum ? musarum s●elus est dona perire pati . non ●ic romulidum sannas nec curo lituras ; vos flocci facio , gens odiosa deo. gorgonicas nec pendo minas , nam munior extra aegide squamosa , numinis intus ope. sanum consilium tantum iaculatur odoris , vt vincat violas , lilia , thura , rosas : hoc sine , sunt arabum catapotia vana , necipsa porrigit aegroto pharmacopola tibi . imbibe corde , nouae terrae quod musa prop●nat , corpus erit sanum , mens quoque , sana , vale. the newlanders cure. the first section . the preparatiue of the bodies cure shewing how the mindes affections and the bodies do follow one anothers dispositions . when i had resolued on the cure of the mindes infirmitus , it seemed vnto me that the same could not be compleate , except the body were also made harmoniously correspondent to harbour that heauenly light with his pretious gifts , which our sauiour promised before his ascention to send vnto vs. therefore , that both of them , like euen yoake-fellowes , might walke safely in this vale of misery , i haue here inserted a new-found cure for the bodies health ; ut sit mens sana in corpore sano . but before the discouery of this diuine medicine , in comparison whereof the elixir so much commended by our paracelsians , is but vanity of vannies , ( for our phisicke conduceth to the health of the minde , as of the body ) i wi● , as a preparatiue , minister and shew , how the qualities of the mind do follow the disposition of the body . it is most certayne , when the body is free from supersiuous excrements , and noysome huinours , that then the functions and operations of the mind appeare more liuely , fresh , and most capable to receiue in wisdome and knowledge , which caused a certaine philosopher to purge himselfe with hellebore , before hee aduentured to write of deepe mysteries . euen so when the minde is troubled , the face bew●ayes it , although a man would faine conceale it with all his cunning . yea , sometimes the very eyes will manifest the ioy that one conceaues in his heart . nor is the minde mooued onely with those motions and instruments of the body , but likewise feeles great alterations by such nourishments and ing●edients as we take into our bodies . the which we see verified in our debauched gallants , and common drunkards , who seldome enter into quarrels in cold blood , but amongst their pots of wine and strong liquor , they passe polyphemus and all his cyclops . others haue drunke away sorrow and care . the like mutation saffron workes , for if a man commonly vse it in sance with his meate , it makes his heart light and iocound . and being taken in mus●adine , or some heady wine , it workes so violently , that the taker becomes rauing madde with excessiue mirth . the often vse of hares flesh causeth men to be f●arefull . as on th' other side , beefe 〈…〉 english couragious and vndaun●●● in perills . and surely , i beleeue one of the chiefest causes of the sauages inhumane cruelty proceedes through their 〈◊〉 of w●lues and bcares flesh . in my time i know a● oxford a poet , who after good 〈◊〉 of s●●ke would write his best verses , according to that olde , saying : when i haue drunke sweete wine , my tongue speakes lat●●e sine . it is reported , that thomas nash a scurrilous pamph●eter in q. elizabeths dayes , vsed to drinke aqua vitae with gun-powder to inspire his malicious spirit with ●ayling matter to shame doctor haruey , and other aduersaries of his : which infleming po●ion wrought so eagerly vppon his brame , that hee would often beate himselfe about the noddle , and scratch the walls round about him , vntill hee met with some extrauagant furious termes , which as he imagined would blurre and lay sufficient aspersions vpon them . the like fiery prouocations the turkes haue accustomed to take , when they went about some desperate seruice ; wherby they forced a new bellona out of their mischienous hands . other some , like our fighting cockes , haue vsed garlike for that bloody purpose . thus the body is oftentimes turned nolens volens , to serue and obey the mind , as the minde likewise to follow the inclination of the body . for what other fruit can a body stuffed with corrupt humours , choller , and gall produce , but beastlike passions ? whereas on the contrary , the abstemious and continent by their sparing dyet do restrayne in time such ouerflowings , and thereby prepare themselues to be the purer vessels to contayne the water of life distilled from the heauenly comforter . euen as a thicke cloud obscures the sunne beames from our sight : so the vicious qualities of the body darken the mind , which is the great eye or light of the body . and this is the cause , that when the one is grieued th' other is grieued , and when th' one is merry , th' other is so too . therefore it is a thing to bee wished , that they were kept both in an equall proportion and symmetry with conuenient nourishments , recreations , exercise , and aboue all with spirituall food : yea and other whiles , if need require , the mistresse must correct her rebellions seruant , that the image of our great creator bee not quite defaced . but to returne to the subiect wee haue in hand , the body of man is the most temperate of all other mortall creatures , and therefore it may bee rightly termed the golden rule , measure , and square , whereby the excesse of all other things may be obserued , and their different faculties discerned . and for this cause in respect of our humane bodies , the fours elements are noted to be hot , cold , moist , and dry : here hence we gather , that the flesh of fowle is hot and dry , and that the food of fish is cold & moist , fit to engender flegme . betwixt these as the meane , are earthly creatures placed , and among these mans body hath the preheminence , as the best tempered vnder the cope of heauen . the which also varies according to the climate . sunt homines alij , variant vt climata munds . for our northerne nations are of a colder constitution then theirs , that liue within the tropickes , or neere vnto them . and therefore the ancient phylosophers would not allow a temperate body but with in a temperate country . neyther is this temper so constant in our temperate countries , but the inequaltity of the soyle , and s●ituation , controules this temper : for we haue spring and summer weather in places at the same instant , within a mile or two distant . as for example , in dales and at the foote of hils we fee●e it warme ; whereas wee cannot endure long to stay on the neighbouring mountaynes by reason of snow , or furious winds , which likewise other-throw , or hinder the growth of plantes and corne sixe or seauen weekes later , then such as we finde in the bottom or lowest descent . the same alteration i haue seene in the alpes and pyrenae●n mountaynes , where i could be hold ripe grapes and a fourishing haruest in the vallies ; and trauailing but a league higher vp towards the top of the mountaynes , i might see nothing but horrid rockes , hayle , snow , and windes in that impetuous manner , that there a man would take september to be ianuary . moreouer , this change crosseth our temper i● respect of age ; for youth is more hot and moyst then more setled yeares . and that dyet , which might be properly accommodated to olde men , perhaps would weaken or statue the younger sort . how then shall we be able to finde out this golden meane and temper in mans body , when we are subiect to so many mutations ? do not we perceiue the very beasts and vnreasonable creatures to go beyond vs in some of our noblest organs ? do they not excell vs in the fiue sences , viz. the boare in hearing ; the ounce in seeing ; the ape in tasting ; the vultur in smelling ; and the spider in touching , as these ancient verses imply ? nos aper auditu , lynx visu , simia gustu , un tur ●doratu , p●aecellit aranea tactu . this cannot bee denied in those creatures ; but because i am an ill huntes-man , i will continue my conuersation with men ; amongst which there is much diuersity for their seueral parts . here stands a man with a most temperate braine ; there another with a sound liuer ; some are long breathed ; some excell in the temper of their hearts ; and in many of these wee might behold actions , which tend vnto vnity , as to their center . but in generall , of late yeares wee degenerate from that , which by our baptisme we vowed to be ; as in like manner wee haue crackt our braines , shortned our breathing faculties , corrupted our liuer , inframed our blood , and all with excesse of varieties of meates and drinkes . we p●ate of the holy ghost , of the temple of god ; but let euery man examine his owne conscience , whether it bee possible that such a sanctified guest could remaine in such an impure body , which hath receiued into it so great store of victualls , and the choysest , which the ayre , earth , and sea could yeelde , and of the strongest wines euen vnto vomiting . if after this inquisition wee finde that the spirit of god requires an vndefiled and purer seate to lodge in , then let vs sweep cleane , and do our best to purifie and prepare our bodies to be tolerably meete to entertayne this sacred messenger ; for if hee knockes at the doore of our hearts , and we slight his call , it is to bee feared hee will returne no more to such a nasty roome , where the master of the house neglects his dearest land-lord . to reduce the world vnto a better temper , the body as well as the minde , i had recourse to many cures . i read marsilius ficinus his worke concerning a heauenly body here on earth , but there meeting with nothing but distractions , at the last i lighted on two treatises , the one published by lodouico cornario an italian ; and th' other by lessius of bruxels a learned iesuite , out of whose precepts i collected this admirable dyet , which whosoeuer hath the power to practise , hee shall quickly apprehend the difference betwixt a table furnished with variety of meates , whose nature in digestion are contrary the one to th' other , and betwixt that simple cheere , which conrented our sauiour here on earth with his disciples . by the former spring all our sicknesses . by this latter of sobriety we stint concupiscence and after one quarter of a yeare our bodies being accustomed to a set measure of meat and drinke , wee shall confesse , that saying of the heath'nish phylosopher , to iumpe aright with a reformed christian : turpe est homini non nosse mensuram ventres sui . it is a shamefull thing for an vnderstanding man not to know the measure of his owne belly . to wind vp this my preparatiue in a word , when i had compared lessius his obseruations with daniels and his three companions dyet , and how by reason of their slender fare being but pulse , they were in better state then those that fed on dainties , i concluded this new found dyet to be acceptable to gods spirit , and if it awaites on faith , it will serue for a christians purification before glorification . the second section . the description of a new found and cheape diet , to preserue the body and minde from all s●cknesses and passions , and how a man shall find out the true proportion what will content a reasonable creature . by the former discourse it is apparant , that the well-being and health of mans body consists in obseruing the golden meane , which is temperance in our dyet , that is , cating and drinking no more , then the stomacke can well digest , and that thereby the functions of the minde bee not hindered nor made obscure by the excessiue quantity . for this reason , and because study and contemp●ation doe mightily hinder concoction , they that are this way busied , must eate and drinkelesse , then those that be idle , or doe trauailc abroad . but now to finde out this measure , i confesse it a great difficulty by reason of the dinersities of mens constitutions , yeares , and strength : for that measure , which agreeth with an o'de man , cannot square well with a young man , nor that of the strong man with the weake . the chollericke must haue his proportion differing from the flegmaticke . these haue euery one a stomacke repugnant to one anothers nature : how then shall wee compose an exact measure to reconcile these repugnances ? necessity requires vs to lookeafter this soueraigne good , for the health of the body and soule ; but concupiscence and our longing wills can hardly consent to be limitted . yet notwithstanding , naturall reason bids vs to proserue nature , although wee smart a little to enioy the more content . let vs then search out what proportion of meate and drink will serue a reasonable creature ; the which the easier to find , we must obserue these rules . first , if one takes into his body ordinarily so much meate and drinke , that after the meale he feeles himselfe more heauy , sleepy , and lesse capable to conceiue matters of diuine knowledge , sermons , or any kinde of study , then hee was before his meale , let him rest assuredly , that hee hath exceeded the measure wee looke for . for it is not fit to feede and please the vegetatiue and sensuall part so much , that thereby the noblest part be offended , which is the animall and reasonable faculty . wee must consider , that out of the aboundance of meates , which wee receiue into our bodies , there will arise vapouis from the stomacke vp to the head , which will darken the vnderstanding ; and also store of humours and blood ingendred in the liuer , m●lt , and veines , which will inflame vpwards , and helpe with the former vapours to ouercloud the cleare rayes of reason and wisdome , which they would neuer do , if a man had not exceeded the lawfull measure . o how much are they deceiued , who feeling themselues feeble in the morning , runne speedily to breake-fast , as though nature languished for want of meate , when as in very deede their weaknesse proceedes from the aboundance of humours congested and gathered together , which by their ouer-much moysture haue stuft the musckles and the sinewes , and stopt the passages of the spirits , so that the scuruy and other diseases creepe in by reason of those obstructions and oppilations . the like abuse some commit in their mornings draughts , which indeede is the chiefe cause of the dropsies , gouts , coughes , and other moyst sicknesses . secondly , a man must not suddainely thinke to meete with this measure , but by little and little by degrees hee must leaue of his former course of dyet , and all by leasure proceede by diminishing his wounted fare , vntill hee arriues to that quantity , that after his meale hee feeles none of the aboue named impediments to grieue his head , or to hinder the functions of his minde . thirdly , although a certayne set quantity cannot rightly be prescribed by reason of the different natures of meates , and of the ages of men , yet notwithstanding it is lately tryed by experience , that for olde persons , or for such as approach neere vnto it , or for some that feare some incurable sicknesse , twelue , thirteene , or foureteene ounces of meate will serue a man for a day , accounting bread , flesh , egges , or any such solid meate , and so many ounces or somewhat more of drinke . this measure i prescribe onely to aged persons , the sickely , to clergy men , to iudges , schollers , or to such as are wholly addicted to their bookes , to maydes , and such sedentary or idle people , who vse not bodily exercise . loao●i ● cornarie , father lessius and many others by late experience found this quantity to be sufficient . fourthly , as for the quality of the meats , there is no great heed to be taken so that they exceede not in the quantity , if the meate distaste not the appetite , and that the due measure be obserued . among al the sorts of meates which we eate , those are commended , which are of least putrifaction . for wee see , that fish and flesh will taint sooner then pulse or corne. and therefore rice , bread , or such as are made of them will agree best with nature , for by experience it is sound , that the chiefe cause of the small pockes , &c. comes of the eating of flesh too soone . they which haue practised this dyet , do highly commend panades , or gruell , which the italians call panat●llam , or pulticulam , which is compounded of bread and water , or brewis , or the like diuersified with butter , oyle , egges , wine , currents , cynamon , sugar , hony , pepper , saffron , cinger , &c. because this kinde of meate is most easily to be concocted , being ready to breed good blood , and very like to the chyle , or that substantiall myce , which the stomacke workes out of the conco●tion of our meate . the fifth rule , for asmuch as all the difficulty for the obseruing of this measure proceedes of sensuall appetite , and that this sensuall appetite springs of the apprehension of imagination , whereby varieties of meates are conceiued to bee very pleasing to the sences , wee must doe our endeauour to correct this depraued imagination . for the correcting whereof , two things among others are chiefly to bee regarded first , that we with-draw our selues from the sight of such prouoaking and enticing dainties , as we read epaminonda that valiant theban did , who being inuited to a friends house , and seeing the table too fully replenished with delicacies , departed suddainly away . and afterwards beeing demaunded wherefore he went so rudely and hastily from thence ; answered , because he thought his friend had prepared all that aboundant cheare , as a sacrifice for the gods ; and not for necessary foode to mortall men. secondly , when wee are forced for manners sake to stay and behold such vaine varieties , that wee imagine them not to be in very deede so delightfull , faire , and wholesome , as in outward shew they seeme to be , but that they are deceitfull baites to catch and e●snare his fantasie to feede on them for his destruction ; and that when they passe through the body , they are most loathsome excrements , leauing poysoned relickes behind them to be conuerted into hurtfull humours . euery thing when it is resolued into the first principles and elements will appeare in the true shape , which is no other but corruption . and the more sweete it is , when it so resolued , it becomes the more sordide and st●nking , as may be noted by suckets and such sugred condited ware , whereas the dung of labourers is nothing so displeasing , for that they feede on simple food , which nature best approoues . to verifie this , let vs enquire whose dung is most stinking , the dogges or the de●●es . this dyet composed of bread is pure , simple , not subiect to corruption , as other nourishments be . and therefore i may well auerre , that it resembles that choyse food of manna , which god bestowed on the israelites in the wildernesse ; the which as the spanish author in his triall of wits was of opinion , that for many generations after it did reduce their bodies to a more temperate constitution then my other nations , in so much that their seede did multiply , and their minds were more purified , and prepared capable of gods miraculous blessings , to inherite the land of canaan , which their fathers , whose longing thoughts were altogether set on the onions , garlike , and flesh-pots of egypt . wherewith from their infancy they had accustomed to feed on , were debarred off for their hardned hearts . i prescribe not this dyet , though solide and substantiall , to labourers and hindes , for their stomackes are like ostridges , which can digest iron , and by their violent motion can better away with bull-beefe , ram mutton , beanes and bacon , then with the daintiest meate in the world : as i hard that a clownish boore told my vncle sir iohn perrot , who on a time comming to visite him being his tenant and sicke , aduised him to eate some der meate , as chicken or sucking rabbet ; he answered him : alas maister , what shall i doe with such kinde of meate , when i cannot eate the bacon , which is as yellow as the golden noble ? i limit no such persons , no more then galen did , when he dedicated his worke for the preseruation of health de sanitate tuenda , not vnto the strong complexioned and the barbarous , as the germanes , who were so accounted in those dayes ; but vnto the ciuill and nice-b●ed italians . i present the discouery of this secret , and the practise of it , to them , that make a conscience of their calling , not to wallow like swinish epicures in sensuall beastly pleasures , but as men resolued to liue soberly , like christians , who must acknowledge , that the holy ghost cannot long reside in fat foggy bodies , that make a god of their bellies , and who for that cause doe still pamper themselues with delicacies , and continue more houres at their gluttonous meales , swilling of sugred sacke , and many cups of strong drinke , then they doe at their prayers , or in the seruice of god. st. paul , as likewise the first christians , did often vse to mortifie their bodies for feare of temptations : i tame my body ( sayth hee ) to bring it into subiection , least while i preach to others , my selfe become a cast ●way . but wee are so fa●ie from such mortifications , that wee cannot spare one mea●e in the weeke , though it were to fa●●● a neighbours life , or to conuert the expence of that mea●e to defend the publ●cke state from ruine , or from antichristian tyra●●y . and yet we must passe for reformed christians . none must say , blacke is our eye , or that wee haue the least skarre abo●t vs. o that men would looke within them ; and see whether that place bee fit to receiue the holy comforter . if then they finde that my words be true , and that their gurmandize and intempetance ●a●e obscured their iudgements , whereby they were not able by reason of stupidity and dulnesse to fall to the practise of a sober liuing , let them out of hand beginne to make some experience of this dyet , if not continually , yet on those fasting dayes , which our church hath ordayned of christian policy , to purifie a loathsome carkases , and not as meritorious for satisfaction of gods iustice . thus the israelites of old time were aduised to fast , and commaunded to purifie their bodies in another manner . the which the very turkes and iewes doe put in practise at this day . and wherefore stands this purification ? but to prepare ●oome for the spirituall bridegroome ? yea , and perhaps , this abst●●ence may ser●e for some qualification of his iustice , although not for any satisfaction , yet helpe to couer a mult●●ude of sinnes : as saint peter and saint iames wrot , specia●ly , if the estimate of what is spared , be conferred on pious vses . the third section . the commod●●ies , which this new-found dyet brings to the body . it remayneth now , that i propose , what commodities this set dyet produceth : first , it preserues a man free from all sicknesses , for it keepes backe all the humours and watrish spirits , which arise from the stomacke to the head. it cures the go●t , the dropsie , the astmaticke passions , the cough , and catarrhes , it hindereth crudities and raw f●●gmaticke humours , which indeede are the ingendring causes of all diseases . it bridles and keeps all the humours in such an equall temper , that none shall offend eyther in quantity , or in quality : for indeede all our sicknesses proceed from repletion , sauing some few which proceede of famine , in taking more sustenance then nature requires , or the stomacke can well digest . for manifestation whereof , we see , that all diseases are cured by euacuations . blood letting is vsed to ●ase nature . and so are purgatious taken to free the body of that insupportable load of filthy matter , which by gluttony was ingendred . nor will one purge sustice . but before an ordinary sicknesse be remooued , the apothecary must minister many nauseatiue and bitter potions able to weary the strongest nature . for at the first , the first region , as physitians call it , must be purged ; that is , the guts and entrailes . secondly , the liuer . and lastly , the veines must bee emptied of their watrish humors and excrements . and it is holden for certaine , that in euery two yeares there is such store of ill humors and excrements ingendred in the body , that a vessell of one hundred ounces wil scarce contayne them . these humours being let alone , will corrupt in processe of time , and wil cause a man to fall into some deadly sicknesse . and commonly , most people , which dye in their beds , before they arriue to extreamity of old age , doe perish by these ouer-abounding humors , which they heaped within them through their excessiue feasts and belly-cheere . the second commodity , that comes by this orderly dyet is , that it doth not onely defend a man from those superfluous humors within the body , but likewise it fortifieth him agaynst outward causes ; for hee which hath his body pure with temperate humors , shall easier endure the ini●ries and discommodities of cold or hot weather and of ●oylesome labour , then he that liues licentiously . yea , and if he be wounded in his body , he will speedily recouer . the reason is , because very little fluxe of any offending humor can fall into the wounded part , which in other bodies is wont to inflame ; yea , and sometime it will cause a griping convulsion , or a violent fea●er . an which our temperate habit of bodily mould shall neuer once bee affected with ; for there is as much difference betwixt them , as the●e is betwixt a perfe●t ch●●ensian procellane , and our roughest earthen vessels . lastly , it preserues a man from the plogue , for there is nothing heere to spa●● , no matter to worke vpon , which was verified insober socrates , who notwithstanding that the plag●e had oftentimes wasted athens , yet hee was neuer sicke eyther of that , or any other disease . the third commodity is , that it causeth not onely health , dut a●so long life , in so much that when hee dyeth , hee feeles no such pangs and torments , as other men vse to haue , for hee falls , like an apple fully ripe , euen by meere resolution , mildly , and gently away . the bond of a temperate mans body and soule is dissolued onely , when the radicall moysture is spent ; like vnto a lampe , which is extinguished when the oy●e is quite consumed . for euen as a lampe may bee put out three manner of wayes : first , by outward violence , as by v●hement wind . secondly , by powring too much water vpon it , wherewith the pure liquor of the oyle is oppressed . thirdly , by the vt●er consumption of the oyle : so mans life , which is compared to a burning lampe , may bee extinguished three wayes . first , by the sword , drowning , or such like violent death . secondly , by the superfluity or depraued quality of the humours , wherewith the naturall moysture is corrupted . thirdly , when this moysture is spent by the length of time . if a man dyes by reason of eyther of the two former wayes , there must ensue a great commotion in nature , and therefore he feeles extraordinary grie●ances , when the bond of nature is thus ●●o●ently before the day and ripe time compelled to bee dissolued . but by the third manner of dissolution a man feeles no paine at all , because the temperature is all by leasure dissolued from within him , and because the gentle moysture , which feedes the body , becomes wasted together with the naturall heate at the same instant , when the soule departes . and thus shall our dyeted persons dye , except they bee● forced by some outward accident . the fourth commodity is , that it makes the body actiue , light , liuely , and ready to all motions and exercise : for heauinesse , lazinesse , and the oppression of nature proceede from the aboundance of humours which destroy the passages of the spirits , and besiedging the ●ovnts , they ouer moysture them at last . therefore when this aboundance of humors is diminished or taken away by a regular dyet , the very cause of dulnesse and heauinesse is also taken away , and then the pores and passages of the spirits are made broad and more open . the fourth section . the commodities which our dyet brings to to the sences and minde , and how it may helpe to build there a more conuenient temple for the holy ghost . as the body feeles seuerall benefits by this admirable dyet , so the minde partakes of no lesse commodities : first , it brings health and vigour to the outward sences , for the sence of seeing becomes darkned in aged persons , by reason that the optick nerues are ouer-charged with superfiuous humours or vapors , whereby the animall spirit , which serues for the vse of the sight , eyther is obseured , or else is not able to minister asmuch matter , as is sufficient to make the sight perfect . this impediment is remooued , or at least much diminished by sobriety , and abstinence from those things which fill the head with fumes , of which kinde are all fat things , and bu●ter excessiuely taken , raw onions , garlike , strong wine , omuddy beere or a●e . or if at the worst their sights bee somewhat dimme or reddish , the oyn●ment of tu●●● with a i. t. e. aloes wi●●auayle them . or if the feare a greater griefe , the iuice of stonecrop will 〈◊〉 the pin and the web. the sence of hearing is hindred by the defluxion of raw humors from the b●aine , into the organ of hearing , or into the sinewes which serues it . by which meanes a man becomes thicke of hearing , or deafe on that side where the defluxion hapneth . a temperate dyet will preuent this defluxion , and with a few locall medicines , vnlesse the deafenesse be inueterate , it will quite expell it . as for the sence of tasting , it is certayne , that the taste of a temperate man is farre more quicke , sharpe , and pleasing , then it is in the glutton , and drunkard , who by reason of chollericke or brackish humors , whether they bee ingend●ed in the head , or in the stomacke , takes all meates otherwise then they are in deede . another commodity , which a temperate dyet brings to the soule , is that it m●tigateth affectors or p●ssions , chu●fl● melancholly and anger . wee see by experience , that they in whom cho●●r and melanchoily bea●e dominion , if they bee not in conuenient time p●●ged of those humors , they fall into strange and violent sicknesses , as lunacy and fre●zy , especially if they bee suffered to get footing in the braine and there to ens●ame . if it bee sharpe , and falls into the tunicles of the stomacke , it causeth a man to become very ra●enous : if there be aboundance of blood , it makes a man leacherous , chiefy , if there bee some windy matter crept into it . the reason is , because the affections of the minde do follow the apprehension of the fantasy ; and the apprehension of the fantasy is conformable to the disposition of the body , and to the humours which bea●e rule in the body . hence it is , that the chollericke doe dreame of fires , flames , warres , and slaughters . the melancholick dreame of darknes , burialls , sepulchers , sprights , of deepe pits , fearefull flights , and of the like troublesome things . the flegmatick● dreame of rame , ri●ers , lakes , shipwracke , drowning , &c the sa●guine dreame of banquets , loue , ioyes , &c. all these with their causes are auoyded by a sober dyet ; for insteed of bad there are ingendred nothing but true and good blood , choller , flegme , and melancholly , so that their inward conditions are wel composed , gentle , milde , demure , and quiet , neuer ministring any cause of debate , but with sobriety and patience taking all things in good part . the third commodity , which a sober dye● brings with it , is the safety of memory . which is wont to be impayred and hu●t by reason of cold humours , which haue seized on the braine , and is very ominous to the intemperate or aged person . this inconuenience is speedily cured by an orderly dyet , with abstayning from ho● liq●●urs and fuming drinkes , vnlesse it be in sin●●l quantity . for although wine and strong drinke bee hote , yet it causeth colde sicknesses beeing often taken , as coughes , distillations , the pose , the apoplexie , or palsie . the fourth commodity is , the liuely vigour of the minde , in reasoning , iudging , in inuention , and in an apter disposition to conceiue or receiue diuine mysteries . heere hence it comes to passe , that they , which obserue a sparing dyet are watchfull , circumspect , prouident , and sound of iudgement : whatsoeuer spirituall or mentall exercise they take in hand , they commonly excell in that kinde of knowledge , which they undertake . the reason is , because their thoughts are abstracted and seuered from this base earthly mould to heauenly contemplation , and to those high angelical raptures , of which f●esh and blood can hardly enter into the consideration . i beleeue very few in these dayes may be sayd to be thus diuinely disposed , for i will stand vnto it , that except they haue some power of abstinence together with that vnspotted faith , which the protestant church holds , they shall neuer passe for men truely religious , nor shine with that bright light of vnderstanding to cont●mne the vanities of this seducing world , nor receiue that solace in their spirits to conceiue themselues as it were in paradise familiar with god. for doubtlesse they that are thus regularly dyeted , if they haue but a graine of faith , as it is written , they may worke wonders , and perhaps performe mi●acles . they shall see strange visions , and be rapt vp , as st. paule was , into the heau●ns for some small time to receiue spirituall consolations , the which if these reuelations and consolations conc●rne onely themselues , they must not blabbe them abroad , vnlesse their publication be more for the glory of god , then for their owne hypocriticall prayse . for it pleaseth god oftentimes to send or infuse messages to confirme his seruants in their constant courses . as i remember in the booke of martyres a holy man beeing in queene maries dayes to be brought to the stake for the faiths sake , the night before complayned to one austin his friend , that since his imprisonment hee had no secret enco●ragement of the holy ghost to continue stedfast ; but on the contrary hee found himselfe very heauy , and somewhat loath to dye . but the next day as hee was lead towards the stake to be burned , hee met the sayd austin by the way , to whom this good man cryed out with great ioy , laying his hand on his heart : o austin , austin , he is come , he is come ; meaning , the holy ghost , of whose absence hee had bewayled the night before . i deny not , but there may bee many saints here in our dayes , but surely they take not the right course to make their election sure , if they mortifie not their bodies sometimes , when rebellious passions are like to breake out into combustion , or else that they be endowed with this powerfull vertue of abstinence , as i doe heere prescribe . nor are they to bee counted perfect diuines , which can only discourse of diuinity , preach eloquent sermons , or dispute of profound mysteries ; but hee is the true messenger of god , who liues according to our sa●iours life , and his apostles , or at the least doth his endeauour to imitate them , as neere as hee can . and in what outward seruice can a man draw neerer vnto them , then in sobriety , and abstinence ? for , as faith is the inward ground of the spirituall building of gods church : so abstinence , i hold to bee after a sort , the secondary and outward foundation of this great structure , aswell because it remooues those lets , which might preiudice our vnderstanding , as also because by it wee meete with many singular good helpes to prepare the faculties of the minde to bee more cleare and ready to embrace that course of life , which best pleaseth our creaetor . therefore , as lessius writes , seeing that our proceeding or progresse in spirituall maetters doe depend vpon the vse of understanding , or that intellect , which is infused in the soule , and vppon faith , which resides in this understanding , wee cannot loue that which is good or prosite in that loue ; nor hate that which is euill , or grow in hatred of that euill , except it bee first propounded and discussed in the vnderstanding , to stirre vp and mooue our affections for that vertuous purpose . whe●e hence it comes to passe , that they who haue lodged diuine matters in their vnderstanding , as the apostles did , and such as followed their steppes , they shall easily cont●mne all earthly goods , and climbe vp to the high degree of sanctity and holinesse , and for that cause at the last they shall obtayne for their reward a glorious crowne in heauen . for the will of man doth easily conforme it selfe to the iudgement of the vnderstanding , when a matter is not there rashly , and suddainly propounded , but with deliberation deepely , and with length of time discussed and debated . whereby it appeares that those things , which doe hinder , darken , or make difficult the functions of the minde , for the most part are the causes , why in knowledge , or in the o●●ices of p●ety , or in ho●inesse of life wee arriue not to the wished and illustrious d●g●ee of perfection . by the premisses it is apparant , that temperance , or sobriety is of great e●●●cacy and power both to ex●●nguish those impediments , which e●lipseour iudgments from meditating on the bright beames of vnderstanding , and the true course of our saluation , and therefore it may not vnfitly bee called the secondary foundation of wisdome and of our spiritual progresse . for what bee the lets that make vs so vnapt to spirituall knowledge ; are they not the superfluous limidities of the braine , the obstructions of the braines pores and passages , the aboundance of blood , the heate of the spirits , which spring from blood and choller , or the humors of melancholly , which assault the head and braine ? all which may be preuented by a well ordred dyet . the fifth commodity , which this dyet brings with it against the inw●rd motions is , that it asswageth or rooteth out the flames of lustfull desires , which annoy both body and soule . and surely next to the grace of god , nothing auailes more ; for a sober dyet takes away first the matter , which is the aboundance of windy sperme . secondly , the impulsiue cause , which is the needlesse store of the animall spirits , whereby that sperme is expelled . and thirdly , the prouoking cause , which is the imagination of venereous doings . this imagination stirres vp chiefly the passion of concupiscence , which presently mooues the spirits to expulsion , and these spirits being so mooued to expulsion doe vehemently vrge , yea , and doe performe the deede , vnlesse the will chance to restrayne the same . all these abhominations are chased away , or at the least corrected by a temperate dyet . the which whosoeuer practizeth , shall finde himselfe free from such perturbations , so that our papists need not afflict their bodies , as many of them do , with languishing fasts , bodily labours , whip-cords , wyres of steele , going barefoote , or with lying on the cold ground , so benumming , or making brawne of their carkasses , that might by this manner of dyet be sustayned with vigorous and liuely heate to sympathize and correspond with the functions of the minde ; where , as in a glasse , the whole man , though outwardly made but of dust and ashes , may behold from within him , the very image of the incomprehensible god , both in vnity and trinity , except his iudgement bee eclipsed with ●rronious motions . the fift section . examples of such , as by abstinence and a sparing dyet haue prolonged their liues to very old age. there was a sect among the iewes , called the essen● , who when as they could not in their consciences brook to liue in ierusalem , betwixt the pharisees and the saducees , by reason of the hypocrisie , and dissimulation of the one ; and the lycentious liuing of the other , retired themselues to a desert neere the lake of asphaltes , not farre from ievicho , and there gaue themselues to a temperate dyet , with extraordinary fastes , whereby most of them liued aboue . yeares . paulus theb●us , about the age of . yeares o●d , during the persecution vnder decius the romane emperour , beeing discontented for the losse of his father , and liketo be betrayed for a christian by a cou●tous hypocrite , that was married to his sister , because hee might enioy his patrimony , fled into a solitary place , and there hid himselfe in a caue , at the foote of a rocke , neere to which place grew a great palme tree , vpon whose fruite hee daily fed . they write , that for the space of . yeares a rauen euery day at nine a clocke , brought him halfe a loafe of bread , and that his apparrell was made of the leaues of the palme tree . st. h●erome reports , that from the time which hee entred into this retired place , which was about the yeare . vntill the end of his life , hee neuer departed thence , hauing continued there . yeares . st. anthony . who instituted an hermita life in aegypt , borne of noble and religious parents , and being about . yeares old , sold his estate , and bestowed part vpon his sister , and distributed the resdue to the poore . and retiring himselfe from the world , he built himselfe a cortage in a place remote from company , where hee liued a most austere and strict life . he dyed about the yeare . hauing liued . yeares . his dyet was only bread and water , sauing that hee added broath or pottage to his sustenance , when he was exceeding old , as athanasius witnesseth . hee was so famous in his latter dayes for his holy and deuout life , that emperours , kings , and princes sent vnto him for his counsell , and recommended themselues to his prayers . cariton an iconian by birth , hauing endured much troubles vnder aurelian for the christian faith , in the end being enlarged out of prison during the raigne of the emperour tacitus , which succeeded him , and going to see ierusalem , they write that hee was taken prisoner by a company of theeues , who bound his hands , and put an iron chayne about his necke , and so led him into a desert place , neere vnto the dead sea , or sodomes lake . afterwards , these theeues going foorth for more boo●ies , a viper came into their caue , and dranke of the vessell , where the theeues kept their wine : the which shee poysoned , so that when the theeues d●anke thereof , they all dyed instantly . and they say , that caritons bonds at the very same time were miraculously broken or loosned , inso much that hee remained master of their wealth , whereof he communicated the most part to the persecuted christians , that were fied into those deserts , and with the rest hee built a religious house , where hee liued for the most part vpon bread , rootes , and water . he ended his dayes vnder constantine the second , and constantius his brother , being aboue . yeares old . iames the hermite a persian by nation , liued by a very sparing dyet , aboue yeares , as theodoret writes . st. macarius one of the fathers , which assisted at the counsell of nice , liued . yeares . st. epiphanius whose learned workes we haue , liued . yeares . arcenius schoole-master to arcadius the emperour , liued . yeares , with admirable abstinence . simeon stilites liued . yeares , with incredible parsimony , sobriety , and temperance . st. romuald and italian , liued . yeares , with a very straight dyet , whereof hee spent one hundred yeares in a religious house . iohannes de temporibus liued . yeares , euen from charlemaines time , vnder whom hee serued as a souldier , vntill our westerne christians set out for the conquest of the holy land. vdalricus bishop of padua , a man of wonderfull abstinence liued one hundred and fiue yeares . venerable bede , a saxo● borne , whose writings wee read , liued . yeares in a monastery , euer since he was seauen yeares of age . but to descend to our owne times , i will conclude with one excellent example of lodou●co cornario a venetian gentleman , whose treatise with lessius his annotations ministred vnto mee my chiefe light for the discouery of this new-found dyet , liued aboue . yeares . in his youth he spent his time very lycentiously , insomuch that when hee was ● . yeares of age , hee fell to be wonderfully crazed , and diseased with a paine in his stomacke , and oftentimes in his side , and also infested with the gout , and wi●h a spice of a feauer . in this manner hee languished vntill hee came to forty yeares . and then the physitians gaue him ouer for a dead man , yet with some hope , that whereas their physicke could not restore him to his health , yet perhaps hee might prolong his life , if he could betake himselfe to a set sp●ring dyet , the which i haue prescribed here . coruario seeing no other helpe , and being loath to dye in the midst of his age , and flourishing time , by little and little fe●● vnto it , and within halfe a yeare was deliuered of the most part of his griefes . but before the yeare went about , he was quite rid of all sicknesses . and so continued all his life after , with singular great contentment in his minde and body . when he was . he made a pleasant comedy , which is a worke of iouiall youth , partus iuventutis : for , as hee writes , hee found himselfe of such an excellent temper in body and minde , that hee would not exchange his age at those yeares with any young man whatsoeuer , that did not obserue his dyet ; and hee hoped to liue as long as the other . hee could at those yeares get vp a horse-back as light and as nimble , as when he was but . hee was alwayes merry , neuer once angry nor sad , but of that admirable temper , that all the h●mours of his body were in an equall proportion , as it were harmoniously compacted , in somuch that during the time that hee vsed this dyet , he neuer after sic●●ened . his sleepe was moderate , his dreames sweete and pleasing ; and his hearing and sences sound , his vnderstanding so pure and lightsome , that at . yeares o●d hee wrot a booke to the clergy in commendation of sobriety , and this dyet . among princes , that by temperate dyet prolonged their liues ; i will instant only on two , the emperour augustus , and queene elizabeth of england , whereof the former liued neere eighty yeares , and was so abstemious , that hee neuer dranke but thrice at one meale . and the other did seldome eate but one sort of meate , rose euer with an appetite , and liued about . yeares . now let me question our paracelsians , who beleeue such strange miracles of their el●x●r and potable gold , whether arnoldus de villa noua , raymundus lullius , frier bacon , ripley , or any other , whom they flatter themselues to haue had the knowledge of the phylosophers stone , whether , i say , any of these did liue longer , or in better health , in body and minde , then cornario , or some of these did ? if they can prooue , that their great maisters haue liued as long as ours , then let mee put them further in minde , that paracelsus himselfe their principall patron dyed at forty eight : whereas galen , who a●firmes that euer since hee attayned to twenty eight yeares , hee obserued a temperate dyet , which profited him so much , that thereby hee escaped free from all violent sicknesses , all his life time after , and liued vntill hee was aboue an hundred yeares old , as hippocrates and herodicus before him , onely by reason of a sober dyet without physicke , prolonged their liues to one hundred yeares . the sixt section . the effects and fruites of this admirable dyet . the effect of this new-found dyet , is singular great , and the fruites inestimable : for thereby old age , which is held to be an incurable sicknesse ; and a tedious misery , becomes fresh , greene , liuely , sprightfull , and flourishing . now , after long experience which a man hath learned in the world , hee is able to iudge by comparing his present estate with the vanities of his fore-passed manner of liuing , of the causes , why god , sent him into the world , and by what meanes hee may thence forwards recouer and redeeme the idle time which hee hath spent , to the glory of god , and the safeguard of his soule , which but for the great mercy of his sauiour , hee hath foolishly forfeited . then , he cannot but contemne earthly thoughts , and with a braue resolution scorne to fixe his minde on things , which like a dreame will passe away suddainly , remembring that saying in the gospell : o foole , this night will i take away thy soule , and then whose shall those goods be which thou hast prepared , and heaped together ? then , hee will acutely see , that there is no cause for him to ioyne fie●d to field , farme to farme , or lordship to lordship . for if he obserue this dyet , hee needes not bee at such former charge for gut-worke , or to please his sensuall pa●a●e , as hee hath beene at to the hazard of his health , and more of his soule . he will find that a very final reuenew will s●●●ice him , and that now hee shall be the better able to distribute the ouer-p●us to his christian neighbours , or bestow the same on some monuments for the honour of his redeemer , who gaue him the grace and power to leaue off his former superfluities and noysome varieties : then , he shall perceiue that ten yeares redeemed and conferred in this order of life , will better him more then . yeares in such irregular vame courses , as he before had fruitlessely consumed . then , seeing himselfe at more ease and contentment in spirit , with a well composed nature without rashnesse , or inperate passions , hee may accommodate his minde to prayers , to the seruice of god , and to doe workes of charity . for no extrauagant businesse can fall out to interpose betwixt him and heauenly cogitations , as he vsed to haue when hee dealt about matters of worldly profit . but perhaps some will say , who will pine himselfe , and loose so many dainty morcels , to enioy a few yeares longer then our fore-fathers ? heu non est tanto dig●a dolore salus . to these i answere , that the addition of a few yeares more to a man that begins to leaue off sinne , and to bee borne a new man regenerated vnto god through christ , ought to be dearer then all the delicate cheare of the world , which cannot come to passe , while the body is heauy , and pressed downe with a load of fat , and grosse humours . for of all the meate , which a man eates , let him consider how little of it turnes to nourishment or chyle within the body , and how much goes to excrements , to superfluous blood , and to those humours , which one day , and in processe of time will cause some grieuous sicknesse , if not mortall , and hee will iudge my counsell for sobriety to be from god , and sent from heauen in these latter dayes , to assist him in his christian progresse to saluation . at first is all the difficulty and hardest labour , by reason of the contrary custome , and for that the stomacke is stretched out at large , and as the french man sayth , as hollow as saint benets boote . but this difficulty is quickly taken away , if euery day by leas●re he with-draw and diminish somewhat of his vsuall dyet , vntill such time , as hee comes to the stinted measure . and after that the stomacke is once contracted and made narrower ; then there is no more difficulty nor trouble , but that hee may easily continue his sober dyes , because that small quantity doth answere and well agree with nature , and the capacity of the stomacke , onely the danger is , that after the dyet is accustomed , it must be continued still , for alteration is somewhat dangerous . the like examp ewe see in them , who in lent do at the first finde it grieuous to abstayne from their breake-fast or supper , but after a few dayes they make nothing of it ; no more then those doe , who are commaunded by their physitians to refraine from some kinde of accustomed meate , which giues ill nourishment to some dangerous disease , although it bee very pleasing to their appetite . in like manner doe not wee often see , that some of our land souldiers hauing beene long at sea , and there limitted in time of scarcity to a set quantity of slender victualls doe fall into fluxes and languishing sickenesses , if suddainly at their first landing , they breake that limited and set measure ? and how comes that to passe ? but because the stomacke hath beene kept for many dayes more straightned , narrower , and more contracted , whereby their suddaine falling into a larger dyet without regard had to that violent oppression of nature , which ought not to bee so altered , but by degrees , is the chiefe cause of their fluxe● . therefore men of experience will take heede at their landing of this excesse , and reduce their stomackes by little and little to receiue in such meate , and that in smal quan●ity at the first , as shall not offend them after wards . they will content themselues with broathes and weake meates for the first three or foure dayes , or if they feare such fluxes , as they haue reason for it , they will take the iuice of ground iuy , or the broath of rice , or the syrup of poppy , foure or fiue mornings after their landing ; yea , and perhaps they will physicke themselues with rheubarbe , aswell to purge themselues of that taint , which they got a ship-board , as to strengthen their stomackes : or else they will swallow two or three dayes together , ( but not without a preparatiue or glister , before hand , ) those which the arabiaens call the blessed pi's of aloes , which are compounded of aloes , mirrh , and saffron , the which likewise beeing infused in some liquor , to be taken in times of pestience , or calentures , are found miraculous . or if they feare the scuruy , a disease sprung from oppilations in the stomacke , and now a dayes too common , d ee seize on them , they will not negle●t in time to take the iuyce of lemons , turneps , or else the sa●t of scuruy-grasse , or the iuyce it selfe in some pleasing liquour . but to returne , where i haue digressed ▪ admit , that this dyet were somewhat grieuous at the first , let them consider . how they are forced other-whiles to endure a more grieuous pennance at their physitians hands , when they must take most loathsome medicines , whereat nature trembles to thinke of , as our finest gentle-women for the greene-sicknesse are constrayned to take powder of steele , &c. whereas the troublesomnesse of our dyet is recompeneed with wonderfull great commodities and singular fruite . for a temperate dyet makes the body light , pure , healthfull , preserues it from diseases and stinking corruption . it prolongeth life vntill extreame old age. it makes one sleepe quietly , and pleasantly . it makes our meate taste the more sauouring and acceptable . it brings soundnesse to the sences , quicknesse to the memory , cleare iudgement to the wit , it asswageth the rage of vnruly passions , beates downe and breakes the fury of vnlawfull lust , and driues away anger and sorrow . to conclude , it conioynes , cements , and as it were glues and scrues together the soule and body with such an harmonicall admired temper , that with a quiet conscience , apostolicall patience , and with a magnanimous sparkling spirit , partaking equally of mirth and grauity , hee shall soone perceiue himselfe metamorphozed and changed of a sensuall creature to bee a man of reason ; of a darke besotted apprehension , now suddainly become one of the hopefull children of god , illuminated with vnderstanding to ponder , iudge , & discusse of caelestiall matters , touching the mysteries of our saluation , of faith , grace , the resurrection , beatitude , and the difference betwixt humane and diuine policy , betwixt saint michael the archa●gell , and the spirituall drago● ; betwixt the heauenly ierusalem , and the most reformed common-wealth among mortall men . and lastly , hee shall be able to apprehend , how sinne and the prince of the ayre , are linked in one , to confirme mens hardned hearts in their owne accursed courses . the seuenth section . how necessary the bodies purification by a temperate dyet is for the soules health . the suddaine cure of the cough , the tisicke , and other diseases by some medicines intermixt with this dyet . pvrification must go before glorification . for before a man can assume a glorified immortall body in heauen , it is necessary the whole man bee purified heere on earth , the soule by faith , and the body by abstinence . after this life we must not relye on apocriphall dreames of a third place , by capriccious schoolemen called purgatory , like to the poets eliz●an fields . but at our departure out of this world we must repeate the same words , which our sauiour spake at the giuing vp the ghost , consummatum est , it is finished . wee haue fought in this world a good fight , wee haue abstayned from carnall and worldly temptations . otherwise , wee go out , but as halfe christians , and being luke-warme , christ will not know vs , if wee stand on bare faith , without the fruites of faith , which must not onely spring in vs towards our owne bodies , but by example and good workes towards our fellowes , the members of christ. o how much do the capuchins and carth●sians goe beyond vs in abstinence , and in contemning the world ! and if they had the faith , which we professe , and did not too much macerate and deface the handy-worke of god , vppon a meritorious baalish hope , surely , they might bee sayd to see with two eyes , and we but with one eye , and being better purified then wee , they were assured of that glorification , which wee expect . i doubt no● but some heere will taxe me , that i sauour a little of pharisaicall popish leauen , because i insist on the bodies purification , as if i derogated from faith , which onely iustifieth , and that all meates are tollerable , let a man eate and drinke neuer so much , as long as they are sanctified with our ordinary graces of thanksgiuing , though sayd by roat or cooled zeale . and that wee cannot transgresse in what enters into the body , seeing that all things were purified and made cleare by christ , according to st. peters vision about cornelius , these libertines would faine couer their epicurean excesse with sophisticall daubings , but they heede not my ayme , who with st. paul professe , that all things are cleane to the cleane . it is the quantity , and not the quality of the meates , or drinkes , which i reprooue . if i should tell them further , that the cause why moses forbad the israclites the eating of swines flesh was , for that hee fore-saw , that the same in those hote countries would breede it●h and scabs , and that it did become the hely nation , to keepe their vessells better purified , then to appeare in the house of god so polluted ; surely i beleeue , they would take me for ● iew , aswell as a romanist . why were lepers , and those that had running issues debarred from the temple , insomuch that their king so diseased , was repulsed to enter ? was it not because god loued a purified cleane body , ●ather then a mangy person ? specially , if through his owne disordered manner of liuing , or the diuine vengeance he became so defiled ? in respect whereof , it is conuenient that we doe our best endeauours to purifie that place , which is destinated for the holy ghost , by abstayning from alluring meats of diuerse natures at the same mea●e . go to the physitian before thou be sicke , ( saith the wise man. ) before gluttony and drunkennes hale vs into the prison of sicknesses , let vs take heede of their causes , and not finde fault with friends , who without fee or rewards haue opened them the way to purification , and a sober liuing . because lessius and cornario being papists late●y renewed and brought to light this admirable dyet , shall wee disdayne their wholesome counsell ? this vncharitablenesse leads to errour what we finde among papists praise-worthy , and not repugnant to faith , we ought to embrace and cheerish . by that reason we should haue no discipline , no canon law , nor any ciuill order for the gouernment of the church against ref●a●●aries and gyddy headed heretickes , if we condemne all that wee borrow from them . for our religion it selfe , though afterwards eclipsed , was propagated and sent into this iland from the bishop of rome . because their mine yeeldes not the finest oare , shall we not refine the oare , and purifie the gold , that comes from them ? yea , though it came exsterquilinio out of their dunghill , with many dregs and filth , we must not reiect and altogether debase what we receiued from them , as long as it tends to our profit or edification . we ought to commend them for their laudable fasts , their almes-giuing , and their continent liues ; i meane some few of them , which were indeed most continent , and not minister occasion of scandall in our christian calling , to make them the more obstinate , and obdurate . st. paul could haue wished neuer to eate meate , whilst he liued , if hee thought , that that kinde of meate offended his brother ; where as some of vs on the contrary , would e●te flesh on good friday , euen to dispite them . by this indiscreete and vncharitable carriage towards them , in things indifferent , many soules haue fallen away from our church , and left those skars , which will continue ( i feare ) to the worlds end . so tractable in this indifferent course was peter mo●lins that religious minister of france , when hee heard how some of our english preachers chose rather to bee silenced , then to weare the surplice : o i would to god , sayth he , that i were bound to go in a fooles coate through paris all the dayes of my life , so that i were licensed to preach the gospell there . and so an english co●ntesse heretofore , was content to ride through couentry starke naked at noone day , so that she might gayne freedome for that towne , which for their common and future good , shee afterwards most zealously performed . now to aduance forwards , and thereupon to conclude our worke of purification , to be brought to passe by abstinence , and our newfound dyet , it is lookt for , that i should first cu●e some of those infirmities , which are already growne through repletion , and disorders . among which , i behold the lunges , which waxe old sooner then the rest of the members , as aristotle affirmed . and the reason is , because they are subiect to all kind of excrements . for they receiue catarrhes , coughs , and other fi●thy matter from the braine , besides excrementicious blood , which is ingendred there , and turnes to purulent matter , which render them foule & filthy , as our late a●atomists haue found , as●ve ●as that , which comes from the head , and what ber is made so impure , must needes grow soonest old . for which cause those persons , whose breath doth stinke by reason of the impurities of the lunges , shall waxe old sooner then others . as on the contrary , those whose breath smells well , or doth not stinke whilest they are fasting , may liue much longer . for the abating or correcting of this viscous , clammy , and mattry stuffe , which is there ingendred , or fallen from the braine , nothing anayles more then this our dyet , after that the same hath bene practised and vsed two or three moneths , such impurities will cease of their owne accord . but for feare the diseased party may in the meane time suffocate and perish , like the horse , that starued , while the grasse grew ; let him that is troubled with a violent cough , which is accounted but a symptome , mingle some manna well sifted , and a little saffron with his panade , broth , or gr●ell , and that being vsed for fiue , or sixe dayes together , will by gentle purges by little and little consume away the cause ; yea , and will supply the place of an expecterall , aswell as any of those medicaments which they call becchica , or else they may use three or foure drops of the syrupe of tobacco in two spoonefuls of hysop water , or in default thereof , a peece of tobacco it selfe rowled and chewed in the mouth , before meate , for foure or fiue dayes together , will performe the c●re , or in case of necessity , let him drinke but once an o●nce of the iuyce of the blew-flower-de luce root called ir●s , newly gathered , beaten , and strayned , with sug●ed water , and some saffron ; and though the party were at the very poynt ready to bee choaked with these s●●my and grosse h●mours , and could not rest , but sit vp wheezing , and without sleepe ; yet within two or three houres , ( as it were by miracle ) hee shall auoyde by vomit , and stooles , the causes of his deadly distemper . or else let him take twenty , or twenty fiue graines of pantomagogon in pils , with the powder of lycoras , once euery second day for a weeke , and these will gently purge a●l the humours . and these pi●s i hold to bee singular good to preuent many other diseases , and not so loathsome as most medicines be . next , the braine presents it selfe to my view , the indisposition whereof may be discouered by the heate , or coldnesse . if it be ouer hot , it causeth distillations into the lunges , lunacies , &c. for the cure whereof , some lettice may bee boyled with our dyet , or the greene leaues of poppy , and in defaulte thereof their seedes , or their syrupes . in that case diacodion , which is composed of white poppy , with sugred water alone , or mixt with our diet is of admirable operation both to coole , and to procure sleepe . to which as a cau●at , i wish such distempered persons to beware , how they keepe their heads too warme with night-caps ; for thereby i haue obserued that many haue vnaduisedly miscarried . for the cold distemper of the braine , accompaned with moysture : the smoake of tobacco with a drop or two of the oyle of anny-seed is expedient , if the party be not too narrow breasted , or else troubled with the fits of asthma . but oftentimes the braine may suffer by reason of outward causes , as frost , or cold windes in the same manner , as the lunges are , for both alike are impayred by cold , that they might the sooner become weakned and old , and that by reason of respiration . for both these members doe breath and respire , the braine for the perception of smells , and the lunges more aboundantly , for the recreation of the heart . therefore both these members doe secretly through their pores and passages draw in the ayre , and do receiue their impressions , which happen not to any of th' other members . for this discommodity , whereto our northerne nations are much subiect , thet haue lately armed themselues with hoodes agaynst raine , snow , and tempests ; and if before their iournies they annoynt the soles of their feete with that excellent oyle of euphorbium , or of pepper , and stop their ●ares with cotton or bumbase dipt in oyle of an●●seed , or with cyuet : they neede not feare distempers through cold , as long a so as englands golden fleece is able to furnish them with outward defences . but wee haue cause to doubt a greater inconu●nience then , a momentary cold , which commonly with the weather for sake the hold ; for if it prooue an extreame frost , or blustring windes , specially after ●ainy weather , which occasion the cuils aforenamed , that treacherous guest , the sc●ruy , the store-house of al diseases , farrago omnium morborum , ( which some haue mistaken for a spice of the catholick disease : ) may get possession within the body . and this happens both by the sunnes absence , and for that the skinne , and all the outward pores are stopt , thickned , and congealed with cold , so that there is no place left for the venting of euaporations , and exhalations out of the body . and therefore they are driuen backe coagulated , where those vapours are forced for want of vent to assault the inward parts , and at length they domineere , and cause oppilations and stoppages , so that the liuely spirits cannot performe their offices . heere hence it fals out , that some of these tainted exhalations are carried vpwards to the eyes , eares , nose , and to the teeth , and gummes ; and other-whiles to the breast , or else they descend downe to the legges . a spoonefull of the iuyce of lemons at a time , or the luyce of scuruy-graf●e , or the salt of it , as i shewed in the former section , mixt with our panade , will remooue this suruy-baggage . and for the putrified gummes , a drop or two of the oyle of vitrioll , or some vnguentum aegyptiacum applyed vnto them , will speedily cure them . i neede not correct the stomacke , but with the owne simple dyet , yet if at first by reason of the suddaine alteration , which i haue notwithstanding here expresly forbidden , and on the contrary aduised them to proceede by degrees from twenty ounces , to foureteene , or twelue , and by so many , or a little more of drinke , to bee diminished within a moneth : then if the stomacke should become somewhat fainting , a cup of wine and sugar added to the dyet , or in extremity cinamon water , anniseed , worme-wood water , or manus christi , or ginger-bread , will quickely restore the cowardly stomacke . but if the midriffe rise , or any winde , which our dyet will speedily chase away , vineger scilliticke , or sea onion will keepe it downe . afterwards , if they chance to breake this dyet , if it be but for a meale or two , i wish them to fast the next meale after , although it were more commendable esu●ire inter epulas , to rise vp with an appetite . for the stone , if walter caries quintessence of goates blood , which in his farewell to physicke , he cals the hammer for the stone , may not be gotten , let the party take goates blood , and vse it after the arabian manner : that is , dried in the o●en , and drunke in some liquour . more medicines i could lay downe , for this and other sicknesses , but that i doubt our practitioners of physicke would indite me for intiusion into their profession ; albeit i thinke they will bee more offended with me for the publishing of this dietary cure , then for any other quarrell . for i make no question , but the same will both preuent and heale more diseases , then all their recipes grounded but vpon coniecturall prognostickes for the most part , like vnto our almanackes . me thinkes , if it were nothing else but for the auoyding of physitians fees , and ap●th●caries bils , that were a motiue sufficient to enduce vs to liue soberly . whereto might bee added the shortning of our dayes , which their drugges doe cause , besides the poysoned relicks , which they leaue behind them in the body . for we must vnderstand , that all purgations , specially electuaries soluble , haue some venemous quality in them , and likewise that the good humours aswell as the bad are exhausted by them , to the future decay of health , and the treacherous wasting of the oyle of life . the like fatall inconuenience comes by blood letting . the eight section . speciall remedies against sea sicknesses , the scuruy , and against the annoyances of snow , frosts , and cold winds . wherein the cause of my lord baltimores disasters in new-found land this last winter is debated . the disasters which hapned to my lord baltimore and his colony the last winter at feriland , in our new-land plantation , by reason of the scuruy , haue mooued mee to inserte some more specifique remedies against that disease , which not onely in those climates beares dominion , but likewise heere in england , although hooded with other titles , yet commonly sprung of the same causes . for sometimes the scuruy is ingendred of outward causes , and sometimes from within the body , or from both . and therefore they that dwell neere the sea-side , where the north-east windes rage , are most subiect to this infirmity . before the sayd lord euer beganne his plantation , he cannot deny , but i aduised him to erect his habitation in the bottome of the bay at aquafort , two leagues distant from that place , which for ought i heare , is not much to be discommended , and more into the land , where my people had wintred two yeares before , and found no such inconuenience . nay , his lordship himselfe suspected the place ; sor●● his letters hee complayned that vnlesse hee might be beholding to me for the assignment of both those places out of my grant , he was in a manner disheartned to plante on that coast , by reason of the easterly windes , which with the mountaynes of ice floating from estotiland , and other northerne countries towards new-found land , rendred that easterly shore exceeding cold . yet notwithstanding , his lordship beeing perswaded by some , which had more experience in the gainefull trade of fishing , then in the scituation of a commodious seate for the wintring of his new inhabitants , bestowed all his charge of building at fertland , the coldest harbour of the land , where those furious windes and icy mountaynes doe play , and beate the greatest part of the yeare . whereas , if hee had built eyther at aquafort , or in the westerly part in the bay of placentia , which hath aboue . miles ouer-land , betwixt it and that easterne shore , his enterprize had suceeeded most luckily : and so this of fertland , might haue serued well for his profit in the fishing , and also for a pleasant summer dwelling . sir francis tanfield , vnder the right honourable the lord vicount faulkland , continued two yeares , but three leagues more southward at renooz , and did well enough , in which place likewise my colony remayned one winter without any such mortall accidents . but all winters , i confesse , are not alike in that country , no more then they are here with vs in europe . yea and here too in the same paralell , the season differs . who will imagine , that wee in wales haue lesse snow and frosts then london and essex ? and yet by experience wee finde it so , whereof the very cause proceeds from the easterne windes , whose rigorous force before they arriue ouer land into our westerne parts , cannot but be much broken and abated . besides these winds , snows , and fr●sts , the scuruy is ingendred by earing of those meates which are of corrupted iuice , raw , cold , salted , or of ill nourishment , which breede grosse blood and melancholly . among which i reckon bacon , fish , beanes , pease , &c. and among drinkes , i ranke all strong liquors whatsoeuer , specially , if they be taken in frosty weather , when the stomacke ouer abounds with heate , and consequently at that time most subiect to infiamations , which , when the th●●● comes , will certainely breake out into some dangerous disease . do but obserue how the sap of plants and hearbes in frosty seasons descends downe to the roote , as to the last refuge and helpe in nature ? the which plants if we should refresh with chalke or lime , well may they flourish for a little while , but their fruite and themselues are of no continuance . the like i may say of such , as by strong liquors doe conceiue , that they fortisie and comfort their stomackes in cold weather , when as indeed they get but a sparkling heate like a blast , that will quickly extinguish : from hence arise the scuruy , catarrhes , rhumes , coughs , feuers , &c. but leauing these causes , i will proceed to the cure of this fatall sicknesse , which now a dayes prooues a stumbling stone to the wisest physitians , by reason of the manifold symptomes and infirmities which accompany it , able to deceiue aesculapius himselfe . first , let the party , that feares or suspects himselfe tainted , change or ayre his apparrell , putting on cleane shifts and linnen . secondly , let him sleepe in boorded roomes , and if hee bee able , to haue his chamber wainscotted , or well dryed of those dampish sauours , which stone or earthen walls are wont to euaporate and breath out . thirdly , let him beate and burne one acre of land round about his dwelling . fourthly , let him eate those meats , which are tender , light of digestiō , that will not be soone corrupted , chiefly fresh meats with dited sauce , but moderately , and without excesse . fiftly , let him often vse the expressions of currans , prunes , or reasins , or diaprunis , or some of these in broath made with manna , cassia , tama●ind , or seene . for these will loosen the belly by their moysture and slippery faculty , whose whayish humours the melt or spleene is accustomed to steale away , and so by making it selfe great and bigge to impouerish and infeeble the rest of the members . sixtly , for an exquisite purgation after a glister , or preparatiue first vsed , which might be of oximel . with some of the aforenamed expressions , let him take of the roote of rheubarbe , or mechoacan three dragmes , hermodactilis two dragms , turbith three dragmes , an ounce of diagredium , two scruples of cinnamon and ginger , three pound of sugar . of this purgation , let the party take one ounce , or sixe dragmes at a time . seauenthly , after these purgations , which must be taken euery day , or euery second day , while it lasteth , let him vse bathes made of brimstone or branne once a weeke to attenuate the skinne , whereby the vapours of the body may the easier exhale out . but for twelue houres after bathing hee must not stirre out of doores . whosoeuer will vse these obseruations , not neglecting those , which i haue generally deliuered in the former sections , as antiscorbutica , to preuent the seuruy , hee may rest assuredly not to become infe●ted with the disease , and if he be tainted , he shall speedily recouer . and now for the poorer sort , who perhaps are not able to prouide themselues of the premisses , they may eyther purge themselues with those pils called pantomagogon in the precedent section described , or take three graines of stibium in a cup of beere steeped and beaten to powder , euery second day for a weeke together . and to preuent the scuruy , wee haue tryed in new-found land , that the tops and leaues of turneps , or radish being boyled , is a soueraigne helpe . and also that neetleseede , and hony , with a little wormwood is expedient . to conclude , goose-dung being mixed with meale and butter , will serue for a pultes to the tumours or outward griefes , caused through this sicknesse to abate the inflammations , and the spots , and vlcers ; yea , and if their stomackes could away with the loathsome taste with a few cloues in drinke , it will cure the scuruy suddainely , as they in zealand haue often tryed . a pomander to be vsed at sea , against the noysome sent of the ship. this pomander will much auayle against such offensiue smells : muske three graines , saffron one scruple , so much of cloues and nutmegs , halfe a dragme of masticke , of laudannu on ounce , let these with two dragmes of white waxe bee rowled and stirred together in a hote mortar . as for the poore , they may vse the rind of oranges , lemons , or the roote of angelica . agaiast violent vomiting at sea. let him drinke worme-word wine , or the salt of worme-wood in beere or wine . a bagge of dryed mintes layd to the stomacke is singular good in that case . likewise , this medicine taken and eaten in the morning , will strengthen the stomacke : one cloue or two of garlicke , two or three almonds , two or three cloues , and a little ginger , let these be moistned with halfe a spoonefull of vinegar . after meales coriander comfits , or quince ma●melate is commodious . for the first three dayes , let him feede sparingly , and vse capers or oliues , with his meate . remedies to preserue the members from the discommodities of the frost , iee , snow , and cold windes . let not the party presently enter into a warme roome , or two neere the fire , but by little and little let him approach or remayne in a temperate roome . let the frozen and congealed members be annoynted ouer with the oyle of chamomell , if the strong smell offend him not , or with oyle of lillies , or else with sallet oyle and salt somewhat warme . and about halfe an houre after that hee bee put a bed , let him drinke a cup of wine or beere well mulled or heated with pepper rudely brayed and put in a piece of cloath for feare of offending the throate . let him hold in his mouth some hote spice , as cinnamon , ginger , a●oes , cloues , or pepper . garlicke boyled in milke , or beere , will suffice in this extreamity for the poorer sort . in briefe , if there be any doubt , that some member is almost stupified with colde , specially with the frost , let that member be held in cold water for a while , that it may soften and so by degrees return to the temper . the poore may in default of a better oyntment , before and after their returne home-wards , annoynt their hands and feete with bruised garlike , tempred with oyle or butter , if they cannot haue some of the oyles aboue named in the former section . to preserue the eyes from snow , which sometimes as the more excellent , annoyes the lesse : a piece of blacke-stuffe or cloath ho●den in the hands , and often lookt on , wil performe the same , and defend the sight from iniury . aboue all , let not the party go abroad fasting . the ninth section . remedies against other sicknesses incident at sea , or land. against the heat of the stomacke , and to preuent the calenture , and other feuers . syrupus acetosus simplex in this case , is highly commended by ranzouius , as also to preuent feuers , which kinde of syrupe is made of water-sugar , and vinegar , as oximell is made with hony . hee that vseth the same shall hardly bee infected with any kinde of feauer , nor be troubled with the asthmaticke passion , or tysicke . in the beginning of a feauer , the syrup , or looch of poppy , is conuenient both to coole the body , and to procure sleepe . and so is a glister or suppositary , in the beginning of any sicknesse . a friend of mine who had beene sundry voyages in the indies , and within the tropickes assured me , that when most of his people had beene often sicke at sea of calentures and burning feuers , hee euer escaped . and the meanes which hee disclosed vnto me were these : he vsed euery day to sip a spoonefull of the iuice of lemons , and in default thereof , he accustomed to drinke often a beuerage of vinegar and water . and lastly , euery day hee bathed and washed his fundament with cold water , which is the chiefest way , that the turkes , arabians , and moores doe purifie themselues before their saba●thes , and during the time of their fasts . aboue all , our dyet , or that which our mariners call lob-lolly , will serue them for nourishment at sea. a powder to be vsed eyther on land , or sea , to defend a man against sicknesse . take of dryed rose leaues three drams , of lignum aloes halfe a dragm , of licoras , nutmegs , and saffron , of each a scruple , of muske foure or fiue graines . make all these into fine powder , and then quilt it in a piece of taffata , or sarcenet , and weare it on the left side of the breast . an electuary against melancholly pass●ons , 〈◊〉 and to make the heart iouiall and merri●r . take of the conserues of roses two ounces , of the conserues of buglosse , and marigold , of each one ounce , of cinnamon one dragme well powdred . forme these into an electuary with two ounces of the syrupe of poppy , and at your going to bed take the quantity of a nutn●●g . a description of certaine pils to procure sleepe and to open obstructions . take of the powder of alkekenge with out opium two d●agmes , of opium on diagme and a halfe we●l beaten , with one ounce of sugar-candy . the which with syrupe of lic●ras must be made in a masse , and then diuided into pils and swallow them . they will serue for two or three times . a drinke to ripen and ure the cough . take of the syrupe of enulacampana and licoras of each two ounces , of hysop water a quarter of a pint . boyle these in a quart of ale or beere , with some red sugar candy to a pint , and drinke thereof two or three spoonefulls at a time , lying on your backe , and letting it distill downe your throate , by little and little . to preuent the palsie . nothing is better then to eate some diatrion p●perior , or to swallow downe in the morning foure or fiue graines of pepper . the cure of the winde in the stomacke , and the collicke . commonly this infirmity hapneth for want of stirring and exercise , or by eating of fish , fruite , or the like windy food in greater aboundance then nature is able to beare without belching , rumbling , or the like commotion in the stomacke ; which sometimes descending lower downe into the guts , before the former meate bee fully digested , begets more strength of winde , so that betwixt the olde excrements and the new , this grieuous payne called the coll●cke , is ingendred . for the cure whereof , if the wind proceedes from heate by drinking of sacke , or strong liquor , or in the summer , first let him abstayne from those causes , and take a glister made of sugar , milke , and some cooling hearbes , or of broath where in raisons , prunes , or currants haue beene sodden , or where diaprunis is dissolued , with some anniseeds . and for a topicke medicine , to fortifie and ease the place affected for the present , let the party apply a dryed rose-cake somewhat warme , and besprinkled with a few drops of vinegar to the belly . the poorer sort may clap warme trenchers or napkins . but if the collicke be ingendred of the colde , as in winter , or by feeding on moyst and raw sustenance ; i wish the poore to content themselues with garlicke boyled , or raw . and for the richer sort , i prescribe this singular receit , take venice treacle or m●thridate with a few beaten cloues , dissolued and mulled in a cup of wine . or in default thereof , a spoonefull or two of worme-wood , cinnamon , or anniseede water , or some liquour wherein pepper hath beene soaked . diatrien p●perion also eaten is exceeding good , fasting , or at going to bed . and for a locall remedy , let him put dryed cammomill betwixt two linnen cloathes to the belly . or for want thereof the oy●e , or paracelsus his stipticke playster , the place being first annoynted with that kind of oyle , or with that of roses . against the euill disposition of the body , as the dropsie , the greene-sicknesse , and the like . take of allom , brimstone , and of the fi●ings of iron , or steele of each a handful . inf●se them bruised in three quarts of white wine vinegar three dayes , and let the party adde thereof a spoonefull at a time to euery draught of drinke . likewise a posset made of allome , will correct this ill disposition of the body . r●medies for the straightnesse of the breast , and the rising of the lights . some do highly commend quicke sulphur beaten to powder , and well mixed with sugar caudy , to be taken either alone or with wine . others at the time of the fit , do aduise to giue him vinegar scillitick with ammoniacke dissolued . fracastorius extolies lungwort , eyther of the oke or iuniper ; li●ewise the smoake of sandaraca , o● o●piment in the manner as i haue shewed in my booke of directions for health . but in truth the foxes lights soaked for three dayes in vinegar , and afterwards dryed in an ouen , being taken to the quantity of a nutmeg , eyther alone , or with some liquor , is the best remedy , aswell for this infirmity , as for the cough proceeding of the difficulty of breathing , for it is knowne , that of all creatures the foxe hath the longest breath , and strongest winde . in default of the substance , the common receite called looch de pul●●one vulpis is expedient . remedies for the gout , whether it proceed from hot or cold causes . first let him betake himselfe , if he can , to our dyet . secondly , let him beware of all strong drinkes and wine . thirdly , let him purge himselfe with the potion of hermod●c●●l●s , m●choacan , &c. which i haue before described against the scuruy : or else let him vse pillu●ae cochiae which drawes awayes the causes from the head. and these purgations hee shall vse once a moneth . and if there bee cause , let him bleede sometimes . fourthly , let him exercise . fiftly , let him annoynt for a locall lenitiue the place affected with oyle of frogs , or of mirrh , eyther alone , or with a little saffron , and if the paine bee violen● , with some opium . but indeede to mollifie and asswage the griefe , for the richer sort , i aduise them neuer to bee without this precious cataplasme . take of dried rose leaues one ounce , of masticke halfe an ounce , of saffron one dragme , of campher sixteene graines , and of barly meale two ounces . powre thereon as much white wine , as wi●l make them boyle , which must bee gently , a●l by leasure . and often stirred . the tenth section . remedies against the odious and vnhealthfull vice of drunkenesse . the authors admonitory conclusion , to liue soberly and temperately . for the shutting vp of these particular cures , i will insert this corollary , which i wish all them that haue a care of their healths , daily to reuolue in their mindes , being drawne out of hippocrates his golden aphorismes : that whatsoeuer nourishment enters into an impure body , will make it the more impure . but there is one sicknesse more , which rightly may be stiled the northerre catholicke , crept among vs within these forty yeares , the sinne of drunkennesse , brought hither out of germany , and the low-countries , which beares such sway , that few merite the name of gallants , or sociable creatures , vn●esse they can carouse more cups , then the large body of a camell is able to brooke , without great alteration in nature . for the suppressing of this odious sicknesse , we haue laudable acts of parliament , but for want of due execution of the lawes it increaseth to the great displeasure of almighty god , the scandall of our religion , and the grieuous disturbance of their bodies , which wee see drooping away daily , before the date of life conditionaly granted vnto vs by our creator . what shall wee do in this desperate case ? our statutes faile to remedy this euill : our preachers with their thundring woes misse to reforme it : the carefull cure is neglected ; for most men now a dayes doe more intend their priuate ends , then the publicke good . only this prouident counse●l is left , which i submit in most humble manner to the higher powers , that some more additions bee enacted , that in such places as lye remote from the meridian of the fountayne of iustice , all blind ale-houses bee suddainly put downe , that none be licensed , except they were worth twenty pounds at the least in goods , able to keepe bedding , with sufficient mans meate , and horse-meate , that all such as frequent these infamous houses , especially within seauen miles of their dwelling places , or vpon the lords day , may bee bound to their good behauiour , and that during the time of their bonds , they to be debarred of bearing witnesse betweene party and party , seeing that it is likely common drunkards care not what they sweare . secondly , that they shall not vexe their neighbours with law-suites , vntill they be released and become new men : or else , that they shall stand as persons out-lawed ▪ or excommunicated out of true christians society . thirdly , that those officers , in whose diuision these offences shall bee committed , shall without delay see the penaltties ordayned by law inflicted , and tha● the negligent as accessary bee seuerely-punished . fourthly , and because seruants in most of our gentries houses are also infected with this pestilent abhomination , it were fit , that they build new cellars neere their parlours , where their maisters eye might curbe them , if they meete not with sober butlers to restraine them . in these latter times people are become so besotted with this abhominable vice , that no admonition can preuayle to with-draw them from it : whereas in times past the very sight of a drunkard was as rare as a goblins ; yea , and if it chanced that any one were but seene reeling in the streetes , the very boyes would whoote , and laugh him to scorne , vntill such time as the magistrate or the gouernour came , and brought him to the stockes , or committed him to prison . but now it is growne so common , that they account it a glorious act , and the musick must play while the health goes round . it is recorded , that the godly mouica the mother of st. augustine , beeing but once vpbrayded by a seruant in the house , that she loued the wine bottle , she took it for such a disgrace , that neuer after shee dranke one drop of wine more , as long as shee liued . platerus makes mention in his practize of physicke , that hee knew a noble-man who being diseased of the goute , and informed by his physitian that his drinking of wine and strong liquor had caused his infirmity , he made a vowe neuer to drink any such liquor more , which hee religiously kept , and in the stead thereof drank nothing but small cider , or veriuice . whereby he was quite cured of the gout , without any other medicine . the like i haue heard of an hydropicke person , who hauing experimented , that drinke produced and augmented his disease , hee resolued neuer to drinke more , but contenting himselfe with broathes , and the like moyst suppings , hee was neuer after-wards troubled with the dropsie . to draw our newlanders cure now to a period , let mee intreate all them , which haue any feeling of sobriety , and of the necessity , wherein our christian common wealth stands at this present time , to lay aside their captious criticismes , and carping censures , together with their needlesse feasts , and in good earnest to embrace my counsell in some measure , if they cannot as yet apply their wills to the stint , which is heere prescribed . i know the impediment proceedes of custome , and this custome can hardly bee altered , ( except the spirit of god will co-operate , ) without some offence to concupiscence . such is the lamentable obstinacy of many hare-brain'd worldlings now a dayes , that parents cannot without great difficulty with-draw their owne bowels from following their boone companions , and roaring gallants , whose conuersation but for a few dayes they haue frequented . how much harder then is it to diswade men from those prouocations , which from their childe-hood they haue continued ? the most part presuming on their constitutions and present strength , suppose , that all the meate , which they ordinarily feede vppon , and the carouses which they swallow , cannot much impayre them . nay , they will constantly auouch , that it is a signe of health to drinke healths , or to eate soundly , whereas they bee but baytes of pleasure , so that greedinesse knowes not , where necessity should ●e ended , or nature limitted , as saint augustine agaynst iulian , lib. . cap. . existimantes nos adhuc agere negotium valetudinis , cum agamus potius voluptatis . it a nescit cupiditas , vbi finiatur necessitas . but men of vnderstanding will consider , that most of the bodies sicknesses and vnruly passions doe arise from the wanton palate , and that whatsoeuer enters into the body , which the stomacke cannot perfectly concoct , must needes exceede the true quantity , which nature allowes , and so turne to noysome humours at the last , in despite of nature . yee that bee parents , shall heere learne to weane your infants with a better dyet , then with flesh and fish ; which will rotte and corrupt their tender bodies . yee , that be rich , accept of this treasure , diuine sobriety , which will infuse into your hearts , modest contentment . yee , that be poore , shall heere learne frugality , at a cheepe rate . yee , that bee young , shall bee taught continency . yee , that are elder , and therfore should be wiser , shall meete here with health and long life . heere , yee shall finde all your sences refin'd , aswell the inward as the outward . heere , from temperate heate issue temperate effects . the blood spreads gently through the veines ; the spirits through the arteries : and the soule by vertue of this heauenly gift , beeing as it were discharged of her massie load , and loathsome lumpe , hath now some experience of her liberty , aud that by this purification shee is not farre from glorifications . in a word , deare country-men , condemne not this cure before you read , or make some tryall of the substance . the time requires it . for the misery of iniquity is permitted to acte the last tragedy of spirituall wickednesse in heauenly matters . but yee who are enabled to liue temperately , neede not feare as long as yee continue stedfast in faith : your olde men shall dreame heauenly dreames , your young men shall see visions , your sonnes and daughters shall prophesie , your seruants and maides shall bee inspired with the holy ghost , according to the prophesie of i●●l . authoris epilogus de repletionis & ebrietatis incommodis . ecce nouae terrae fructus , mensura diata , lux re●ouata , salus , spes , et medicina dolorū . pone modum ventri deus imperat , acc●pe sanum consilium , compesce gulam , suspe●de fur●res . heu quantes qualesque facit repletio morbos ! ex hoc fonte fl●unt animi deliria motus : corporis hinc omnes a●gores , asthmata , tusses , multiplices febres , hydrops , nodos● po●agra , et quot quot memorare horret mens sana ( meatus so fertè obstruerent mixti cum bile vapores , ) ni stella● numerare velis , lateremque lauare : curridere solent nebulonum turba profa●a , scurril●busque socis sanctorum corda gra●are ? dum ceuet damocles , v●as saeuire cyclopas . post cyathos in membra det , potosque thrasones consilij latebras parasitis pandere nou● ; cur iurat mars iuris inops ? cur iurgia , lites , et pugnas lapithae de lanâ saepè caprinà i●miscent saturi ? phantasma volubile bacc●● crede malos gentos in tanta pericula ferre : aerei ludunt sic inter vina dapesque , graeculus vt rhetor , sit gracculus ille poeta ; gloria sola deodetur , qui flamine sancto auoc●t a vitijs , christo●●dia●te ●●dia●te , britannos . the newlanders cure. the second part . muse on the matter , more then the meeter . the first siction . the preparatius to the cure of the mindes infirmities ; wherein the author by the discouery of his owne imperfections in his worldly race and course of life , admo●isheth all others his fellow christians to repent and confes●e their sinnes in time . morstua , mors christi , fraus mundi , gloria coeli ; et dolor inferni sunt meditanda tibi . thinke on your owne , and christ his death , the iudgement day , and hell beneath : thinke also on bright heauens ioyes , for worldly hopes are dreames and toyes . what are our pompe , wealth , beauty , fame ? but braine-sicke snares , and wares too blame ? what age like our so crackt with i●rres ? yet crakes of loue , prouoking warres ? proud nabal , stoope ; preuent thy woes , make peace , and friends take not for foes . iust dauid did thy flockes no ha●me , nay , they were shielded by his arme. if to his god thou tell thy sinnes , hee 'le save thee from the philistines ; but if his dauids thou abuse , repentancelate will not excuse , if misers guilt thou iustifie , or humane pompe dost glorifie ; or hypocrues thou magnifie ; or thine owne worth not vilifie ; this cvre will prooue a stumbling blocke , and to such fooles a laughing stocke . the same , yet i am confident , shall not displease the penitent : nor any soule of saints communion , that doth partake of christian union . those watchfull spirits long to see , a true physi●ian without fee. in briefe , let me be sayd to doate , if i shew not an antidote , against the world , the flesh , and diue●● , or at the least against some euill . and sure , vnlesse they meane to fall . my patients will admit of all this cure , which newland for the old , and sickly offers to vnfold . but first , their faultes they must confesse , or else they dye remedilesse . they must likewise abandon strife , and vow to god a better life ; then out of hand beginne to day , deare penitents ; time flyes away : beginne , and i a sinner too will prompt what you shall fayle to do . wee heere before thy maiesty , dread lord , present iniquity , layd bare without hypocrisie , the which from adams leaprosie of sinne de●iu'd , wee all inherite , and for the same hells flames do merite . o giue vs grace vice to displace , to cleanse our selues , while we haue space : if we repent , thou heal'st our sinnes , and wee shall shine like cherubins . but what am i , whom for thy glory , thy spirit mooues to pen this story ? this little one , like zoar , where thy seruants may behold with feare gomorraes flame , old babels shame ; and those new sinnes , which vs defame ? this charge became a leuites zeale , to ring it out with louder peale : how can thy gifts in me reside , that am not cleane , nor purifi'd ? in aprill dayes with hare-brain'd fury led , topsie turuy i did hurry for worldlings praise , and thankes to curry , whereby thy motions i did hury . what then i wrought was to gaine fame , a blazing blast , to raise my name . but now i see that i went wrong , for honors all to thee belong . and whosoeuer goes about to lay thy goods for his owne out , usurpes , and steales part of thy glory , which made bright angels darke and sorry . my summers growth i spent in folly , and gaue my selfe to passions wholly : to scrape and gape for golden dayes , neglecting what the gospell sayes : o foole , this night i le snatch thy soule , who shall thy fortunes then controule ? my loyes were toyes , my cares bred tares ; thus caught with snares , i sought false wares . thus dregges to god , to mammon wine , in my best race i did assigne . how then shall i in autumne now reape profit , when i faild to sow ? when libra for my late repaire , beginnes to dye my amber haire : shall i with saints a gleaning goe , who , like a foe , did time forgoe ? o gracious god , that giuest hire , and with new fire dost men inspire . my euenings worke thou well dost like , for thy sunne alwayes shines alike , on publicans , whose hearts relye upon christs merites , those which flye from thee displeas'd to thee appeas●d , in hope of debts to be releas●d . o what braue sparklings of thy lou● , appeare in such , who sinnes reprooue ? i feele some heate by this remonstrance , to rouze my heart with quicke repentance . let pick-thankes with ambition swell , till thou blow'st them from earth to hell : wee on no creatures dare relye , but heere before thee humbled lye . whether thou scourge , or vs will purge , wee will not cease thy grace to vrge : yea , though thou hale vs in a rope , like sampson bound , yet we will hope . with dalilaes we dallied long ; but now wee sing another song . when our confessions mooue to pitty , we then shall frame a sweeter ditty . lord , after shrift renew thy fires , deuotions flames , in our desires . the second section . the description , confession , and effects of our common sicknesses , which by the temptations of the wolrd , the flesh , and the diuell , distemper most mindes in this latter age , where●n the weaknès of our common writers is taxed . vve brag of faith , heere sathan lurkes , for in good workes we liue , like turkes . pure saints , or angels wee would seeme , yet golden ones wee more esteeme . wee feed like kings , are seru'd in state , and make vs gods of siluer plate . we chop and change , in pride wee ruffle , and more for goods , then good do scuffle . wee plod on protects , more then zeale , on priuate ends , then common-weale . plaine dealing men wee flou●e , like fiends : and sycophants wee trust , as friends . we count it lawfull to deceiue , where gifts vnpunisht wee receiue . vve fee the lawyers , full of gall , vvhile starued soules for vengeance call . how many thousands pine at home , though newfound land yeelds elbow roome ? but sinke or swimme , say greedy elues ; none helpes to plant ; all for themselues . they rob too soone those infants milke , which might bring gold , salt , iron , silke . but why should i for newland speake , whilst that the old doth languish weake ? and like to starue in midst of store , which hath enough , yet couets more ? so haue i seene hydropickes pale swell big , and dye , with bibbing ale. our minds more weake in resolution , compared to the antient nation . search further , muse , but with compassion , and see , how comes this alteration ? the times precedent had their faults ; wee haue their old and new assaults . their traditions , superstitions , times reuolutions , constellations : fiends slye stratagems , and temptations , diuells incarnates combinations . all these with our new prouocations worke ; and we feele their operations . most men are bad in eu'ry trade , eu'n from the scepter to the spade . the greatest still prey on the lesse , and spend those preyes in foule excesse , witnesse our ioyning farme to farme , peruerting wealth to neighbours harme . witnesse our drinkings , wasting health , our giddy smoakes , and deedes by stealth , what mishapen apish fashions , are deriu'd from foolish passions ? our purles , rare pearles , and rich array , an armies charge might well def●ay . our thoughts are in prides altitude ; old sacke-cloaths weare is clownish rude . contritions haire-cloath wee contemne , nunnes tyres and h●rmits wee condemne . in stead of these , each groome exceedes , in satans veluet , gorgeous weedes . in stead of these , now virgins shine in church vnmaskt , with feathers sine . ●st not a shame , that flaunting g●llians dare there to tempt against tertullians aduise ? who barr'd the affricke mayde gods honse to enter so array'd ? christs seamelesse coate would hardly passe without a frump . a two-legg'd asse , they would nicke-name a minister , if the frize cass●●ke hee preferre , preaching against rich s●●ken stuffe , the beauer ha● , and swagg●ing ruffe . na● , english cloath wee s●arce a low , vnlesse thicke laces wee bestow : vnlesse it be , like that in gra●●e , o● ●ab●ls beast , or whoo●ish traine . like vveather-cockes , our appetite in many changes takes delight : for which men taxe the female kinde : when both are moone-sicke , worse then wind . the raine-bow , peacocke , or what hew cameleons shift , so it be new , or thought out-landish , that we like ; and presently the same dislike . our eyes are witches to our vvits , but why loues reason fancies fits ? our foes vnseene , vs idle finde , and by their wheeling lead the mind . the mould of reason thus made pliant by fiends rampant and luxuriant , the braine must needs grow wilde with weeds whence fall bad seedes , to choake good deeds . such spite haue they inueterate , to make mankinde turne reprobate , that they omit no trickes of state , to lead them to a shamef●ll fate , like to their owne depraued quite ; from which , but christ , none can acquite . sometimes they play the lyons part , but commonly vse foxe-like art. now they ●ike apes , or puppets dance ; a●on in horses shape they praunce . go on , proud steedes , men are not well , but hurri'd in a foure-whee'd shell . with whimseyes doubts yee tempt the holy , but worldly soules , with costly folly. those meanes , which god gaue for his glory , to helpe the poore , in pride yee bury . o stings ! o stormes of ghostly foes , which now great brittaine vndergoes ! when christ should reape his haruest pure , his angels finde vs all impure . wee see the gospels radiant light , yet darkling hunt like birds of night . vve euer please the out-ward sence , but leaue the inside without fence . our petty-fogging liberty , helpes to aduance impiety . but athens now , and courts of law , had neede themselues be kept in awe , by st●ickes more graue , to beate downe vice or thunders sonnes to satirize . the truth is , without discipline , our bees turne drones , and will decline from charity , and vertuous thrift , to idlenesse , and basest shift . fond company wee more affect , then sober friends , or gods elect. the baffoones●irry ●irry meery buffe , sta●e scoggins●ests ●ests , wi●s scullions stuffe , base mim●cke skoff●s , broad scu●●i●e tau●ts , vvith baggadochian thundring vaunts , stupendious lyes of balladry ; all which with tales of rybaldry , false coyned newes , and old wiues fables we grace , cu'n at our open tables . wee glut our guts with luscious cheere , and seldome fast scarce once a yeare . nor then know wee to mortifie , or the proud flesh to vilisie . wee often read of vanity , but seldome bookes of piety . such glistring baites do hooke vsin , and make vs doate on shining sinne. our stage-playes , maskes , and mummeries , what are they else but fopperies ? and lullabies to rocke a sleepe soules , that should wake , or rather weepe ? what noble flames doe some inioy ? and yet their talents mis-imp●oy ? the very best of their inuentions , they giue for baudes , to lords intentions . of heauen these promethean rakers , vnworthymen would make partakers . wisedome is painted a pure mayde ; the sisters nine are virgins stayd . if of their court our schollers bee , why doethey stayne their chast degree ? begetting mungrell monstrous notions ? and giuing way to wanton motions ? the graces three haue no lewd tricke : why then doe learned spirits kicke , like pampred iades , more then befits the sonnes of art ? corrupting wits with glozing bookes of ch●ualry ? or legends false of popery ? if from aboue , their dowries came , why doe our chams vncouer shame ? why doe they claw times fooleries ? why doe they winke at knauer●es ? why dare they not the greatest make to startle ? and at vice to quake ? t is true ; they greatnesse feare and losse , but who so feares , reiects the crosse : that crosse , which christians vnder-went of the best stampe , and element . huisht , cowards then : your taients hide , vntill christs audit still vntri'de . some for despite doe libels thunder : others for glory , nine dayes wonder . but most doe fawne , like strumpets bold , and prostitute in hope of gold. on honors bought they wag their tailes , to mammon they strike downe their sailes . fraile beauty some with heath'nish rimes court , wasting so their precious times . a goddesse , starre , an angels mate , of dust and ashes they create . the wonder of celestiall creatures , the paragon of earthly features : the good●iest nymph , which nature made , at whose faire sight all beauties fade . both sunne and moone eclipsed stand , till they her pleasure vnderstand . no maruaile then , that i her slaue , at her east frowne amazed raue . vvith such besainting , and for gold , our simpring shee s are bought and sold. but o what antickes doe i see ? vvith musicke loud about a tree ? tripping it on the saboath day , and kissing oft their marians gay ? thus our best dayes wee foole away . some pill and poll , aliue some flay . some roare , and some , like asses , bray . some skoffe and lye , some laugh and play at cards and dice whole winter nights , in summer dayes with dogs and kites . here stands one curling ( pockey-full ) his perrowicke ; another gull out-vies his fellow gull in oathes ; and complements , whom hee most loathes ▪ of pedigrees that scoundrell vauntes , cal●ing true worth with floutes and tauntes an vpstars dwarfe , whilst hee most mad , prates , how for sires hee giants had . this noddy feares proud hamans nods , as fooles do sprights , or schoole-boyes rods. but who lewd courtiers so obserues , loud carters lashes beast deserues . another studies how to traine , more clients in for cursed gaine . physitians now , and lawyers ●oyne , to spin long cures , and suites for coyne in elder dayes what by our toyle vvas gain'd , became the clergies spoyle . but now the lawyers keepe a coyne , and reape vpon their neighbours soyle . as those did quaile , so these may fayle , or be restrayned , without bayle ; vvhen charity shall more preuaile , their double-tongues some will bewayle . they worship gold in generall : yet some feare god , i taxe not all . but these good-men how to discerne , vvhen needfull suites doe vs concerne ; vve must at noone haue candle-light , or prophets gift , to saue our right . most students do trades-men resemble ; since both for custome can dissemble . in hugger-mugger many bribe , ds if they were of magus tribe . if such bee not in brittane found , let simonists of forraigne ground , redeeme their schooles , and cloyster-cowles , from chaffring , and the sale of soules . nay , let our foes feare gaping hell , if seates of iustice they dare sell : or if to those they men preferre , who formerly were knowne to erre . in what a fearefull case are those , who worldly fortunes so dispose , as if our god were fast a sleepe ? and did not see what rule they keepe ? me thinkes , i see our fluttring foes , watching their time to breath in woes , vnder pretence of seeming good , like him , that beares vnder one hood a double face , with fained grace . they blow a pace , till they get place within the spirits and the blood : where they worke gall of humours good . this poysn'd gall , the soules blacke laundies , prickes so , that man on cocke-horse bandies against his god , and natures law , that grafts this rule with filiall aw : who lets not sinne , if so he can , consents to it a wicked man. some yearely rayse a greater rent , by interest for mony lent , then maltaes lew of foes did take ; for to the bones these men doe rake . i blame not lawfull permutation , ( but with a sober limitation , ) vtopian-like , to barre commerce ; but common scandals i rehearse to them , who sell their goods too deare , or them , that sheare christs sheepe too neere . more lay-mens griefes i could reueale , which shame from muttring bids conceale . yet wants there not some nightingall , like sweete saint paul , to touch them all. those practises now passe for good , which noah saw before the flood . some build , some buy , some cheate , and borrow . whilst the next morrow steales on sorrow . the third section . that the most part of our pretended christians are infectea with some of the afore-sayd infirmities , and that all carnall pleasure shall end in paine . these mad conceites bewitch vs all , yet lu●atickes who dare vs call ? these i doll lusts wee hugge in spirit , yet doe we boast of zeale and merit . like bawling curres , we barke at vice , vve rayle on br●bes and auarice : vve blame the whore , and idle drone , but who throwes guiltlesse the first stone ? many finde fault with swinish drunkards , themselues rebellic●s vnder placards . the blind-m●n cals his brother , blinkard . the pockey 〈◊〉 his fellow , stinkard . thus others b●ots wee quickly score , when we deserue correction more . when iudgement consc●●●ce shall controle , the purest souls will prooue but foule . here lur●es a toad , a s●rpent there , sharpe stings and poyson eu'ry where . the preacher wrot ; all is but uaine : but i dare write , all ends in paine . what cares haue wee , what toyle , what paine ; these seeming pleasures to obtayne ? and once obtain'd , what 's then our minde ? but neighing new and more to finde ? no earthly thing brings much content , but afterwards breedes discontent , which a●ams apple wee may call , both bitter sweete , and honey'd gall. ioy surf●its some ; some pine with paine ; yet the partake in sinne and raine . death spares nor rich , poore , poole , nor wise ; for all must fall before they rise ; the crowne , which royall browes adornes , within is nettles , prickes , and thornes : feares discontents , want of treasure , iealous of neighbours , leagues vnsure . nor liue our grandes without trouble , their pompe to double , though a bubble . the midling and the lowest sort , grieue to maintayne the lawyers port. thus christians as a tennis ball , tost by themselues , are prone to fall . yet none beginne to looke for ease , but thinke of iarres instead of peace . the fourth section . the description of the catholicke scuruy , ingendred by the mystery of iniquity , the glorious manifestation whereof had beene restrayned and sealed vp by the angell , vntill . yeares were expired , for the hardnesse of our fore-fathers hearts . not onely these doe vs disease , but onely ills disturbe our ease . t is found , that most diseases tend , and to the scuruy power lend , to torture slugs , who nastily were cloath'd , or fed too greedily . great f●ends likewise , and men soule-sicke , hell 's scuruy make a catholicke , with murthers , lyes , hypocrisies , idolatries , and blasphemies . as doth the former scuruy beate , for want of sunne and motions heate , vpon the spleene , the breath , and skinne : so doth that old and scuruy sinne with purple spots go on to stayne both soule and body , all for gaine . mens want of faith , and scriptures light , enwrappes them in blind aegypts night . fond quirkes and quillers , schooles inuentions , doe hinder them to vse preuentions . but how comes this grosse sinne to passe in those , who say christs blood doth wash , and hea●●al plagues , and cancred lust , by vertue of his merites iust ? when men distrust the safest way , they cannot ch●se but goe astray . when fabells tower , and asaes hopes ; when 〈◊〉 g●d , and ba●lish popes ; when mans pos●●ons , ●rring braine , they trust , as if christ dy'd in vaine ; when they refuse gods tendred motions , and wil carouse false prophets potions ; their ●oules so giutted salla reeling , like drun●en tosse-pots without feeling . then iudgement , wid , and memory depriu'd of faiths strong armo●y , in blacke despaire conclude their wayes , and neuer after see good dayes . or they presume ( a plague as bad ) with too much learning running mad . these two extreames , like scorching sunne , and hideous darknesse , wee must shun . the middle course with modesty , yeeldes some content to maiesty . to which adde faith : then grace will couer our brittle knowledge , and discouer what vengeance more hangs on the scuruy , which christendome turnes topsie turuy with blood , fraud , dreames , ambition , feares , regardlesse of poore christians teares : till he , that rockes with thunder teares , he , that controules the wandring spheares , doe by his light expelling night remooue the beame , that dimmes our sight ; and tame the force of this great fury , which wilfully true faith would bury . the diuell●s loose from b●bilon , and wa●ches whom to worke vpon . old heresies hee bringeth in : so faire without , and foule within , some starres beginne to loose their light , which on the saints shin'd lately bright ; and t is most true , some states will rue , if the last earthquake doe ensue . proud gog , and magogs horne with eyes , haue pitcht their tents to tyrannize , and gyant like doe threaten those , who lyes and false-hood shall oppose : those , who serue god in unity , and in the persons trinity , they persecute with fire and sword , and vow to raze his written word , ( which now hath flourisht many yeares , in spight of balaam , and his peeres . ) and make vs bow to romes mark'● rabble , their mazzims god , and masses bable . a thousand yeares by treachery , and iuggling trickes , this mistery shut vp and seal'd , gul'd faithlesse slaues , but now against gods church it ●aues , that church , which then for few assign'd , to deserts fled for feare confin'd , and acts the last red dragons part , with open force and cunning arte , let vs ( say they ) with all our might , their consciences at length affright , if our false fire and wonders faile , our three frog-spirits sha●l preuaile , whom ca●phas curs'd with booke and bell , wee 'le sacrifice their blood to hell ; but before this desolation , we must b●nd the strongest nation . you heare the plot , now to preuent these latter plagues ; watch and repent : for if they bind the valiant men , what will become of weaklings then ? when god remoues his candlesticke , hells darknesse more will make vs sicke . the fift section . the emminent dangers of this great and mysticall disease ouer great brittaine , by a reflection of those t●ibulations , which our fellow members haue lately endured beyond the seas , and may hereafter light vpon vs , if wee preuent them not by speedy repentance . behold the sad and riuel'd face of rochell , once the strongest place of christendome , now made a slaue ? and forc't for light to c●ye and craue . behold the land of casimire , on khines faire bankes , whom france did hire , to saue her church new-built from fire ; now poore , disrob'd of her attire . in like manner , see , how many bright uirgins lampes in germany , extinguisht lye , whose glorious rayes like carbuncles , made nights seeme dayes . our fellow-members reape this curse ; and wee deserue the same , or worse . their fatall losse concernes vs neare , and ought to strike a tremb●ing feare . for if our sauiour giues vs ouer , the cut is short from france to d●uer . god may permit the spanish nation , by land and sea to worke vexation . or those , that are now friends , to langle , or out of trading vs to wrangle . or let o de sathans sorcery pre●aile , to bring in popery . which if he doe , how stand our liues , our church , our children , states , and wiues ? in stead of milke our younglings lucke would bee , empoys'ned whay to sucke . all then must to the shauen crowne , with the beasts marke , fall prostrate downe . none iust , but who to babell tunne : no maid made saint , but a faire nunne . and shee for penance must submit , to her confessours veniall fit . but first mortmaines must be repeal'd , and praemunires quite expell'd . if this great earth-quake shall preuaile , and the old dragon with his taile draw twinckling starres from heauen downe , and forme them fire-drakes of his owne , o●r watch-men then should heare brauadoes , and turne or burne , or feele s●rapadoes . our sinnes deserue this darke eclipse , to kisse the pax with who●●●●●lips . wee felt of warre the discontents , the pestilence sackt our chiefe tents : a famine new creepes in through raine , from which , lord , keepe our soules againe . vvhat dangers more may vs oppose , i haue no warrant to disclose . i dare not to me arrogate , of prophesie the certaine fate . but i could wish , that harmony suppli'd the place of simony : that iustice , loue , and godly zeale , did raigne in church and common-weale and for those perills , which i feare , let euery kna●● his burthen beare . and iustly too , if they allow for currant good , the ill they know . they who feele not these offences , nor looke helpe , haue lost their sences . but let them get soules spectacles , and they shall see gods miracles : how with a strong and mighty hand , hee still protected this our land , against romes subiects eu'ry where , vvhile we in faith couragious were . the fift section . the imminent dangers of this great and mysticall disease , ouer great brittaine , by a reflection of those tribulations , which our fellow members haue lately endurea beyond the seas , and may hereafter light vpon vs , if wee preuent them not by speedy repentance . vvithin my time i can record , how god kept vs from fire and sword , from treasons hatcht in sathans den , beyond beliefe of mortall men . in infants yeares i well remember , hee sau'd our churches royall member , elizabeth , from parries blow , vvhich though a child i then did know , for that my father stood ingag'd , for him to hare , whereat enrag'd , because my father for his debt , three thousand pounds , was su'd , hee set vpon h●gh hare within his study , gaue diuerse stabs , and left him bloody . then , in despaire hee went beyond sea , vvas reconcil'd to the romish sea : and there by comoes cardinall , put on to play the canniball . for comming home , hee hunted further , scorning hares the lyon to murther . but god did keepe our lyon queene , whom parry meant to ●ill vnseene . about that time , the pote did muster , and out of ireland thought to thrust her , by peters keyes , and paul his sword , with desmonds helpe , a pow'rfull lord. but god lookt downe , and saw their spleene , hee fought for vs , and for our queene . then , foureteene ●raytors thought to throw downe englands starre ; for they did sow their seedes of foule conspiracy , to yoake vs to the papacy . but god himselfe with hand vnseene , confounded them , and sau'd our queene . in eighty eight , his elements scattred spaines fleete , and regiments ; so that for their atla●tides , they sought the pole at th' orcedes . thus god preseru'd a maide● queene , from nembrod● spite , and giants teene . when forces fail'd , bulls went about , and cunning iesuites they sent out . they lopez hir'd with po●s●ncaski●l , both her , and some great peeres to kill . but god protected , though vnseene , our faiths defendresse , englands queene after these stormes , the traytor squire , by friers counsell did conspire : but ●e , tyrone , and all our foes had ouer-throwes with tragicke wees . for on themselues god turn'd their spleene , and still defended englands queene . againe , the ●paniaras sought sea-ports , in ire●ana , where they wonne some forts , and marching on , they thought to boast , but god by mountioy foyl'd their hoast , and gaue their dous vnto our queene , o● whom they meant to wreake their teene ▪ o peerelesse queene , belou'd of god! who for thy zeale wert made his rod , to chastize gogs , and tyrants bold ! which more then him , did worship gold ! thou didst spaines fleetes , and carracks shal●e , thou mad'st the groine , and lisbane qual●e , and mak'st vs tell vnfeigned tales , how god for thee subdued cales ▪ how he for thee did scourge new spaine , brazil , the ilands , and the maine . god gaue the flemings liberty by thee , and all prosperty . by thee , great burb●n got his right , i● 〈◊〉 and in the leagues despice . by thee were ships and trades sustayned , by thee at home w●s peace maintayned . by thee , god wrought for his great glory , this to be writ , in after story : a queene debarr'd of bodies breed , of spirit left true christian seed . scarce to her orbe our virgins star●e vvas gone , but by a ciu●●l vva●re some papists thought to worke a side , and our ●oyn'd kingdoms to diuide : but watson and his complices , payd deare for these confedracies . heere is not all , which i ha●e knowne , done by our god for brittaines crowne . vvhat poets pen , or wit of man , is able to expresse , or scan the meanes , how in nouember wee , on the fift day , escaped free ? when many papists d●d consent , to blowat once our parliament , with powder vp into the ayre , in hope to make our church despaire ? they swore vpon the sacrament , to keepe full close their blowes intent . the iesuite garnet vnder hand , and others of his learned band allow'd it for a pious deede , a christian king and his male seed , to murther , with his royall mate , and all our peeres by suddaine fate . o piercy , catesby , what meant yee , with other brittaines to agree , to pierce christ through his seruants sides , in hope of pardon from blind guides ? guy faukes by all the damned crew , was set to play the boute-feu . hee had his match and all things ready , ( alasse that christians were so heady ) to blow them vp out of the mine , fierce nero like and catiline . thus to the end their treason brought ; god counter wrought , what they had wrought , inspir'd the king to search the matter , suspected by a mysticke le●ter ; a letter sent to braue mounteagle , whom treassams arte could not inue●gi● : so all came out , wee sau'd from fire , and they receiu'd their treasons hire . iust as they thought our church to batter , gods iustice did their owne limbes scatter . our papists also should remember , what on the fifth of their nouember , at the blacke-friers fell on them , which our religion did contemne . their priest , and those , who then him heard , as sometime were the swinish heard , vvithin the gospell mentioned , by miracle lay ruined . thus may both churches vnderstand , the seuerall working of gods hand on that fifth day ; a stumbling barre to them , but vnto vs a starre . to these my ripe remembrances , i adde our stra●ge deliuerances , from pestilentiall arrowes shot by god himselfe , well-nigh forgot of those , who were by his alarme , like hezekias , sau●d from ha●me . so carelesse in prosperity are men , when once aduersity is past , that they scarce thinke on vvoes , vnlesse some chance to interpose betwixt them and their vanities , or that they loose commodities thereby , although but temporall . for orders sake they outward call on their redeemer for a while : but in their sleeues they laugh and smile at their true zeale , who them accuse of blo●s , which they could ne're excuse . such counterfeites are now a dayes , ingratefull , base in all their wayes , that to speake truth workes enmity , and to cologue breedes amity . how many sicke haue cured beene ? how many coarses haue i seene on beeres and carts both day and night ? whom houres before in iouiall plight i knew , not dreaming once , that death could stop so soone their vita●l breath : yet suddainly , behold a wonder done by our lord the god of thunder . for sixe moneths space the plague continued , and after that all trades renued . i saw all frollicke , flourishing , as if i saw none perishing . our courts of law againe frequented , vvhich redding had one terme preuented . for this , o ●rittain●s greatest citty , sing to thy god a thankefull ditty . admire christs mercy , feare thy iudge , loue thy poore-neighbours without grudge ▪ trust not to faith without this chaine ; least faith prooue vaine , and end in paine . by these rare wonders i conceiue , that vnto men god will not leaue , vs long a by-word , nor a prey , if his sonnes precepts wee obey . for carnall faultes , or f●aielties trips , himselfe will scou●ge vs for our slips . but for that great backe-sliding deed , the soules relapse , let vs take heede . but how shall wee preuent this , lord , if thou take hence thy sacred word , restored in those martyres twaine , by sodomites and gipsies slaine ? it is not long , since they reuiu'd , and by thy spirit vs relieu'd , at their first comming , as with thunder , our worldlings were amaz'd with wounder . the newes did gall , and them appall , they fear'd the fall of babels wall. but now they vaunt , and vs doe taunt , they shuffle cards , as if at saunt they playd , and wonne all with the rhine , and what thou gau'st the palatine . wee must acknowledge , most iust god , that wee deserue a sharper rod , then these our neighbours now oppressed , for that thy gifts wee haue suppressed aswell as they ; in stead of which our ca●●e and care is to be rich. by odious meanes wee buy promotion , and scandalls rayse for pure deuotion . aswell as they in drinking health away , our youth haue spent thy wealth . in sensuall beds wee wantoniz'd , to pompe , as god , wee sacrifiz'd , in body we , and in the soule , all ouer are corrupted ●oule : nor can sweete odours , or perfumes abate the stinke of our blacke fumes . our swarmes of lawyers and law-suites , hindring true loue , and christian fruites : our drunken meetings , and oft potting , our costly fare , the body rotting , our daily changes of gay rayments , haue meri●ed the diuels payments , vnless● in mercy thou minde sinners , and wil● re●ine vs for beginners . once more , good lord , regenerate and purifie our bodies mate , thy image la●e , whose three-fold parts in ill more knowing , then good artes , are quite depriu'd of heauenly blisse , if thou examine what 's a misse . some sinnes we know , and would redresse , but that strong f●ends do vs oppresse , both openly and secretly , which them to name would seeme a lye , or slander : yet thy seruants know them , and if they might , would not allow them : o let not achan's sing●e fault , ( like that which dauid did assault ) b●ing downe ●y plagues without instruction . though all deserue the same destruction . the seuenth siction . generall and specifique remedies not onely against the catholicke scuruy , but likewise against all other spirituall diseases , if they bee pat ●● practise . most men are sicke ; yet few beginne , to cure themselues of deadly sinne . the body so by agues kinde , did neuer shake , as doth the minde ; the doubtfull mi●de , her doome fore-told . yet custome makes vs ouerbold . we long for pelfe , and striue for wealth , few seeke rest : fewer their soules health . this custome comes from elders graue , who scrape for earth halfe in the graue . the younger noting their base actions , whom they thinke saints , fall to exactions . o that men would consider this , and leauing trash , would looke for blisse . no hearts like our so ha●dned were , in sicknesse rife cur●s to forbeare . what cures haue we ? both night and day , for cordiall comfort wee must pray to god alone with humble spirit , and not depend on humane merit . that freedome , which through christ we haue , the father seales , if it wee craue for his deare sake , who suffred woes , and sham●full death , to saue his foes . wee must deriue our onely cure from christ alone , of sinnes impure . wee must renounce all other hopes , deuis'd for game , by wicked popes . wee must not shelter christ his seede , with ionas gourd , nor aegypts reede . the soule , on creatures which relies , is like a who●●ish wife ▪ that lyes with kna●es , and leaues his lawfull bed , whom god appointed for her head. wee must bee infants m●de and meeke , harmelesse as d●ues , when christ wee seeke ; yet wise as serpents , to beware of gordian knots , and brokage ware . wee must not wrest the sacrament , nor carpe at things indifferent . christ crucifide wee must behold , as the brasse serpent those of old. they for a signe did see it stand , but wee the meaning vnderstand . the crosse , bread , wine , and what with sence wee apprehend , time weares from hence . what faith conceiues , inflames the spirit ; and this braue flame the saints inherit : i● quickneth so , that christ his nature , inspires and heales the soule-sicke creature . as bread and wine the body feede , so must the minde his passion heede : thus eate and drinke thou iustifi'd , his flesh and blood , though glorified . and mystery and figure take it , as christ the rocke and bread fore-spake it . wee must conf●sse our selues accurst , of christian soules the very worst . wee must the same to others doe , as our selues would bee done vnto . wee must leaue off hypocrisie , our foolish carke , and policy . wee must care more to d●cke the minds , then the frayle body p●f● with wind. wee must not mount aboue our calling , but rest content for feare of falling . wee must our patience so enure , that● aues grown great we may endure , who through the window made their way , since eu'rv ' dogge must haue his day . wee must not swell , when wee haue store ; nor yet repine , though some heape more . time ends this strife : the houre-glasse passes . what neede men then to moyle like asses ? wee must abhorre the reeling sinne of soule-sicke healths , which sots brought in . to this i adde that indian borne , blood-●ainting fume , drinkes shooe in horne ; of which i blame the quantity , but not the physickes quality . wee must not liue too sparingly , nor spend gods goods superfiuously . wee must not grudge the prore to seede , for almes are bal●●es in time of neede . more hiues for bees , for gods elect , on o●he● coasts let vs erect . our wearied lands , our swarmes require it : the lord commaunds , the saints desire it . wee must by deed ; shew good example ; and at their entry passions trample . wee must not brawl● for eu'ry fault : the iust themselues doe sometimes halt . wee must forgiue our foes aswell as god doth vs , who me●ne hell. wee must not play more , then the turke , who flips no day , without some worke . the mind on labour fixed sure , stops wandring thoughts from sathans lure . the gentle sparke might ●●sse the pike , shoot , rid● , graft , study , or the like the female sexe findes carke at home , sings psalmes , or shewes rare skill on loom● . the souldier heares the drummers sound , stands sentinell , or walkes the round . hee traines , he fights , and spends his blood , like maccabeus , for our good. good schollers haue enough to doe , if tempting lucr● they forgoe ; besides the muses spacious groue , the bodies motion they approoue . on citizens i neede not call , nor country-men , who sweare for all . wee must proud pompe and fraud eschew , and thinke thereon what will ensue , as god is iust , a fearefull end , which from wraths u ioll will descend . for when we perke , like cardinalls , and grinde the poore , like canniballs , scorning christs members , racking rents , and raking gifts through discontenrs : our angell guardians fiye away , and sathan hunts his beasts of prey . if these few rules wee beare in minde , the cure is sure ; our pardon sign'd . then grace supplies fraile natures want ; then loue will come , sinne to supplant . both which who findes , hee needes not feare , though all the world in flames appeare . the eighth section . an admonition to the saints , to cont●●ue watchfull and constant , and not to feare this last and great persecution threatned by the spirituall dragon , and his angels , although hee come prepared with all his stratagems , ambusher , and with multitudes of men , like the sands of the sea in number . vvell may esdraes eagle muster ; and bold chaucers griffon bluster ; the pellican , doe what they can , will make them both frer , curse , and ban. let romish ne●●rods roare againe , their thundring shots will fall in vaine . then woe to them , that flourish now , and who looke backe at christ his plow . when their great ma●sters vatican , nor basans bulls protest them can . when his strong guarded angelo , shall not deliuer from this woe them , who with christians blood doe feast . when the false prophet , scarlet beast , the mounted vvhore of babylon , the man of sinne , perditions sonne , the mouth that speakes presumptuous things , the mistery with eagles wings , the gog and magog of the house , the old red dragons rendeuous : that deceiuer , who in gods church , sits as a god , and by the lurch liues , and to sale puts marchandise , mens soules and bodies , with false lyes . all figures of false antichrist , that dares vsurpe farre more , then christ to his apostles euer left : for hee quits men of life bereft from purging flumes ten thousands yeares , and more hee spares romes roaming peeres . when that this monsters triple head soule and body in scalding lead shall boyle in pits , and lakes that swimme with pitch and brimstone to the brimme : then will his followers all too late , with diues wayle their woefull fate . then they will wish with yel●es and howles , that they had liu'd obscure , like owles . then they will see the diffrent manner , of iacobs fight , 'gainst esaus banner . then they will know saint michaels armes , wherwith he sa●es gods church from harms . for though the watch-men smote the spouse , as shee sought christ , yet still she growes , untill her seede , as heretofore , in spirit playes the arrant whore. let croaking frogs , and chattring pyes , let daniel's horne with mysticke eyes : let curious schoole-men , errours spawne , grace and faith , for freewill pawne : let such , as broach those franticke tales , whom old saint dauid chas'd from vvales , pelagian wise , depart from hence ; in spight of all wee haue defence . on phisicke knowne our cures relye , let mountebankes elixirs trye : men , who were call'd , but neuer cull'd , theeues of the house , by cro●chets gall'd . wee feare strong flames ; shr●bs safer lye from lightnings blast , then cedars high . the low-built cot●age of a clowne , stands surer then the triple crowne . aspiring doubts the church our mother , as fancies braine-wormes , bids vs smother when seraphins were faine to vaile , how could arminius sight but faile ? let sober learnings oracles s●te for our eyes plaine spectacles . vvith these i see free-will almost through faith regain'd , which adam lost . the glorious light restor'd our sight , what sinne had darkned , grace sets right ; and giues vs power , more or lesse , yet meanes enough , to sue for peace . the heart , which once faith putrifies , neuer quite dyes , nor purisies , nor is a christian iudged lost , before hee slights the holy ghost ; before his talent hee impaires ; or that , like iudas , hee dispaires . god knowes already , who are his ; yet to make sure our part it is ; for otherwise wee should deface elections charter , seal'd of grace . the summe is this : christ dy'd for all. his word calls all ; some heare his call ; and by their deedes doe manifest , they enter shall into his rest. some few discreetly seeke to shunne a hardned heart , ere day bee done . mercy for some there is in store . vve hope the best : and who knowes more the tith● of houres reseru'd to pray , the rest not wasted , may repay . the stony heart in time relents ; much more our god , if man repents , and daily begges for heauenly bread , his iustice slackes ; and wee are fed . but here 's the worst , though prayers draw , there lyes a pad within the straw . the angell good bids , fast and pray , the angell bad bids , feast and prey . thus rime is mar'd , true prayer bard , a turn'd to e , the cure made hard . the conclusion of the cure , not vnworthy the consideration . when strife for l●ut , and 〈◊〉 take for 〈◊〉 : when praise for 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 we locke for catch●ng : and when from ●●●●s we s●●ll to feasts and bibbing , then [ abbaes streame ] stayes in the 〈◊〉 ●bbing . our aduocate craues it to flow againe , the father yeeldes , and ●o to eu●ry veine their streame flowes faire , vntill our changling f●oles haue sought to other streames from muddy pooles ; the trinity then loathing braines so sicke , th●ir motion stop ; and men dye lunoticke . from which re●apse , distrust , and heresie , god keepe vs all as from apostasie . [ abbaes streams . ] abba father the voyce of the spirit in the hearts of gods adopted and regenerated children , acknowledging their election from the father , out of the corrupted lumpe of mankind , and out of the vnrefined oare or vnpurified mettle of pretended christianity , of meere grace without any deserts of theirs at all ; and consequently their iustification by the sonne , through faith , and the spirituall apprehension of his onely merites : their sanctification by the holy ghost , who proceeding from both their wills , is content to breath regeneration , and new life , into our barren wills ; and to moysten them with the streame of liuing waters , vnlesse they compell him with his heauenly gifts to retire , by relying on other physitians , burthensome traditions , and vnnecessary puddled streames , which simoniackes , or rather d●moniackes , doe trucke and vtter for money , vnder the title of holy water , indulgences , and sanctified wares , like-charmed so●owles , or amulets , to preserue men from cerbirus , and purgatories bugs , thereby making marchandize of the bodies and soules of men ; as is prophesied in the revelation : which auarice of theirs is flat contrary to the examples of the apostles , and the gospell , where st. peter told the creeple in salomons porch : gold and s●luer haue i none ; and to simon magus , thy money perish with thee . [ apostacy ] signifies a reuolting or falling off from the true religion , to the doctrine of diuels . to discerne the true catholike church , search the scriptures : how shee fared in this world after the ascension of our sauiour , ●ad the histories of the church , and you shall finde her commonly pers●cuted , and subiect to crosses , and fiery tryalls , euen to this our age. first , by the iewes . secondly , by the romane emperours . thirdly , by the arrians . fourthly , by the gothes and vandales . and lastly , by the cunning and more dangerous practises of the romish prelates , for their aduancement to the double supremacy . how this church being once the mother of the west , grew to be apostate , it is to be supposed , that sathan tooke hold of the darknesse of mens consciences , presently after the erup●ions of those bloody northerne nations , about . or . yeares after christ , his principall stings and more palpable violences being somewhat restrayned , and bound by the angel , not to employ them against the elect so tyrannically , and openly , as hee vsed to doe before the limitted and sealed . yeares , of his mysticall rest●aint . about which time , or within a while after , and for the like ambitious ends , hee seduced mahomet in the east ; so that faith departed according to st. paul , from the temple of god , the true visible church then consisting but of few families , and shadowed vnder the woman , with her man childe in the reuelation , fled into the wildernesse , for feare of the dragon . and gods two witnesses were massacred in the streetes of spirituall sodome and egypt , and their carcasses there left vnbu●ied ; as was prophesied by st. iohn . amidst these abhominations and desolations , it pleased god to stirre vp the spirits of sundry good men , to awake them out of their dreames : as st. bernard , to inuaigh against their princely pompe , and supremacy ; berengari●● , agaynst transubstanciation ; and the waldenses and albigeois against most of their idolatries : the last of which beganne aboue . yeares before luther was borne . how the true church was dealt with in affricke , aethiopia , georgia , and in the east , by reason of their remotenesse we know not so distinctly . but it is very probable , that the old dragon was not idle , but did his vtmost endeauour to ouer-whelme the poore distressed saints , as it were , with a flood of impieties through all the world. but thus was she vsed in our westerne parts , vntill of late yeares by the resurrection of those two mysticall witnesses , and the imprinting of the bible in the mother tongue , which in a manner lay moathcaten in the sodomites libraries , after the preaching of wicliffe , about the yeare . and afterwards of husse , luther , cal●i● , and after the martyrdome of many excellent men , shee found at last some rest in this iland , and other places , in despight of the herods , a●abs , and hamans of the times . one maine difference i obserue betwixt these two repugnant churches , how the one resembles abel and iacob for their mildnesse and patience : and th' other came and esau for their mallice and cruelty : which their bloody inquisitious , tortures , massacres , with the transcendent powder-plot do apparantly testifie . the one maintaines her cause peaceably by the gospell of christ ; the other by worldly traditions , and mens authority : and when these serue not , with fire and sword they force their opposites to acknowledge the popes supremacy , being but the marke of ambition , and therein going beyond the turkes , who to his mufty or ma●omet , compelles no mans conscience ; a though in all other matters belonging to a christian , one scholasticall question excepted ( which might be left to the beholders and beleeuers disc●etion for the forme and wonderfull manner , as is the knowledge of the personall trinity ) they cannot deny any article faith , which the protestant holds . whereby it appeares , that the church continued not long a uirgin after the apostles times , according to the ancient saying of eusebius : ecclesia post apostolorum tempora non mansit d●● virgo : and that the mysticall where with her sc●rlet-coloured beast of the seauen hilled ctity , the great citty , which bare dominion ouer all the world , was certainly meant by rome : to which the chiefe fathers of the primitiue church doe consent : lacta●tius lib. . h●oronim . in daniel . augustin . lib. . de c●uitate dei. cap. . and st. chrisostome ●● opere imperfect . in matth. most plainely writes , that antichrist was to haue ●● shew all that , which the true church hath indeed , viz. baptisme , the communion , bishops , &c. therefore let such , as haue once tasted of the fruites of the gospell , beware of apostasie and back●-sliding . for as st. augustine in the afore-sayd booke , cap. . vnto a doubt , whether any one shall turne to god , during the raigne of antichrist : he thus answeares : the diueli shal haue a continuall fight with those that are in the fa●●h already , of whom hee may perhaps conquer some certayne number , but none of gods predestinated , no , not one ; since it is not in vaine wha st. iohn the author of the revelation sayth , in one of his epistles , concerning apostataes : they went out from vs , but they were not of vs , for of they had bin of vs , they would haue continue a with vs. to confirme our wauering and luke-warme christians , i aduise them to ponder with an indifferent iudgment , these ensuing verses , which for a conciusiue monitory to my newlanders cure , i here subscribe ou● of my cambrens . caroleia . can ●idiore fides lusir● b●● lam●ne m●ndum , &c , our christian faith●● ●● in'd in the ●rime , when men●●u'd nee●e th● apostles time . but afterwards eclips●d of light , she lay r●ti●'d from most mens sight . returned n●w she lends her rayes to brittaine , where as yet shee stayes . finis . the art of longevity, or, a diæteticall instition written by edmund gayton. gayton, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing g ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing g estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the art of longevity, or, a diæteticall instition written by edmund gayton. gayton, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for the author, london : . in verse. reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. eng diet -- poetry. longevity -- poetry. a r (wing g ). civilwar no the art of longevity, or, a diæteticall institution. written by edmund gayton, bachelor in physick, of st. john bapt. coll. oxford. gayton, edmund f the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the f category of texts with or more defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the art of longevity , or , a diaeteticall institution . written by edmund gayton , bachelor in physick , of st. john bapt. coll. oxford . london , printed for the author . . to the most vertuous , accomplisht & ingenious lady , the lady elizabeth rous , the meriting wife of the most munificent iohn rovs esq of henham hall in suffolk . singular madam , unto none more properly doth the dedication of this book belong , then to your excelling self , who ( being by birth first , then accomplishments , then marriage , the unenvied paragon of two great counties , that of norfolk by your originals , this of suffolk by your nuptials , in honour to those counties that are proud of you , and the rest that contend for you ) should be continued to as much duration , as the art of physick is able to contrive . it ought to be the labour of a colledge of physitians ( not of one pitifull pretender ) to advance the preservation of such a person , which if lost , the following age must faintly hope to re-example . in the want therefore , or failings of physical counsels be your own lessius , be to your self a cornara , since it hath so providentially faln out , all other outward embellishments being abundantly bestowed upon you , that you need not spend any time to adorn , or trick up your self , but only to express your thankfulness to the gracious opificer of so rare a piece , & employ some hours ( as is your practise ) that your countrey , family , and friends may be happy in the long possession of you . for really your own practise ( madam ) will out-do all my precepts , your gardens and parks out-vie the physick-gardens ; your closet is as considerable as the countess of kent's with her powder in it . at henham-hall ( the seat of your noble husbands ancestors ) what is wanting to satiety ? yet your deer out-live the ages of their neighbour-commoners , and their parks too ; 't is possible to find a stag as ancient as that of caesar's : nor is this done by the diet of your keeper , or your keeping your deer from being your diet , but by a successive spending of your park , not destroying it , by letting us eat venison , but not to such excess , as if your guests were to feed themselves into elkes . your deer fall ( as our colledge-copices should do ) at so many years growth , that so the succeeding scholars may have wood of their own , & not expect coals from new-castle . your table is mezentian in this respect ; for alive deer look in at your windows , and see their dead brother in a coffin . so rare is your cookery , it makes slaughter amiable , and the heard desire to be wounded , that they may be so dress'd . i have seen your table furnished with more dishes then my book hath chapters in it , and yet the temperance did exceed the dishes , so that if ever abstinence was paramount , and in its zenith it was at henham , where self-deniall ( so much spoke of ) was truly visible , even in the fulness of the creature , and your guests din'd philosophically , at a city feast . this is true temperance ( madam ) to refraine where there is variety of temptation to excess ; to stint the stomack , in full view of the game of luxury , otherwise it is penance , not abstinence , and the mind and appetite not commanded , but a string tied about the throat , which is cormorant sobriety , for which the fowl wishes him hang'd that throtled him . having thus commended ( madam ) your diet , 't is not with any stratagem to get applause to my own , which is too course for your palate , and scarce fit for your servants . but as you sometimes are pleased to leave the rarities of your own table and caresse in a cottage , where the earthen platter , the barley pudding , the fool , and the plain countrey houswife , are both meat and sport , and delight and nourish beyond the wisdome of multiplied cookery . so let it fare ( best lady ) with this slender treatment of your servant , which is not a present , but a debt of a long promise , and not in that kind paid that it was promised . i did intend you a grace , some divine poems , but present you with all manner of diet , for fear being without grace , it might be supposed all of oysters , or melons . the book is a hieroglyphick salt , not that with the head of mortification on it , which is melancholy , or a charing-cross-trencher salt , which is impious ; but this is a pillar of salt , or rather of temperance , which is healthful ( and at least in wish ) festivous , the motto as it may be translated , poets should alwayes write , to profit , and delight . and calls to mind the ancient frugality of our predecessors , which were wise , valiant , and abstemious , three habits much advanced , if not begot by diaetetick rules . to the moderate observance whereof , in the pursuance of your honoured husbands , and your ladiships and families health , this rythmicall tract invites you , untill i can face to face , and vivâ voce wish your double healths ( as a physitian ought to do ) in your celebrious goblet at henham-hall . till then , and ever , i am ( madam ) your most gratefull servant , edmund gayton . to the candid lady-readers . madams , this book , entitled the art of longevity , or , a dieteticall institute , may very well seem unnecessary and superfluous , after so many tracts of the same subject , by the long-liv'd lessius , cornarus , and others , who have ingrossed all that can be said , and left posterity nothing but to practise . but as i● divinity ( that of the times , called preaching ) repetition is not uncommendable ; so in physick , a round recapitulation , or trimme compendium and abridgement , may help the memory , though not the understanding ; wherefore the succinct and ingenious salernitan precepts fasten more then hypocrates profounder aphorisms , or galens comments upon its auditors , and sandersons verses , are oftner and easier remembred then their rugged prose , feet and rythm sweetning the sowreness of the moral letter . verses indeed have the fate to be both slighted and condemned , and yet , like other faults , retained . and though poetry and oratory both ( if lookt upon in the art and respect ) are but the lowest of endowments ; yet as their subjects may be , they both raise them and themselves . i confess my subject is above my dress , and i have deprest the argument by the mould i cast it in , yet a plain suit by the fancies may be made conspicuous , and attract more for the mode then the stuff . so here serious mattter in a phantastical or light dress , may one with another perchance finde a liking , sometimes applause . i know , ladies , that you are all of a neat extraction , choice and sifted earth , and so resolve to keep your selves , being by self-affection principled to ▪ a spare diet , whereby your own mirrours reflect you pleasing and lovely to your selves , and admirable to others . wherefore in all physical practise there are no such observant patients as your selves , whether the business concern your health or your ornament , your being or your well-being . now a book of diet presented to you is like to be of most happy events , who if you are told the quality of your food , will not erre in the quantity . the first of these is my care at present , the second is your constant use : for neither to your noble sex , nor any of the nobler , will i prescribe any measure in meat , though there ought to be one in all things : the beasts themselves ( even all but horses , dogs , and swine ) have attained to such a natural stint . rare is the temperance of the elephants , apes , birds , as may be read in aelians varia historia , nay dogs themselves ( a voracious animal ) though they will eat to surfeit , cure themselves by abstinence , and swine-physick is grown into a proverb . if your ladyships enquire at what demensum or exactness i live my self , with a medice , ostende teipsum , that is , shew me thy diet by thy practise ; i answer , madams , truly i finde it the best rule , as to my particular , to keep no ●ule at all , for the times have been more then lessius to me , and brought me to less then twelve ounces in two dayes , which is a most slender proportion ; they have taken care that i shall never have the worst of surfeits , that of bread : yet sometimes i offend in poculentis , in the excess , oftner in esculentis , in the defect ; in fastings often , in prayers less , yet still in some , enough religion for a physitian . and beside the coloquintida of the times , in frequent mornings doses of the leaves of wormwood , scurvy-grass , and water-cresses , which makes me look at the present mastigation like vespatian , clodius , or john whis●ler , the sometime good-fac●d recorder of oxford ( as if i were going to sacrifice to the lady cloacina . ) such severe discipline is not fit for your tender architecture , that may ruine plaister of paris , which will scarce smooth the rougher lime and sand. in short , i know it is a latine proverb , misere vivit qui vivit medice , that is , madams , they are most miserable fools that alwayes live by physick-rules . and so misere vivit , qui immodice vivit , they 'r slaves unto their ap●etite which golden moderation slight . in a word of exhortation then , ladies , be neither hermits nor carthu●ians , ca●uchins nor mon●●nists , that is , not of too severe a regulation ; yet a nunnes diet for your sex , and the collegi●t for ours , will make you mother-pyrrha's for age , penelopes for beauty , cassandra's for wisdome . in short , it will keep your spirits active , your skins cleare , your limbs vigorous , your soules and bodies apt for all divine and natural actions , whereby you may be ( as you wish your selves , and i too cordially ) both belov'd of god and men . and thus i humbly submit these conceits following to your ladyships view , under correction ; unto which ( especially from such hands ) i were unkind to my self if i should not most willingly lye down , and subscribe my self ( ladies ) your most obedient and corrigible servant , edmund gayton . upon his friend , mr. edmund gayton's book of diet. wit without wine , mirth without any meat ? then let the dead that neither drink nor ea● , read thee for me ; i am not so d●v●ne , that i can live , and neither sup nor dine . for though man liveth not by bread alone , yet there is no man ever liv'd with none . devouring wood of kent ( who at one bait could eat as much as noah's world of eight ) being dead , may be thy guest ; for thou dost give something so near to nothing , none can live . thou hast forgot how freely thou did'st laugh , being told thou had'st eat up thy beadles staffe ; yet would'st perswade us temperance ; o no , live by thy book ( if thou 'dst have me do so ) experiment thy self , first dine one week with bread two ounces just , and ana leek , sup with the learned worm : that eats thy book , and let thy readers see how thou would'st look , printing thy bare-bone picture on thy sheet , and then consider whether it be meet , all mankind to perswade to starve themselves , because thou hast no victuals on thy shelves . as the long graces that in fashion be , suit with thy minute meal , so both with me , thu● for the glut●on and good fellow now thy friend speaks truth , and freely doth allow thy temperate presc●iptions ; for our life is lesse in danger of the ** sword then ** knife ; and would we keep thy rules ( for no one can say that he cannot , if he be a man . ) d●ctors ( as do divines ) might change their trade , the sexton burn hi● ma●tock and his spade ▪ the elder world might die first , you and i might live till we were chang'd , and so ne're die . nominibus multis notus sine nomine prodis optime amico●um , non te sed memet honoras , at quo●am proprios titulos ( perdure ) negasti hos cape . vir auri es , virtutum dignior h●res . to mr. gayton on his art of longevity . for surfeits some pay dear , even all their wealth , others farre dearer , their more precious health . yet heavier punishment , we see , or ●ead , poor copenhagen feels it from the swede , whose sword , with famine sharper then its edge , now sadly gives the danish healths a pledge . could now one cure this feasting evil , give sick appetite the great restorative ; teach us to feed like burgers , yet to rise like doctors , lesse mercy , and more wise , to such a gale● , cities that abound in riches , noble pen●●ons might pro●ound : i wish they would , facetious gayton , then should'st thou have fees due to thy learned pen ; that from th' arabians hath to us transferr'd the secret , that prese●ves that long-liv'd bird , which thou prescrib'd , not in hard words , that make the bill as nauseous as the drugs we take . ' so clearly and so well thy book is writ , that we have here choice diet , and choice wit ▪ robert stapylton knight . to his quondam fellow oxonian edmund gayton . these dietetick laws thou dost here give , do teach us how , but make thy self to live , and so they shall , industrious mun , till time do once restore thee unto prose from rime : sometimes in latine verse , in english now you do , ( god bless it ) drive poetick plough . whence are these institutes , and whence these rules ? not from th' apothecary shops , or schools ? thou talk'st arabian authors , but thy pains speak lowdly , thou hast no library but brains . longevity thou giv'st us from iove's bower , and temperance from friar bacon's * tower . who 'd think a man should fall so mightily , who had his rudiments of warr so high ? think that thou , a centry in the air , should'st e're come down to teach us grosser fare ? a parac●l●●an then ( without disgrace ) i 'le call thee , instructed by the prince o th' place . bred in the air , and vvarr , what powders may not come from thee ? my lady kents give way . both monk and souldier owns thee , for i know , both presses thou dost stoutly undergo . and now to please the ladies thou hast brought , not things farre fetch'd , nor yet too dearly bought : thou mak'st their kitchin-gardens give them more then aegypt and both th' indies did before . thus common things , not vulgar , are made nice , and cheapness sometimes may enhanse the price . what thou hast done with staffe of place and wealth we know not , but i 'me sure the staffe of health thou carri'st still before us , and our part is but to follow well , and praise thy art : great art , that doth not only save but cure , preventive too , as well as make t' endure . wherefore i shall no more of thee rehearse , who giv'st us mirth , and physick , in a verse : and those that will not for thy dose give fee , let them want verses , and their health for me . philogeiton . h. i. dr. l. l. to the honour'd author upon his diaetetical institute . were the world but one giant-thing that liv'd , and had a soul , ( as the old sage believ'd ) but could it eat too , for one meal i 'de swear , thou meant'st thy book its general bill of fare ; great clerk of natures kitchin ! we ne're knew she was so good an house-keeper till now . some naturalists serv'd up a course , or so , garnish'd to boot with their own fictions too ; but thou in this great oleo hast co●bin'd , vvhat e're her want or luxury could find . if in her dining-room thou serve so well , i' th' drawing-room sure thou must needs excell . i. heath . to his friend the author . what is 't is writ ? it is a noble diet : oh! for a souldiers stomack to be quiet , and not conceive such dainties plac'd upon some ladies board ; then let the gods look on , vvith all their goddesses , and tell me where they met with wholesome diet and such cheare ; but their immortal diet 's only known and rarely fanci'd to us , then were shown by power of poets wits : i would not wish this my good friend present us such a dish : vvhat he hath done 't is all substantial good , not only babes , but lords and ladies food ; such as may make our youth old nestor's grow , and then confess their age to him they owe : yet if our stomacks want a dish to bait on , no wit like thine , i' th' second course , dear gayton . e. aldrich , tribunus militum . to his honoured friend mr. edmund gayton on his art of longevity . why how now fellow souldier ! what you write ? it must be sure to get what you by sight have lost ; in troth we had ill luck by th' sword ; those were by-blows , thou better art at word : and why of diet prithee , when we know all cavaliers are forc'd to live too low under the rule of lessius , small provant will serve those men o' th' gar●ison of gaunt : so oft r●form'd ( that 's squeez'd ) they't brought alass : toth' mum , and diet of pythagoras . platonick love we new may justifie , since meats platonick make sobriety ; and what i' th' fulness of the court was fable romance all , is true from thy spare table , and yet the sheet abounds in services , the worst of service , only of the eyes . he that doth feed on thee poetick mun , must change himself to a camelion : for all thy diet , , and choice bill of fare , is only words , and that 's but wind and air . franciscus aston capt , militiae puerilis . a diaeteticall institution . chap. i. whilest i intend a wholsome diet-rule , and write of meats and drinks from physick-schoole , it ought to be presum'd our state is good , and that we have to buy our daily food : for what hath he to do to vex his thought how he should eat , that hath no victuals bought ? wherefore we do amand duke humphrey's guest ▪ for their provision truly is o' th' least . a dog doth fare much better with his bones , than those whose table meat and drink are stones : but that great duke is out of house and home , and his grand palace is a den become ; but not so good as is the lions den , or foxes holes , there 's scraps for many men ; there is no ordinary of news and talk , no not so much is left as weymarks walk , no not so much ( if you will please to go in ) doth th' head remain of welch cozen owen ; who for this violence done unto his name will rise and pay her with an epigram : he was set up with such a peaking face , as if to th' humphreyans h' had been saying grace ; that word doth hint our business , doth as well as if i 'd heard the colledge buttry-bell . then first we shall rehearse in humble rimes what time and hour we mount our belly-chimes ; for it doth stand with excellent reason to have for meats , as other things , a season . for so it was ordain'd by our creator , ( and still perform'd by naturated nature ) the earth , the air , the sea , ( would y' have more than such an able triple providore ? ) with tempestivous delicacies strive , to please us in a various nutritive : and with successive courses interchanging , they have for every time a severall ranging ; no aulicus , culman , no nor clerk , shew such a bill of fare as was i' th' ark : and as by couples they to noah came to be preserved , they do the very same to us to be destroyed ; for master venter consumeth all that into it doth enter : it is for this luxurious anthony , and puired vice , our cleopatry , the ransackt elements do not afford enough provision for the bed and boord . would it not prove thy whole arithmetick to cast in cyphers what is spent by th' week ? ( friend noah ) in this great metropolis , without the tavern style , of bread and cheese , what droves of higlers post in from the fens with fowls most epicaene , both cocks and hens ? of all which company i don●t enjoy one duck , and yet related to a coy . but oh the heads we see of greater beards ! not i● was so fair when iove afeard , ( that iuno did suspect her self cornute ) had turn'd his delicate lady to a brute : nor when himself was pleas'd a bull to lowe , could he our two late fausen beeves out-show ? the wayes on every rode are all blockt up with the whole family of those that tup : who all like other innocents come unto these shambles , to receive their doom . st. lukes is past , and rumford rode doth whine , as if that circe were alive with swine : ) ' piggs have their tide too , and there is a fare ' for those , who in their lives most filthy are . how many babies on s. margrets hill ( if all that name to her continue still ) lie pil'd in tray ( as they were wont in trough ) and yet ( as if there were not pigg enough ) old bartholmew with purgatory fire destroyes the babe of many a doubtfull sire : nor doth the sea deny his vast supplies , in greater fishes and the lesser fries , as to our cost , the street o' th' name can tell , how cheap soe're the fish , the dressing's fell . the very king of fish his season knows , and in vast shoals his just obedience shews ; so all the rest of that blew monarchy follow their leader , all resolv'd to die . how do the painted mack'rell load our shallops ▪ and lest they smell , do put the winds to th' gallop . lord , what a din the sluts at billingsgate do make about the tother cast of sprats ! and open more their monstrous mouths in vain , than do their oysters against tide or rain : nor may we pass the place where chimney-sweep doth now instead o' th' cross his station keep : * there is a cornucopia walk but thorough , ( where is the like , except at edenburough ? ) oh had our sister burrough such a fate , t' have had her double stalls of flesh and plate , her name might then have eden been , whereas for want of both she came e'ne where it was ; and so retains unto this nations sorrow , from our lost gewds , the last part of it borrow . but i believe the sallads of the place , and physicall herbage , for a twelve-months space would be too great a fraight and summe to trie the bank o' th' caledonick pedlary . and now i think 't is time the bill of fare , given in and read , for dinner to prepare . chap. ii. question i. what time and hour is best to eat at ? answer , (a) as rasis doth advise in his (b) almansor , ( now rasis was in physick a sage solon ) after our former meats have pass'd grand (c) colon , and the saburra of the place unloaded , no longer meat , no longer drink be avoided : a little exercise , but not to sweat , excites the duller appetite to eat : soon as the eager gentleman is rais'd fall on a gods name ( that 's with god be prais'd : ) do not defraud him , nay , we can't , i fear , hope to disswade , where there is ne're an ear . but as it happens at a lord mayors shew ( for greater festivals we do not know ) it is so long before the hundredth dish is plac'd , and the sword-bearer to his wish , hath chang'd the sword o' th' city for a knife ( sharp as the carver ) so did tew to th' life , and laid about most powerfully ( his heat and the sharp humour laid ) doth no defeat : ' then or with vinegar or violets syrrup , ' you may this lazy couchant lion stir up ; but if you have not any of those at hand , ( i hope hot water may be at command ) not aqua vitae ( though a dramme for crude and pituitous stomacks may be good : ) but here t is aesops heated water meant , which once tane down , the stomack upward sent : after relouncing , if the stomack bray ( like a sharp ass , for thistles or for nay ) give its demensum , let it feed pro more on any meat that is set down before ye ; and for the quoties , let it as it wont ( unless some vitious custome 's paramont ) then by degrees relinquish that , not sudden , ' no hasty thing is good , scarce hasty pudding , twice in a day , or what 's more temperate , thrice in two dayes , or as 't is forc'd of late , ( once in a day ) for squeez'd & dreyn'd revenue is good to feed the bellies lank retinue ; take 't from a prudent prince , who 'l tell ye , by no means make a cloke-bag of your belly . (d) chap. iii. vpon the appetite , and custome of eating . as we have us'd for custome ( as a second nature , is by learn'd (a) averroes reckon'd ) so still persist , for it is good for men to eat what they are wont , saith avicen ; for totall change of diet cannot be commended , nor from hence hath warranty . nor we mean here , like henry of narar , ( the happy thunderbolt of the french war ) ( who angry with his chiding confessor , (c) 'cause he enjoyned frequent penance for his often peccadilloes , 'gainst the breach of the seventh precrept , and did doctrines teach of conjugall charity ) this prince wroth , confin'd the priest to capon and white broth for constant diet , t was a dish he lov ▪ d , but for so long continuance not approv'd . the story 's known , apply but meat to wives , but does not hold in things we treat with knives . more than one dish may be by us accosted , whether the fare be baked , sodden , or rosted : the crambe of one dish a greek 't would kill , if he 's enforc'd to feed upon it still : nor (b) epicurus like , or like his drove , to gurmundize and jerfe it do we prove , and wish to find the lech'ry of provant , philoxenus his neck , or cormorant . this were to be a wood or maxriot , two english helluas for his daily pot , the heads of beasts , with their appertinance , entrails and all , would not a meal advance , such throats ( as cormorants are us'd in game ) should be string-throtled , or the poor will blame ; no , rather do , as we in sundry places in his almanzor are advis'd by rasis , make an election of your food ( and where there●s choice , one dish is not presum'd the cheer ) nor have at all , for then we eat a musse , that is not manly , swine do onely thus . then let our meats themselves be simply good , yet one mans poyson is anothers food : and what our palate takes and custome likes , though not so nourishing , will passe the pikes , i mean the palisadoes of the face , which have , in point of eating , the first place ; for manduration and our thorough chewing prepares what is into the stomack going , and doth facilitate the work o' th' place , ( which doth not gobbets like , nor gubbins base ) for as it goes it payes a certain toll to th' palate , doth that avenue controll ; there it receives an introductive change , before it come into the stomacks range : and therefore brawn , thouh a most lusty meat , is no wayes for a toothlesse dame to eat , beside the hazard , which way ere 't should slip , ( or down the throat , or back to the dish skip ; ) w●thout good chewing it would lie to heavy for th' aqua vitae bottles us'd replevy : yet unto such , whose constitution , like cato's , needs no contribution of counsels , nor of dose from medicil art , ( who for his proper safety had a part of pitiful physick , in moroser adage , teaching all cures by vomit and by cabadge , so did preserve unto a wondrous length his iron sides , and almost ostrich strength . ) ( pardon the space of this parenthasis ) to such we say , athletick bulks as his ; diet that 's simply bad you may not give , he might with cabbadge , not with hemlock live : let us i pray be rightly understood , you may eat bad , but not your basest food ; nor bad at all , if it disgust , but naughty and pleasing meat does well , as hath been taught ye . chap. iv. of the order of refection . let not your checquer'd table crack with dishes , pil'd like a structure with land-beasts and fishes ; ' for multitude of meats , as well as books , ' distracts the brain , and belly likewise looks for a digestion , t' eat at all , or read without it , shews rather hast than good speed : the brain or stomack , if o're-cloy'd by superfluities , are both dostroy'd : nature hath but one cook , then send not in the studied work of ten cooks managing ; it would be thought a wonder amongst men , if one esurient cook should eat up ten . thence comes corruption , when that cook is tir'd , gives o're the work , and in the kitchin mir'd : oh how he fumes ! all cooks are cholerick , and sends his vapours crude and flegmatick about the house ( makes a foul house with all ) diseases spring is cacochimicall . next , let your lighter meats , and the subtiler be faln upon before the gross and viler . wherefore my don , not don quixot , i mean , ( for such provision seldome there was seen ) at second course begins , and to be brief , eats ( if he have it ) at the last his beef . take heed , good simon , how you sup your broth , much mischief comes through the accustom'd sloth and negligence of cooks , both he and she , of all such cooks , clean●y come thou to me : not sifting oatmeal , and the ingredients , which make your mattin-cawdle liquaments , is cause , that frequently most durty atomes in silver cup go toward the ladies botomes : ' now , though that blind men use to swallow flies , ' they would not surely , if they had their eyes . this may be help'd yet , by a wholsome drainer , ( if that you think the caution 's not the vainer . ) to things more pertinent we will proceed , ( ' yet a good poet died by a * grapes seed ) no man will therefore ( i do mean that wise is ) contemn us for our mean , but true advises : but as our various dinner is a fault , so is our stay , and long remove o' th' salt ; it is not good ( like dutch ) i can't dutch spreaken , to sit at table till our bellies breaken : feed untill midnight , and charess all commers , and think all physick is in crowned rummers . a dang'rous custome , and doth cause the stivers to march apace into their intrail-drivers . oh how our farriers thrive by fitting drenches for many a hogen mogen , men and wenches ! but shall we eat at all ? or what ? you 'l say yes , yes , you shall , and shall no longer stay . since that in winter 't was my hap to write , actuall hot meats are best for th' appetite : and when the summers pleasing heat is come , let actual cold meats be i' th' others room : think not all hots are of the po●tage-pot , nor nothing cold but what its dressing got the night before , but what by nature is , or hot or cold , are so with emphasis : wherefore those things , whose quality 's so cold , as if made so by snow , from them withhold ; or whose intensive heats ( without the fire ) do warm , to eat have not too much desire : lubrick , that 's glibbery , and the meat that 's moist and juicy , before drier fare accost ; sweet meats , and sawce that 's sowr ( though an old saw ) is a good rule in avicenna's law ; so mix your cold and hot , your moist and dry , that neither have a grand predominancy : and with these four precautions you may dine , for contraries do their own selves refine : and while they strive each to be master , the broken elements are safest posture ; so they do rarely temperate become ; such wars produce a peace , t is pipe and drum ; wherefore let fat and unctions swines-flesh swimme in sharp and sawces tart up to the brimme : methinks it is a dish highly abhorrens to see a pig bemeasl'd all in currans . d' you ask what place is best to take repast in ? ( not such as mine , for that 's a place to fast in : ) but you that have your residence for food , the coolest place , except the cellar , 's good ; and sometimes i have known that hath been us'd , and for its coolnesse ought not be refus'd : but for its heat , as from a noli me tangere , flye , for there the bottles lye : and ever since erasmus call'd it hell , you might in one as welll as th'other dwell , in that with liquid fire they 'r hard put to 't , in this god bacchus is drunk up in boot : certes this custome is in memory , the pretty bulchins cradie was a thigh . but in the summer your coole um-brages , and hid recesses be your diet-stages , provided that no intervemient wind through doores or crevises nor strain'd aire find accesse unto the place , for t is debated , and found , the worst of air is preco-lated ; but chiefly chuse a ventilated place , when that the sun is in his highest race : for native heat 's by that extracted much , just as the fires , if sun-beams do it touch ; but interpose a screen , or else the maid your fire 's preserv'd , your stomack by the shade . but if you have no such sycamor places , eat at an hour that 's cool then ( saith my rasis ) after meat taken , rest , or sleep , saith he , sleep not , say some , the doctors disagree : revive mayerne , and he will bid you sleep , old paddy bid you smoke , your eyes ope keep : i 'm for the later knight , my patron , who gave me his colledge , shall give counsel too . chap. v. of meats in generall . the first considerable food is bread , which he in sacred prayer hallowed , who in that prayer {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} ( which bears its high-sprung makers name , and to all years , must stand matrix of holy liturgies , and be both form and part o' th' services , better than all the whole ) the platform lead , ▪ of whom to ask , and wherewith to be fed . our daily bread includes , as in a word , the all-abundance of our fullest beard : and he whose belly 's full with bread alone , ( and blessing 'fore and after ) were 't a stone , shall find a satisfaction in his fare , as great as if h' had din'd with my lord may'r : there is a tast of his religion , who dares not write so large as dr. brown . now to our phisical design , we treat , therefore the civiliz'd part o' th' world with wheat , the bread compacted , and most stoutly kneaded , sifted most clean from bran , and as it needed , salted and leaven'd by your barm and quick'ning , and throughly bak'd , will keep you best from sick'ning ; 't is light and tart , as your good houswives say , and makes i' th' body a convenient stay : for cleansed from its bran , which makes it swift of passage , and is onely good for drift , or scouring hands or pewter , or the hair , ( but for the rich jessimy butters rare , and mr. cutbeards powder ) it will fix , and till a due egestion moves it , sticks : and oven-bak'd is best , the hearth is poor , and onely fit for caledonian boor ; except their oat-cakes , nothing doth me please , nor solan geese , bannock , nor barnacles : and spungy let it rise by its quick leaven , for bread unleaven'd is not easily driven out of the stomack , but doth stay too long , and by its pains doth do the belly wrong : it makes obstruction in the liver , and who would imagine bread should turn to sand ? or to a stone ? its evil quality doth slime the reins , and there doth petrifie . the bread of barley , the tough plowmans food , is colder nutriment , and not so good : but those who sweat , and swink , and thwack , like sten●ors , will digest stones , if on them they adventure ; but otherwise that bread doth little nourish ; t is windy too , and makes the colick flourish , ' and causeth cold diseases , binds the belly , and lies quiescent like a costive jelly . as other grains are in their natures , so is the bread is made of any dough : bean-bread is flatulent and course , but good for those have stomacks like a horse ; so turnip-bread , a new and late devise , to fatten hogs and horses in a trice ▪ the curse of all corn-chandlers , who , by that project , do keep their grain for the old rat . lastly , your bread , when hot , by no means eat , nor butter'd loaves , they 'r clungy clogging meat , and bung the intrails up , you cannot make a passage , though you down long confects take ; yet 't is scholars breakfast of the times , which makes them of such pregnancy in rimes . yet if hot loaves you do account so dear , you may for worms apply 'um to your ear . chap. vi . of drinks , and first of wine whilest i do write thy profits , and the good thou dost confer ( plump grapes most noble blood ) in either have nor call for helps from thee , thou voucht infuser of high poetry ; it is enough for those who write thy praise , such as my father ben , whose head with bayes , scarce yet inherited , thou justly crown'dst , to be silenus like , well souc'd and plounc'd in essences of sack , whence spirits follow , richer and higher than his own apollo . let those thy brave and warm contagions boast , who do recite th' profit of their hoast and club-delight , whate're th' hesternall fire , ( not at next meeting quencht ) did fore-inspire : a long forgetfulnesse hath seiz'd my soul , nor have i felt thy flames since henham bowl ; the cooler hypocrene is spurn enough , and the cleer liquor headed from the hoof of the wing'd courser , serves for such poor stuff , as humbly now comes forth his muses cell , is sutable , and hath its name from well ; yet we will yield thee a just elogie , far from a strain'd and wrackt hyperbole , whereby it shall appear thy fotive fire , was present in our wish ; and full desire we say , and prove , thou art that nutritive that keeps the spirits and the soul alive : and thy known pregnant operations joyns those cognate paires , as to thine elmes , are vines , supporting those most rare auxiliaries (b) by thine allied and subtile offices : so that ●ame (c) psyche doth no servant more ( being absent long ) than thine own self-deplore : at thy returns ( for queens do love and keep their state too ) though in sorrows plunged peep , shee is reviv'd , and her quick actions prove , her alter'd instruments and her close love . ' for thy affini●y is such , so like ' with naturall heat , that as the flint doth strike ' sparkles and fire , the ready tinder takes ' the darted stars , and a glad union makes : so when thy vigorous cherishing gleams reflect upon our blew and purple streams , they all receive an influence from thee , and their alliance forthwith gratifie : then as a loyall kinsman would , thou dost nourish and heal , and dost expel the frost , both naturall and christian away flies , at thy approaches cold , and crudities : and in the christian frost thou art as brief , ' making th' afflicted to forget his grief ; the grosser blood thou streight dost clarifie , no scavenger in all the world like thee , who by no tricks of dung-carts new or old cleansest the purple * channell when t is foul'd . then to the common shore of blood thou goest , and all obstruction from the liver throwest ; and thy new bush , not broom , sweeps clean , and mundifies the sinck of all , the spleen . what misty vapour , or opacous fume dare stay , when that thy excellence is come ? ' as if some unthought prince had faln from high , ' ( lost in opinion , and to th' common eye ) ' his half incredulous friends , 'twixt joy and fear , ' dare not believe , nor dare not doubt him there ; ' but setled in a view instead of bels ' and bonefires , the heart flames , the pulse beats peals . so at reception of this prince of drinks , the exalted hearrt it self in paradise thinks , and every member of its warmed trunk shoots out , and leaps , though once 't were sinew-shrunk . joy is dispers'd , and the relieved soul doth all her ransom'd ministers controul ; a noble boldnesse doth possesse the mind , to suffer injuries of any kind , not to commit the least , and she dares do what in her shrivel'd state she fear'd to shew . magnanimous indeed , and prone to seek , adventures , and her self t' express and speak , not as the over-heated valiant swine ( pot-pertinacious sometimes , but not wine . ) but these are sober animosities , which raise our wisdomes , as our fantasies , which coupled friendly in a social heat , they can the tract of any business beat . ' wherefore let proclamation forthwith be , ' that every sex and age have liberty ' at any time , to tast this precious juice , ' whose vertues are so high , so good his use . and for the quantum ? or how much we may , ( methinks the vintnes cry , tel's that i pray , that the last impost by a general draught may be forgot , and the sunk price out-quaft ; ) and truly , so it will make friends , we may drink what our natures well can bear away , and the firm habits of unspoiled brains ' ( some drink not freely , but are in wine-chains ) can gallantly discharge , without a spoil unto our purse , or to our souls a soil . now wine is wondrous like theriaca , (a) so strange his various numerous vertues play ; cold humours it doth heat , infrigidates hot ▪ moistens the dry , and where tough moisture 's got , extenuates ; such protean qualities hath the rare plant , that smoke ▪ before our eyes : of both which excellent creatures , wine and smoke , i dare affirm , that were you like to choke with thirst , the one or tother shall your droughth asswage , before the coolest water down your mouth . now take what rasis saith , wine doth retard old age , and all its lazy flegmatick guard : unto the stomack 't is the sworn ephaestion , corroborates , and ministers digestion . but after all these panegyrick shews , there is , beware , a serpent in the close ; i mean not that is drank with vipers in 't , but in every butt that passeth by the pint . ' ; if you abuse it to undecencies , ' and murder it in superfluities , ' the vertue 's lost , and in the vacant place ' your own diseases come , and wine 's disgrace : ' the dry'd up liver , and the trembling nerves , ' caus'd from the moistned brains , return'd reserves : contracting spasma , and cold apoplexie , abused grapes , conspired friends will vex ye . chap. vii . of meath or metheglin . the bee , that subtil and industrious creature , of pains incredulous , but little feature , doth from the profits of his balmy thighs , for lazier men , hive up his sweet supplies : if from the eater honey came , the bee both emblem is and child of industry . madam , your self is an unwinged bee , disdain not ( lady ) this mean simile , when the grand plato , learned , grave and wise , describ'd a man by these two differences , unfeather'd and two-legg'd , so in a mock , they sent him home his own man , a pluckt cock : when that i saw more then hyblean skill , and bees to have but one art ▪ you what you will ; the ants and grashoppers submit to you ; and think themselves but drones when you 'r in view ; your various artifices your sex disgrace , ( ev'n unto painting skill'd , all but the face ) it put me to an emulation then , ( oh that there were no other strifes 'mongst men ) to see a lady of such diligences , of more professions mistress then of senses ▪ and i that paid for dearly what they call , howe're the seven endowments liber●ll , ( but foolish purchaser took but smal w●●e for money and time , the which was 〈◊〉 more rare ) could not for all my seven years penniwo●th , shew so good a●ts as you did then hold forth ; nay i profess it , were expe●ience made , ( excepting in this scribling quibling taade ) the exigent put , you would your fortunes carve , in any part o' th' world , tnd i might starve ; nay in my very subject , if you please , you could out-vy me too in recipes , and teach the medling fool to be more quiet . and come to henham-hall to study diet ; where metheglin ev'ry winter morn , with tost and tankard to our lips are born : for honey is exceeding hot ( saith rasis ) and is high food for bodies cold , and places : the pea●l o' th' morning genders blood and choler , so one way good , and th' other naught for scholar : b●t for complexions sanguine , such as mine , it is less wholsom , then a little wine ; but to cold persons , and of sinews weak , and flegmatick ▪ and ladies stomack-sick , it is a high and sure corroborator , as saith our avacena's commentator : the ways to make it are so many , i had rather drink a cup of 't , then descry . chap. viii . of ale . drnk famous , infamous , prais'd and disprais'd , from stygian lakes , that 's muddy harbours rais'd from common shores and father ben's adventures , how dar'st thou boiled bog or muzzles enter ? but when the keen cheroketh blows sat bumpkin , who will refuse to drink thee in a rumpkin ? enough is written for thee , pro and con , yet since hops came thy name is almost gon : but that the alderman hath cleans'd thy tide , and makes us wish thee yet amongst us bide ▪ and huff of famous memory , that huff , who to his ale had no sign but his ruff ; that , and his ale most smooth , did so well work , the house was full of christian and of turk ; and in demulsing lubrick mornings drafts , a good estate into old huff was quaft , what is ale good for ? look against his doors , and you shall see them rotted with ale-showrs : it hath this speciall commendation , to cleanse the ureter , and break the stone : just as a feather-bed the flint doth break , so th' other stone your north-down-ale alike : thy mother ba●ly is an enemy to th' nerves , that makes men stagger after thee , drunk beyond huffs demensum , who did stint in 's regular ruff , his guests unto a pint . ( but at one session ) yet go forth , and face about , and then you might take tother glasse : windy thou art , wheth● in bottles close corkt up a pris'ner , and as bad let loose ; yet foul and gravell'd reins thou dost make terse , not made too strong , and by good store , disperse : 't is weight , as much as vertue , does that feat , tunbridge and barnet , of opinion great , are no more soveraign then the wholsom spring , to which sir thomas gave a covering , and bowls in chains , the aged man can tell , when barnet fails , those waters sell as well to cousend citizens , yet we can't deny . ta many baths specifick quality : but chiefly ( as by parentage i 'm bound ) i like the wells in wellingborrough-ground ; whose spring's renoun'd for vertue uterine , and still is famous for our pregnant queen . but to our ale ( and there is humming stuff as good as any tinker did ere cuff . ) those who indulge themselves to too much wines , allay that heat by thee , and cool their chines : onely like nitty sack it leaves a tail , and lies in the clung'd throat most roapy ale , but daughter of the tother mother , wheat , and mixt with mint or smallage , thou art neat ; and sage or wormwood in a small degree , do clear thy fog , and grossness clarifie : but now these later knowing dayes have made thee fit infusion for our physick-trade : the lettices of ale-compounded shops are now as numerous as those of hops : there 's scarce a street in which out worships go in , but that thy name in some new mode doth crow in ; a proper word , since every where they drape on , in live ale or mortified cock or capon ; the physick of the spring and fall is ale , and bags of drugs and simples by sea sail , as they were returning from the indies , to be ingredients for this woort so windy had culpeper but strain'd his faculties , and stead of what he did translated this into some forreign countrey , and not tongue , he had the nation been the prime among : but now riverus and the staple-book of compositions , on him scurv'ly look , for prostituting the art ; for no bawd , moral or civil , can our verse applaud ; vehiculum of every drug , i may call thee most aptly by the name of dray , nay to the very arts of schools thou 'rt come , by sad exchange of rods for lotium , and made most swingeing ale for butts , i mean the place econtrae to the guts : tradition pleads for thee ( for ale is old ) and since thy sad disuse , the world is bold to charge the stone i' th' body , and the church , upon thy vale doctors make a search , and try if heresy , and that sharp pain from ale 's desertion , did not footing gain . chap. ix . of beere . beer is a hop remov'd from ale , the hop from a damn'd weed is a common crop : ' so things condemn'd and censur'd , are retain'd , ' because forbidden , it more credit gain'd : yet if maturely rotted , where no fault is in the beer by foul and wively malt , well kept and lodg'd , and purged by the sea , or marches two , it may probatum be : but in digested hops and unboil'd beer make doctors jubile ev'ry year : some anti-hoppists are for b●oom , and make the blessed carduus , that infusion l●ke . this last is physick-drink , and your broom-beer is bitter , and to wood-dry'd malt is near ; but gentle purle is good , and botled best ; and twist is good , so sings will hoopers guest . chap. x. of flesh-meats in generall . it is an an axiom in philosophy , that every like its like is nourisht by : wherefore consid'ring that we 'r flesh and blood , and flesh and blood is our most proper food ; but generall rules have their exception , grammer and nature in like orders run , for whom all things were made ; man paramount , lord of the creature , may the creature count , his diet and his staves , he may eat all , except himself , he is no caniball : and though unto a proverb it is true , man is a woolf to man ; 't should not be so : for the most rav'nous of creatures do forbear , and don't themselves a dire provision ●ear ; that sow's unfed will their dead babies eat , and hounds do make the noble horse their meat , is not enough to make a president , no , but what is alwayes , or plerumque , so ; the princely eagle , and the buzzard base , feed not on birds when offal 's in the place ; so at the samaria's siege , the king did give a sentence for that child that was alive , not of the dead , for grand necessity , and famine 's nurse to anthropophogie . this doth not hinder then , but still thesis holds flesh is food generall , and pl●●●es ; nothing so fattens ▪ so corroborates , nothing the body's life-guard so creates . ( the red coat blood , in blew coat veins of state ) the yellow coat 's of cholar , flegmatick , of white and blak coats that i' th' reer doth stick ; of earthly melancholy , who 'd suppose his body did four regiments inclose ? wherefore the persons that do feed so high , have often need of good phlebotomy : for flesh provision of all sorts doth heat , wherefore in feavers we prescribe small meat , or none at all , unless the patient please , spight of advice , to feed his own disease ; the fleshy substance stripped off't , the sat doth nourish best , and lesser harms creat : strengthens the stomack , and doth kindly lie for coction , suns much supefluity . herculean bodies and pyracmon sides can digest garlick , and the onion fry'd ; butter and bacon may devour and swallow , yea , and put over too a beev's whole tallow ; athletick bodies we provide nor for , nor yet for wood , nor the sharp counselor ; but sedentary men of little pains must not with such gross stuff anoynt their veins : a lighter diet , and a modicum , little and often food their states become ▪ chap. xi . of wood-animalls . now we are in a wood , yet no such wood , as girts your palace , nor the deer so good ; where in some summer walks with early thought , the velvet drove i to acquaintance brought ; as known to them almost as were your keepers , ( scholers and forresters are little sleepers ) i had my walks , my hamadryades , but his shrill syrinx did out ec●ho these oaten and slender pipes , though not so vocall , which have their forrest too but 't is not locall : poets have all things in their fancy , good , so the poetick man is alwaies wood ; and as old writings were on barks of trees , without a figure books are copices , and such a rus , and in fenestra too is mine , beasts subject , trees a book or two ; and i your sable forrester , yet iohn a green in heart ▪ am frequent in my night-walks seen , where if i like a fawn o' th' nobler head , with all hast ( madam ) to your self 't is ●ed . creatures o' th' wood are wooden animals , that is , are dry , compar'd to beeves of stalls ; the houshold creatures , which by ease do fat , and nothing of their flesh evaporate , yeild a more jucy nutriment , then deer , cutting half knife in fat , meat for a peer ; the active tenants of the in losed wood , by constant motion clense their chafed blood , and ratifie their spirits by levaltos , like the rare turk , in all your pleasant saltus ; besides their scituation , hot and dry , doth alwaies much obesity deny . who ever saw a spaniard over fat ? their countrey-man ( the sun ) prohibits that , who by extensive heats exhals their moist , unlesse perchance some spaniard the seas crost , and leiger lay in england then he might return a shew , and the madrids delight : of all that wild and noble caravan , the skipping kid is soundest meat for man ; who by his frequent exercise doth cure the coldnesse of his temper , and dispure ▪ the tincture of his coat and fulsome skin into rufillus (a) perfumed sweet-balling . quick of digestion is this nimble bruit , and passeth presto , and doth blood recruit ; and if the stomack were his park , he playes his usuall tricks and makes no tedious stayes ; domestick brutes o' th' pasture or o' th' down , of other aire , and seldom motion , are of a nourishing meat , but grosser fare , and threfore harder of digestion are ; 'mongst which the males have the precedency , hotter and moister concoct presently , before their females , of lesse heat and juice , and therefore are not of so prais'd a use : the gelded crew of middle temp'rature , colder then males ( whose fire doth yet endure ) yet hotter than their females , ( who despise , since their exection , their shab companies ) do make a middle food ; thus eunuchs may , when they are dead , serve for a wedding-day . but kid is temperate without the least mixture of malice , a most innocent beast : the blood which that creates is middle siz'd , neither too grosse , nor too much subtiliz'd ; neither too cold nor hot ( a temper nought ●n our religion , but in physick sought ) ●ood for an errant knight , or any thing , whose body 's lightnesse would be on the wing ; for the repletions are gentile , yet not so slender , that no nutriment is got : whence it appears kid hath the ladies love , 't is delicate diet , and 't is smooth-skinn'd gloves . but above all , the infant-kids are best , as we say , taken from the mothers breast , so full of sappy nutriment , and smart , that without sawces sweet , alid , and tart , you may fall on ; what would we more than tast , and good blood breed , when just digestion 's past ? chap. xii : of the flesh of lambs , rammes wethers and calves . of lambs . emblem of innocence ! and yet not good ▪ is lamb a shynx , not to be understood ? some butcher oaedipus with knife drawn out o' th' scabberd of thy mouth , resolve this doubt , ( as did macedo to the gordian knot ) and in aenigma's dubious leave us not . for your sake ( madam ) who a little claim , and stand hard for the hieroglyphick name of spotlesse innocence , even against all lambs , but that one , that you your pattern call , ( slain from before all worlds ) i shall untack this knot , by th' help of rabbi isaak , not idumaean isaak , abrahams son , who by parentall hand had like t'have gone to sacrifice , but that the angels grace dispos'd a bleating proxie in his place ; the heir o' th' flock yean'd on the coldest lease , is then worse meat , when nu●s'd upon his knees : ( some may obedience from that posture learn , nothing so dutifull as the yews barn ) yet as if now we were herodians all , nothing then lamb comes oftner to the stall ; the flesh is viscous , and ingenders flegme , so 't is a bad dish , a good apothegm : yet when in flesh a fair foundation 's laid , and on a dish or two invasion's made , then from your lambkin ( madam ) ne're withhold , but let it have its course , be 't hot or cold : in hotter countreys , such as spain , the lamb gets hotter temper from his curled dam. dhap . xiii . of rammes . this goodly ●uffle-head with winding horns , though he looks scurvy , and th' whole flock scorns , yet is the grossest meat ; this surly sir is good , if he exceed not his first year ; if well digested , it doth generate good blood , and much ; but if it had the fate to fall i' th' hands of curst armenian libbers , (a) after exection he is much the glibber ; and though he be a lost ramme , as we say , to th' yews , he 's good howe're the other way ; his flesh is temper'd by his depriv'd fire , and having lost his own , gets our desire : it hath a winning and delicious gust , though father galen , whom we credit must , condemnes all mutton , but he wrote in townes where little was , and ne're saw cotsall downs , nor this same land of sheep , whose noble wooll clothes the muscovian , and the great mogull ; the english fleece doth proudly passe the gulph , and fears no hazard but its native wolf ; how many nations fleets empty the fraughts , and do return this fleeces argonauts ? then for the back it 's good , and in keen hunger , were galen here he 'd be a mutton-monger : but ramme from wether-mutton you may know , that 's yellow , this (a) no cause hath to be so . chap. xiv . of calves . welcom thou increment of bully bove , ( or when a bull , why not as well of iove ? ) a calfe , saith averaoes , is brave food , of temperate blood , not viscous , cold , but good , and hath a flavour and odorous gust , and therefore before kid , his praise is just : for though the kid we did extoll but now , 't was 'mongst his montaneirs , so we allow : but for calves frag●an●ies , we 'r none of those , that for our diet will be led by th' nose , although it is confess'd by all ( forsooth ) the calves head 's ne're without its own sweet tooth ; to make no long taile of it then , it breeds humours most fine , and therefore cleanlier feeds . but flesh of bulls and oxen , those calfe's sire , these uncles ( better by their losse of fire ) breed black , and much , and melancholy blood , our veins of blew are made a sable flood ; and as alive we bulls do stiff-necks call , so are they too knock-downed in the stall : 't is a most rebellious nutriment , dead , and lies i' th' stomack heavy , as is lead : it 's slowly alter'd , turns to chyle as slow , as slow dissolv'd does to the members go : it wants a goad when it is drove alive , a clarret goad may't through the stomack drive ; the lazy surloin , glory of the roast , and knighted , and yet was never knight o' th' post ; unlesse when thou ( brave (a) sheriff ) dost refine his duller blood with thy for bon french wine : if by complexion men adust ( that 's sad ) or splenatick , do like this beveridge bad . ' ware quartan agues , dropsies , and the itch , the leprosie , or tetter , chuse you which , dandry and surfie heads , this blood o' th' ox bestowes all these , and yet the butcher knocks : wherefore most wisely have our masters stated , that bulls , before they die , shall all be baited . chap. xv . of the flesh of swine , deer , hares and bears . first , of swine . my father ( a ) ben , discoursing of this grunter , in that so famous play , where old sir punter being turn'd oxlando for the losse of 's dog , did lug the jeering buffon like a hog : there in that celebrated comedy , ( whether my father ben , as well as i , met with arabian comments ) the smart play doth patly what my ancient authors say : there 's wit to th' height , read it , and try our dogma , whether from both the places we a hog may not all alike commend ; first avicen sayes , pork 's most naturall to men , so ben ; hogs flesh is likest mans , saith isaak ; the same again saith ben , but adds , that sack , a hogshead full , for a vehiculum , will spoile its grumbling in our medium , ( or middle region of our trunk ) for swine , alive or dead , will be still laid with wine . indeed my father ben doth there produce a reason why they were denied the jews ; because that nutrimentall animall of a provoking sap , and hogo● all , would have disorder'd and o're-pamper'd those who newly come from egypts hard dispose : rebels in rough mosaick discipline , how much more rebels , had they eaten swine ? which makes me think the caledonians , alike in sins , alike in onions , are of affinity with the old jews , both for rebellion , both do pork refuse . now of this animall there are two sorts , the one domestick , tother extra ports , ( that wild and forreign ) whose food is such as the wood yields , when winds do lust'ly touch , and flaile the oaks and chesnuts , and the berries , which nature for the birds meant winter cherries . (a) but oh the flesh of choice-fed houshold swine ! and of the quarters , the renoun'd cold chine ! eaten , or sung , or plaid by wilson , (b) sure for old sir mammon it were yet a lure sufficient to leave doll , and for a bone , to passe his part o' th' philosophers stone ; hampshire is rare for reering such , and may contend almost with black westphalia ; the moister feeding is the home-fed swine , hotter and dryer is sow peregrine : see the attendancy of suffolk pigs , fed by the hoopt-coat merry milking grigs , clensed with whey , and fatted with the same , or snailes , or good vine leaves ( which pidgeons blame ) or else the turnep ; oh the turnep-fed swine ! may chance save us , turneps being dead , with grains , these girles and such hog-provender , will you a porker of that fulnesse reer , that circes brood , and all her chang'd elpe-nors cann't parallel for meat nor for demeanour : such dieted swine are cold and moist , a rare temper , and to the gust most relishing are ; but quite another thing , when dry'd by salt , it is exuct , and laid up 'mongst the malt : now in hot countreys , where our commentator liv'd they prescrib'd the extremities o' th' creature , the luggs , the leggs , the souced feet and snout , i 'm for the roman way , dish it whole (c) out ; or as i 've seen it rarely rais'd and drawn by henham cook , up to a 〈◊〉 of b●●wn , where wicked 〈◊〉 , yet good 〈◊〉 ●●●berry , hath made the ●a●er , not the brawn●● , c●y ; then from the tun too , o● the th●ee 〈◊〉 c●me a ganymed with sa●k , and warm'd ●heg me , that the old matron that old m●mbling ●eed before , did after swallow 't with less heed : the infant , or the sucking baby dies about this season , a large ●ac●i●ice ; the wayes are throng'd , blockt up with bellies big , ( and bellies would be so ) for crackled pig ; st. bartholmew the great , and bat the little , afford not room enough , but the hospitall is press'd into , wherein whosoever looks , shall see all dressing on , chirgians and cooks : well fare you sisters of my native soil , eat pig and multiply , recruit your oyl with unctio●s di●● , it breeds noble chyme , call for the other half , and by that time your men will come with the reck'ning , so you may from pig unto the puppets go : and then to islington , and so about , untill what 's pigged in be pigged out . chap. xvi . of the flesh of deer . suppose us ( madam ) in your park , where deer are kept for every season of the year : do any ask how they 'r at such command ? then know my lady hath orphaean hand . if he wild beasts by courtly musick tam'd , you m●y do more , unlesse the bruits be maim'd , and cannot come ; for otherwise your stroke upon the lute will spi●itize an o●k , and make the park to dan●e , and humbly follow thee as the mistress of the skill'd apollo ; the late erected house and garden pales , rose by thy hand ( just as did theb●n w●lls ; ) thy nimble fingers do so stir the lute , ( like davids harp ) they may a devil confute : brave gunning , by his learned arts and t●ngue , gains not so much upon th' anabaptist throng , then you upon these cognate droves , who stand and listen ( they love musick ) to your hand . i could into a wood of lawfull p●aises launch , and p●●ise the creature full● , side and haunch : but rabbi isaak saith thei● flesh is hard , ( not to be go● ) at henham none 's debarr'd : thy husband 's old canary , and fat buck , with dogs run down , or else with arrowes stuck ; yet they are melan●holy diet , but they all ●●e so which are much given to rut : the fa●●ns a●e wholso●e an● the hei●s digest better then 〈◊〉 ▪ or mother of the beast : the youthfull stand is ve●y hot and d●y , when old , like other things , their worst is nigh : the eunuch deer is temperate ▪ and most pleasurable when its pleasure 's lost : troch upon troch troch troch a reverend stagg , he doth of age and red-deer-p●s●y b●agg ; and tho●gh it 's dry yet let the venison passe , his own fat s●pples it , and tother glass ; it is o● quick descension , and the marrow slides th●ough the bo●y f●om the gutturall narrow : and learned avicen doth say for certain , that then●e are p●ocreated many a quartane : ca●ses of q●artanes we have many sure , oh for an avicen could tell 's the cure ! now for conclusion , this beast for game and entertainment , hath with us the name : know then , the body is a joviall meat , fit so●squire rous , yea for a prince to eat ; its upper part is antidote ▪ but oh , there 's poyson lies i' th' taile ( the part below : ) emblem of humane chance ! in this sad veile nothing 's thorough blest from head to taile . chap. xvii . of hares . the rabbins say , the lion sneezing , out started a cat from his majesti●k snout , without the pythagorean motion rare , the cat then sneezing started out a hare ; for there is nothing among creatures that ( b●t hare ) is melan●holy as a cat ; and we do call them pusses both ; one purres onely , and both are vengeance 'fraid of curres . hare is good sport , as all our gen●●y know , the onely recreation left us now ; for playes are down , unless the puppet-play , sir william's lost , bo●h oyle and opera ; the noble cock-fight done , the harmless bears are more then ring'd by th' nose or b● the ears : we are serious people grown , and full of cares , as melancholy as cats , as glumm as hares . yet tho●gh it generate the grossest blood , then goats and ramms , these are more praised food . oh for the pretty sucking leveret , ( an excellent dish if that i could it get ; ) not yet so dry are conies in degree , moist are the breed of aubern conigree ; laden with kidneys white , what can you lack , except a glass of squire bonds ogburn sack ? chap. xviii . of beares . tell me you traders for the greenland wares , ( for you know best ) what diet are the bears ? not onely the left shoulder , i believe , but the whole bear is ven'son , sheep and beeve ; it viscous is , and disobedient , and a most indigestive nutriment ; more fit , saith rabbi isaak , for cures and medicines , th●n for hungry stomack-lures , unless a drunken tinker , me●all'd man , ( who his teeth out of 's budget strengthen can ) sho●ld fall to tooth and nail , in 's pot he spares nothing that's next , then away with your beares : yet in high russia , and i' th' land of whales , bears may be dress'd , if ye catch 'um by th' tails ; and so a●e apes , that inortogious lump , or any thing , indeed that wants a rump . those men , who , ships departed , staid behind , ( for no mans sake will water stay , and wind ) can give us best account of this rough beast , whose sad society , most unwelcome guest , was very uncouth and suspicious , when 't was doubtfull which was prey , bears or the men : those greenlanders , hutched up in frosty cabbins , shall be our aelians , let alone the rabbins ; if like to conies bears will fat , i know , those must be fausen bears that live in snow : our paris-garden bears , had they not dy'd , might have been eat , but for sir thomas pride . chap. xix . of the members and parts of creatures . the heads of creatures countenance , or faces , as swines and oxen are grosse mea● , saith rasis , they'● hot and nourish much , not a good fa●e , unlesse when titan's farthest from the bear ; in winter deep when you may freely ●rolick in cheeks and heads , but that they breed the cholick : the brain of temper cold doth na●seat , and is offensive to the stomack : what ? may we not eat them ? yes , if you are of constitution hot ; the b●ain is rare , eat it the first , and before other dishes , but cold complexions , and a-kin to fishes , or whose distemperature arise from cold , with this meninges guest be not too bold : the marrow is of ●emper cold , but not so cold as that , though thence its rise is got . hot , and by cold ( if in our art there be any such point found out , unlesse by me ) good for sir epicures , and men o' th' chine , who sacrifice to venus , both in wine and ceres , and a grand provision make to gratifie the flesh , these c●nons take , and in a meal o● marrow-bones advance as great a shew as so much great ordnance ; but not so great a noise , when these guns play , the s●lpher's white , and won't it self betray , this sperm-ingenderer is good for such who paul's strict canons do not trouble much , the spungy udder and the ●nctious papps ( the fulsome diet of sir mammon's chapps ) do nourish most exceedingly , yet slow , and in a gen●le pa●e to chile do go : those who have stomacks hot , and livers like , may their flesh-hook into th' ●udder strike . livers of beasts are hot and moist , and breed much blood ( they are conge●led blood indeed ) but hard and heavy : that of lamb or calf , or of the sucking pig , is diet safe : but isaak saith that liver doth p●efer , of the sweet mistresse of sir chanticler : the same arabian discommends the heart , a solid , but an indigestile part ; but when digested , it doth breed good blood , and nourisheth as well as any food . why not as well as liver ? this we call font of venal blood , that arterial . the lights and lungs are of a substance rare ▪ and light , and therefore soon digested are ; so soon they passe , and from the stomack go , ( our bellows call'd , but yet not windy though ) d●ess'd with appertenances of the sows bearn , they 'r too opiparous for country kern . the reigns are for two reasons not approv'd , first they 'r grosse and hard , not eas'ly mov'd out of the caldron natural ; but when ( that pot hath master'd them ) they 'r nought then : and 'cause the serous part of u●ine takes his tincture from the reigns , them all ●orsake . the flesh of creatures , mo●e especi●l that which is of fatter cattel ( no● the ●a● ) is excellent , breeds spe●m and nobl● blood , and in this n●tion is too gene●al food : the fat is loa●hsome , and as oil● grea●e is the most moist of all , it doth increase cold and moist humours , and such feeders be full of ungovern'd s●pe●fluity : but interlined flesh , as i may say , some lean , some fat , carries the praise away●punc ; and breeds most temperate blood and sperm alike ; hence is our nation ruddier , and the pike of english war farre moves the curtesan , that she cries out , oh my brave english man ! the feet do generate a viscous blood , and therefore to the stone in●lin'd , not good : the rump of creatures then th' interiour parts ho●●er and lighter are , for the kind darts of scrotums warm inhabiters ( o● heat a second forge ) th' adja●ent parts do beat and ●●imulate , and warms that utmost bit , there 's something go● by good neigbour-hood yet : the nearer then the tes●i●les more hot , the farther off by scituation naught : we will not in our rules a proverb cross , th' extremities are alwaies at a loss . chap. xx . of bake-meats . bake-meats are generally naught , and pie is disapprov'd , though alholland-day be nigh : we write not unto children , whose spoil'd gumms , ( whate're the coral gain'd ) confesse that plummes and o're-warm'd custard have edentifi'd , ( that is , made toothless ) many a simp'ring bride : who for this very reason , all their life , are feign to laugh behind a handkercheif : so have i seen a toothless bride-groom sit hungry at 's wedding , nor could chew a bit , untill the spoon-meat came , then his throat strain so wide , you might have seen his heart again : wherefore forbear them , rabbi rasis saith , but against pie-meat there is little faith : to bodies troubled with an acid wind and eructations sower , bake-meats are kind ; they doe eventilate and lay that flatus , which smels so mawkish from its foul hiatus ; for little nourishment they yield , but those whose spungie bodies slimy flegm o're-flowes , or do desire to be gentile , that 's gaunt and fine , may eat this drying diet ( none of mine . ) roast-meat , which long-back'd curres do spin on spits , are far more nutritive , though they 'r gross bits , and not digested , but by stomack 's dint , and when the ventricle hath vigour in 't ; it binds the belly , yet there 's help for that , if you do eat good store of the roast fat : but flesh with generous eggs and pepper drest , of any bake-meat is accounted best . oh for a pie-meat , be 't at any rate , rais'd by thy hand and ar● ( dear oxford kate ) the wisdome of thy cookery doth raise unto thy self , and dishes lofty praise : thy meats are a brave winter food , and when i do indulge my genius like those men , thy gallant guests , a stately pie of thine shall fit us for the pretty friend of wine , and mother of proserpina : all this ( kate ) at the length will bring us unto dis. bake-meats corroborate and nourish more then any diet we have nam'd before : but in the summer ( kate ) we will forbear , they are too hot for us in sultry air , and breed the stone , a thing ( sweet cate ) which i nor you would see , to find one petrifie . and though thy praises i do gladly vent , i would be loath to be thy monument . chap. xxi . of birds in generall . th' arabian isaak dictateth , that fowl compar'd with walking creatures , are the soul , they but the body of meat ; they 'r light and fine , and do the feeder to quick works incline ; as if their feathers still were on , they spring thorough the quarters , and are all o' th' wing : rare and aeriall , yet the nourishment is small , and less then walking fowl or pent ; yet our silvestrian , then domestick bird , is tenderer , as once before y' have heard , and of digestion facile , the reason is , their assiduous labour and dry season . if daedalus with any wings of wax , could a made it flie , how light had been an ox ? which now must be most heavy , gross and dull , though it were dress'd in phalaris his bull , as i may guesse by milo , who in sweat of 's brows did find an ox was heavy meat : but these high flyers rare , 'cause they do move often , and the dry aire to traverse love ; but the domestick , that lesse plye the oare of feather'd pinions , succulent , are more , and generate a noble blood , being moist of temper , nor with aery swimming tost : of all the birds that skirre the liquid aire , our aurhor saith the * starling is most rare ; ( a most rare singer if his tongue be slit , confess'd ) but not with us a dainty bit : yet if you bring it to an english cook uncas'd , he 'll make him tast like any rook : the masculine bearns of partridges are neat , the mother's hen and pheasant , lady-meat ; the cockrels of all birds are lightest food , and breed the laudablest and wholsom'st blood , strengthens the appetite , their gendring fire fitting them both for diet and desire : but yet th'arabian doctor avicen , preferres before all these the creaking hen , and saith that hen-broth is a remedy probatum against scurfie leprosie : besides , who 'd think the female had such praise , since females are the worser many wayes ? the brains , saith he , of hens increaseth wit , augments its namesakes substance ; there is it ; for those who are fantastick , idle , vain , as if their food wer● so , we call cock-brain . chap. xxii . of hens . the doctors differ , for rabbi isaak doth pull our hen , and won't allow the crack , but justifies the chick against the damme , ( a physicall , not divine axiom ) and in comparisons not odious , bids us the chick before the mother chuse , as being the tougher nourishment , enough , but for my meal give me a hen tooth-proof , not tough as buff , nor yet as whit-leather , but often humbled by sir chanticler : then full of embrion chick , let her appear in claret-sawce throughout all ianivere . but for the limber thighs of infant-fowl , which you may draw like peascods through your jowle , unlesse in acute feavers , let them eat , whose teeth dare not incounter tougher meat . next unto these the flesh of quailes is thought exceeding good , especially iew-bought , ( that 's at the price they were i' th' wildernesse ) but to eat them now in london-dresse , or partridge-chicken ( which is grosser food , costive , but nourishing ) though the meat 's good . i shall not venture , and i know the cause , because it did rain quails , but never sawce . chap. xxiii . of pidgeons , their young ones , and ducks . the infant-pidgeon , and the suc●ing dove , emblem of innocence , of lust , of love , are a most high and filling diet , hot and inflaming , thence are feave●s got ; ' ware pidgeon therefore , till his early flight hath purg'd his heavinesse , and made it light ; to these invite your flegmaticks , a scholar , men sedentary , but not a man of choler . ducks of aquatick fowl are far the worst , whether fen-fed , or in your own moats nurst ; hot is their blood , and of a saturn die , gives nauseas and superfluity , yet nourishing enough , if it were good , ( he don't prescribe a copious , but sound food ; ) of all the fowl which on the lakes do wander , from the wild duck unto the goose and gander , there 's none but are repletive , if it smell amisse 't is naught , though 't were a barnacle : this hinders not the profits of the coy , the smell of gain is sweet , bon par ma foy . chap. xxiv . of the parts of fowl . the bellies of all fowl , brawny and tough , are of digestion long , and hard enough ; but master'd by the culinary fire , they 'r as good nutriment as you desire . the wings of geese in moistnesse do abound , and so in hens is the like juicenesse found ; their constant motion makes them simply good , an excellent and inoffensive food . but oh the liver of the stubble goose ! set it before the grosse vitellius , or otho either , and this emperour shall leave his glasse for it , 'tother his whore . wisdome of cooks ! oh arts of cramming geese ! when kitchin machiavilian policies shall so contrive , that the attractive liver shall starve all members to augment the liver , and by devices hyperphysicall , translate the rickets from the head to th' caul . wonder in caponry ! but they grow plump and fat , by stitching up the merry rump . the necks of geese and hens , which we do cast to th' dunghill , are an excellent repast ; arabick dainties bought up by us of late , by one , who on all city feasts do wait , the factor of our poultery gubbins , that he may feed high his rare musk-making ca● . the wings of flying creatures do excell the leggs of walking , motion doth expell superfluous humours : so fowl cramm'd and pent , though they be fat , are not good nourishment : i do abominate the city-glutton , fat capon-fed , and shoulder of mutton : if that must be th'entertainment and the cheer , give me the barn-fed bird and mountaneer . the eunuchs of all fowl are best , and so prevail with us , they are no longer meat but ale : cock is an english malt , and we drink fowl , what once was dish'd is now swigg'd up i' th' bowl , so that we do not now those gluttons think , who capons eat , but those who capons drink : cock-broth , the ladies sure confortive is gone , for china ale doth keep alive ; who can desire more ? physitians unde is this rare cure from munday * untill sunday . the brains of fowl , less viscous and less dry , are better then of walking poultery , who are of temper ex opposito , ( that 's clean contrary , if you do not know . ) the brains of infant-starling , partridge , pheasant , and cocks and hens ( sir mammon judge ) is pleasant . chap. xxv . of eggs and their proprieties . as at creation , so our book proceeds , hens before eggs , perfection's in the deeds of the best best opificer ; he made nothing potentiall , perfect 't was when said , that protoplastes the first species fram'd entire , nothing was impotent or maim'd in its own essence , then he vertues gave , prolifick and conservative , to save and propagate , which hid in seminall power , traduces the first work unto this hour ; the parent , not the chick , oviparous , the mothers labour hatch'd in feather'd house of her own body , yet 't doth safer dwell , and hath a cottage of its own , a shell : our subject is this embrion in 's cradle , both possible to live and to be adle , or damn'd to be devour'd before a tast of life , and into various coquery cast ▪ bred of (a) contagion of sir chanticlers , upon the bag prolifick , the case cleer , and setled now in plain anatomy , 'a spiritiz'd flavour gets , and egge , and me , so that the cock-tread and the grosser sperm ( which our old philosophy affirm did generation raise ) are onely here the conduct and the warm conveyancer of this brave monsieur , and grand signiour spright , whose warm afflation does the work o' th' night : this egge i set before you , ( madam ) sloth makes this poor book trencher and table-cloth , not set in salt ( unless of slender wit ) and though but small , yet a most dainty bit , of such vicinity with humane blood , it strait incorporates , and i● quick food ; especially the golden part , the * argent is frigid and viscous , of activities unequal much ; so that in thi● white shell , the sun and moon may be affirm'd to dwell : the yolk 's spermatick , like the gendring sun , the eggs in watery efficacies run . the eggs of hens and partridges incite , and those of ducks are servient ●o delight ( though fouler nourishment . ) the lay of geese ▪ of odour bad , doth loathsomne●s increase , yet are pr●vocative ; of turkeys more , although the waddling treade●'s long , before he act ( the fu●bler of the fowls ) but mounted ▪ this cobbling ●ame●●e is a * signiour counted . but hear what rasis saith , and avicen , most temperate the l●y's of the press'd hen , and part●idges , so little losse i' th' food , that weight for weight , the yolks convert to blood : boyl'd ra●ely , they digest a●ace : but hard , they do digestion and themselves retard : ta●ne when the cackling hen alarum gives of her delivery , restora●ives : immixt with honey good for throats are sore ; and in consum●tion● we their aid implore : no flesh so nourishing and temperate : let those forbear them who are over fat ; butter'd with ambergriss a lusty meat , v●●ellius ( le grosse ) did often eat ; a prince of a short reign , which amply shows , gluttons no fighters are , but for night blows . chap. xxvi . of milk . kinsman to blood , but twice remov'd , in breasts of women pregnant , in udders of beasts elaborated , and the tincture white , in venis lacteis , ( unknown to sight , unless upon dissection ) is made , which is this luke-warm candidates parade . it is of equal temper with our blood , and having been so once , most proper food : not dreadful when a read-coat , and a friend , when white-coat to our ages * either end , its temper doth incline to moist and cold , it wets , and fats : those whom long hecticks hold , or the dry cough , or urine sharpness pricks , and those of constitutions dry as sticks , it benefits , and brings to temper just , it foments blood , and the white stream of lust : 't is of concoction quick , and gets the dye ( whether the liver or veins sanguifie , or both , it matters not ) which once it had , white into red is no conversion bad . wherefore we say , in feavers , are acute , in pains o th' head , in dropsies , and scorbute , and other cold diseases , milk forbear , though io were the cow , ( and she was rare ) of all that spend the teat , the milk of cows is grossest , and most nourishment allows . who do desire matho's bulk ( to fill a coach alone ) let him the milk-pail swill . yet i have heard a matho of our own ( by 's surcingle of sheeps-heads quickly known ) so huge a quantity of milk did drink ( a horse of water could not more i think ) yet never was the fatter , nor would be if he had eaten cow , milk-maid , and me . such guts should be their mutual punishment , and marriot should have eaten wood of kent . the milk of asses avicen advises , to give to all who labour of a phthisis , or have bad lungs . the milk of goats partakes of either temper , and a medium makes : such wonders are rehears'd of goats , that if you hear 'um you will hardly give belief ; the very hearbs they feed on turns to physick ; give them specificks for the cough or ptisick , the infusion is their milk , and it retains the vertue sans apothecaries pains , a living rare pharmacopoeia , and not yet translated by culpepper's hand . the milk of sheep is worst , very unsound , and doth with su●erfluities abound . milk boyl'd with rice , or the like grain ( and free from its in●●igidating quality ) breeds wholesome blood , moistens belly and brest , and to the bladder is a welcome guest . and buttermilk in fluxes , and so whey is excellent for lactium tormina , if in them you throw in burnt gad of steel , you need no other med'cine , they it heal . against diseases of the yellow bi●e , nothing so soveraign , nothing so * vile . distempers of much bacchus , and the itch , and yellow jaundice , faces call'd the rich , are cur'd by these , and butter that 's unsalt , by fricacy doth remedy the fault of filthy morphy'd skins : butter next grace is eaten first , eaten in the last place . then let not hogens mogeas only sing , bouter , bouter is good for any thing . chap. xxvii . of cheese . all cheese is naught , saith the salernitan , the fresh is cold and grosse , yet if a man be not of constitution cold , 't is good , a tolerable , but not commended food . old cheese ( as is its age ) is worse , or better the tarter sort is hot , and burnes , a getter of extreme thirst , cals for the other can , be it holland , chedder , or parmizan . yet after meales a slender quantity corroborates the stomacks mouth , and by the sharpness of the rennet doth remove all n●●sea from them , who sweet mee●s love . but scrap'd , as dr. buttler order'd cheese , ( who then a buttler more can palat-please ? ) 't is excellent against most surfeits , saving no sugar spoil the cambro-britan shaving . ha , ha , caus day ! yet our arabians hold , no cheese is safe , whether it be new or old : it loads the stomack 's of digestion slow , and if the collick or the stone you know , eat , and be sick , then leave 't , if not too late , or if you 'l eat , eat but a penny weight . chap. xxviii . of fishes . fishes are like their element , and place wherein they live , both cold and moist , a ●ace of flegmatick creatures , yet they are meat which dry , and cholerick tem●e●s may well eat ; and those who would look smug , or el●e snout-fair , may take this live●-cooling di●h for fare . in f●●vid seasons , and in climates hot use them : but if the be●●● the helm hath got , or under charles his seven-starr'd heavy w●ne , from this dull nourishment let them refraine ▪ and pituitous bodies must fo●bea● , unless they like the dropsie in the reer . the sea-fish , and of those , they in rocks dwell are finer , and in temperament excell , digest more easie , and breed better blood then the loose fry , that shoal it in the flood : yet in the stomack and the entrails they ( being little vi●cous ) make too long a stay . sweet river-fishes slimy , and grosse diet , are glibbery , and make egression quiet , more nourishing then sea-fish , and of these , those ( which the current streams and gravel please , and do abhorre annoyances of sinks , which spoil their channels with their loathsome stinks ) are most delicious , such as pearch and ●●out ; your mud-fish all incline you to the gout . but those delighting in sweet scowres refine their squamy sides , and clarifie their liue . the fi●● of lakes , and motes , and stagnant ponds ( remote from sea , or where no spring commands , and intermingling its refreshing waves is tench unto the mote , and tenches saves , and keeps them medical ) are of all sorts lesse innocent , unless some river courts the ●ullen nymph , and blending waters she of a foul mops●'s made leucothoe . her inmates otherwise , like her self , smell , tast of the harbour ( that is ) scent not well ; slow to digest : alive , they liv'd too close , and dead they can't their native dulne●s lose . give me a salmon , who with * winged fins 'gainst tide and stream ●i●ks o're the fishing-gins of locks and hives , and circling in a gyre his v●ulting co●●s , he leaps the basfled wyre . let fish have room enough and their full play , no liquor want , not on a fish-street day . but they are all meat indigestible , creating thirst , and spawn diseases well . take the lesse viscous , gracile , cleanly swimmer , smelling like s●elts , whose watry hutts are trimmer , then those of pools and ponds , or where on weed , or nasty alga , and base hearbs they feed . salt fish , can you with patience , brethren all , heare it , of salters and fishmongers hall ? salt fish is never good , but on a day when you a vomit take , and 't may not stay : charge u●on charge , ten shillings cost to dine , and h●●f a crown in crocus and squills wine , to cast it up again ? whose will adore my arabian doctors , o● sir theodore : vomits nor lead i like , the pendent bullet sh●ll never be the sweeper of my gullet . what i do eat , i do intend to keep , by exercise digest , and little sleep . but feed not like sir theodore for fear vomit nor bullet your o're-charg'd stomack clear . the barrel codd , and courtly pole of ling , butter and oyl marching in either wing , and rope-canary on the van and reer , or graves , or bourdeaux in a glass for beer bring on a friday , storm arabians then , * cloudsly and * ruckly are the better men . the river shell-fish , and lesse lobster-coats , crayfish and crabbs that swim , as those in boats do row , are in a pthisis singular boyled in milk o th' beast of the long ear , and for consumptive persons made a cale , as much as * colchis high fetch'd hearbs prevaile . you have the fish , pray fall on if you will , madam , the sauce shall not besowre the bill . chap. xxix . of pulse or grain . we take our rise from rice , which we find dry , ●th ' fourth , and moderate hot i●h first degree : boyl'd in fair water 'gainst the collick good , they call ( the windy ) but a noble food boyl'd in the milk of almon●s , which doth lose its ●●iptick quality , then la●yes don't refuse ; the candle-cup , they bravely nourish , caus●ng the blood , and seminal vertue flourish . if that their ladi●●ips will make a wash again●t the morphies , ri●ie ●lower ●ash in ●ountain water , and this clean●ng grain shall clarifie the skin , and null the ●●ain . but you must ●●ri● it from its husk , its rind is venemous ; and ●lee t●in any wine , or water , ●ain i th' mouth it doth create , saith avicen , and will imposthumate . beans are of double sort , or dry , or green , those fo● your bo●● , these for your boo●e● for-b●n ▪ the g●een i th' 〈◊〉 degree are moist and cold ; but cold and dry in the● 〈◊〉 height the old : bad nourishment an● filthy humors b●eed , to a proverb ●●●ive , ladies , take heed , beyon● th' excuse o th' pu●py they exceed : creates by vapours on the inju●'d brain , malignant dreams , and our ch●st●●e p●ofane . the great white bean in his minority , boyl'd in successive waters , happily may be permitted , loose their windiness if boyld with mint or comine , you them dress both flegmatick and windy meat within but the bean-floor is excellent for the skin . " yet spight of doctors , and when all is done " we will make bold with pulse at thorington , " and this stern doctrine against beans shall ne're " be held , nor gain repute in leicestershire , nor yet in somerset , where odcombe , bred famous tom coriat , pudding and bean fed . lentils saith rasis are both cold and dry , of temper middle others , so let 't be bread , melancholy blood , lick up the juice of succulent bodies ; spoil the visive use by drying qualities , for corpulent , and persons flegmatick a cure present , us'd of● saith isaac , fill with fumes the brains , and cause amazing dreams , and capital pains . ciches are of two sorts , one black , one white , the white is hot i' th' first degree , that 's right , and moist i' th' middle site , hard to digest causing inflamation in the puffed breast . dilate the skin , as 't were upon the wrack eat ( horses ) then , untill your bellies crack , and look most fair , and plump and round fillet and cascoines will lite , and sound , the black ciche is more hot , of moysture less against obstructions of the sp●een redress and liver opilatio●s , boyled , best , in horse reddish , it raiseth milk supprest ; vrine provoks , and the spermatick vein , a great increase by this stout pulse doth gain : wherefore to stallions t is a generous food , and makes them active for that noble brood . peases ( saith arnoldus ) are not much unlike , wherefore some eat them , bravely by the strike . then beans less windy , nor so smoothly pa●● the ventricle , lookin the herbal glass gerards , and iohnsons mirror , and their pease will every longing eye that sees them please . i have a friend that loves them , had a tutor would eat three mess without a coadjutor . obedience therefore and affection move not to dispraise , what two such wise men love . chap. xxx . of herbs and plants . help pauls-church-yard our physick garden now , ( and let tredeskin no more simples shew . ) where simpling girles , and simpler women stand to sell the gathered herbage of the land . medaea when she took her flight i' th' air cull'd not so great ingredients , nor so rare ▪ hither apothecaries , hither hast chi'rgians , and midwifes ( busie quacks at last ) and decay'd gallants , lords of lands are passant , and sequestred divines buy up the grass out . the ewe , sad box and cypress ( solemn trees ) once church-yard guests ( till burial rites did cease ) give place to sallads , and confin'd apollo trades in these plants , that do hereafter follow ▪ ladies secure your noses , for i bring garlick my first high sented offering . it's temper hot and dry , whatsoere doth sent so strongly is of such a temperament , it warms cold bodies , hot anoys , expells wind , and such vapors from the bodys cells . it doth incite to lust , an opener high , and in a tertian makes the cold fit flye . a lohoc , that 's a lambative , of this deserves a sanum & expertum ; t is rare against coughs , obstructions thick extenuates , and cuts ( ye but a lick administred upon a liquorish stick for hotter regions naught , but where the bear rules , t is a lusty , nasty , warming fare . the ploughmans treacle , and sole antidote , let in the patient , cure him for a groat . its filthy hogon is corrected thus bo●●it , t is not so odoriferus . lentills or beans eat after it do lay the strong mephitis , mints will take 't away " but oh the proof of mowers intrailes , which " digest this plant , as well as horses cich . sorrel ( saith rasis ) is both hot and dry , gerard doth say it cools ( undoubtedly ) exasperates the stomack , by which fight it moves it to a grateful appetite , in summer season a most delicate sauce , in which the taste doth mightily rejoyce and us'd with many meats : but when saint luke appears once i' th' now un-red-letter'd book , the salted leggs , and springs of slaughter'd swine with sorrel sauce do make us rarely dine . to those abound with yellow choler good and quencheth thirst ( especially that o' th' wood ) if p●ssessed , the inflamed blood retreats from pestilent feavors , agues , and all heats . what vertue have the seeds if you do ask ? drunk in red wine , their good against the las● . now ( montebancks english , or 〈◊〉 de france ) its juice ( old avicen ) doth high advance and saith against the tooth ach t is as sure as any causticks or your handkerchieff cure . diu's hot and dry , saith isaack , refines ventosities , and tumors , stept in wines the top's of dill dryd , and decocted , raise the candid flood i' th' via lacieas . cleansing and causing milk , and doth remove its windiness , nurses , and mothers love . provoketh urine , is to sperm a friend , and puts the mounting hickets to an end , so do the seeds smell 't to : hippocrates . confounds the hicquets with a lusty sneeze , for by that violent stomach-quake , all meat ( that lay offensive there ) doth change its seat ; sunned , or boyld in oyl , it mitigates great pains , and shuts up morpheus heavy gates , allaying vapors , that disturb the head , and makes us take the other napp at bed , no less affective is this precious dill if boyld in wine against the matrix ill . it doth disperse those clouds , with choak , and smuther the uterm vault , called ( but not making ) mother . this laus rei hitherto now comes who 'd think could hurt ? its vitupexiums . all humane good is mixt ; wherefore be wise use not daily , for it spoils the eyes . smallage , or garden parsley , or that which delights in waters , or the banks o' th' ditch . is hot , and dry , but yet the little seed above the leaves i' th' qualities exceed . a mighty opener of obstructions tough , and smooths the way o' th' ureters , when rough , provokes that serious tide , much more the root boyld in a broth , doth put the bladder to 't . the root , or seeds in clysters help alone to evacuate , if not contuse the stone . it lays the torment of the guts , which may be done by epsam-beer or else by whey . most excellent in sauces , and in broth , parsley , and butter , and the table cloth , are half the charge of a fish dinner ; so it is good , and bad sauce , the caveat know . then as in ruartaines tis , and agues seen , it opens liver stoppages , and spleen . so to the vintners most assiduous curses , it will set open wide your fish-day purses amongst its mischiefs that , and this shall lye it s very hurtful to the epilepsie . " which sickness is more dangerous of late " to fall i' th' street , or tavern-fall i' th' state ? or age , or oruch ( for both words do hold ) are moyst in degree second , in first cold , a kitchin garden herb , for the pot chief , but boyld a sallad , bellies bound relief , nourish , and livers hot gently asswage , and raw , or sod allay a guttural rage , or inflammation in the throat , withall the seeds in meath drank , cure th' icterical . parsneps are of a temper hot , more dry then moyst , and nourish well , not dainty , a thicker blood create , but yet not bad , a root spermatick makes a scotchman mad , inflative too , correct them then with pepper , it is no dulman , no nor nimble leaper out of the stomack , but makes wholesome stay , and for the stagnant vrine ridds the way . beets are of divers colours , white , black , red , according to their hues so tempered , the white are moderately moist ; and hot a garden herb good for the pottage pot . the red , and black more hot , abstersive all ; because compound of n●tro●s stuff , and sal , whence their vertue diergertick's , sed to purge by its * emunctory the head , good against sounds i' th' ear , and the tooth ach , and doth the cupidinean locks unlach . but oh the riot of the roman . be et with such a sallad their grand signior treat ▪ rub up your noddles my brave english cooks and make our red beet ; that excells in looks excel in taste : what can't your wisdoms do with oyl and vinegar , and pepper too . make it an antidote ( my cunning men ) and then you jump with father avicen . borage is hot and moist , i' th' first degree , or set i' th' confins of each quality . both hot and cold , in its natural poise so just , that neither temperature exceeds it trust . a plant ad pondus ( as they say ) and where you find such ballance , the proportions rare . the vertues eminent : have you no courage ? at any time revive your soul with borage . that azure flower hath in 't a soveraign gift , and when a sallad can the heart up lift . good against either choler , red or black ( infus●d in wine de france , or nobler sack . ) sirrup of borage will make sad men glad , and the same sirrup doth restore the mad . a rare receipt for bedlam , under deck , prisoners , or my companions under se● ▪ colo●orts are hot , and of a nitrous juice by the first they bind , by th' latter , loose , the broth is laxative , there runs the salt , eat , without broth their stiptick , there 's their fault . to make it unmalitious boyl the cole in fountain water , cast it away whole , then in a broth , where vertuous pouder beef is boyld , boyl that , cato shall cry it chief of meats , with which he will most amply dine , and frolick it , and lick the lusty wine that to his crambe , caulis , or our coles his bellies debtor , and his jobbernole . for colewort is an enemy toth' vine , and can our wits wine forfeited refine . then socrates , and cato fear no baggage nor scold , take to'ther bottle , to'ther cabbage . it is for shaking hands , and dim eyes good , forgive one fault of melancholy blood . what though its windy , pepper will reform that tempest , and appease its flative storm . onyons are hot and dry , i' th' fourth degree but garlick doth exceed i' th' quality . onyons are chopt into three several sorts , and never a one hath any good reports . as to our diet purpose boyld their best , raw eaten worst , but with vinegar dre●● ▪ they neither heat nor cool , saith rasis , how ? when vinegar both vertues doth allow ? so ordered , they inflame not unto thirst , but raise an appetite , the carriers first and onely sauce , his snuff , for the squ●●'d juice from 's glanderd brains the humor will produce . ( good for his teem and him ) with vinegar immixt , it will the spotted cutis clear . provoks to sleep , so that your drowsie pate is call'd most pat , an onyon head of late . but yet beware , my friends of sleep , and night , t is good to shut your eyes , but nought for sight . it dulls the senses , doth infect the breath ; o do's it so ! away with it t is death . the gourd ( saith avicen ) is hot and dry ( like the wild * ci●rul on its quality . ) in degree second , and its vertues , these , it purgeth yellow choler , disagrees with melancholy ; wine all might i' th' gourd that hath been hous'd , purgation will afford . much like our melon , if they stand , and thrive , are good to make the body laxative . dioscorides saith , that the gourds juice held in the mouth , will ease to the pain produce of tooth-ache . bitter it is of taste : know most things that are of special ▪ good , are so . cumin is hot and dry , saith rasis , good against wind i' th' stomach ; after food taken a help at maw , that 's to concoct , by' ts seeds dr●nk matrix ▪ and the guts unlock't . from the pain colick●s the result is the very same by clyster or by pultis . with vinegar immi●t , the overflows call'd menstruall are repuls'd , and bloody nose . secundum artem handled it asswages whatsoever swelling● in the scortum rages , and genitals , 't is good for gouty joynts , and the procedure of it disappoints . boyld with inflative meats , a remedy against their genuine ventosity . what would you more ? there 's not a nurse nor slut but knows t is good gainst worms i' th' maw and gut . coming again we shall more vertue find those whom the pl●urisie , or stich do grind , let them a bag of cummin seed , and sal ( le-bay ) quil up and warm them all to mal . besprinkled well with good wine vineger and hot applyed to th' side o th' sufferer , it is probatum , and will save well nigh the pl●u●us noted help , plebotomy . fennel is hot , and dry i' th' third degree , the seeds or leaves in p●●san made , the dry breasts do replenish , and those hills of silk and snow , refurnish with the purest milk ; made a decoction they cleanse the reins , open the liver , and the kidney lanes . do force the stone , and urine to avoid . and hath c●t●dian feavors oft destroy'd . by die●retick faculty , now tell the verses made on oxford holowell . " no man will hurt this well , that 's wise , " for this hurts none , but cures the eyes . so fennel , roses , v●r●●n , rue , and celandine made a water will do good unto thy eyes and mine . and to such persons cover to be lean , fen●cularis aqua , scowres them clean . hysope is hot saith rasis , and if eaten or into powder with some mixtures beaten good for the dark of sight : a water made with this and figs by th' skillful in the trade , gurgl●d , doth unimpostumate the thro● , and when by rheumes a difficulty 's got of swallowing , the streightned passages to this decoction yeilds , and the stops cease lettuce is cold to th' end o th' third degree , with us a sallad of high dignity ; loaf'd , and unwasht is best , cooles the chaf't blood , for sperme , for milk , for generation good . but not the seeds , they 'r of a quali●y anterostical , that 's quite contrary , it doth provoke to urine and to sle●p , naught for letharg●ck pa●es : this sallad keep . and till the spring , its usual leaves produce , its kindred corn-sallad shall be in use . mints in degree the second , hot and dry i' th' third , saith gerard , of fam'd memory . if smelt unto pliny the historian writes the duller appetite to eat excites . confortative to stomack , we commend it in burnt claret at a vomits end . it stays the hi●quets , parbrake , and the scowre by choler made in ventricle the lower taken in juice of sowre pomegranats : so in vineger if upward blood do flow . in broth if boyld , senior pliny writes , it stays the blood profluvium , and the whites good against watry-eye , and scurfie head , of children , and any tumor therein bred . with honey and spring water mixt it cleers absurd obstructions of surda●ter ears infus'd in milk , against a mad dogs bite , t is good for man , but hang the dogg out right . boyled in wine , and vineger , alone it cures the strangury and kidneys stone against the stings of waspes applied , and bees t is good . i would there were no worse then these ? cresses though in the water do lye , yet are of temp'rament most hot , and dry , especially the seeds to th' fourth degree a sallad , mixt with herbal company , virgils moretum makes it one of those herbs , which do sting with its sharpe bite the nose . t is good against scarbute , or scorbuch , be the disease old english , or new dutch . it warms the stomack , and the liver clears a● by the cure afore full well appears . for gainst the scorbute nothing is so good as that which by its vertue cleers the blood , it cures the worms i' th' belly , not the head , not in a sheeps , wherein a long ones bred . good for the stomack saith the arab rasis , but dioscorides the herb disgraces , as to that vigor , but commends its power for expediting off the bloody scower , and though it hurts the early embryo it doth provoke to that , which * made it so : poppy is white , and black , of this doth come the high nercotick , dulling opium : the whites more candid , and more la●dable , this causeth sleep , that death ( saith pliny well ) poppy both seed , and leaves , and heads are cold ▪ stays rheumes a cerebro : be not too bold however with 't , unless it tempered be with good allays , then t is a remedy not dangerous : beware , best lady , still of herbs , that do some good , but greater ill . of this is made rare diacodium , the wand of mercury , and morpheus drum , when sharp diseases , and malignant feavor , disturb your rest ( as i could wish it never ) a poppy cawdle made with almond-cream shall bind the senses , and incline to dream . parsley is hot i' th' second , dry i' th' third degree : by it the stagnant urin's stirr'd , and femal courses fixt do finde their way and the red tide obeys her cynthia . the seeds are hotter then the leaves or root , they open , are abstersive , and drive out aeolian blasts , and stomack-tearing-toind , and them expel at fore door , or behind . i● is as helpful to the stone , and gaines credit upon the bladders grief , and reins . the cholick passion is appeas'd : the doors the little doors 'o th body cal'd the pores , it opes by sweat , and makes transpire such vapours as fume the house , like ill extinguisht tapers . it purifies the liver ; made an oyl it cures the morf●e , and the speck'd skins soyl boyled in ale the roots and seeds have got a ●ame 'gainst poysons , are an antidote , and for its common use , there 's scarce a dish without this sauce to your quaint flesh or fi●h leeks , or but leek with number singular e'ne which you like , hot , and dry temper'd are ? rasis commend● , and discommends the plant it is the appetites friend to its provant but enemy to th' head which it doth pain and fills with dreams malignant the fum'd brain , if that the fountain of the body's ill ( the head i mean ) let leeks grow where they will except on thy brest-plat . but if you l ' need upon this great extenuator feed , eat them with endives , purslane , lettuces charge of a sallad will his heat appease made in a lohoc , or a loch , with figs with bdellium , almonds ( tell me dr trigs must they be blanch'd or no ? ) with liquorice ▪ a quantum sufficit , in short r s. with candid sugar , ana , and these all boyl'd in a balneo , till syrrupical , against catarrhes , and suffocating rheumes and squinances a power it assumes . madam you 'l thinke i cant , or little lack of iohn pontaeus , or an english quack the emperour nero cal'd parrophagus that 's leek devourer , eat them like a sus , that 's like a swine , which is the cause i think his memory unto this day doth stink purslane is cold 'i th degree third , and moyst in second : for stomacks by much wine deboyst and high inflam'd is good , and extream thirst purslane will quench ( when if your belly burst . with water , 't will not slake ) and for your tooth aking or edge , the leaves are good forsooth the faemal fluxe , and of bile rubea or any flux of blood the juice will stay if by a syringe you the same minister it cures the matrix heats , the guts by glister ; and avicenna a new vertue starts that the leaves rub'd are med'cine 'gainst the warts , the butchers 'gainst the herb-wives seek relief and think that purslane will put down raw beefe radish is hot , and dry , a sauce of course both that cal'd biting , and that called horse , both heavy of digestion , both excite before and in the meal the appetite the leaves are more digestive then the root which is a vomit , with some oxymel to 't it cuts the flegme , and by it's gravity like cheese ▪ it make our victuals downward ply water of radish , or horse radish ale is good for urine , and provokes to stale , but leaves a ●●gou so distastful i wish that my nose , my palat were not nigh the root with darnel , meal and vineger of wine de-●●anch , blew and black speeks do's clear that mixt with salt ( saith dioscor●des ) will milk in dryed paps , and teats increase ▪ secundum artem ordered makes away for the descension of the menstrua and mixt with vinegar hath good dispatch against hodontalgia , or tooth-ach . and without rasis , or hippocrates rind on , and off , is eaten with green cheese turnep ( saith isaack ) 's moyst i' th' first degree and ●ot i' th' second , a good quality . nature consists in hot and moyst . we fall when fire licks up the humor radical . then turneps eat , which though they ill digest , of garden roots they are accounted best . it makes the skin fair as it self , and raises that plimme , and somewhat more , and yet more praises for spermatick recruits it gets , they 'r all good , long , the small , or round , which bears the ball . the sheets or tender topps for sallads use , boyled , they do belye asparagus : the commentator ( if he guesseth right ) affirms they have a vertue good for sight . and pliny ( natures great philosopher ) saith , boyld , to frigid feet they heat confer . i hold with pliny , and almost dare swear my foot a boyld turnep will not bear . but what saith dioscorides , alone a turnep stamp'd is for kib'd heels for-bone , to made an oven for the oyle of roses to rost in embers , is the best of doses . then turneps , cry man , east , north , west and south , and when they 'r sold , with wheelbarrow stop thy mouth . rue is both hot and dry , i' th' third degree , at its approach flys cold ventosity , and clogging humors jogge , it doth remove the sent from those garlick and onyons love . the herb ( like sampier pickled ) helps the sight , but so , or not so eat , spoiles cupids fight . in pestilential times like these , if you do love your safety , stuff your nose with rue . who can deny what pliny then attests , the leaves in wine are antidote o' th' best . the water thrice distill'd , the kidneys cleanse , and send all sand incontinent , from thence . sage is of temper hot , and dry , the school salernitan , concludes him for a fool that dyes with sage in garden . t is a herb of vertue singular to a proverb . and in its name are high auspicia healthful and soveraign that is * salvia . let those who to abortions subject are make this same prudent herb their constant fare , and what it doth post partum , for the next consult agrippas , and aetius text , good for the matrix , and its tenant , naught for the person , who , that to lodge there brought . and bridles natures itch : good for the brains , and head , and senses , which the head contains . and how in ale infus'd , and brew'd , we cry it up , with scabius , fennel , betony , apothecaries shops can tell , whose trade during these sage ale morning draughts doth fade . the juice , as well as any black lead combe where white hairs are , will make the black ones come . and macer saith , that pulveris'd , it takes away the venemous bites of poysonous snakes . how in our late malignant feavors we account sage possets a grand remedy , the country cures can speak : then for a stich or pleurisie t is poormans cure , and rich if in a wooden dish with coals the leaves be dry'd , vineger aspers'd , it nere deceives . no maid nor man cook ( unless fool by age ) will dress a pigg and not i' th' sauce have sage . spinach is cold and moyst , so temperate , the lungs , the throat , the stomach gratulate . this wholesome pot herb , which doth exercise his lonosing vertues 'gainst the bellies ties . will it untie the bound ? such recipes restrained persons will extreamly please . ●t breeds but little , yet good nourishment we give 't in feavors to a good intent , and with as good success , if you herbs mate alike , both open , and refr●gerate . mushroms , or toadstools , off-spring of the earth , or else of trees a puffy spungy birth . are unto danger cold and moyst , if eat , and raw cold pituitous blood beget . those whose concavities are red , are worst , let those feed on them to the colick curst . pepper and oyl , and salt , nay all cooks art can no way wholsemness to them impart . what doctor butler said of cucumber , of these ground-bucklers , we the same aver . dress them with care , then to the dunghil throw'um a hogg wont touch um , if he rightly know um . toadstools are worse then mushromes of the ground , and with a poysonous quality confound : a pappy , viscous , gross , cold substance can here finde no praise , nor i' th' salernitan : these four are signs of death , saith isaack , ( an old arabian , and no late-sprung quack ) which if you cut i' th' middle , and let lye till morn , you shall their putrid state descry . but oh the praises of the roman wits : meat for the gods , the emperors choise bits . poets and cooks are friends , and no● at odds ▪ i joyn , and say they 'r meat too for such gods . chap. xxxi . and first of figs . preposterous ! figs before apples plac'd , the diet 's false , and all the work disgrac'd . who marshals in the fruit ? a squire , 't may be , but yet no apple-squire you plainly see . a fig for such a squire : madam , with leave you shall our reasons for our figs receive . ' both are coaevous fruits of edens earth , ' the fig and apple don't contend for birth ; ' onely the apple , to one sexes shame , ' had the misfortune of the leading name . that fruit is inauspicious to your kind , and purposely i plac'd the dish behind , lest being percht into the upper place , you would not think 't a banquet , but disgrace : think you i should quick atalanta please with golden apples , whilst hippomanes with laurel crown'd , revives the fatal story of her deluded soul and long lost glory ? give place then exprobrating fruit , and come thou cover-shame , old fig-tree , in the room : though men of all the fruit , that hangs o' th' tree , should love none less for your obscurity : for by its leaves we lost the precious sight of that which is the masculine delight . figs , either green or dry , do cleanse the sand from that streight quarter , where the reins command . windy when green , but then are laxative , dry they do nourish , make the body thrive , and warm the blood , but an excessive use ( ' as all exceedings turn unto abuse ) does cause the itch and lice , but yet you may give wormwood in a fig , for all i say . so much saith rasis , hear what isaak saith , ( for a few figs y' have two physitians , faith . ) if that you eat them fasting , when all 's clear , and no crude humours in the stomack reer , they make digestion noble , cleanse the breast , the lungs , the reins , and stones (a) membranous nest , hath it no other vertue ? this in summe , roasted 't is good for an impostum'd gumme . dates are in temper like to figs , that 's dry and moist , but nourish not ( so cleverly , as we may say ) if often eat , they cause gross blood , and both infect the teeth and jaws ; provoke to urine , but do swell the s●leen and liver , and the blood turn all to flegm . still worse and worse ; then take them oxford kate for marrow-pies , with me they 'r out of date . grapes are less hot then dates , a luscious fruit , and its alliance blood doth streight recruit , fattens the body , and extends one part , for which we need not wicked helps , nor art . the thinner coated grapes do the less harm , and though themselves be slender clad , will warm . they all are windy , so are bellows , yet both these and they will fires and flame beget . the sweet grape fattens , and the sharp makes lean , infrigidates , if steep'd in water clean . sowre grapes are very cold , the belly bind , by them the yellow bile and blood 's confin'd . p●e●s'd grapes and raisons are of temperate heat , a nourishing fruit , plau●●ble and neat ; good 'gainst ob●●ructive coughs , and in a phthisis , steept a whole night in sack do strange devices . fruit of granado , or pomgranates , are both sweet and sowre ; both small nourishers ▪ the sweet are rather hot then cold , dispence swellings and thirst , to agues an offence . the sowre-sharp granate cooleth , dries , and binds , those flux-oppress'd his noble vertue finds : in morbus cholera a present cure , 'gainst either evacuation sure , then syrrup , conserves , make with art , and know it is ubique good above , below : and in the ●aundice , if its juice you try , none shall say long , that yellow is your eye . quince , or cydonean apple 's cold and dry , like to the former (a) punick in degree . second , o●sweet , or sowre , they 'r binders stout , the sow●e are most restrictive without doubt ; they rouze the appetite , they bind and loose : how 's that ? both fast and loose ? we will us pose ▪ the empty stomack it doth bind , you 'l say it night ▪ where nothing is to send away . but ea● quince after a full meal , anon it shall 〈◊〉 down and send to m' uncle ●ohn : raw not so good as roast , or bak●d , by art it i● convey'd in every apple-tart ; costive by quality , and therefore is elixir , where vomitings ▪ o●lasks , or bloody flix are : against immoderate me●ses good , and ●uch who blood from head , or stomack vomit much . but hear what simeon sethi sayes , if woman pregnant , do make of quinces a food common , she shall bring forth wise and discreet sons ; ' eat quinces , ladies , bring forth solomons . peares are all cold , of binding quality , both sweet and sowre , and choak-pear belly-tie , unle●s in post-ca●es eaten , then they do as quinces , which like them are costive too : eaten with toad-stools , or with mushromes , they lose their restringency , and pass away . eight sorts of civil pears , beside the wild , gerard hath told in 's herbal well compil'd , the katherine call'd the proud ; and james his pear , the burgomot , or the palati●er , the royal pear , and bishops pear , and had he found a lower-house pear ( though ne're so bad ) i durst profess ●ohnson , and he had meant to make of pears , and peers a parliament : apples , saith rasis , are restringent all , both sweet and sowre ; the salern school will call th' arab to account , since 't is d●ctatum , ' post pyra da po●u● , post pomum vade cacatum . gocl●vius help to reconcile this pique , or else we must no more of apples speak then thus ; apples are windy , if you eat them with annise seeds , or such like good meat ; so apples spic'd , and made a good lambs wooll , ( as saith salerna ) set us to the stool . sweet smelling apples are restorative , pluckt from their mother they do shorte● live ▪ bak'd in a pie with quinces 'mongst them cut , they do the appetite to 's business put. but frequent eating weakeneth the nerves , unless you use the syrrup or conserves : i have a * doctor's , and a learned one's word for 't , that eat , they mitigate the stone : so though an apple were the first fruit ill it keeps the ladies at their closets still . ' an excellent revenge , for this bad food , ' by your rare skill preserv'd , conserv'd , is good . peaches are cold and moist in degree second , a very fruitless fruit , and dangerous reckon'd : if eaten after meat , it hath a quality corruptive , and the chile doth putrifie , in sack imbib'd , what will not sack make good ? they are admitted , but before your food . unripe they 'r costive , ripe they 'r laxative : ' no man by peach ( in any sense ) did live ; the peach d' avant , that 's call'd praecocia , and in the roman tongue called persica , are ●alatsome , the nausea's abated by them , 't is fit the fruit should be translated . medlars , saith isaac , are both cold and dry i' th' first degree , fam'd for astringency : especially medlar the dwarf , procure the gyant-medlar , that 's a hector sure . strengthens the stomack , and like hercules allayes the tumults and the raging seas of yellow bile , by two commotions , the g●zzards glimmering call'd in strange notion , a report goes , saith dioscorides , that medlars eaten do the tooth-ach ease . gerard assures , that by the kernels bruis'd gravel and urine 's purg'd , the stone contus'd : thy english (a) nick-name doth so much divine ; but were it so , the drug gifts would repine . aprecocks in my authors are not found , i shall transplant them from our gerards ground : alike in nature to the peach , so may praecocia be the same with praecoqua . we 'r at a loss , iohnson and gerard both know not their vertues ( no nor i in troth . ) ' preserve on ladies , howsoe're , 't is good ' presum'd , untill 't is hurtfull understood . citrons , pomecitrons , lemons , oranges , are odoriferous and the scent please , whether from eden , media , or italy , or his dominions , on whom both suns lye ; the catholick kings hispania's , they proceed the earth don't rarer fruit nor fragrant breed ; delitious to the eye , sweet to the nose ; 't is thought the fruit that adam did depose from his high paradise , un●o●thy wa●e , ' and sad exchange ! had it been ne're so rare : le ts search it ▪ ve●tues , for our mother eve its outside glory could not so deceive : though by the eye much mischief is conveigh'd , ' those eyes , those eyes , cry'd the just yielding maid . then what magnetick force convinc'd that soul , which did the monarch of the world controul , and mov'd his ca●tiv'd ●a●●ions to a deed , hath set an edge his long traducted seed ? was it the rinds ●weet smell ? my py●●ha * knew 't was bitter , hot , and dry for all its h●e ) ' children are caught with pictures : vas 't the juyce ? my grandam knew ' tw●s sowre , and knew its use ; knew the seed bitte● , of like quality with the odorous rin●s ; she would not dye for coloquintida ; what though she knew it had hid vertue poyson to subdue ? ah but the venom of that crafty beast that circled 'bout he tree , and stung her breast wo●se then the 〈◊〉 did cleo●atra : not mi●h idatu● , tri●cles , not antidote sufficient to ex●el : he whisper'd death , and conv●igh'd h●ll in a soft , gentle , b●eath , lesse could the ho●es of kee●ing ever fair ( for citron juyce , for that is highly rare ) corru●t her judgment , whose tran●parent skin was glass unto her nobler thoughts within . ' that is the least of beauty , that o' th ●lass ; ' but since her fall , is all that 's left alass ! no the same ap●le by its proxie told of s●range omniscience , * never being old : ' these were sure baits ; since 't was her fate to fall , ' she fell not like a fool ; 't was gallant all . mulberryes , cold and dry i' th third degree , ri●e make the belly moi●t , and lenifie , passe quickly out of stomack , or else have a pu●refaction , and there find a grave . their juyce is like the tast of wine , and will asswage the heat of any guttural ill : with album graecum mix'd , and gargled , cure again●t squinancies , and throat-calenture . infus'd in fountain-water thirst remove , ta●ne before meat th' appetite improve . by stiptick quality they 'r very good against all fluxes of luxuriant blood . madam , let none offend this prudent tree , which blooms not till old winters gusts do flye ; reserves its juyce within its principal , wise as the creature which it feeds ; for all the bitter season of the year , his guest the silk-worm keeps within its downy nest , and when provisions on the tree appear he doth unwind himself , and fals to 's chear : so may your ladyship passe out of dore , and feed on them under a sycamore , which with umbratile leaves will let no sun hurt your silk-gown , by its namesake creatures spun . plumms , saith old isaac , are both black , and white , and red , and many colour'd for delight : they 'r cold in general , and moist , do loose the belly , yellow bile drive out o' th house . if eaten , as we use at barthol'mew-tide , hand over head , that 's without care or guide , there is a patient sure ; physitians sums have never quicker counters then these plums . if you will needs be at it before dinner , eat and be regular , no diet-sinner : or else they putrifie , and breed diseases ; wherefore in times of plague it alwayes pleases the prudent magistrate t' inhibit fruit , and dogs and hogs , which all are helpers to 't . the damson or plum damascene is best , plums that are dry'd give to a welcome guest . but if i sup or dine , it well shall please , if that the buttle● eat those services . cherries ( who 'd think it ! yeomanry of kent it is enough to lose your half years rent ) are all unwholsome , generate bad blood , viscous and flegmatick , a feavorish food . the tarter tasted are the best , although the sweeter at a greater price do go . but galen in his sage formality must yield , if round-cap cherry ripe do cry . almonds ; the sweet are temperate , the bitter better , and for physical uses fitter : their moderate heat and oyly juice doth lenifie the throat , yet they refu●e to pass the stomack , unless sugar'd well ; then urine and obstructions they expel , and sperm augment : unskinn'd they nourish worse , their coats , like b●an , a passage for them force . skinn'd they are stiptick , and ●erform good task , when order'd against bloody flix and lask . the bitter , hot and dry , are wholsomer , dissolve gross humours , cleanse the ureter , expectorate and sweep the clogged lungs , and mundifie the s●●leen , and liver dungs . their oyl for many uses serve , get grace for keeping terse the ladyes skins and face : in physick more successful ; so we shall not give our almonds only unto * pal. nuts are dry whorsons , though the tree complain , shee 's thwack'd and bang'd by every country-swain ; 't is not without a fault , by virgil's leave , who did the nut an innocent fruit conceive . for sim●ly of themselves they do great harm , are most obstructive , and in stomacks warm and chol●rick ingender fumes , and make the pate virtiginous , and deadly ake . infus'd in sack , their mended quality 's approv'd , who wo'nt in walnuts sacrifice an afternoon to bacchus , if it rain , and moistned skies offend the studious brain ? but nuts , two figs , and twenty leaves of rue , and salt contunded , ( give the devil his due , he is a nutter too ) will expel poyson ; n●y , taken fasting keeps off all that 's noysom . in hazel-nut , or filbe●d , cold and dry of temper , doth a windy moysture lye , which yeilds but little nourishment , so tough , it will not passe the stomack soon enough , but lies like bullet , or small shot of lead , yet u●on these the vulgar sort do feed . and at the play houses , betwixt the acts , the musick room is drown'd with these nut-cracks ; whose kernels made into a milk do bind , but of themselves the contrary we find , and rather cause the bloody flix , and lask ; wherefore forbear you brethren of the cask , vvho in your leather coats eat sacks of nuts , you 'l need no new beer to keep clean your guts . vvalnuts , or royal nuts , or * nuts of iove , ( here 's name enough to get a noble love ) are the best sort of nuts , and newly pluck'd delight the tast , but little juyce is suck'd from its dry kernel , which doth slow desc●●● , and by its h●r● concoction doth offend . made in oyl ▪ like almonds , th●y make smooth the hands and face , like chizel to a booth , or bo●rd , they ●lain the su●fie head , and scales , and ●ave the labour of our itching n●ils . the green and tender nut , like suck●d made , and boyl'd in sugar ( tis confectioners trade ) is ●o●t delightful and confortative , and anti●oticall , then eat , and live . chesnuts are dry and binding , in a mean 'twixt hot and cold ( nut laodicaean then ) but yet sardi●ian breed , inflative high , as 〈◊〉 i' th ●ire , their bouncing doth descry . after its windy ru●ture roast it well , and stee● it in good sack , until it swell by th' infusion , then this nut is good provocative , and plenty makes of blood : thus rarified by fire , and sowe'd in sack , we may commend it fulcrum to the back . there is a chesnut call'd equina , which is horse-chesnut in our sole english speech , which from the ●astern countrey came , and can horse coughs and astma's cure , why not in man ? we have a nut too that is call'd po●cine , an acron wild we give it to our swine ; not meat for men , unless when so tunes all are spent , we diet with the prodigall ▪ chap. xxxii . of spices . pepper is vehement hot , and mixt with meat assists the stomack to make quick defeat , and noble change , on that mesh or hoch-podge , which else would longer in her region lodge ; great crutches to digestion , and disperses wind , as king aeolus in virgils verses . wherefore on all inflative roots and grass , asperse the pepper-box , and they will pass . but let hot tempers , and in summer time , fobear , unless they will inflame the chyme : there are some persons too ; be none of those , who if they take 't , take more then in the nose : but they that love the haunch of hunted deer , with salt and pepper , make a noble cheer ; yet 'cause my reverend prelate loves it not , with other spices let him make it hot ; church-men must be approv'd , and verily i do submit in more then ordering pie . ginger is hot and moist , and well digests , the city cooks do wisely in their feasts , ( not use it gingerly whereby such fire , and piles of meat concoction safe acquire . wherefore the use of it , and other spices , have rais'd the groce●s , and some quaint devices to be o' th' twelve , to wit , twelve companies , because of these salvifical supplies , as pepper , m●ce , cloves , currans and raysons , and prunes , rare ware ! kept we the old seasons : but that high drug tobacco free doth passe , whether we have a christ-tide , or christ-masse . but to our ginger ( which besides in ale against its flativeness it doth prevail ) to livers cold , and stomacks likewise so , it doth a friendly heat and hel● bestow ; its vertue 's known in com●osition , for obscure eyes , so saith my portington , and so saith rasis , if that dimness be produc●d from moysture and humidity . so avicen commends it to the head and throat , with raw cold rheumes incumbered . good for the memo●y ( saith the same man ) forget not then the old physitian , for your old blades are best when all is done , for they were wise , and had read salomon . zedoary's hot and dry in the degree next to the first : the dispensato●y is frequent in its use , for it discusses all flatulency which in bodies buzzes ; it fattens too by occult quality , ( that 's the old help in physick ) let it be ; the world is not discover'd all , we can't know any thing compleatly , not a plant , for every plant doth hide a deity , and like the sensitive shrinks when we pry , or touch , beyond decorum , stands the shew when modest inquisition comes to know . but for its vertue known , let it suffice , it hath the name of triacle by the wise ; good against poysons , and infections good , whether they center in the sp'rits or blood . wherefore its use we may commend to all , in this next spring , and in the present fall . it is to th' stomack most comfortative , raiseth the appetite , the scent doth drive of noysome garlike , onions , and strong leek , ( which make the ladies at a kiss turn cheek . ) good against colick , stomack-pains , and lask , and drunk in wine allayes our heat of cask ; a panacaea rustick , not sure a greater ; yes , doctor everard hath found a * better . galingale , both the small and greater root , ( from india this , from china that sought out ) is hot and dry i' th' third degree , soveraign against the maladies of a col● brain if it 's but smelt unto ; but chew'd is rare for those whose lungs and breath ill savour'd are , but if the stomacks region 's stuff'd , and torn by wind , let no man this rare medicine scorn . or when we stomack lack unto our meat , it will ●rocure it , and do greater feat , ( digest ) and greater yet ; helps after third concoction , prime food for venus bird : and for the colick grief and colder reins , the shops can tell you what a price it gains . clove-berry's hot and dry , astringent too , like cloves in vertue , and in outward shew . in scent and tast most aromatical , ( such alexander fum'd his skin withall , unto odorous transpiration ) is good 'gainst goat-evacuation , and rammish breathings : good too for the eyes , annoy'd by cold catarrhs and crudities bred in the stomack ; livers cold it warm , would all exotick things did no lesse harme . rasis saith cynamon is hot and dry , strengthens the liver by that quality , and stomack too , and gets an appetite , and sweeps the wind out of that region quite : it doth obstructions clear , that stop the reins , forcing the u●ine in strangurial pains ; provokes the menstrua , old isack saith , the mid-wives are of a contrary faith . 't is wholsome made in sawce , and fumes the breath , and a sack posset rarely flavoreth . saffron is hot and dry i' th' first degree , the weakned stomacks friend : no enemy unto obstructed livers , not their breath , which is so short ( it differs not from death . ) the feeble parts it comforts : don't you see the saffron cawdle every morning flie into the ladies chambers ; they are wise , and will take nothing dangerous 'fore they rise . for women hard of labour present ease , rasis prefers it 'fore man-midwiferies , or womens too , and saith that this alone is the lucina to be call'd upon . put into wine it doth inspirit that , firks up its vertues , were it ne're so flat ; and in the drinker strikes a cheeriness , that plunder can't allay , nor lay distress . it is enough ; thy vertues are so high , i do commend thee to the cavalry . carawayes , or seeds of caria , whence they take their name , are hot and dry , when made in cake , or into confects ▪ wholsome recipe ▪ against the urines painful stoppages : dissolve collected wind in stomacks crude , and blasts hypocondriacal extrude : they wor●s in children mortifie ; are best , eat in the van , not i' th' reer ▪ o' th' feast , ( as is the usuall custome ) when with cheese and apples , these are sawcer-services , correctors of th●t windy fruit , an● why ex●el not wind without their company ? wherefore in bread with ●nniseeds ( which have vertues alike ) immixt , they 'l physick save . chap. xxxiii . mustard is hot and dry , above the third degree , by it the br●in and stomack 's stirr'd , and watty hu●ours in born ●egions dry'd , her cou●trey-man it s 〈◊〉 vertue try'd , when that it caught her by the nose , did cry , ( a pox of her , a ●ox of ●ewxbury . ) good sawce for pork , and ●oose , and brawn in chief for sawsages , and tri●es , and powder'd beef ; good for the int●llect , saith avicen , i do 〈◊〉 it unto g●tham , then , but they must drink it fa●ing ; which they will n●●e● observe , though to gain solomons skil : but yet for humou●s viscous , thick and tough , the seed of mu●●ard is as good as snuff : and ●ulveriz'd , and in vine-blan●h de france infus'd , 't will make a tertian ague dance ; it will expectorate , and further reach , even to the stone ( if pliny●ightly teach . ) but th●n in vinegar you must i● lay , through alpine hills these two will mak a way , salt is alike with mustards quality high-priz●d with us , but more in gallia , where 't is a soveraign sauce , fit for a king , a sauce finds meat , and clothes , and every thing ; it takes away fas●idiousness in meat ( i cannot say , that which the french do eat ) who loath even salt it self , and heart'ly ha●e it , since it comes obtruded on a rate . yet it subtiles the tast , and makes it play , removing gro●sness from the uvul● ; excites and sharpens duller appetite , hunger and salt are sauce , or none is right . but too much salt licks up and burns the blood ▪ just in the body as it is in food , which is exuct , and dry , and juyceless made ▪ vvhere that its briny fire doth much invade ; as by experience , to their constant grief , our mariners do find it in their beef , and sea provisions , which retu●ns them all tro●hies of salt , sadly scorbutical . to those that do in salt too much delight , it minorates the seed , bedimms the sight . i have two f●iends of either sex , which do eat little salt , or none , yet are friends to , of both which persons i can truly tell , they are of patience most invin●ible : vvhen out of temper no misch●nce at all can put , no ▪ if towards them the salt should fall . i know a pretty pearl such use hath got of salt , hee 'd eat ( if need ) up madam lot , a little chole●ick spar● , a very fire , vvhom if to make your friend you do desire , you shall not need a long experience make , his bushel 's eaten , and you may him take : though these two tempers are excessive , know , a trencher-salt fo● tables we allow . rasis saith , vinega● is dry and cold , it makes its lovers macilent and old , a vinegar-fact fellow , as we say , a constable on his installing day , looks as if in urine he were soused ; beware night-walkers , you will all be * housed , it doth destroy the bodies noble juyce , unsucculents the back , and spoils its use ; a help to quartan agues ; and all such , who with black choler do abound o're much , which it confirms and fixes , e contrae , it doth disperse , and infirme choler rubea : it gives a passe of gust in diet , mends the duller juyce , and downward grateful send there are disputes , whether 't is hot or cold , i 'me for my sages , and with them must hold . honey is hot and dry ( saith isaac ) in degree second , not doth vertue lack , good for cacectick persons , whose grosse chiles and evil humors rarely it subtiles , and makes them remeant , passant through the skin , where thousand little dores are to be seen . if you would know what are those little dores , madam , undoubtedly they are the pores . the foulness of the putrid blood in veins it purifies , cleanseth those channels stains ; wherefore let all , whose constitution 's cold and moist , decrepit persons , and the old lick honey , or the drink-compound thereof , 't will warm their chilness , and 't will cure their cough : but you , my friends , of cholerick tempers , know honey like choler is , and turneth so : live honey ( as we say ) and eaten raw , is much inflative , rakes the breast and maw , provokes by vomit and by siege ; but supp'd in new laid egg rare salve for lungs corrupt . what need we longer praise it , when we know its providore , from every flower doth blow , sucks universal balm , so in a spoon you take gerards divine * collection . so that the gleanings of the vigorous bee is iohnson's labours neat epitome . whom would not this glorious juyce intice to tast it , though at lov'd ionathan's price ? oyles . of oyles the oyl of olives weares the bayes , hath higher vertues , therefore higher praise : pliny the senior , ( whom vesuvius kils , and th' eructations of those fiery hils , a sad example , and precaution gives to all ( though ne're so learn'd ) inquisitives , not to be wise , and peep in things too high , we have our aetna's in divinity ) pardon the length of this parenthesis , that pliny shall declare oyles qualities : it is all bodies suppler ; but the dry and hide-bound ought it most to magnifie ; vellum-fac'd fellows , living whit-leather , eat genoa olives , and the oyl together , until your parchment bodies give a soul , sordid and covetous trayn-oyl can't unfoul ; it makes the body strong and vigorous , ( a word of late in wondrous use with us , but then against the sacred oyl ) it drives poysons , though double twist by jealous wives . it gently layes the torments of the guts , cleanseth the tripes , and o●es those lower huts : the head-ach pains it cures , and mildly swages the ardor that in burning feavors rages . what windy vapours dares i th' body stay , or come in this aerial unguents way ? then if your eyes you 'd have like diamonds sparkle , ( with such rare flame your eyes abounds , madam ) oyl will ●hem clarifie , advance a handsome face to cherub's countenance . the cerusses are known , and we allow to you the mellow sleek-stone of the brow ; such arts are legal , wot you what hester bestow'd in sweets , when for the king she drest her ? for all our long and still upheld turmoyles , and all my suffering , i 'me for soveraign oyles . the oyle of nuts most vehement and hot , let them , who fistula's i th' eyes have got , use it from madam stepkins hand , or buy it well compounded by good surgery . the oyle of almonds is more temperate , it doth the breast and lungs cleanse and dilate : the grated reins and bladder do receive huge ease , when we this lenifier give . specks in the face it takes away , how so ? when ladies that use oyl have specks we know : the round , the long , the star , the great , the lesser , and are made ursa's by their woman-dresser . though vrsa is a beare , i mean them none , unless it be a constellation . the scarrs of wounds by oyle and honey mixt are plain'd and levell'd though a long time fixt : rare remedy in fighting blustring times , such as are ours , the more , god knows , our crimes : this medicine is most parable , not hard ; hast thou the morphyes , use it renegard , thou who hast ventur'd much , and bravely dar'd , when that thy body is one scarre , as chance may make it in thy next renown'd advance , then call for oyl of nuts my renigard . now like the squirril , which on nuts doth feed , we leap from verses to some nobler deed . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- ** plures occidit gula , quam gladius . ** plures occidit gula , quam gladius . notes for div a e- * the s●and where the author was first plac'd a centry notes for div a e- * in cheapside where the herb-market was , but now without a writ removed into s. pauls ch. yard . (a) an ara●ian phy●●t●an . (b) a 〈◊〉 directory so called . (c) the great 〈◊〉 . (d) that is , to carry double provision for two meals . (a) another arabian physitian and grand philosopher , called for his expositions of aristotle the commentator . (c) a jerfe is an animall , that eats so much untill it is forced to get betwixt two cleft parts of a tree for exenteration , that is , unloading , vid. my uncle pliny , & alian de vari● historiâ . (b) epicurrs , another philosopher . * an acreo● . well-hal in k●nt ▪ the manou●of m●roper , of he descent o● the lear - sir 〈◊〉 mo●r , l. ch. of engl. (b) the spirits (c) the soul . * the veins . (a) trea●●e . (a) a perfumed roman courtier . (a) cutters of lambs . (a) because an eunuch . (a) alderman robinson , coss. lond. (a) hyp● and haw●s . (b) dr. wilson musit . laure . (c) totas ponit a●ros iuv. aug. . * sturn●s caeteris volatilibus subtilior . * at temple●ar , who sels china-ale . (a) d. harvey's opinion . * yolk and white . * the gre●● turk . * infancy and old age . * cheap . * a●a remigii . * mr. of the swan fish-street . * mr. of the swan fish-street . * my confiding fishmonger . * the nose . * colequentida . et na●es a●ri strin●●nt naftur●ia morsu . * venus . of chole● yellow . an abstreperous eryer of turneps , and that disturbs the author with his b●●ling . * sage . (a) the bladder . (a) pomegranate is called malum punicum . * doctor h.h. (a) open a. * eve . * the devil . * juglans jovis glans . * his universal m●dicine , tobacco . * in the counter . * the herbal . klinike, or the diet of the diseased· divided into three bookes. vvherein is set downe at length the whole matter and nature of diet for those in health, but especially for the sicke; the aire, and other elements; meat and drinke, with divers other things; various controversies concerning this subject are discussed: besides many pleasant practicall and historicall relations, both of the authours owne and other mens, &c. as by the argument of each booke, the contents of the chapters, and a large table, may easily appeare. colellected [sic] as well out of the writings of ancient philosophers, greeke, latine, and arabian, and other moderne writers; as out of divers other authours. newly published by iames hart, doctor in physicke. hart, james, of northampton. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) klinike, or the diet of the diseased· divided into three bookes. vvherein is set downe at length the whole matter and nature of diet for those in health, but especially for the sicke; the aire, and other elements; meat and drinke, with divers other things; various controversies concerning this subject are discussed: besides many pleasant practicall and historicall relations, both of the authours owne and other mens, &c. as by the argument of each booke, the contents of the chapters, and a large table, may easily appeare. colellected [sic] as well out of the writings of ancient philosophers, greeke, latine, and arabian, and other moderne writers; as out of divers other authours. newly published by iames hart, doctor in physicke. hart, james, of northampton. [ ], , [ ], , [ ] p. printed by iohn beale, for robert allot, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the blacke beare in pauls church-yard, london : . first word of title in greek characters. the first leaf is blank. the introduction has separate pagination. includes index. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim 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sampled and proofread - john pas text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion ΚΛΙΝΙΚΗ , or the diet of the diseased . divided into three bookes . wherein is set downe at length the whole matter and nature of diet for those in health , but especially for the sicke ; the aire , and other elements ; meat and drinke , with divers other things ; various controversies concerning this subject are discussed : besides many pleasant practicall and historicall relations , both of the authours owne and other mens , &c. as by the argument of each booke , the contents of the chapters , and a large table , may easily appeare . colellected as well out of the writings of ancient philosophers , greeke , latine , and arabian , and other moderne writers ; as out of divers other authours . newly published by iames hart , doctor in physicke . london , printed by iohn beale , for robert allot , and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the blacke beare in pauls church-yard , . to the right honorable , edvvard lord montagve , baron of bovghton , all health and happinesse . right honorable , it said of diogenes that cynicke philosopher , that being well stricken in yeeres , hee should now betake himselfe to his rest and ease : hee replied , that it did not become one that was running a race , to intermit or slacke his pace , the neerer especially he drew to the end thereof . the like may i in some sort say of my selfe , who have for these many yeeres past , not hid my talent in a napkin , keeping within mine owne breast that knowledge i had both in the vniversity , and by many yeeres experience acquired in the profession of physicke : but have , not onely by my practicall imployment endevoured to bee profitable to this present age and place wherein i live ; but also to propagate some directions to posterity , for leading a more comfortable life both in sickenesse and in health . of late yeeres therefore as my other occasions did permit , i set upon this taske which i now present unto the view of the world . but because whosoever in this last and literate age of the world steppeth forth upon this publicke stage exposeth himselfe to the sharpe censures of as many different humours , as were that lyricke poets guests ; it hath beene therefore a common custome for such as undertake such taskes , to make choice of some noble and vertuous patron to protect them from the virulent and venomous tongues and obtrectations of envious and malevolent persons . and therefore casting mine eyes about this hemispheare , and thinking on many , my thoughts could rest no where , untill such time as i pitched upon your honourable person . motives to induce mee hereunto i found divers ; first , your eminent place in the publike , being installed in the state chaire of higher honour above the ordinary gentry . and here have i a large field afforded mee to expatiate into , to wit , the honour of this noble family , and in what esteene it hath beene during the reigne of queene elizabeth , but especially during the reigne of king iames , of famous memory , in what esteeme hee had it , and to what eminencie hee hath advanced the same , is yet recent in the mindes of most men now living ; and how his majesty now reigning , hath nothing diminished , but rather increased these former favours and honours , without my relation is well enough knowne , both in court and countrie . it were easie for mee also to discourse of the many honourable houses wherewith this noble family hath matched , having been by marrriage allied to many great houses of this kingdome . but because i know your honour is not delighed with such panegyricks of your owne praises , i will passe over these and many other things might be said : besides that all these outward ornaments and prerogatives , how great and glorious sover , yet are nor permanent , but perish ; and the wise-man , who both by reason of the extent of his wisedome and understanding , together with the abundance of wealth , had atteined to as high a pitch of felicity as the earth could afford him , yet makes this still the burthen of his song , vanity of vanities , all is but vanity . and this same wise man in this same palinody , or recantation sermon , as i may call it , concludes with this sentence , worthy to be ingraven in letters of gold , to feare god , and keepe his commandements , this is the whole duty of a mans life . and therefore all these outward ornaments , howsoever i deny not to be great blessings , yet compared with true piety ( which was that which chiefely graced great ones recorded in holy writ ) they are nothing but the shell , that being the kernell . and this is that which hath so much adorned and beautified your honour , as likewise the love to your countrie which are so well knowne over the country , that it need not to be proclaimed by my pen. and this seemeth , as it were , with your other large inheritances , to be hereditarily derived from your noble parents , both father and mother of happy memory , whose worth and virtues , especially true piety ( being especially now againe revived in your owne person ) are yet so fresh in the mindes of many yet alive , that superfluous were it forme to spend time thereon . another motive moving me to make choice of your honour , was the love and favour i have ever found both from your selfe and whole family ever since my first comming into this countrie : the which , as it hath beene alwaies extended to scholers , so to my selfe in particular , having beene divers times imployed for the recoverie of the health of your honours last noble ladie of happy memorie , mother to these hopefull gentlemen your sonnes , and to that noble gentlewoman , mistresse manners , in whom may yet conspicuously be seene those vertuous ornaments which did so much adorne that noble ladie now resting in peace and happinesse . againe , another motive inducing mee heereunto , was , that of late yeeres , a worthy religious and learned divine , your neere neighbour , had some few yeeres agoe dedicated unto your honour a booke , called , some generall directions for a comfortable walking with god , i thought it would not be impertinent for a physitian to follow with his directions how to order the bodie of man in sicknesse and in health , and that by the use of good and laudable diet , and all other things thereunto belonging , and at great length in this booke to be seene . and although the greatest part of your glasse be now runne , yet may it prove profitable for younger people , and in particular , for these young gentlemen , in whom you are your selfe againe renewed , but especially in that hopefull gentleman , your eldest sonne , who , as hee beares the name of your selfe , and immediate predecessour , and is like to inherite large and ample possessions , so is my hope and confidence , that hee shall really inherite all those noble vertues , pietie especially , whereof either your selfe , or noble predecessours were ever possessed . this might yet againe prove no small motive and inducement for me to present these dieteticall precepts unto your selfe , in that you have by your owne practice and example lest such a worthy paterne and precedent to posteritic of temperance and sobrietie , not in diet onely , but in your other actions also . and therefore it is no lesse true than triviall ; vivimus exemplis , non regulis , men are commonly more moved by practice than by precept . neither herein hath your labour beene lost , having now atteined to that number of yeeres , with such a freedome from infirmities , as very few of your age and eminency have attened unto . accept therefore , right honourable , this my rude labour , and take these my paines in good part , as a gratefull acknowledgement of that respect and dutifull observance i owe unto your honourable person , and noble family ; and although conscious to my selfe , both of the weaknesse of my parts , and the hard censures i am like to undergoe ( from the which , notwithstanding , my betters have not beene freed ) yet i shall more willingly undergoe this burthen under the protection of so noble , judicious , wise , and pious a patron . protect therefore , and still countenance the learned and honest artist , and discountenance ignorant empiricall physitians , and such , especially , as erring out of their owne orbes , without due consideration of the weightinesse of their owne calling , too too pragmatically thrust their sickle into another mans harvest . but because many things concerning this same particular point , are handled in this subsequent discourse , therefore , to avoid tediousnesse , with hearty wishes to almighty god for your honour , the continuance of many happy daies for the good both of church and commonwealth , and countrie wherein you live , with the increase of choicest blessings upon your selfe and noble family , i rest your honours in all dutifull observance , james hart . the licence from the colledge . having read some part of this booke , and in a generall view looked over more , wee thinke it learnedly contrived , and worthy the reading . iohn argent . william clement . theodore gvlston . the contents of the chapters of this vvhole tractate . of the first booke . chap. i. diuers acceptations of this word diet. what health is , and whether diet be a thing necessary for healthfull and sicke persons ? chap. ij. whether by means of diet the life of man may before may yeeres prolonged ? chap. iij. of climactericall yeeres , with their reasons assigned by antiquity , numericall , astrologicall and physicall . chap. iv. of things called not naturall , and first of the aire . chap. v. of severall sorts of wines , and their various effects . chap. vj. of the foure seasons of the yeere , and how they affect the body of man. chap. vij. of water in generall : of terrestriall water : of water passing thorow , or issuing out of the earth ; as springs , rivers , wells and ponds . chap. viij. whether any pure element bee able to nourish a mixt body ? and whether any such compound be able to live by the sole use of the same . chap. ix . whether the life of man without food bee sustained for any long continuance of time . chap. x. of nourishment , and what therein is to be considered . chap. xj. of the times of repast , and how often we ought to eat in a day , and when to feed freeliest , at dinner or at supper . something concerning breakefasts . chap. xij. of the matter of nourishment , and first of corne , and bread made thereof . chap. xiij. of roots usually eaten , and in most account for food . chap. xiv . of herbs in most ordinary use for diet , and first of such as coole most . chap. xv. of herbs hot in operation , and in most ordinary use . of artichocks , gourds , cucumbers , and muske melons . chap. xvj. of the fruits of trees , especially of shrubs and lesser trees ordinarily used for food , and often for physicke : and first of strawberries , raspes , mulberries , gooseberries , currants ( by the vulgar so called ) red and blacke , of barberries , and whorts , or whortle-berries . of cherries , plums , abricocks and peaches . chap. xvij. of grapes , raisins , currants ( properly so called ) figs and dates ; and of apples , peares , quinces , oranges , citrons , lemons , pomegranates , services , medlars and corneillions , of wallnuts , haselnuts , fitbirds , almonds , bitter and sweet , chestnut and fisticke-nut . chap. xviij . of severall sorts of flesh , especially of foure footed beasts , with their appurtenances and parts . chap. xix . of fowle both tame and wild , and their severall sorts , as also of parts of fowles , and of egges . chap. xx. of strange and uncouth diet , which some people have in ordinary use : as of dogs , cats , horses , mules , asses , rats , locusts , frogs , snailes and mans flesh . chap. xxj. of severall sorts of fishes , both of the sea and fresh-waters , together with the various and divers nourishment they breed in the body . chap. xxij. of seasoning meate . of salt , and of sauces of severall sorts . of spices used in diet both in sicknesse and in health . chap. xxiij . of gluttony and excesse in the use of food . chap. xxiv . of drinke , and what things in the use thereof to be observed . of morning draughts , drinking betwixt meales , beginning or ending the meale with a draught , and drinking to bedward . chap. xxv . of water as it is used for drinke , and of severall wayes of cooling the same , and correcting bad waters . chap. xxvj . of wine , the severall sorts thereof , with the right use , and for whom most fitting . chap. xxvij . of beere , ale , perry and cidar , serving us in stead of wine . chap. xxviij . of drunkennesse , and the mischiefes thence insuing to the soule , body and goods . questions discussed and handled in this first booke , with relation to the chapters wherein they are contained . . whether by meanes of diet the life of man may be prolonged ? cap. . . whether mans age doth not now decline , and the world wax old ? cap. . . whether any compound or mixt body can live by the use of one element onely ? cap. . . whether water conveied thorow pipes of lead be wholesome for ordinary use ? cap. . . whether man or woman may live many daies , moneths or yeeres without the use of any sustenance whatsoever ? cap. . . whether it be best to feed freelist at dinner or at supper ? cap. . . whether breake-fasts are to be used ? cap. . . whether snailes be good against a consumption ? cap. . . whether morning draughts fasting be allowable ? cap. . . whether good to drinke betwixt meales , and to bedward ? cap. . . whether it be good to begin , or yet to end our meale with a draught ? ib. . whether old may be allowed the use of wine ? cap. . . whether it be fit sometimes to be drunke to make one cast in an ague , or no ? cap. . contents of the chapters of the second booke . chap. i. of the diet of the diseased in generall , the utility and profit thereof . of the aire in particular , and how to be corrected in time of need , and what fewell for this purpose is best . something concerning the aire of churches and church-yards . chap. ij. of the particular aire wherein sicke liveth , to wit , his habitation , and the best situation thereof . as also whether a country-aire or that of townes or cities bee better ? where something concerning the situation of the ancient towne of northampton . chap. iij. of the clothing and covering of the sicke , as also concerning their shifting , and of the error of the vulgar practising the contrary . something also concerning the bed wherein the sicke lieth , and whether the sicke ought to have his haire cut ? chap. iv. of abstinence , either from some or all sorts of food , for a short or a longer time , and of severall sorts of abstinence . chap. v. of aliment or diet of the diseased in generall : whether a thinne and spare diet or a full and liberall be better . chap. vj. certaine rules and lawes from whence the diet of the diseased is desumed . chap. vij. what things in prescribing diet for the diseased are to be observed . chap. viij of fit diet for the diseased , and that of severall sorts ; and first of that which vegetables afford : as bread , herbs and fruits . chap. ix . of flesh , and what sorts of flesh are fittest for the sicke , and how to bee exhibited . chap. x. of egges and their use , and whether they may be allowed the sicke ? of divers liquid substances made of flesh : as broth , colice , gelee , restorative distillations , &c. chap. xj. of fish , and whether they may be allowed the sicke ? chap. xij. of the drinke of the diseased , and first of water , with the frequent use thereof in antient times . whether , and how now to be exhibited ? and how before to be prepared , and where it is not admitted , how to supply the defect thereof . chap. xiij. of warme drinke , and whether it be usefull or no ? chap. xiv . of wine , and whether it may safely be administred to sicke folkes ? of artificiall wines , aqua vitae , usquebagh , and other strong waters . chap. xv. of divers drinkes made of honey , mulsum , mulsa , or hydromel , oxymel , with the various wayes of their composition , and of their excellent vertues . chap. xvj. of divers drinkes made of barly , very usefull for the sicke , and in frequent request : as ptisan , barly-water , creame of barly ; and wherein ours differ from those of antient times . something concerning emulsions , both almond-milke , and others . chap. xvij. of milke of divers sorts , and whether fit to be used of the diseased ? chap. xviij . of exercise which terminateth in rest , the necessity and utility thereof : together with divers and various sorts of exercise , aswell generall as particular , with severall circumstances therein to be considered . chap. xix . of the exercise of the mind . whether at our meales wee may discourse and deliberate of serious and waighty affaires ? and what was the custome and practice among the antients . accommodation of exercises to the sicke , how safe it is for them to use exercise , and what fittest , and in what diseases . questions discussed and handled in this second booke . . vvhether a country-aire or that of townes or cities be better ? cap. . . whether it be better to shift the sicke , or to let them lye still in foule clothes , according to the vulgar custome ? cap. . . whether the bed is to be warmed ? cap. . . whether it be good to cut the haire of the sicke ? cap. . . whether a thinne and spare or a full and liberall diet be better ? cap. . . whether egges may safely be used of the sicke ? cap. . . whether fish may be allowed the sicke ? cap. . . whether warme drinke be usefull ? cap. . . whether wine may safely be exhibited to sicke folkes ? cap. . . whether milke may safely be used of the sicke ? cap. . contents of the chapters of the third booke . chap. i. of repletion and inanition in generall , what they are , and the variety of particular circumstances therein to be considered . chap. ij. of phlebotomy , what it is , the severall sorts , and sundry things therein to be considered . chap. iij. whether in contagious , maligne and pestilentiall fevers , and in the small pox and measels , as likewise in the jaundize , phlebotomy may safely be administred ? chap. iv. of the veines to be opened in the body of man , and the manner . chap. v. to what persons this remedy may safely be administred . whether a woman with child may safely be let blood ? where something concerning the age fit to be phlebotomized . chap. vj. of the quantity , how long the patient is to bleed ; as also concerning reiteration of this remedy in the time of need , with a confutation of some erroneous opinions concerning this point . chap. vij. of the fittest time for evacuation by phlebotomy , both generall and particular , both of election and coaction : as also whether we may let blood during the dog dayes ? chap. viij. whether in phlebotomy we are to observe the signe , and severall other things pointed out to us by our ephemerides-masters . chap. ix . preparation before phlebotomy , during bleeding what to bee done , and how to be ordered after . of particular phlebotomy by leaches . of scarification and cupping . of searing , setum , vesicatories , &c. chap. x. of purgation or evacuation of corrupted humors in generall . chap. xj. whether we ought to purge or no ? what persons are fit to bee purged , and able to indure purgations ? whether women with child may safely bee purged . chap. xij. of humours to be purged : of their preparation ; as also of the body to be purged . of the quantity or reiteration , or often exhibition in time of need . chap. xiij. of vomits , glisters , suppositories , and with which we are to beginne when divers are requried ? chap. xiv . of the opportune time of purgation , both generall and particular , with divers other things concerning this subiect . chap. xv. of the waies and passages by which we are to purge : of the formes in which we exhibit physicke ; together with the manner of governing the sicke during purgation , and meanes to keepe physicke in the stomacke , that it cast it not up againe . chap. xvj. of sweating and meanes to provoke the same : divers sorts of hydrotickes , or medicines provoking sweat , both externall and internall . chap. xvij. of bathing among the antients , as also certaine ablutions of head , hands and feet . of artificiall bathes generall and particular ; the right use , the time , preparation , and divers other considerable circumstances , and how farre we observe the customes . chap. xviij . of naturall bathes or minerall waters . whether leap yeare , called also bissextile causeth any alteration in these minerall waters , or infringeth the force thereof ? and of the originiall and first beginning of this time . chap. xix . of preparation before the use of minerall waters ; the right use and vertues of them , their various kindes both in this iland and other countries . chap. xx. of the excretion by urine , the retention of urine , together with the nature of diureticke remedies , the right use and abuse thereof . chap. xxj. of ordure ●●rfecall excrements , and divers things in them considerable , this excretion being sometimes too lavish and sometimes deficient . chap. xxij. of spittle , spitting or salivation . of tobacco and the great abuse thereof in this kingdome to the great prejudice of the health of the body . chap. xxiij . of snot or snevell . of rheume falling downe upon the lungs and other pectorall parts . of expuition or expectoration , the great abuse committed in the use of expectorating medicines , and the right use thereof . chap. xxiv . of carnall copulation , the right use and abuse thereof . what age and constitution it best befitteth . some thing concerning the menstruous flaxe in women . chap. xxv . of sleeping and waking , the benefit and use thereof in sickenesse and in health . the severall sorts of sleepe , and what persons may sleep freeliest , and who lesse . chap. xxvj . of dreames , and that of them there may bee made good use in sicknesse and in health . of noctambuli , commonly called night-walkers , or such as walke in their sleepe , especially in the night-season , together with the reason thereof . chap. xxvij . of the soule and passions thereof in generall . chap. xxviij . of lustfull love , and what hurt is thereby procured to mankind . whether any may dye of love . some thing also concerning iealously . chap. xxix . of amorous or love-potions , called philtra . vvhether love may bee procured by fascination . chap. xxx . of fascination by sight , by wordor voice , or yet by spells . of imagination , and strange stupendious effects our paracelsists attribute thereunto , together with the absurdity of the same . a digression concerning the weapon-salve , with a confutation of the chiefe arguments brought for the maintaining thereof . chap. xxxj. of mandrakes , the nature and vertue thereof , and whether this plan● hath any power to procure love ? chap. xxxij . of immoderate and passionate anger : the hurt thereby procured to the body in sickenesse and in health , and antidotes against it . in what diseases best , and in what worst ; and whether any may dye of anger . chap. xxxiij . of sorrow , griefe and feare ; the danger and detriment commeth thereby to the body of man , and how hurtfull in sicknesse and in health . whether any may dye of sorrow and griefe . chap. xxxv . of joy and gladnesse , and the excesse thereof , which may also hurt the body . whether any may dye of excessive joy. the conclusion of this whole discourse . questions discussed and handled in this third booke . . vvhether in the maligne , contagious and pestilentiall fevers , as likewise in the small pox and measels , and in the jaundize we may safely let blood ? chap. . . whether a woman with child may be let blood or purged ? cap. . & . . whether age doth indicate phlebotomy ? and whether this remedy in time of need may not be administred to young children and aged people ? cap. . . whether the party phlebotomized will every yeere expect the reiteration of the same remedy ? cap. . . whether palpitation of any part of the body doth argue life to bee confined to that part , and that a veine being then there opened the party should presently dye , as is by some of the vulgar conceived ? cap. . . whether we may safely purge and bleed during the dog daies ? cap. . . whether in phlebotomy and purging we are to observe the signe with the moone ? cap. . & . . whether somnus meridianns , or sleepe in the day time bee to bee allowed of ? cap. . . whether leap yeere altereth or infringeth the force of minerall waters for that yeere . cap. . . whether any simple by its vertue can procure love ? cap. . . whether love can be procured by fascination or bewitching . ibid. . whether phansie or imagination doth worke ad extra , or without its owne body upon any externall obiect ? cap. . . whether any may dy of love ? cap. . . whether mandrakes have any power to procure love ? cap. . . whether any may dye of anger ? cap. . whether one may dye of sorrow and griefe ? cap. . . whether one may dye of ioy and mirth ? cap. . the introduction to this vvhole discovrse ; vvherein is detected the lawlesse intrusion of many ignorant persons upon the profession of physicke . well-weighing ( kinde reader ) and comparing that golden sentence of the sage a solomon , that of writing many bookes there is no end , and much reading is a wearinesse to the flesh ; with that of the famous b hippocrates , vita brevis , ars longa : the life of man is but short , and arts and sciences are long and hard to be attained unto : i thought it alwaies the part of a wise man to apply his study to that which might prove most profitable , either for his owne private , or yet for the publike . and if ever this was usefull , this age wherein we now live requireth this care and circumspection . the multitude of needlesse and unprofitable pamphlets , that i say no worse , wee see daily to pester the printers presses , in such sort , that it were to be wished there might be some restraint and limitation , and not every man at his pleasure suffered to vent the idle fancies of a selfe conceited braine ; so farre many times from doing any good , either in church or common-wealth , that they prove rather the causes of a great deale of mischiefe . scribimus indocti , doctique poemata passim . but i let passe that which is not in my power to amend , and come to the matter now in hand . some few yeeres agoe , i stepped forth also my selfe upon the stage to act some part of mine owne profession . there i detected and laid open some errours and impostures practised by some ignorant practitioners of physicke in that * semioticall part of this profession which treateth of urine . now ille ego qui quondam gracili modulatus avena , carmen , &c. i have now undertaken the handling of an higher taske , to wit , that part of the ¶ therapeuticke part of physicke , which handleth the diet of the diseased , which of all other parts of physicke hath most slightly and slenderly beene past over ; and that as well by the antient , as by our moderne and late writers . and since the diet of sound and healthfull people hath beene handled by a multitude both of antient and late writers , both in forraine countries , and here at home amongst our selves ; it is a wonder that the diet of the diseased , who of all others have most neede , hath hitherto so farre beene neglected ! having therefore a long time waited for my elders and better skilled in this businesse , and perceiving that no man opened his mouth in the behalfe of the diseased , i tooke upon mee to say something , rather than to be altogether silent . and so much the more was i animated and incouraged to set upon this subject , in that i saw it so generally neglected , or at least , most grossely abused , which notwithstanding , was so carefully among the antients observed , as shall hereafter in the sequell of this discourse more plainly appeare . and daily experience doth plainely prove , that a small error committed , either in the due quantity , in the quality , in the time , or any other such circumstance , proveth not a little prejudiciall to the patient . and i my selfe have in my daily practice observed this to be true , that aliments of the best nature and laudable condition , yet taken but at an unseasonable time , as toward the time of the exacerbation of the fever , called the paroxysme , and by the vulgar the fit ; hath after made the patient confesse , that sweet meate had sowre sauce . and from hence may be evinced , the erroneous practice of many , of women especially , who think the sicke hath never food enough ; and for this purpose they never cease to urge them to eat , morning and evening , night and day , all is one , their too too officious love and kindnesse , having neither rime nor reason , as wee say , produceth often this contrary effect , that , according to the vulgar saving , they kill their friend with kindnesse . c that famous father of physitians was of a farre other minde , affirming , that uncleane bodies , the more they were nourished , the more they received : and the same hippocrates was so punctuall in prescribing the exact periods and severall circumstances of the diet in acute diseases of his daies , that from thence appeareth the exact care was had in those daies of the diet of the diseased , as may by divers places of his writings , appeare . the like care had that noble d celsus among the latines , and not unjustly called the latine hippocrates , who manifesteth the great care he hd even in this particular point . and this extraordinary care of theirs was the cause they had a certaine kind of physitians among them , whose proper office and imploiment was , to assist the sicke , observing all that passed about them , having an especiall care that the diet prescribed by the chiefe physitian , were carefully observed , all being afterwards related to him when he came to visit the sicke ; and these inferiour assistant physitians were for this cause called clinici , from their office of attending by the sickes bed ; as in the second booke of this discourse shall more plainely appeare . by the variety of things to be considered , even in the diet of the diseased ( which now notwithstanding is accounted a thing of small or no esteeme ) may appeare the great care and circumspection ought to be had in the choice of a physitian with whom thou maist safely be trust thy most pretious and costly jewell , thy life , i meane . and therefore kinde reader , give me leave a little , to say something concerning some erroneous and ignorant practitioners , before i proceed further , they being so dangerous members in a wel-governed commonwealth . most of those persons are stiled by this generall name of emperick , which drawes its denomination from experience , and is againe subdivided into many other branches : as the empericke properly so called , women physitians , surgeons , ignorant apothecaries , fugitive physitians , mountebankes , quack-salvers , epehmerides-masters , and many more of this stamp . now , an empericke is nothing else but such a person as undertaketh the practice of this profession by meanes of some receits , or traditionary medicines , howsoever , perhaps , sometimes not without a successefull event adhibited ; and at the first with good advice and counsell prescribed for the solace of the sicke : yet now being used by such persons , who are altogether strangers to good education in the liberall arts & sciences , and especially unfurnished of that skil and sufficiency required in the practice of this so sacred and sublime profession of physicke ; instead of wholesome and laudable medicines , be come now not only dangerous , but often desperate and often the bane of such as use them , howsoever not alwaies for the time so sensibly perceived . this sort of practitioner rejecteth the inquisiton of diseases and remedies according to their causes , natures and qualities agreeable to true reason and understanding ; and satisfieth himselfe with such things as often occurre evident and manifest unto sense , and his ordinary experience . and therefore the empe●ick erreth , in that he is derived of true method and a rationall proceeding according to the rules and principles of art in his practice ; without the which hee can never be able to manage the diseases of the sicke , and to bring them to a hopefull and successefull issue , unlesse now and then by accident , which is never without great danger , as the learned are well able to understand . and e howsoever among practitioners , some may seem to have attaind to some higher pitch of understanding than others , yet because they abuse right reason , they ought not to be inrolled in the ranke of right and rationall physitians ; and by consequent ought not to be suffered to practise this sublime profession . now , amongst our ordinary emperickes , wee reckon the ordinary mountebanke and quackesalver , or fugitive physitian changing oftener than the moone , their severall seats and habitations , often hanging out their flagges and banners , promising indifferently the cure of all diseases . and of this stamp was a certaine germane , who within these few yeeres set up his briefes in this towne , wherein hee bragged of a rare water , able to cure all consumptions whatsoever ; and would bring a weake stomacke , that before was scarce able to digest any sustenance , within a few daies to that vigour and strength , that it should be able to digest a whole shoulder of mutton at a meale . and such another was another of that same nation two or three yeeres before him , who put out so many eyes in northampton-shire , and other places : and surely , i thinke they had but a blinde understanding that would trust such a traveller . and yet some of the gentrie , who would have taken it in great scorne to be called fooles , swallowed downe such govions ; in this verifying that old saying to be true , mundus vult decipi : but they paied well for their experience , and i hope it will make some wiser the next time . some of them againe , without any such publike shew or ostentation , travell to and fro , bragging of great wonders they have done ; and if perhaps , they have but once cured , although it may be , but in shew , some infected with the neapolitan french catholike ( or how you list to call it ) disease , by some mercuriat inunction or otherwise , this is sufficient to make such an aesculapius dare to attempt any thing after . such an ubiquitary physitian was that , who few yeeres agoe had almost perswaded a gentleman of bedfordshire , then irrecoverably sicke of that sort of consumption , which physitians call an ulcer of the lungs , and well known by the judicious artist to be of hard recovery , where there is not wanting the best care and diligence of the most industrious and understanding cleere-sighted physitians ; and that even before the disease be radicated and habituated within the body : much more then in the decay of naturall vigour and strength , accompanied with an f hippocraticall face , as physitians commonly call it . vnto this gentleman then ( my presence being at that time sollicited for a neighbour gentlewoman in the same towne , not farre from bedford ) was i intreated to repaire , where upon my first comming , i acquainted his wife and friends there present , with the danger , which threatned no lesse than death to the patient , whom a neighbouring parson-physitian had a long time before had under his cure . now , a few daies before my comming , this fugitive aesculapius had soothed up both this gentleman and his friends with a vaine hope of a supposed true cure , by meanes of some consolidating balsames , which this cogging and coozening quacke-salver assured him and his friends would undoubtedly cure his infirmity . the bargaine was tenne pounds , five in hand ( for monie must first be fingered ) to buy such balsames at london , and the rest at his returne . and although here a meane and ordinary understanding , might , as wee use to say , smell out a ratt ; yet such was the confidence , desire , and hope of health , that if i had not with much adoe disswaded him from this course , whereunto he was likewise perswaded by an apothecary of his acquaintance , with his life , hee had lost his mony also . my prediction of his death within a few daies revolution proved too true , as i learned shortly after by relation from a worthy vertuous lady in northampton-shire , my patient , and mother to this gentlemans wife . i instance in this particular , that it may appeare how farre people are often deluded , and even , as it were , bewitched with these maskes and vizards , shewes and shadowes without any substance , and where there is no lesse danger than of life it selfe . but wee need not now goe farre , either into germany or france to fetch emperickes , they being here every where obvious and at our elbowes ; and scarce any towne or corporation of any note or fame , but there are one , if not more of this sort of counterfeit physitians : and how many of these supposed physitians of both sexes lie skouting in corners of the famous citie of london , the colledge there can tell . amongst these lawlesse intruders there is one sort that is growne to a saucie and arrogant impudencie beyond many others , surgeons i meane ; who from curing of green wounds , outward vlcers and sores , curing of the pox by sweating or salivation , by mercuriat inunctions , and some such other ministeriall offices , which physitians ( surgery being but a ministeriall part of physicke ) for the better discharging of their function , have resigned to certaine persons to practise . but it is now so come to passe , that in many places , the servant hath rebelled against the master , and affirmed all unto himselfe : as is reported , that sometimes those slaves of egypt , called mamalukes , rebelled against the sultan their soveraigne , and assumed unto themselves the diadem royall . and whereas the learned physitian , in regard of the extraordinary care and diligence required both in his private study , and assiduall paines about his sicke patients , be trusted the surgeon with this externall part of physicke , reserving unto himselfe the curing of internall diseases , being of greatest moment and difficulty , and withall reserving unto himselfe a right of direction and counsell in these externall cures : it is now , notwithstanding , so come to passe , that any ignorant apprentize in this profession , if he hath but once besmeared some neapolitan patient with his mercuriat ointment , thinkes himselfe suddenly matamorphosed into some famous physitian . and if hee hath made a voiage into the indies , or some other remote region ( where , for want of better counsell , those of the company are often cast upon such ordinary advice ; their ordinary infirmities notwithstanding , for the most part being the scorbut and calenture ) he thinkes at his returne he may be allowed to kill his country-men : and not with this contented , will not faile to bring up others in the same ignorant impudency . and wheras the learned physitian , if hee would wait upon such imployments , were as fit , if not fitter than some of themselves to goe about such businesse ; yet , for the care he hath of the other , being the more weighty , and where most diligence is required , is willing to relinquish this manuall operation : yet is the impudent audacity of many of our surgeons such , that although they come farre short of many points of their owne profession ; yet are they not ashamed to assume unto themselves the profession and practice of both these parts . de jure , now let the learned judge . of the better and more ingenious sort of barber-surgeons of the famous citty of london , and some other places of this kingdome i speake not , who are so farre from this unlawfull and lawlesse practice ; that they are both ready and willing to admit of the counsell of the learned physitian , as well for diet , as for other directions tending to the recovery of their patients , even in points of their owne particular profession , wherein they might yet seeme to challenge to themselves some better right : so farre are they from incroaching upon the physitians freehold , as knowing themselves unfit & unfurnished for so great and waighty an imploiment . and this is likewise the custome in that famous citty in paris , and many other places of that kingdome , that a surgeon ( i meane of the best note , not a bold impudent audacious fellow , daring do any thing ) seldome or never undertaketh any cure of importance , without the counsell and assistance of one or more learned and skilfull physitians . but in defence of empericks and ignorant practitioners , there is a seeming strong objection made by the vulgar , alwaies ready to deceive themselves , and applaud their owne ignorance ; to wit , that often good hap , and a prosperous and successefull event doth second and accompany the actions and attempts of the empericke and ignorant physitian ; and therefore ( say they ) why may wee not make use of such persons ? as i doe not deny that which cannot be concealed from a very ordinary understanding ; so doe i againe deny that this argument taken from issue or event , was ever taken in paiment for currant coine , by the judicious and more refined understanding . and although i have already g elsewhere made appeare the invalidity of this threed-bare argument , yet shall it not be impertinent to speake a word or two in this place : the wise h solomon saith , the like event befalleth the good and the bad ; all things come alike ( saith he ) to all there is one event : to the wicked and to the good , and to the cleane , and to the uncleane ; to him that sacrificeth , and to him that sacrificeth not : as is the good , so is the sinner , and hee that sweareth , as hee that feareth an oath . even so doe we not deny , that the learned and judicious physitian and the ignorant empericke have often alike successe ; for under the learned physitian , the patient often recovereth his former health ; and the like befalleth the empericke also . and againe , as the patient dieth sometimes under the empericke , so doeth this as truely and really befall the skilfull and learned physitian . and therefore conclude the ignorant and vulgar sort , what difference is there then betwixt the one and the other ; at least in regard of their practice ? i answer , that all diseases are either curable or incurable . if the disease be curable , and a skilfull , able and honest physitian be called ; by the good meanes hee useth the blessing of the almighty accompanying his indevours , hee for the most part recovereth his patient . i say , for the most part , for that sometimes some unexpected accident , as likewise the morosity of the patient , neglect of the assistants in performing their parts , may often occur , and so hinder the good successe of the physitians paines and best indevours , howsoever the disease were not of it selfe incurable . and sometimes againe , some disease , howsoever in it selfe curable , yet may sometimes be accompanied with such terrible and dangerous accidents and signes , as doe usually accompany such as are shortly to be arrested by sergeant death ; and yet after the physitians prognosticke , the patient may vnexpectedly recouer , as sometimes hath beene seene . now , if our empericke , or ignorant physitian bee called to the former of the two , the patients strength persisting , and no rub nor let comming in his way , the coast being cleare , his remedies , perhaps , not so pertinent , and appropriat for the patient , yet may this sicke party recover under his hand , yea , and if he should be yet called to the latter of the two , by the skilfull physitian now given over to a desperate prognosticke , and shall boldly undertake the cure of such a person , promising faire and boldly ( as is the common custome of such people ) although he administer nothing to the purpose , yea rather , perhaps that which is quite contrary to the right cure ( as commeth most commonly to passe , howsoever seldome by watchfull eyes observed ) and this patient now unexpectedly ( strength and vigor of body , perhaps blowing away all the former feares of evill accidents ) contrary to the learned physitians prognostick recover ; will not the vulgar here admire , magnifie and extoll the casuall event of this new doctor duns , setting him no lower than on the top of the pinnacle of fames temple . the other againe , how skilfull soever in his profession , and able artist , yet shall be traduced by virulent and malignant tongues , and often esteemed a physitian of no account . and yet for all this , neither was the former the honester man , but still an ignorant asse and a duns . sifueris pridem , remanebis asinus idem . neither yet is the other the more ignorant or unsufficient , nor will bee otherwise accounted of among the learned and better understanding sort . sometimes againe , it may so come to passe that such an ignorant empiricke may at the first be called to such a patient as we last mentioned , and out of an impudent temeritie ( howsoever the danger , to a judicious eye may not seeme small ) without any ground of art or rule in reason , at randome boldly promise the patient speedy recovery , and for this purpose , still after his empiricall manner , administer such medicines as his shallow and ignorant capacitie is able to reach unto , and perhaps , at length attaine to the height of his hopes : yet shal i still avouch that this is but a casuall cure , not proceeding from any skillfull sufficiency , or right judgement , and therefore not to be trusted to . and if but an ordinary artist should with a watchfull eye diligently and narrowly observe the ordinary proceeding of such an aesculapius , he should observe him often , where dangers are not so easily espied , and to none but a judicious understanding obvious , to sooth up his deluded patient with the saying of old agag , i surely the bitternesse of death is past , when notwithstanding this grim sergeant ceizes on the prisoner without baile or main price . and i deny not , but often in an ordinary and common disease , accompanied with strength of body without the acquaintance of any troublesome accidents , such a counterfeit , masked physitian may proceed without detection of error ; howbeit if any storme of evill accidents arise , his ignorance is to the more understanding eye easily discovered , howsoever to more vulgar capacities , perhaps , scarcely discernible . as in a calme an ignorant pilot will make as faire a flourish on the water as a more skilfull and understanding ; but in a storme is the true sufficiency of the skilful pilot best discerned . even so it fareth often with the unskilfull practitioner , who in a secure and calme disease , as i may call it , carrieth all faire before him , and howbeit never without failings , easie by the judicious and understanding to be detected ; yet are they then to the eye most conspicuous , when dangerous and intricate accidents doe appeare : whereas the wise and learned physitian proceedeth still in a rationall method and manner , making use both of right reason and ordinary experience , and accommodating them to severall occasions and circumstances , and with the wise man , forseeing the danger , remedieth also all sudden accidents : which the other , not endued with that foreseeing providence , nor skill and ability in his profession , by reason of his want of education in the liberall arts and sciences , especially this of physicke ; is neverable in that manner as he ought to effect and bring to passe . besides , it is yet a thing very considerable into what great danger people doe precipitate themselues , who fall into such ignorant physitians hands , who worke thus by hap hazard , and play , as it were , at fast and loose with mens lives . againe sometimes , yea and that very often the learned and judicious physitian is sent for to the patient now irrecoverably sicke of some desperate disease , whereof hee shortly after dieth . the honest artist here doth his best indevor both by prescription of orderly diet , and such physicall meanes as in his understanding he thinketh fit to oppugne the contumacie of the rebellious disease . but the enemie k proveth too strong , and of greater power than all his provision is able to overcome , and the patient at length , by reason of that uncontrollable law of mortality , succumbeth under the burden of fatall necessity . it may be also he was called too late , and withall the nicity and morosity of the patient , the neglect and carelessenesse of the assistants might prove a great hinderance to the hopefull successe of the cure . the ignorant againe called vnto such a patient , farre differing in his manner of proceeding , as not furnished with so good provision ; or if furnished , yet falling far short of the former physitian in the dexterity of the right application of the remedies according to the severall circumstances in such cases requisite , the patient likewise dieth . now the event is here the same with the former , the patient at length paying that debt which all the sonnes of adam owe. now who seeth not , that will not shut his eyes that he cannot see in the noone-tide of the day , the divers proceeding of them both , howsoever the event and issue be all one . and the honest , learned and diligent physitian deserveth no lesse commendation when the patient dieth , than when he liveth ; his care and paines being then the greater : and for this same cause the germans in danger of death , having relation to the physitians extraordinary paines , double his fees . and yet our ordinary sort of people for the most part , if the patient dye , conceive the meanlier of the physitian : and which is yet more grosse and absurd , they are so farre from having that due and high esteeme of him , as they ought , that on the contrary they often , howbeit unjustly , impute to him the cause of the patients miscarrying . and this befalleth oftner the skillfull and learned physitian , than the ignorant empiricke ; and that by reason , it may be , they oftner are called to such desperate bargaines , as also in regard they are often called to some of their patients whom they already had marred : and yet the vulgars eyes being able to see no further than the outward event , their common plea being alwaies this , like the cuckowes song , he helped me and such a one , not being in the meane time able to discerne what hurt these ill prepared medicines , exhibited often without due consideration of quantity , quality , order and other considerable circumstances , produce in the body of man ; howsoever perhaps , at first , seldome observed . and if one of these should even exhibit to any a deadly poison with an intent to kill , and the party should , notwithstanding unexpectedly recover , the vulgar would i thinke , little lesse than deifie such a malicious wicked person . we read in galen of a woman who weary of her husbands company being a leper , and carrying a better affection to an other fellow , espying one day a fit occasion offered by meanes of a viper drowned in a vessell of wine , gave her leprous husband some of this wine to drinke ; which having thus ▪ for certaine dayes continued , she found it produce an effect quite contrary to her former expectation , her husband thereby recovering his former health . now i pray thee what sufficiency or skill was there in this wicked woman ? and yet behold here a more than ordinary manifest cure . the same author maketh yet mention of another leper cured after the same manner in the harvest time , and that by drinking wine wherein a viper had been drowned ( this verimine much delighting in this liquor ) and by the reapers in commiseration of his miserable and wretched estate exhibited to him with a full intention to put a period to his miserable languishing life . now what skill or understanding was here in this administration ? and yet , according to the vulgars rule taken from event , these reapers ought to have been magnified for rare and skilfull physitians . by the like casualties have often strange and stupendious effects beene produced , and yet from a malicious intent in the author of the cure : as some by breaking of their heads , there following an immoderate effluxe of bloud , have by their no lesse intending enemy been cured of inveterate headaches , resisting and frustrating the most generous and noble remedies of the most famous physitians . a late writer maketh mētion of one , who beating his braine against a wall , was immediatly , by meanes of an excessive effluxe of blood , cured of an inveterate headach . it is recorded that in that famous pestilential l , sweating sicknesse , untill the right cure was knowne , by keeping the sicke in a meane , neither too hot , nor too cold , many by reason of immoderate sweating , miscarried . and yet m a certaine young fellow contemning the ordinary cure , when he felt himselfe surprized with this fever , crept into a hot oven after the bread was drawne out , where having for a pretty space sweate liberally , at length came out very weake and feeble , as the manner was with such as recovered of such a diseas ; and the bread that was next baked in that oven reteined still an evill smell of that stinking sweate . now who desireth to make triall of such desperate empiricall proceedings , let him stand to the perill that will fall thereon . this same last spring a young fellow being ceized of a tertian , asked counsell of a woman of good account , what he might vse to rid him of this ague : she wished him to put some sneezing powder within som figs and apply them to his wrists . the simple fellow supposed they were more operative inwardly taken , than applyed without , and therefore eates them up powder and all , and being abroad , feeling himselfe after somewhat sicke ( as well he might ) sate downe upon the ground , and cast up and voided downewards such a quantity of corrupt matter , that hee thought hee had been now at the last cast : and yet without either curious keeping within his warme chamber , or yet warme posset-drinke , hee both recovered this casting-fit , and with all was quite freed from this fever . if any be desirous to save charges , let them try such desperate conclusions . it were easie for mee to instance in a multitude of the like examples in divers diseases , but that i should then prove too tedious , and my discourse too prolixe . it is then apparent how absurd and unreasonable a thing it is to judge of the sufficiency of a physitian by bare issue and event . and this may yet more plainely appeare by a comparison taken from the warres . those who valiantly defend any besieged town●or for t , but overmatched with a potent enemy , are at the last compelled to yeeld to the stronger power ; yet still doing their best indevour to defend the place wherewith they were betrusted : deserve no lesse commendation than others who have at length beene relieved , and so at length freed the place besieged . those few forces who in that memorable siege , of ostend , so manfully defended that place for the space of three yeeres , although at length overmatched by the power of a potent king of spaine , supplied by his indian ophir ; deserved no lesse , if not more , commendation , than that late deceased prince of oranges commanders , besieged within that famous bergenop zoome , who maintained that siege in despight of all the spanish kings forces , untill that manly mansfield , and brave branswicke purchased the besieged their former liberty . neither were those generous & valiant soldiers who in that last and memorable siege of rochel , defended that place so long as they were able to subsist , worthy of lesse commendation , notwithstanding their yeelding at length , being now overmatched by the power of a puissant king of france , and all forren succour failing ; than the n inhabitants of the same towne divers yeeres agoe , besieged then in like manner by a mighty king of france , yet at length set at liberty by meanes of the polonian ambassadors arrivall , and the election of the kings brother to the polonian crown . but if a white-livered , or fresh-water soldier , as we use to say , and unskilfull in the managing of martiall matters , ignorant how to defend the place , & carelesse in repelling the enemies assaults , &c. if such a one , i say , surrender the place , especially if it shall appeare that there was no want of men , munition and victualls , whereof wee suppose the former unfurnished : this captaine is so farre from deserving commendation , that if he have to deale with an understanding generall , it may indanger his best joint . and even thus standeth the case betwixt the learned physitian and the empericall practitioner . but some here object , that the most judicious and learned physitian sometime faileth , and is mistaken in his judgement , and so may erre as well as another . i answer indeed , that not to erre at all , is a prerogative onely proper to the great king of kings , and never communicated to any of the sonnes of sinfull adam . now , the learned and judicious artist erreth but seldome , not grossely , ordinarily , nor easily ; but frameth all his actions according to the square and rule of right reason : whereas the ignorant unskilfull empericke physitian erreth ordinarily and usually , not being able to square his actions according to the former rule : and therefore no wiseman that hath his eyes in his head but may easily perceive the great ods betwixt these two . besides , the vulgar often , yea , for the most part , judge amisse of the physitians best actions , accounting them often erroneous , where to a rectified and wel refined understanding there is not the least seeming shew of error . againe , where the ignorant erreth most grossely , then is he often thought of them to be most free therefrom ; so that by the vulgars verdict the judicious and learned physitian is often condemned , and the ignorant acquit . but long to insist upon these and divers other sorts of such ignorant and unwarranted physitians ; as apothecaries , practisers by spels , ephemerides masters , wizards , figure-flingers , and the like forbidden trash , is not my purpose in this place : but because the female sexe also hath proved too pragmaticall and practicall , we will consider whether their action bee warrantable , and say something also concerning this point . women then not onely assume unto themselves a lawlesse liberty to prescribe diet for the diseased , and whispering about the sicke , traduce the laudable actions of the most honest , able and learned artist , suggesting often idle and needlesse feares into the weake and feeble fancies of the sicke ( apt enough often of themselves , by reason of weaknesse both of body and minde , to entertaine such needlesse feares ) and controlling at their pleasures ( satis pro imperio ) the prescriptions of the most learned physitians , howsoever back'd both by sound reasons , and by the manifold experience of many hundreds of yeeres : but also against modesty and decency befitting that sexe ; as also against good order and against the lawes of god and man , being altogether unfitted for so waighty an imploiment , and with the neglect of that place and calling whereunto by their maker they were ordained like busie bodies intrude upon so sublime a profession , in administring physicke to the sicke , and to others by way of prevention : the which how dangerous and pernitious it is , there being no lesse danger than of the losse of so noble a creature , who carrieth ingraven the stamp of the image of his great and glorious creator , i leave to the judgement of the judicious understanding reader . but how should they ever attaine to this skill and sufficiency , as hatn beene already proved to be true in other emperickes ? o i know the common thredbare objection that they have many times attained to the knowledge of some probatum est , or medicine experimentally tried upon some one or other individuall body , and that most cōmonly casually , or hab nab as we say , as the blind man throwe ▪ his staffe , and even in this where they thinke have experience , they are commonly deceived , and neither they nor our ordinary empiricks can tell what is the true nature thereof . now the true nature of any experiment to make it such a one , is not sufficiently proved by this , that after once or twice triall thereof there hath insued some seeming good effect : for this is but a meere paralogisme , ascribing often that effect to such a cause , which was not the true cause thereof ; they often erring , because they are oftentimes deceived in things even subject to their outward senses ; the cause of their erring proceeding from this , that in severall sicke persons there are divers and various conditions , natures , affections , &c : and each of these may alter and vary the manner of curing : and therefore since neither women nor yet any other sort of empiricks doe ordinarily observe , neither are they therefore ever able to derive their remedies from true experience . now the causes of these varieties are , the particular constitutions of the partie diseased , the age , time of the yeare , the countrey wherein one liveth , the present temper of the time , strength of the sicke , custome , former exercise , the disease it selfe , the cause , the part affected , the symptomes , like diseases , the manner , motion , repletion , the structure of the parts , the motion of the pulse , the manners or condition of the sicke , things helping or hindering , without the distinct knowledge of which conditions we can never attaine to any true experiment , concerning which we shall hereafter have occasion to discourse more copiuosly . and a medicine may at one particular time fit some one , and not another , although ceized with the same disease , and so in all these particular circumstances might be easily proved , all occasioned by reason of the variety of such considerable circumstances . and therefore the very same medicine which once might have produced a good and laudable effect , may againe at an other time , even in one and the same individuall body , at some other time faile of this effect , the state of the body upon divers occasions , altering , and divers circumstances often inducing the skilfull physitian to betake himselfe to some other more appropriate remedy , or else to adde or detract from his former prescription , according as in his discretion he seeth indicated by these aforementioned circumstances in such a case required . and from hence is also detected and evinced the error of some ; who having at sometimes used the counsell of some understanding physitian for some preventing physicke , this same physitian afterwards either absent or perhaps dead , and it may be neither , yet often either by ignorance , a sordid tenacity , or both , procure the same medicines againe by the apothecary to be prepared according to the former prescription , without either addition or detraction of the former ingredients , little considering the alteration of the body , which might according to new occurrents demand new counsell . but to returne to our women againe , some of this sex thinking to mend the matter well , answere thus for themselves , that if they do no good , yet at least they doe no harme . i answere , that even in not doing good , or administring that which in probability with gods blessing was like to have done good , they doe evill : for in that they are unfurnished of that sufficiency of administring such fit and generous remedies as are likely to eradicate and root out the disease , they commonly trifle away the time , and lose that golden time and opportunity in doing good in dangerous and acute diseases , which once being lost can never againe be recalled and recovered . ante capillata , post est occasio calva . what inevitable danger the neglect or protracting of fit and opportune time of phlebotomy in a burning fever , a squinancy , or pleurisie , or some such dangerous , acute disease doth often produce , i wish it did not by wofull and daily experience too evidently appeare . there lived of late yeeres here in northamptonshire one of these women-physitians , and much sought unto not onely by those of ordinary education , but even also by some of better breeding ( i can but pitty their simplicity and ignorance ) who would not faile to prescribe directions against any most desperate and inveterate disease : and yet was altogether averse from phlebotomy , vomites , or any generous remedy , were the disease never so violent and acute ; her chiefe purge being a little manna , a certain diet-bread composed of severall cordiall ingredients , without any due proportion of quantity : and this diet-bread she used indifferently in all consumptions and weakenesses of whatsoever kind . a vesicatory or blistering medicine composed of cantharides she used much , and applyed the same to divers parts of the body , according as her she-skill could direct her , which was one of her master medicines , and with her supplyed the place of phlebotomy and other generous evacuations . the various and evill favoured effects this pettie-coat physitian produced in divers bodies by these blisterings would spend me much time , and be too tedious to the reader . howsoever the learned physitian is not ignorant that such particular remedies are not ordinarily used before generall evacuations have proceeded . many , no question , consulted with this she-oracle , whose diseases were not dangerous or deadly , who afterwards recovering ( which might as well , if not better have beene without the use of her meanes ) would not faile to magnifie her supposed skill . but as for true radicated consumptions , ( which she would ordinarily undertake to cure ) she was farre from curing any such , as not being able to dive into the depth of the true causes , and by consequent , must needs be ignorant of the true cure . and this being a taske which often poseth the most skilfull artist in his profession , what then should we expect from such a she-physitian ? and since she neglected more noble and generous remedies , when there was anything to bee done in dangerous and acute diseases , if nature were not of it selfe able to grapple with the disease , and expell the enemie out of his strong hold , the patient was forced to succumbe under the burden , and in all probability pay his fatall debt before he otherwise needed , if he had made choice of a judicious and understanding physitian . but what do i insist upon their practising of physick , a thing of a sublime nature , when even in the matter of the diet of the diseased , yet thought by them a thing of very smal importance , they are altogether ignorant ? and that this is not my complaint alone , may plainely by that which a learned p french physitian complaineth of that sexe in that place where he then lived . i discover ( saith he ) three notable abuses committed by the importunity of women : first in tormenting the sicke with abstinency from drinke , be their necessity never so great , in forcing them to eate farre beyond the strength of their weake and tender stomackes , and in covering them with too many clothes . this is the ordinary custome of the vulgar and common sort in governing the sicke : but above all others , women passe the bounds of mediocrity , and proceed to an excesse insupportable , and are farre more insupportable to the sicke than any other sort of people . and this proceedeth from a naturall inclination and condition proper to that sex to exceed the bounds of mediocrity , and in all their actions and affections to exceed more than men . and therefore if they * love , it is the highest degree , and their hatred needs no addition or intention . if they be given to avarice , it is the superlative degree , if given to lavish expences , there is no measure in their prodigality . in amiable , sweet and lovely deportment who can compare with them : as likewise in their choler and despite , in their brawling and scolding fits , let me choose rather with the wise man to dwell on the house top than live with such a xantippe . and the like excesse we finde also in their carriage about the sicke : for if we ordeine a warme bath for the sicke , they will bee sure to make it scalding hot . * and whereas our meaning is , that it should temperatly warme , their opinion is that if warmth be good , then the warmer it is , the better it must needes bee ; and it would seeme in very truth they provided it to scald pigges in . if wee forbid the sicke excessive drinking , if women bee the attendants , the patient shall almost dye athirst . give a charge that the sicke be duely nourished , thou shalt be sure they shall be crammed like fat capons : give a charge to cover them well , and be sure they shall be almost stifled . and thus almost in every thing doe they exceed our prescriptions , inclining alwayes to the extremes , and cannot by any meanes keepe within compasse . q but let none here mistake my meaning , as though i had a purpose to inveigh against woman-kind , as some make it their recreation and delight too , to shew their wits ( as they suppose ) in inveighing against women : nay farre be it from me , being in a double relation beholden to this sexe ; my purpose onely is here to reprove their errors , whereof all are not guilty , and for this cause come not under this censure , and to such i have nothing to say . and even touching this instability and inclination to extremes , i am so farre from laying thereby any aspersion upon this noble sexe , that with mine author i account it for their high praise and commendation . for these extreme affections proceed from a subtill , nimble and able wit and understanding , set and fastened in a soft , tender and well refined body . and as we esteeme that water to be good which is speedily warme , and againe in as short a time cold ; even so wee may account the complexion of such persons as are subiect to sudden changes and alterations , and suddenly passe from one extreme to another , is most simple and pure ; for the contray proceedeth from a lumpish ponderosity and thicknesse of the matter , which procureth this contumacious immobility . women therefore , it seemeth , are composed of this pure , refined , soft substance , which is the cause that they are often so quicke and apprehensive , that therein , as also in their superlative affection , they commonly surpasse men . and hence have we this common phrase , that if a woman looke but on her apron-strings , she will finde out a shift . and for this same cause it is held , that a womans first answere is commonly the best , and that if she study longer , it will still be the worse . but lest i should make women too proud , i wish them to consider that the most subtill and refined wits are not alwayes most usefull in a state or common-wealth , as is reported of r alcibiades , of this unstable and quicke-stirring spirit : and the like opinion is holden of the florentines at this day ; and it is no more triviall true , omne nimium vertitur in vitium . and therefore my counsell is to women , especially such as partake most of this subtill , mercuriat metall , to keepe within the cancells and compasse of right reason : and i wish them not to thinke so well of their owne wits , as to meddle with matters farre above their reach , and too sublime for their apprehensions , and to keepe within the compasse of their owne callings , not to prove busy-bodies , smatterers , going from house to house , and controlling the learned artist in his owne profession , nor his prescriptions for the sicke , the reason whereof they are not at all able to comprehend . the yeere . a young woman of this towne of northampton , under thirtie , a married woman , and then giving sucke , participating most of a sanguine complexion , had for divers dayes been much molested with a great distemper of heat , accompanied with exceeding great paines in her backe and other parts , together with some other accidents . my counsell being craved , i told both her husband and her selfe , i doubted phlebotomy would prove her best and speediest remedy , on the which , notwithstanding at that time , for certaine reasons i would not adventure , onely for the present with prescription of appropriate diet appointed with all some such things as might then safely by her be admitted . but her accidents still rather increasing than decreasing , and sleepe now forsaking her , i reiterated my former advice concerning phlebotomy , which neglected might endanger her life . this being heard by some of her neighbours and friends , with great earnestnesse disswaded her from this course . but the young woman her selfe , her husband , father and mother , were willing to follow my directions : which being accordingly put in execution , she was immediately freed from all her former accidents , as , blessed be god , she hath beene ever since that time . and whereas it was by some of her neighbours and friends feared , that this might prove a meanes to dry up her milke , it proved farre otherwise , being afterwards better furnished therewith than before : and good reason ; her great distempering heat , together with the want of rest , and appetite to her ordinary sustenance , must needes dry the spring of this so laudable and necessary a nourishment ; whereas this seasonable phlebotomy , by removing these rubs , did , accidentally , increase the same . i instance in this one particular and recent example among many , to make it appeare what wrong and injury is often offered both to the patient and physitian by this pragmaticall controlling of some of this sexe ; who being now warned , i hope , will grow wiser , and let the physitian use his discretion in ordering and curing his patients ; as hee medleth not with the businesses of their callings , leaving them to their owne liberty . my purpose is not here to speake against the charity of some noble personages of this sex , ready both with their paines and purses , to supply the wants of the poore and needy , unfurnished both of such meanes and money ; provided alwaies , they doe not exceed the limits in venturing upon things farre surpassing their reach : and although they are endowed with some priviledges and prerogatives above vulgar worth : yet i wish them still to consider their sex , and that they are farre from that sufficiency in this physicall profession , as to be admitted to sit upon life and death . and now by the way , before i finish this point , concerning women-physitians , i cannot passe by the great charity , and bountifull libreality of a noble and vertuous lady , living lately in this towne of northampton ſ a constant good house-keeper , and great reliever of the necessities of the poore : and so charitable to all true objects of pitty , that not onely would she send them food to feed them ; but supply them also with her best cordialls , or other physicall drugges in her possession ( wherewith shee had alwaies her closet well furnished ) as should be advised by wise and learned counsell : and yet , herselfe never venturing on such things as might endanger any . and to poore women in labor she neither spared her paines nor her purse ; and would not disdaine in that necessity freely and of her owne accord to visit the meanest and poorest cottages . as for her charity to poore widowes , orphanes and others , the memory thereof is so recent , and now in this penurious time so much missed , that i need not now to dwell upon it . and therefore well might it be said of her ; t the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me , and i caused the widdowes heart to sing for ioy . u if i have with-held the poore from their desire , or have caused the eyes of the widow to faile ; or have eaten my morsells my selfe alone , and the fatherlesse have not eaten thereof , &c. this were a farre more laudable course of life for our great ladies and gentlewomen to lead ; than to hunt after every new guise and fantasticall fashion , spending their meanes in the city ; and after what manner , of some i am ashamed to particularize ; and being a more proper theame for the pulpit or pen of some worthy divine , i therefore leave it to them , and proceed to my purpose . now besides all these former offenders , there is yet another sort of practitioners as pernicious and dangerous , if not more than the former . all these former offenders , howsoever they bee dangerous and pernicious pests in a common-wealth ; yet are they often easily espyed , and taken notice of , especially by a meane and ordinary judicious understanding , howsoever the simpler sort be often taken in their snares : but these other of whom we are now to speake , doe often deceive some more refined understandings . and this commeth to passe by reason of a certaine vizard or shew of some learning ; and yet not able by maturity and ability of understandings to performe by practicall operation , that whereof in shew they make profession . and therefore such novices as have perhaps attained to some few scraps of latine in the grammer-schoole ; and perhaps proceeded yet further , to reside some space at the vniversity ; and afterwards by reading some physicke bookes , take themselves to bee sufficiently furnished for the performance of so great a taske , without either instruction or manuduction of able masters skilled in that profession , come here to bee reproved . and howsoever an otherwise able and industrious scholler may have attained to the highest degree the vniversity could afford him , in an other faculty , yet from hence to evince a sufficiency in the faculty of physicke were such a non sequitur , as might justly be hissed out of the schooles . but my purpose is chiefely to speake in this place of a sort of people , who by dividing themselves into two professions defraud both of their due attendance . my meaning is of such ministers , who beside that waightie calling to the cure of soules wherewith they are betrusted , not without the neglect thereof , doe wrongfully and injuriously , both contrary to the law of god and man , intrude upon another weighty profession , this their lawlesse and unlimited expatiation and pragmaticall intrusion , doth justly challenge a vindication from so great a wrong and injury offered to this art , and the professors of the same . and although this injury hath heretofore , both out of the pulpit , and by the pen of the learned been spoken against ; and my selfe also gave a touch thereof in the preface to my former tractat ; yet hath all this as yet produced no reformation . and therefore courteous reader , with thy good leave and patience , let mee a little expatiat into this field , to shew the offenders , the heinousnesse of their fault ; and let no man mervaile if i be a little large on this point , this kind of practitioners now so abounding in every corner of this kingdome . and that i wrong them not to enter the lists with advantagious weapons , i shall make choice of such as they cannot justly except against : and therefore all my proofes shall bee taken out of the oracles and aphorismes of the old and new testament ; out of the antient councells and constitutions of the canon-law ; adding thereunto a word or two out of the municipall lawes and constitutions of this kingdome . it would seeme that the difficulty of the practising of this profession of physicke , the multiplicity of knowledge thereunto required , together with the assiduity and diligence in the practice thereof , required the physitians presence with his patient , his necessary attendance being often even then required for the cure of the body , when master parson should bee curing and converting soules in the church assembly . and it would seeme that an honest , conscionable divine , in regard of the waight of his owne calling , might finde worke enough without any such expatiation and intrusion upon another calling , requiring so much paines , diligence and assiduity in the practice thereof . besides , that this is no small encouragement for ignorant and idle droanes to tread in the same pathes . now that amongst the antient people of the iewes these two professions were not practised by one , but had severall and distinct professors , i thinke no man of a meane understanding will deny , and therefore may save a labor in proving it . and that a priests and levites were commanded to wait and attend upon the service of the tabernacle first , and afterwards of the temple , i read in the old testament ; but concerning the practice of physicke not one word . the prophets are all commanded to proclaime their masters message to that stubborne and stiffe-necked people of the iewes , which was the whole subject of their sermon . and as concerning their extraordinary and miraculous gift of healing ; as likewise of our blessed saviour and his apostles practise , i thinke no man will mainteine that practice to be any proofe to mainteine this lawlesse intrusion . in the new testament the holy apostles were commanded to preach the gospell to all nations , baptizing them , &c. and they are also commanded , i confesse , to heale their infirmities : the first of which was by unavoidable dependancy for ever annexed to the ministeriall function , the latter being temporary , and tyed onely to those times of the infancy of the church : howsoever our romanists would still seeme to mainteine an apish imitation of apostolicall antiquity in their anointing oyle , the absurdity whereof , together with their different practice , quite contrary to their pretext , from a very meane and ordinary understanding can hardly bee concealed , and therefore , as not perteining to our purpose , and being likewise largely , by our learned divines confuted , i here leave . the holy apostle paul giveth a strict charge to his scholler timothy to waite on his ministeriall function , after he had set downe as well the duty required of such as enter into that profession , as the excellency and eminency of the calling it selfe . * give attendance to reading , to exhortation , to doctrine . neglect not the gift that is in thee , which was given thee by prophecy , with laying on of the hands of the presbytery . meditate upon these things , give thy selfe wholly to them , that thy profiting may appeare unto all . take heed unto thy selfe , and unto the doctrine , continue in them : for in so doing thou shalt both save thy selfe and them that heare thee . againe the same apostle , and in the same epistle . z i charge thee before god , and the lord iesus christ , and the elect angells , that thou observe these things . and againe in another place . no man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life , that he may please him who hath chosen him to bee a souldier . now then it plainely appeareth , that timothy must not bee intangled with the affaires of this life ; but wholly attend upon his ministery . and what was timothy ? that he was a bishop cannot be denied : and some would have him a bishop with authority over others ; as may be seene in a * late writer ; where this is none of his meanest arguments for the defence of the hierarchie ; which controversie , i have not here any purpose to meddle with . but let the case stand as it will , of this i am sure , the best divines doe not doubt , but that these aforenamed places doe concerne every minister of the word . and if it were proved he were a prelate , ( as some would have him ) the argument is then the stronger on our side : for if bishops themselves bee thus tied to such attendance , how shall other ministers , whether parsons or vicars , bee freed from this commandement ? but heare yet againe the same apostle confirme his former charge . a i charge thee before god , and the lord iesus christ , who shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and his kingdome , preach the word ; bee instant in season , and out of season ; reprove , rebuke , exhort , with all long-suffering and doctrine . the words are plaine enough , and need no comment to cleere the meaning of this place . b our blessed lord and saviour , although intreated , yet would not meddle with dividing of inheritances ; so far was he from countenancing this incroaching upon other mens callings . and in his last will and testament , before his ascension , what was it he gave so strictly in charge to peter , and consequently to the rest of the apostles ? was it not even this , c pasce oves meas , feed my sheepe , three severall times repeated ? and here was the whole sum of the ministers dutie comprehended , and briefely epitomised ; of medling with physicke not one word . and although those places already alleaged might suffice , yet shall it not bee impertinent , to adde yet another place out of the same apostle ; where giving a charge to the corinthians , and by consequence directions with a charge to all other christians to the end of the world concerning callings , hath these words . d let euery man abide in the same calling wherein he was called . and a little after , the better to imprint it in their memories , repeateth the same the second time . and the phrase is to be observed that it is of a calling in the singular number , not callings in the plurall . a man must therefore carefully keep within compasse of his calling , and not rashly rush upon another mans profession . and besides , as there ought not to bee a remissenesse in any calling , be it neuer so meane , so ought there especially to bee a redoubled diligence in this weightiest of all other callings . e seest thou a man diligent in his affaires , this man shall stand before kinges , he shall not stand before meane men , saith the wise salomon . againe , f cursed be hee that doth the worke of the lord negligently , saith the prophet ieremy . and the apostle paul g willeth euery man to waite upon his owne office , and not on another mans . ministers must wait on the ministery , &c. h let euery man meddle with his busienesse with quietnesse . but it may be some , and that not without cause , may demand of me , whether one may not in some cases enioy two callings at once ? to this i cannot better answere , than in the words of that worthy and reverend divine master perkins , in these words ; i men may not enter upon two distinct callings at once , and that in three cases : first , if god have disjoyned these two callings by his word and commandement . secondly , if the practice of the one hinder the practice of the other . thirdly , if the combining of them together hinder the common good . on these grounds our savior christ being the doctor of the church , refused to be a k iudge of inheritance betwixt the two brethren . and hereupon the apostles being to performe the duties of their owne callings , refused to performe the l office of deacons . thus farre perkins . now that preaching of the word with the dependances of the same , and the practicing of physicke are in the word of god distinct and severall callings , may easily , by that which hath beene said already , appeare . and in the second place , that the practice of the one hindreth the performance of the other as it ought ; those that well weigh the weight of both callings , their severall subjects , large extents paines and labor to be imploied about either of them , must needs confesse , that whosoever will conscionably performe his ministeriall function as he ought and is fitting , shall therein find imployment enough without medling with other matters : neither ought that man to be trusted with the cure of the body , who maketh so small account thereof , that he maketh it not worth the busying of himselfe wholly about it . now in the third place , that the exercising of both professions by one man is prejudiciall to the common good , may also from hence appeare ; in that it confoundeth two so waighty distinct callings , ingrossing both into one mans hand , whereby he is hindred to performe the duties of either as he ought : each of them , sometimes , demanding his personall presence at one and the sametime , which without hurt to the publike and prejudice to many private persons , cannot be omitted . and againe , in depriving him who is set apart for the profession of physicke , and whose proper calling it is , of his due reward , doe they not , as much as in them lieth , deprive the publike of so great a good ? and therefore this in famous bigamy cannot choose but be pernicious both to the soule and body . the eminency of their place and calling , as being set , not m under a bushell , but on a candlesticke to give light to the whole house , doth not a little aggrauate their offence , as likewise that the injury is not done to a few , but to a many . n cry aloud , spare not , lift up thy voice like a trumpet , and shew my people their transgressions ( saith the noble prophet ) and the house of iacob their sinnes . and the apostle paul in his farewell sermon to the ephesians assembled at miletus , professeth that he was free from their blood . and what was the reason ? o for i have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsell of god. if these men were as carefull and painefull in their callings as was this holy man , they would not be so pragmaticall in other mens matters . is not such mens negligence a great meanes of nourishing popery in d●●●ers parts of this kingdome ? and howsoever our romanists call ignorance the mother of deuotion , yet am i sure , it is the cause of damnation . they know indeed the ignorant is apt to receive any stampe or impression , and by consequence most pliable to their superstitions , whereby the ignorant are most easily insnared : whereas knowledge would discover their vanities . but let us now see whether the canon-law will not allow and countenance such lawlesse intrusion upon other professions . so farre is it from giving way to any such disorder , that it will not so much as give leave to the clergie to go and heare the lectures either of law or physicke . p this is yet made more manifest by the punishment inflicted upon such offenders : to wit , that if they should stay out of their cloisters but for the space of two moneths , upon the foresaid occasion , they should be then shunned of every one as excommunicated persons : neither yet was their patronage or intercession in the behalfe of any to be heard ; and at their returne againe into their cloister , they sould sit in the lowest roome , whether in the quire , in the chapter , or elsewhere : and except by speciall dispensation from the sea-apostolike , they shall be deprived of all hope of future preferment . it is yet worth the observation that the authour addeth in the same place . that the divell , that old enemy of our salvation , oftentimes transforming himselfe into an angell of light , under colour and pretence of helping the infirmities of their distressed brethren , and of better performing their spirituall functions , doth draw out of their cloisters , certaine religious persons to read lectures of law , and to administer physicall drugges to the diseased . but lest such as are set apart for spirituall imploiment under colour of atteining unto knowledge , should be intangled with worldly businesse ; we appoint and ordaine , that it be not permitted to any , after their entrance in religion , and profession of the same in any religious place , to goe abroad againe to heare physicke or law-lectures . and yet further , parnormitan in his glosse , holdeth , that this extendeth to all the clergie whatsoever ; and not to regular monkes onely . let such persons therefore be ashamed , to plead any more this thred-bare excuse of doing good to their neighbours . the q canons commonly called of the apostles , command church-men to wait on their ecclesiasticall functions . r gratian in his decrees allegeth the same canon , and bringeth in a number of other places , both out of the fathers and councells ; where it may plainely appeare , how farre these holy fathers differed from the judgement and practice of these lawlesse covetous intruders , of our times . ſ in that place it may plainly appeare , that clergie-men are to absteine from all manner of covetousnesse , and distracting cares , insomuch , that hee would not have them in their owne persons so much as meddle with their owne domesticall affaires , but addict themselves wholly to holy and religious duties . the popes , gelasius and gregory , ieromie and austine also are there produced to testifie the same truth . the same authour againe , to make yet stronger his former assertion , addeth the testimony of s. ambrose t hee that hath god for his portion ( saith hee ) ought to regard nothing but god , lest he be hindered by taking upon him the charge and care of another mans necessity : for that which is bestowed on other imployments , is pluck'd away from the service of god : for this is the true flight of a true priest or minister , the rejecting , and setting aside of all domesticall affaires , and a certaine estranging of himselfe from his dearest friends , to the end hee may deny himselfe to his owne , who hath made choice of the service of god. and ierome ( saith the same u authour ) maketh two sorts of christians ; one dedicate to the service of god , and wholly addicted to religious duties , who ought to absteine from all turmoyle , or medling with temporall affaires ; as clekes , who have wholly given themselves to god. cyprian is also by him produced to testifie the same truth . i will for brevities sake , set downe but one of his sentences , and omit the rest . * such as are busied about spirituall imployments and heavenly matters , ought not to be addicted to effeminate daintinesse and delights ; as also ought to absteine from all secular and earthly affaires , and such as prove nothing else but snares . and so far was this holy father from giving way to the distractions of the clergie , that hee will not allow a clergie-man so much liberty as to be an executor for his deceased friend : which hee yet confirmeth out of the councell of carthage , where hee affirmeth , x that whatsoever in his last will and testament had nominated a clergie-man for his executor , there were no prayers to be made for him after his decease . and the reason is there added : to wit , that such as prove any cause or meanes of distracting or withdrawing priests and ministers from the altar , ought not so much as once to be nominated before the altar in the priests prayers . it were no hard matter for me to produce a many more such testimonies ; but for avoiding tediousnesse , these shall suffice . and as for the lawes of this land , although , i confesse they are defective in this particular , yet must i needs confesse , that the intentions of the law-makers were very honest , and aiming at the publike good , which may from hence be collected , in that it is not allowed to any to practise this profession , unlesse they have at least the approbation of the bishop of the diocesse , who for this purpose , is first to have a warrant under the hands of two doctors of physicke . but i wish this had beene betrusted to a set number of physitians , either of the vniversities or college of london , without troubling those of another profession , and that for very good reasons , as i could make it appeare . againe , the good and laudable desire the sage senators had of preventing this confused chaos in calling in a commonwealth , may from hence appeare ; that in another statute of the same kings reigne they ordeine y that no surgeon take vpon him to play the barber , nor againe any barber to play the surgeon , no , not so much as to let blood . and yet let the unpartiall reader judge , whether it be not an easier matter , and of lesse danger for a surgeon to shave a beard , or a barber to let blood , cure a greene wound , &c. than for a minister ( set apart for gods service ) erring out of his owne orbe of divinitie , to wait upon the necessities of the sicke , and to compasse sea and land ; not to make a proselite , but to purchase a patient . * you take too much upon you , sonnes of levi. the premisses duely considered , i cannot be so uncharitable as to thinke that the reverend fathers of the church give licence and allowance to such lawlesse intruders : howbeit i wish they were more narrowly looked into . and as ex malis moribus bonae leges oriuntur : so i hope that so great a disorder , and so prejudiciall to the common-wealth will at length in time and place not be forgotten . but that this practice hath some pretext for it , at least in seeming shew , and that it hath some appearance to have been practised by the priests under the leviticall law , some clergie-men ( although to small purpose ) have pleaded as a part of their apologie ; and therefore i will remove this vizard . it is true indeed , there is a z charge given to the priest concerning the cleansing of the lepers ; but maketh nothing at all for their purpose . in the first place therefore , we are carefully to observe the scope and intention of this place of scripture , the which is also in all others carefully to be observed . divers doe hold , that here moses by gods appointment , recommendeth to his holy and select people , cleannesse from all manner of pollution ; as may appeare as well by the purification of women preceding , as also of other fluxes common to both sexes , following immediatly after the cleansing of the lepers * to the outward ceremonie whereof ( saith calvin ) howbeit wee be not tied , yet are we christians , taught by the same not to suffer any corruptions to dwell amongst us whereby gods pure worship and service may be defiled . it may then plainly appeare , that the intention of moses was not here to give the priests any authority or allowance to meddle with physicke ; the which may yet further appeare by the words of the same * author following : in that god appointed priests , and that of the highest ranke , it is an argument that here gods spirituall worship is more aimed at , than the health of the body . and this hee setteth downe yet more plainely in these words following : the lord betrusted not here every levite , but the sonnes of aaron only , who were of prime note and credit ; to this end , that the authority of the action might be the greater . therefore the popish priests ( saith he ) not without great errour , or rather impudency , have drawne this jurisdiction unto themselves . that which followeth is yet a more grosse mockage . the officiall , being the bishops deputie , as lawfull judge , calleth before him physitians and surgeons , by whose answers being instructed , hee pronounceth sentence of whereof that he acknowledgeth himselfe altogether ignorant . but to come to our purpose againe , if wee should grant that here were some physicall directions addressed unto priests ; yet would not this warrant every parson and vicar to practise physicke at his pleasure : for here the command is addressed to the chiefe priests , the sonnes of aaron onely , and not to the rest : whence all they would evince ( if the precept were perpetuall , and they could prove their succession linially descended from aaron , better than those mentioned in ezra for want of this put from the priesthood ) would perhaps be this , that the bishop of the diocesse might practise physicke . besides , the text saith , the priest was onely to pronounce , whether it were that loathsome disease of leprosie or no ; the marks and signes whereof the lord himselfe there setteth downe : but that the priest cured it , or was yet warranted so to doe , or inabled with any skill to effect such a cure , remaineth yet to prove . again , if this place gave any warrant or leave to practise , yet were it onely in this lothsome disease of leprosie ; from the which particular kinde , our god of his singular goodnesse hath freed these our cold climats . againe , when mention is made of once or twice seven daies for the triall of the cleannesse of the partie , it cannot be denied , that here was an immediate providence governing this whole action , not to be by any man drawne into imitation , no more than was that of the a adultresse woman . the mentioning of seven daies reiterated , doth still make the case more manifest . now , in the ordinary and common motion of diseases , wee finde so great variety and difference , according to the severall causes and constitutions of bodies , together with divers other circumstances ; that very few doe wee find among many , howsoever surprized with the same sicknesse , agree in all points . and hence also commeth it to passe , that wee cannot alwaies precizely determine of the good or bad issue of the disease , neither in one , two , or three weekes , as the undoubted oracle of the almighty determined of this disease , including it within the precincts of this septenarie once or twice reiterated . the severall b crises of acute diseases , occasioning many times a doubtfull prediction , doe plainly prove the truth of this assertion . but if they will yet stand stiffely upon the point , pleading their privilege , we will rather yeeld to them the cure of the lepers than contend : provided they will rest therewith contented : howbeit they shall never be able from this place to prove , that the priests did cure this disease : and yet farre lesse , that any authority is here conferred upon them to cure either this or any other disease . but when the old will not serve , some of them flie to the new testament , thinking there to finde some shelter , and to confirme this their opinion . s. luke , say they , was both an evangelist and a physitian . ergo , ministers may be both physitians for the soule and the body . in the first place , the antecedent is not yet proved for an uncontrolled truth : and although there were yet no controversie concerning the same , yet the consequence might be denied . in the first place then , it is by some questioned , whether luke the evangelist were a physitian or no ? some , i confesse , are of opinion they were all one , and others againe deny it . some of our antient writers doe affirme it ; and hence commeth it to passe , that as in popery , other professions had purchased to themselves severall saints ; so did the physitians likewise lay hold on s. luke , whose day is by them in the popish church very solemnely observed holy . c calvin thinketh this epithete to be added for distinctions sake ; which i confesse is not unlike . others jumpe with them in the same judgement . a d late writer of this kingdome upon this place alleageth , that if it had been luke the evangelist , the apostle would rather have given him that title , as being more excellent , of greater honour and dignity . and againe , the same e apostle mentioning him in another place , onely mentioneth him without addition of evangelist . that which some alleage out of f another place , that hee was pauls fellow-helper , is not of sufficient waight to prove it : for many were pauls fellow-helpers that were no evangelists ; as g aquila and priscilla tent-makers , were his fellow-helpers . but for avoiding tediousnesse i will omit the enumeration of more authorities , these being sufficient to prove the point to be controverted . againe , suppose that were yet true , what if i should mainteine that as in former times hee had beene a physitian , but afterwad for a more waighty employment had forsaken it , ( which is very probable ) what place of scripture could they produce to the contrary ? howsoever , sure i am , he was never such an intruding urine-monging , busy-body , as these of whom wee heere speake . but lest i shall be thought to dwell too long upon this point , i wish both them and all other offenders in this kind to take warning by that which hath been said already . and let no man mervaile that i have somwhat at large handled this point , the offenders having so long now steeled their foreheads against all admonitions ; this festered disease breaking still forth afresh in many parts of this kingdome . i would likewise wish those who shall have occasion to use a physitian at any time , well to weigh the premisses , carefully considering with whom they betrust their bodies in their greatest need . but in any case i wish none had a hand in the distracting a clergy-man from his calling , which may appeare by some thing lately said , how much the antient fathers of the church did distaste . it is true indeed that learned and able physitians are not so frequent , nor in that number , as ignorant empiricks and such other as we haue lately mentioned : and that both by reason learning hath not its due reward ; and above any other profession the vulgar sort being least able to judge of the depth of this of physick ( howsoever with salomons foole they thinke their skill here transcendnet ) preferring for the most part any ignorant mountebanke , quacke-salving empiricke , a medling minister , a woman-physitian , before the most skilfull and experienced physitian in his profession . and these idle droanes , who never were initiated into these medicinall mysteries , spending the honey whereon the industrious and diligent bee should feed , make them lesse to abound . and yet those who will have recourse unto them , especially in any city or great towne of note , may finde some to whom in time of need they may have recourse . but as it is the common custome of the world , that of things of most sublime condition they make often choice of the worst ; so it proveth too true , as in former times , so in this last age of the world , that mund us vult decipi : it seemeth that the world desireth to bee deceived , and loveth darknesse rather than light . now notwithstanding the sublime nature and bottomlesse depth of this noble profession , there is none of the other two , divinity and law i meane , where there is that lawlesse liberty of intrusion left so free as in this : and yet i dare bee bold to say and avouch , that the paines of neither of these two callings ( i speake it not to vilipend or any waies extenuat the paines of either of those two noble professions ) can be parallelled or equalled with the paines of the diligent and painefull physitian ; and yet either of them exceed the physitian in the recompence for his paines . and this will yet more plainely appeare , if we shall parallell and compare these three professions together . i will beginne then with their paines taken before they attaine to any reward of learning . the able and learned divine ( i meane not a duns , a droane , or empiricke divine , as i may so call him ) hath first been trained up in the common schooles of good learning both grammaticall and philosophicall , and hath , according to standing and seniority , taken such degrees in the vniversity , as have been by our forefathers thought fit , to grace and adorne learning , and encourage schollers to the pursuite of some eminent excellency in the same . and after this , they attaine to some place of the church , some of greater , and some of lesser value . and some againe rise to higher preferment , according to worth , meanes , friends and favour . the worthy , honest , carefull and conscionable divines ( for of such i speake ) are laborious and painefull in their callings , preaching in season and out of season ; administering the sacraments , and visiting the sicke , &c. and with those most laborious i parallell the physitians paines , and not with many other idle ones , there being no need of any comparison with such persons . now this is a prerogative common to all divines , that although many of them come farre short of that allowance which the eminency of their callings , the excellency of their parts , and great paines doe deserve , yet are they sure of their allowance during life , and during that time and terme he knoweth there is no body can come betwixt him and home . and this to be reasonable and equitable no honest man , i thinke , will deny . the lawyer is likewise trained up in the schooles of good learning , both grammaticall , and sometimes philosophicall ( at least most part of them have spent some time at the vniversity ) and what time is wanting there , it is againe supplied by continuance and studying in some innes of court : and after a convenient time they are admitted to the barre to practise their profession , and are according to custome , paied for their counsell . many also in processe of time , as the divines in the church , so are they likewise , some i meane , preferred to high and eminent places of the common-wealth , both of judicature and others . as for the matter of the studies whereabout both are conversant , the one is employed in the large study of divinity , which concerneth the soule : the other in the cases of the common-law of this land , which i confesse is a painfull and laborious study , and many cases with variety of circumstances therin to be considered , and those who are emploied are requited for their paines , as both equity and reason doe require that a man should live by his labours . now as concerning the physitian , he is not behind either of the other two in the ordinary time of his study , and that both in the ordinary grammar-schooles , and the vniversity . and as concerning the nature and quality of the particular study of this profession , it is as hard and intricate ( if not more ) as any of the former two : and besides , it is of a farre larger extent . for in the first place , schollers well know the theory of physicke to be a great and large field of knowledge , our authors many and various , and of severall sorts , the authors of severall nations , and written in severall ages and at severall times : greeke , latine , arabian , and divers others , both antient and moderne , of all which , the learned physitian ( for of such , and not of ignorant and unlearned empirickes i here speake ) maketh use . and the physitian doth yet herein goe beyond the other two , in that hee is , besides his ordinary theory , to bee acquainted with the whole structure and frame of the body of man , as being the subject whereabout he is conversant . besides , he searcheth into the secret and abstrusest closet and cabinet of nature , inquiring into the natures and qualities both of simples and compounds in the universall world : all things sublunary comming within the compasse of his profession : yea , the heavens themselves come within the precincts of his knowledge , although not in that superstitious manner as some doe , and would tye us thereunto . but he considereth exactly the aire , with the alterations thereof , and neglecteth not the other elements , with all the creatures conteined therein , either for the use of food or physicke . now come to the physitians practicall imployment , and what profession can compare with the physitians paines ? the severall and various constitutions of mens bodies , so diametrally differing one from another , together with the various accidents , like sudden stormes arising in the aire , make the physitians paines often extraordinary . what shall i say of the idiosyncrasicall ( as i may so call it ) or individuall severall propriety of divers patients , differing often as farre , as one face from another in feature ? and what a world of worke doth this breed to an honest and industrious physitian ; while as he is not only forced to prescribe fit and apt remedies against the disease , of what sort soever ( which were worke enough ) but must with all accommodate himselfe to give content to so many severall palats , perhaps , as he hath patients , as the h poet said of his guests ? some cannot endure to take pills , some abhorre potions , some must have powders , some electuaries , and upon some wee can scarce fasten any physicke at all , when often it standeth them on no lesse danger than their life . some againe can abide no sweet thing : and to some againe nothing but sugar and sweet things will downe their silken throats , &c : so that many times by reason of this nicety , we cannot exhibit such fit and generous remedies as are fit to oppugne the malignity and contumacy of their disease . and thus they verifie the proverbiall saying : the cat would faine fish eate , but is loath her feet to wet . and many lazy christians would faine goe to heaven , if they might bee carried thither in their feather-bed , or walke the broade way of their lusts and sinfull pleasures . and yet , if things succeed not to their owne or friends expectation , how carefull and diligent soever the physitian prove in his endeavour , the physitian oftentimes must beare the blame . besides all this , the patients peevishnesse , frowardnesse and testy discontents , and often without a cause finding fault where none is , breedeth still a new trouble to the physitian : that i say nothing of his extraordinary trouble many times , and paines required at unseasonable seasons . besides , his best endeavours are often crossed , or at least suspended by womens , and other ignorant persons unseasonable whisperings , and idle suggestions , often to the irrecoverable damage and hurt of the sicke patient , and great griefe of the physitian . and many times , when hee hath done his utmost indevour to prolong the patients life , like a brave captaine , that never surrendereth his fort so long as there is any provision of munition and other necessaries left within ; yet at length , the fatall period of his life being come , and the oile of the lampe failing , the physitian is many times , especially by the vulgar and most ignorant , traduced or blamed ; either for some neglect , or else all his actions construed in the worst sense ; and how generous a remedy soever , whether phlebotomy or purgation , &c. how discreetly soever applied , yet is often accounted the cause or occasion of the patients death . and many times , if the patient recover , although under god , the physitians industrious paines hath proved the meanes of the patients recovery , yet is he often partaker of the smallest share of the praise and commendation . and it fareth often with the physitian , as it did sometimes with that famous i captaine lucullus , who , after hee had subdued the asiaticke countries , then came pompey and reaped the harvest of his honour : so many times , when the art of the diligent and industrious physitian hath expugned the strength , and shaken the foundation of the disease , then commeth some ignorant empericke , a woman-physitian , or the like , who with a trifle exhibited after the use of many other laudable medicines , will carry away the due and deserved praise and commendation belonging to the physitian , and of this i can beare witnesse , as of many instances in mine owne particular experience ; so i will instance but in this one : within these few yeeres , i had in cure a gentlewoman , betwixt and yeeres of age , and a married woman , dwelling within a few miles of this towne of northampton , who was much tormented with the splene , the stone in the kidnies , accomponied with extraordinarie hystericall fits , commonly knowne by the name of mother , that few thought she could recover . after i had done my best indevour in using meanes fit for her recovery , and through the blessing of god upon my labours , she freed from all her former fits and evill accidents which did so much molest and vexe her ; a gentlewoman , a neighbour of hers , her good friend , and no ill wisher of mine , advised her to drinke in a morning a cup of good ale , with some nutmegg , suger and a tost , a good gossip cup i confesse ; and this same cup in this gentlewomans apprehension , carried away all the praise and commendation of this cure , although both her husband and her selfe had often acknowledged me under god the author of her health . now , the divine is not liable to any of the premisses , and howbeit , his paines i confesse to be great , yet for the most part , he knoweth his times and seasons , for the most part certaine and ordinary ; unlesse sometimes some more sudden occasion doe now and then pull from him some extraordinary paines ; and then in recompence thereof , he at another time may be eased by a neighbour ; but is alwaies freed from a number of incombrances , whereunto the physitian is alwaies subject , as by comparing the one profession with the other , may easily appeare . and as for the lawyer , although he hath this common with the physitian , that his imploiment is not confined to one place , as is the divines , yet is he not liable to various and divers inconveniences whereunto the physitian is subject . hee hath his set times at termes and circuits ; and at other times when hee travells in the countrie to give counsell or keepe courts , hee is never tied to night attendance , but hath a seasonable time alwaies allowed him for the dispatch of his businesse : and as for other particular incombrances , they are freed from them . now , if wee compare the recompence of these three severall labourers , we shall find that the physitian , caeteris paribus hath still the least share . i am not ignorant of the great difference betwixt that remuneration and recompence due to ordinary arts and bodily labour : and that which is due to the labour of the minde : the first by ordinary confession , acknowledged that it may be recompenced , but the later by judicious understandings was ever esteemed of an higher nature than could be recompenced by things of an inferiour condition . it hath notwithstanding , by the positive lawes and customes of nations beene agreed upon , that some tokens of thankefull remembrance have beene constituted and ordeined for the labours of the learned , according to the severall and divers customes and countries . in this , as likewise all other well-governed nations , as the divines paines are certaine , so is his maintenance in like sort certaine , as it is very equitable and fit it should be : the other two , as their paines are uncertaine , so is their pay . but the lawyer in this hath the pre-eminence above the physitian , that he hath the law in his owne hand , whereby such as are not admitted into their societie are kept backe from their barre , and by that meanes reape no benefit of their practice . besides this , they have still a gap open , whereby they are in possibility to rise to places of higher dignity and eminencie in the common-wealth : and this is with them likewise common to the clergie : and yet for all this , the lawyers pay doth often much exceed the physitians . the divine hath likewise in his owne hand the sole power of admitting those of his owne profession : and if he admit of unworthy persons , it is his owne fault . as for the physitian , the vniversitie indeede doth conferre upon them their titles of dignitie , those i meane of their owne faculty : and some places have yet a custome of re-examination , for avoiding of fraud and deceit , before their admission to practise : the which is likewise used by the colledge of physitians of the honourable city of london . but the physitian here is hardlier dealt with than either of the former two : for the clergie have herein shared with the physitian , and reteined not only power of admitting some physitians to practise , but many of them have themselves , without any admission intruded upon their practice , as hath been said alreadie . now , when the physitian hath taken all his paines ( besides the other disadvantages ) to attaine to some exellencie in his profession ( being in it selfe so penible and laborious ) with infinite paines , both of body and minde , and cost and charges ; yet still with a hope of recovering his former losses , with some competent recompence for his paines past ; behold ● to his great griefe , he findes some ignorant emperick , who never yet suckt in the juice of good learning ; some surgeon apothecary , or woman-physitian , that i say nothing of a medling minister , often preferred before him , in this verifying the words of the wise-man : i saw servants riding on horse-backe , while princes goe a foot . as for the requitall of their paines , although there be divers generous and truly noble spirits , who , howsoever they truely acknowledge that the physitians paines can never be requited , yet are they not backward , according to the received custome , to testifie a thankfull acknoweldgement of his love & pains . but againe , many times the physitian meets with many avaricious , ignorant , sordid base people , who had almost as willingly part from their heart blood , as from a penny monie , although in danger of life . and many times , for want of understanding , and better breeding , will make as much , yea , more account of the m●st ignorant and unsufficient counterfeit-physitian ( provided especially it cost them little , although many times it cost them more than they did ever dreame of ) as of the best and ablest physitian of this kingdome . and which is yet worse , many without any feare of god , have often recourse to wizards , spelmongers , calculators of nativities , and such other forbidden trash . and i cannot but bewaile the blockish stupidity of many of our ignorant country people . now , notwithstanding all the premisses , both the divine and the lawyer have still a doore open for future preferment , whereof there is no hope left the physitian . but because i have begun to touch upon this string of ingratitude of some persons ( yet wishing none to take this in ill part , my meaning being onely to taxe the faulty ) to shew that this is not mine owne private opinion alone , neither doth concerne this kingdome onely , i will set downe the words of a famous french physitian translated out of the originall , where there is an intire chapter concerning this same subject . k ingratitude , or unthankfulnesse , is a very great vice , and odious both to god and man : yea , so great a fault is this , that whoso calleth a man unthankefull , he need give him no worse title , as comprehending all . now , this fault is growne so common among people towards their physitians , that i am much amazed , that any man of generous spirit will take upon him this profession , it being withall so much subject to calumnie and slander , cousin germane to ingratitude . but we meet sometimes with people of reason and understanding , both honest and able to judge of the physitians sufficiency , which maketh us more able to beare our burthen , and proceed in our profession , notwithstanding , wee meet with a many unthankefull people . for sometimes wee meet with some so courtous and ingenious patients , that will both publikely and privatly professe , that next under god , they hold their life of their physitian ; and having according to their ability and meanes thankefully acknowledged his industrious care and paines , confesse , notwithstanding , freely , that to requite him with a due deserved recompence for his paines , their whole substance would not suffice , as it is true in very deed . for they owe their very life unto the physitian : and their life is of farre greater value . but the chiefe recompence they owe the physitian , is the good will they still beare him , being ready to pleasure him to power , and still acknowledging their obligation to him for preserving their life . and this is all one , as if any man had taken a sword out of any mans hand , that was ready to kill thee , or a halter out of his hand that was ready to hang thee ; wouldst thou not acknowledge such a man for the saver of thy life ? wouldst thou think all thy substance sufficient to requite such a person ? is this then reason , to say , i have paid my physitian well , yea , it may be over-paid him ( a fault seldome committed ) having allowed him so much for his daily attendance , and now i am out of his debt . if he hath taken paines with me , i have as well recompenced him for his paines . alas , i pity thy simplicity and sottish ignorance ! that which is given the physitian , is nothing else but a small token of a thankefull acknowledgement of that helpe and succour thou hast found and received of him : for to requite his labour and paines , especially , if he hath saved thy life ( as by the helpe of the almighty god , hee may doe , and often doth ) it is not at all in thy power , unlesse thou shouldst expose the hazard of thy life for him , although he hath not hazarded his life for thine , which , neverthelesse , sometimes hee doth : and thus thou still remainest indebted to him , and must of necessity so confesse . and againe , a little after . god delivereth from death , and restoreth us to life by the meanes which the physitian useth for our helpe and succour . and is not this a worke rather divine than humane , and which no man can sufficiently requite and recompence ? and therefore well was it said by the wise man : honour a physitian with the honor due unto him , for the use which thou may have of him : for the lord hath created him . for of the most high cōmeth healing , and he shall receive honour of the king. the skill of the physitian shall lift up his head , and in the sight of great men , he shall be in admiration . behold then , this is the chiefe acknowledgement of thankefulnesse due unto him , honour and good will , as a perpetuall bond whereby thou art obliged unto him : and not to be thus perswaded with thy selfe , that thou hast sufficiently requited his paines with a small summe of monie . but there are some yet of a farre more perverse and wicked disposition than these , who , after they have beene by the honest and industrious care of their physitian succoured in the time of their greatest need , yet can they not indure to have it said they are beholden to him ; and are not farre from hating him , who hath beene a meanes of saving their lives . o extreme ingratitude ! but this is not the day , nor yesterday : for hippocrates bringeth in democritus in his epistles , speaking after this manner : i thinke , saith hee , o hippocrates , that in our profession , many things are subject to calumny , slander and ingratitude . for the sicke , if they escape , ascribe their recovery to the gods , their fortune or good complexion , robbing the physitian of all the honour and credit due unto him , whom in stead of loving , they often afterwards , hate ; as being sorry they should be esteemed to have beene beholden to him , &c. and this agreeth as well as may be with the times where in we now live . for sicke people for the most part , ascribe their recovery to some l m he or she saint , to whom they had made some vow , and many times are backward enough to pay their vowes , according to the italian proverb : * and thus they deale many times with their physitians , during their sicknesse , promising them golden mountaines , pearles and precious stones , or some yeerely pension at least : but being once recovered they are of a farre other mind , pretending many things which furthered their recovery , and in conclusion , ascribing the smallest share of the honour and credit of the recovery to the physitians care and industrious diligence . and as for all his former faire promises , being now recovered , he begins to thinke with himselfe what his disease hath cost him , and what losse he hath thereby susteined . and thus forgetting his bond and obligation due to his physitian , upon whom hee even sometimes laieth the fault of being a cause of some part of his expences , esteeming it but superfluous and needlesse , and beareth him a grudge for keeping him so long a bed ; thinking , that he might in a farre shorter time , and with lesse charges have recovered him . so that by such a churles account , the physitian should be ingaged to him : and it is very like , if he might find judges of his minde , and armed with authority , he would bring his action against him , and make him pay for his cost and charges hee had beene at during his sicknesse : and now , behold , is not this a very thankefull acknowledgement of so great a benefit ? is there so great ingratitude any where to be found ? i thinke not , unlesse in such a case , where some in despaire had hanged himselfe , and some friend of his having cut the cord , and saved his life ; this party afterwards would arrest him for his rope : or of some other who having fallen into a deepe water , in danger to be drowned , he that drew him out , had in drawing him forth , torne some piece of his garment , and this party should afterwards sue this saver of his life for reparation of his damage . and thus our debters become our creditors , to crave of us that which they owe us , and will not so much as have a good conceit of us for all our care in curing them ; and will rather after ascribe the credit of the cure to any ignorant person , than to the care and skill of the diligent and industrious physitian . and this commeth to passe for one of these two reasons : either because they are besotted for want of naturall parts , that they are not able to understand the nature and depth of such a businesse : or else they be such as have wit and understanding enough , but would seeme to take no notice thereof , because they are loth to confesse it , and thankefully , as they ought , to acknowledge the same , and this is the worse of the twaine . howsoever , it cannot be denied , but this is great ingratitude , and odious both to god and man. thus farre this author , i shall not need to make any comment upon this text , although both my selfe and most , if not all others of this same profession could instance in too many examples of this kind . nay , is it not a strange thing , that many times , when as a physitian hath next under god , recovered a patient out of some dangerous disease , yet afterwards shall we often see the same patient not only neglect his physitian ever after in regard of a continued thankfull acknowledgement of so great a kindnesse ; but afterwards in their need , either for prevention or curation have recourse to others , and these often of very small worth or sufficiency ; and as many others , so have my selfe often rasted of this potion . among others , within these few yeeres , a young man , a trades-man , living in this towne , falling sicke of that dangerous disease , called cholera morbus , wherein was abundance of sharpe choler cast up , this disease being also accompanied with an acute fever , which how dangerous it is , the learned physitian is not ignorant ; and the which , although neither himselfe , nor his friends thought likely to be cured , yet by gods blessing upon the meanes i used , hee recovered his former health . being somewhat corpulent , and as in former times , so after now and then obnoxious to the head-ach , fearing also some other infirmities , yet did he never vouchsafe once to aske my counsell , having rather recourse to a parson practiser , dwelling some dozen miles off . and this last yeere , . his wife falling sicke of this maligne fever now for many yeeres so frequent in this kingdome , yet made he rather use of a barber-surgeon , and his wife after long languishing , being at length recovered , himselfe falls immediatly sicke of the same disease , who used still the same counseller , of whom hee had formerly made use for his wife , who after the sight of an amber-coloured urine ( as i was told ) promised his patient security , who notwithstanding after the indurance of a many daies great extremity , at length paid that debt , which admitteth of no sureties . but of a farre different disposition from the former , is a * very good friend and patient of mine , a man of good esteeme and worth within this same corporation , who for these or yeeres , hath made use of no other physitian but my selfe , either for himselfe or family , besides his extraordinary grateful acknowledgement of my labor & paines , still laying hold of the smallest opportunity whereby he may testifie his love . howsoever , this holdeth firme and sure , that the physitians paines is the greatest , and his recompence smallest ; i meane still caeteris paribus , making equall comparisons of all circumstances : and i am sure he doth as much for charity as any other profession . and although the ordinary fees of physitians in this kingdome doe somewhat exceed some other places beyond the sea ( which some have , although impertinently objected ) yet are they but answerable to ordinary expences of the place wherein they live , and the ordinary pay of lawyers and others . besides , that in many places beyond the seas ( as in all high and low germany ) the physitians have certaine set stipends allowed them in townes and cities where they live , and a house to dwell in rent-free during their lives ; by reason whereof their fees may the better be qualified . now if any publike persons , and not altogether wedded to their owne private , would set this worke a foot , they should , i thinke , finde few physitians against it . this were farre more worthy of imitation , than their swinish and hellish drunkennesse , and carrousing and quaffing of healths , till health and wealth be both vanished quite away , that i say no worse . and by this meanes also there might bee good apothecary shops set up in many places of the countrey , to furnish good and sufficient drugges for his majesties subjects ; in many places whereof , by meanes of ill and fusty or sophisticate stuffe , many people are utterly undone ; there being none to control these ignorant countrey apothecaries , nor yet our ordinary empiricks and ignorant practitioners , doing every man what seemeth best in his owne eyes . many other benefits would from hence arise , if any such worke were undertaken , and the countrey would finde at length that it would quit for cost . but because i have already touched this in another tractat ; and besides , menare so wedded to their own private , that i doubt i speake to the deafe , therefore i will now leave this point , and come to the businesse in hand . the cause moving and impelling me to set upon this tractat following , was an earnest desire i had to free my selfe from that neglect i find fault within others , in not applying themselves to the publike good . and duly considering with my selfe by what part of my profession i might doe the common-wealth most service : as i have beene ready by my practicall paines above these twenty yeeres to helpe the infirmties of the diseased ; so had i resolved with my selfe some yeeres agoe the publication of the dieteticall part of physicke , or that part which handleth the diet of healthfull people . but in this being prevented by others , and not willing to give over my former purpose and resolution to publish something that might be profitable for the publike , i bethought me of a path which had not as yet been beaten by any , which might bee as usefull and profitable , if not more , than the other : and this was to set downe an orderly course of diet for diseased persons ; which having hitherto been neglected , hath proved the cause of much mischiefe and disorder in diseases . and having now for a long time with n elihu waited for mine elders ; howbeit farre inferior both in yeeres and understanding to a multitude of learned and able artists of this iland , i have been bold to breake this yce , hoping that some abler understandings will after supply my defects : and in the meane time , although i be not furnished with rich treasures of silver and gold , pearle and precious stones ; yet by my mite i may testifie and make known my good affection to the publike good . the difficulty of this taske then may from hence appeare , in that this subject hath seldome been handled by any either antient or moderne physitians : and none of the natives of this our iland ( who of all others had been best able to set downe such diet as best befitted our sicke ; as being best acquainted with the constitutions and other circumstances in such a case fit to be knowne ) hath either in our owne vulgar , or any other tongue ever written any tractat concerning this subject . and besides , euen among all our antient writers , none of set purpose except hippocrates above yeeres agoe , hath handled this subject . and yet setteth he downe but the diet of acute diseases , and that according to that countrey and climat of greece , where he then lived , the which how farre it differeth , even at this day , from the diet of this our iland both in sicknesse and in health , those who have travelled into those countries , and the learned physitian are best able to judge . and therefore it may easily appeare that that antient forme of diet prescribed by him in his daies , did much differ from that of our times , especially of this our iland , and after the revolution of so many yeeres . another tractat concerning the same subject was published by a learned portugall in the latine tongue in the yeere . almost a hundreth yeeres agoe ; the which howbeit it was directed to the english of those times , yet how short it commeth in many things of that which concerneth the diet of our diseased , the learned physitian is best able to judge ; and may partly appeare by that which shall be by us said concerning this subject . our practicall writers have indeed here and there set downe some precepts concerning this subject , together with the particular diet in particular diseases , and that according to the customes of the countries wherein they lived . now out of the labours of all these learned men both antient and moderne , as well physitians as philosophers , historians , poets , &c : have i collected , this subsequent discourse , having accommodated what i have collected to these our countries wherein we live , and our custome of life : and have withall inserted many other things concerning this particular subject both of my owne and others observations , usefull and beneficiall for the sicke and diseased in this our british soile , and have not heretofore beene published . and besides , i have here and there as occasion served , discovered and detected some errors of many ignorant and unlearned practitioners within this kingdome , and withall , where fit opportunity is offered , i confute divers erroneous opinions held by the vulgar sort of people , and by them falsely mainteined , to the no small prejudice and disadvantage both of healthfull and sicke persons . now it may perhaps seeme somewhat strange , that i seeme to disclaime the handling the diet of healthfull persons , and yet notwithstanding , handle the same in my first booke . i answere , that howsoever i doe indeed handle this subject ; yet is it not that i principally aime at ; neither yet doe i handle many things in that maner as i would , if this had bin that i principally intended . and indeed my chiefe and principall reason was this , that i thought it very requisite in handling the one to say something of the other . and if we shall seriously consider of it , we shall see some reason for it ; the matter of both diets being one and the same , howbeit differring in preparation and some other circumstances , as more fully in its proper place shall appeare . besides , one finding set downe certaine sorts of diet , and yet ignorant of the nature and vertue thereof , might be somwhat troubled thereat , not knowing how to find out the vertue and efficacy of the same ; and therefore to the end the reader might be satisfied in his expectation , i thought good to set downe in the first booke , the nature and vertues of the diet of the healthfull , the which howsoever by others heretofore learnedly handled ; yet may the reader , perhaps here and there find some things , either not heretofore touched , or at least some things cooked after a new manner to set his appetite on edge . besides , there are inserted many both pleasant and profitable problemes , concerning this dieteticall point . and this is the subject of the whole first booke , wherein i thought that fittest , after the order of right method , to precede , which maketh for the explanation and explication of that which followeth . in the second booke i come to that which i principally and first intended , the diet of the diseased , where i proceed in order , as may appeare by the titles of the chapters and contents of the booke , and so proceed in the third and last ▪ it is likewise to be observed , that some things concerning all evacuations , but by phlebotomy and purgation especially are here particularly and largely discussed , whereby people may the better be enabled to detect and discover the ignorance and unsufficiency of many ignorant persons intruding upon the practice of this profession , and to prevent imposture . the learned and judicious artist i take not upon me to teach or direct ; as knowing that were but sus minervam . my purpose is only to teach the simple , ignorant sort of people , whose credulous simplicity is too often exposed as a prey to every cheating and ignorant asse . and besides , the vulgar are ordinarily so ignorant of the nature of that which is with them in most frequent use , that they often judge of it farre otherwise than it is indeed . and whereas in some diseases , diet it selfe , if duely administred , might sometimes even cure the disease ; and in others accelerate , facilitate and shorten the cure of the same ; the patient is often , by reason of the neglect thereof , much wronged , and health much hindered . what person● of ordinary understanding , if he hath either been sicke himselfe , or yet frequented such places where they have been , but can tell that this is a materiall thing to know , in what time of the disease the sick is to be fed ; together with the substance , quantity , order , &c. give a sicke person food in the height of the paroxysme or fit , and see what will be the successe . the like may be said concerning the due , timely and orderly administration of phlebotomy , and the use of all manner of other evacuations . and then consider whether this be all that belongeth to the practice of physick , to exhibit some medicine at randome without any more adoe , as is the too too frequent custome of many now adayes . i know some will perhaps , greedily gape for some long receits , or remedies against divers diseases . but the judicious and understanding may easily conceive , that it is farre better and more excellent to set downe the right use of those already published , than to set downe a rabble of remedies , which may so easily be abused to the prejudice of a many people . and i dare be bold to affirme , that if all the good and the harme these prostituted medicines have produced , were laied in even scales , the hurt and harme would farre weigh downe the help . if it were possible to set downe remedies with all the severall circumstances , whereby they might be duely accommodated to severall individuall parties as they ought , there were some reason for it . but this was never yet in the power of any mortall man to effect . and therefore , me thinkes , it is farre better to teach the ignorant people , that things without reason are to be ordered and guided by the lawes and rules of reason . those remedies therefore are to be sought for in the learned workes and volumes ( which empiricks and all sorts of ignorant physitians are never able to attaine unto , and by consequent unfit to practise this profession ) of the judicious and learned physitians of all ages ; and can by none but by a judicious understanding , trained up in that profession , be duly as they ought accommodated to several individuall parties ; observaris observandis , with due observation of all the severall circumstances of time , place , person , &c. hence then may easily be evinced the error and ignorance of such as divulge abroad in the vulgar tongue , their rare secrets ( as they call them ) against any disease whatsoeuer . i doe not deny , but they may sometimes be seconded by some prosperous and successefull issue in some : but that it is but by hap and hazard ( as we say ) as the blinde man throwes his staffe ; concerning which , something hath bin said already . but when i see the world use these aright , they have already , then shall i be both ready and willing to communicate further what i know . my earnest care and indeavour hath ever bin since my first setting vpon this profession , is , and ever , i hope , shall be to benefit the publike : but by such a course i should rather abuse than benefit any . what my owne paines have beene in this particular worke , i leave to be judged by the judicious and learned ; especially such as have themselves beene no strangers to these labours of the minde , undertaken especially to be published to posterity , and to remaine upon record for after ages . and whereas i here and there meet with some particular offenders faults or errors , let the publike plead my apologie , whose cause i have here undertaken . and he who is the searcher of all hearts , is my witnesse , that i am farre from hating the persons of any of these offenders , but hate their faults only , and wishing a reformation , where the publike , especially , is so much thereby interessed . and therefore as charity is not suspicious , so i hope the honest and ingenuous reader will interpret my honest indeavours in the best sense . i might , i confesse , have been deterred from acting any part in the view of so learned , eloquent and elaborate an age wherein we now live , as is proverbially said , obstrepere anser inter olores : yet having now by experience found , that my former rude labour of so small account , hath found some kinde entetainment abroad , i have been thereby the more imboldened to proceed to the publication of this worke , which yet , i hope , shall be of some better use . and if this shall find expected acceptation at thy hands , courteous reader , it shall , i hope , afterwards appeare , so long as god shall preserve health and life , that i shall not with that evill servant , hide my talent in a napkin , but put it forth to the profit of the publike . and whereas i have here insisted me pupon generall directions , if god prolong my life , i may hereafter proceed to a more particular direction for the diet in particular and individuall diseases ; although there be here many particulars concerning acute diseases set downe . i am not ignorant also , that among so great a multitude of judicious and refined understandings , there may occurre divers dainty apitian palates , who will scarce allow of my course cookerie , how dainty soever and wholesome the dish be in it selfe to a hungry appetite : and some criticke and sharp censuring aristarchus , may , perhaps , condemne both me and my worke . but i shall be no whit thereby discouraged to be a sharer with many betters than my selfe : my chiefe aime and intention , i confesse , hath beene , and is herein to helpe the ignorant and deluded multitude , wherein some of the better sort may , perhaps , be acquainted with something they knew not before : i have for this cause accommodated my selfe as much as in mee was possible , to the understanding of the meanest & most ignorant , whose cause i take here principally upon mee to plead . and yet i have so framed this whole building , that the learned shall finde here and there some marginall refreshings . and although i sometimes handle one and the same thing severall and divers times ; yet may it plainly appeare , that this is no tautologie and vaine repetition of things already handled : as water is first handled as an element common to all creatures , and the various divisions , and the utility thereof in generall . it is againe handled as the first and most ordinary common drinke , together with the severall waies of cooling and correcting the same . in the third place , among severall drinkes of the diseased , this is also mentioned , and whether it may safely be exhibited to sicke people , and when or what may supply the defect thereof ; and divers profitable points concerning the same . and in like manner , the aire is in the first booke handled as a common element , with divers other things concerning the sicke , with many other things thereunto belonging . but lest i prove unmannerly in deteining thee too long in the porch , i shall intreat thee , courteous reader , now to enter with me into the parlour , and to accept of such homely provision as i could provide for thee , and what is otherwise wanting shall be supplied with a hearty welcome . the diet of the diseased . the first booke . the argvment . in this first booke are conteined the natures and properties of the aire and other elements , the winds and such other things thereunto belonging : all maner of food fit for the use of man ; both bread and drinke , naturall and artificiall , together with the use thereof , and the various wayes of preparation : as also the nourishment afforded vs by fourefooted beasts , both greater and lesser ; of fowles of all sorts , and fishes ; as also concerning all manner of pot-herbs , sallets , sauces , spices in most frequent and ordinary use . and by the way are here and there handled divers pleasant and profitable points not a little concerning the health of mankind : as namely concerning climactericall yeeres , concerning the period and prolongation of mans life ; and whether by art it may be prolonged or no ; and whether one may live any long time without food or no ? concerning the use of the elements , especially aire and water , with the right use and election , and some other things concerning them . some questions concerning the use of drinke at certaine times . something also concerning gluttony and drunkennesse , being the abuses of the creatures , with the many mischiefes thereby insuing both to the party in private , and to the whole common-wealth in generall . chapter i. divers acceptations of this word diet ; what health is , and whether diet be a thing necessary for healthfull and sicke persons . as health of body is accounted the prime and chiefe happinesse that can befall a mortall man in this earthly tabernacle of clay , so sickenesse being a reward of sinne , is one of the greatest sorrowes that can befall a mortall man. now , as the great architect of this universe , hath provided a multitude of meanes , both for preserving in health , and repairing the same when it is lost , to this microcosme man ; so among all these none more effectuall than a due and orderly diet : and because the matter of diet , as well in healthfull as diseased persons is one and the same in substance , howsoever differing in preparation , &c. therefore , i must of necessity say something concerning such things as are incident to the use of man , for the maintaining of health , and preventing future infirmities , and afterward descend unto a particular survey of the diet of the diseased , with divers things thereto belonging . but before we proceed , it will not be amisse , first , to explaine the ambiguity of this word diet. amongst the greeks , this word diet hath divers acceptations ; and first , a certaine kinde of life , or profession : secondly , it signifieth an habitation , or certaine place of abode , as in england , france , &c. againe , it signifieth certaine houses of pleasure , into the which , personages of note did , sometimes , for their recreation withdraw themselves . amongst the latines , it signifieth a certaine place next adjoyning to the parlour , or rathet a part of the same , wherein ( saith varro ) they were wont in the day time to take their repasts . it signifieth also an assembly or meeting of many about some serious and important businesse ; and thus the germans call their generall meetings , wherein the princes , electors , and other princes of the empire are assembled , diets ; and such also are our parliaments here in this iland . in these latter times , custome hath so farre prevailed , that not onely hydroticke , or sweating drinkes , exhibited for the cure of the poxe and other chronicall diseases ; but even our purging ales also , and such other infused purging drinks , and continued for certaine daies , have assumed unto themselves this same name . but physitians doe most commonly take it for all the sixe things , called not naturall , as the aire ; meat and drinke ; repletion , and evacuation ; exercise or motion , and rest ; sleeping and waking ; passions or perturbations of the mind : of all which , by gods good assistance , i purpose hereafter to speake somewhat largely , and how hurtfull and helpefull they are , both in sicknesse and in health . a galen observeth , that in the time of homer , diet was not taken notice of , nor any waies looked into : and plato writeth , that the antient physitians seldome observed this diet . hippocrates was the first that brought it in request , and so is by b pliny acknowledged for the first author of the same . now , before we descend into a particular survey of these sixe things ; we must first handle some generall points , and in the first place , what health is , that thereby the contrarie , to wit , sicknesse , may the better be seene in its colours . nam contraria iuxta se posita magis clucescunt . this therefore , and some other things thereto belonging , shall goe before , and then take other things in order . plato wisely warneth us , that the principles of every art and profession , are diligently and narrowly to be inquired into , because that from any one false principle , doe innumerable false and erronious conclusions proceed . it is agreed upon by all for an uncontrolled truth , that then men are said to injoy perfect health , when their actions are duly and well performed , as to be sicke when the faculties lie a languishing . * galen defines it a symmetrie , or due proportion . now , this due proportion is double , the one perfect and absolute , the other imperfect , and declining from the former integrity . in like maner , health is of two sorts ; one perfect and exquisite , and another imperfect : and yet betwixt these two is a great latitude comprehended , in so much that it may be divided into eight severall degrees , answerable to the eight severall temperatures , or constitutions of mans body . so that we may say , a man is in health , when as there is no sensible impediment or hinderance of his actions to be perceived , whereby diseases are ingendred . now , this by galen is as a fundamentall point laid down , that health is preserved by things like unto the temper and constitution of the body ; neither neede this tenent seeme strange to any : for seeing diseases are cured by contraries , why should not health be preserved by things which are alike ; neither doth it any thing at all make against the truth of this principle which some object ¶ concerning children that are naturally of a hot constitution , who are to be accustomed to cooling things : as likewise old men , who by reason of their age , being of a cold constitution , are to be nourished with diet of a contrary quality ; for , according to the same galen , there be § two parts of health ; one called euectice , preserving it by things like unto it selfe ; another called correctrix , or the correcting part , amending that which is amisse . but because this is a question better befitting the schooles than this place , i passe it over , and proceede to that which followeth , to wit , whether diet be a thing necessary for healthfull and sicke people or no. that a strict and precise kind of diet is by diseased and sicke people to be observed , may perhaps finde entertainment for truth , from an ordinary understanding : and that by reason , that whensoever the speedy recovery of former health is hindered , it is for the most part occasioned , by reason of the omission of the necessary rules of diet , for the which cause amongst the antients , after hippocrates , as the physicians employment was not in every one alike , so were there some of set purpose appointed to wait upon the sicks diet , called for this cause clinici , or attending the bed of the sicke , as hereafter shall appeare . and galen writes , that there is no remedie whatsoever of so powerfull an operation , that can performe the helpe it promiseth ; without the help and furtherance of a good and orderly diet . but whether it be so strictly by healthfull persons to be observed , may , and that not without some shew of reason , be called into controversie , and that by reason of the saying of celsus , that a healthfull man ought to be tied to no rules of diet ; and not farre dissenting from this , is that old saying : qui medice vivit , misere vivit . hee that leads his life according to physitians prescriptions , leads a miserable life . alphonsus , king of aragon , having heard by what maner of diet one had attained to yeeres of age ; replied , that hee had rather die within ten yeeres then live a hundred yeeres by meanes of so strict a diet . and i make no question , that without seeking farre , wee might easily find many of this epicurean kings mind : but since that health comprehends within its compasse a great latitude , it cannot be that a like diet should fit every individuall and particular person : such as by reason of a laudable temper , and natural constitution of body , even from their very cradle injoy a perfect health , are by an extraordinary prerogative privileged above their neighbours , and may more boldly deale with any kinde of diet ; but let even such not be too bold , but wise and circumspect , lest they be overtaken : and although the constitution may be strong , yet we know a strong and able horse may be overloaded , and sometimes haue his backe broken : and let the aliment be of as laudable a condition as it will , and thy stomacke as strong as that of the ostrich , yet may it be mastered at length . and consider well this sentence , worthy to be ingraved with letters of gold : plures gula , quam gladio periere , the sword hath killed his thousands , but gluttony his ten thousands . how many generous gentlemen of noble parentage , and of an ingenious and liberall education , might have attained to nestorian yeeres , and shined like bright starres in their orbes , by the great good they might have procured to their common countrey , if they had not too much prostituted themselves to their sinfull and carnall pleasures , and bin drowned too licentiously in their worldly delights , which have too much now adaies ceized upon the most part of the christian world . now , such as are valetudinary , and of a more crazie constitution , ought in a stricter manner compose themselves to a more exact observation of physicall prescriptions . herodicus being but of a crazie constitution of body , yet by vertue of his precise diet , attained to the age of an hundred yeeres . asclepiades relied so much upon his diet , that he would lay a wager against fortune , that hee would never assume to himselfe the name of a physician , if ever he fell sicke . and surely , who so considereth aright the fraile and crazie condition of the body of man , dare scarce be so bold as to lay any such wager . i count it for a miracle ( saith c plinie ) and finde but onely this one example , that xenophilus the musitian lived an hundred and five yeeres without any bodily infirmity ; or as d another calleth him , pythagoras of chalcis , e curtius relateth the life of the philosopher , calanus , who being surprized with a great loosenesse , and fearing lest his former felicity of seventy three yeeres health should be by this noysome disease interrupted , threw himselfe into the fire , and so was consumed into ashes . chap. ii. whether by meanes of diet the life of man may be for many yeeres prolonged . it is reported of that famous philosopher a theophrastus , that dying , he accused nature , in that shee had given and granted to brute and unreasonable creatures a long , and to man the noblest of all other creatures so short and so sorrowfull a life : in so much , that weighing both life and death in even and equall balance , one might , and not without cause , doubt , whether life or death were rather to be chosen : as also in regard of the nights rest , a man lives but the one halfe of his time : that i say nothing also of the yeeres of infancy , when as he liveth void of understanding ; and of old age , his yeeres seeming to be produced to this period onely for a punishment , witnesse so many cares and casualties ; so many dangers and sicknesses , extorting so frequent an invocation of death , that nothing seemeth more welcome then the fruition of such a wish . but unjustly was noble nature of this unjust judge condemned before shee was heard : for , shee like a kinde and loving mother , being very solicitous and carefull of the life of man , hath not onely ministred unto him such things as are necessary for the maintaining and producing of his life ; but besides , hath indued him with reason , and given him hands , to the end hee might more comfortably make use of such things , as she in her bounty had bestowed upon him . now , b our life consisteth in moisture and heat , neither is our life any thing else , but a ioint-continuance of heat and moisture in our bodies . but since our heat doth daily consume & waste away this naturall and radicall moisture , it is againe by the like humidity to be repaired . now , this is performed by meanes of food , both meat and drinke ; the right and moderate use whereof this dieteticall part doth instruct and direct ; the which also not onely maintaineth and entertaineth health present , but helpeth also to recover that which is by sicknesse impaired ( and as some would have it ) produceth the life of man farre beyond the fatall period for all men appointed . and some there were , who by meanes of diet , would promise the perpetuity of mans life , and of a mortall man , to make him immortall ; and such a one was that sophist mentioned by c galen , who promised immortality to all such , whose education he had from their tender yeeres undertaken . galen is of opinion , that the necessity of death , can by no solid reason be demonstrated , but confirmed by experience onely . some , who would make good galens assertion , argue thus : all men die , either by meanes of externall , or internall causes . externall causes , which procure violent death , are either such as may be avoided , and befall the body of man from without ; as blowes , bitings of venomous beasts , and the like ; all which , since they may easily be avoided , come not within the compasse of this dietetiall art ; or else they are unavoidable , and such be the things we call not naturall , by the excesse and defect of the which , diseases are ingendred , and death doth thereon ensue . in the golden mediocrity consisteth this health we now discourse of , the which , whosoever shall strictly observe , shall prolong his life for many yeeres . this mediocrity did our forefathers in that first and golden age of the world , strictly observe , and so many of them attained . and some neere . yeeres . neither are we to suppose that these were lunary yeeres , or of the age of a moone onely , as d s. austine proves against pliny and baro. but yet further , the longevity of these our forefathers , did not onely depend upon their simple diet , but there was besides a speciall providence in prolonging their lives ; and that as well for the multiplication of mankinde , as also by meanes of their long lives , they might the better attaine to the knowledge of the arts and sciences , mathematicall especially , and that part principally which concerneth the motion of the celestiall orbes , which required no small time . the e internall causes of naturall and fatall death are , according to galen , three ; naturall drinesse , the continuall wasting of our triple substance , and the abundance of excrements . now , naturall drinesse may be prevented by such things as moisten much . the wasting of our triple substance may be prevented by good ayre , meat and drinke , of a good and laudable quality , engendring but little excrementitious matter : and if notwithstanding , by reason of their condition or quality , they shall chance to ingender any excrement ; they may either naturally , or else by artificiall meanes be voided out : and therefore conclude they , by this dieteticall art , may the naturall causes of fatall death be declined . but this is an uncontrolled truth : contra vim mortis , non est medicamen in hortis . it is appointed for all men to dye , and then commeth in iudgement , saith the oracle that cannot lie . true 't is , and cannot be denied , that by vertue of a laudable diet , the life of man may be prolonged to an hundred , or an hundred and twenty yeeres , as hath beene published by f some of our authors : but for ever to be perpetuated , is impossible , and that both by reason of the materiall and the efficient cause . the matter is either first or second : the first matter , by reason it hath adjoyned privation , a maligne principle ; therefore cannot alwaies continue the same . the second matter is of the elements , whereof the body of man is composed ; the which , howsoever it conteineth in it the substance of the elements well united and compacted together ; yet can their disagreeing qualities never so well be composed , but some discord and disagreement will arise , which is the cause of dissolution of the whole frame . the efficient cause is either remote or neerer : the remote is god himselfe , who hath placed severall and contrary motions in the heavens ; * one from the east to the west , and is once every day accomplished ; another againe from the west to the east , which are at great length to be found in the writings of our learned astronomers . now , if god would have made the world to continue for ever ( faith plato ) he would never have placed these contrary motions in the heavens , because identity and unity is the cause of continuance , as contrariety the beginning of destruction . the neerer efficient cause is our naturall heat , which by little and little destroyes our naturall and radicall moisture , the which once failing , death undoubtedly followeth . and howsoever by the use of aliments it be in some sort repaired , yet this devouring heat getteth daily ground of it , till at length it giveth it the foyle ; concerning which , more may be seene in the workes of the worthy plato . it hath then sufficiently and plainely appeared , that the life of man , by meanes of a good and laudable diet , may be prolonged , and diseases prevented ; howsoever death is unavoidable . but then here one may aske what is the ordinary period whereunto the life of man by meanes of art may be prolonged ? our ordinary authours , as wee have said , assigne or : but wee have a certaine sort of people , who in shew , would seeme to transcend vulgar understanding , and tell us strange things of the prolongation of mans life for many yeeres , farre beyond this above-mentioned period ; and that by meanes of certaine medicines made of metalls , of gold especially ; and these be g paracelsus and his followers : and although this great miracle-monger ( as his foolish followers would make him ) died ( not without tormenting arthriticall paines many times , notwithstanding all his secrets ) before ever hee atteined the th yeere of his age , yet will not their folly depart from them if they were braied in a morter , affirming him yet to live in his grave by vertue of aurum potabile , writing great voluminous bookes , and inditing many profitable precepts to his disciples . i hope the printers shall not want worke when they are ready . but paracelsus tells us yet stranger tales ( for , i doubt the reader will account them for such ) h of attracting not onely life , i meane strength and vigor from a young man , but relateh of one who drew learning and knowledge from another ; yea , that from any learned man he met , and kept company with , hee could easily by vertue of his strong imagination attract and draw unto himselfe the others wit and learning . the same i author , and his expositor tell us strange things of the long life of some particular persons , where is likewise to be observed the great confusion he useth , as in all his writings , so in this particular , where sometimes hee mentioneth mortall men , as the patriarches , and others : k and againe , confounds this narration with a discourse of immortall spirits , who are neither to be confined with in his . nor yet yeeres . and is it not a thing ridiculous , now in these later times , to extend the life of man-kinde to , , or , at the least to yeeres ? and besides , may it not easily to an indifferent understanding appeare , how ridiculous this opinion is , that adam , and the rest of the old patriarches lived so long by vertue of the philosophers stone ? and what then became of this so rare medicine , when holy iacob complained , that few and evill were the daies of his pilgrimage ? and how came it to passe , that abraham and sarah lived then so short a while ? that isaacs eyes were dimme ? did their forefathers envie them such a medicine ? all arts and sciences were transmitted from the antient patriarches to posterity , and were they so envious , as to conceale from them so great a good ? if these prattlers could by their owne experience make this appeare , there might be some colour for us , to beleeve they had knowne this art , and concealed it from their successors . but the contrary hath already appeared , whatsoever they prate of one l artephius , who by meanes of his wisdome ( as they say ) lived yeeres . but now , it may be , some will here aske mee the question , whether i am not of opinon , that mens ages now daily decline , the world waxing old , and some holding that the m sunne , now , by that reason , to wit , of the age of the world , draweth neere the earth , as having more need now in this old age of a greater supply of warmth then heretofore : but as concerning this subject , because n it hath beene of set purpose in a large volume handled at great length , i shall neede to say the lesse ; yet something i must say concerning this subject now in hand , i meane the life of man. if this assertion were of an infallible truth , that the age of mankinde had proportionably still declined , then had the period of mans longest life beene by this time comprehended within a very small number of yeeres . but the contrary of this we see by daily experience confirmed : that in many places of the world , yea , and in most , o men live as long as in antient times ; i meane , after the times of our first forefathers , the old patriarches . this caution i would withall to be put in , that in our comparison with antiquity , we must alwaies put in this proviso , caeteris paribus , making the cases both alike . as they lived a sober and frugall life , free from excesse of meate and drinke , and such other things , as have so much abridged the life of man in divers parts of the world , so must wee suppose of our times . and that there have beene in severall ages and times , such long lived people in the world , may appeare to those that will search into antient writers : and thus wee read of some that lived , some yeeres ; and the above-mentioned writer relateth the long life of iohannes de temporibus , or iohn of times , and divers others ; and late writers tell us stories of the long lives of the people in p florida , where it is reported , that some there exceede the number of yeeres , and that generally they live there very long , as living after that frugall manner , as did our fore-fathers of old . besides , q a late writer allegeth herodote speaking of a people in africa called macrobii , living ordinarily yeeres , which is much , if we consider the bad aire generally in most places of that vast part of the world ; and it is not unknowne , that in these our northerne cold climates , many people live to a great age , some comming to , some more , yea , some to . there are some of my acquaintance yet alive , who have told me they have knowne an instance of this last period , in each of these two severall kingdomes of great britaine . to atteine to is no wonder , having my selfe knowne some of both sexes . if i might dwell upon this point , i could produce many proofes to confirme this truth ; but this i thinke may suffice , and such as are desirous to receive further satisfaction , may have recourse to this late author , of whom before . the like objection is likewise made concerning the stature of men , which heretofore , as seemeth , hath bin very great ; and have we not even in our daies seene some of a stupendious great stature ? and if it shall be again replied , that such be not ordinary ; i answer , that such great statures were not ordinary , and therefore in holy writ , we have r such men singled out , and , as it were , pointed out by the finger . i doe not deny , that both among our selves , and divers other nations , it may be , in former times , men have beene both of stronger and health fuller constitution of body , and of taller stature ; but this alteration proceedeth not from any sensible decay in nature , but by reason of our disorderly diet , luxurious lives , nice and effeminate education , so farre degenerating from our antient predecessours , who , thorow their valour and martiall exploits , were famous thorow the world ; and we now are become contemptible to such as before stood in awe of this iland . but that even at this day there are people of a very tall stature , whoso hath travelled into switzerland , shall perceive by oculare inspection ; where the people are ordinarily of a very tall stature , especially those of zurich : and a ſ late learned writer maketh mention of the bones of a giant , digg'd out of the ground , about lucerne of switzerland , which being orderly set together , that sceleton was foot long , and of measure by my feet , as it was drawne in the picture by him in his study , whereby i measured it , during my abode at basil , for the finishing of my physicall studies . now , before i proceed , i must speake a word or two concerning an assertion , affirmed by some , concerning the abbreviation of mans life , to wit , that , after the flood , the whole frame of the earth was so altered , and , as it were , poisoned , that people could not live so long after , as before . to this i answer , that if we compare lives with lives , wee shall finde this false ; and beside , that this same abbreviation of mens lives was begunne before the flood , and that some lived as long after the flood as did before , at least within a little ; still comparing the declining of the age of man before the flood , with that which succeeded after . we see t methusalem lived yeeres ; and his sonne lamech came almost short of his age : againe u noah his sonne exceeded his fathers age almost yeeres ; and his sonne x sem lived compleat yeeres , and of this after the flood ; and so comparing one with another , we shall find that comparing this begunne abbreviation , sem lived as long after the flood , as lamech did before , although this abbreviation did not hold alwaies alike : for , methusalem , we see , lived longer than any either before or after him ; god , in this , manifesting his mighty and omnipotent power , lest wee should ascribe too much to the order of inferiour causes . but lest i heare ne sutor ultra crepidam , i leave this theme to the divine . howsoever , the daies of man were much abridged in the daies of abraham , isaac and iacob , but especially in that age wherein moses lived ; and therefore we easily perceive this point to be cleare , that the time of mans age hath not sensibly declined since that time . it may be also some would aske what sexe is of longest life ? i answer that the y male , by reason of his superaboundant heat , and good temperature of body : howsoever , this must still be understood , with that parity we have heretofore mentioned : for , no question some women are farre longer lived than some men ; a temperate woman , and of indifferent constitution of body , therefore may by many yeeres out-live a debauched swaggering , luxurious good fellow . and the severall complexions are not here to be past over : the sanguine of all others being of longest endurance ; and next to it the cholerick ; the phlegmaticke succeed , and the melancholy are ordinarily shortest lived . the climat wherein one liveth , maketh also much for the long life of man , and therefore we see that in our northern countries oftentimes people live long : and in one and the same country , the native inhabitants thrive better , and live longer many times than strangers ; as may appeare by the z inhabitants of s. helena , where the naturall negroes lived ordinarily yeeres , although the aire of it selfe be very unwholesome to our europeans , insomuch that few of them there exceed yeers . and there are yet divers other things which may lengthen or abbreviate the life of man , as the particular influence of the superior powers , and to us unknowne , &c. but above all , there is a supreme over-ruling power in our great and omnipotent maker , to lengthen and shorten the life of man at his good will and pleasure . it is naturally in-bred in all men to desire length of daies , and without doubt , it is in it selfe no small blessing , as being a reward of keeping gods commandements , let those therefore , who would comfortably partake of so great a blessing follow the direction of the spirit of god , uttered by the mouth of the wiseman . a my sonne , forget not my law , but let thine heart keepe my commandements : for length of daies , and long life , and peace shall they adde to thee . and again , b the feare of the lord is the beginning of wisedome , and the knowledge of the holy is understanding : for , by me thy daies shall be multiplied , and the yeers of thy life shall be multiplied . see againe the contrary denuntiation : c but it shall not be well with the wicked , neither shall hee prolong his daies which are as a shadow , because hee feareth not before god. againe , the d bloody and deceitfull man shall not live out halfe his daies ; e we are consumed by thine anger , and by thy wrath are wee troubled ; for all our daies are passed away in thy wrath ; we spend our yeeres as a tale that is told . and therefore it will be good for us still to pray with that holy man , moses , in the same place f so teach us to number our daies , that wee may apply our hearts to wisedome . many old people brag of their old age , how fruitlessely , yea , how wickedly soever they have spent all their pretious time . indeede , the wise-man accounteth old-age for a prime ornament . g the beautie of the old man is the grey head . but heare againe the same spirit speake by the same pen-man : h the hoarie head is a crowne of glorie , if it be found in the way of righteousnesse . and therefore , if many old men and women had their blinded eyes opened , they had small cause to bragge of their so neere approaching eternall misery ; but i will not here inlarge my selfe upon this point , but rather leave it to the divines pen and pulpit , and so now proceed to that which followeth . chap. iii. of climactericall yeeres , with their reasons assigned by antiquity , numericall , astrologicall and physicall . it is a generally received opinon , that in these yeers commonly called climatericall , great alterations befall the body of man , whereby his health is not a little hindred and impaired ; and therefore my purpose is to say something of them , as concerning so much , both sicknesse and health ; and first , what is the meaning of the word . it is as much to say , as a ladder , by the rounds whereof a mans life , as it were , climbeth up , untill it can climbe no higher , and the rounds of this ladder are our yeeres : and they are of two sorts ; either sevens or nines , both decretory and determining the life of man. some , as namely a censorinus , according to the doctrine of some of the antients , would apply the seventh to the body , the ninth to the minde . bodin deviseth a private opinion of his owne , b concerning this subject , to wit , that because women grow faster , and become sooner old ; therefore he affigneth to them the ninth for climactericall , as to men the seventh ; but in this i thinke hee hath but few followers . but certaine it is , that none of our authours assigne any more but these two , either to man or woman ; from the very first beginning of our lives , unto the last period of the same . now , these climatericall yeeres beginne at the first seventh yeere of mans age , asscending by degrees untill they come to , and the ninth beginning at , and ascending upwards to . amongst these sevenths , some are reputed more dangerous then others , and amongst the rest ( saith censorinus ) such prove commonly more dangerous , which make up their full weeke of yeeres ; and they be these following : the , , , & . but amongst all the rest , the and are accounted the most dangerous ; the first arising by the multiplication of sevens , & the other by multiplication of sevens and nines jointly together c levinus lemnius is very jealous of the , in the which , the life of man is liable to many alterations and changes : and augustus caesar did much rejoice when hee had escaped his dangerous yeere . and although d cardan seeme but to mocke and flout at climactericall yeeres , affirming , that hee never injoied more perfect health than in those yeeres , yet seeme they not altogether to be rejected : and e hippocrates himselfe acknowledgeth their efficacie & power ; affirming , that both sicknesse and health , and such like other notable alterations and changes have their appointed daies , moneths , and yeeres in which they are produced . and againe , in another f place , he affirmes , that the solution of any disease , cannot be safe , unlesse on a fit & convenient day ; as also that there is a necessity that a man should die on a determinate day , moneth , and yeere . but an g arabian author doth yet much more magnifie these climatericall yeeres : the leprosie ( saith he ) is never cured by physicke , except it be administred in some criticall yeere , wherein nature of its owne accord doth attempt some renovation , and is such a time , as nature hath for this same purpose appointed ; and this is yet further witnessed by the great zacharie , and i my selfe have likewise tried it . those who labour to render a reason of these climactericall yeeres , render a threefold reason : numericall , astrologicall , physicall . to beginne then with the numericall , they much magnifie the number of . and that out of plato , pythagoras , and macrobius . and first , say they , because it is composed of divers figures , it admitteth of divers formes ; and therefore call it a virgine and number of perfection ; and that by reason it is a full and compleat number , and may be divided into one and sixe ; and againe , to two and five ; and finally , into three and foure , which is not incident to any other number whatsoever . againe , they say , this is called the holy number ; for , it is certaine , that god himselfe sanctified the seventh day , and having made the whole frame of the universall world in sixe daies , hee rested the seventh . againe , the same god appointed the iewes a seventh sabbaticall yeere , in the which it was neither lawfull for them to till their ground , to sow seede in it , or to dresse their vines : and seven weeks of yeers being past , which was the fiftieth , was their jubilee . again , to magnifie this number of seven , they allege that on the seventh moneth the arke rested on the h mount ararat : on the seventh day , noah sent out a dove which returned , with an olive-branch in her bill : after other seven daies , he sent her out againe , and then she returned no more . i salomon celebrated seven festivall daies , and all israel with him , and many other such numericall niceties . againe , say they , the life of man imitateth the creation of the world , which was finished in seven daies ; and so the little world man , is certainly conceived at furthest on the seventh day : and the childe borne before the seventh moneth , liveth not . and the same k hippocrates affirmeth , that the life of man is of seven daies continuance , that is , that without food he can hardly live longer , and so hee divideth the whole period of a mans life by this number of seven , and that according to the ages . the first is from the birth untill the seventh yeere , and is called the infancy : the second from that to the fourteenth , which is called child-hood ; from thence to one and twenty called youth , or stripling age ; from thence to is the consisting age , or staied youth : from this yeere , untill , is called properly manly , or consisting age ; which falleth upon the seventh week of yeers . what remaineth of the life of man is called old age ; which is againe divided into other seven weekes , especially in temperate places , and such where men live longest ; where the body is of a good and laudable temper and constitution , and the diet good and wholesome : and then this time is divided into two parts , the first being called fresh , or greene old age , cruda viridisque senectus , from the end of the seventh weeke to the beginning of the tenth , to wit , or . the later is called decrepit old age , continuing from this yeere to the fourteenth weeke , which falleth on the yeere . now , besides this numericall , others assigne an astrologicall reason ; every seventh yeere l ( say they ) the planets returne in order to saturne , who removes then to another signe , contrary to that from whence hee last departed ; and therefore by reason of this maligne constellation , as also by the contrary place of the planet , it commeth to passe , that the maligne influence of saturne is increased . but before wee proceed , it must be observed , that these events are not alwaies precisely confined to the very individuall climactericall yeere , but often to the yeere next insuing , and sometimes also a little before to the yeere immediatly preceding : and a late m writer maketh the climactericall yeere , as it were the time wherein sentence is pronounced , although often execution come not till the next yeere after , howsoever the body be before disposed , prepared and fitted , either for sicknesse or death ; although sometimes also the effect is accelerated , and falleth out before the climactericall yeere . and this is confirmed by instances of examples produced in that same place : as to wit , of adam , having lived yeeres , died in his climactericall yeere , , conteining seven times . abrabam also died in his climactericall yeere , . king cyrus in his , as likwise the poet ennius , and the famous champion hannibal ; and ioanna , mother of that famous emperor , charles the fifth : and this emperor himselfe in the ● being his climactericall . the renowned augustus caesar , survived his climactericall yeere , about some three moneths : and edward the first , king of england , ended his daies about the same period : solyman the turkish emperor , ended his daies in his yeer , preventing this his climatericall yeere by one . charles the , the french king , prevented his climactericall yeere , onely by the space of daies ; many more instances might be to this purpose produced , and many other things out of many authors , alleged for the magnifying of this number of , in these yeeres . now , that many notable alterations are often observed to befall our bodies in these seventh and ninth yeeres , especially the sevenths cannot be denied : and with hippocrates we may well say , that the seventh yeeres are no lesse criticall in the life of man , than are the seven daies and moneths in the crisis of acute and chronicall diseases ; and yet these numbers have no vertue to produce any such effect , nor prove any causes nor occasions thereof ; which to prove , any able , yea , ordinary understanding , making no question thereof , were , i thinke , to spend my time in vaine . and as for astrologicall vanity , it hath been already by so many worthy , and learned men confuted , and something also shall be said hereafter of their foolish and superstitious opinions , so that at this present i passe by it . onely this by the way , let it be kept in minde what hath lately beene said , that these great and notable events fall not alwaies out on the same yeere , but sometimes before , and sometimes after ; and saturne , to whom they principally impute these strange events , must keepe his set turnes in his regular motion every seventh yeere : besides , that by their owne assertion he is quite excluded from the ninth . and although some such notable effects fall out about such a time , and about the time of some great conjunctions ; yet are they no more causes of such effects , than the shining of the sunne is the cause of a mans intended journey , of him before resolved upon , whether the sunne shone or no. now then , there must be some physicall cause assigned , the other two failing . a n learned late writer labours to acquaint us with the reason of the prerogative these climactericall yeeres assume unto themselves . in the periods and revolutions of certaine yeeres ( saith he ) there is a great abundance of superfluous humours collected in the body of man , by the motion and agitation whereof diseases commonly are ingendred : for , when as the body hath collected such an abundance of superfluous humours , that the places accustomed to receive the same , are now no longer able to conteine them , diseases must of necessity follow , and , if not remedied , death it selfe . and therefore to avoid this danger , he adviseth people in the spring and fall every yeere , by purging and bleeding to unburthen their bodies of this masse of oppressing humours , by which meanes at the returning period of these yeeres , they may live more secure and free from feare . and certaine it is , there is a fatall necessity and disposition to die , from the very first birth , attending and unavoidably accompanying every man ; and this was first procured by that wilfull and wofull fall of our first parents , and from them , as a legacie propagated to all their sinfull posterity : which fatall period is often furthered or hindered , by the good or bad order of diet , and divers other externall and inevitable causes , and yet nothing befalling us without the all-disposing and overruling providence of the almighty . and in the interim , although many dangerous diseases do often , both about these especially , and other times also , ceize upon a mans mortall bodie ; yet , untill this appointed period , nothing can cut the thread of this life . now , that every one may be acquainted with these yeeres , i set them here downe to thy view : the sevenths are , , , , , , , , , , , , . then ninths are , , , , , , , , , , . who so surpasseth this number , let him reckon the rest himselfe . chap. iiii. of things called not naturall ; and first of the aire . as man by naturall composition partakes of all the elements , so in this life can hee not long life without the use of them all , especially of this ambient aire ; and of the which , for this cause wee will speake in the first place . now , the utilitie , and necessity of this element , doth in this appeare , that howsoever , sometimes , one may live without meat and drinke for divers daies , if not moneths and yeeres , ( as some relate ) yet , without the use of this element , was never any yet able to subsist and continue one day , no , nor yet one houre , there being so great an use for the body of man , both of perspiration and respiration . the whole body of man is composed of a triple substance ; of an aire or spirituous , and next of severall humours ; and lastly , of a more solid substance , flesh and bone . now , these three , from the very first beginning to the end of our daies , are continually decaying , and therefore must daily be repaired , if life be continued . the losse then of the first is repaired by meanes of this aire ; of the two later , by meanes of meate and drinke . now , since the use of this element is so great , that it not onely cooles and refreshes the excessive heat of the heart , but also repaires our decaied spirits ; wee will say something thereof . the proper quality then of the aire , is reputed to be warme , joined with moisture ; i meane , in a temperate , and not in any excessive degree : howbeit , according to the severall and manifold alterations it is subject unto , it often altereth , not the body onely , but the minde of man also . a good laudable and temperate aire , is a great meanes to uphold the health ; on the contrary , being corrupted , it proveth often the cause of many diseases : and that the aire doth not a little affect the mind , may from hence be evinced , that such aire as we most commonly breath in , such spirits are there ingendred . of a thicke and cloudy aire , thicke and grosse spirits are most commonly produced . for this cause the athenians were accounted wiser than the thebans , by reason they lived in a purer and more refined aire . and all scythia brought forth but one famous philosopher , anacharsis ; and this they impute to the thicknesse of the aire of that countrey . plato made choice of a a moist and moorish place in the suburbs of the city of athens to teach in ; and that of set purpose , to blunt the sharpe edge of his pregnant wit. and plato himselfe affirmeth , that minerva being to build the city of athens , did well before consider the nature and quality of that countrey , as promising no lesse then such famous worthy wits , as in antient histories are recorded . now , the healthfulnesse and goodnesse of the aire , according to galen , is determined by the purity and good temper thereof . a pure aire is called a subtill aire , infected with no corrupted vapours , nor noisome smells : a temperate aire is such a one wherein we neither quiver for cold , nor yet sweat for heat . now , if the aire of any countrey whatsoever , of it selfe naturally unhealthfull , no art of man ever can amend it ; and then the best remedy i know , is with all possible speed to make choice of a better . if the aire be but accidentally bad , then there may be use of art , and so it may , according to the excesse in any quality be corrected : as wee read that hippocrates corrected the malignity of a pestilentiall aire , by making of great fires of sweete smelling wood : as concerning that alteration of the aire occasioned by meanes of the times and seasons of the yeere , we are alwaies carefully to preserve the laudable temperature thereof by contrary remedies , as farre as in us lieth : as the sharpnesse of winter is to be helpt by good fires , and warme clothes . in the parching heat of summer , we are to coole and refresh our bodies by correcting the aire with contrarie coolers , especially within doores , as also by the use of thinner clothing . now , that aire which any one hath suck'd in from his infancie , suteth farre better with that constitution than another , howsoever , perhaps , in it selfe , of a more laudable quality . it behooveth therefore every one , as far as in them lieth , to make choice of a good and laudable aire . but because most men must be contented with that aire they first breathed in ; therefore this would chiefly be diligently & carefully considered of our new colonies , who transplant themselves into remote regions , that they first make choice of a country , whose naturall temper differeth not much from their owne ; but with this proviso , that it be rather warmer than colder than their owne . in the next place , let the place of thy particular habitation be setled in a good place of the countrey , and that both in regard of the aire and water , as also all other necessarie commodities . our virginian colonies therefore were at the first in this very farre over-seene , not being so carefull to build their townes in a good and laudable aire : and likewise my lord of baltomore was too confident in setling himselfe in so tempestuous and cold a place of new-found-land , which forced him at length quite to relinquish that land . and i wish all other undertakers may take warning by other mens harmes . now , it is to be observed , that the aire is much altered in quality , according to the high or low situation of the place ; and hence commeth it to passe , that there is a great difference betwixt the aire of the high hills , and that of the vallies , the aire being commonly exceeding cold on the top of those hills , yea , even when it is indifferent warme in the lower regions : and this travellers , that passe the alps and pyrenean hills , doe often finde true , where the snow covereth their high tops , when there is none to be found in the lower regions . a b spanish iesuit to this purpose , relateth a strange story of such a high mountaine in the west indies : there is ( saith he ) in peru , a high mountaine , whereupon hee ascended , as well provided as he could , being fore-warned by men expert . but in the ascent , both he , and all his company were surprized with so sudden pangs of straining and casting , and some also of scowring , that the sea-sicknesse is not comparable thereunto . he cast up phlegme , choler , and blood , and thought he should have cast vp his heart also . some thinking presently there to die , demanded confession ; and some are said to have lost their life by this accident . the best is , it lasteth but for a time , and leaveth no great harme behinde it ; and thus it fareth in all the ridge of that mountaine which runneth above . miles , although not in all places alike . in some different passages thereof , he found the like difference and distemper , but not so grievous as at pariacaca . he ascribeth it to the subtilty of the aire in those hills , which he thinketh are the highest in the world ; the alps and pyrenees , being in respect thereof as ordinary houses compared to high towers . in other places of peru , men sometimes are found dead by reason of this sharpe aire , and yet their bodies putrifie not , which argueth an extreme pure cold penetrating aire . now , this maketh it to seeme the stranger , peru being of it selfe situate within the tropickes . now , in the aire , this is likewise to be considered , that some aire better befitteth some bodies than others ; a moist foggy body agreeth better with a good dry aire ; and a dry constitution , with a moderate moist aire ; and so of other complexions , simple or compounded . we are yet further , in considering the aire , to take notice of it according to the severall times of the day ; and therefore although the aire admitteth of many alterations and changes upon divers occasions ; yet that aire is commonly accounted in every country the best which we breathe in in the morning , the next about noone , the worst of all about night , and especially after sunne-setting , which in many countries proves very pernitious ; which that noble and valorous knight , sir walter raleigh , found too true on the coast of africke , with the losse and hazard of the lives of many worthy generous gentlemen . and the french are very jealous of this night-aire , which they call la serene ; divers other things concerning the aire , especially of the sicke and diseased , together with the best and most commodious situation of houses , i reserve to its proper place hereafter , and now proceed to the winds for the affinity they have with the aire . chap. v. of the severall sorts of winds , and their various effects . as a elias his little cloud no bigger than a mans hand , yet at length so over-spred the face of the whole heavens , that it distilled downe abundance of sweet comfortable showres , to the fructifying of the hard yronic earth , which had been so long deprived of these sweet refreshing showres : so these small dry exhalations , of how little esteeme soever they may at first seeme to bee , yet wee see what prodigious and stupendious effects they often produce , having their warrant sealed by the great god of heaven and earth . now , whether thou please to call these vapors or exhalations by the name of wind , or whether this wind be an aire tossed to and fro , it is not much materiall for our purpose in hand , my desire being altogether averse from wrangling about words . now , because the wind doth not a little alter the body of man , as well in sicknesse as in health , it shall not be out of purpose to say something concerning this subject : and the opinion of b plato is , that where the winds are very various and boisterous , the people of that countrey , for the most part , prove crabbed and untoward ; and the winds have ever beene esteemed to carry a great pre-eminence both over the bodies and mindes of men . winds then in the generall , are of two sorts : common and sudden , or such as blow suddendly or at unawares , called repentini ; such as wee call common , are such as blow out of certaine parts of the world , or else at certaine times or seasons . such as we call sudden , are winds which neither blow from any one determinate or certaine quarter of the earth , nor yet at any one certaine and determinate time . these common winds are of foure sorts , answering to the foure corners of the world ; and againe , betwixt each of these two extremes , are other two inserted , making up the number of twelve in all , and are very well c described by the latin poet. d aetius out of the antient mariners , reckoneth up the number of the winds , and yet mentioneth onely in all , which he ascribeth to the signes of the zodiack . our moderne mariners have by their compasse observed severall winds in severall tracts of the sea . neither ought so great a number of winds seeme strange to any , since that the antients observed severall sorts of winds , as witnesseth e vitruvius ; whereunto f agricola doth also agree . and it may be more winds may yet be observed ; so that the number of the winds may by this meanes be infinite ; by reason these exhalations , when they are ingendred , may arise out of any region whatsoever ; and so according to the nature and situation of the place , thorow which they passe , their effects are various : and that wind which is propitious and benigne to one country or place , may in another place produce a contrary effect . the south wind ( saith g holler ) is very unhealthfull to all italy , as also to most northerne countries ; and yet to africa this wind is most comfortable , insomuch , that what refreshing other countries feele by the etesian , or easterly winds , the like benefit reape the africans by the benefit of this south wind . zephyrus , or the western wind is generally with us reputed a milde and gentle wind : and yet in gasconie ( saith scaliger ) it never blowes without the great terror or amazement of the inhabitants of that country . hippocrates therefore observing this variety and multiplicity of winds , wisheth physitians onely to observe foure , and for the most part hee mentioneth but two , as being the principall , the south and the north. and so hali abbas and avicenne , when they have mentioned , yet at length pitch upon these foure principall winds , chiefly of a physitian to be observed . these foure chiefe principall winds then are divided into land-winds and sea-winds ; land-winds i call such as blow from the land , and sea-winds such as blow from the sea . the land-winds againe are of two sorts , either common , or else proper and peculiar to some one country ; as the north-westwind to the athenians , and the south-wind to provence in france . h galen makes the south-wind of two sorts , one hot and moist , cloudy and rainy ; and another hot and dry , clearing the cloudy and muddy aire . the former of the two proves often the author of great mischiefe to these our northerne cold countries ; as namely , of that fearefull plague of pestilence , and divers other dangerous and epidemicall diseases , whereon in this place to insist , were too tedious : in generall , it is the most unhealthfull wind that blowes in our climat ; as i hold the northerly wind to be our best friend ; although some would have the easterne wind , which bloweth directly from the equinoctiall line , to be the healthfullest wind for our climat . it may be , because they blow in most countries in the heat of sommer , about the canicular daies , and so qualifie the extreme scorching heat of the time , whereof frequent mention is made by i hippoccrates , who doth often also prognosticate the approching of diseases , by the blo●ing of these winds , called etesiae . now concerning maritime , or winds blowing from the sea , k celsus holdeth them to be very hurtfull to the health of man ; the which opinion many others have imbraced . and the more they are confirmed in this opinion by l aristotle himselfe , affirming all those creatures which have their being and living in this watry element , to be of a shorter continuance , than those that live upon the land : but this opinion is againe contradicted , by m others , his owne expositor being of another minde ; for the sea being warme in winter , and cold in summer , yet alwaies temperate , yea , even in the opinion of the philosopher himselfe , it must of necessity follow , that the wind which bloweth that way , n and often also hath from thence its originall , doth partake of the like qualities : now , these qualities being temperately hot and moist , of all other are the fittest to maintaine in perfect health the body of man. and hence commeth it to passe , that o galen affirmeth , that the maritime parts of thracia ( in it selfe a cold country ) are much warmer than the more inward parts of the land : and on the other side , againe , the maritime parts of libya , and egypt in sommer , are farre cooler than places more remote from thence : p plutarch seemeth likewise to favour this opinion , who affirmeth , that it is not necessary to prescribe any remedies for the preservation of the teeth of such as dwell neere the sea ; and that in regard of the dry quality of that aire and wind , strengthening and corroborating their heads . againe , that the sea-aire is hot , appeareth in that q pliny writeth that no snow falleth in the maine ocean : but , what may then be the reason , that in may places of italy the sea aire is so bad ? r the reason many be , in the first place , because , perhaps , this wind bloweth sometimes too violently , and so in too great abundance drawne in by the inhabitants ; or else by reason , that by the sea aire , divers marshes , or stincking standing pooles and ponds ; or yet salt water mingled with fresh , or any the like occasion , which causing the water to putrifie , sendeth forth such ill vapours and exhalations , as are altogether hurtfull to the health of man. and by reason this is ordinarie in most places of italy , hence have we this evill report ; and slander raised upon the sea aire and wind : which , notwithstanding , is onely accidentall , being in it selfe most healthfull , and without any hurt at all . hence is it also , that the s philosopher affirmeth , that the sea creatures are farre more vigorous , and of a greater stature : and averroes affirmeth that they are longer lived . as concerning that which was before alleged out of t aristotle , seeming to maintaine the contrary opinion , was spoken of creatures living in the water , the word water , taken in a generall sense ; but is not meant of the sea in particular . hence also commeth it to passe , that the u venetians hemm'd in on every side with the sea , breathing in no aire , which doth not partake of the qualities of their so neere bordering neighbour , are so lively and vigorous , that many of that republique attaine very nigh the hundred yeere of their age : and this was verified in that noble and renowned champion , and sea captaine andrew dore , admirall of the fleet of charles the fift , emperor ; and who spent in a manner his whole life upon the sea , as the aforesaid author averreth . and this opinion seemeth yet more probable , in that both the snow which falleth neere the sea-coasts ; yea , even in the most northerne parts of this iland , both falleth often in a small quantitie , and lieth a shorter while , than in the places further remote from the same : and the corne is also sooner ripe , caeteris paribus , and no other let or rub come in the way : and yet further to confirme this truth , we see most commonly , that sea-faring men , seldome need any sauce to provoke their languishing appetites . i have a little the longer insisted of set purpose upon these winds blowing from the sea , by reason of our new colonies , now planted and planting in these remote regions , that they may neither be afraid to settle themselves neere the sea coast , if all other things be answerable : nor yet any such as are there already seated , be by any needlesse future fears discouraged by reason of this aire . and now being arrived into these remote regions , ere we return , a word or two of the nature and property of som of these winds blowing in those far distant contries . acosta the iesuit relateth , that upon all the coast of peru , it bloweth continually with one only wind , which is south , and south west ; contrary to that which doth usually blow under the burning zone : & being by nature the most violent , tempestuous & unhealthfullest of all other ; yet in this region it is marvellous pleasing , healthfull & agreeable : insomuch that we may truly attribute the habitation of that place thereunto . now , the northerne wind is not usually cold and cleare in peru , and beyond the line as here . in some parts of peru , at lima , and on the plaines , they find the northern winds troublesome and unwholesome ; and all along the coast , which runnes above leagues , they hold the southerne winds for healthfull and coole , and ( which is yet more ) most cleare and pleasant : yea , with it it never raines , contrary to that we see in europe , on this side the line . the solanus , or easterly wind is commonly hot and troublesome in spaine , and in murtia it is the healthfullest and coolest that is ; for that it passeth thorow that large champian , and sweet pleasant orchards . in carthagena , which is not farre from thence , the same wind is troublesome , and unwholesome . the meridionall is commonly rainie and boisterous ; and yet in the same citie whereof i speake , it is wholesome and pleasant . in a region containing fiftie leagues in circuit ( i put it thus for example ) the wind which bloweth on the one part , is hot and moist , and that which bloweth on the other , is cold and drie . x and pliny reports , that in africke it raines with a northerly wind , and that the southerne wind is cleare : and acosta tells us yet more , that there is a certaine wind of such a y quality , that when it bloweth in some countrie , it causeth it to raine fleas , and that in so great abundance , that they trouble and darken the aire , and cover all the sea-shore ; and in other places it raineth frogs . there are winds which naturally trouble the sea , and make the water thereof looke greene and blacke ; others make it looke as cleare as chrystall ; some comfort and make glad , others trouble and breed heavinesse . such as nourish silke-wormes , have great care to shut their windowes when as the south-westwinds doe blow , and to open them to that opposite to it , having found by certaine experience , that their wormes die and languish with the one , fatten , and become better-like by the other . the same z authour reporteth , that in some parts of the indies , he hath seene grates of yron rusted and consumed , that passing it betwixt your fingers , it dissolved into powder , as if it had beene hay , or parched straw ; the which onely proceeded from the wind corrupting it , and it having no power to withstand the same . but before we conclude this chapter , we must take notice , that a without the tropicks from the twentie seventh to the thirtie seventh degrees , the winds are said to be for the most part easterly ( as some thinke ) by a repercussion of the aire : even as we see waters being incountred with more force , returne with an eddie , in a manner , backe . this which is said of the easterly wind , is to be understood of the sea : for , at the land , though winds be , as hath beene said , certaine , and set ; yet , that which is the generall wind of one countrie , is not generall to all : yea , in the same countrie they have a set wind for the day , and another quite contrary bloweth for the night : also neere the coast , they are more subiect to calmes in this burning zone , than further off in the sea ; the grosse vapours which arise out of the earth , and the divers situation thereof , being the cause of these differences . many other strange effects of winds may in these authors be seene , which here i willingly passe by ; having dwelt somewhat the longer upon this point , to acquaint such as shall travell into this new world , with the condition of the aire and winds of those remote regions . chap. vi. of the foure seasons of the yeere , and how they affect the body . god of his infinit goodnesse to man-kinde , after that great and terrible deluge and inundation of the universall world , a made man a promise , that from thenceforward should not faile the severall seasons of the yeere ; sommer and winter , seed-time and harvest ; which hath hitherto accordingly come to passe . now these seasons , according to severall climats and countries doe much vary and differ : vnder the line , and betwixt the tropickes , they continue more constant , and lesse deviation from their ordinary course is to be observed . without the tropicks there is a greater difference and irregularity therein to be observed : now these seasons therefore , according to their unconstant course , must needs diversly affect the body of this microcosme , man , both in sicknesse and in health ; and therefore will not be impertinent to say something of this subject . wee will threfore begin with the naturall temperature of the seasons of the yeere , as they are commonly seene and observed with us here in europe . the naturall temperature of the spring then with us here in europe ought to be hot and moist ; of the sommer hot and drie ; of the autumne , or harvest , cold and moist ; of winter cold and drie : these among innumerable others , are the chiefe alterations incident to our aire , and by the which the seasons of the yeere are with us ordinarily divided and distinguished ; and these seasons are occasioned by meanes of the exaltation , or declining of that glorious prince of planets . now , the further these seasons decline frō the afore-mentioned qualities , the more intemperate and greater enemies to the health of mankind they prove . our b hipporcrates defines not these seasons after this manner ; but according to the rising and setting of certaine starres ; and the chiefe times by him observed , are these following : the two solstices , the one in sommer , about the eleventh of iune , the other in winter , about the eleventh of december : then next the two aequinoxes ; the one about the eleventh of march , the other about the eleventh of september . these times , because of dangers about these seasons , this old father would have us to observe . the sōmer solstice he accounteth most dangerous ; and the harvest aequinox . the same authour , againe , observeth the rising and setting of certaine starres ; as namely of the pleiades , vergiliae , rising the five and twentieth of april , and setting about the first of november : and againe , the rising of arcturus , about the one and thirtieth of august , and setting about the beginning of march. besides , this same authour observeth also the rising of the dog-starre the ninteenth of iuly , and setting againe the twenty seventh of august ; and with these also he observeth the blowing of the west-wind : and this is all the hippocraticall spheare , comprehending such starres and seasons as he thought fit for physitians to observe . but now , againe , as concerning the temper of these seasons , whereas i say the spring is hot and moist , it may be objected , that in it selfe it is rather temperate . to this i answer , that howsoever it be so accounted , yet in comparison of the other seasons , it may be called temperate . and againe , it may be called temperate , as some say , effective , by producing the best temper . it may againe be demanded , if heat and drouth be proper qualities befitting sommer , and cold & drouth approptiated for winter ; whether the hottest sommer be not the healthfullest ? as likewise the coldest winter ? to this i answer , they are not so , simply and absolutely considered : nam omne nimium vertitur in vitium . the extreme hot sommer inflames the humours of the body , making it subject to hot and acute diseases : and the extreme pinching cold , accompanied especially with sharpe piercing northerly winds , disposeth the body to rheumes , and rheumatecke diseases ; as likewise to apoplexies , and many other such like dangerous infirmities . the humours in the body of man have pre-eminence and dominion according to these foure seasons : for in the spring , blood most abounds ; in the sommer , choler ; in the harvest melancholy ; and in winter , phlegme : and the parts of our civill day , answer likewise to these seasons ; the morning to the spring , the noonetide to sommer , the afternoone to autumne , and the night to winter . now , these anniversarie , or yeerely seasons , doe much differ according to the climat : for , within the tropicks the seasons are much warmer than without ; and under the equinoctiall line , then winter is , when the sorrow is perpendicular over their heads ; by reason that then it doth more powerfully attract and draw unto it selfe divers moist exhalations , which descending againe in great abundance upon the face of the earth , doth plentifully refresh & water the same ; and this season they therefore call their winter . but againe , when the sun declineth a little , the beames not darting downe so perpendicularly as before , there not being now that forcible attraction of vapours ; and by consequent , as fewer clouds , and lesse raine , so heat to the outward appearance , being then intended , and of greater force than before : and this time they call their sommer , as being fairer and warmer than the former , quite contrary to that which befalleth us here without the tropickes ; as in particular may be observed in the country of chili in the west indies . now the situation of places ( as hath before beene mentioned ) often altereth the nature of this ambient aire , and by consequent , altereth the seasons in those particular places , although the elevation of the pole differ little or nothing : the which is evidently seen in peru , whereas the whole breadth of the countrie not much exceeding forty leagues , in the plaine , it neither snowes , raines , nor thunders ; and in the meane time , upon the sierra , or hils , the seasons have their courses as in europe , where it raines from the moneth of september , untill april , and in the andes it raines in a manner , all winter . and even here in europe , no small difference may thus be observed , that oftentimes , the high hills are infested with terrible cold tempests , when as the adjacent vallies goe many times scotfree , as travellers can testifie . and of this , my selfe was once an eye-witnesse , when as in the yeere , travelling from misnia towards prague , and passing over the high hills which encompasse bohemia round about ; on easter eve at night ( falling then about the midst of april ) as likewise all easter day , and the three next daies after , it snew continually without any intermission , accompanied with so nipping a frost and north-easterly wind , that i have seldome at any time observed a sharper season : the next day after , the snow fell no more , and comming downe into the plaine of bohemia , about halfe a daies iourney from s. annaberg , where i rested these foure daies , i found neither frost nor snow , nor any signe of the same ; but both corne and grasse as greene and forward , as had ever beene observed about that season , together with a fine warme temperate aire : and inquiring there of the weather past , they assured me that they had seen neither frost nor snow , onely that morning had falne a small showre of warme raine , which was scarcely to be discerned upon the ground . but it is yet stranger , that within a few miles of ground , one place not exceeding another in height , should be sommer in one , and winter in the other , as appeareth by that which followeth : c at the same time , when in the west part of this peninsula ( being neere cambaia ) betweene that ridge of mountaines and the sea , it is after their appellation sommer , which is from september to april , in which time it is alwaies cleare sky , without once or very little raining : on the other side of the hills , which they call the coast of choromandell , it is then winter , every day and night yeelding abundance of raines ; besides those terrible thunders , which both beginne and end their winter : and from april till september , in a conntrarie vicissitude , on the westerne part is winter , and on the easterne part sommer ; insomuch that in little more than leagues iourny insome places ( as when you crosse the hill to s. thomas on the one side of the hill you ascend with a faire sommer ; on the other side you descend with a stormy winter . the like , saith linschoten , happeneth at the cape rosalgate , in arabia , and in many other places of the east . but it is as great , if not a greater wonder , that in some places of the same elevation of the pole , even upon the low levell ground , there should be such a disparity in the qualities of the ambient aire ; as it is reported of the straits of magellan . d in and about the straits of magellan ( saith a late writer ) ( in as high an elevation of the pole , as many parts of spaine ) the cold is yet there so violent , that besides the mountaine tops alwaies covered with snow , their very sommer , in the midst thereof , freeth them not from yee . yea , at that time of the yeere the hollanders encountred an iland of yee in the sea. the trees yet there are generally greene all the yeere long . the cold is so extreme , that henry barwell became balld therewith , so continuing a yeere or two . one harris a gold-smith , blowing his frozen nose , cast it with his fingers into the fire ; and our authour himselfe going on shore , and returning wet in his feet , the next morning pulled off his toes with his stackings , from his benummed feet . those countries wherein the aire is so continually warme , as within the tropicks , and neere to them , prove not commonly so healthfull , especially to our northerne constitutions ; whose lives are better preserved in a northern aire , than any of those hot regions , which is diligently to be observed of those who undertake to transport colonies into remote regions , that they settle not themselves in too hot a climat . now , that the distempered qualities of the aire are a meanes of producing divers diseases , appeareth by many places of that famous hippocrates his works , where hee setteth downe divers distempered constitutions of the aire , whereupon ensued divers dangerous diseases , both pestilentiall and others . and among our selves the instances , i thinke , are fresh enough yet in our memories , of this last yeere , . which deprived many of life , and many so pinch'd with poverty , that the wound is not yet healed up . it is then apparent that the severall seasons of the yeere , together with the alterations and changes thereof doe not a little affect both the body and minde of man ; and therefore diligently and carefuly of physitians to be considered . chap. vii . of water in generall : of terrestriall vvater , or water passing thorow , or issuing out of the earth ; as springs , rivers , wells and ponds . it is now more then time that we come to this so noble and necessary element of water , which can never sufficiently be commended . and in so high an account was it among the antients , that thales milesius , one of the seven wise-men of greece , thought it to be the originall of all things , quasi aqua omnia , from whence all things have their first being and beginning ; and this was also the opinion of the greeke poet hesiod . but in briefe , both the antiquity and utility doe highly recommend it unto us . the antiquity , as being that prime and principall liquour where with our forefathers untill the time of noah after the flood , yea , and even after the flood , continued still to bee in greatest request . the utility appeareth in this , that it is the most common and naturall drinke to all living creatures ; and withall the most familiar , and easiest to come by : and hence by the goodnesse of our god , have we this element obvious every where , as well in the highest hills as in the lowest vallies . and that great a calvin saith , that god deprive the aegyptians of the one halfe of their life , when as hee inflicted upon them that great plague of turning their water into blood . the utility and necessity of this noble element was not unknown to b isaac and abimelec , which made their herd-men so strive for these fountaines of living water : and did yet more manifestly appeare in c that more than triennal disastrous drought in ahabs daies . and some late writers relate , that the like d hapned of late yeeres in some parts of the west-indies . and is yet more cleerely in this seene , in that it is the basis , or foundation of all other liquors whatsoever ; and giving , as it were , the essence even unto that king of liquors , wine it selfe ; as without the which , neither it , nor yet any other ever attaine to any perfection . being therefore so usefull both for drinke , dressing of meate , and many other necessary uses , it will be requisite to say something of it : and first for the temperature , both physitians and philosophers have reputed water to be of a cooling quality . and aristotle himselfe is of this opinion ; and as for moisture , galen holdeth , that it is an absurd thing to hold that any thing is moister than this element . it is then generally held , that water is very cold and very moist ; and yet e cardan thinkes it not to be cold , as it is commonly accounted , but rather temperate , and exclaimeth against his teachers who instructed him in that maner , which ( saith he ) hath done me great mischiefe . and in very truth , it would seeme in its owne naturall condition not to be so very cold , howsoever actually , as many other liquors , it may partake of an intense frigidity . all water is either potable and usefull for ordinary emploiments ; or else physicall , and appropriated to divers diseases ; or lastly venomous , and altogether unprofitable for the use either of man or beast . my purpose is in this place to speake of such waters as be beneficiall for the life of all living creatures . in the first place then , let us examine the qualities of the best water . f the goodnesse thereof is principally discerned by the lightnesse and thinnesse ; the which , according to hippocrates , is soone warme and soone cold againe ; if it bee free from any smell or taste ; if any kind of pulse bee quickly tender that is boyled therein ; if put in a silver vessell it cause it no to rust , and leave no slime at bottome . it is also accounted a good signe of wholesome water , if a handfull of sage being throwne therein , it be presently dispersed : if it nourish good fish , and good and wholesome plants grow in it , we thinke well of it : but if it nourish toads , snakes , or other such vermine , it is utterly to be rejected . the weighing of water is not to be trusted to : for a venomous water may be as light , as that which is of a more laudable quality : and besides , one and the same water may be heavy in winter , and light in sommer ; as for any other experiments , either by a linnen cloth or round piece of wood , as idle and impertinent , i passe by , and come to the differences , and severall sorts of water . water that is in request for the ordinary use , as well of man as beast ; ( as for physicall waters we referre them to their proper place , and venomous waters we will not meddle with ) wee will divide into celestiall and terrestriall . celestiall are either snow or raine-waters . terrestriall , is either spring or river-water , well-water , or of a pond and standing lake . raine-water is engendred in the middle region of the aire , of certaine vapors , which the sunne by his heat in the day-time draweth up . g aristotle is of opinion that some hot and dry vapors are therewith mingled , which causeth the saltnesse in the sea . in raine-water againe , we are to observe both the time and the manner of falling . h hippocrate● rejecteth that which falleth in the winter-time , as being heavier and harder than in the sommer . the best in his opinion is that which falleth in sommer , and in the most temperate part of the same : not in the extreme heat of the canicular dayes ; it being then farre worse . i some , notwithstanding , hold that the winter and spring raine water are the best , and to be preferred before that which falleth in sommer and harvest ; and that by reason it is not so soone putrified . but the opinion of hippocrates is to be preferred , who measureth the water by the lightnesse and thinnesse thereof . of the parts of the day , that which falleth in the morning is accounted best . the manner of the falling is likewise of some moment ; whether it fall with force or violence , or mildly and softly ; with greater or smaller drops . that which falleth with smaller drops and with violence , hippocrates esteemeth better than that which falleth more leisurely , and with greater drops : and that which falleth with great stormes of wind , is accounted worst . the substance of raine-water is most subtile and sweet , by reason that the most subtile and thinnest parts are exhaled and drawne up by force of the sunne-beames . snow-water is either of snow alone , or of snow mingled with haile or yee ; or else snow and yee are mingled with other water . both these sorts are to be rejected , by reason that the thinnest and subtilest parts by congealing doe exhale and vanish away , the thicker and more terrestrious part still remaining behind . of this a triall may be made by letting some water freeze in the night-time , and the next morning being dissolved by the heat , the quantity shall easily bee discerned to bee diminished . now what harme insueth by drinking of these snow-waters , is by the testimony of k hippocrates apparent : and such as doe inhabite the alpes and pyrenean hills , and auvergne in france , are sensible of this hurt , being much molested with great throats , whom for this cause their neighbours call goitreux . cisterne waters are of a very neare affinity with raine-water ; as being nothing else but raine-water conveighed into a cisterne , as a fit and convenient receptacle . pliny approves not of raine-waters , because by reason of their standing they putrifie , and ingender noisome creatures , harden the belly , and are hurtfull to the throat . but since raine-water is so usefull and soveraine , i see no reason why cisterne-water should be blamed . and since of raine-water there be some better and some worse , we must choose the fittest and convenientest time , to wit , that which falleth in the sommer . as for the slime & filth which often accompanieth rainewa-ter , being strained thorow gravel and sand , they easily leave al that behind the : as for the feare of putrefaction , it may easily be avoided , by casting in some small fishes , which will keepe it in continuall motion . as concerning the quality of such water , it is by some physitians beleeved , that it bindes ; but that which is reserved in the middest of sommer , rather looseneth then bindeth the belly . and by the same reason , boiled water rather looseneth than bindeth the belly , contrary to the vulgar opinion ; and that by reason that being boiled , it is more easily againe expelled out of the body . now , as for terrestriall waters , among then , fountaines or springs challenge vnto themselves the prerogative of the first place above any others . in fountaines or springs , wee are to consider three things : their originall , situation , and places through which they passe . the best springs , in the judgement of hippocrates , are such as spring out of high places and earthy hills . such as spring out of rockes he mis-liketh , as also such as runne neere any hot bath , or thorow mineralls . it may be objected , that springs issuing out of rockes , are by some of the antients accounted wholesomest and best . it may bee , hippocrates , in regard of their excessive cold , and that they are not so passible thorow the body , rejected them . in the situation of springs , wee are to consider the soile where it is seated , and next the aspect of the heaven . as for the soile , the best spring out of high hilly places ; but worse that spring out of champian and plaine grounds : for such water in winter is hot , and in sommer cold . in regard of the heaven , such are commended that runne towards the sunne rising , and have their aspect that way . such as runne towards the west or other parts , &c : are not of that high esteeme , although not unwholesome to drinke . now the ground through which waters runne is not to bee neglected : the best ground is a good firme clay , unto the which the filth and corruption of the water sticketh fast . againe , it must runne a swift course ; by which meanes it is freed from all smell and putrefaction . but heere ariseth a question , whether water carried through pipes , especially of lead , may safely be used . the reason may bee both in regard of m galen and others , antient authors and famous in their generations : now besides the closenesse of the passage thorow which it is conveyed , they alleadge another inconvenient ; that by this passage the water draweth ceruse from the lead ; and these drossie dregges thus drawne from this ceruse , say they , engender the bloody flixe . i answere , that daily experience evinceth this to bee most false and erroneous , as may bee seene in the citie of paris , where such water is in most common and frequent request . and if they bee sometimes subject thereunto , it is rather to bee imputed to the slimy river of seine , than to these leaden pipes , as their owne physitians confesse . againe , in montpeliers the water is brought into the towne by meanes of such leaden pipes , and yet are they no wayes obnoxious to this disease , and this is likewise the case of many other cities of that great and populous kingdome of france , who are notwithstanding as free as the former . but that wee may come neerer home , what shall wee say to the noble city of london , whither that river of ware is conveied , and by these leaden pipes distributed thorow that great body ; and yet it is well knowne that this is not a disease that much troubleth ordinarily this great and populous city . and this towne of northampton maketh likewise use of these leaden pipes ; and yet the inhabitants are but seldome troubled with this disease : and no doubt , many like instances may be produced to prove this truth . againe , ceruse , which vitru vius and others so much feare , cannot be extracted out of lead , except it be first steeped in strong vineger . if any can object any thing else against such water , the fire will make amends . river-water partaketh of the same nature with spring-water , from whence it hath its originall and beginning , yet commeth short of the former , in regard of the slime and filth they carry with them ; as also in regard of the diversity of the natures of the springs whereof they are composed ; and therefore avicenne commendeth rather the water of small brookes , than of great rivers ; as likewise , the further they runne from their springs , the better he liketh them ; by reason the further they runne , the more subtile and thinner they are : howbeit , averroes his country-man is of another mind , by reason that the further it runneth , the more filth and corruption it gaineth . such therefore as abound in mudde and slime are the worst to be liked . waters of lakes being alwaies renewed by their springs , and tossed to and fro with the wind , are not to be rejected . well-water being often drawne , standing in a free and open aire , with a large mouth , may also be of good use : but that which is otherwise , declineth from this bonitie , and therefore pumpe-water is not so good as open well-water is . standing pond-water of all other is the worst , and very prejudiciall to health . salt-water is not of ordinary use , either to drinke or dresse meat with ; and this shall now suffice to have said of waters in generall , as they are serviceable for the use of mankinde ; reserving a more particular discourse of water , untill wee come to speake of drinke . as for the other two necessary and usefull elements , wee deferre speaking of them , untill wee come to the diet of the diseased . but before we proceed to speake of elements assumed within the body , wee purpose to discusse two questions : and first , chap. viij. whether any pure element be able to nourish a mixt body , and whether any such compound bee able to live by the sole use of the same . bvt before we enter upon the discussing of this question , it shall not be amisse to know what aliment or nourishment is . it is by a galen defined to be whatsoever increaseth or multiplieth the substance of our body , and conserveth the same . now the substance of our bodie ( as hath bin said ) is threefold ; solid , humid , and spirituous , or airy ; from whence the differences of aliments are desumed . the solid parts are repaired by food ; the humid by drinke ; and the airie or spirits , by sweet and comfortable smells . now that any thing cary the name of aliment or nourishment , it ought to be indued with these qualities following . in the first place it ought to be of quality hot and moist ; that it may the better repaire the decay of our naturall innate heat . it is againe requisite that it affect our taste with a good rellish ; for what pleaseth the palat in taste , often nourisheth well . now that which doth most affect the taste , and is agreeable to nature , is in taste sweet ( i meane not in excesse , as to feed on sugar and sweet meates continually , which being much used are more hurtfull than helpefull to health ; but in a meane , not declining to any other ; as sharpe , sowre , &c. ) and so is most acceptable to nature ; all other being rather physicall than alimentall , as i may say . and howsoever meat may in the taste be somwhat salt , bitter , &c : yet in the concoction there is made a sequestration of these qualities from the substance of the food , and that onely which is sweet remaineth for nourishment . b hippocrates writeth , that all manner of creatures are nourished onely with sweet things , which c aristotle also repeateth . againe , that which nourisheth , ought to be mixed and compounded , and therefore pure elements are here excluded ; according to that vulgar saying , ex quibus constamus jisdem nutrimur . and lastly , it is required that there be a power of giving life ; potentia vitae & animationis : and such things onely nourish which once have lived , saith d theophrastus . and there is an easier passage and change of such things as have a communication , or symbolize in symbol or quality . and for this cause , the juyce which commeth of living creatures is farre easilier changed into our substance , than that which is desumed from plants : now to the question . although then it hath bin hitherto received for an uncontrolled truth , that no simple element can nourish a mixt body ; yet som things seem to crosse this opinion , and there is a common proverbial verse tending to this purpose . e quatnor ex &c. now to discusse the truth of this question , we will briefly runne thorow the foure elements : and first of the fire . it is reported by antient f authors , that a certaine worme , or flie , called therefore pyrausta , is both bred , and liveth in the fire , which is notwithstanding , most absurd and false , and as concerning the vulgar conceit of the serpent salamandra , living in the fire , and with his cold frozen venomous moisture , extinguishing the firie flames , it is as false as the former , as witnesseth g dioscoride : and the salmandra continuing any space in the fire , is notwithstanding consumed to dust and ashes . now come we to ●●e aire the next element : it is the opinion of some , that such as live altogether without any solid substance of food , may be fed with the aire . indeed , if people were so contented , corne would be the cheaper , and people then would not be so destitute of food in a deare yeere , as was this last , . some relate strange things tending to this purpose , as namely h of a man living only upon the sun and aire ; fides sit penes authorem : i never yet could see any such good husbands . i pliny maketh mention of a certaine man , living without any thing else , save the attraction of the aire , being destitute of any mouth ; and for this cause called astomi . and the inhabitants of the new world , they say , will live or daies with the smoake of tabacco only . our tabacconists here in england , are commonly as briefe with the pot as the pipe ; and besides , many say , it procures them an appetite . and thus tabacco , like aurum potabile , or that noble elixir , is able to doe any thing . k democritus , wee read , being ready to give up the ghost , for a certaine time susteined his life with the only smell of hony , to the end he might be partaker of the thesmophorian solemnity ; and that not only the spirits , but even the solid parts also are fed by meats , plinies astomes ( if it be true ) confirme unto us , and l manardus seems to second it . the chameleon also said to feed upon the aire only : and there is a certaine bird in the indies call'd rhintax , manucodiata , or avis paradisi , which being deprived of feet , is said to flie in the aire continually , & feed on the same only . but to answer the former objections ; in the first place it is one thing to speake of the aire , as a simple element , and another thing to speak of smels . m aristotle against the pythagoreans tells us that neither the aire nor the water can nourish , by reason of the simplicity of their elementary bodies . as concerning plinies astomes they are meere fictions & fancies , never any such people having bin discovered by any traveller whatsoever ; no more than many other monstrous and prodigious narrations , by too credulous antiquity received for uncontrolled truthes ; and so for legacies left to posterity , which here to confute would spend me more time than i can now well spare . as for the chameleon , it hath bin observed to catch flies , which sticking to its slimie tongue , it did afterwards feed upon . as for that manucodiata , it hath bin hitherto constantly and confidently beleeved , that it lived alwayes balanced in the aire , living upon no other nourishment , but the aire onely ; howbeit now in our late navigations , it hath bin observed to feed upon cloves : and moreover , that the inhabitants so artificially cut off their feet , that no print or marke of them can ever be discerned . now as i deny that any creature can live upon the aire only ; so againe , i will not deny , but by good and pleasant smells , the exhaust and spent spirits , may againe be repaired , a smell being nothing else , save a certaine vaporous exhalation , or corporeall effluxe , or sliding out . but that the solid substance of the earth should nourish , would seeme to savour more of truth , in that god himselfe seemeth to give the earth to the serpent for food : and it is reported , that the mole liveth on the earth only . besides , we see many women with child troubled with the disease pica , to eat earth , coals , chalk , &c. and we see birds to swallow peeble-stones , the ostrich to eat iron . but to answer these instances , the serpents and moles live not on the simple element of earth , which with us being 〈◊〉 farre from the center is mixed , and not a simple element ; and therefore maketh nothing for the purpose . it is true also , that women often make use of such trash as wee have mentioned ; but that they have no great cause to brag of this food , by their ill-favored colour , and the evill accidents accompanying them , may easily appeare : the which doth argue the evill nourishment that such food doth affoord : besides , they feed not onely on this food ; and it may be now and then they will afford themselves a cup of good liquour , as a lavative , to wash downe this rubbish . as for fowle , which either devoured peeble-stones or metalls , they deliver them back againe such as they received them , their appetites being to such things as for physick , rather than food ; and therefore it is but an idle tale paracelsus telleth us , of one that lived fifteen daies only with a turse applied to his stomack . n galen mocks and scoffes at them , who thinke that one might sustaine life with wine applied outwardly ; since whatsoever nourisheth must first be attracted by , and concocted in the instruments of concoction . it is therefore a mere dotage of our paracelsists , that tell us that metalls will nourish our bodies . let some of these gallants , i pray you , be fed but for a weeke , or lesse , with their best aurum potabile , lapis philosophicus , or what else you can devise , and i warrant you at , or e'r the weeks end , if he be alive , he will snatch at a crust of browne bread . now , concerning water , there is no lesse controversie amongst our authours , and seemeth to be back'd with better reasons . homer thought it nourished by his epithete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the iewes at this day , in their solemne feasts , abstaine from water , being of the minde of the old egyptians , who thought the river nilus nourished , because moses turned the water thereof into blood . o albertus magnus reporteth , that he saw a melancholicke person , who lived not only many moneths , but yeeres also with the only use of this element . p cardan mainteineth this opinon , and seemeth by many reasons to corroborate the same . q galen notwithstanding , is of a far other mind , and proveth that water nourisheth not at all . and r aristotle is also of the same minde , who tells us , that water cannot at all thicken , and therefore cannot nourish . to decide the controversie , true it is , that pure elementary water cannot at all nourish , which neverthelesse thicke muddy and slimy water may sometimes effect , and so some fishes may live on the same ; and yet it is well knowne , that many fishes either prey upon others , or live upon herbs and weeds ; howsoever , they live not on mere and simple water ; i conclude therefore this point , that pure elements , as they are in their owne sphere , especially neer the center , do not nourish ; but the elements that are next unto us , being mixed and confused , may in some sort nourish . chap. ix . whether mans life may be susteined without the use of food or no. this may , perhaps , to some seeme but a needlesse and superfluous question , and that i might herein have spared my paines . it is true , the matter may seem somewhat strange , and many will be of opinion , i doubt not , that never was there any man so foolish , as to mainteine any such erronious and false opinions . but because this hath not been mainteined by vulgar wits only , but men of transcendent understandings , and eminent parts , both physitians and others , have not only left us multiplicity of instances in this kind , but even affirmed , and stiffely mainteined the possibility and probability of the same ; therefore , for the readers recreation and satisfaction , before i proceed to the use of aliments , i wil say something concerning this question . a hippocrates circumscribeth the full period of a mans continuance without food within the compasse of seven daies . if any man ( saith hee ) for the space of seven daies neither eateth nor drinketh , he must die in that space : and although some do exceed this period , yet when they would returne to their food , their belly receiveth it not : for in this space of time , the iejunum , or hungrie gut is so dried up , and clunged together , that they die speedily . but b pliny seemeth to controll this truth , affirming divers to have continued above eleven daies without food , or any kinde of sustenance whatsoever . c schenckins telateth many strange stories , of such as have lived not onely daies and moneths , but even divers yeeres without any manner of nourishment : as namely , of one who lived at rome the space of forty yeeres , without any sustenance whatsoever , and that by the testimony of hermolaus barbarus . the same d author relateth out of sylvius , the story of a young maid in spaine , who lived two and twenty yeeres without taking any thing at the mouth , but a little faire water . and againe , of a german woman , who lived without food for the space of three yeeres , out of ioannes bocacius . and againe , of another whom rondeletius saw , who had lived ten whole yeeres after the same manner ; besides many others more . but amongst the rest , e he relateth a pretty story of a fellow about sixty yeeres of age , who having digged a well about forty foot deepe , the earth falling in upon him , thrust this good fellow thirty foot deepe , and so filled up almost all the hollow againe ; the fellow , as he fell , held up with his armes as well as he could , some part of the scaffold , which bare the earth so off his body , that it gave accesse to some aire whereby he might breathe : and in this case he continued for the space of seven daies ; when as they thinking to digge up the dead corps to bury , they heard some noise , wherewith at first affrighted , yet afterwards encouraged with some hope of life , they made haste , and after a draught of wine , would neither suffer himselfe to be tied , nor use any other helpe but his owne to ascend out of that deepe dungeon . at length being now ascended de profundis , he confessed that hee lived all that while without any sleepe , or any sustenance , saving his owne urine , distilled and redistilled in the alembicke of his owne bladder : adding , with all , this iest , shewing his purse ; told his companions hee had met with a kinde host , who had interteined him these seven daies , and as many nights , without one penny expences . more such stories , if thou be disposed , thou maist see there , and f else-where ; as of the maid of spire , of berne , &c. who were said to have lived divers yeeres without any food . whether these relations be true or no , let the authors answer for them . now , what should be the cause of so strange and prodigious fasting ? now sure , if any such fasting be indeed , yet is it hard to find out the cause and reason thereof , although , as yet , the case is controverted . some would ascribe the cause to the influence of certaine starres : yea , and g some have gone so farre , as to explicate unto us what stars doe conduce for the furtherance of this strange abstinence . but were these starres influences of no efficacie and power in antient times before this strange fasting came into the world ? and the stars being generall causes , and therefore affecting all equally , what is now become of these influences in these later daies ? surely , if these starres had any such efficacy or power , now in this last deare yeere , it had beene time to demonstrate the same . but h some of our physitians pretend a more plausible reason , desumed from nature it selfe , alleging for a naturall cause hereof , a cold and moist phlegmatick constitution ; which , as they affirme ( and experience and reason both confirme it ) can best beare abstinence ; and cold and tough phlegmatick humors abounding in their bodies , together with a debility of naturall heat , doth so benum and stupifie the sense and feeling of the appetite , that the partie is able for a long time to live without any sustenance whatsoever . i some more absurdly faine , that there is some store of stony moisture in the body of man , which touching the guts , turne them presently into a stony hardnesse . now , that some such stony juice or moisture may be ingendred in the body of man , seemeth to be no fable , by the history of that stony child of sene ; as also by the history of an hen dying for hunger in an old castle , which was afterward found turned into a hard stony substance . it is true indeed , that of a tough & hard baked phlegme , with the concurse of a strong heat , stones may be ingendred ; as wee see buckes made of clay : but that of these humours , so dispersed through the body , the guts should be turned into a hard stony substance , is not recorded by any antient authour whatsoever . and it is to be observed , that most of these histories are of young women , of a cold phlegmaticke constitution , which humour without heat , and that of some strength , cannot be congealed into so hard a substance . and besides , it is recorded , that many of these parties returned afterwards to their former appetites againe . now then , as there was a congeling humour within their bodies ; so they must of necessity acknowledge a contrary dissolving , or degelating humour , as i may say , and so we shall play the foole in infinitum . againe , if this opinion were true , the substance of the guts must needs be solid , and so without feeling ; and without sense and feeling the inward parts were never able to subsist . the learned k ioubert is very confident in defence of this long abstinence , and would seeme to make his assertion strong by the examples of some creatures , as the chameleon , which we have already answered ; and the beare supposed to live all winter without any food ; and yet hath beene observed to provide store of apples in autumne , and carry them to his denne ; that i say nothing of others . but if there were yet any such matter , yet is there a great disproportion betwixt these creatures and man-kinde , the most temperate of all others . and if these miraculous fastings were so frequent in these later times , why read wee not of the like in former ages ? in all the old testament wee read but of two , moses and elias ; which , howbeit they did neither of them exceed forty daies ; yet were they undoubtedly miraculous . and the like may wee say of our blessed saviours fast in the new testament . it is also to be observed , that most of these strange abstinences are reported of sickly women ; who being once recovered of their former infirmities , returned againe to their appetites . howsoever , sure i am , we find none here amongst us that are able to indure any such strict abstinence , in sicknesse or in health : and i thinke foure , or five daies abstinence , either from meat or drinke , will gravell most men and women ; even in sicknesse it selfe ; what shall wee then say of healthfull persons ? and indeed , if wee consider the matter aright , wee may easily consider , that it is not likely , that any should long live without food ; and that by reason of the daily decay of that triple substance , whereof something hath beene said heretofore , and therefore all these former narrations seeme to be but fabulous , and cuningly contrived , and for some private impostorious respects , set abroach . and whoso made any shew of such abstinences , their abstinence was not reall , but fraudulent to circumvent the world . and such was that l abstinence of pythagoras , said to have fasted fortie daies ; whose wants were , in the darke night , by his disciples secretly supplied . and to conclude this question and chapter , it is worth the observing , what is written , concerning m one antony an hermite , who counterfeiting extraordinary holinesse of life , made likewise a shew of absolute abstinence from all manner of food : but after certaine daies , this counterfeit hypocrisie was discovered ; it being observed that all his candles were made of the pulpous flesh of pullaine , well minced and mingled with cinnamon and sugar ; and to conceale this fraud from the eyes of the world , artificially covered over with tallow , after the manner of other candles . but this need not seeme strange among such miracle-mongers , where many other such juggling trickes passe for currant coine , and are by them accounted but piae fraudes ; as they please to call them . chap. x. of nourishment , and what therein is to be considered . if ever this was true in any age , flures gula quam gladio periere , more perish by intemperance than by the sword , i thinke it may be found true in those times wherein wee now live . a plato esteemed in his time , that citie intemperate , which mainteined many physitians ; and used alwaies to exhort his followers to sobriety . and both holy writ and prophane auhours are very frequent in their precepts of temperance and sobriety ; and doe every where much abhorre and detest intemperance in meate and drinke . and indeed , if we seriously with our selves consider the shortnesse of the life of man , together with the manifold miseries by sickenesse of all sorts , susteined , we may see good reason for us not to be so leavish of our lives : i meane , not to be so cruell , as by intemperance , not only to kill our selves , but even to derive a multitude of loathsome and noisome hereditarie diseases , as legacies to our posterity . but because i meane heereafter to say something of the loathsomnesse and hurt this sinne procureth to intempreate persons , i will not here dwell upon it . in all manner of nourishment , then there are these things to be considered ; the substance , quality , quantitie , the time , the preparation and order . in regard of the substance , some food is called grosse , and harder of digestion : as unleavened bread , pie-crust , bacon , beefe , &c. as hereafter shall more particularly appeare . some , againe , are of a more slender and smaller nourishment ; as wheat bread leavened , baked in an oven , then washed in faire water , barley bread , ptisan , rockie fish ; and such as are of a soft substance ; being especially prepared with vineg●r and opening roots ; wild birds , young pigeons , &c. the meane , betwixt both , is best for ordinarie food and nourishment ; to wit , such food as is neither grosse nor slender ; such is good wheat bread , not too cleane drest , well leavened and baked ; oatmeale gruell , reare-rosted egges , new milke of a young cow ; amongst fish , the pickerel , carpe , turbot ; and the flesh of hens , capons , turkies , pigeons , veale , lamb , &c. of all which in their proper places . it is also to be observed by the way , that such meats are of easiest degestion : as for the quality , they ought to be of a good juice , euchymi ; such as are those we mentioned last , & the like , which are also the best for nourishments as on the contrary , those of a bad juice , affoord but a bad nourishment to the body of man : such as are bread made of corrupted corne , of darnel , rie , panick , and millet ; as likewise bread baked on ashes , or embers , sōmer fruits , which last not ; and whatsoever is quickly corrupted in the stomack , &c. as for the quantity , in regard of the variety of countries , complexions , customs , course of life , age , and such other considerable circumstances , it cannot certainly be determined . old age must not feed so liberally , as lusty yong laboring men : and such as lead a sedentary life : as schollers , women , &c. must not feed so liberally as husbandmen , sailers , &c. but although wee cannot certainly determine the due quantity of food ; yet searching into antiquity , wee may find out the quantity of food ordinarily used , and allotted a man for one day , which will not be unworthy our consideration . in old times , wee read , that the ordinary allowance for a mans diet , in one naturall day , was that measure which they called choenix , conteining about a quarter of a peck of our ordinary measure , or forty ounces , according to the computation of b budaeus . and this quantity of manna , did god himselfe allow his owne people of israel in the wildernesse . this quantity was when they were deprived of any other sustenance : for this quantity is to be understood both of bread , flesh , or any other food ; all which joyned together , did not commonly exceed , in sober men this aforenamed quantity ; howbeit , no question , many sober people did then content themselves with lesse allowance : and the like proportion of drinke is likewise to be understood . observe also , that all this while the people of israels ordinare drinke , was nothing else but water ; as likewise most other nations used this for their ordinary drinke , except the better sort , at festivall times , and some extraordinary occasions . as for us in these northerne parts of the world , although all have not wine , yet doe wee ordinarily use a drinke answerable to it , which doth not a little nourish , and therefore may we be the more sparing in the quantitie of our food . and yet i doe not deny , but that our northerne cold climats may be a little freer in the use of food , than the inhabitants of the southerne parts and hotter countries , howsoever , it is alwaies good to use a moderation . husband-men , and such as labour hard , have able bodies , and take great paines ; we cannot well regulate nor accommodate this proportion precisely to all ; schollers , and such as have weak stomacks , and weake digestion , not being often able to overcome this quantity . besides , that the quality of the aliment , of hard or easie digestion , doth often indicate an alteration of the quantity ; and yet i thinke few of our people , although reasonable aged , and otherwise valetudinary , will content themselves with twelve , thirteene , or fourteene ounces of food for one day , unlesse their stomacks be exceeding weake ; although father c lessius the iesuit , and lodovico corvario a venetian could so content themselves . custome , education , and out cold climats , doe hinder the effecting of that which otherwise in hotter countries may easily be brought to passe . next followes the preparation , which is very various , according to the diversity of dishes ; some being rosted , some boiled , some baked , some fried , &c. and some requiring one preparation , another must be ordered after another manner ; whereof more hereafter in the particular discourse of diet . the order of ingestion is that which is next to be considered , concerning which point , our authours speake at length , and wish us alwaies to take with us this rule of direction , that the lightest meat , and easiest of digestion ought first to be eaten , quite contrary to our ordinary and usuall custome ; and that both in regard , say they , the bottome of the stomacke is warmer than the upper part , and because the lightest meates being first eaten , sooner descend into the guts after concoction , which if last eaten , are by the other hindred to descend , and so putrifie , and ingender crudities , the originall of obstructions , and consequently of many dangerous diseases : as for mine owne opinion , i thinke the stomacke mingles all confusedly together , making thereof , that which physitians commonly call chylus , and afterward converted into blood . to prevent , therefore , all disorder , doubts , danger , and feare , were best to eat but of one or two dishes at most at a meale ; and if thou shouldst sometimes take unto thy selfe a greater liberty , keep this caution , that the dishes thou eatst of differ not much in quality , being all easie of digestion . and for the quantity , let the strength of thy concoction be alwaies thy best guide , and keepe rather within , than at any time exceed the strength of thy stomacke . next followes to handle the time , upon which dependeth a question to be discussed , concerning the number of repasts , whereupon we must insist awhile , not omitting likewise to handle this question , at what time of the day , at dinner , or at supper we may eat freeliest . chap. x. of the times of repast , how often wee ought to eat in a day , and when to feed freeliest , at dinner or at supper : something concerning breakefasts . man being made according to the likenesse and image of his maker , and that for his service principally , it were not therefore fit that so noble a creature should make a god of his guts , and at all times minde nothing but his belly : and therefore not onely decency and good order , but even that sublime emploiment also for the which he was at first framed , requireth some certaine and set times for taking his refection . and both anatomists tell us , and experience teacheth us , that man is of a farre different structure in his guts from ravenous creatures : as dogges , wolves , &c. who minding only their belly , have their guts descending almost straight downe from their ventricle or stomacke , to the fundament ; whereas in this noble microcosme man , there are in these intestinall parts many anfractuous circumvolutions , windings and turnings , whereby longer retention of his food being procured , hee might so much the better attend upon sublime speculations , and profitable emploiments in church and common-wealth . now , if wee shall consider the fittest time for refection , it will seeme to be when the appetit doth demand it . a and therefore diogenes being asked when was the fittest time for food , answered ; to him that hath it , when his stomak calleth for it ; and to him that hath it not , when he can come by it . but all our civilest nations have accustomed themselves to some set times for their ordinary repasts . and because nature proceeds orderly in all her operations , therefore b before wee make a new meale wee must see that the former be first concocted : and for this purpose there must intercede a certaine distance or space betwixt our two meales . c rhusis would have eight houres distance betwixt dinner and supper ; and from supper to dinner sixteene . but here ariseth a question to be discussed , how many meales a day ought we ordinarily to use ? this question hath beene variously tossed to and fro amongst our physitians , some being of one minde , and some of another : some hold it best to eate but one meale a day , and some twice . d hippocrates seemeth to favour one meale a day . others hold that one meale a day maketh men more cholericke , by reason the humors by abstinence are too much sharpened , which by meanes of food are well qualified . e celsus is for two meales a day ; the which seemeth best to agree with reason : for hee that useth but one meale a day , is forced to eat as much at one meale , as another at two . now the stomacke being oppressed with too great a quantity of food , it failes under the burden , and the strength of it is quite overthrowne : for by so great a distention it loseth much of its thickenesse and firmenesse ; which two make not a little for the retention and concoction of the food : neither is there any other cause to be inquired into of the weaknes of gluttons & belly-gods stomaks . it is further to be observed , that the stomacke being too much stuffed up with food , cannot so freely concoct the same ; which may easily appeare in a pot full of meat , where the meate is not so easily boyled as when there is more roome . but let us search into antiquitie , and see what was their manner and custome . a f late writer would by many arguments prove that the antients used but one meale a day . others are of an opposite opinion . amongst the greekes of old , we read these foure names of repasts mentioned : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; all these foure , saith athenaeus , were used in the times of the trojan warre . the first of these was used in the morning betimes , and was in stead of our breakefast ; the next in stead of our dinner ; and that after answerable to that refection , which some use in the after-noone ; and the last answering to our supper . and it is to bee observed , that seldome any one person used all these severall foure meales , yea scarce three ; and that chiefely in the warres ; when as by their labour and toile , their bodies were more tired out , and their spirits spent ; and therefore needed a more plentifull measure of nourishment than had beene otherwise requisite . some used this manner of refection also of later times : but that this was not alwayes the custome of the greeks may by that speech of g leonidas appeare ; prandete commilitones , apud inferos forsan caenaturi . dine my fellow-souldiers , for you may perhaps sup in another world . the greekes then ordinarily used but two meales aday , schollers and such as were given to sobriety , although they used two meales aday ; yet one of them , to wit , that of the morning , was most commonly but sparing ; as witnesseth h galen of himselfe , that seldome he eate any thing till night ; which if at any time he did , it was but a little bread in a morning dipped in a little wine : and this counsell i he gave also to diodorus the grammarian , who if he fasted long , fell into fits of the falling sickenesse . by the premisses , as also by hippocrates himselfe , it doth appeare , that the ancient greekes had not all , and alwayes the same times and seasons for their diet , and this last order of diet k seneca , seemeth also to confirme , whereas hee maketh mention of a morsell of bread onely for his dinner , without the use of a table . the persians used most commonly two meales a day , as witnesseth l xenophon : although in the time of xerxes it appeareth to have been otherwise , as witnesseth m herodote ; where magacreon the abderite gives xerxes great thankes , that he and his company used but one meale aday : for saith he , if wee had beene commanded to provide a dinner like this supper , we had been all undone . the iewes used commonly two meales aday , as may appeare both by that of n exodus , where they had manna for their dinner , and quailes for their supper ; as also by the manner of their fasts , which was untill the even ; as may appeare by the practice both o of saul and david . among the romans we read of five severall names of repasts : ientaculum , prandium , merenda , coena , & comessatio ; the foure former answering to these foure already mentioned , and the last was used after supper : such are our possets here in england , made of drinke , milke , bread and egges , sugar and spice ; very unseasonably often used after supper , and being a meere superfluity , which might well be spared . but two meales were ordinarily in most use among them , to wit , dinner and supper ; and as for all the other they were but for children or labouring people . and indeed in all civill and well constituted countries and common-wealths two set meales are most ordinary and frequent . i do not here mean precisely by any precept punctually to tye every person to the observing of this order ; as not being ignorant of the variety of circumstances , which may easily alter the same : as namely the climat , the constitutiō , the sex , age , the time of the yeere , and the particular calling or condition of a man. in cold climats we must yeeld to a more liberall allowance than in a warmer . and children and chickens , they say , must not be long kept from food . old men by reason of the debility of naturall heat concocting the aliment , are not able to receive much at once ; and therefore are allowed to eat little and often . p cholericke persons finde much hurt by long abstinence ; and so doe such as are subject to ingender wind in their stomackes . and sicke folkes are to bee exempted from these rules , as hereafter shall appeare . and here custome is neither to be neglected , nor yet suddenly altered , be it good or bad : if good , continue it still ; and if evill , alter it by degrees , by little and little , all sudden alterations breeding danger . now , as for the particular times of these two repasts , for dinner the best time is that which is most ordinarily in most places used , about eleven in the forenoone , a little before or after , and supper-time betwixt six and seven at night ; so that by this meanes there may intercede about some eight houres distance ; and betwixt supper and dinner sixteene . now as in the sea one wave begetteth another ; so here , one question begetteth another . it being already granted that two meales aday are most commonly and ordinarily to be used , it may now be demanded , in which of these two wee may feed freeliest , which concerneth not a little the health of mankind , and hath beene as much controverted , at least as the former question , and probable reasons produced on both sides . and first for the dinner , they produce these reasons . first , for that in the day-time , our naturall heate is much helped to perfit concoction by meanes of the sunne . againe , exercise and motion , so much used in the day-time seemeth still to plead for a more liberall dinner than a supper , after which we goe to rest . besides , the day maketh a greater dissipation and resolution of the triple substance of our bodies ; as by the like reason summer should consume more food than winter , and by consequent , the dinner being compared to sommer , and supper to winter , should doe the like . and lastly , that nature in the night time being intent upon the concocting of bad and superfluous humors , as also in the distribution of the nourishment for the whole body , is not to be disturbed with a liberall meale . others againe , and in my opinion building on a surer foundation , favour more a liberall supper ; and that for these reasons : first , there is a far greater distance betwixt the time of supper and dinner , than betwixt dinner and supper , as witnesseth b galen himselfe ; and this was his owne practice . againe , c sleepe succeeding after supper furthereth the concoction , proved by many of our ancient famous physitians : now the time of rest is of all others fittest for concoction ; as watching is most opposite , ingendring crudities , as witnesseth d hippocrates . and whereas it may be objected , that labourers and husbandmen oftentimes use violent labor and exercise immediatly after meales : i answer , that the strength of naturall heat in their strong and rusticall constitutions , often overcōmeth and concocteth many crudities , which other bodies of more tender education would produce many dangerous diseases : and yet many times escape they not scot free ; but fall even often into many dangerous and desperate diseases , besides , e hippocrates telleth us , that in the winter and spring the inward parts of concoction are hotter , and therefore our sleep's longer ; from whence he concludes that wee may use more copious aliments in those times . now as the morning is answerable to the spring , the middle of the day to sommer ; the evening to autumne : even so , the night set apart for sleep , is compared to the winter . and the better to cleere this point , which hath made many to stumble , we must distinguish betwixt concoction and distribution : the later of these two , distribution , i meane , is more speedy in the day-time , than in the night ; which is often , by violent motion , and disorderly exercise procured ; from the which proceed crudities , and by consequence obstructions , the fountaine and spring of innumerable dangerous diseases . concoction againe , which is a due , orderly and leisurely conversion of the aliment into the substance of our bodies to bee nourished , is farre better performed by meanes of rest and sleepe , which conquering and overcomming crudities , preventeth a multitude of dangerous diseases , and if we shall reflect upon former times , we shall find it was most customarily received among most nations : as it appeareth to have been the custome amongst gods owne people of the iewes ; who eating manna for dinner , were allowed quailes for their supper , being of a more nourshing substance than the manna used at dinner . and besides the premisses , the very etymology of the word coena , intimating in the originall a communion , as the learned wel know , seemeth to plead for this preheminence ; f and this , it seemeth , was the custome among most men , that they ate but little and in private at dinner : but at night they assumed unto themselves a greater liberty , to refresh and solace themselves with the society of their loving friends , together with a more liberall allowance of the creatures . but here i still understand a moderation in both to be used , and not exceeding the limits and bounds of mediocrity , a heavy supper much disturbing the nights rest , ingendring crudities and procuring troublesome dreames . and if there should any excesse bee committed , i hold it safer at dinner than supper ; and that by reason that after some rest , moderate exercise , and abstinence from supper , nature may overcome and concoct crudities ; by this meanes preventing future infirmities . i conclude therefore this point , that caeterit paribus , setting all things in even balance , and both meales being moderate , my opinion is , the supper may exceed the dinner . notwithstanding the premisses , this is principally to be understood of healthfull persons , and not subject to rheumes and defluxions , with great danger often distilling upon the lungs , ioints , and other parts of the body ; for in such cases to eat a very small , and sometimes perhaps , no supper at all , will prove to thee a great gaine . besides , if there be any particular individuall constitution , finding ordinarily more hurt by eating freelier at night than at noone , let such a person follow that course , which best suteth with the temper of his body ; my meaning being to tye no man to that , which might in any sort prejudice his health . but here it may be asked , whether breakfast bee allowable or not ? i answere , in the first place custome , together with the constitution of the body , must in this case give us direction , as hath partly been said already : for cholericke persons , and such as are much subject to wind , cannot fast long ; no more than children and aged people . g levinus lemnius is of opinion , that a little eaten in a morning , providing it be but very little and easie of digestion , whets on the appetite for dinner . as for the time of these repasts i have said already , and expressed my opinion ; and howbeit , i could here expatiat upon the division of the day naturall and artificiall , and how severall nations divided their daies , hebrewes , greekes , arabians , aegyptians , romans , &c : as also concerning the difference of houres equall and unequall ( the later being in use untill the first councell of nice ) yet all this i willingly here passe by , that which hath bin said , being sufficient for the purpose we have in hand : and that time i have already set downe being answerable to the times the antients used for their repasts howsoever , they reckoned their houres otherwise than we doe now ; which arose by the divers manner of computing their daies , some beginning at one time , and some at another . and for this matter this shall now suffice ; whereon i have a little the longer insisted , by reason these points seeme to me very materiall for the preservation of health , and have not as yet beene divulged abroad after this manner ; and withall , conduce not a little for the diet of the diseased , which is the principall scope i here aime at : and therefore , i now proceed to that which followeth . chap. xij. of the matter of nourishment , and first of corne , and bread made thereof . whatsoever nourisheth and mainteineth this crasy body of man , is desumed either from the plants , and such fruits as the earth doth yeeld for the sustenance of mankind ; or else from living creatures , and such things as are from them desumed , and yet are no parts of them : as milke , butter , cheese and blood . mans first food was of the fruits of the earth , such as were produced without his industry and paines : but afterwards by reason of sin , man was appointed to eate his food in the sweat of his browes . and by the meanes of husbandry , the earth brought forth several sorts of corne , very usefull for susteining the life of man. by the name of corne i understand whatsoever kind of grain is cōteined either in eares or husks . that in eares ; as wheat , barley , rye , oates . that in husks ; as pease , beanes , &c. as concerning bread made of corne , b some will have barly to have yeelded the first bread ; but shortly after succeeded wheat , the noblest and most nourishing graine of all others ; and therefore we will begin with this bread . bread of wheat taketh its difference , either from the parts of meale or floure whereof it is made ; or from the manner of preparing . of the meale , some parts are finer , and some courser . bread made of the courser nourisheth lesse , yet keepeth the body more soluble : but that made of finer floure , as it nourisheth more ; so maketh it not the body so soluble ; and is worse for obstructions and the stone ; and as the bread partaketh more of the one or the other , so are the vertues thereof . the next difference is taken from the preparation . all sorts of bread were either leavened or unleavened ; unleavened bread was commanded by c god himselfe in the institution of the passeover , howbeit not for their ordinary use . but such kind of bread , saith d galen , is unwholesome for nourishment : and therefore bread indifferently leavened , and a little salted , is of all others most wholesome and convenient for mans use . the leaven maketh the bread lighter , and of easier digestion . to make our bread light , there is with us a custome to adde barme , whereof the antients were ignorant : but the other is better and wholesomer . many bakers thus abuse the buyers , puffing up their bread with a great deale of bitter barme , which maketh the bread both more unsavorie to the taste , and unwholesomer for ordinary use . the french nation doth parallel , if not exceed any nation in the world in good wholesome light bread of divers sorts ; and yet never use any barme . now the baking maketh or marreth the goodnes of bread : and that which is baked in an oven , not overheated , is of all others the best : the rest , by reason of the inequality of the parts of bread so baked , then externall parts being burt , and the internall raw , are not to be ranked with the former in goodnesse . another difference may be yet taken from the age of bread : hot bread e hippocrates findeth fault with , by reason it increaseth thirst , and is not so easily concocted , and of the same opinion is f avicenne . g a late writer out of divers places proveth that the antients used to eate hot bread ; but at length concludeth , that the better sort used not ordinarily hot bread ; but new baked bread after it was cooled . now of all other food or nourishment , bread is the most noble ; as being the staffe of mans life , and of all other foods most necessary for the use of man. and therefore , in that so absolute and compendious forme of prayer , penned by our saviour himselfe , under the name of bread all other necessaries are comprehended . the excellency of bread may from hence also be collected , that no meale is ordinarily without bread , if it may be had ; according to that triviall , yet true verse . quando deest panis tunc est cibus omnis in●uis . besides , bread is that nourishment with which a man may longest subsist , and without loathing continue in the use thereof ; whereas any other food , especially long continued , will weary and tire us out , which bread doth not . and the preheminence of this food may also from hence appeare ; that whereas fish and flesh will in three or foure dayes putrifie , and send out an evill smell , bread , unlesse it be salted , may well grow mouldy at the worst , or dry ; but never putrifie . by reason then of this prerogative , i advise all those who have a care of their health , at their meales to eate more bread than any other food . and such as feed more freely on fish and flesh , and eate lesse bread , have not their flesh so firme as those who feed most on bread : besides , that oftentimes their breath smelleth strong . and for this same cause , fish being prone to putrefaction , and very moist , require a more liberall allowance of bread than flesh ; and the moistest flesh , as veale , and lamb more than other . and this reason may also be a warrant for us to use bread with our sommer fruits , cherries , plumbs , abricocks , &c. now besides this most noble , and , of all others , most excellent and usefull bread made of wheat , there is yet bread made of severall sorts of other graine , and first of barley , as for barley bread , although it be inferior to wheat , yet it is not to be despised : and , howsoever , it nourish not so much as bread made of wheat ; yet being made of good barley , it nourisheth well , and looseneth the body more than wheat bread . as for bread made of oats , it is a good wholesome and nourishing bread , and so is the grewell made of this graine , in great request in the south parts of this kingdome : and in the north parts therof , as also in wales , and the kingdome of scotland , the bread of this grain is much used : and it is likewise in request in many parts of germany . but it is to be noted , that the graine they commonly make their bread of in those parts , is a fairer and bigger graine , and fuller of meale , than that which groweth further south , and is ordinarily given to horses . rie bread is of a more glutinous substance , more windy , and nourisheth lesse than the former , and is more apt to ingender obstructions ; and therefore it is best mingled with other graine , as is here the custome with wheat or barley . rice is a good nourishing graine , whereof in many places , as namely the east indies they make bread : it is of an astringent nature , and drying , and of grosse substance . millet and panicke are not unlike in quality ; and howbeit in other countries they be in some request , yet with us not used . maiz or indian wheat is a graine in great request in the west indies , whereof they make their bread , which is of a grosser substance than that of wheat ; yet befitteth well the bodies of the natives of that country . now besides the ordinary sorts of bread , there are yet many other sorts made with the addition of divers ingredients , which doe often alter the nature and property thereof , and often prove more physicall than alimentall : yet let this proviso alwayes be put in , that all forts of unleavened bread are hard of digestion , apter to ingender obstructions , & to stay fluxes of the belly than leavened bread : and yet to strong and labouring people may well be now and then allowed . besides corne , there is another sort of graine in great request in many places of the world , and commonly called by a generall name in latine legume● , and in our english tongue , pulse , in galens time there was no bread made of these graines : but later ages have made use of the bread both of beanes and pease . the h same author is of opinion , that all manner of pulse are of bad nourrishment : and both these are windy , yet beanes more . greene beanes are with us here in england ordinarily fried with persley , and that to good purpose , it correcting this windy quality . and it is not out of purpose , that dry mints are in winter and lent used with pease pottage . bread made both of pease and beanes is hard of digestion , of a drying and astringent quality ; yet very strengthening ; and well moistned is good to strengthen labouring people . pease yeeld the best bread , but beanes the more nourishing . now howsoever many people eate greene pease with a greedy appetite in the summer-time , as also beanes ; yet , i wish they be sparing in the use of them : for howsoever prepared , yet used in any quantity , especially in sedentary persons and weake constitutions they may breed no small annoyance . there be yet some other sort of pulse , as chiches , red and white , lupines , lentiles , i and som others ; which are more in use for physicke than for food , and therefore we will not meddle with them . in divers places of the world besides the premisses , in defect and want of corne they make use of some fruits and roots to make their bread of : as in some places of france , as limosin , and some other places , the countrie people use bread made of chestnuts , participating of the nature of the acorn , a course and grosse , yet a strong nourishment . and in the west indies , they make bread of a root , called cassani and others : but i will wade no further into this subject of bread , but proceed to the most frequent and ordinary use of roots in ordinary diet . chap. xiij. of roots usually eaten , and in most account for food . after our discourse of severall sorts of corne , it followeth that wee should now say something of other vegetables , to wit , of plants , usefull for the sustenance of mankinde : and that the rather , i joine those vegetables with corne , is by reason this was a food in request , at least before we read that flesh and other food were frequent : under the name of herbs and plants , therefore , i understand both the root , the seed and the leafe , and stem or stalke . and because in plants the root is answerable to the head in sensible and reasonable creatures , therefore we will begin our discourse with those vegetables , whose roots are most eminent , and in greatest esteeme : and first , we will beginne with the turnep , as being so well knowne , that the plainest and ignorantest countrie-fellow is no stranger in the knowledge thereof . the turnep or navew , which are thought to differ little or nothing , groweth sometimes to so great a bignesse , that a some have beene seene of thirty , some of forty pound weight . as for the properties , b galen thinketh this to be the worst of all other roots . c dioscoride saith , it ingendreth a soft and foggy flesh . it is of a flatuous and windy quality , as most other roots , howbeit , some more , some lesse ; troublesome to a weake stomacke , being hard of digestion . the best way of use is accounted , first to boile them , and the water being powred out , then to boile them againe with fat beefe , adding to them some pepper . the seed of turnep is good in antidotes , and very good against the plague , and all other contagious diseases . in the next place we are to say something of reddishes , the which roote , contrary to the custome of other roots , is eaten raw . at what time of our meale it should be eaten , our authours somewhat differ . d dioscorides would have it eaten after meales , to strengthen the stomacke : but sure , in my opinion , it being of a nauseous quality and provoking to cast , hee had but small reason for him . but e galen is of another mind , to use it at the beginning of our meales , taxing both the vulgar errour , and some of physitians also , who used it last . f some , againe , tooke upon them to moderate the matter thus : if the body be soluble , and free from any flatuous matter , it should be eaten first ; but if the body be costive , last . we use them after a third , and different way , to wit , with our meales , as a sauce , and , as is thought , to excite a languishing appetite . now , as i see small reason for either of the other two manners of use of this root , so see i farre lesse for this ; and i thinke the controversie might be best decided , if this root were left for physicks use , it being good against the stone . it hath this inconvenient , that often eaten , it wasteth the teeth , eating into them . g a late authour giveth us warning , that after the eating of reddishes , wee beware of milke-meats : for , saith hee , it turneth them into venome . there is a great antipathie betwixt this root and the vine , insomuch , that from hence , some thinke they have found a remedy against drunkennesse . h dioscorides writeth , that the leaves and roots of wilde-reddish , which wee call horse-reddish ; was usually eaten as other pot-herbs . in high germany , where they call it meer rettich , it is in ordinary use , the roote i meane . and i remember in saxony , wee had this root first grated , and then boiled with our beeefe , which made us many times water our plants as well as the keenest mustard : but it is hurtfull both for head and eyes , whatsoever our palat-pleasers may allege for its commendation . the reddish is of a cutting quality , and hot ; and therefore cutteth tough phlegme . the parsneps are indifferent good , boiled and buttered with vineger and pepper . they are somewhat hot , and yeeld better nourishment than the carrot is ; it is somewhat hard of digestion , and flatuous , yet not so much as many others . the carrot differeth something , as yeelding in goodnesse to the former , being something moister , yet of an easier and freer distribution thorow the body . they are commonly eaten with beefe . in some countries they make sallets of them , especially of red , or rather purple-coloured . the skirret root in goodnesse farre surmounteth the others , as being of indifferent good nourishment , and no enemy to the stomacke , a great strengthner of nature , and expeller of urine . it is somewhat flatuous , as the others , but not so much . i tiberius the emperour , did so highly esteeme of these skirret-roots , that hee sent for great store of them out of germany , where they abounded , to plant them in italy for his owne use , there growing none there before . that out-landish root brought unto us from the west-indies , called commonly potato , and by some batato , is of the same nature and property , or at least goeth a little beyond it ; but that this pre-eminence it hath , that it is , according to the common proverb , farre fetcht and deare bought , and therefore good for ladies . another root , which hath beene sent from the same soile , called by the name of artichocks of ierusalem ; which in leafe resembling our solanum , or night-shade , may therefore not without reason be called solanum peruvianum esculentum radice tuberosa . these roots are very windy , and ingender melancholy ; and therefore howsoever at first , they were extolled by fames open mouth ; yet now , by reason of these aforementioned qualities , their credit is much crackt . iringo roots are also often used , both condited with sugar , and otherwise . they are of a thinne attennuating substance , being hot and dry about the second degree . they are good to cleanse the kidnies , and withall are esteemed to strengthen nature . now come we to our bulbous roots , beginning with garlicke , which galen esteemeth to be hot and dry in the fourth degree ; and therefore very sparingly to be used , especially in hot constitutions of body , and the like seasons of the yeer . in cold constitutions and countries it may safeliest be use , especially being yong . it is accounted a great enemy to the eie-sight , and an antidot against all poison and contagious infection , called therefore , theriaca rusticorum , or the countrie-mans treacle . it is likewise good against the wind-colicke , and the stone in the kidnies , and pectorall infirmities , where tough phlegme obstructeth the pipes of the lungs . in many places of france , especially in gosconie , although it be farre south , and next unto spaine , yet use they garlick very ordinarily in their sauces ; but when it is yet greene , and before the cloves come to their full strength and bignesse : and yet this simple is not so proper for so hot and salacious a people . it is also ordinarily accounted good against wormes , and all manner of vermine . and yet is it strange , that is reported of arnulphus the emperor , who , by the frequent eating of garlicke , at length had his body so full of wormes , that by no humane helpe could he ever be cured . but howsoever , he was indeed surprised with this disease , and with that likewise we call phthiriasis , or the lousie diseases , his body abounding likewise with this vermine ; k yet the historie maketh mention that he died of poison . the antients thought by caring thrice of garlicke in a morning , to turne away all evill from them that whole day following , as the l antient poet expresseth . it is also indued with this property , that m some wild ravenous beasts , namely , the leopard cannot abide the smell of it . and indeed , it is rather to be used as physicke , than otherwise . the evill smell of garlicke is helped by the eating of perslie in a pretty quantity ; the like is promised by eating of greene-beanes ; as likewise zedoary . and n some say , that if it beset when the moon is under the earth , & gathered when she is in conjunction with her dearest spouse , it loseth all this strong smell . onions are also very hot in quality , insomuch , that o galen ascribeth unto them the fourth degree . onion is an enemy to the cholerick persons , and to the eyes , and any inflammation of the head , and causeth trouble some dreames : but is good against the stone , provoketh urine , openeth obstrutions , and cutteth tough and slimy humours ; especially the red , which is a great deale keener than the other . and this is to be understood of raw onions ; and yet if they be a little steeped in water , they lose some of this acrimony : but they are best boiled , and then they nourish somewhat , and may either be used in pottage , or otherwise in sallets . and as by this meanes they lose much of their medicinall vertue ; so on the other side they lose as much of their noxious qualities , whereby they hurt the body of man. that which hath beene said of the nature and vertues of onions , may be accommodated also unto scallions and chibolls , which are often eaten raw in sallets : but let young and hot constitutions ever mingle store of cooling herbs with them . cives are somewhat of this temperature , howbeit milder , and may be used as a pot-herb , as onions and leekes , it being of an attenuating , opening and cutting quality , is good especially in phlegmaticke and cold constitutions . the leeke is inferiour to the onion in goodnesse , being hot even to the third degree : it openeth the urinary passages , and other obstructions , but yet hurteth the head and eyes , and causeth troublesome dreames . transplanted into a fat and fertile soile , they become both greater and milder in force and operation ; and so boiled with other herbs , they lose their noxious quality : the root is most in request , the which being of a very bigge size , the french use ordinarily in their pottage boiled in slices , and often with a fat capon , or other meate , and so are of a very good , sweete and pleasant relish . vnset leekes are most physicall , and of greatest vertue and efficacie . as concerning mushroms , or toad-stooles , as they are commonly called , although properly they be no roots , yet are they commonly ranked among them . it is a food ( if so it deserveth to be called ) in small request here amongst us : howbeit in france , italy , and adjacent countries , it is in no small esteeme : and therefore i shall neede to say lesse concerning this subject . i advise therefore all our centrie , who travell into those forraigne countries , if they be wise , altogether to absteine from such excrements of the earth ; some of them ( yea , the greater part ) being venomous , as i could by true histories make appear : all of them being of an evill qualitie , and breeding no good nourishment at all . p clusius writing the exact history of them , reckoneth up three and twenty sorts of such as may be eaten ; and five and twentie sorts of venomous mushroms . who then that is wise , will venter on a doubtfull dish , when god of his infinite goodnesse hath affoorded us such plentie of profitable and pleasant food ? amongst these , are also ranked those roots commonly called puffes , or truffes , tubera terrae , and in the northermost parts of this iland , by some called arnuts ; growing under the earth , but in the spring of the yeere bursting forth . they ingender tough , clammy and melancholicke humours ; being apt to ingender the stone , and all manner of obstruction : they are also hurtfull for the stomacke ; further , and procure the apoplexie , strangurie , and many other dangerous diseases : and therefore heere i will leave them , and proceede to speake of more profitable simples , namely , of such herbes as are in most ordinary use and request for the use of man. chap. xiv . of herbs in most ordinary use for diet , and first for such as coole most . after roots , wee come now to such herbs as are in most ordinary use for daily food , either for sallets , or the pot : and wee will first beginne with such herbs as are of a cooling quality . and among all our herbs , none is of more use in our ordinary diet than the lettice , taking its denomination from a milkie juice wherewith it aboundeth ; and is by galen preferred before all other herbs ; who used it both in his younger yeeres , to coole the great heat of his stomack , and in old age to procure sleep . the antients for religions sake , absteined from lettices : a but augustus caesar having by the advice and counsell of antonius musa his physitian , by the use of this herbe recovered his health , brought this herb in no small esteeme among the romans . it is cold and moist in the second degree , and ingendreth no evill juice within the body , and by this meanes carrieth a great pre-eminence above most other herbs , in antient times , it was wont to be eaten at the later end of the meale ▪ but now quite contrary , at the begining : and this moved the b poet to aske the reason of this alteration : which probably is this ; that eaten after meales , it represseth the hot vapours of wine , by this meanes both resisting drunkennesse , and withall procuring sleepe , being especially used at night ; and as it would seeme , being then most ordinarily used . and this was the reason , why c the emperour tacitus in his feasts , above all other dishes , used this herb most liberally . custome notwistanding hath now so farre prevailed , that to whet on the appetite , it is with oile and vineger used at the beginning of our meales ; and unto it most commonly are added perslie , and some other hot herbs , which doe well allay the coldnesse and moisture thereof . it hath beene received by tradition for an uncontrolled truth , that lettice hurteth the eye-sight : but since neither galen , nor our antient physitians have left any such quality upon record to posterity , i wonder from whence this slander should first proceed : i know all the colour they have , is , that it too much thickneth the blood , and by consequence breeds an incrassation in the opticke spirits , conveied to the eyes . to this i answer , in the first place , it is not indued with any transcendent incrassation beyond many other simples , which neverthelesse , were never so reputed , this plant not exceeding the second degree in either quality . againe , admit this were a truth ; that it were indued with such a specificall incrassating quality ; yet must it both be eaten in great abundance , sole , and of it selfe ; and withall must meet with some answerable cold and moist complexion ( for as for hot cholericke bodies , especially hot stomackes it is for them a most soveraine alimentary medicine ) and that without addition of other things , which correct such a quality , if any there were . and therefore being used , as commonly it is with oile , vineger , and ordinarily some hot herbs , as said is , what hurt can there be in it ? as for the oile , although it doe somewhat loosen and relax some weake and choice stomackes ; yet is this by meanes of the tartnesse and sharpnesse of the the vineger well corrected ; and the oile also , being of a temperate heate , doth in some sort correct the others cold quality : and of this temper , is the sugar also , which is often added ; howbeit in my opinion , a little salt , as the french use , would farre better correct any superfluous moisture , it correcting also any cold and crude quality . endive and succory , are moderatly cold , and somewhat drying , and are ordinarily used as other pot-herbes ; are good to open obstructions of the liver , as also for the heat thereof , and of the stomacke : they are best for young hot-blooded people ; if they be used in sallets , the younger they be the better , used especially with addition of hotter herbes . the french , they keepe succory buried a long time under the ground , which maketh it both white and tender ; which they call cichoree blanche , and so use it in sallets , with addition of other herbs . there be divers sorts of these herbes which grow wilde , participating of the same qualities , yet , i thinke , scarce so cold , but rather inclining to some temperate heat , and prove more forcible against obstructions ; although not so pleasing to the palat as those which grow in gardens . among these kinds , there is one most commonly taken notice of by the name of dandelion , corrupted from the french , dent du lion , or lions tooth , and may well be used in all obstructions of the liver , as the others , and in such other cases . spinage is an ordinary pot-herb , cold , and withall moist , yet this more than the other , being cold in the first , and moist in the second degree . it best befitteth hot and dry bodies , and such stomacks especially , nourishing very little , loosening the belly , and ingendering wind : in france this herbe shred and made up in balls , fried with oile and vineger , in the time of lent , filleth up the roome of an ordinary dish . beets are of three sorts , which are commonly used for pot-herbs , especially the white and green , the red being more physicall . they all are moderately cold , not exceeding the first degree at most ; yet moister , to wit , about the second . they open obstructions , and loosen the belly , as most of these cooling and moistning simples doe . in some places they make sallets of the red-beet root , boiled and sliced , adding thereto oile and vineger . for the insipidity of taste , the antients , as seemeth , were wont to eate them with wine and pepper ; as may by the antient d poet appeare . somewhat like unto them in name is that herb , commonly called blite , or bleet , and not much differing in vertue , howbeit something inferiour . and orach is not unlike , differing little in operation . they loosen the belly , and rather hurt than helpe the stomacke , unlesse it be strong , or cold and dry , and the temper of body cholericke . that herb commonly called prick-madam , is yet cooler than any of the former , and withall very moist ; yet used both for a pot-herbe and in sallets . it is best for hot stomacks , and cholericke complexions , as also for younger people . purslaine is a herbe with us in great request in the sommer season ; but especially in sallets . it is accounted cold in the third degree , but wanting one in moisture . it is best for such complexions and stomacks , as we have often mentioned . it is good against all internall heats and inflammations . it is good against all manner of fluxes . the leaves and seedes are good against wormes , against the immoderate menstruous fluxe , spitting of blood , and running of the reines . if it be pickled up with salt and vineger , it acquireth some heate , strengthening the stomacke , and whetting it on for food , and cutting tough phlegme . among all our pot herbs , none i know more usefull and profitable , both for physicke and food than this so noble simple , sorrell i meane . as for the qualities , it is esteemed cooling and drying in the second degree . the very vulgar can tell that it is very soveraine in all hot distempers and diseases of that nature . in contagious , maligne and pestilentiall fevers , it is a soveraine good simple , especially the wood-sorrell , called therefore sorrel du bois . and by reason of the aciditie in taste , it is not unwelcome to the palate , in this particular farre exceeding other cold simples : for the which cause it is not unfitly used in sommer for greene-sauce . being young and tender , it may be used in sallets with the addition of some hot herbs . borrage and buglosse , and that sort called commonly lang de beuf ( for i take it to be nothing else ) although they doe partake of some heat , yet are they by the vulgar accounted among cooling herbs , their heat , as likewise their moisture being so moderate , that they exceed not the first degree . it hath ever beene , both by galen , and other physitians since his time , esteemed good against melancholy , and may safely be used both in sicknesse and in health . they be also ordinarily used for pot-herbes . the flowers are sometimes used in sallets , and sometimes steeped in wine ; and , notwithstanding all this that hath beene said , some have not so high a conceit of these simples . so hard a thing is this to practise , omnibus placeto . the mallow is reckoned also among our ordinary pot-herbs , which loosneth the belly , as being of an abstersive quality , and the heat so small , that it is scarce discernable . the curled , called the french mallow is most esteemed ; they are not to be used in sallets , as other herbs , being offensive to the stomacke . but indeed , the mallow is fitter for physicke than for food . our antients , for the high esteeme they had of it , called it omni-morbia , that is , good against all diseases . it is thought to be good against melancholy , to further the menstruous fluxe , and good against all oppilations and inflammations of the kidnies and bladder : and by reason of the temperate qualities , good to be used in cataplasmes for outward paines . there is an herb called groundsell , ordinarily used to loosen the belly , being boiled in pottage , and withall , sometimes it will procure casting , if taken in any competent quantity . but boiled in broths , it loosneth the belly as many others do , being of somewhat a cooling quality , and somewhat drying , of a bitter taste , and openeth obstructions , especally in womens diseases . it is not good for weake stomacks to use . amongst our loosening herbs , there is one ordinarily used , called by the name of mercurie ; for the which , here in the country is in common use , an herb called by the the latines , d bonus henricus , having leaves like that herb , commonly called wake-robin , and is somewhat hot and drie , howbeit not in any excesse : and is of somewhat an abstersive faculty ; and is much used in pottage and broths , to make the body soluble , and is by matthiolus accounted to participate of the nature of lapathium acutum , being a certaine kind of dock . e but there is another true mercurie so called , by the antiens linozostis , and by the latins , commonly mercurialis mas & foemina , mercury , male and female . and this is that right mercury so much mentioned by pliny , and hippocrates ; and ordinarily appointed and prescribed by our physitians , for glisters . the leafe of it is not unlike to that of pellitory of the wall , and doth farre excell the other , commonly called mercury , as may be seene both in that place of pliny , of dioscoride and matthiol and others : of this therefore i thought to give some warning . wee use often also in broths strawberrie leaves and roots , which are something cooling , and withall drying . they are good against all fluxes , good in greene-wounds and ulcers , and inflammations of the bladder and kidnies ; and is also good to strengthen the gums , and fasten loose teeth , being gargled with a little claret wine , or plantaine water , or both . of strawberries in their owne place . the herbe commonly called cing-foile , or quinquefolium , from the number of leaves , is much of the same nature with the former , being of an astringent corroborating faculty , with so small a heat , that , if any , it is not discernable . it is very much used in broths , and not without great reason . the roots are most drying . it is exceeding good , both for food and physicke . violets are not of smallest note , nor in least request , both for physicke and food , being both leaves and flowers of a moderate cooling , and moistening facultie . the greene leaves of the herbe are ordinarily used among other pot-herbs , and sometimes in sallets , and are good in all hot diseases , fevers , or inflammations whatsoever . but the sweete and pleasant flowers are the principall in this plant , being used both in sirup , conserve , candit , and in cakes , &c. they are very effectuall in diseases of the breast , especially where cooling and thickning of sharpe humours is required . the sirup also is a gentle purge for young children and weake constitutions ; and properly , it is rather to be esteemed a loosener of the belly , than a proper purger . the rose is also in no small request , both the red , white and damask . the damaske rose is most of all the other sorts esteemed . the sirup of it is much used for a gentle purger of choler , without heating the body in any fever , wherein it may safely be exhibited and to any age . the water is used for many uses , being very delectable and comfortable to all the principall parts , both head , heart , and all the senses , and so is the smell of the flower it selfe . there is yet a muske rose which doth excell in the purging faculty . and these three , damaske , muske and white doe most abound in airie and watrie parts ; the red more in earthy : for the which cause it is more astringent , corroborating the stomacke , liver , &c. and although a sirup may be made of these red roses new gathered , yet is the purgative faculty farre inferiour to the others . the conserve of it is good in thinne and sharpe rheumaticke distillations , and to stop fluxes . the sirup of the drie leaves is likewise astringent , and therefore good against all fluxes of the belly . the wild rose is most astringent of all the rest , and therefore the conserve thereof is esteemed by some more efficacious than of the former . the roses participate of a small and moderate heat , testified by their sweet smell and bitternesse , as witnesses f galen ; although this be but in a very remisse degree ; and therefore are comparatively accounted cold , in regard of other simples apparently hot to any indifferent understanding : and this is diligently to be considered , especially in regard of the sicke , when there is any use of this simple , or any thing made thereof . but i had almost forgotte cole-worts and cabbage , which may well be ranked among our loosening herbes , partaking of a certaine nitrous quality , which maketh it soluble . this plant was much beholden to old roman cato , who used no other physicke for his whole family ; and came in so high an esteeme among the romans , that for the space of yeeres , it was the chiefe drugge they used . it is now esteemed to be of an evill nourishment , and to ingender melancholy . it is not any waies hot to the sense discernable . g galen ascribeth unto it a drying quality , used either inwardly or outwardly , and helpeth hard tumours left behinde after inflammations ; and consolidateth and cleanseth ulcers , as well ordinary , as of a maligne nature . h some use it for an outward medicine to cleare the sight , mingled with honie . many more vertues some ascribe to this simple , whereon i will not insist . that it should hurt the eye-sight , being eaten , i know no reason . being boiled , and the first rejected , and it boiled againe , it becommeth much better for the use . it is commonly boiled with fat beefe ; and by reason of the flatuous and windy quality proceeding from the grossenesse of the substance , it is ordinarily eaten with pepper or other spice . weake stomacks may easily be offended with the use thereof . cole-worts and cabbages are best in the winter after they have beene frost bitten , as wee use to say : i hold the cole-wort to be lesse hurtfull than the cabbage . i a late writer mentioneth another physician , who , in a worke by him published , highly extolleth cabbage , being pickled up with salt , cumine-seed and bay-leaves ; and ; next unto bread , giveth it the highest commendation that can be given to any simple . and thus prepared , hee relateth , that k another famous physitian , who attended on an emperour , used this dish very frequently in his old age . they pickle it up in all high germany , with salt and barberies , and so keepe it all the yeere , being commonly the first dish you have served in at table , which they call their sawerkrant . they make also there a sallet of cabbage small shred , with vineger and oile , and all set about the dish with red-herrings , and hard rosted egges ; the which who so is in love with , let him have his liking ; and i thinke wee might well spare our hard rosted egges out of our sallets , and use them after a better manner . chap. xv. of herbes hot in operation , and in most ordinary use . as also of artichocks , gourds , cucumers , muske-melons . hitherto have wee discoursed of herbes of a cooling faculty , or at least of so small , a heat , that it is scarce to the senses discernible . now we will speake of those that are known to be hotter , beginning with the marigold . among other pot-herbs the marigold , as well the leafe as the flower , is in no small account , but the flowers especially ; which may also well be kept drie till winter . these flowers are somwhat hot , yet not exceeding mediocrity , inclining also to drinesse ▪ these flowers are esteemed to be very cordiall , and good against the plague and other contagious diseases . it is also esteemed good against obstruction , especially of a womans fluxe , as also against the iaundize . the stilled water of the plant and flower is esteemed good for red eyes , and any inflammation thereof . the greene leaves of the plant it selfe are not so effectuall as the flowers , being onely as ordinary mollifying herbs , helpefull to make the same soluble . there is a pot-herbe in use with us here in the countrie , commonly called columbine ; the leaves whereof are ordinarily used as others , having some resemblance unto the leaves of great celandine , howbeit the flowers have no resemblance at all . this herbe is not very hot , and therefore ordinarily reckoned among cooling herbs ; as the vulgar account all herbs cooling , which doe not evidently evince their senses of the contrary . although some would ascribe great vertues to the simple ; yet because i finde no certainty , nor any such things recorded by antiquity , i leave it as i found it . asparagus , or as we call , it sperage , is an opening herbe , temperately hot and moist , and for food , the tops or tender sprouts first springing out are in most request , and commonly boyled in faire water , and afterwards with oile , vineger and pepper , eaten as a sallet by themselves ; or else , as in some places , set round about the dish wherein meat is conteined , and so eaten with it : and sometimes it is eaten last with banqueting stuffe . that this was an ancient custome amongst the romans to beset their dishes round with them , may appeare by an a ancient poet. they are good for the stomacke , yeelding no bad nourishment to the body , loosen the belly gently , provoke urine , cleanse the kidnies , open obstructions , and helpe the eye-sight . they must be but a little boiled ; and if thou wilt boile them againe , they lose much of their bitternesse ; but withall some of their vertues . the roots are much used by physitians in opening apozemes and syrups . and after the same manner may the first yong and tender hop-buds be used , and produce the same effects with the former . avens is also used as an ordinary pot-herbe , being somewhat hot , yet not exceeding the first , and dry , yet not exceeding the second degree . the leaves are most ordinarily used in brothes ; and yet the roots are most effectuall against obstructions of the liver or other parts , and are of themselves abstersive , and are very fit to bee used in physical broths , as being both opening and strengthening . no herbe in more frequent use than persly , both the leaves and the roots . it is no wayes hurtfull , agreeing well with the stomacke , openeth obstructions , discusseth wind , and provoketh urine . but i advise none to eate it raw , being best dressed with meat or in pottage . the severall wayes of using it are so well knowne , that it were superfluous for me to speake of it . the roots are very usefull in physicall broths , especially the inward pith taken out : and thus we use fennell roots also . it hath been an inveterate opinion among many , that persley was hurtfull for the eye-sight : but let it be used as we have set downe , and i warrant thee from any harme : but if any will eate great store of it raw and often , let him looke to himselfe ▪ it is both hot and dry , yet not exceeding the second degree of either . some use in the spring to make use of the herbe called alexanders or alysander in pottage ; and some againe use the young leaves and tender stems , first bioled for a sallet with some other herbes as they please , or else , of it selfe with vineger . this hearbe hath the same operation that persly hath ; but yet more forcibly , as being of it selfe of a hotter quality . the herbe clary is in great use also , especially among women , which they esteeme soveraine good against their immoderate fluxes , and strengthening of the backe , howbeit i cannot find any such thing recorded by antiquity . they use commonly here with us in the countrie to fry it with egges . penniroyall , an hearbe well knowne both in towne and countrie , is of very good use , and very wholesome for the body of man and woman ; especially , it is best for phlegmaticke constitutions , and ancient people , and is very good for women , such especially as are any waies troubled with any manner of stoppage . some call it pudding grasse ; by reason it is often used in puddings , being small shred , and mingled with the blood , which in my opinion is very good , and would wish none made without it . it is good for a weake waterish stomack , against the wind colicke , provoketh urine , and cleanseth the urinarie passages ; it is good in obstructions of the pipes of the lungs , and others also . it is comfortable in all cold diseases of the head and nerves . it is hot and dry about the third degree ; howbeit our ordinary garden penniroyall , i thinke , commeth somewhat short of this intense degree . there is yet an other herbe in frequent use amongst other pot-herbes , and called here in the countrie pot-marjoram , which is nothing else save a sort of organy , called origanum . the qualities and properties in physicke , because i thinke they differ not much from the former , therefore i need not to insist upon them . if i should passe by this so soveraine and noble a simple , i should much wrong the publike , it being of so excellent an eminency . all sorts of mints are good , howbeit , that wee commonly call the garden speare-mints is of all others the best . it is hot and dry ; howbeit , i think our garden mints doth not exceed the second degree . it is very good to comfort the stomake , both greene and dry , being good against vomiting and all manner of immoderate fluxes of the belly , or other in women , which both the red mints and this speare-mints effect . their smell comforteth both the animall and vitall spirits . besides , it cleanseth the kidneyes , killeth worms , and stayeth the effusion of blood . it hath beene an inveterate opinion among the antients , that this plant procured barrenesse ; and therefore was not to bee sowne in time of warre ; as b a late writer allegeth out of aristotle . but this opinion is most false and erroneous , if we shall attribute any specificall quality to this plant , whereby it should cause sterility . i doe not denie but in hot and dry wombs , especially excessively used , it might bee some hinderance . but the like may by other plants of a hot or hotter and drier quality , as easily be effected . but since that mints not onely strengthen those parts of generation ; but consume also and dry up all cold , raw , and uncocted crudities ; ( ordinarily proving the greatest hinderances of conception ) i see no reason why this plant should not rather be esteemed a great furtherer and friend to generation . this herbe being yong may bee used also in sallets with other herbes . and the uulgar doe well in using this herbe very frequently in their pease pottage , both greene and dry . it is of all other most proper for the use of the stomacke . rosemary is , & that not without good reason , in high esteeme among all sorts of people . it is hot and dry in operation , at least in the second , if not touching upon the third degree . it is exceeding comfortable in all cold infirmities of the braine , comforteth the senses and the spirits , especially the animall , as also all the noble parts , and corroborateth all the nervous parts . it is best to bee in most frequent use in the winter , and cold and aged constitutions of body . of the flowers of it is made a comfortable conserve for all these uses . and of the same is made a very soveraine good water . and of this simple there is a spirit , quintessence , distilled . but beware of imposture , if thou beest not well acquainted with the preparation . marjoram is a sweet , pleasant and well smelling herbe , hot and dry in operation , and little inferior to the former in this respect . it comforteth all the noble parts , especially the stomacke , and may with good successe be used to further concoction , comfort the stomak , & discusse wind . it much comforteth the brain also : and as the precedent , so is this good against all cold diseases of the braine and nervous parts . but this , as all other hot plants excelling in strong smell , are most appropriate for phlegmaticke constitutions , cold and moist braines and stomacks . hot cholericke bodies are thereby offended . and very hot braines are offended with any strong smell . i have knowne some , whom the smell of a damaske rose would presently make their heads ake . of the soveraine vertues of sage few are ignorant ; and the singular good opinion the world had alwayes of this simple , did minister occasion to aske the question , why any man dyed that had sage growing in his garden ? to which it was as truely againe answered , that against death no physicke was to be found . the qualities for heat and drouth doe much accord with those of the plants last spoken of . it is above all others most effectuall against all cold diseases of the braine , and nervous parts : and therefore good for those who are obnoxious to palsies and apoplexies . it is good also to strengthen all the noble parts , and very good against wind . it is very good to comfort and cleanse the cold and moist womb , and fit it for conception . and being of an astringent and corroborating quality , it is good to prevent abortion in such as be thereunto subject : as also good against womens immoderate fluxes . the country people in germany thinke themselves free from poyson all that day after , if they eat in a morning three leaves of sage with a little salt , well dried , and taken in a pipe , as is usuall to take tobacco ; it would produce a farre more safe and certaine effect in cold and moist braines ; and so might prove an excellent preservative against apoplexies , epilepsies , and all manner of cold rheumaticke defluxions , commonly called by the name of colds . and i am perswaded , that if it were to us unknowne , and brought from the east or west-indies , or som other remote region , and so begunne to bee taken by some of our shagd or slasht mounsieurs , we should quickly have it thus used in the country : for we are all now for the new cut . bawme is a soveraine good cordiall herbe , and is very good against melancholy , strengtheneth the braine , and helpeth the memory , where the defect is from a cold cause . it is more used for physicke than for food , and yet it may wel be used in broths , and in sallets mingled with cooling herbs , especially when it is yet tender and young . there is a strong water stilled out of it , very good in palpitation of the heart , and other such infirmities , especially where there is no great heat . it is hot and dry in quality about the second degree . betonie is no lesse hot and dry than the former , a very good herbe , howbeit in greater request for physicke than for food ; and yet may it well be used in broths . it is a soveraine good herbe for many both outward and inward diseases . it is esteemed principally good for the braine , and cold infirmities of the same . it is likewise good against inward obstructions : and is good also to cleanse the kindneies , and all the urinary passages , with many other vertues which were heere too long to relate , and shall suffice to have reckoned up the principall . there is an herbe called tarragon , as hot as any we have yet named ▪ of a pleasant and delectable smell , and comfortable both to head and heart , whereof is also sometimes made use in the kitchin , and is used in sallets , being used with cooling herbs . it may be used of cold and phlegmatick nauseous stomacks , and so it both warmeth the same , and furthereth concoction . hyssop is sometimes used in broths or pottage , although in a small quantity , being hot and dry about the third degree , or not farre off it ; being also of a thinne , attenuating and cutting quality . it is good for the head ; but principally for the breast , and obstructions of the pipes of the lungs , and singular good for attenuation and expectoration of tough phlegmaticke humors . phlegmaticke cold obstructed bodies may freeliest use it . time a soveraine good and usefull herbe , is as hot and dry , if not more than hyssop , and is in no small request both for food and physicke ; being especially good in cold infirmities , and phlegmaticke constitutions , against the wind colicke , weakenesse of stomacke , and may also conveniently be used against melancholy , and for many other infirmities , which for brevity i here passe by . savourie is much of the same vertue that time , and appropriated for the like infirmities . it is used amongst other pot-herbs , howbeit alwayes in a small quantity , and mingled with many cooling herbes . and this is alwayes in the use of pot-herbs to be observed , that there be a small proportion of these hot and dry herbs used to a greater quantity of those of a cooling quality . besides the herbes themselves , some of them bring forth a fr●ut● , which is in no small esteeme among many . we will beginne with the garden thistle ▪ which although it beareth not properly any fruit , yet is it answerable thereunto : for before it flowre it sendeth forth , as it were a fruit , which is in no small request , and used by most people . it is most commonly eaten boiled with butter , vineger , pepper , and salt . the young and tender stalkes used after the same manner are nothing inferior to themselves . the italians eat artichockes raw , while they are yet young and tender with pepper and salt , which is a food nothing worth , ingendring crude grosse and evill nourishment . c galen saith , it ingendreth but bad nourishment boiled and dressed ; much more than raw . but being used moderately , they will not offend the body . they are accounted hot and dry ; howbeit i thinke ours doe not exceed the first degree . they are esteemed flatuous , and to excite lust : and are with all diureticke , provoking urine , and cleansing the passages of urine . there are three sorts of these fruits of herbs which have som affinity among thēselves , especially two of them . the first is by the latines called cucurbita & citrullus , by the french citroulle , and in english a gourd , and by som a melon . it is cold and moist , ingendring no good humors in the body , and never to be eaten raw ; but boiled , or rather fried with butter or oile , and onions , or the like , which may correct this cold and moist quality . it is of it selfe insipid , and therefore the french use to adde to it vinegar or ver●uice , as some use here in england also . it may be best used of young and hot bodies ▪ but is an enemy to such as are molested with raw phlegmaticke humors or wind . the seeds , as of all the others are good to provoke urine , and qualifie the sharpnesse and acrimony thereof , and therefore of them , as of the seeds of cucumers and muske-melon , with an appropriate liquor , wee may make not onely emulsions to provoke urine , and cleanse those passages ; but even in burning diseases of the brest , lungs and other parts . of this , as also of cucumers , may bee distilled a water very good against burning fevers , and other hot acute diseases . the cocumer , as they commonly cal it , challengeth unto it self the second place ; * which came chiefly in credit and estimation by the means of tiberius caesar , who scarcely ever either dined or supped without them . the best way of use is , as is the cōmon custome , sliced , and with vineger shaken betwixt two dishes , and then with vineger , oyle & pepper eaten as a sallet . they are very cold and moist in themselves , exceeding the gourd . they minister no good nourishment at all to the body of man ; and are best for the hot and dry constitutions , and deadly enemies to the cold phlegmaticke body , and such as are subject to wind . before they be big , they use to pickle them up with vineger and salt , and use them in winter as a sallet , and so i hold them best , as having then lost a great deale of their crude and unconcocted moisture . d but a late writer rejecteth the use of them how curiously soever prepared ; and imputeth the raigning of many contumacious fevers , and other diseases in france , amongst other causes , to the too frequent use of this unwholesome fruit . there is yet another fruit called a melon , and with us commonly a muske-melon : the french call them melons , and the poitevins in france poupon , from the latine pepo , which is thought , was only a great ripe cucumer . this is the best of the bunch , as is the proverbe ; howbeit in this our cold & moist climat i hold them nothing worth . this fruit moistneth very much , and is by many esteemed to be cold in quality : but for my part , the sweetnes of their taste ( and therefore by the french called sugar melons ) make me rather of opinion that they partake of som heat , or at the least that they are temperate . galen esteemeth them far better than any of the former , as being of a more solid substance , & nothing so miost . they stir up the appetit , provoke urine , and moisten the body . they are pleasant to the taste , but are easily converted into choler , & so produce both putrid fevers , and the bloudy fluxe ; as i have observed in france , where they abound ; and therfore let our yong gentlemen travellers take heed , lest sweet meate at length prove to have sowre sauce . they are to be eaten before meales , as many sommer-fruits , and some counsel a cup of wine after them . but whither that wil not too speedily carry those crudities into the small veines , may be questioned . the best grow in france , italy and spaine , and such hot countries : and in france , from tours southward . in and about paris they are nothing so good , the ground being so forced by art , they growing , as it were on dung-hills . they may be discerned to be good by these properties following . first if they be heavy , of a pleasant smell ; if they have thicke stalks , and the outward skinne greene ; and withall they must have the inward pulpe firme without moisture , and the seeds sticking fast to it . i have somewhat the longer insisted upon this point , to acquaint travellers with the nature , use and danger of such things as are not so common with us here at home . chap. xvi . of fruits of trees , especially of shrubs , ordinarily used for food , and often for physicke : and first of straw-berries , raspes , mulberries , goose-berries , currants , ( commonly so called ) red and black , and whortles , and bil-berries , of barberies , of cherries , plummes , abricoks and peaches . it is more than time wee come now to the fruites of trees which ministred unto mankind both in the state of innocency , and after also his food for a long time . but after varietie of other food was found out , they were commonly served in for after-courses ; or as the french call it , for desert . but after a while when men beganne to neglect this point of good husbandry , fruits became so dear that gold could scarce buy them . in the time when varro lived , they were equalled with the weight of gold . in plinies time a peach was ordinarily sold for three hundreth pence . we will divide all fruits according to the usuall manner , into those of a shorter , or of a longer continuance . those of shorter continuance , are by reason of their short continuance , so termed ; called therfore fugaces , or flying away ; as also horarii , as it were , during but for a short season : and such are mulberries , cherries , peaches , abricocks , &c. the others againe are called of a longer continuance such as are divers sorts of apples , and som sorts of peares . all sorts of fruits minister but small nourishment to the body ; and most fruits yeeld but bad , especially those of shorter continuance . the cruditie is corrected by preparation ; whether by boiling , rosting or preserving . and some for this purpose use a draught of wine after them ; of the which something hereafter . but here is a question moved by a a learned late writer , whether it be good to eate bread with those short continuing fruits or no ? he answereth , that if they bee used as physicke , they are then to bee used without bread or any other food : but if used for food , then bread is to be eaten with them . amongst all these fruits we will first beginne with the strawberry , although no fruit of any tree ; yet because of the affinity & resemblance of it to the fruit of some trees and shrubs , i follow other mens method . the antient greekes , it seemeth , were ignorant of this plant , although plinie mentioneth it , howbeit deceived in the description thereof , while hee ascribeth unto it five leaves , which is the right pentaphyllum or our ordinary cingfoile . the strawberrie cooleth , moistneth and qualifieth hot distempers ; and therefore good in fevers , all maner of inward inflammations , hot and cholerick constitutions . they are of themselves no enemy to the stomacke , unlesse it be very moist and phlegmaticke . their stilled water is very usefull for all internall heates , and to cleanse the kidnies and urinary passages . in hot stomacks and like constitutions of body , they may safely be used with rosewater or the like . some use them with creame , whereof i advise weake , cold and phlegmaticke persons beware . and yet this is a dish wherein our gentle-women doe much delight , howsoever not so agreeable to their constitution of body . some use them againe with a little claret wine and sugar ; which in such constitutions is to be preferred before the former . the strawberry is also accounted cordiall , for the which cause it may well be used in all cordiall juleps ; where cooling especially is required . they are to bee eaten before other food ; the which is in all these short-lasting summer-fruits to be observed . there is yet another small fruit , not much unlike the former either in forme or operation , and in no small request both for food and physicke . and although some preferre the strawberry before the raspe , yet is not this the judgement of all ; this being accounted more cordiall than the strawberry . and indeed the smell and taste , me thinks , doe insinuate no lesse unto our senses ; which occasioned most of the apothecary shops of germanie to be alwaies well furnished with the sirup of this simple , in imitation of that great gesner , who had it in so high an admiration . and although it bee accounted as cooling as strawberries ; yet i incline rather to thinke it temperate , if not inclining to some moderate heat . howsoever , neither of these fruits nourish much , and moisten apparently , their siccity being very small . this fruit is also esteemed good against the inflammations of the mouth and tensills , and fluxes of the belly . if either of these fruits be eaten in excesse , they ingender fevers . the mulberry , as well as the former fruits , is of two colors red and white , b the white is of an unsavory taste , and therefore we will leave this tree to the silke-wormes . the poet reports , that mulberries were at the first all white ; but that afterwards , they were died red with the blood of the two true lovers , pyramus and thisbe . they are also to be eaten before meales , or with an empty stomacke ; although antiquity used them after meales , as witnesseth an antient c poet. if eaten with a full stomacke , they ingender many dangerous diseases . and because of their cooling and moistning quality , they are best in hot and cholericke bodies , young persons , and the summer season , and they loosen the belly also , much moisten the inward parts , are good against thirst , and roughnesse of the throat ; and by some are thought to provoke urine , especially our arabian physitians ; and besides , are thought to cleare the blood from all corruption , for the which cause , some have been of opinion they were good against the gout . and a learned late d physitian relateth a story out of an old author , that in his country , for the ful space of twenty yeers together , the mulberrie trees bare no fruit at all ; and that for this cause , during all that time , the gout did so rage , that not only men and women , children and eunuchs ( contrary to hippocrates his rule ) but even whole flockes of sheepe and goats also were so therewith assaulted , that scarce the third part of them escaped free . but what should be the cause that mulberries should either cure , or yet prevent the gout ; i confesse , i could never yet finde out : and all the colour i can finde for it , is , that by meanes of loosening the belly , they may scowre away superfluous humors , the cause of this disease ; and so may many other simples , farre more effectually ; so that in this , it will come short of many others ; so farre is it from obteining any prerogative above them . and why may not this learned mans opinon ( granting that this story were yet true ) be a fallacie , a non causa pro causa ; assigning that for a true cause which is none at all ? e another learned physitian troubleth himselfe much to find out a cause of it ; but is faine to leave it as he found it : even so must we where none is to be found ; as i am of opinion there is none . of this fruit is made a sirup for sore throats , called diamoron . it is best that is made of mulberries before they be full ripe , which are both more cooling and astringent , in this case much requisite . there is a bramble growing every where wilde in the fields , the berries whereof , before they be full ripe , may be used in defect of the former . the goose-berrie was not knowne , it seemeth , in antient times , howbeit now with us , in frequent use . green goose-berries are of a cooling and astringent facultie , and in stead of verjuice are used as a soveraine sauce to divers sorts of meat : and although they yeeld small nourishment to the body , yet are they good to sharpen the appetite , and against thirst and choler , much resisting putrifaction , goose-berries full ripe , are not so cold as the former , yea , rather inclining to a meane temper . the full ripe are not usefull for sauces , and being eaten in abundance , they ingender corrupt humours , and in hot cholericke constitutions , are quickly converted into choler . the unripe eaten raw of hot stomacks , keeping within compasse , will coole the same ; but are safelier used , being boiled , and as they use to speake , scalded , and a little sugar and rose-water with them , they prove a dainty dish for this effect . of goose-berries not yet full ripe , our ladies and gentlewomen know how to make a daintie marmalade , and many other things , fit to refresh the appetite of a weake and languishing stomacke , which for brevities sake i here passe by . that little berry , which the vulgar call currants , although it have no affinitie with them , and by the arabian physitians , called ribes , is of two sorts , both red and blacke ; although the red is most with us in request , best knowne , and most effectuall , both in physicke and food . it is indeed , most ordinarily used for physicke , although it may well be used also for sauces . the ripe ribes agreeth much in vertue with the unripe sowre goose-berry ; howbeit i thinke , it rather exceedeth the same . it is cold moderatly , not exceeding the first degree , but exceeding the same in moisture , participating of some siccitie , and a notable astringent qualitie ; whereby it strengtheneth a weake stomacke , and exciteth a weake and languishing appetite . it is exceeding good as the other , against all fevers , inward inflammations , maligne diseases proceeding of putrefaction of humours : as also in hot cholericke constitutions , and young age . but in old age , cold constitutions , and diseases in the breast and lungs , it is not so good : the which is also to be observed in other acide and sharpe liquours and fruits . of it with sugar is made that composition , commonly called rob of ribes . of the like nature and vertue is that berrie , which is commonly called barberries , and in vse for the same purposes , as fevers , hot stomackes , fluxes , &c. they are used both in conserves , and also preserved . f gerard in his herball maketh mention of severall sorts of whorts , or whortle-berries , blacke , red and white , all of an astringent faculty , and are called by a generall name vaccinia . they stop fluxes , and casting of choler , coole the body ; for the which purpose the black be the best . there is another berry , which , at london , they commonly call bilberries , and in the northermost part of this iland , bleaberries , well knowne by the blewish violet colour , wherewith they die the lips and teeth of the eaters . they use commonly to eat them with creame and milke , whereof i allow not in cold phlegmaticke constitutions and stomacks ; nor yet in the aged , as was already said of strawberries . this is cold and dry , not exceeding the second degree , and is very astringent , especially before it be full ripe , and therefore may serve for the aforesaid uses , and will helpe well the former infirmities . and this benefit they also bring us , that they may be used in stead of the out-landish myrtle . now , from the fruits of shrubs and the like , we proceed to the fruits of taller trees , ( howbeit these next following differ not much from shrubs ) beginning first with the cherry . of cherries there be divers sorts differing both in colour and in taste ; some being of a pleasant , as it were mixt taste betwixt sweet and and sowre ; some , againe being very sowre ; and some yet of a loushous taste , being blacke in colour ; the former two red . the first is the best , and of safest use . cherries are cold and moist , howbeit some more and some lesse . those we first mentioned agree best with the stomacke , and provoke appetite , cooling a hot stomacke , liver , and like constitution of body ; and are good in hot cholericke diseases , and against thirst . being preserved , their cruditie and superfluous moisture is well corrected , howbeit in fevers , and cholerick complexions , i wish the use be moderate , as also of all other such preserv'd fruits , for feare of increasing choler by reason of the sugar . the sowre cherries are nothing so good as the former . the blacke cherry looseneth the belly more than the other , and is more for the use of physick than food , not good for the stomacke , and are quickly converted into choler , especially in some bodies . these be the sorts here with us in greatest request ; although there be yet some other sorts , by meanes of grafting , which , neverthelesse , all partake of these former tastes , some more , some lesse ; and by consequent , their faculties are accordingly to be judged of . in france especially , and hotter countries , there are great diversity and varieties of this , as of divers other sorts of fruits : and in france , they use to drie them in an oven , and keepe them all the yeere , and so they bind the belly . they must be eaten before other meats , as we have said of others already , and would have it understood of plums , peaches , and abricocks after to be spoken of . and withall , that such fruits best befit hot cholericke bodies , the contrary whereof ●w see commonly practised : but by this meanes , women should have the least there in them , which might , perhaps , prove more prejudiciall to the physitian than to themselves . cherries are best new gathered , or eaten off the tree . of no other fruit is there greater variety than of plummes : and they are of two sorts , either wilde , called sloes , or slane ; and bullases all , of a very astringent and binding faculty , used ordinarily for physicke , rather than food . and this is to be understood also of any sowre or unripe plumme . the ordinary and domesticke plummes , are used both when they are newly ripe , and dried and kept all yeere . they differ both in colour , taste and bignesse . the damsons of all sorts ( there being both blacke , yellow , and neere unto blacke ; called by the french , damas vioolet ) are esteemed best among plummes . those of a firme and dry pulp , and withall somewhat tart , and of a winie taste , as it were , betwixt sweete and sowre ; as peare , plummes black and white , date plum &c. are farre better than others , and in my opinion , are nothing inferiour , if not superiours , to the damson . what hath beene said concerning the tastes of cherries , and the answerable faculties , together with the use and convenient time of eating them , may well and fitly be applied to plummes , that we need not repeate againe the same things . in france and spaine , and hot countries , they drie their plummes , from whence wee have them sent hither : and they are either sweet , and come commonly out of spaine ; or else are tarter in taste , and come out of france . all these kinds wee commonly call by the name of prunes , and are all farre better and wholesomer than the others , and are much used of sicke people . the sweeter loosen the belly best , the other coole more in hot diseases , and cholerick constitutions of body . peaches and abricocks differ not much in their faculties , being both apt to putrifie in the stomacke , and to produce divers dangerous putrid fevers , and other diseases . peaches are of divers kindes , and in france , especially the south parts thereof , they are very pleasant to the palate , being many of them of a pleasant winie taste , betwixt sweet and sowre . all of them are somewhat cold , and with all very moist ; yet some more , some lesse , according to the soile they grow in . in our cold and moist climat , they are little or nothing worth , as seldome comming to perfect maturity . some doe advise , to correct their cruditie , to wash them downe with a cup of wine , acccording to the old verse : f petre quid est pesca ? est cum vino nobilis esca . but by this meanes the crude juice thereof is quicklier conveied thorow the mesaraicke veines , and so distributed thorow the whole body . the better way were to boile them in wine with a little sugar and cinnamon , and so eat them . or if they must be eaten raw , let them be first steeped in a little sweet canary wine , or muscadine , which will not so speedily passe thorow the capillary veines . the kernell within the stones eaten with them , being somewhat hot and drie , will helpe to correct their crude and cold moisture . the like may be said of abricocks , cherries and plummes ; the kernells within their stones being used after the same manner . and what is said here concerning the use of wine with peaches , is likewise to be understood of abricocks and all other such fruits as abound in such cold and crude waterish moistures . the abricocke , with us is farre better than the peach , both in regard it atteineth to the full ripenesse in the heat of sommer ; as likewise , because it is of a more firme and solid substance . they are to be eaten before meales , sparingly . the kernells in the stones are farre better than themselves , and open inward obstructions . chap. xvij. of grapes , rasins , currants ( properly so called ) figges and dates ; and of apples , peares , quinces , oranges , citrons , lemmons , and pomegranats , services , medlars and corneilles : of walnuts , haslenut , filberds , almonds bitter and sweet , chestnuts , pineapple , and fisticknnut . in the beginning of this chapter , we will take these pleasant and delectable fruits following , beginning with that so noble fruit , the grape . grapes , if they have atteined to perfect maturity , and be sweet in taste , doe nourish and fatten the body , howbeit they ingender wind & crudities , and the flesh procured by that nourishment is soft & foggie , and not firme and solid . a the antient greekes therefore did inhibite , that grapes should not be tasted before the aequinox in autumne after mid september , and so the body might by this meanes be least indangered . sweet grapes are somewhat hot in faculty , and loosen the belly , yet some more than other ; and the best grape is that which bringeth forth the best wine . that which is called the muscadine grape , is sweet and pleasant to the palate . they are much better when they are kept a great while after the gathering : as in france , they will keepe them untill the next spring , and so they lose all crudity and superfluous moisture . the sowre grapes are the worst to eate , ingendring no good humours within the body , and wrong concoction ; and alwaies the sowrer and harsh in taste , the worse they are for ordinary eating ; howbeit made into verjuce , as the french use greene unripe grapes , they may helpe a dull appetite , and coole inward hot distempers . most of our grapes here in england , seldome atteine to perfect maturity , and therefore , doe for the most part offend the body , especially phlegmaticke and cold complexions and stomacks . but , if they be boiled and sweetned with sugar , and some cinnamon , or the like added , they will not be offensive . they are to be eaten with an emptie stomacke . raisins , which are nothing else but grapes dried , are farre better than any of the former , yeelding a good and wholesome nourishment to the body , especially those that come out of spain , sweet and fair & pulpous , which wee commonly call raisins of the sunne ; and are very good for the liver , lungs , and the infirmities of the same , and of the brest wind-pipe ; and withall loosen the belly , the stones taken out . other raisins that are neither so sweet nor fat , great and pulpous , how f●●●e soever they are inferiour to the other in taste , &c. so farre doe they also come short of them in their alimentall facultie , and loosening the belly , as being more astringent , and lesse nourishing . there is yet another small raisin , brought unto us here ready dried , out of the straits , called currants , and is in very great request in all parts of this kingdome . they are of a temperate qualitie , participating of some heat , and are of good nourishment , a good friend to the stomacke , exciting appetite , and nourish well , especially the red . but let a moderation , as in all other things , so especially in those sweet meats be used , which , by too much intising thy taste , may make thee at length finde by experience , that sweet meat hath sowre sauce . i speake this the rather , for that i finde a very great excesse in this kinde , thorow this whole kingdome . the teeth , as they make the first onset , so are they often accordingly rewarded for their paines . as other fruits , so doe figgs differ in their faculties , according to their age . new ripe figs are not so hot as the dry barreled figs ; they nourish well , but withall ingender crude and flatuous humours in the bodie , being therefore enemies to the wind-collicke , and other flatulent diseases ; and the flesh they ingender is spongious , foggie , and not firme and solid ; but withall loosen the belly , which maketh some part of amends . but this fruit is not very frequent here in england , it seldome comming to any maturity : but drie barrelled figs are with us here in frequent use . they are to good purpose used in pectorall diseases , being of an abstersive facultie : they cleanse also by a diuretick vertue , the passages of urine ; and by old b hippocrates , are much commended for the infirmities of the womb , where cleansing is required , as hee witnesseth in many places of his workes : they expell likewise serosities and superfluous humours from the inward parts to the circumference ; usefull therefore to expell poxe , measells , and such like venomous matter to the skinne : and for this cause much used . they are esteemed to further the itch , and often lice also . let those that abound in choler , be sparing in their use , lest they finde in a short space those humours get the mastery over them . they are farre better for the phlegmaticke and old age , than for the younger sort and hot complections . the fruit of the palme-tree , called dates , is sent us from syria and palestina , which are the best : this fruit , especially the sweet fat date , nourisheth much , and corroborateth and strengtheneth nature , is of a hot and astringent faculty , and is very good in all weaknesses and fluxes , boiled in broths and liquid substances , and are not to be eaten raw . the greene ripe dates are moister and colder , and yet neither exceeding in heat : it is good for the brest , and no enemy to the stomacke , and some say , good to provoke urine . but such as are subject to the headach , or feare obstructious , let them be sparing in the use thereof . having spoken of such fruits as are used before meales , now proceed we to such are ordinarily used after ; beginning first with the apple . now of apples , there are as many sorts , and as great variety as of any other fruit whatsoever : their differences are divers , both in regard of substāce , colour , taste and duration . as for substance , some are of more firme and solid substance ; and some againe of a softer . the firmer in substance are the best for use , and will keepe longer : as the pippin , pearemaine , harvie-apple , &c. againe , they differ not a little in the taste ; some being sweet , some sowre ; some mixt , and partaking sometimes more of one than another ; some againe are insipid , their faculties are also answerable : the sweete partake of some small heat ; the sowre are cold ; the mixt , of mixt faculties , more or lesse , as they incline more to the one or the other . the insipid are ful of a crude , superfluous and unconcocted moisture , and therefore worst for use , being very windy , and bad for such as are subject to wind : the sweeter and firmer the substance is , the more they nourish , and are harder of digestion : the middle taste , betwixt sweet and sowre , is the best , and agreeth best with the stomacke ; as russetings , queen-apples , pearemaine , pippins , &c. and these are also most cordiall and usefull in physick . the sowre , although they nourish lesse , yet are they more proper for hot and cholericke bodies ; but worse for phlegmaticke and aged people . it is also to be observed , both in apples and other fruits , that for the most part , they are not so good eaten raw , as otherwise ; but especially when they are new ripe , or before , worst of all . raw apples before they be ripe , if used , are best quadled , adding afterwards some rose-water and sugar , which cooleth young hot , and choleticke bodies : but it commeth most commonly to passe , that the contrary constitutions , women i meane , have often the better share . but in truth , if reason might beare rule , their share should be least , especially ( as they often use ) to adde creame to them . apples are best , that are suffered to come to maturity , naturally , and not forced by art , laying them in straw or hay to mellow , which is no right and proper maturation . they are best to be eaten raw in winter , and afterwards ; but especially of young people , hot and cholericke bodies . it is no bad custome to use with them carroway gomfits , as in many places they use to eate them . and rosted and eaten with sweet fennell seedes , is a very good and wholesome way to correct their flatuous facultie : but i advise those that love their health , to beware of raw apples , or other fruit before they be ripe ; and after observing these former directions , they shall finde some benefit thereby . of peares , as before we said of apples , are divers and sundry sorts , differing likewise in substance , taste , colour , and greatnesse . as we said before of apples , so may wee here apply to the taste of peares , that the sweetest are the hottest , howbeit they are none of them tart as apples . peares are esteemed more windie than apples , and withall , of an astringent facultie , and lesse durable ; being for the most part to be spent in sommer , abounding with a crude and superfluous moisture , the cause of their short continuance . the warden is of the firmest and solidst substance of all others , and therefore the best . it is not to be eaten raw , being then hard of digestion , and ingendring crude and evill humours within the body . baked or rosted they become farre better , and a wholesome food , in sicknesse or in health . the custome of baking them , stucke with cloves and cinamon , is very commendable , where rose-water and sugar is commonly added . the c antient greeks were wont to bring peares to the table in water , that by this meanes , the guests might choose the ripest , which would swim on the top of the water . in france they drie peares in an oven , and so keepe them all the yeere , and then they are not so windy , but very good against all fluxes . quinces are also in no small request , as well for physicke as for food , and are of an astringent faculty , and somewhat cold and dry , and are not to be eaten raw ; they are so hard of digestion , that a strong stomacke will hardly be able to overcome them : and therefore they are commonly either baked or rosted . they are good to strengthen a weak stomack . being used before meales they binde the belly ; but eaten after , they loosen the same , and represse fumes and vapours ascending up towards the head ; and therefore to strengthen the stomacke , and further concoction , this is the best way of use : they are used both preserved , in marmalades , red and white , &c. of which i shall not need to speak , our gentlewomen in the countrie , every where being so well acquainted with all these preparations . besides the premisses , there are some other fruites which are sometimes , howbeit seldome , used as food , and yet more as physick , and these are medlars and services , cold and dry , and of an astringent faculty , and therefore to be used after , and not before meales : they must be soft before they be eaten : their greene juice is most effectuall in fluxes . there is yet another fruit , or berry partaking of the same faculty , commonly called a corneille . before wee passe from those kindes of fruits , wee will make mention of some outlandish fruits , in no small request , both in the kitchin and in physicke ; howbeit i am not ignorant , that they are rather to be reckoned among sauces than otherwise ; and these are the orange , lemmon , or citron and pomegranat , which last is rather appropriate for physicke . the orange differeth in taste , some being sweet , some sowre , some more and some lesse , and so their faculties differ accordingly . and the find and the seedes differ from the pulpe or juice , being farre hotter than the sweetest orange , and yet the sweet partake of some heat ; the sowre againe cold , and the sowrer the colder . the sowre are best for the stomacke , used with any meate : the sweete is no wise fit for this purpose . the sowre and tart orange being cold and drie , is very good for young hot cholericke bodies , and very cooling in burning feavers and hot diseases ; but care must be had in the diseases of the brest , that neither this , nor any other acide or sharp things be unadvisedly used ; such things being utter enemies to those parts ; and withall , they bind the belly , for the which cause circumspection must be had , even in that regard , where sugar must sometime qualifie the excesse . those that are of a meane , betwixt those two extremes of sowre and sweete , are the sittest for use , and will agree well with the stomacke . the lemmon is much of the nature of the sowre orange , but that it is tarter , and of a more cutting and attenuating faculty , exceeding good for hot cholericke constitutions , and very cooling and cordiall in all burning fevers , and a great enemy to all putrefaction ; and for this cause , singular good against pestilent and contagious fevers : the excessive aciditie thereof may be corrected with sugar ; and for the sicke , we use with good successe the sirup made of the juice thereof : and the whole pulpe of this and the citron ( which , i thinke , differ little but in forme , howbeit some thinke the citron more cordiall ) are preserved for cordiall uses . the rind of all three preserved , or candit with sugar , is good to strengthen a weake stomacke , and comfort the heart . the feedes of citrons and lemmons are also very cordiall , howbeit both these and the rind are hot , and the juice very cold , as hath beene said already . and although the pomgranat , taking its denomination either from the multitude of graines , or the countrie granada in spaine , be used commonly for physick , rather than food ; yet speaking of the others , we will say a word or two of it also , some of them being also by some used sometimes for sauces : they are of three sorts , sweet , sowre , and of a mixt or winie taste , betwixt both : the mixt is the best , and most usefull for a weake stomacke , the sweete being no wise usefull to this end : the sowre pomgranat is cooling and drying , and of an astringent facultie ; yet not so much as the lemmon . what hath beene said of the lemmon may be applied to this fruit , the juice i meane , with some qualification , the acidity not being so great , and by consequent the effects from thence proceeding , being more remisse : the rind of it is very astringent , and therefore much used against all fluxes , as also in putrid and foule ulcers . the flower is also used for astriction , and boiled in decoctions for this same purpose . now we proceed to the severall sorts of nuts in most ordinary use for food and physicke . all such fruits then that are covered with hard shells , we commonly call by the name of nut ; and amongst all these , the wall-nut , or walsh-nut , beareth away the bell . the wall-nut being new gathered is the best for use , being of a temperate facultie , howbeit after becomming older , it groweth hotter ; and afterwards being long kept , it becommeth oilie , and then is not to bee used : all wall-nuts are accounted hurtfull for the pectorall parts , especially the elder they are . old wall-nuts require strong stomackes to digest them . they have even before galens time beene esteemed as a good antidote against poyson , who also maketh mention of that famous antidote made of this same nut with rue and salt ; and hee giveth it also an astringent faculty . * a late writer giveth it some commendation in furthering womens menstruous fluxe . they preserve them ordinarily in france and italy , about mid-sommer before they be ripe , cutting off their greene coat , and after boiling them while they bee tender , sticking them with cinamon and cloves , and afterwards preserving them with sugar , and so they become very comfortable for the stomacke , and good for the heart . the oile of walnuts is not only used for lights in lamps , and by painters for vernice ; but is of a great use also for dressing of meats , and in many parts of france , supplieth the roome of butter , and is ordinarily used in sallets : and in my opinion it is better than butter , and wholesomer for use . d dioscorides holdeth this nut hurtfull for the head and stomacke , to be ill of digestion , and hurtsfull for the cough ; which must be understood of them when they are old , as hath been said already . the shaddow of this tree is hurtfull to them that shall sit under it in sommer , and thought to bee called nux a nocendo , from hurting . nuts according to our arabian physitians , are chiefely to be eaten after fish , according to that triviall verse . post pisces nux sit , post carnes caseus adsit . and this i thinke in regard of their astringent and drying faculty . the hasell-nut is not so good as the former , hard of digestion , especially being any thing old , and hurteth the breast and lungs , and therefore sparingly to be used , especially of weake stomackes . they are best used when they are young , and newly gathered . when they are old , they are of a terrestrious substance , hot and dry , whereas yong and new gathered , they are farre moister , and rather temperate than hot . the best are those we call filberds , especially those that have red skins . the astriction i , thinke , of all nuts proceedeth chiefely from the skin . the almond both bitter and sweet is reckoned among nuts . the bitter are for the use of physicke , and not for food . sweet almonds are good for the breast and lungs , they fatten and nourish much , espeally their creame or milke . they are of an opening and abstersive or cleansing facultie , and withall participate of some narcoticke vertue , whereby they further sleepe , and send many vapors up to the head , whereby in some weaker dispositions head-ach is sometimes procured . they are rather temperate , than of any great heat ; howbeit the new ripe almonds are much moister , and somewhat colder . if they be very old and withered , they are not good to be eaten , but onely for oile . the older they are , the harder they are of digestion , and offend the stomacke more . blanched , their skins being taken off , and eaten with rose-water and sugar , they are easilier concocted , moisten and nourish more ; but eaten too liberally procure head-ach . they use also to eat them with raisins in lent and some other times . the yonger they be , & before they be full ripe the moister they are , and the more appropriate for hot and dry constitutions , and worse for phlegmaticke ; the riper may be indifferently used of any age or constitution . the oile of sweet almonds is exceeding good taken inwardly , being exceeding good in infirmities of the lungs , helping gently to concoct and expectorat that which was descended upon those parts ; but especially it is good for young children with a little sugar candy for this purpose . it is also exceeding good in outward paines and griefes , being of an anodyne faculty , by reason of that temperate discussing and concocting faculty wherewith it is endowed . there is another apple or nut , call it as thou wilt commonly called a pine-apple , which is much used in pectorall diseases , and therfore used in compositions for that end and purpose , being good to cut , cleanse and expectorate tough and phlegmaticke matter out of the pipes of the lungs . these kernels are moderately hot , and somewhat moister , yeelding good nourishment to the body , howbeit hard of digestion , and no good friend to the stomacke . the newest are the best , and easiliest digested . but because this is not a food frequent with us , and not every where easie to come by , nor yet much used for food , i leave it here . fisticke or pistach nuts are more used in physicke than in food , and are much of the facultie of the former , and are very wholesome , good for the stomacke , helpe obstructions of the liver , are good against consumed or weakened and wasted bodies , and esteemed forcible to procure lust , good to cleanse the kidnies , and strengthen the same . they are better for the aged , cold and phlegmaticke constitutions , being somewhat hotter than the pine-apple kernels . this nut is sent us out of syria , persia and arabia , and groweth also in some places of italy and other countries , howbeit the best and most we have come from those parts . there resteth yet one nut , which some ranke among the glands , which we commonly call a chestnut , which are not very frequent with us , especially in most places . this nut is thought to bee very nourishing : but it is hard of digestion , and the nourishment thereof is but grosse , and fittest for strong rusticall bodies : this nut bindeth the belly , stoppeth fluxes of the belly , breedeth obstructions , and hurteth the head . they are used in many places of france for a desert after dinner or supper , either boiled or rosted , together with other fruits . and what they can spare from their owne use they bestow on their hogges , which doe exceedingly fatten them . in some parts of france where they abound , and other provision , come especially , is scant ; as in the country of limosin , perigort , and some others , the country people make bread of them . chap. xviii . of the severall sorts of flesh , especially of foure footed beasts , with their appurtenances and parts . of all food flesh is most agreeable to the nature of man , and breedeth most abundant nourishment to the body . now flesh is of two sorts ; either of foure-footed beasts or of fowle . the flesh againe of foure-footed beasts differeth in quality , not only one kind from an other ; but even the same kind from it selfe , according to the age , &c. and of foure-footed beasts some are wild and some are tame , which makes some difference in their alimentary faculty . the tame are of a more nourishing faculty than the wild : and among them the male of such as be gelded is commonly better than the female of the same kind : and so is that of middle age wholesomer , than that which is either very old or very young and againe , among the young , some are better than other ; as yong veale ( providing it be not too young ) is better than lamb or pigge . besides , very fat meate cloieth the stomacke , and quickly overthroweth the appetite ; howbeit the leane of fat meat is better than that which is altogether leane ; but the meane betwixt both is the best . there is againe some difference in regard of the preparation : for rosted flesh and fried is harder of digestion ; yet nourisheth better , and is drier than that which is boiled . and this is still to bee understood of one and the same kind : as rosted mutton is drier than boiled mutton , &c. baked in an oven , smothered and suffocated within picrust is esteemed for health the worst of all others . salted meat , and afterwards hung up in the smoake , is farre worse than fresh meat , and ingendreth melancholy , and is very hard of digestion , howbeit a good shooing horne for a cup of good liquor : although beefe and porke a little powdered are good and wholesome food for good stomacks , and wholesomer than altogether fresh . and the moister the flesh is , the more dayes may it endure to be thus corned or powdered : and it is properly for daies , or a weeke or two at most , not for moneths or yeeres to bee salted ; i meane for ordinary use , and wholesomest diet . but now we will proceed to the severall sorts of flesh , and will first begin with hogges flesh , for the likenesse and resemblance it hath to mans flesh , and for the high commendations the antient physitians gave of this flesh . hogges flesh of a middle age , neither too fat nor too leane , a little salted , hath alwaies beene accounted one of the best nourishers amongst all other forts of flesh . by reason of the superfluous moisture it is better rosted than boiled . it is best for strong stomackes , and such as use exercise ; but not so fit for students , and such as lead a sendentary life , and aged people . bores flesh , of a middle age , reasonable fat , and killed in a convenient season , to a good stomacke is no evill food , especially accompanied with a cup of muscadine , as is the common custome . but in my opinion it were farre better to use it , when there were fewer other dishes on the table , than , as is the ordinary custome , to use it at the beginning of great feasts . a pigge , the younger it bee , the worse it is for health , and ingendreth more glutinous and and phlegmaticke humors , and by consequent is a great furtherer of obstructions ; and is not to bee eaten unlesse it be of some indifferent age : and is the best way of dressing according to the common custome , to rost it , and make a sauce with sage and currants : and if the skin were not eaten , it would be far easier to digest by a weake stomacke ; although i am not ignorant , that this is ordinarily of highest esteeme . pigges , in regard of their moisture are best for dry and chelericke bodies . and for the same reason , it is not so good a dish for phlegmaticke people , moist bodies , and old age . next we are to speake of beefe , which hath been by galen branded with an aspersion of an evill meat , and ingendring grosse and melancholicke humors , and so hath raised an evill report upon this noble dish , so usefull for every man. this flesh , as divers others , differeth according to age . beefe that is young , indifferent fat , and a little corned , either of an oxe or cow , is very good and wholesome meate for any indifferent good stomacke , a savory nourishment , and with the which , the stomacke will long agree , without any loathing . it is best that exceedeth not two yeeres or three at most . old beefe , especially long salted , is both harder of digestion , and ingendreth grosse melancholike humors , being no wise fit for choice weake stomackes , students and such as lead sendentary lives . and therefore that which is called steere or heyfer-beefe is the best . besides , this is yet to be observed , that the younger the beefe be , the better it may bee rosted ; and the older better to bee boiled . very old tough leane beefe , is only for strong labouring people , that in a manner can turne iron into nourishment ; especially bull-beefe , which is the worst of all others . veale being indifferent fat , and of a reasonable age , above a moneth at least , is a meat of very good nourishment , and yeeldeth not to kid it selfe , how highly soever commended . the best way of preparation is to rost it , howsoever it be also often boiled , especially with bacon , which to a good stomacke may not be hurtfull ; howbeit a weak one may therewith be offended . veale is especially good for those who are not of a very moist and phlegmaticke constitution of body , that which is very young , especially within the moneth , is in no case to bee used , if wee either regarded health or policy , and the good of the common-wealth . otherwise , veale , such as we have described it , is a very good wholesome nourishment , and is of easy digestion , not being burdensome to the stomacke at all . and as for excellent good beefe and veale , there is no countrie in the world that can parallel , farre lesse exceed our beeves and veale here in england ; whatsoever some talke of hungary and poland . goats flesh yeeldeth no good nourishment to the body , but rather a tough and melancholike : for the which cause they are not with us in use . their young ones , called kids are notwithstanding every where in very great request , and yeeld to the body a very good and wholesome nourishment , and nothing so moist and excrementitious as lamb. the arabian physitians did so highly esteeme this flesh , that they would have it farre exceed any other . wee are content to give it the due commendation , but yet we will not yeeld too farre to superlative comparisons . they are best in the spring and beginning of sommer . lamb , if of an indifferent age , and not too yong , is a good and wholesome food . it may seeme strange perhaps to some of our dainty palats , that i should insert this , not too young , it being now ordinarily accounted the best that is yongest ; and many great folkes think nothing of that which is common , and ordinary people easily may come by . and therfore the youngest sucking lambs are by them in highest account and estimation . but by their leaves they are farre deceived that so thinke : for beeing so young they are very moist ; for the which cause they ingender crude phlegmaticke humors , wherewith they pester the stomackes , and bodies of such persons , apt enough of themselves , by reason of ease , idlenesse and dainty fare , to accumulate superfluous humors . this flesh would not at least be eaten before it be six weeks , or two moneths old , if not more . and therefore it were a very good policie , if neither lambs nor calves were killed so young as most commonly they are . and as such flesh is hurtfull , so to the phlegmaticke constitutions especially , and old people , and such as are of a moist constitution of body , and is best for cholericke hot bodies , and in the midst of sommer . mutton of a middle age , especially of weather , not above two yeeres old , reasonable fat , is a very good nourishment for any age or sex , and is very wholesome for the body of man. ewes mutton obtaineth the next place in goodnesse , howbeit it is somewhat moister . rammes mutton is worst of all other , and very old and tough mutton is hard of digestion , and only fit for extraordinary strong stomackes : especially for labouring people . and it is here to be observed , that the greatest , and fattest pease-fed muttons , and in rankest pastures , are not the wholesomest for ordinary food , howsoever most profitable for the masters purse , muttons of a middle size , and feeding on shorter commons , as the * poet well described them , are the daintiest , and wholesomest for food . after our discourse of tame and domesticke beasts , wee come now to the wild ; and here in the first place , we must say something of our deere , both red and fallow , which we , as the french also , call commonly venison . all venison is thought to ingender melancholy , and to be very hard of digestion . young fallow-deere , reasonable fat , in in my opinion is a very good wholesome dish , and ingendreth not melancholy , more than a peece of good yong tender beefe . it is commonly attended with a cup of claret , for the opinion of hard digestion . it is a custome to bake it , inclosed within a thicke crust , the eating much whereof , i thinke , doth more hurt to the body , and more offendeth the stomacke than the venison it selfe . and againe , i thinke , if the venison be too fat , it more offendeth the stomacke , especially being hot , than by any evill quality in the flesh it selfe . that which is not too fat , nor yet too leane , is the best . it is commonly excessively seasoned with salt and pepper ; and in my opinion , oftentimes too much . red-deere , i confesse , is farre harder of digestion , and cannot be freed from the former aspersion of breeding melancholie ; and therefore had need of all helpes of correction and preparation , and would be eaten but sparingly like cheese . and such venison is the better and tenderer , the more it be hunted before it be killed . it is the opinion or some , that venison is never good untill it be mouldy , and may be found out by the smell . but i love not to dine with so good husbands , that will keepe their meat so long till none can eat of it . and i wish every one that love their health to beware of medling with such putrid mouldy stuffe , and let them feed on wholesomer food . hares flesh was among the ancients in so high esteeme , that some ascribed unto it the preheminence above all other flesh , as witnesseth the a poet. but certainly hee was unfit to be a physitian , who was no better skilled in the nature of diet : for certaine it is , this is a very hard flesh , and of no good and wholesome nourishment , being very hard and dry , and therefore hard of digestion , and ingendring melancholy , & the seldomer they be used , the better it is for health . the fattest are the best , and are better boiled than rosted ; and being baked with store of butter , or well larded , they are the moister . yong leverets are far better , and of easier digestion . the rabbet or cony hath some affinity with the hare , and is somewhat dry in substance , especially the old ones . but yong rabbets , providing they be not too yong , are a good & wholesom dish , in sicknes and in health . wild swines flesh is esteemed better than the tame ; by reason it is nothing neere so moist and excrementitious : but it requireth a good stomacke to digest it . in many places of germany the country-people use commonly to eat hedg , hogges , as we doe other food , which are pleasant to the palat , strengthen the stomacke , loosen the belly , and provoke urine . before we leave foure-footed beasts , we must yet say something of some parts of beasts . among all the parts of the beast , the musculous or fleshy part is that which affordeth the best , and most laudable nourishment , as being of a most temperate faculty . now there bee divers other parts , both inward and outward , much declining from this golden mediocrity . in the first place , all maner of fat of beasts yeeld but little , and that but bad nourishment to the body of man , swimming on the top of other meats , provoking a loathing to the stomacke , hindring concoction ; and therefore hurtfull for weake , moist and nauseous stomacks . it is used more for seasoning than for food , and helpeth well dry meats . the fat of hogges and geese is of all other the moistest . the braines of foure-footed beasts are of a clammy and glutinous substance , howbeit not altogether cold , and ingender the like nourishment , are hard of digestion , overthrow the appetite , eaten especially in any abundance . and the moister the creature is , the moister commonly are the braines . and yet calves braines , as also of pigges are with us in great esteeme ; as likewise of rabbets , which are not so moist as the former . it is good to use with them , when they are used , pepper and vineger , sage and such hot and dry herbs . such food , as also of the eyes and other glutinous , cold and clammy nourishment , doe best befit young and hot cholericke bodies and dry constitutions . the eyes are of a clammy and glutinous substance also , howbeit not so much as the braine , and are fit for the like constitutions ; and the fatter the beast is , the more clammy and glutinous the eies are , as of fat calves . the marrow is better than any of the former , and being used with moderation ▪ it nourisheth much , and strengtheneth and fortifieth nature , and is good for the throat and pectorall parts . immoderately taken , especially by a weake and moist stomacke , it overthroweth the appetite , and overturneth the stomacke . the tongue yeeldeth a good and laudable nourishment to the body , and easy of digestion , being of a thinne and spongious nature . the nourishment thereof is more or lesse according to the nature of the beast whereunto it did belong . a little corned i hold them good ; but salted and hung up to dry , they are best to commend a cup of good drinke , and make drinke descend more freely . hogges cheeks use to be kept soused in sowre drinke and fried , howbeit they yeeld no good nourishment , are hard of digestion , as being of a clammy and glutinous substance . and so these externall parts , as the eares also and the feet partake much of this nature , and therefore it is not amisse , that such things are fried with onions & mustard used with them . the like may be said of other beasts , which are also better or worse according to the nature of the beast . the bellies of beasts are much of the same nature , yeelding a like nourishment , and are hard of digestion ; and therefore wee eate tripes with mustard . a calves belly is better than others , and that also of a sheepe . but of strong stomacks of labouring men , and such as take great paines , neither this nor any food lightly commeth amisse . the heart is of a hard digestion , and requireth a strong stomacke , especially of elder beasts ; but yet yeeldeth indifferent good nourishmēt . the lungs are of a spongious substance , nourish little , & that nourishmēt they yeeld , is but phlegmatick , and not of any laudable condition . that livers , especially of beasts of full age , are of hard digestion , and ingender grosse humors , and are apt to breed obstructions , howbeit such food nourisheth much . livers of younger beasts , especially when they suck , are far better , and of a moister substance ; and yet are not free from offending weake and tender stomacks , and withal from ingendring obstructions . and what account can we make of the splene , the cisterne , and as it were , the very magazin of meclancholick blood , but that it will produce such a nourishment . the kidnies are of a very hard digestion , yea harder than the liver it selfe , and ingendreth no good nourishment : yet the kidnies of the youngest beasts are the best , and that of a fat calfe especially . and the older the beast is , the worse they are . the vdder of a young cow , if it be not too fat , although somewhat hard of digestion , yet to a strong stomacke , it will not be offensive . it is not indeed so good for weake stomackes , and phlegmaticke constitutions . and all vdders are inferior to other flesh , and the worst are those of elder beasts ; and therefore the best is to use them but sparingly . the stones ingender a thicke and grosse flatuous blood , and nourish well ; yet of the younger beasts they are best . blood of beasts ministers but a grosse and course nourishment to the body ; yet some better and some worse . bulls blood was a poison among the antients . the blood of an oxe or cow , howbeit in some place they make use of , yet in most places it is altogether rejected . hogges blood is now in greatest request in most countries , as being the sweetest , and pleasing the palat best . and because blood is of a grosse and course nourishment , and withall somewhat dry ; it is therefore a good custome to mingle with those puddings some fat of the same beast , some salt and pepper , and penniroyall , or other hot herbs , which helpe well other defects . there are some things that come from beasts , yet being no part of the same , as milke , whereof is made butter and cheese . milke is nothing else save a second concocting and refining of the blood , drawne up into the dugs , and there by vertue of naturall heat refined , and by a proper faculty of that part , converted into a white milkie substance : and therefore , according to the quality of the blood , so is the milke also . milke seemeth to bee temperate in regard of heat or cold ; but withall very moist . that milke is best which is of a sound beast , and that both for whole and sicke persons , and that feedeth in good pastures . to nourish well , milke must be new milkt , white and of a good smell ; of a meane substance betwixt thicke and thinne ; sweet in tast , and free from either sowrenesse , bitternesse or saltnesse ; and the beast should bee of a middle age , and feeding upon greene grasse , and in the spring , or beginning of sommer . such milke ingendreth a good and laudable blood , and very fit to nourish the body . now for what bodies it is best , together with the manner of the right use , shal hereafter appeare . in milke there is a triple substance observed : the first a thinne waterie substance , called the ferositie or whey , being of good use both in sickenesse and in health ; and is of a cooling faculty . there is another which swimmeth on the top , called the creame of the milke , being the most airie part of the same ; which after it is separated from all the other parts , is called butter ; and serveth us for the same uses that oile doth in hotter countries , being hot & moist : and moderately used , it agreeth well with the stomacke , looseneth the belly , and is good against divers diseases of the breast . the third part of milke is that which is most terrestrious ; the which beeing prest out , and quite separated from the other two substances , wee commonly call cheese , the which is somewhat cooler than butter , yet lesse or more , according as it partaketh more or lesse of the substance thereof . cheese bindeth the belly , is harder of digestion , ingendreth obstructions , and is a great enemie to the stone : cheese is distinguished according to the milke it is made of , the age , the art is used in the making . of all others that which is new , somewhat salted , and made of good cowes milke , ingendreth the best nourishment ; and moderately now and then used will doe no harme to any . my meaning is , of such as have not the creame much skimmed off : for such as are made of milke much skimmed , are farre drier , unwholesomer , and lesse worth than the others . but of this , and other things concerning this purpose , more hereafter in the diet of the diseased . chap. xix . of fowle both tame and wilde , their severall sorts , as also of parts of fowles , and of egges . the flesh of fowles is of easier digestion , hath a speedier passage thorow the body ; but yeeldeth the lesse nourishment than the flesh of foure-footed beasts . in all sorts of fowles , they are best that exceed not a yeere in age , to make them tender , if need be , they are to be hung by the heeles two or three daies ; providing alwaies they hang not till they smell . among all our tame fowle , our cocks , hens , capons , and young chickens , are with us , not without good reason , in greatest request , and ingender a good and laudable nourishment , usefull and very wholesome for the body . a young fat capon of all others is the best , and yeeldeth best nourishment , and is easie of concoction . next unto them are hens indifferently fat and young , yeelding little unto capons for good and wholesome nourishment . chickens are very good , light , wholesome and nourishing meate in sicknesse and in health . they are good for weake stomacks , and such as lead a sedentarie life , and use but little exercise . it is not good to use them too young , as is the ordinary custome , having hatched unto themselves this false and erronious opinion , that the younger any thing is , the btter it is in diet . and because such things are not for the most part so common , therefore partly for this same reason , and partly out of an affected singularity , many are contented to dwell still in this errour . but when they come to be best , to wit , little pullets , then doe our palate-pleasers esteeme them nothing worth . cocks are inferiour to any of the former , yeeld worse and lesse nourishment , but are hotter than any of the other , and loosen the belly . turkies of a middle age , and reasonable fat , are a good wholesome nourishing food , and little inferiour to the best capon , especially the brest and fore-parts , and breedeth very good nourishment . but their fat is somewhat fulsome . and here it is to be observed as a caution in all our tame fowle , that it were farre better to let them feed themselves with good graine , then to cramme them with dough , close cubd up , as is the custome . it is true that thus they prove often the fatter : but too much fat makes them too fulsome , and nothing so wholesome . the peacocke is of a very hard , solid and firme flesh , and hard of digestion , being of a hot and drie substance , ingendring grosse and melancholicke humours , and therefore need a strong stomacke . after they are killed , they are best to hang some daies , to make them the more tender . the younger pullets are tenderer and easier for the stomacke to overcome . others , againe , esteeme this to be of as good a nourishment as a turkie . it was esteemed a dainty dish among the antient romans , as likewise of late yeeres , as witnesse a our writers . and b saint austine saith , hee had made triall of it , that the flesh of it would not putrifie . pigeons are hot , and nourish indifferent well , especially fat , young plump ones , being blooded under the wing , and stuffed with cooling herbs , and sowre goose-berries or grapes . it is a preposterous kind of cookerie , which is most commonly used to bake pigeons with so much pepper , that it is sufficient to set on fire all the stomackes of those that eat them . it is belike conceived , that pigeons are of themselves exceeding cold . boiled they are coolest and moistest , and fittest for hot and cholericke constitutions , and sommer-time . the stocke-dove is a kinde of wilde dove , or pigeon , greater in bodie than our ordinary doves , called in french , pigeon ramier , from the branches of trees whereon they sit , most commonly in great companies . they are esteemed indifferent good nourishment , howbeit somewhat hot and drie : and therefore in france they often boile them , which is the best way . the younger are the best . the turtle is another wilde kinde ; but lesse than the tame , or dove-coat pigeon , and being young and fat , they yeeld good nourishment . in france after they are caught , they keepe them commonly up a pretty while in cages , feeding them with millet seed , by which meanes they become exceeding fat , and good to eat . the goose is of no small account among our tame fowle , howbeit it yeeldeth but a grosse nourishment , and nothing so good as the former , harder of concoction , and ingendring more excrementitious humours . the young goose , called a greene-goose , is farre better , easier of digestion , and ingendereth better nourishment , howbeit not so good as others . the wilde goose is drier than the other , breedeth not so excrementitious an aliment to the bodie ; yet nourisheth lesse , is hard of digestion , ingendreth melancholie , as other the like doe . there is yet a certaine sort of water-fowle , called by the name of goose , howbeit not properly , which for this cause , notwithstanding , we here mention : and this is that solan-goose , breeding in a little rockie iland in scotland , called the bast , and in one of the north-west ilands of the same kingdome , and no where else that i could heare . this fowle or goose is called oysan du bas , by that famous du bartas : and indeed it is lesser than our goose , rather of the bignesse of a good bigge ducke ; and yet for some resemblance called by this name . this fowle is of a fishie taste , like unto the taste of herring , whereon especially it feedeth . it is all fat , scarce any leane to be seene in the whole carkase . they are found ready in their nests round about this rocke ( the young i meane , for the old ones are not eaten ) about the later end of iuly , or beginning of august . they are eaten as we eat oysters , before they sit downe to table , piping hot off the spit , accompanied immediatly with a cup of good claret wine . if they were not eaten thus hot , none were ever able to eat them : for their nourishment , i cannot much commend it ; howsoever it be there ( for the raritie it seemeth ) in no small account , esteeming it in steed of physick ( and indeed it ordinarily loosneth the belly thus eaten ) and that they shall injoy their health the better a long time after . the nourishment can neither be great nor very good , as is the nature of other water-fowle , wherof hereafter : but this pre-eminence it hath above others , that it slippeth quickly thorow the guts , and so offendeth the lesse . among wilde fowle , the pheasant , without all controversie , beareth away the bell : and it is , no doubt , a very daintie dish . they nourish very well , and are wholesome for any age or complexion whatsoever : they are much of the nature of our tame pullaine , howbeit nourish not altogether so much ; yet their nourishment is very good , and easie of digestion , and befit such stomacks as most ordinarily use them : they are esteemed the more excellent by reason of their rarity , omne rarum carum . it is a dish that doth adorne great mens tables : if ordinary people can come by them , i hope i shall not need to bid them use a moderation in the use of them . the yong partridge being fat , is a very good and wholesome nourishment , and of easie digestion ; wherefore it is good for dainty stomacks , for weake and valetudinary people : for it strengtheneth nature much : the elder are drier and harder of digestion , and therfore in bounty yeeld to the former . some , notwithstanding , in winter , esteeme the elder better than the younger ; i meane , if both were to be had . it is true , indeed , that in winter the stomacke , by reason of the redoubling of naturall heat , is farre better able to deale with them , and digest them . they are then to be hung up for two or three daies , which is also in other wild fowle to be observed : it is to be observed , that generally , all wilde fowle is drier than the tame , and yeeldeth lesse nourishment ; yet most of them are easily digested . againe , in some countries this drinesse is well corrected by preparation ; as in france , where they lard them , the which cookrie , as i cannot but commend in wilde fowle , providing the lard be good and sweet ; so i think it very superfluous and needlesse , if not worse , to our ordinary tame fowle , as fat capons and geese , yet are they there ordinarily in use . among wilde fowle , the quaile is one of the moistest , and is fattest in harvest , and nourisheth much ; but is easily putrified in the stomack . they need no addition of lard , or butter ; but are rather to be baked with spices ; being much used , they ingender fevers , convulsions , and the falling sickenesse . but i hope the seldome using of them will make amends for all . their rarity makes them in greater request : but were they as common as our capons , their credit would quickly be crackt . that wilde fowle , called in latin attagen , and by some a woodcock , but falsely , being bigger than a perduch , spotted on the backe , like a jugge , but of of a browner colour , and some call a powt , the flesh blacke without , but white within ; is by some accounted of all wilde fowle the best ; is very tender , easie of digestion , good for all ages and conditions , ingendreth good nourishment , agreeing well with the stomacke . there is also a great moore-cocke or heath-cocke , called uro-gallus , or uraga , and greater than our ordinary cocke , yeelding little in goodnesse to our turkies , howbeit , somewhat drier , and harder of digestion . there be divers sorts of little birds in no small esteeme for ordinary use , some of them very good , and some againe , not worth the eating : the larke is of a good and laudable nourishment , and best and fattest in coldest weather : they have ever beene dignified with a certaine vertue against the wind-colicke . and for this purpose , some wish to stuffe them with garlicke ; but then they lose much of their reputation , garlike of it selfe being able to bring this to passe . some to make them eat plump and fat , rost them with their guts : every man as hee likes . the thrush is counted little inferiour to the former , yeelding indifferent good nourishment , but that it is somewhat hotter : and as larkes , so are these also best in winter , and cold weather . it was in high esteeme * among the antient romans . sparrowes nourish much , and increase both blood and sperme , and yet are they hard of digestion , especially rosted ; but the best way is to boile them ; and then hast thou the benefit both of their bodies and their broth , which is restorative . the linnet yeeldeth good nourishment , and is easier of digestion than the sparrow ; and may safely be used of any . blacke-birds , although esteemed by some a good nourishment , yet others are of opinion they are better to delight the eare with their musicke , than to feed the belly , being bitter in taste , and hard of digestion : but if eaten , the fattest are the best . the starline is rather worse , and therefore utterly to be rejected . whatsoever opinion some have of the wood-cocke , and would parallell it with the partridge ; yet affordeth it but a dry , melancholick nourishment , being withall hard of digestion : the winter is their season . the suite , or snipe is worse than the wood-cocke , being more unpleasant to the taste , harder of concoction , and nourisheth lesse ; and is very apt to ingender melancholy . and the like may i say of that little bird called fildfare , so common and frequent here every where in the winter season ; and therefore all such as are any waies disposed to melancholy , let them be very carefull and circumspect how they adventure on such meats : rails are of very good use , yeeld good nourishment , and are easie of digestion . the plover hath purchased a great reputation , and high esteeme of a dainty dish ; and although it be none of the worst , so is it none of the best neither , being somewhat hard of digestion , and not so good for melancholicke persons . the lapwing , by some called the greene plover , is by some likewise in high esteeme , and yet is it inferiour to the plover : and therefore i thinke them wisest that make no use of it at all , especially when they are well supplied with store of other good food . such as are in want must make use of anything . some of those already named , live in moores , or watrish and fenny places : but besides these , there are a many more , both greater and smaller fowle , that live both in and about waters ; which , for the most part , are nothing so good , nor yeeld so good and wholesome a nourishment as other fowle which live most commonly in drier places , and feed on better food . amongst all these , the swan is the biggest , and yet not the best . it ingendereth melancholy , and is very hard of digestion , affording but bad nourishment . and howbeit it agree somewhat with the goose in the nature of nourishment ; yet is it farre inferiour , and of harder concoction . it is accustomed to be served in for a dish at great feasts , with the first course : but those that feed well on this dish , i warrant them need no second course , or else they have better stomacks than their neighbours . of duckes , there be both wilde and tame , all which frequent waters , and live most therein . they are ranked amongst food of good nourishment , being hard of digestion , and ingender store of excrementitious moist nourishment , especially the tame ones : the wilde are of a more solid and firme flesh , and will indifferently nourish a strong robust body that can well digest it . but of choicer stomacks these and all water-fowle are to be avoided ; as also of melancholicke persons , and such as use but little exercise ; as students , &c. but ducklings being fed with good food , are easier of digestion , and ingender indifferent good nourishment : yet they are farre fitter for hot and drie bodies , than for phlegmaticke and moist complexions . the heron , storke , crane , bustard , bittour , afford no good nourishment at all ; but are all very hard of concoction , and ingender nothing but melancholy , and abundance of bad humours , caveat emptor . and indeede , such fowle give no approbation to the palate of their worth and sufficiencie ; no more than doth the sea-meaw , or sea-gull , and many other such fowle of an unpleasant fishie taste . the teale , notwithstanding , hath procured unto it selfe a good reputation , ( and not without cause ) above his fellow-water fowles . it is easie of digestion , nourisheth indifferent well , and will not offend a weake stomacke , seldome in water-fowle to be observed . the moore-hen , called also by some , a fenne-durke , although somewhat more cōmendable than many other water-fowle , in regard of the fatnesse ; yet are they not freed from the faults wherewith other wilde fowle frequenting waters are charged . there be yet many more both water-fowles , and which live neer , and in the water and fens , and watry places , which either are not so much in use and request as the former , or if they be , yet differ they not in nature from the former , by the which one may easily judge of their natures and properties . and among such as live in drier places , some are sometime accustomed to eat some other kindes of fowle ; as rookes , or young crowes , and some others : the which , notwithstanding , are neither so usefull , nor yet of so good and laudable an aliment , as others in more frequent and ordinary use . but these be the chiefe , and which most frequently furnish our tables . but befor wee finish this discourse of fowle , i will say something of some parts of them ; as also of things which proceed from them , namely , their egges . in fowle , both wilde and tame , some parts are preferred before others : in fat capons , hens , turkies , the wing is esteemed the best and daintiest ; in geese , duckes and water-fowle , the legges , as being in perpetuall motion . and for the same reason in partridges and other wilde fowle , the wing is esteemed the best . but the pulpous flesh about the breast , by reason of the hearts neighbourhood , being drier , declineth from that degree of goodnesse . the braines of the great water-fowles ; as of swanne , goose and ducke , which are themselves none of the best nourishment , cannot be much worth . and the moister the creature is , the brains must needes be the worse , being so much the more moist than others . the braines of wilde fowle , themselves of a good alimentall qualitie , and somewhat dry ( as partidges and the like ) are the best . but of pigeons they are starke naught : as among foure-footed beasts , cats braines are esteemed poison . howsoever the braines are alwaies farre worse than the rest , especially in water-fowle , where themselves yeeld no good nourishment , even those of the smaller kinde also must needes be of no esteeme at all the maw or gufford of yong hens , capons , pullets , turkies , geese , or ducks , although they are hard of digestion ; yet if well concocted , and meeting with a strong stomacke , they yeeld indifferent good nouishment . and some have opinion , that the inward skinne thereof prepared , is good to strengthen the stomacke , and to be good against the stone ; whereof i am not as yet so well perswaded . the wings of young fat fowle are easily concocted , and yeeld the bodie indifferent good nourishment : but as for those of old leane fowle i wish-weake and tender stomackes to beware , and rather feed on better food . the livers of ordinarie fowle , although they be somewhat harder of concoction than the musculous flesh it selfe ; yet in young fat fowle , as of the capon , henne , pullet , turkie or goose it selfe , they yeeld indifferent good nourishment . the liver of the goose among the romans was in high esteeme above all others : and for this purpose they fed their geese in such a manner , that the liver would grow to an exceeding great bignesse . and this the iewes practise even now in our daies . their meate they eate mingled with milke , is thought is a great meanes to bring this to passe . the stones of cockes or cockerrells ; as also of turkies , geese , drakes , especially of sparrowes , are commended for good strengthning meat , and to ingender sperme . the egge , although it be not properly a part of the fowle , yet doth it proceed from the same . the egge is a good wholesome and temperate food ; yet better or worse , according to the fowle that laid it . hens and turkies egges are most familiar to mans nature , and best and wholesomest for ordinarie use . the white of the egge compared with the yolke , is cold and moist , and is somewhat harder of concoction than the yolke . but concerning egges , more herereafter . chap. xx. of strange and uncoth diet , which some people have in ordinarie use ; as of dogges , cats , horses , mules , asses , rats , locusts , frogges , snailes , and man flesh . before we enter upon our fish , wee will say something of some strange and uncoth kinde of diet , especially flesh , as also some other things not usuall among us : that by this meanes wee may the more be induced to laud and magnifie the great and extraordinarie bountie of our great and gracious god , in affording us such plentie and varietie of good and wholesome food for susteining these fraile bodies , that by this meanes in all moderation and sobriety , and without excesse , we might the better be enabled for his service . and besides , that travellers , which shall by any occasioned necessity be cast upon any such places , may be somewhat acquainted with the nature and faculty of such uncoth food . it hath been already plainly proved how usefull & necessary a food bread is , and how agreable to the life of man , and without the which , all other food whatsoever giveth but small content : and yet there is a people ( saith a a late writer ) that live upon flesh only ; and these be certaine indians , under the command of the great mogere , and bordering upon china ; which also hold all manner of corne to be food for beasts , and not for man : and yet those people live yeeres . i have seen with mine eies ( saith caesar frederick ) that the inhabitants of pegu or brama , have eaten serpents , scorpions , and all manner of herbs and grasse . this i meane ( saith he ) not of their extremity , or famine , but ordinarily . mr fitch saith the same , that they eat roots , herbs , leaves , dogs , cats , rats & snakes ; they refuse almost nothing : b and this is also the custom in florida , where they eat such vermin ; as also ants egs , wood , earth , and dung of wilde beasts ; and keepe the bones of serpents and fishes to grinde afterwards . c the guineans diet is strange , as raw flesh , handfalls of graine , large draughts of aquavitae , dogs , cats , buffles , elephants ( though stinking like carrion , and a thousand magots creeping in them : ) and that d vipers flesh was in use to be eaten , appeareth by dioscorides . and pliny relateth , e that the aethiopians , and indians , called seres , and the inhabitants of the hill athos , ( called by isigonus , macrobii , or long lived ) lived on the like food ; and by reason thereof neither in their head , nor whole bodie , were bred any kinde of vermine whatsoever . and that rats were in request , as an ordinary food among the antients , as also that they had warrens for this same purpose , is apparant ; and therefore f pliny mentioneth , that marcus scaurus , in his censorian law , abolished and banished from their tables , both rats , shel-fish , and fowle fetcht from forraigne parts . but it may , perhaps , be asked , whether horse , cats and dogges may not be eaten ? i answer , that indeed , such creatures not being in ordinary use with us , and being supplied with other variety of usefull creatures , and exceeding any of them in bounty , good and wholesome aliment , i see no necessity of their use . but because in some staits and extremitie , as sieges of townes , and other occasions , there may be sometimes a necessitie of using such food ; howsoever , not to be compared with our ordinary flesh ; yet doe they not partake of any evill or venomous quality . indeed , such creatures , as also mules and asses , especially old and leane , are hard of concoction , yeelding a bad and melancholicke nourishment to the body . the young ones that be fat , are of farre better use , nourish better , and are easilier digested . and as for dogges and cats , especially being young and fat , many have often fed upon them , and found them good food . in italy , it is no uncoth thing to eat cats ; and even here among our selves cats have beene sometimes eaten by some of purpose , and by others unawares , who never found any offence by this food . and this same last hard pinching yeere , , some in this same towne , ate the flesh of cats , and made good pottage thereof . beside , even hippocrates himselfe appointed whelps flesh to his sicke , as may in divers places of his works appeare : whereby it may plainly appeare , that such creatures may in time of need be eaten . but besides these , in divers places g locusts , which wee commonly call caterpillers , ( a creature whereby god often scourged the inhabitants of hot countries , and wherewith hee also often threatned the rebellious and stif-necked people of the iewes ) have beene , and yet are at this day much used for ordinary food among many nations , especially the africans . and this is both by pliny , and many other authors , witnessed . how the aethiopians catch them with smoake , and salt them up , may be seene in authours ; this being their chiefe food whereon in these countries they most ordinarily feed . they use either to boile them , or else to dry them in the sunne , and beat them to powder , and make meale of them . and that they were used of the inhabitants of arabia foelix , whereunto iudea adjoined , or was not , at least , farre distant from it , is apparent by iohn baptist his diet . now , by the way by occasion of mentioning iohn bapttist , it is to be observed , that iohn did indeed feed upon such beasts ; and not upon the buds of certaine herbs , as h some would have him , drawing the greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to their owne interpretation ; which notwithstanding in any antient author is not found in such a signification as they would have it . and it is againe reported by i ep●phanius , that some iewes desirous to be lye the truth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying thereby certaine junkets made of hony or oile , whereof mention is made , exod. . and num. . but these , and many others which for brevity i passe by , are but frivolous and farre fetcht ; and therefore let us rest upon this , that iohn baptist did indeed feed upon such a food , contenting himselfe with this austere kind of diet , locusts and wild hony . now this same late alleged author tells us that this need not seeme so strange untous , since that even of late yeeres some germane souldiors , even in so great an abundance of all manner of provision , yet used ordinarily to fry silke-wormes , and eate them with no small delight ; and that not without good reason : k for such things as are indued with no noisome smell or taste , depend onely upon opinion ; which is a good rule to be observed in the use of uncouth food . and the italians eat another worme , differing from the other but in colour to outward appearance , it being black , and the former of a reddish colour ; and yet are such with them esteemed as greatest dainties , although ingendred of putrefaction , and not of egges , as both the locusts and silke-wormes are . now that the locust was a food , and used to be eaten , even among the iewes themselves , at least some sorts , may by the . chap. of levit. appeare , where foure sorts of locusts were allowed to be eaten , and therefore called cleane , and other three sorts forbidden , and called uncleane . of these creatures i could make a long and large discourse , relating their severall names and natures , together with divers histories of their hurt done in severall countries at several times , with many other things to them belonging , which i willingly passe by . whoso desireth to know more concerning these creatures , let him read pliny and others , even our late alleged author . but besides all the sorts of creatures usefull for mankind , as though this were not yet sufficient , and that our bountifull god had abridged us of necessary provision for the sustentation of this fraile life , l mans boldnesse hath yet extended it selfe to strange and prodigious dishes . so that now we are not contented to feed on sheep and cattell , hens and capons , and other such creatures usefull for the maintaining of the life of man ; and fit them for our tables : but prodigious gluttony hath now devised to feed upon the excrements of the earth , the slime and scum of the water , the superfluity of the woods , and putrefaction of the sea ; to wit , to feed on frogs , snailes , mushroms , and oisters . and that this custome hath beene very antient , may by pliny appeare ; who writeth that they used to feed snailes in warrens , as they did other creatures . and it seemeth that such creatures were at the first used either as physicke , or in the defect and want of better food . and it seemeth that some antient physitians used frogs in consumptions and wasting away of the bodie , as also in that oppilation of the pipes of the lungs called , isthma . but this was never their meaning that they should be either of them , or any other as an ordinary food , but rather physicke , or at least physicall food , alimentum medicamentosum . but to speake the very truth , both frogs and snailes are now adaies rather used for wantonnesse , and to please our curious palats , than for any necessity , or defect of other food . and thus are they ordinarily used in france , and some other countries , although yet not in frequent use with us ; howbeit , one of these daies these dishes may become as common as our new french fashions of apparell . to enter upon a large discourse of the nature , properties , and preparation of frogs , and the manner of using them , is not here my purpose ; and therefore leave it to them that have more leisure , and purpose to feed upon them . if any have a purpose to use them , let them beware of those that are venomous . and my advice shall bee rather to abstaine from such things , wherein there may be either danger or doubt , and to make choice of that which is free from either , where there is such choice and variety . and this i would have also understood concerning mushroms ( whereof some thing hath been said already ) and the like . as concerning snailes , they are used for food both in france , and other neighbouring countries : and for this purpose , as the m antient romans fed them in their warrens , so doe some even at this day feed them in their gardens . now some are of opinion that snailes are of a very nourishing faculty ; and for this cause , our women doe often ordinarily indifferently exhibit them in consumptions of any kind whatsoever ; sometimes in milke , and sometimes in broth , even as their owne fancie leadeth them . but by the way , if snailes be so nourishing , i wonder why our papists use them so ordinarily in the time of lent , when as they will not allow so much as a bit of porke or powdered beefe ! they may well answer , they may as well be allowed as wine ; and i thinke so too , and farre better , and nourish farre lesse , and with lesse speed , i am sure , than wine and divers other things they use . the reason why they are esteemed of so alimentall or nourishing a nature , is by reason ( say som ) that in winter they are able to sustaine themselves with their owne substance : and that for this same cause , galen appointeth them in hecticke fevers and consumptions . but the truth is , that these creatures , by reason of their viscidity , and glutinous tough substance , and the imbecillity and want of naturall hear , loose little or nothing of this their tough and glutinous substance , and by consequent need no reparation of the same . and as for the exhibition of them in hecticke fevers , it is rather by way of humectation and refrigeration , than for any strong alimentall quality hee acknowledgeth in them . * and that they participate of such a slimie glutitinous substance , may from hence also evidently appeare ( saith the late alleaged author ) in that by chymicall art and industrie , this slimy substance may with small paines be converted into a stone . this might therefore in my opinion deterre any from the use of such an aliment , especially such as are of a weake stomacke , are troubled with the stone in the bladder or kidnies , arthritical infirmities ; as gout , s●hi●cira , &c. as also any obstructions of the inward parts , liver , spleen , &c. i have somewhat the longer of set purpose insisted upon this kinde of food , because it is growne an ordinray custome here in the countrie , as i have said , in any consumption ; nay in any supposed , and but surmised weakenesse , or frivolous feare thereof , indifferently to exhibit this dish in manner as i have said . besides , this is done without any consideration of circumstances , either of age , strength , time of the disease , &c. and therefore i leave it to the understanding and judicious reader to judge , whether this be a legall and laudable course or no. and withall , let the judicious and ingenious reader judge of the necessity and utility of handling the diet of the diseased . besides all the former sorts of diet , there hath a barbarous and inhumane custome of killing and eating mans flesh , not of late onely ; but even many yeeres agoe , crept into the world ; insomuch that wee know for a truth , that now there are divers of those anthropophagi , or men-eaters in divers places of the world . and truely , i thinke , there is scare any among vs that would easily have beleeved , that any that bare ingraven the stamp and image of his maker , could ever have harboured so barbarous a thought within his breast ; farre lesse to have acted so tragicall and inhumane a crueltie , unlesse it had been by divers true histories testified unto us , and related by word of mouth by those , who , to their great griefe , have been spectators of so barbarous and inhumane a cruell custome . the late histories of such as have travelled of late yeeres into those parts of the westerne world doe evidently witnesse the truth thereof . and it is yet further recorded , that in p some of those places they keepe ordinarily shambles of mens flesh , as we doe of beefe and mutton and other flesh : and besides , if they thinke their slaves will yeeld them more mony , cut out by the joint than sold alive ( if there were but a halfe penny saved ) they will bee sure to send him to the shambles . i doubt not but that the very reading of these things will strike a certaine horror and amazement in the minds of many men , with an horresco legens , when they consider of the customes of these cruellest caniballs of all others ; and iustly so they may . but have we no such devouring caniballs here at home among our selves ? the law would take hold of so barbarous a fact . but if there be not as bad , if not worse caniballs among our selves , let the world judge . i could instance in many several sorts of extortioners , and daily grinders of the faces of the poore , if this were a theme befitting my person & profession . but there is one particular kind , which not in my private opinion alone , but of many both of the most judicious and honest , hath beene alwayes accounted and reputed as horrible and cruell an oppression , as any other whatsoever ; if not far crueller . my meaning is of depopulating inclosure , wherby many wealthy townes , who before maintained a number of able people , and fit in time of need to doe their country good service , have now for the most part left only a sheepherd and his dog . but the judgements of god upon their persons , or at least upon their posterity ( most of them i meane ) are yet so recent in the memories of most now living , that i need say no more , but wish that others may take warning . chap. xxi . of severall sorts of fishes , both of the sea and fresh waters , and the various and divers nourishment they breed in the body . as in the land we may not without wonder and admiration , behold the great bounty our gracious god ; so in that liquid element of water is no lesse to bee seene the rich liberality of our great lord and maker , in affording us for food so great variety of severall sorts of fishes . all fishes are of a cold and moist temperature , but some exceeding others in bounty , according to the nature of the water , and places wherin they live . now all fishes live either in the salt-water , which we call the sea ; or in fresh-waters ; as rivers , lakes , pools or ponds . the sea-fish are accounted the best ; as being of a firmer substance , hotter and drier , and not so clammy and slimy , as the fresh-water fish : they are also more savory , and nourish better . among sea-fishes againe , such as have scales and firme substances are the best ; and such as are inclosed within shells , divers of them , as lobsters afford the body good and solid nourishment . others of a softer and slimier and cartilaginous substance , are not so good . that fish that liveth in a pure water , tossed to and fro with waves , is better than that which hath lesse agitation and motion , and liveth in a more muddy water . and such as live most neare a rocky or sandy shore , are better than where there is much slime and mudde : and therefore were pisces saxatiles , or rockie fish , for this cause so called , in so high an esteeme among antient physitians . and so among fresh-water-fish such as live most commonly in cleere , rockie or gravelly rivers , and which are of a swift course , are the best , an of best nourishment . such fish againe , as live in slimy and muddy waters , in the fens , marshes , ponds , pools and motes , are nothing so good , nor yeeld any good and laudable nourishment to the body . and howsoever , fish have beene in use and great esteeme among the ancients , especially the romans , and sold at a very high rate ; yet if wee compare their nourishment with that of flesh , it is in many respects farre inferior to it ; as not yeelding so wholesome and laudable a nourishment to the body . and it is to bee also observed , that fish are greatest enemies to cold the moist phlegmaticke bodies , and old age , especially the moistest and slimiest . now something of some sorts of fish . and first wee will beginne with the sturgeon , called of the antient romans , as is supposed , acipenser and by some , the sea-peacock , which was in so great request among the antient romans , that not onely was it served in to the table with musicall pomp ; but even they also who carried it in , were to weare garlands on their heads . the sturgeon is of a reasonable good nourishing substance , if it be not too fat , which will easily cloy the stomacke ; and then take heed of surfetting with this dish , which hath indangered some , and cost some their life , for want of good take heed . we have it commonly brought to us barrelled up , from the easterne countries , being commonly used at great feasts : and then by reason of the salt and vineger , ( although it please the palat ) yet must it needs be of hard concoction , and ingender melancholie , and bad humors ; being especially mingled with so many severall sorts of food . the young sturgeon is farre better , and of easier concoction than the old ; but if thou be wise , eate as little of the fat of either as thou can . the belly of the sturgeon is accounted the best . the conger , or as some for the resemblance call it , the conger-eele , is by some had in no small esteemed ; howbeit others againe , as the french , care not for it ; and in my judgement in this they are the wiser : for whatsoever account men make of it ; it is of hard concoction , and breedeth no good nourishment , and to digest it well , requireth a strong stomacke , and a body free from infirmities ; and yet let them use this fish but a while , and they may perhaps make some worke for physitians . turbot is a good firme fish ; and yeeldeth good and wholesome nourishment to a good stomacke ; and is called therefore by some the sea-pheasant . the plaice is not unpleasant to the palat , and howsoever by some esteemed a dainty fish ; yet is it in very truth very waterish and phlegmaticke , and of too soft a substance : it is best when it is growne to a good thickenesse , being then somewhat more firme . the flounder is much of the same nature and nourishment , yet somewhat firmer . the sole is without exception a good and dainty fish in sickenesse and in health ; of very easie concoction and distribution , yeelding a very wholesome and good aliment to the body : it is for this cause called the sea-partridge ; or as others say , the sea-capon . of this there are divers sorts differing but little in nature and nourishment . this is among all others of prime use for the sicke . cod-fish is by some esteemed hard of concoction , and of a clammie and glutinous substance : but by others againe it is esteemed quite contrary , of very easie concoction , and of a laudable nourishment . i confesse the substance of this fish is of a moderate firmenesse , and not too hard ; and therefore fresh cod , a little salted , is an indifferent good nourishment . when they are salted and dried , they are far harder to be concocted , and nourish farre lesse . of these kinds , haberdene and ling are accounted the best and daintiest ; as againe stock-fish the worst , concerning which it was not ill said , profecto non magis nutrit quam lapis . it yeelds no more nourishment than a stone . and therefore wee will leave it with biscuit bread to sailers strong stomackes , when they are unfurnished of better food . the haddocke hath some affinity in nature and nourishment with the cod-fish , howbeit easier to be concocted , and not altogether of so firme a substance . the whiting is easily concocted , nourisheth but little ; yet yeeldeth that which is good , and well suteth with a weake and choice stomacke . the smelt is a very dainty fish , of a very good nourishment , and free from any exception either in sicknesse or in health , and is pleasing to the palat . the gournards red and gray are of a firme and solid substance , and yeeld● indifferent good nourishment , and not so phlegmaticke as many others doe . the hallibut , called vmbra marina is of a firme white substance , and in great request among great ones , as is the sturgeon ; and thought to be nothing inferior to it , and is a good wholesome fish to an indifferent good stomacke , although some thinke it is very easily cococted . it is somewhat a bigge fish , and hath beene in great account in italie . the mackrell is sweet and pleasant to the palat , of a reasonable firme substance , and yeeldeth indifferent good nourishment . the mullet living neare a stony or gravelly shore , although it be of a firme and solid substance , is easily concocted , and yeeldeth indifferent good nourishment . the fish called scat , thornebacke , and all the kinds that have any affinity or neate resemblance to this fish , are all utterly condemned , as breeding very bad , grosse and putrid humors in the body ; and withall is very hard and uneasy to be concocted , and therefore utterly to be abandoned of all such as would live in health ; especially such as are of a moist and phlegmaticke constitution of body . the cuttle-fish is for strong labouring stomackes , mariners especially , being of very hard concoction , and ingender grosse and bad humors . the wolfe-fish although it be indifferent easie of concoction , yet is it a very moist , waterie and phlegmaticke fish , ingendring no good humors at all . the great fishes of vast bulke and body ; as all sorts of whales porpuises , and many other such afford the body no good nourishment , are very hard of concoction , and are onely for strong stomackes , and time of necessity , where there is want of better food . hering is a reasonable sweet pleasant fish , and moderately eaten is of indifferent good nourishment . of these herings there are many sorts , some better and some worse . the best are sweet and pleasant in taste , firme in substance ; and indifferent fat ; and such being a little corned with salt eate very pleasantly , and are no bad food for an indifferent stomack , and easily digested . pilchaards and sprats participate of the same nature , howbeit they are a little sweeter in taste , and eaten in too great abundance will easily cloy the stomacke , and so a dangerous surfet may ensue . but these and herings use to bee salted up , and sent from one countrie to another . and some are salted , and afterward hung up and dried : and then wee call them red-hering and dry-sprats . but all salt-fish both nourish little , and ingender bad humors in the body , and are hard of concoction . and these being dried are enemies to dry melancholicke and cholericke bodied ; but very good to make a cup of good drinke rellish well . there is yet another sort of small fish of this same nature , called commonly anchoves , being never used but pickled up , and afterwards used as a sallet before meat . i can give them no greater commendation than their fellowes went before them , as being both of one and the same facultie , and may well bee called the drunkards delight . they cut tough phlegme in a phlegmaticke stomacke , and provoke appetite . rochet is accounted a good wholesome fish in sickenesse and in health , yeelding indifferent good nourishment , and not offensive to the stomacke . besides these , there are yet a great number of other good and wholesome fishes , which this great vast ocean produceth for the use of mankind , these already named being but some of the principall , in greatest request and best knowne . and as for others not named , their nature and nourishment may by that which hath beene said of the former easily be found out ; and no other but have some affinity with some of these already named . but there remaine yet an infinite number of shell-fish , whereof we must say something before we come to the fresh-waters . in generall , shell-fish for the most part ingender crude , viscous and phlegmaticke humors ; howbeit some more , some lesse . of these some are of a farre softer substance , and others of a firmer . oisters , mushells , cockles , and the like are of a soft substance . lobsters , crevices , &c : are of a firmer and solider substance . and in nourishment and concoction they differ also accordingly . oisters , among all others are in greatest request , and for the softnesse of their substance and easinesse to be concocted , they are commonly eaten raw , and before meales , by which meanes they are good to loosen the belly . and although they better befit some constitutions of body than others ; as namely , hot dry cholericke bodie : yet are they indifferently used by all constitutions , sexes and ages . but they helpe themselves with the correction of pepper , vineger and onions , and a cup of good claret wine for the most part . but i wish a moderation in the use of this sea-excremēt ( for it is nothing else , hath bin shewed already ) is in divers others , so especially in this & others of this nature and kind . cockles , mushells , and such others not much unlike them , are far inferior unto oisters , as being harder of concoction , and yeelding worse nourishment to the body , especially mushells . all are enemies to obstructions . pranes and shrimps to an indifferent good stomacke prove good and wholesome nourishment , exceeding any of the former , and being indifferent easy of concoction . crabs and their kinds , lobsters and the like shell-fish are of a farre more solid and firme substance , nourish much ; but are hard of concoction . the crab is the colder , and worst for cold and old complexions . the lobster is better than the former , and may better bee used of colder complexions , provided the stomacke be strong , it being also hard of concoction . the tortoise , as living most in the water , deserveth well to bee ranked among fish . it is of a firme and solid substance , being in forren nations often used as an ordinary food . the wood tortoises are accounted of all others the best . tortoises have not an evill taste , and yeeld to the body abundance of strong nourishment , howbeit hard of digestion , used liberally they are esteemed to loosen the belly . they ingender tough and clammy humors ; and therefore unfit for the wind-collicke , obstructions , stone , &c. they use to prepare them with great art and industrie against consumptions and hecticke-fevers . and for this purpose the wood tortoises are the best . among all our fresh-water-fish , the salmon in all ages hath borne the bell away , even in the dayes of pliny . it is very sweet , and pleasant to the palat , easy of concoction , and yeelding a good and wholesome nourishment to the body , howbeit it quickly filleth the stomacke , and taken in any quantity will not so easily be concocted . the salmon-trout , young salmon , or salmon-peale are yet better and easilier concocted than the great and older salmon . eaten with vineger they are not so burdensome to a weak stomacke . many use to keep this fish sometime in such sowre liquor , although it then nourish lesse . they are taken in great abundance in many places both of this iland and ireland . salt salmon looseth much of its former bounty , as nourishing lesse , becomming harder to be concocted , and ingendring worse humors in the body , as is the nature of salt-fish . the little river-trout among river-fish challengeth the second place , and unto it by some is assigned the first place . the best are such , as are bred in cleere and rockie rivers . the others that live in great lakes , and more muddy waters , although in greatnesse they may exceed , yet in good wholesome nourishment they are farre inferior to the others . the trout yeeldeth a dainty , moist and cooling nourishment , especially to hot and dry complexions . the perch that liveth in pure rivers , i ever held for as good a fish , as the fresh-water bringeth forth . it is of good taste , pleasing the palat , of an indifferent firme substance , and may safely bee used of the sicke . the pike is of a firme and solid substance , yeelding to none in good wholesome nourishment ; that especially , i meane , which liveth in pure rivers , and not in muddie ponds and pooles . the pickrell or yong pike is easiest of concoction . those of middle age are best for ordinary use , for most people in sickenesse and in health . it may as well be allowed the sicke as any other fish . and the gudgeon is as good as the best river-fish both for sicke and healthfull people , and will easily be concocted with a weak stomacke , affording the body a good , laudable and wholesome nourishment , and may be called the river smelt . the roch is an indifferent good fish , and affordeth the body no bad nourishment , howbeit it be farre inferiour to the gudgeon . the allowes yeeldeth good store of nourishment to the body , although it be hard of digestion . take time and leisure to the eating of it , and take heed of bones . the barbell is easily concocted , yeelding but small nourishment , and that not very excellent , and somewhat muddie in taste ; the greater are the best . it is to be observed in the use of this fish ( a saith a late writer ) that the spawne thereof worketh as violent effects in the bodie , both upwards and downewards , as either antimonie or sneesing powder , or the like ; and therefore wisheth every one to take good heed that they eat none of this stuffe . this fish was in so high esteeme among the antient romans , that one cost sometimes neere threescore pounds sterline . and cicero himselfe maketh it plainly appeare in what high esteeme it was then among great ones at rome . but me thinkes i heare the carpe complaine , that hath beene all this while neglected , being neverthelesse so highly esteemed , and reckoned one of the chiefest fish that furnisheth our fish meales . the carpe then howsoever in so high an account yet scarce deserveth so high a praise and commendation . it yeeldeth to the body a viscous and clammie nourishment , apt to ingender obstructions , wind-colicke , stone , &c. and therefore i wish the use thereof to be but sparing . the brame is better , and of easier digestion than the carpe , howbeit inferiour to the perch , and some others . the tench delighteth commonly in slimie and muddy waters , in which it ordinarily liveth : and although it yeeld abundance of nourishment ; yet it is naught , ingendring obstructions , and many dangerous diseases ; being especially much used by such as use little exercise , and are used to feede daintily . strong robust labouring people are better able to overcome the harmes from thence ensuing . the lamprey , not onely among the antient romans , was in no small esteeme and account ; but is even at this day accounted an extraordinary daintie fish ; but especially among the greater sort , the poore not being able to reach to so costly a sauce . and i may well say of it , that the sauce is farre better than it selfe . the lamprey , although pleasant to the taste , yet ingendereth it tough , viscous and slimy humours , obstructions , and divers diseases . they use to correct their evill qualities , to make for them a costly and daintie sauce , of wine , sugar , atd cinnamon : but truely in my opinion this cost is but badly bestowed . eeles are yet worse than the former , and yeeld a tough , clammie , glutinous nourishment , apt to ingender obstructions , the gout , stone , &c. they are of a very sweet pleasant taste , and please the palate well ; but their fat , especially , is very loathsome to the stomacke : eeles living in purer and clearer waters , are yet better than those that live in muddy and foule waters , especially in the fennes . they are best rosted with sage leaves , as they are used , and then eaten with a little pepper and vineger . a little salted , they are better than fresh ; strong labouring people may be bolder with such a ●●od . let others , as they love their health , be sparing in the use of such a dish . chap. xxii . of seasoning meat , of salt and of sauces of severall sorts : of spices used in diet , both in sicknesse and in health . although bodily labour , moderate exercise , and abstinence from food , untill our stomacks crave it , be the best sauces that can be devised : yet because the world is not contented with that frugality and temperance , which produced the lives of our forefathers to a great number of yeeres ; and sicke folkes have many times neede to have their dull appetites quickened and sharpned with some such whetting sauces : besides , that custome , a sedentarie life , choice and tender education , and the qualitie of some such sorts of food thereby corrected and bettered , doe often challenge unto themselves a necessary use of them : that the qualitie therefore of such sauces be not altogether unknowne , i will say something of them ere i proceed further . and in these , as in the aliments themselves , i wish a more moderate use than is customed by many . i will beginne with the most noble , most necessary , and of all others in most use and request . salt then , which may most justly be called condimentum condimentorum , sauce of sauces , in generall , is hot and dry , yet drier than hot ; and yet participateth more or lesse of these faculties according to the nature thereof , there being so many sorts of salt , as shall hereafter appeare . besides , it doth attenuate , cut , and penetrate tough , grosse and phlegmaticke humours . it preserveth moist meats from putrefaction , exhausting their superfluous moisture ; and giveth a good relish to many , otherwise unsavory meats : so that it may appeare , that with many excellent vertues is this noble creature indued ; insomuch , that it were forme an easie matter to spend much time in the due commendation thereof . but in the use of salt , wee are to observe , first , that all sorts of food need not the use of salt : and againe , some neede more , some lesse , according to the superfluitie of moisture , the unsavorinesse , or the time we intend to keepe the same . it is againe to be observed , that it is more contrary to the hot cholericke , and verie leane people ; and such as are molested with scabs , itches , and whose bodies abound with such humors . the excessive and immoderate use of salt drieth up the humours of the body , and overthroweth and destroieth the radicall moisture which upholdeth nature . i saw in saxonie a young maid about yeeres ; of age , who would emptie the salt-seller on the table to eat , as she would doe with as much as shee could come by ; insomuch that she looked as old and wrinkled in the face as any other at the age of . but yet the moderate use of salt , is for most sorts of meats very necessary ; and besides that , it pleaseth the palate , it helpeth also concoction and distribution ; by which meanes , divers diseases proceeding from crudities are often prevented . now , it is to be observed , that some salt is of greater efficacie and power than some other ; and for the same cause , some sorts of salt are more usefull and efficacious for some things than other . there was a kinde of salt among the antients , digged out of the ground under the sands of liby● , called from thence sal ammoniacus , whereof frequent mention is made amongst our antient physitians , whereof there is now none to be found with us . we have now some salt digged out of hills , in great lumps like stones ; called sal gemmae , and answerable to the former before mentioned : and this kinde of salt is found in great abundance in poland , and many other places ; as in calabria in italy , and in the county of tirole in germanie . there is againe a salt made of salt wells : as at nantwich , here in england , and at hale and luneburg , both in saxonie . some , againe , is made of the sea-water ; and that either naturally by the heat of the sunne in iuly and august : as at rochell , brouge and marenes in france , and some places of portugall ▪ or else artificially , boiled by the heat of the fire ; as in some places here in england , and in scotland also . and it is to be observed , that where fewest rivers runne into the sea , the best salt is made . now , for keeping up fish or flesh for a long time , for some sea-voiage , or other use , that which is digged out of the earth , made by the heat of the sunne , called bai-salt , or of wells , is of greatest force . the other is milder , and well befitting our ordinary use , at table especially . out of these naturall salts by refining is made a fine white salt for ordinary uses . and besides all these , there are yet infinit other sorts of salts made of severall sorts of vegetables and mineralls , and usefull for many diseases . but howsoever , the use of salt moderately used be excellent ; yet would i advise thee , let the use of saltmeats be sparing , for feare of scabs , scurvie , itches , and many other diseases . next unto salt , honie shall succeed , which in all ages hath ever bin of high and great esteeme . it is hot and dry , not above the second degree at most : it is a soveraine preserver from putrefaction , and withall of an abstersive facultie . cholerick constitutions and young people ought to be carefull and circumspect how they use it , and rather leave it to others , especially to old age , which may safely use the same . and this is confirmed by the benefit a antiochus the physitian , and telephus the grammarian found by it . and b the roman pollio being asked by the emperour , augustus , by what meanes hee had prolonged his life to an hundred yeeres ? answered , that hee had used honie within , and oile without . i● it best for phlegmaticke and cold complexions , being moderately used : for in hot complexions it is quickly converted into choler . it is farre better boiled than raw , and so ingendreth not wind , especially where the bodie is predisposed ; and so it is also more nourishing , easier of digestion , and lesse it looseneth the belly than the raw ; and new honie is better than old , as being somewhat moister and pleasanter in taste . the best honie ought to be very sweet , pleasant in smell , of a cleare yellowish colour , indifferent stiffe and firme , yeelding but little scumme on the top when it is boiled . garden honie is the best , and gathered of sweet flowers ; it is clarified by adding a little water unto it , about the fourth part , so scumme it while any froth ariseth or while the water be euaporated , which is known by the bubles rising from the bottome : and if thou wilt have it more pure , put into every pound of honie the white of one egge , and afterwards scumme it againe in the boiling . honie is good in divers pectorall infirmities , the cough , shortnesse of breath , pleurisie , &c , as also in the stone : and of it with divers liquours , are made divers drinkes for this same use and purpose ; whereof more hereafter in the drinkes for the diseased . and although honie moderately used , openeth obstructions , being of an abstersive and cleansing facultie ; yet immoderatly used , it ingendieth obstructions , and so procureth many diseases , arising from thence . c a late writer allegeth , that there was a certaine people in africa , which out of flowers made abundance of good honie , nothing inferiour to that made by the bees . there is made of honie , both a water , a quintessence , and divers other drinkes . amongst divers others , there is one that hath ever beene in no small request amongst our antient britons , and now known by the name of welsh , which is that famous and wholesome metheglin ; the which i will here set downe , as i found it in a d late published booke of bees . this then is nothing else but a generous kinde of hydromel , bearing an egge , the breadth of a groat or six pence , and is usually made of finer honie , with a lesser proportion of water ; namely , foure measures of water for one : receiving also into the composition , as wel certain sweet & wholesome herbs , as also a larger quantity of spices : namely , to every halfe barrell , or sixteen gallons of the skimmed must , eglantine , marjoram , rosemary , time , wintersavory , of each halfe an ounce ; pepper , granes of each two dragmes ; the one halfe of each being bagg'd , the other boiled loose , so that whereas the ordinary mede will scarce last halfe a yeere ; good metheglin the longer it is kept , the more delicate and wholesome it will be ; and withall , the clearer and brighter . there are yet divers other sorts of descriptions of this famous drinke , and may be altered and accommodated to severall seasons and constitutions and ages . there is to be seene in the same author a long description of a metheglin , which noble queene elizabeth of famous memory had in frequent use . sugar hath now succeeded honie , and is become of farre higher esteem , and is far more pleasing to the palat , and therefore every where in frequent use , as well in sicknesse as in health . whether the antients were acquainted with sugar or no , may justly be demanded ? certaine it is e they knew sugar-canes , and some sugar they had , which naturally was congealed on them like salt : as likewise a certaine kinde of liquid sugar they expressed out of canes , which they used in stead of honie : but that they had the art of preparing it , as now it is in use , and the severall sorts of it with us in our age used , doth no where appeare . sugar is neither so hot nor dry as honie . the coursest , being brownest , is most cleansing , and approacheth neerest unto the nature of hony . sugar is good for abstersion in diseases of the brest and lungs . th● which wee commonly call sugarcandie , being well refined by boiling , is for this purpose in most frequent request , and although sugar in it selfe be opening and cleansing , yet being much used produceth dangerous effects in the body : as namely , f the immoderate use thereof , as also of sweet confections , and sugar-plummes , heateth the blood , ingendreth the landisc , obstructions , cachexies , consumptions , rotteth the teeth , maketh them looke blacke ; and withall , causeth many times a loathsome stinking-breath . and therefore let young people especially , beware how they meddle too much with it . and if ever this proverbe ( sweet meats hath often sower sauce ) was verified , it holdeth in this particular . i remember , living in paris , . a young clerke , living with a lawyer in the city , procured a false-key for the closet where his mistresses sweet-meat lay ; and for many daies together , continued thus to feast with her sweet-meats , and loafe-sugar ( whereof there was there no small store ) untill at length , hee became so pale in colour , leane in bodie , and withall so feeble , that hee was scarce able to stand on his legs ; insomuch , that the skilfullest physitians of the citie , with the best meanes they could use , had much adoe to restore him to his former health again . and to what , i pray you , may we impute a great part of the cause of so many dying of consumptions in the weekly bills of the citie of london ? surely , often admiring at so great a number dying of this one disease , to the number , for the most part , of thirty at least , and often upward ; i have ever esteemed this one of the principall causes . before i leave this discourse of sugar , i must give the world notice of one thing , to wit , that there is great store of our finest sugar , and which is most sought after ; g refined and whitened by meanes of the lee of lime , the which how prejudiciall it must needs prove to the health , may appeare : so that here it may well be said , sub melle dulce venenum . the toothsomest is not alwaies the wholesomest . our forefathers in former times ; found honie very wholesome ; but now nothing but the hardest sugar will downe with us in this our effeminate and gluttonous age . i say no further , but let those that will not be warned , stand to the perill that will fall thereon , i have discharged my duty in giving warning to the wise , sober , and temperate ; i know there are some intemperate apitian palates , who preferre their bellies before health ; yea , before heaven it selfe . verbum sat sapienti , a word is enough for a wise man. vineger is a sauce in no small request for seasoning of meat . it is , as the word importeth , nothing else , but a sowre wine , used both to season and to keepe meats , howbeit farr inferiour to salt . for , although it preserve meat from putrefaction , yet will it not keepe it so a long time , unlesse it be often renewed . that it is very dry , even as farre as the second degree , is true ; but as for the other qualities , galen saith , it is composed of hot and cold . it is of a piercing nature , and apt to dissolve hard stones , wherof hannibal had a sufficient proofe , while he made himselfe a passage into italy thorow the alps , in dissolving the hard rocks by meanes of hot vineger , with the losse of one of his eyes . it is good to attenuate grosse , tough and phlegmaticke humors ; it is not so good for leane , cholericke and melancholick people ; and the too frequent use of it is an enemy to the nervous parts , the stomacke , guts , the womb ; as also the liver and lungs , and all the pectorall parts . let women , such especially , as think to make themseves look leane and faire with the use thereof ( young maids especially ) take heed what they doe , for feare of a late repentance . these strong and forcible effects of vineger , are especially to be understood of that which is made of good strong wine ; that which is made of our beere or ale , being farre inferior to the other , both in the one and th' other qualities ; drying , i meane , and heating and cooling . and that of wine differeth also , according to the nature and quality of the wine whereof it is made ; that of white wine being more opening , and of claret more binding . vineger strongly resisteth putrefaction ; and therefore is good in the time of the plague of pestilence , and other diseases proceeding of putrefaction of humours , and strengthneth the gums , and dissolveth soft , phlegmatick and rheumatick tumors thereof . with the addition of some herbs we may make vineger participating of the like vertues , as of roses , elder , and many others . that made of red roses with claret wine vineger is very good , and most strengthning for the stomack , &c. vineger made of cider or petry , is liker unto the nature of verjuice made of crabs , than to wine vineger . verjuice , as it is a generall name agreeing with any sowre green juice ; so is it most properly taken in wine-countries , for that which is expressed out of greene sowre grapes ; and with us , we call by that name the juice expressed out of our sowre crabs . it is neither so drying , nor penetrating as vineger : it is also , without controversie , cold , and is good to stirre up a dull appetite , for hot and cholericke young bodies : but enemie to age , moist and phlegmaticke bodies , and cold diseases . our crab verjuice is not so forcible as the other . oile which is expressed out of the olive berry , hath ever bin both for inward and outward use in no small account and esteeme . outwardly , it hath bin much used by way of inunction ; but in hot countries especially : and therefore our gentlewomen in this age , which dirt-dawb their faces with their severall slibber-sauces and paints , are nothing warranted by this antient custome , as being by them onely used by reason of the parching heat , which did much dry up and wither that tender part of the body . oile of olives is either expressed out of the yellow ripe berry of the olive , or else before it be full ripe , being of a greenish colour ; and therefore call'd oile omphacine . the first maketh the body more soluble ; but is more fulsome for the stomacke , and cloieth the same . the other agreeth farre better with the stomacke , as being of a more astringent facultie ; and therefore farre better to be inwardly used . and this is the best for sallets , and dressing of meat , in such countries where it most aboundeth . there is yet another oile in no small request , in france especially , oile of walnuts ; which being fresh , and not too old , i hold to be nothing inferiour to the other : the walnut , as said is , being esteemed an antidot against poison ; and this , as well as the other , is good for this purpose , expelling by vomit what is hurtfull . and for ordinary use , either for dressing of meat , as also in sallets it may well be used . the olives themselves are ordinarily pickled up for sauce , to stirre up the appetite . it is of a temperate heat : they are either full ripe , being then yellow in colour ; or else not fully ripe , and greene in colour . the first weaken the stomacke , and ingender but bad humours , the others are more cooling and astringent , and therefore to better purpose , used for sauces , as being fitter for corroboration of the stomacke , exciting of the appetite , staying of casting , &c. they are pickled up with salt , or salt and vineger : the later are the better , howbeit , no great goodnesse in either , ingendering but grosse melancholicke humours , and binde the belly . among many other sauces , mustard is none of the meanest esteeme among most people , and is hot even in the fourth degree : and therefore with us , it is commonly prepared with vineger ; and in hot countries where wine aboundeth , with must , or new wine , whence have we this name mustard , from this must , and ardor or heat . it is much used with the grosser sorts of meats , both fish and flesh , especially , it is most usefull with those of a glutinous and viscuous substance . it is best in winter-season , in cold and moist diseases and constitutions of the braine . it very forcibly cutteth and attenuateth tough phlegme in the head , brest , &c. for young people , especially , hot and dry cholerick people , and diseases of the like nature , it is worst . if immoderately used , especially by these persons last mentioned , it hurteth the eye-sight , besides many ill offices it performeth to the rest of the body . capers are pickled up after the same manner , in salt and vinger , which is the best way , and doe very well excite the appetite , cut tough phlegme , and cleanse it ; as also open obstructions of the spleene , especially . if dry or leane melancholicke bodies use them , let them be sparing , and wash off the salt , and after they have steeped them awhile in faire water , they may use them , especially with a few currants , alone , or with oile if they love it . the young buds of broom flowers , are used also after the same maner , and produce the like effects : and some use ashkeies pickled up in salt & vineger after the same maner , for the same uses , and provoking of urine . sampeir , or sea-fennell , is pickled up , and used in sauces after the same maner , being somewhat hot and dry , exciting appetite , and opening obstructions , and every diureticke , or forcibly provoking urine , and cleansing those urinary passages . the pleasant flowers of clove-gilliflowers is often also with vineger and sugar pickled up for a pleasant and dainty sauce , the which , besides that they excite the appetite , they are also of a cordiall faculty . cowslip-flowers comfortable , especially for the head and animall spirits , are by some after the same māner pickled up , and used for sauce . and the like art may also be used with divers other flowers or herbs , according as to every ones minde shall seeme best ; and therefore i surcease speaking any more of them . it is now more than time i come to our spices , which are in no small use , as well in physicke , as used for seasoning of meats . amongst all these , pepper , in regard of the generall use , may be accounted one of the chiefe . it is a very hot and drie spice , even towards the fourth degree : it is of three severall sorts , and all of them are very hot , and brought to us out of the east indies , especially the kingdome of caleent . the white is esteemed hotter than the blacke ; and the long most of all , and is of least use ; blacke pepper is with us in most frequent use ; heateth much , cutteth tough & grosse phlegme , helpeth the concoction in a cold phlegmaticke stomacke ; is also good against crudities , wind-colicke , and cold in any part , sinewes , or others . it is not to be too small beaten , for feare of inflaming the blood , and other profitable humours of the body ; it is safelier used in old age , than in younger people ; for whom the too frequent use of it is exceeding hurtfull . and therefore it ought not to be so ordinarily , without any consideration had either to age or season of the yeere , as it is , used of every one . let youth therefore take heede how they use , too liberally , venison so much peppered and salted in the sommer-season ; and to mend the matter after , make it swimme in wine . it is thought , pepper heateth lesse than other spices : and this i doe not conceive , that other spices are indeed actually hotter ; but by reason the heat of it is lesse durable , and it is not of so terrestrious a substance . and for this same cause , i suppose , long pepper , by reason of a more terrestrious substance , and more durable heat , is accounted hotter , by reason of this durable , biting and abiding heat . and this , i suppose , gave the vulgar occasion to call pepper hot in the mouth , and cold in the stomack . but let the dullest taste try a small quantity of pepper , and i will appeale to his senses , whether it be hot or cold ; so that i shall need use no other argument to proove it . that little hot root , which we call ginger , commeth in the second place of spices to be considered . and although it be not so intense in heat as pepper , i meane in the degree , yet heateth it more by reason of its terrestrious substance . it is brought over unto us either dry , or else preserved greene in sirup : and it is sometimes , yea , very often , preserved after it commeth over , being first steeped and boiled in water , which , notwithstanding , yeeldeth much in goodnesse to the former . dry ginger is very hot and dry , and is used to season cold and moist meats , as pepper is ; howbeit pepper be in far more frequent use , either for fish or flesh , especially for fish . ginger is good to helpe digestion , and to open obstructions , to cut and attenuate grosse and tough phlegmaticke humors , to discusse winde , and helpe to expell it out of the bodie . it is better for aged than for young hot cholericke bodies , or the like diseases . green ginger preserved in the indies when it is yet moist and succulent , as it is pleasing to the palate , so is it nothing so hot and dry as any other sort ; and therefore may safelier be of younger people used , than any of the other sorts ; and is good to eat fasting for a waterish or windy and weake stomacke , and comforteth the head , being good for diseases of the braine proceeding of cold . ginger here with us at home is both preserved in sirup , as hath been said already ; and sometimes also candied to be eaten dry . this last approacheth neerest to the nature of dry ginger , and is fittest to bee used of the elder , colder and moister age and stomacke . that which is heere preserved in sirup , is farre inferior in goodnesse to that which is preserved in the indies . and thus prepared , they are hardly concocted by a weake stomacke , and continuing long there , are converted into a tough glutinous substance ; of the which , a late writer bringeth an instance . a bishop of basile ( saith he ) having by the too frequent use of a certaine minerall water , acquired a very cold and moist stomacke ; to correct this crudity , used much this so prepared ginger , notwithstanding his physitians counsell to the contrary . at length he fell into a desperate disease whereof he died . his body being opened , in the capacitie of his stomacke were found about two pounds of putrified water , together with a petty quantity of the aforesaid ginger ; some part of it yet continuing still in its owne nature , and some part of it converted into a tough , blacke , glutinous substance , sticking to the sides and cels of his stomacke and guts ; some part whereof , hee did also before his death now and then , yet not without fainting and swounding , often cast up . let others then take warning to use it more sparingly . the clove is a spice brought us from the molucks in the east-indies , being hot and dry in the third degree . it is very much used in the kitchin both for sauces , and sticking of meat . cloves comfort the head , heart , stomack and liver ; helpe the eye-sight , and concoction , and strengthen nature . they are good against fainting , swounding , as also against the plague , and any infectious disease . besides , they are good against all fluxes of the bellie , proceeding of cold humors , strengthen the retentive faculty , and make the breath sweet . of this , as of other spices , are extracted water , oile , and other things usefull for the health of mankind , whereon i will not now insist . but i advise young people , hot and cholericke complexions to bee sparing , as in the use of all other spices , so of this also ; and of any thing extracted from them . the nutmegge is the fruit of a tree growing in the east-indies , being covered with that spice we call mace. they are accounted hot and dry in the second degree , and are good for the same cases for the which cloves were commended ; and although they be not altogether so intense in hearing and drying , yet are they very astrigent , and comfort the noble parts , being also very good for moist , cold , phlegmaticke bodies and cold diseases , fluxes , &c. but still let young , hot , dry and melancholicke persons carefully take heed what they doe . the nutmeg being yet greene , covered over with a greene huske , as are our walnuts , is preserved in the indies , and brought us over : the which is nothing so hot nor drying as our dry nutmegges ; and therfore very comfortable for the head and stomacke , especially , and may be either eaten fasting in a morning or after meales . mace covereth the nutmegge , partaking of the same nature , strengthening all the noble parts , being good against cold diseases , and against fluxes , and spitting of blood . there is yet another great fruit brought to us from the same indies ready preserved , called the indian nut , which is very good likewise to comfort all the noble parts , and strengthen nature . cinamon is the inward rind or barke of a tree growing in the east-indies , hot and dry about the third degree ; and yet in regard of the tenuity of its parts ( as was before said of blacke pepper ) is thought not to heat so much as some other spices . this noble spice , both in regard of the fragrant smell , and pleasantnesse to the palat may justly challenge the first place of excellency . it comforteth all the noble parts , cheereth spirits , openeth obstructions both of men and women , furthereth the expulsion of the birth , sweetneth the breath , helpeth concoction , and expelleth urine . but still let the same cautions be observed , which have beene mentioned in the use of other spices . there is out of this likewise distilled a noble water , and in great request for the aforesaid purposes , in the use whereof , notwithstanding , i wish everyone , especially women , to be wise and circumspect . saffron , although it be a simple growing with us here at home , and in our owne soile ; yet is it nothing inferior to any of the former , in regard of the excellency thereof for use . it is hot in the second , and dry in the first degree ; and much comforteth and cheereth the heart , and reviveth the vitall spirits . it is exceeding good against all obstructions both in man and woman ; against all obstructions of the liver , against the jaundize , and stuffing of the pipes of the lungs ; good also to further the menstruall courses , and facilitate the birth : and therefore let women with child beware of the use thereof . and i advise all to a moderate use of it , by reason that taken in too great abundance it much offendeth the head and braine , and oftentimes procureth the head-ach . and this shall suffice to have said in briefe concerning the matter of diet in generall both for the whole and sicke , as also of some sauces and spices in most frequent and ordinary use : and concerning divers other things , as yet here omitted in the diet of the diseased , shall hereafter bee somewhat said at greater length . and as concerning our spices , although now we be well supplied from forraine parts ; yet are we not here at home unfurnished of many excellent and wholesome aromaticall plants , very wholesome both in the use of physicke and food , and whereof we have frequent and often use ; such as are , rosemary , lavander , time , savorie , sage , mints , penniroyal , basil , sweet cervill , avens , angelica , and many others . and a h germane physitian much wondreth at his owne nation , that being so well supplied at home with so many excellent aromaticall simples , his country men are so eager of out-landish spices ; which both by reason of the remotenesse of those regions , the difficulty of transportation , the carelessenesse of the merchant , and divers frauds and impostures , are often brought unto us rotten , worme-eaten , or at least , that have lost a great deale of their vertues . chap. xxiii . of gluttony , and excesse in the use of food . having now discoursed of severall sorts of aliments , and the right use of them , i thinke it not amisse to say something of the abuse of these creatures , and the great damage and danger doth from thence insue : and this excesse we commonly call gluttony , and such as doe thus exceed , we call gluttons and belli-gods . now if ever this saying , plures gula quam gladio perire ; more perish by intemperance than by the sword ; i thinke , it is verified in this age wherein wee live . plato in his time esteemed that citie intemperate which mainteined many physitians ; and used alwaies to exhort his followers to sobriety . a and remember ( saith epictetus the philosopher ) that at thy meales thou alwaies interteinest two guests , the soule and body ; and that both these are by gluttony and intemperance oppressed , and not refreshed . b the wise man wisheth thee to consider diligently what is be before thee , and put a knife to thy throat ( saith he ) if thou be a man given to thy appetite . be not desirous of his dainties : for they are deceitfull meat . and since the life of man is since the first age of the world so much abbreviated , why wilt thou by intemperanee abbreviate that small portion of time allotted thee here to live ? and if it be forbidden to kill another , what barbarous inhumane cruelty is it for thee to lay violent hands upon thy selfe ? now gluttonie and intemperance weakeneth the naturall vigor and strength of the whole body , together with all the senses , and hindreth the right operation of the soule , maketh the body crasy , the life short and uncomfortable . whosoever therefore loveth his life , and is desirous to injoy the benefit of health , let him use a moderation in his meat and drinke ; and so let him use these good creatures to comfort and strengthen nature , and not to give the full swinge to his disorderly appetite . to reckon up all the diseases procured by this gluttony , were too tedious : but let it suffice , that in a word few diseases there are , which are not by this belly-god sin of gluttony procured to the body : as apoplexie , epilepsie , incubus , called night-mare , all manner of distillations or rheumes , oppression of the stomacke , crudities , vomits , lasks of severall kindes , putrid fevers of severall sorts , disquietnesse and watching ; together with a multitude of other more . and some who have been for a long time tormented with that mercilesse tyrant the gout , which contemned most generous remedies , by means of abstinence and spare diet , have at length recovered their perfect health . the mind also , and that reasonable soule , which maketh a man differ from unreasonable creatures , is not a little also by this odious sinne of gluttony interessed and damnified . is it not apparent that it blunts the edge of the understanding ? dulls and deads the intellectuall and reasonable part of the soule ? and breeds a sluggishnesse , drowzinesse and stupiditie in the whole man ? and doth it not by this meanes make a man altogether unfit for any noble or excellent imploiment ? let no man then esteeme this a small sinne , which is also so antient , that it had its originall in paradice ; and joined with pride , c was the first originall and beginning of all the misery that ever befell mortall man. besides , this gluttony proveth fatall to a mans fortunes , and in a few yeeres , moneths or weekes wasteth that which might have mainteined many , a multitude of yeeres . and therefore we see daily by woefull experienee , that many young gallants , having in a very short space galloped out of great estates ; as having never well learned that golden lesson , non minor est virtus quam quaerere parta tueri . it 's no lesse courage to mainteine , than things at first to get and gaine . fall at length into penury and poverty : and then being brought up in idlenesse and ease , in affluence and abundance , and without any lawfull calling ( the bane and breake-necke of many a young gentleman ) before they will wrong their backe and bellie , will rather betake themselves to some such unlawfull courses , that will at length bring them to a tragicall and shamefull end . now because , by reason of sinne , the nature of man is so apt to exceed in the too too liberall use of the creatures ; therefore as well the sacred oracles , as prophane writers have shewed their dislike of this odious sinne , and exhorted us to sobrietie . and if the wise man commend sobriety in princes , whose prerogative royall might seeme to beare them out in excesse far beyond ordinary people , what shall wee say of others ? d blessed art thou o land , when thy king is the sonne of nobles , and thy princes eat in due season , for strength and not for drunkennesse . woe unto thee , o land , when thy king is a child , and thy princes eat in the morning . haere againe the counsell of e another wise man : a very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured , and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed . sound sleepe commeth of moderate eating , he riseth early , and his wits are with him : but the paine of watching , and choler , and the pangs of the belly are with an unsatiable man. it is againe in f another place recorded , that idlenesse and fulnesse of bread , that is , excesse in diet , was the sinne of sodom . and the g rich glutton , who fared delitiously every day , descended into hell , when poore lazarus was carried into abrahams bosome . among the heathens of old , it will seeme no strange newes to heare of such belly-gods : as for one h sergius aurata ; abidius a citizen of rome ; fabius , who for his great gluttony , was metaphorically called gurges , a gulfe or deepe pit : aesop the stage-plaiers sonne , is to posterity recorded for a notorious and extraordinary glutton ; who to the end hee might the more easily overcome his great patrimonie , dissolved faire orientall pearles , and served them in at table for ordinary dishes ; and besides , provided great store of parrats , and other singing birds , purchased at a high price , and had them likewise served in at table as though they had beene but ordinary guat snappers . i need not instance in any more of these antient and notorious gluttons , but would wish that the christian world , yea , our owne countrie yeelded us not too many instances ; in so much that of this one subject i might write whole volumes . but i think there is none but can find instances enough , without fetching them from farre , which may save me a labour . but let us heare how the very heathens had this sin in detestation . that noble orator tullie hath this golden sentence . i to say that sensualitie or voluptuousnesse is that chiefe happinesse to be sought after , seemeth to me a speech better beseeming a beast than a man. the same author againe relateth , that when that famous philosopher aristotle had read the epitaph of that epicurean assyrian , king sardanapalus , which himselfe had commanded to be set over him after his death , haec habeo quae edi , quaeque exatura libido hansit , at illa jacent multa & preclara relicta . what i have eaten that i have : this doth me grieve and gall , that good things left my belly paunch cannot devoure them all . what other epitaph ( saith he ) couldest thou have set over the sepulchre of an oxe , and not of a king ? but heare a little now the heathen k poets upon belligod-gluttons . — quum corpus onustum externis vitijs animum quoque praegravat una , atque affigit humo divinae particulam aurae . when as the body burdned is with outward sinne and vice , it also loads the inward mind , and weyes it downe likewise ; and fastneth unto th' earth that little part of heavenly breath , heare yet againe l another speake to the same purpose . qui pote ? vis dicam ? nugaris cum tibi calve , pinguis aqualiculus propenso sesquipede extet . o bald head shall i tell thee true ? to write it doth not boot , so long as thy fat lericum-panch hangs out full halfe a foot . and m another speaketh yet in the language . et quibus in solo vivendi causa palato est egregius coenat , meliusque miserrimus horum , et cito casurus ( in paupertatem lapsurus ) jam perlucente ruina hoc est , egestate apparante . talibus a dominis ( luxuriosis ) post cuncta novissimus exit annulus , & digito mendicat pollio nudo , &c. and those to whom the cause of life doth in their palats rest , who sup and dine most sumptuously , still faring of the best , yet such men are most miserable , and soone fall to decay , when they have made their guts their god , and spent their wealth away , from such like prodigalls as these , when all things else are sold , off from their thumbs and fingers goe their rings of purest gold . which being sold and spent for food , they still remaine full poore , and are constrain'd without their rings , to beg from doore to doore . but heare yet a lively description of such a spend-thrift set down by another n poet. nec mora quod pontus , quod terra , quod educat aer poscit , & appositis queritur jejunia mensis : quodque satis poterat popalo , non sufficit vni ; plusque cupit quo plura suum demittit in alvum . vtque fretum recipit de tota flumina terra , nec satiatur aquis , peregrinosque ebibit amnes , vtque rapax ignis non ulla alimenta recusat , innumerasque faces cremat , & qua copia major est data , plura petit , turbaque voraeior ipsa est : sic epula omnes erisichthonis ora prophani accipiunt , poscuntque fimul , cibus omnis in illo causa cibi est , semperque locus fit inanis edendo . there 's no delay ; what from the sea , the earth , aire doth proceed this man requires , blames fasting when tables are furnished , he among dainties , dainties seekes , and what is fully able to satisfie great multitudes , will not suffice his table : the more he sends into his paunch , the more he still would have , even as the sea from the whole earth , all rivers doth receive , and yet with water is not fill'd , nor with no rainie showres , all floods that flow from forren lands it drinkes up and devoures ; and as devouring fire we see no fewell doth forsake , but all the fagots cast therein , doth dust and ashes make , and still the more you cast therein , the more it still desires ; such is the nature as we see of all outragious fires : even so erisicthons greedy gut receives and craves withall , in him one dainty dish of meat doth for another call . this glutton alwayes hath a place still emptie in his bellie case . now i will make it appeare that great princes , even of the heathens themselves have had this vice in great detestation . o histories record that alexander the great being in the palace of the kings of persia , read what was written in a pillar of brasse concerning the kings dinner and supper , and the ordinances concerning that businesse set downe by cyrus ; wherein was set downe of pure wheat-floure about bushells ; of a second sort of courser floure ▪ bushells , and of another third sort more ; in all . of barley floure , a bushells . of oates , bushells : oat-meale for pudding , gruell , &c. bushells ; and so of all other things proportionably : as fat hogges , a beeves , horses , fat geese ; and so proportionably of divers other kinds of fowle , and other provision both for ordinary food and sauces . the macedonians reading all this great provision for one day , admired this great prince as a most happy man. but alexander deriding all this prodigality , accounted him most miserable and unhappy ; as being intangled with too many affaires : and for this cause , caused to pull downe the pillar wheron all this was written , saying to his friends about him , that it was not fit for kings to learne to sup so intemperately and prodigally : for it cannot be ( said hee ) but that great cowardlinesse and effeminatenesse must of necessity accompany such excesse and prodigalitie . and now you manifestly see , that those who use to fill their bellies with so great suppers , basely yeeld the victory to their enemies . and in this , this mighty monarch spake the truth , although afterwards mastered by this persian prodigality . the same p alexander , before he gave himselfe over to excesse of diet and drunkennesse , was wont to say , that hee carried about with him curious cookes to provide sauces for his meat : to wit , his morning labor and travell to season his dinner ; and againe a spare dinner to season his supper . q it is recorded of constantine the sonne of kennethie , and king of the scottish nation , that hee compelled all the youth of his kingdome , at that time much effeminate and drowned in delights and pleasures , to lye on the bare ground , and to eate but once a day : and as for that swinish sinne of drunkennesse , it cost them no lesse than their life . r david the . king of the same nation , according to his fathers example , suppressed all riot and excesse , which then began to increase and creep abroad ; and expelled out of his kingdome all inventors of any dainties and curious sauces , wherby the appetite might be starred up . by the which , it may plainely appeare that in former times , divers of the kings of that nation bent themselves against the abuses of their times . and would to god we had now some course taken for the suppressing of excesse in all his majesties dominions : i am sure , those who have but one eye may easily see how necessary a thing this were . among the ancient romanes , ſ this was for a while very carefully looked into , and many sumptuary lawes then made for this same end and purpose . and it is well observed , that before these lawes were made , that people was exceedingly given to excesse and riot : for the which cause , it was commanded that they should dine and suppe , their doores standing open , that thereby better notice might bee taken of their excesse , if any committed . and besides , gluttony was then come to that heighth , that many youths , to please their palates , and satisfie their greedy guts , did not onely sell themselves for slaves ; but even abandoned their bodies to be in most beastly maner abused by those who were addicted to this unaturall and unlawfull lust . the first of these lawes was called orchia , from the author orchius : and in it was set downe the number of the guests which were to be invited to any great meeting , the which number they should not exceed . the next was that , called fannia lex , made by the consent of augustus caesar , and the whole people of the city , and this limited the expences which might be spent at any feast , which to exceed , was not allowed . and afterwards followed that , call lex didia , extending the former law , ( which before was most injoin'd to be observed in the citie ) to all italy . and againe , adding this likewise , that not onely such as invited their guests ; but even the invited guests also themselves should be accounted transgressours , and breakers of this law . there followed yet another after , called lex licinia , appointing smaller prices , upon divers things they were before sold for : but this was not in that esteeme , as the former . now in t gluttony , there is a trible fault committed : first , in the substance of the meat , when it is too curious and delicate : secondly , in the quantity , when it exceedeth in the same ; and thirdly , in the quality , if it be too daintily seasoned , and too curiously cooked . and then is it not properly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nourishment , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cupediae , junkets , or wanton fare . another saith , we transgresse in gluttony five manner of waies : first , sometimes we prevent our need : secondly , in providing too dainty fare : thirdly , when wee are too curious in the preparation of our food : fourthly , we often exceed in the quantity : fifthly , wee often erre in the too earnest and immoderate desire of dainty fare ; all which are comprehended in this verse following : praepropere , lante , nimis , ardenter , studiose . the remedies against this sinne , are set down both in holy scripture , and prophane authors . the u wise salomon gives us good counsell in his proverbs : and to this same purpose , see some precepts in ecclesiasticus : and a x worthy bishop sendeth these golden rules to a king : eat so as thou maiest avoid crudity : drinke so as thou maiest shunne drunkennesse . be neither too much addicted to dainties present ; nor yet too much desire those thou wantest : let thy diet be ordinary and homely ; sit downe to wholesome meat , and not to delight and pleasure : let hunger , and not exquisite sauces provoke thy appetite &c. the heathens , from the dignity , excellency , and eminency of this noble creature above all others , doe dehort us from this gluttony y all men ( saith one ) that would excell the rest of the creatures , should doe their best endeavour , not to passe over their life in silence , as the brute beasts , whom nature hath made to looke downe-wards , intending onely to supply the wants of their bellies . and the very structure of a man should put him in minde of his creation ; and therefore not to live the life of a beast . z os homini sublime dedit , coelumque tueri iussit , & erectos ad sidera a tollera vultus . god did give man to looke aloft , and bad him cast his eye , to view me heaven , that golden globe , the sunne and starry skie . the same poet in another place giveth us very good counsell : neve diu praesume dapes , sed desine citra , et capias paulo quam cupis esse minus . make not long meales , but ever stay thy great longing desires , and see thou alwaies ear lesse food , than appetite requires . and * another late alleged author , witnesseth that the antient numidians used meat and drinke , onely as antidotes against hunger and thirst ; and not for riot and excesse . and therefore it is a recorded of diogenes , that hee was wont to scoffe and mocke those , that sacrificed to the gods for their good healths , and then quite contrary to the rules of health , would stuffe up their guts ; affirming withall , that in vaine doe we aske chat of the gods which was in our owne power . b and a famous antient authour gives us warning , that such meats and drinkes are to be avoided , which , besides the satisfying of hunger and thirst , did yet provoke the appetite to more meat . it were an easie matter for mee to bring in many more both heathen poets and other authors inveighing against this vice , but that it would take me up too much time . but there is c a late writer , who , among many things set downe against this vice hath this which followeth . a certaine king caused assemble many skilfull philosophers ( i thinke it should have beene physitians ) to consult about his health , and some advising one thing , some another ; one among the rest , delivered his opinion thus , that hee could never better inioy his health , than never to eat untill such time hee found his former food digested . and such as will have but that care of themselves that they have of their hawkes , and many other creatures , to whom they will give no new food untill they have concocted the former ; follow the advice of the wise man , i live not to eat , but eat to the end i may live : and againe , the same authour hath these words : the greedy desire of such gluttons , is like unto the desire of the divell , or of hell it selfe : for as hell swallowes up many people , yet never is satisfied ; yea , rather sorry it cannot swallow more ; for the which cause these hellish ministers leave no wind unsailed : even right so fareth it with gluttons who are never satisfied , to whom it is said , agg. . you have eaten , and yet are not satisfied , to wit , according to their disorderly appetite , being displeased with themselves , that they are able to devoure no more . and for this cause , they invent all the waies they can , to please their palates , both in the colour , taste , smell , and in the various multiplicitie of meat and drinke . and hence commeth it to passe , saith saint bernard , that they double their great dishes , upon the which , being totally intent , they can keepe no measure in eating , &c. is not this then a great blurre and disgrace to our christian profession , that we should be farre inferiour to so many heathen and meere morall men ? but especially , is this a time for riot and excesse ; for chambering and wantonnesse , when many of our neighbours and brethren by christian profession , lie groaning in grievous affliction ? the want of this sympathising with the afflictions of the church , is that which god reproacheth his own people , amos . . they drinke wine in bowles , and stretch themselves upon beds of yvorie ; but no man remembred the afflictions of ioseph . and as at all times , so more especially in the times of penury and scarcity , wee ought to be sparing in our diet ; and those whom god hath inabled , ought to be the more helpfull to the poore ; whose pinched bellies often would be glad of the scraps and crums , which fall from many a rich gluttons table . againe , i could wish , that many did not so profusely spend upon unreasonable creatures , and that onely for sport and recreation , that which would fill the bellies of many a poore christian , who scarce can have a bit of browne bread to satisfie their hungry appetites , while their beasts have abundance of the best . if any shall here againe reply , may not i doe with mine owne what i list ? let mee then be so bold againe , as to demand what is their owne ? and if they will not , i will answer for them , that is , just nothing : they are but onely stewards , put in trust with their masters goods , the great god of heaven and earth , and there will come shortly ( and how soone they know not ) a messenger to discharge them of their stewardship : thou maiest be no longer steward , and then if thou hast been a good and faithfull steward , and canst make thy master a true account , thou maiest expect with comfort that euge bone serve , well done faithfull servant , enter into thy masters ioy : but if otherwise , let them looke to it . i will conclude with the words of the late alleged author : now , who so will not by all the former inconveniences and dangers be reclamed , neither by afflictions and troubles , nor yet by faire perswasions ; yet let this one thought and consideration , what they shall be after death , affright them : for all gluttons , and generally all sinners and wicked people are usually affraid of death , the which gluttony , if not avoided , will inevitably hasten and further . i have somewhat the longer insisted upon this point , in regard this sinne is so frequent in this kingdome , which hath been thereby with our neigbours , the french , reproached , les anglois sont grand mangeurs , english are great eaters . but wee have eaten more than enough , it is time wee now proceed to drinke . chap. xxiiii . of drinke , and what things in the use thereof to be considered : of morning draughts , drinking betwixt meales , beginning or ending the meale with drinke , and drinking to bed-ward . after meat it is seasonable , now , to come to drinke , the one being as necessary , if not more than the other . this liquid substance helpeth the distribution of the food thorow the whole body ; withall , quencheth thirst : and as without food , so likewise without drinke , the life of man cannot be prolonged . and although wee read of some , who without any drinke at all , have spunne out the whole threed of their life ; as namely one a lasyrtas lasionius , andrew of argos mago of carthage , and iulius viator , a roman knight ; yet is it most certaine , that without drinke , or some moisture to conveigh the meat thorow the body , man cannot subsist : and such persons were not of a sound constitution of body ; and that because they did not sweat at all , their bones being all solid without any marrow . and our stomack is not vnfitly compared to a pot with meat boyling in it , which without moisture , must needs be burnt up . besides , drinke seemeth to be of a greater profit and utility to the body than meat it selfe , and the want thereof hardlier to be indured , it allaying both hunger and thirst , in man especially : and therefore the old aphorisme holdeth here true : it is easier to be refreshed with drinke than with solid food . drink is a thin liquid substance , quenching thirst , furthering the concoction and distribution of the food thorow the whole body , and often also apt to nourish the same . drinke is two-fold , either that common liquor , whereof all living creatures are partakers as well as man : or else it is desumed from beasts and plants ; from the which a wholesome liquor or juice is expressed , fit for quenching thirst , and nourishing the body also . now , some rules concerning drinke are carefully to be observed ; and first wee are not to indure too much thirst , but moderately to drinke in time of need , especially at our meales . in the next place it is good to drinke little and often at our meales ; to the end there may be an exact mixture of our meat and drinke in the stomacke : neither are wee to follow the custome of the people of the east , to drinke most after meales , as is also the custome of our beasts . thirdly , wee are not to beginne our meales with drinke , but rather with solid food . fourthly , wee are not to drinke betwixt meales , for feare of disturbing and interrupting the concoction of the stomacke ; except a very hot and dry stomacke , sometimes for feare of burning up the meat , plead privilege for a cup. fifthly , after bathing , running , or any other violent exercise , it is not good suddenly to drinke either water or strong drinke ; but especially water , or small drinke . c hippocrates maketh mention of wrestler , wh● after violent motion and agitation of his whole body , and all covered with sweat , drinking a great draught of cold water , died suddenly : and this was also the fatall end of the famous physitian valerius cordus . many more such histories are related by the d learned schenekius . and in france , my body being then in the like case and had almost bin made an addition to the former examples . for after a draught of col● water in the heat of sommer , i was immediatly after surpized first with a single , and after with a double tertian fever : and to adde yet unto my former mis●rte●●l was shortly after , about the beginning of the canicular daies surprized with the blody flixe , ( at that time epidemicall , and for the most part mortall in most places of france , especially southward ) the which , together with the former infirmities , did adhere unto me almost a quarter of a yeere ; and recovered not my full strength againe for the space of a whole halfe yeere and upwards . now as meat , so is drinke not to be excessively and inordinatly used , but stinted and limited to a certaine determinate quantity . and howsoever , i confesse , it is impossibe to regulate , and determine how much every particular and individuall person ought to drinke ; and that by reason of the difference of countries and climats , of divers and various constitutions , and severall obseruable circumstances ; yet may we still aime at a certaine decorum , or golden mediocrity alwaies , as in other things , so in this diligently to be observed . the antients , as it seemeth , observed even a set number of draughts at their set meales , which e were , as witnesseth the poet : and the same number was determined by the synod of nants . democritus , as witnesseth pliny , wrote a booke , wherein hee averreth , that no man ought to drinke foure draughts at one meale : and it was a saying of the antients , the first draught is good against drougth , the second is for mirth , the third for pleasure and delight , and the fourth made one madde . but because the number of draughts is nothing , the quantity of the draught , being that wee are to build upon ; therefore that was also regulated among the antients . there were among the antient romans three usuall measures for drinke , called by these names , triens , sextans , deunx : the middlemost was the least , being under foure ounces , and with the which , sober people contented themselves : that called triens was about a quarter of our wine pint , not above foure ounces : the last was above our wine pint . sober people contented themselves with the smallest measure ; and such as assumed some more liberty , proceeded to the other : but intemperate persons would adventure on the last and biggest measure . f cato allowed to labouring men , and such as wrought hard , about three english pints of wine aday ; which , perhaps , was then ordinary for such kindes of people . but mee thinks i heare some , by reason of that which hath beene already said , aske mee a question , whether a draught of drinke in a morning fasting , be not , in the rules of wholesome diet , to be allowed of ? their colour to cleare this their custome , is this : a draught in a morning ( say they ) washeth downe all ill humors , that lie in the stomack , or places adjoining , and withall , is good against the stone . i answer , thy draught is either strong drinke , or small : if strong , then have i the authority of our famous antient physitians on my side , that this is very hurtfull to the health . indeede , during the empire of tiberius caesar ( saith g pliny ) the physitians some fortie yeeres agoe , appointed that people should drinke fasting ; and that onely by meanes of some cunning physitians , willing by some plausible novelty to skrew themselves into the favour of the people . and it seemeth there is some recent authoritie , at least to beginne our meales with drinke . but galen is flat against this preposterous custome of drinking thus fasting ; h averring , that to drink strong drink fasting , is very hurtfull for the nerves and nervous parts , and withall , hasteneth and procureth to the body many dangerous diseases , as epilepsie , apoplexie , and many others . it is therefore farre better for thy health to eat a little before thou drinke . but some will say , i will take but a draught of small drinke , which is good against the stone . to this i answer , that howsoever this be a seeming reason , yet to mee it is none at all : for , by this meanes thou causest the more speedie descent of those glutinous and feculent humours toward the kidnies and bladder ; and by consequent , rather furtherest than hinderest either the generation or increase of the stone : as the like is also , by the unseasonable , and too frequent use of diureticall medicines often procured . but if thou wilt drinke , then the best will be to eat a little before thou drinkest , and this , like a sponge , will drinke up this liquor , and afterwards these superfluous excrements will at great leisure be thorow the guts expelled out of the body . some hot and dry bodies , may , perhaps , plead for some privilege , who , of all others , are most to be excused , especially , if they be not rheumaticke ; and in such a case , let not the drinke be too strong . and as for antient people , and cold constitutions , who , perhaps , will take it ill to be abbridged of their morning draught ; of wines , muscadine , sweet canary , and the like , with a tost soked in them and eaten , are the best , and a cup of good wholesome ale , with a tost , some nutmegge and sugar may be allowed . but the ordinary use of morning draughts , being indifferently of every one used , is not so good for the health of the body , whatsoever our tost pots prate to the contrarie . and now i proceed to the next . in the next place it may be demanded , whether it be good to begin our meales , as likewise to end the same with a draught ? as for the first , it hath beene by mani holden as an oracle to beginne the meale with drink ; which was also held by the i salernitan schoole , and with us it is holden for an ordinary and inveterate custome to beginne our meale with a cup of sacke . now , as in many other things , so in this particular also , can we set downe no certaine precise rule , which may fit every particular individuall constitution . but this , according to my opinion , and of our physitians of the best note , is the best for health , in ordinary constitutions , and the most part of people , to beginne their meales with solid food . and from this rule none is to be exempted , unlesse some hot dry constitution ; and in such bodies , the pot may be washed , ( as some use to say ) or rather moistned before the meat be put into it ; providing alwaies there be no pottage , or other liquid meats ; in which case they may well supply the place of drinke . and besides , as concerning the use of such moist and liquid food , the more an ordinary stomacke useth thereof , the lesse drinke is needfull ; and not , as too many use needlessely and foolishly to drinke immediatly after hot pottage . and as concerning rheumaticke persons , i wish them to be sparing both in the use of pottage and drinke ; especially when rheume is most busie . and as for a cup of sacke , it cannot be indifferently good for every one at the beginning of meales ; but onely for feeble , phlegmaticke , cold and old constitutions , and that immediately before meales : for otherwise it may even hurt such constitutions , especially , if subject to any diseases of the head and nerves : as epilepsie , apoplexie , palsie , &c. now to the next , whether it be good to finish our meale with meate or drinke ? to finish the feast with a draught of good drinke hath beene alwaies a very ancient custome , as by many antient authors appeareth , which i could easily here make good , if i feared not to trespasse upon the readers patience . * the iewes , it seemeth , were accustomed both to beginne and end their feast with such a draught ; and of the beginning therewith , the practice of our saviour christ in k luke maketh it cleare . the english have long continued this custome , as witnesseth the learned l erasmus ; and is so used among the germans , and many other europaean people , even at this very day , being commonly used after the washing of the hands , which in scotland they call the grace drinke : and from the washing of the hands , this drink tooke the name , and was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the germanes call it saint iohannis segen , or saint iohns blessing . m now by antient authors it may appeare , that there were cups called after three severall names used about that time : one was drunke in honour of iupiter , called olympius , or in honor of all the gods : the second was in honor of deified men , whom they called heroes ; such as be our popish canonized saints : the third was in honor of iupiter saviour , called perfect , from the number of three , wherein is the beginning , the middle and the end . by some also this was called the cup of health or good lucke , which they dranke one to another : and by some also it was called the cup of their good spirit or god , which was used both at the beginning , and ending of their supper before they rose from table . and after this last cup was once drunk , then all the guests rose , and all was taken away ; as may by that sacrilegious pranke plaied by denis the tyrant appeare : who comming into the temple of aesculapius within the city of syracuse , where was the statua , or image of aesculapius , with a table of pure gold standing by it , tooke a cup full of wine , adding these words , i drinke to thee aesculapius , the cup of the good god or spirit , and with this word caused presently carry away this golden table . among the indians it was called the cup of tantalus . but now to the solution of the question , whether is it better to close our stomacke with meat or drinke ? i answer , that for the generall , and for the most part , it is holden , that it is best to close it up with meat ; yet with a limitation , that such as are hot and dry , and are troubled with thirst may drinke a little at the latter end of their meale . and of such is celsus to be understood , when hee willeth us to close up the stomacke with a cup of cold water ( a custome i am sure would not be very welcome to the swill-bowles of our times ) and that of hippocrates , who in feare of fumes and hot vapors arising up , and fuming into the head , adviseth us to use this water or else very thinne waterish white wine . but there are many pleasant astringent meanes which in such cases may better bee used ; as namely , marmalad of quinces , of goose-berries , preserved quinces , conserve of barberries , of rasps , and many other such things astrigent and acid in taste . howsoever , it is the best course ordinarily to close the stomacke rather with meate than drinke , according to this verse : sit tibi postremus semper in ore cibus . let a morsell of meat be ever last in thy mouth . now the answer to the other question , whether it bee good to drinke to bed-ward , or going to bed , is concluded to the negative , that we are not at all to drinke at that season , for feare of hindering concoction . but if the body be hot and dry , the stomacke especially , and the partie thereunto accustomed , and sometimes in extraordinary great thirst , heere something is to bee yeelded to necessity : in which case it is good to be sparing , and when concoction is almost finished , as foure or five houres after meales , a more liberall draught may then bee allowed . and this may likewise serve for an answer to that question , whether one may drinke betwixt meales ? so that i shall not need to make any repetion , concerning this point . as for very aged people , of cold windy stomackes , i shall not find fault with them , if they take a little draught of sacke , or such liquor at the end of their meale . chap. xxv . of water as it is used for drinke , and severall waies of cooling the same , and correcting bad waters . having discoursed of drinke in generall , as wee have done in meats , so must wee here come to the particular sorts of drinke ; amongst which , water offereth it selfe in the first place , as the first and most ancient ; so the most common to all living creatures , most obvious and easie to come by . and although after the flood , wine came in request for mans use ; yet by many passages , both of holy and prophane writers ( whom for brevities sake i here passe by ) it may appeare that water was the most common and ordinary drinke , and wine used more at festivall times , and solemne meetings , than for their daily and ordinary use ; and it is even at this day so used in many places . as for the division of waters , their variety and diversitie , i have already said sufficient , as also concerning the qualities : whereas , i shewed , that water was not of so cooling a qualitie , as hath beene by many , both philosophers and physitians hitherto deemed . a late a writer confirmeth this same opinion by the authority of divers other writers , by valid and probable reasons thereto perswaded . the chiefe and principall reasons are desumed from the inbred principles of this element ; as light , heat , agitation and mobiltie ; which constitute and make the essence or being thereof : as also from the actions ; as the manifold generative power , perspicuity , raritie ; the taste also , bitter , salt and sweet , &c. of the other quality of moisture there is no controversie . now , concerning the drinking of water , wee are herein to consider three things , the good quantity , the quality , and the order . the qualities of the best water have already largely beene described , and that among all waters , raine water was the best ; and next unto it , the best spring water , or good river-water . in quantity , it must not exceed : for so it would hinder the concoction of the stomacke . and as for the order , it must be drunke , as is already in the generall directions of drinke set downe ; little , and often at a meale . vsed before meales , it moistneth much dry bodies , and cooleth more than sacke , or any wine whatsoever , be it never to small ; and therefore fitter for hot and drie bodies , than wine or strong drinke . vsed after meales , it inhibiteth and hindereth the hot vaporous fumes of strong drinke to ascend into the braine ; and so is said to resist drunkennesse : but i advise weake stomackes to looke unto themselves , for feare of too much debilitation , proceeding from too much humectation . and howbeit in hot countries , their water , by reason of correction by the splendor of the sunne-beames is accounted wholesomer than ours ; yet might ours be farre more used than it is , especially by hot and dry bodies , especially such stomacks , and yonger people especially : but this is the mischiefe , that such commonly powre downe most strong drinke , by this meanes adding fewell to the fire , untill fevers , inflammations , and such furious diseases , in the very aprill of their age bring them to an untimely death . and the poorer sort , i am sure , might make more use of the same than ordinarily they doe ; which would better become them than go a begging strong drinke ; or which is yet worse , steale , to procure mony to buy it . and notwithstanding this our nicity , i know som honourable and worshipfull ladies who drinke little other drinke ; and yet injoy more perfect health than most of them that drinke of the strongest . two things do most deterre people from the use of this noble antient drinke , the coldnesse and the crudity . as for the coldnesse , howsoever it doth often actually to the palat appeare such ; yet have i shewed that there is no such intense cooling quality here to be feared . the other is the crudity ; which is indeed nothing else but the abundance of moisture , wherewith it is indowed ; and most offensive to weake and moist stomackes : and all is notwithstanding ordinarily imputed to the coldnesse of water . some to correct what they deeme amisse in water , use to adde some sugar to it , and so thinke all is well amended , and is most practised by the female sex . but this is no good correction : for of this they cannot be ignorant , and experience teacheth no lesse , that sweet things doe rather hurt than helpe a weake and tender stomacke . and besides , sugar being but temperately hot could adde but a little heat to such a drinke , if it were as cold as is supposed . againe , sugar having no drying quality ascribed unto it ; but rather a meane moisture , it will rather adde to , than detract from this moist quality . but in my opinion , the best correction is by boiling it first , and then if thou wilt , adde thereunto a little hony or sugar , and a little wine vineger ( which well correcteth the moisture , and joined with the other sugar or hony , giveth it a pleasant rellish ) thou maiest make thee a pleasant and wholesome drinke . now as concerning the boiling of waters , there is a controversie about the quantity , or how much should be boiled away ; some willing to boile water to the wasting away of the third part , others of the halfe , which others againe thinke too much ; and indeed a meane is the best , againe , some would have water corrected by distillation ; which i must needes confesse to be best , if not too costly : besides , that it is not so easy every where , and at all times to be effected . some straine it thorow a cleane linnen cloth ; and some againe boile it with sand . some with corall beaten to powder correct the bitternesse of waters ; and some attribute a correcting qualitie to penniroall . pliny reports , that bitter waters are made sweet and potable by casting into them a little meale or flowre of wheat ; so that they may bee drunke within two houres after . i doubt this triall would hardly answere our expectation . and i am sure the practice of the b prophet elisha in healing the water with salt , was miraculous . it is familiar with mariners after the use of evill waters to eat garlicke . the arabian physitians advise him , who is to remove his habitation to a place where waters are not good , to carry with him some of the earth where hee lived before , and mingle with his water , and being well strained , drink of it . now because oftentimes water is either somwhat warme , and therfore quencheth not the thirst so well ; or else is not so cold as to please some nice and curious palats : therefore partly for pleasure and wantonnesse , and partly for necessity ; especially when all manner of riot and excesse began to reigne , amongst many other things , were devised severall waies to coole both their water and their wine . and it cannot be denied that cold water doth better further the concoction of the stomacke than warme . and c galen , in sommer alloweth of very cold drinke ; yea , even cooled with snow , and to such especially as labour hard , and use much exercise : but others that live idly , leading a sedentary life , and free from imployment , either of body or mind , he adviseth to drinke water , as nature hath produced it , without any alteration . avicen wisheth alwaies to eat before they drinke water , and to drinke sparingly and often at our repast , and out of a vessell with a narrow mouth ; that so the draught may be the more moderate . there were six several waies the antients used to coole their water , by means of the aire ; which was familiar to the aegyptians , as witnesseth d galen . in the sommer ( saith he ) the aegyptians of alexandria , having first well warmed their water , and put it up in close earthen vessells , exposed it to the night aire , and before sun rising , set them in some shadie places of the ground , environed round about with cooling herbes . sailers have beene seene sometimes to expose their water to the night aire , and afterwards cover their bottles with many clothes : and thus it is very certaine it reteineth still the cold quality . the reason why they thus boiled their water , was because that water once boiled receiveth sooner and easilier the impression of the cold aire ; as witnesseth the e prince of philosophers . and therefore in pontus , where they fish alwaies in frost , they besprinkle their angling-rods with warme water ( which afterwards congealeth and freezeth so much the harder ) which serveth them in stead of glue . the second way of cooling water , is , by letting it downe in an earthen bottle into a deepe well : howbeit others are of opinion it receives some evill impression from this close water ; and therefore thinke it better to draw up the water , and so set it in it . the third way , is by injection of some salt peter , which afterwards for a while is stirred about with a sticke : howbeit this is not so well approved of , with whatsoever present satisfaction it may seeme to sooth us up . the fourth way , is by meanes of ice or snow . it was the invention of the emperour nero to boile water , and then let it downe into a pit of snow . f athenaeus saith , it was an old invention , howbeit others affirme it first found out by nero. g the turkes at this day familiarly use this kinde of cooling their drinke . the fift way , is by meanes of deepe cellars , wherein in antient times , some were wont to set bottles full of hot water , and take them out againe colder than any snow . in paris there are some such deepe cellars , wherein the smallest wines will seeme to the taste , twice as strong as they are in very truth . besides all the premisses , water falling from a high place , acquireth unto it selfe a greater coldnesse than that which runneth softly in a river ; and the agitation and much stirring of the water furthereth not a little this cooling qualitie . and this for the present concerning the use of water shall suffice ; what resteth shall be discussed in the diet of the diseased , which doth something also concerne them . chap. xxvi . of wine : the various and severall sorts , with the right use , and for whom it is most fitting . it may be my former discourse of water was to some unwelcome , who would more willingly , perhaps , heare of some more noble liquor ; and therefore now from the water-pale to the wine-pot . now although this same subject of wines alone might well fill up a larger discourse than this in hand ; yet will i content my selfe with such things as shall be of greatest use for the health of mankind . and because al wines are not alike , differing in divers respects , it will therefore be for us very usefull to set downe the severall differences . wines therefore differ not a little one from another , and that in these respects following . the first difference then is desumed from the age ; for some wine is called mustum , or new wine ; and others of longer continuance , one , two or three yeers , &c. new wine , before it be well purged from the lees , howsoever it may seeme to please the palat , by reason of a sweet pleasant and delectable taste ; yet is it most dangerous for the health of the body . a for by reason of the thicknesse , grossenesse ; and ( as some call it ) a tartareous substance , it is very windy , and apt to ingender all manner of obstructions , wind cholicke , and the stone it selfe , &c. but among all such wines , the white and rhenish doe least harme ; and that in regard they make the body soluble , and so all corruption is evacuated , and so in regard of their short abode within the body , they are least of all others offensive unto it . new wine pressed out of tart and sowre grapes is of all others the worst . the b poet ovid could well tell whether new or old wine were better , when he wishes to drinke wine of the continuance of certaine consuls ; that is , so many yeeres old . and as the new wines are not to be allowed for ordinary use ; no more are the very old wines better to be liked of : for then they become farre hotter , sharper , and sometimes bitter also . as for the certaine determinate time orange , when wine might safeliest be drunke , no man can certainely determine , for some lasted twenty , some more , some fewer yeeres . cicero at a supper with damasippus was served with wine of . yeeres old . but the emperor caligula was presented with wine of : yeere old . now the nature of such wines was this , that they were not to be drunke , unlesse mastered with much water . our wines now a daies differ much from those in frequent use among the ancients , the romanes especially : for few of our ordinary wines will continue good for yeeres , as theirs did ; yea a yeere , and sometimes lesse , will put them to the period of their longest endurance . although i deny not but some of our sackes , and some such strong wines will continue good farre beyond this prefixed period . the second difference is taken from the substance ; some being thinne , perspituous and very small , needing no admixture of water , called for this cause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as grow plentifully about paris , rochell , and divers other places ; as along the river of rhene , in thuringia , misnia , &c. and yet cardan thought no such wine grew in those regions . others againe were of a thicker , and grosser substance , and may therefore be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or bearing much water , as being of farre greater force and strength than the former . the third difference may be taken from the colour ; some being white in colour , some pale yellow , some sadder in colour , or of a high golden yellow colour ; some againe of a blackish intense red , and others of a pale red colour . the yellow wines are the hottest , the red lesse ; and the white least of all . and it is to bee observed , that mingling grapes of divers colours , the wine becommeth of a mixt colour : as the white and red grape mingled together maketh a claret ; and the more red grapes be in the mixture , the higher coloured is this claret ; and the more white grapes , the paler coloured it is ; approaching both to the colour and quality of white wine ; as is to bee seene in that wine called from the colour of peach flowre , couleur du pesche . the fourth difference is taken from the taste , sweet , sowre , sharpe or bitter . the sweet are most nourishing , such as are commonly the high coloured red wine , and some sweet sacks brought unto vs from greece , and other parts : such as are our malmesey , muscadine , browne-bastard , canary , and some others of that colour ; and our high coloured red wines , called vin de graves . some againe are of tarter taste , as most of our white and claret . galen was of opinion , there were no sweet white wines ; howbeit divers provinces of france can now witnesse the contrary . and i doubt not but the wine-brewers of the city of london have so well profited in their profession , that they are able to furnish any with as sweet wine of any colour as any other place whatsoever . the fift difference is desumed from the smell , which in wine is also not a little to be regarded , and the wines of best smell are also ordinarily the hottest . among our ordinary wines , that which smelleth like the raspe , as the french say , sent la fram boose , is esteemed the daintiest . but here my meaning is not of any artificiall smell procured by the wit and invention of the vintner , no more than that which already hath bin spoken concerning the substance , colour and taste . another difference may yet be desumed from the soile , and the naturall temper of the aire where such wines grow . and thus in one and the same country are so many severall sorts of wine to be seene , differing in goodnesse one from another ; and yet far more those of one countrey from those of another . and thus we may apparently perceive what a great difference there is in the wines of that one kingdome of france . the wine of orleance , although farre to the north , yet doth it exceed in goodnesse many others more to the south . and we see severall countries produce divers and severall sorts of wine , and some againe produce none at all : and that partly by the unfitnesse and coldnesse of the soile and climate ; and partly in some places , by meanes of the neglect and ill husbandry , or ignorance of the inhabitants . and there is yet another difference desumed from the faculties : for the thicke red coloured wine tending to blacke , especially the sweetest , are of all others aptest to nourish and fatten the body . but whosoever useth them much , let him take heed of obstructions , the stone , the dropsie , &c. such wines grow plenteously in gascony , and from thence conveyed to their chiefe citie burdeoux , and so to divers places of the christian world . all sweet wines loosen the belly more than any other kind . the other sweet wines , such as we named heretofore , are hotter than the former , and yeeld somewhat to them in this alimentary facultie ; and are rather of the antient , and married people , yet sparingly to be used ; than of the yonger sort . in france alone many severall sorts of wine , differing not a little in strength one from another . the wines of orleance are of prime note for goodnesse ; as also the wines of aniou and adjacent places are in no small esteeme : and those wines in so great request at the french court ; called vin de coussy and d'hay , are very wholesome and dainty wines . but the wine about paris , rochell , and many places of xaintonge are but poore small wines in comparison of the former . againe , in gascoigne ; but especially in provence , languedoc , and the south parts of that kingdome are many strong and generous wines , equalling , if not exceeding divers wines of italy it selfe . but it is now more than time , wee come to the temperature of wine , the knowledge whereof doth not a little make for our purpose . concerning the temperature of wine , there hath been some controversie among the learned , which we will leave to the schooles , & briefly declare that which we conceive to bee most profitable for our purpose . wine then of all sorts , whatsoever , is undoubtedly hot , howbeit some more and some lesse ; and new wine is at first colder , and in time acquireth a greater heat ; insomuch that must or new wine is by galen accounted cold ; which must be understood comparatively ▪ having respect to that it is afterwards . now this heat acquired by 〈◊〉 ebullution is of a great latitude and extent , according to the severall natures and ages of wines . thinne small wines , especially white , participate of least heat : old strong wines are very hot : that which is betwixt both these extremes , is also of a meane heat betwixt both . but now concerning the second quality , and joined with this first , whether it be moist or dry , is in like manner controverted . in a word , i thinke it to be actually moist , howbeit potentially dry , as we speake in the schooles . for howsoever it moisten , as is the nature of all liquors ; yet hath it a certaine faculty of drying up superfluous moisture ; as we see come to passe in many other liquors extracted out of hot simple , vegetables or mineralls : and yet this drying faculty differeth not a little according to the strength . it is moreover to bee observed , that our wines much differ from the wines used in antient times , in regard of their strength . with us our new wines are hotter than our old , which by little and little , their heat decaying , grow dead : vappescunt . contrariwise , the wines of antient times being new , that is , not exceeding five yeeres age , were not so hot as those of greater age , which perhaps had atteined to ten or twelve yeeres . the longer they were kept , the greater heat they contracted , which was not naturall ; but procured by art : for they were accustomed to mingle with their new wine , pitch , rosen , brimston , plaster , ashes , to adde smell and quicknesse to their wines . some used also to smoake their wines : and for this end , had certain places in their houses built for this same purpose . others againe mingled therewith sea-water fetcht superstitiously from the deepest ocean . by so many poisons cause we wine to please our palats ( saith pliny ) and yet wonder at the woe they procure us , yet inclining still to vice . let londoners , and others that frequent the city much , looke about them , and moderate their insatiable wine-bibbing humor , lest withall they drinke downe some of this stuffe , whereof pliny here complaines . sure i am our vintners are as cunning , and witty in invention for their owne profit and commodity , as ever were any of the antients . but concerning the hot facultie of wines , it may perhaps be replied , how commeth it to passe , if all wines be hot and dry , it produceth cold and moist diseases in the braine : i answer in a word , it commeth nor so to passe properly by reason of these faculties ; but by accident , these exhalations being by the braine quickly converted into such a substance . and that this is true may by this appeare , that the excesse of drinking of the strongest wines are aptest to ingender such diseases . now this noble creature moderately used , is a most soveraine meanes to restore and renew our decaied and dead spirits , and to preserve the naturall heat of the body : and for the great affinity it hath with the nature of man , and sympathy with the heart , it is as it were in a moment conveied thither ; and so produceth that famous effect of d cheerefulnesse , so often in holy writ ascribed unto it . but the use of this so noble a creature is not indifferently to be permitted to every age , person and complexion . plato would not have children to drinke any wine before the . yeere of their age . e aristotle forbiddeth wine to nurses and children . f hippocrates permitteth the use of it to some cacochymicall dispositions , and to women of a soft and foggy , or spongious flesh . g galen setteth downe what constitutions it best befitteth . to those of mature and ripe yeeres he permitteth wine , but well watered ; but to hot and dry constitutions , hee forbiddeth it altogether , water better befitting the state of such bodies , to whom assenteth also hippocrates . as for old age , especially if very phlegmaticke by constitution , vvine is not to be denied them ; it being for them a wholesome milke , and withall a convenient food for the preserving and cherishing of the radicall moisture , and innate balsame of their bodies . but from hence ariseth some doubt , in that i allow wine to old men ; my doubt may seeme so much the stranger , in that it seemeth this opinion hath alwayes gone currant without any controll . but there is a late writer , who hath contradicted this opinion , and would have them when they grow in yeeres , to use wine well diluted with water , and afterwards vvhen they are novv atteined to decrepit old age , to give them onely hony-vvater , or boiled vvater to drinke . but i thinke fevv that read this , but vvill thinke this too rigid ; and so am i of their mind . his reason is because ( saith hee ) hot strong wine drunke in abundance hath need of a like proportion of naturall heat to overcome it , otherwise it sowreth in the stomacke , oppresserh naturall heat , ingendreth crudities , and proveth the cause of many noisome diseases . but by his good leave , although a learned man , yet he delivers his opinion too lavishly and without limitation . wine in old age moderately taken cheereth the spirits , furthereth concoction , and overcōmeth crudities . the chiefe hurt befalleth old age by the too liberall use of strong hot vvines , in my opinion , is by way of ex●ccation , their bodies howsoever replenished with an accidentall and excrementitious moisture ; yet the naturall crasis and constitution of their bodies get , inclining to siccity . the excesse in the use of any sort of wine i allow not of . but i see no sound reason , why the moderate use of our muscadines , sweet canary sackes ; and sweet nourishing red wines may not safely and to good purpose be allowed this age , which besides the former benefits may likewise by their mild fumes and vapors so irrigate the braine , that it may procure them quiet and comfortable sleepe to this age so acceptable . and by this moderate use i see not but it may likewise communicate a gentle warmth to all the parts of the body ; although i am not of opinion this is the only use , as this author seemeth to allege . and in the use of wine among the antients this is yet to be observed , that they were either to drinke this or water , there being no other in ordinary use among them ; and therfore , wheras they allowed youth at the age of . to drinke wine , this is not a precept for us to practise , being furnished with so fit and wholesome drink , and so appropriated and fitted for this climat , and our complexions ; and the which may safely to any age or complexion be exhibited ; and being in our owne power to make it weaker or stronger , there is no danger in the use of our ale or beere . and besides , we must also withall consider that in the hot seasons of the yeere both wine , and other strong drinkes must more sparingly be used ; but in colder seasons we may be bolder . now againe , among the antients wine was either drunke pure of it selfe without any mixture ; or else diluted and mingled with water , and is used also in this our age . in antient times some added the water to the wine , and some againe wine to the water . water was , and is used to be added unto wine , to allay and qualifie the heat and fumes thereof , and is more frequent in those countries , where wine is their ordinary drinke . this mixture differeth according to the diversitie of the natures , of the parties drinking , the wine drunke , together with the severall times of drinking : all which points are learnedly and largely set downe by g a famous italian physitian ; and which were too long for mee here to insist upon . but this i must advertise in briefe , that as young people , especially , hot and cholericke constitutions , ought not to drinke wine ; so if they doe at any time drinke thereof , they ought to delute , or mingle it with a greater quantity of water than others : and the like i wish to be understood of the heat of sommer , when as both smaller drinke , and wine more deluted is best . some in stead of ordinary spring water , use rose water , and a little sugar , which is not amisse : and the like may be practised with strawberry , sorrell , succory , or endive water . but to determine the quantity of water , which differeth according to circumstances , is very hard : but the best will be for people to consider of that proverbiall speech , every man is either a foole , or a physitian . the meaning is , a man should observe what best befitteth the state of his owne body , and so accommodate all things accordingly . many in hot countries where the wine groweth , sometimes use wine so sparingly , that they adde but a little quantity of wine to a great quantity of water ; it may be not the fifth or sixth part . but with us , where wine is not our naturall and ordinary drinke , this deluting , or mixture of wine and water is not so frequent ; except sometimes in sommer , where often , and most commonly sugar is also added thereunto , with some borage flowers , and a sprig of rosemary , which are not out of purpose ; especially , if the wine be any thing tart , or sowrish . and by the way i must here say something concerning the use of sugar with wines : it is a common custome thorow this kingdome , to adde sugar to all wine indifferently sweet or sowre , or whatsoever sort . i doe not deny , but sometimes , to helpe a tart taste , or to inhibit the hot fumes of a vaporous or strong sacke , apt to flie up into the braines , a little sugar helpeth well : but to use it indifferently , with all sorts of wines , and without any consideration of circumstances whatsoever ( which is the ordinary and common custome ) and that merely for wantonnesse , and to satisfie their lustfull desires , i hold it not convenient . our neighbouring nations , who abound in all sorts of wine , and most somewhat tartish in taste , yet never use this addition of sugar . and therefore , as i advertised already , so wish i all , especially our women ( aptest in such cases to exceed ) to use a moderation in the use of sugar . as for wines thus to be mingled with water , they must be indifferent strong , and withal , of an indifferent thinne substance . wines of a grosse and thick substance , are not thus to be mingled with water ; but rather moderately and sparingly drunke without any addition . and as for our rhenish and small white wines , they need farre lesse water than other stronger . h some wish that certaine houres before the wine be drunke , water be mingled therewith , that by this meanes there may be a more perfect mixture of the one with the other . there is to this purpose a certaine antient speech recorded : vinum lymphatum cito potatum generat lepram , wine mingled with water , suddenly drunke , ingendreth leprosie . but concerning wine this shall suffice . of the use of wine in the sicke , in what diseases usefull , and how to be used , hereafter in the diet of the diseased . chap. xxvii . of beere , ale , cider and perry serving us in stead of wine . now , because all countries are not furnished with this noble liquor of the grape , therefore our gracious god besides this element of water , with man-kind , common to all living creatures , hath furnished these our northern regions with other drinkes , which might to us supply the place of wine . this drinke hath for its principall ingredients water and corne , and to season it , and make it keepe a long time in stead of salt , hath hop added to it . and that this is no new invention to make drinke of corne ; but hath beene in frequent practice in antient times , may by the relation of our antient physitians plainly appeare . the a egypptians , it would seeme , were the first authours thereof . but it may be objected , that the antients doe likewise condemne this drinke , as most unwholesome for the body of man. b dioscoride ascribeth to this drinke , which hee there calleth zythum & curmi , differing but little one from another a noxious quality against the reines , nerves , and nervous parts ; as the membranes , of the head especially : and affirmeth that it ingendereth wind , filleth the body with corrupt humours ; and leaveth the body using it much , the leprosy for a legacie . c galen singeth also the same song , and confimeth his assertion . but whatsoever was the opinion of the antients concerning that drinke , and that it was of that nature , i will not deny ; yet i am sure , the drinke wee make is both wholesome , and very agreeable to our nature ; and besides , is farre otherwise prepared , than that of antient times . now , of this drinke , there are two sorts , one brewed without hop , commonly called ale ; the other with hop , and commonly called beere . in beere then , as in wine , there are many differences to be considered , where the first is taken from the corne it is made of ; it being sometimes made of one grane , sometimes of another , and sometimes of more granes mingled together : but with us , most commonly malt is made of barlie alone , which doth also with us heere most abound . some doe also mingle some oats with this drinke , and so make it more cooling for sommer , very quicke to the taste , and wholesome for the bodie ; the oat being of it selfe a daintie , wholesome , and nourishing graine . some to adde strength to their beere , especially that called march-beere , then brewed to last all the yeere , adde thereunto a few pease . in some places beyond seas , they make beere of wheaten malt : as in some places of saxony and in bohemia ; which much needs be good : and wholesome , if no errour in the making be commited . another difference againe is taken from the age and duration of this drinke : some being very new , some very old , and kept a long time . very new drinke is very hurtfull for the health , ingendring both wind and crudities with obstructions , and many diseases from thence proceeding ; as hath beene said of new wine . that which is very long kept , must needs be strong ; as our march beere , and some others ; and yet are not so good for ordinary use , but rather now and then as physicke . the best and wholesomest , is that of a middle age . a maine and principall difference is taken from the strength , and is esteemed by the proportion of the malt to the liquor : and this varieth much , according to severall circumstances ; as the place where one liveth , the persons who are to use it , the season and time of the yeere , &c. this neverthelesse is to be observed , that in winter and cold weather , strong drinke is more tolerable than in sommer , and warme weather ; and to old age , there is a greater liberty allowed , than for younger people . another difference is taken from the substance , thick or thinne , and perspicuous or cleare . thicke and muddy drinke is altogether unwholesome , and the mother of many diseases : and that which is cleare , is best and wholesomest ; providing alwaies , that water be not too much master . thicke beere ingendreth wind , all manner of obstructions , the stone , strangury , and many more dangerous diseases . againe , that difference taken from the taste is not to be neglected ; some being bitter , some sweet , some sowre , &c. and this the age will often alter : for very new drinke , if much hopt , must needes be bitter : and very small drinke , if long kept , especially in sommer , will grow sowre . a meane is best , that it be not too bitter , too hot and heady , nor sowre at all : and therefore another difference may be taken from the quantity of hoppe , that a due proportion thereof be observed ; it being hot and dry in the second degree , and sometimes weaker , and sometimes stronger : and too bitter drinke is more physicall than is for our ordinary use fitting . the best course then is to let the hoppe rot in the drinke ( as the vulgar people ) before wee drinke it . there is another difference taken from the colour ; some being of one , and some of another colour ; some pale ; some of a reddish , some of an amber colour , &c. the highest coloured drinke is not alwaies the strongest and wholesomest . that which looketh of a pure transparent yellow amber colour , like a pure sacke , is reputed the best . the best march beere , if well brewed , and no error committed , is often of this colour ; and the goodnesse of the malt whereof it is made , and the fewell wherewith it is dryed , maketh yet another difference , and often altereth both the colour and taste of the drinke . straw is thought better than wood for drying of malt . in some places of this iland , in the northerne especially , they dry their malt with ling , or heath , called there hadder , which maketh very good malt ; some also use furres , or whins , as some call them ; and some againe , broome . but straw , and heath , or ling are the best ; the solider the substance of the fewell is , the worse it is , there being the more danger of over-drying the malt , which may make both the drinke taste worse , and sooke with too high a colour . the barlie whereof the malt is made must be good and fresh , not light , lanke , or worme-eaten , fusty , &c. and besides , it must not be made of barly too new , before it hath sweat in the mow ( as husbandmen use to speake ) and is also to be made in a convenient season ; i meane not in a hot season of the yeere , and therefore commonly called in the countrie , cuckow malt . the last difference is taken from the water whereof the drinke is brewed ; and the best , if it may be had , is to be preferred before the other , and in defect of the best , the next best is to be chosen . and what is the best we have already at large related : and we find here that many times our well water maketh the drinke looke of a higher colour than is sutable to the strength thereof . and to the water we may adde the fire wherewith it is boiled , which i thinke is best to be wood , and such as we allowed of in making of malt . and yet i confesse good drinke is , and may be brewed with sea-coale , as wee see in all the city of london : and the fewell is not so materiall here as in making of malt , where the smoake toucheth it immediately . now all these differences , except that taken from the hop , are common both to ale and beere ; the which in our ale here is but little , and in the northerne parts of this iland is none at all . and because the hop maketh some difference in these two drinkes , therefore it will be usefull to say somthing thereof . of the temperature of barley , a very wholesome graine , somthing hath beene said already , and something yet more shall bee said hereafter . as for the hop it openeth the obstructions of the liver , spleen , and kidnies , cleereth the blood , and cleanseth choler , and therefore this drinke must needs be very wholesome . but if there bee too much hop in it , or yet drinke very new , the hop will wrong the head , by sending up to it hot exhalations , and so procureth rheumes ; and the bitterer the beere is , the lesse it nourisheth . ale againe is of a grosser substance , and nourisheth farre more ; but is of a more oppilative and stopping faculty : and therefore such as are obnoxious to obstructions ought to bee sparing in the use of this drinke . such as are leane , and free of this feare , may freelier use it . and although hop added to beere would seeme to make it hotter than ale , yet when the strength of it wasted , and not much discernible in the drinke , in regard of its penetration , and scowring away of choler , and the ale having a like quantity of malt in it , i thinke there will be but little or no difference in their heats . howsoever both ale and beere are good wholesome drinkes ; the which if any one will deny , i will appeale to our owne experience : for where can you find stronger , healthfuller , and lustier people , than in those countries , where this drinke is most ordinarily used ? and in this i dare be judged by a forren writers , who lived in countries where this drinke is not used . who so desireth to know more of these drinkes , and their severall sorts , according to severall countries , may have recourse to * placotonius , who hath written at large of this subject . and what was said before concerning the use of wine , may here bee understood of our strong ale and beere , that they are not good for young people , hot and cholericke complexions , and hot seasons of the yeere . and this shall suffice concerning these drinks . there are yet some other drinkes expressed out of fruits , and in no small use among many people , called by these two names , cider and perry . cider is the juice expressed out of apples , and sometimes attaineth to that excellency , that it emulates wine in strength and vertue . the sweet is more windy , as when it is new ; and therefore is not to be used untill it be . or . moneths old at least . it is better or worse according to the fruit it is made of ; and is best for hot and dry cholerick bodies , hot livers , and melancholicke persons : they are of an opening and penetrative nature , opening obstructions notably . perry is sweeter than cider , and withall windier , taking its denomination from peares whereof it is made , and differeth little in vertue from the former . these dtinkes are very frequent , and used for ordinary drinke in the province of normandy in france ; as also in the shires of glocester , worcester , and hereford here in england . they are both very good to quench thirst , and to cut tough phlegme . besides these drinkes in most frequent and ordinary use among us , there are yet many other sorts of drinkes in frequent use among many nations : as in many places of the indies , and other countries they made a wine of dates ; and others againe , make a dainty wine or drinke of rice . and many nations of the west-indies make drinkes of certaine roots and herbs . and no question wee might make drinke of divers other fruits and plants , if we pleased . it is reported that that antient and warlike people called picts , inhabiting in former times a part of the realme of scotland , made a dainty drinke of the herbe or shrub , ling or heath ; the making of which notwithstanding , neither for love nor mony ( as we use to speake ) nor any other meanes could ever from them be extorted . chap. xxviii . of drunkennesse , and the mischiefes thence insuing to the soule , body , and good . the more excellent any creature is , the more pernicious is the abuse of the same ; which as in many other things , so especially in this so usefull a creature which we cal drinke , may plainely and evidently appeare . i have at large already discoursed of severall sorts of drinkes , their excellent vertues and right use ; and because the abuse thereof , which we commonly call drunkennesse , is so prejudiciall to health , besides the detriment and damage both of the soule and substance ; i will say something of this subject , before i enter upon the diet of the diseased . and therefore although it bee a fitter theme for a divines pulpit than a physitians penne ; yet , both by reason this vice now so reigneth , and hath by other physitians in the like case beene touched , therefore i will intreat thy patience , courteous reader , but for a short space , that i may give this beastly sinne a lash or two , and then i shall proceed . and as sinne is no upstart , not of yesterdaies hatching ; so this swinish sinne of drunkennesse in particular , hath beene no stranger in the world , both in antient and later times . hence is it that wee have the drunkennesse of certaine nations recorded by prophane writers : as of the thracians , assyrians , parthians grecians , and in the time of tacitus , the germanes , it seemeth , were taxed with this vice : even as at this day it is among them in as high esteeme as ever . it may be thus in briefe or generally defined . drunkennesse is an excessive and unseasonable powring downe of strong drinke ; and therefore it doth plainly appeare , that one may be a drunkard , although his braine were made of brasse , that it were insensible of any weaknesse , or other inconvenient whatsoever , and no apparant prejudice either to his sense or reason ; whenas some weake braine may be deprived of the use of both with the third part of that which such a swil-bole will easily swallow downe . and unto this have relation a many of those places out of holy writ , and others hereafter to be alleged . but because there is most commonly with the excesse of the creature some indecent action or gesture adjoyned ; and many times also after this gulletting downe of strong drinke , there insueth surfetting , or heavinesse , called crapula ; therefore an antient greeke writer compareth all three . b drunkennesse ( saith he ) is the excessive use of wine , or other strong drinke . rage or fury , in latin debacchatio , in greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is that unseemely carriage from thence proceeding . the surfetting , or heavinesse called crapula , is the trouble and and loathsome nauseous effect following the same . the genus , or generally word in this definition is ebrius , or ebriosus , concerning the difference whereof thou maiest see something in the c heathen cicero , where it is apparent , that he maketh him a drunkard , that wittingly , and willingly often followeth this trade of drinking , and gulletting downe of strong drink , although they neither reele in the streets , nor will easily be overreached in a bargaine ; which is the common plea of strongest drunkards . now holy scripture is every where full of invectives against this wicked sinne . the d wise man in his golden proverbs , hath many excellent precepts to this same purpose . wine is a mocker , strong drink is raging , and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise . the e same wise man hath these words also . he that loveth wine and oile shall not be rich . and f againe , be not among wine bibbers , riotous eaters of flesh : for , the drunkard and the glutton shall be clothed with ragges , and a little after ; who hath wo ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? who hath babbling ? who hath wounds without cause ? who hath the rednesse of eyes ? they that tarry long at the wine , they that goe to seeke mixt wine . looke not thou upon the wine when it is red , when it giveth colour in the cup , when it moueth it selfe aright : at the last it biteth like a serpent , and stingeth like an adder : thine eyes shall behold strange women , and thine heart shall utter perverse things . yea , thou shalt be as hee that lieth downe in the midst of the sea , as he that lieth downe upon the top of a mast . they have strucken mee shalt thou say , and i was not sicke : they have beaten mee , and i felt it not , when shall i awake ? i will seeke it yet once againe . and the g same spirit of god in the same booke , by the mouth of a woman , forbiddeth kings ( who , if any , might seeme to challenge unto themselves a greater liberty ) to be given to this vice . it is not for kings , o lemuel , it is not for kings to drinke wine , nor for princes strong drinke : lest they drinke and forget the law , and pervert the iudgement of any of the afflicted . give strong drinke to him that is ready to perish , and wine to those that be of heavie hearts , &c. againe , h another wiseman giveth us good directions against this same sinne . shew not thy valiantnesse in wine : for wine hath destroyed many . and a little after ; wine drunke with excesse , maketh bitternesse of the minde , with brawling and quarrelling : drunkennesse increaseth the rage of a foole till hee offend , hee diminisheth strength , and maketh wounds . a number of other places of holy writ might be to the same purpose produced . and whereas mention is made of wine , wee are withall to comprehend under it all manner of strong drinke whatsoever . a i late writer proveth a drunkard to breake all the ten commandements : for , first , saith hee , in stead of the true god , hee maketh a god of his guts : and againe , mancipating and making himselfe a slave to his idoll drinke ; hee neglecteth , and often contemneth , yea , even mocketh at the pure worship and service of the almighty god. and as for taking of gods name in vaine , and tearing and rending his glorious attributes , by whom more frequent than by drunkards at their drunken meetings , and where are more bloody oaths belch'd out , than by these swil-bolls and tos-pots , upon their ale-house benches . as for the prophanation of the sabbath , that drunkards are most commonly impious in this point , i thinke will not be denied ; and as for the duties due to our neighbor , a drunken man maketh little difference betwixt superiour , inferiour , equall , as being injurious unto all . and not onely doe they deny their superiours , that reverence and respect due unto them ; but even often mocke and deride them . and as for quarrells , murthers , uncleannesse , and adulteries , who so ready to perpetrate any such sinne as a drunkard ? and their theft in this appeareth , in the first place of their sacrilegious robbing god of the time due to his worship and service ; their wives and children and neerest kindred , the poore and publike of that portion due unto them . againe , who so prone to perjury , lying , slandering , backbiting , and taking his neighbours good name from him ? and are not their lustfull eyes now inflamed with the fire of strong drinke , set a lusting after strange flesh ? and are not their eyes full of adulterie ? &c. k another writer giveth us warning to avoid this sinne , for these seven ensuing reason : first , for the dammage and detriment it procureth to the soule , by infatuation of the same , and by betraying and despoyling of all its glorious ornaments : secondly , because this sinne seldome commeth alone , but accompanied with others : thirdly , by reason it bereaveth one of his good name and reputation : fourthly , because it deserveth a temporall punishment : fifthly , because it leadeth a man to eternall punishment : sixthly , because it weakeneth and impoverisheth a man , even his personall estate : seventhly , because it damnifieth the body by diseases , &c. the same authour againe , the divell said to a certaine person whom he had often tempted to sinne , make now thy choice , i pray thee to yeeld to me , but in one of these three sinnes , ( to wit , adultery , murther , or drunkennesse ) and i will never tempt thee any more ; who chose rather to be drunke . but afterwards the same partie to his drunkennesse , added both the two other sins : for , being drunke , he committed adultery with another mans wife , and withall killed the womans husband , who , by hap came into the roome at the same time . some , againe , ( saith the same authour ) when they are reproved of their drunkennesse , excuse themselues by reason of their companions , their solicitation , and importanity . but in this they rather bewray their owne want of understanding , than excuse themselves ; and in this particular , shew themselves inferiour to the very brutes themselves , who by no meanes will be urged to drinke more than need requireth . and to make this good , it is reported , that a certaine house-keeper , kept a tame hart in his house , which would often drinke of their drinke , drawne for dinner or supper : but at a certaine time drunke so liberally , that he was drunke ; and after , skipping in the court , among some logs of wood lying there , at length hurt his leg ; who after that time would never drinke any other drinke but water . the holy father , st austine , calleth it the mother of all mischiefe , the matter of all offences , the root and originall of vices , making men ( at first mad● after the ima●e of allmightie god ) not like unto brute beasts , but like that cruell and ravenous infernall fiend himselfe , that is , the divell ; as wofull experience doth daily more than sufficiently witnesse . but heare what epithites the very heathen give this swinish sinne . seneca calleth it the cause of all publike calamities ▪ and the same author compareth wine and strong drinke to a poison , optum and hellebore . plato calleth it a torment ; and so doth a heathen poet : but let us a little consider what mischiefes befall both man in particular , and the common wealth in generall , by this loathsome sinne . in the first place then , it unmans a man ; and of a reasonable man maketh him worse than an unreasonable beast , expelleth all vertue out of the mind , troubleth the understanding , overthroweth reason , destroieth the memory , and inciteth man to many mischiefes . and whereas the brutes by helpe of their senses onely are able to avoid imminent dangers ; these men oftentimes deprive themselves even of the use of their senses , making themselves by this meanes , as senselesse as blocks ; and contrary to the common course of nature ( alwaies carefull and sollicitous to preserve it selfe ) either rush upon their owne ruine , or by their in discreet carriage bring ruine upon themselves . and of this i need not , i thinke , produce any instances , there be few , if any ; that cannot instance in some particulars of his owne knowledge . and as for diseases of the body procured thereby , they are not a few : as namely , the apoplexy , epilepsie , or falling sicknesse ; incubus or nightmare , palsie , giddinesse , lethargy , and the like soporiferous diseases ; besides sudden death , losse of memory and understanding , red and watery eyes , a corny face , all beset with rubies and carbuncles , accompanied with a copper nose . besides , it is often after attended with rottennesse and roughnesse of teeth , a stinking breath , a stutting and stammering tongue , rotten lungs , filthy and stinking , belching , vomitings , fevers , inflammations , defluxions on the joints , procuring gouts of all sorts ; dropsies of all kindes , the stone , strangury , with many more : yea to speake in a word , it may prove a meanes of most diseases which befall mankind . and besides all these , how many dangers from without attend a drunken man ; which without one minute of an houres time to repent him of his former wicked course , often suddenly send him into another world ? moreover it is not to be omitted , that drunkennesse overthroweth also a mans temporall estate , lavishly and prodigally wasting that substance in a very short space , which had by honest industry and paines beene a long time a purchasing ; by which meanes many times besides a crasy and rotten body , they pull at length poverty , not upon themselves alone , but upon their wives , children and posterity also ; leaving likewise a many beggers behind them to be a burden to the common-wealth : besides , l that in this is also transgressed the apostles rule , if any man provide not for his owne , especially those of his owne house , he hath denied the faith , and is worse than an infidell : besides , they prove also in this pernitious plagues to a common-wealth by mis-spending and wasting so much graine in drinke , as might feed a number of poore people . against this beastly sinne a many worthy writers both christian and heathen have much inveighed . and the heathen poets have not failed to play their parts . m vino forma perit , vine corrumpitur atas . by wine is spoiled quite the beauty of the face , by wine our life corrupted is , it cutteth short our race . and againe n another describeth some effects following this vice . consequitur gravitas membrorum , praepediuntur crura vacillanti , tardescit lingua , madet mens : nant oculi , clamor , singultus , jurgia gliscunt . hence follow the vnweldinesse , and weight of members weake , the shaking thighes are hindered , the tongue is slow to speake , the mind is moist , the eyes doe swimme , clamors and noise increase : deepe sighes and sobs , chidings and brawles from such do never cease . heare yet o another speake to the same purpose . quum bibitur concha , quum jam vertigine tectum ambulat , & geminis exurgit mensa lucernis . when men are whitled with their cups , when now their giddy braine , thinke that the house doth walke about , and judge one candle twaine . it were no difficult matter for me , to produce a multitude of such invectives against this vice out of these and other poets , but that i must husband my time . it is therefore worth the observing , how carefull many of the heathens were , not onely in shunning themselves this vice ; but by wholesome lawes , suppressing the spreading of it abroad into the common-wealth . and no small commendation was it for that great and potent p emperour augustus caesar , that during all the time of his warres , he never drunke above thrice at a meale . on the contrary , wee read of that q great conqueror of the then knowne world , alexander the great , unconquerable by all the persian forces , was , notwithstanding , at length r overcome with their wine ; which made him imbrue his hands in the blood of his dearest friends . and by divine punition in the aprile of his age , by a draught from the hands of proteas , ended his daies . the like it were easie for mee to instance in many others of high and eminent ranke : as likewise of a multitude of others of inferiour degree , if time would permit mee . eusebius , plato , aristole and galen , greatly commend the lawes of the carthaginians , whereby was forbidden any man during the warres , to drinke any thing but water . ſ among the indians , it was not lawfull at any time to be drunke . and among the persians on that day onely when they sacrificed to the sunne , it was lawfull for them to be drunke , and to dance after the persian manner . i have already in the chapter of gluttony , made mention of a scottish king that made a law , that the drunkard should be put to death . now as this swinish sinne is odious to all ages , sexes , and conditions ; so it is more odious in some than in others . and therefore wine t was forbidden youth , untill certaine yeeres , and then permitted with moderation . and v women were forbiden wine among the massilians and milesians ; and at this time is not usuall for women in france , to drinke wine before they be married , but water onely . x and among the romans this same law against womens drinking of wine was in force . to this purpose it is very memorable which is recorded , that one ignatius melentius a roman , killed his owne wife for being drunke : the which fact of his was so farre from being punished , that there was not so much as one to accuse him for the same ; every one accounting her justly punished for exceeding the bounds of sobrietie . now , as this sinne of drunkennesse is unseemely , and odious in all ages and degrees of the laity ; so it is yet farre more odious in a church-man , y who as a light , ought by his life and conversation so shine before others , that men seing his good workes , holy life , and good conversation , may glorifie our heavenly father . this being well considered of the antient fathers of the church , was the occasion of so many canons and constitutions against this so loathsome sinne in the clergie . and that this z same sinne reigned even among the clergy of the iewes , may by some places of scripture appeare . god forbad aaron and the other priests under the paine of death , when they were to offer up sacrifice , to drinke either wine or strong drinke . the nazarites were also all forbidden wine and strong drinke . the apostle paul reckoning up the qualities wherewith a minister of the word ought to be indued , among the rest , reckoneth up this , that hee must not be given to wine , nor strong drink . and wee see that holy * timothy was so observant of sobriety , and so fearefull to fall into this sinne , that hee indangered his owne health , and needed by the apostle to be put in minde to regard it a little more . it was a care worthy of commendation , those antient fathers had in former times , in constituting so e many worthy canons in their counsels against this odious sinne . and hence came it to passe , that as well in f all the churches of the east , as also in greece it selfe , it was forbidden clergy-men to enter into tavernes or victualling-houses , except in trauailing . and that even the heathen priests , at least many of them , did either wholly , or at least some daies before their sacrifices abstaine from strong drinke , may by antients histories appeare . the aegyptian priests abstained all their life long from wine and flesh , as witnesseth g s. ierome . and concerning h other priests , by many other places it may appeare . and concerning the esseans , it is by i iosephus recorded , that they abstained altogether from wine . since then the holy fathers in former times were so vigilant and carefull to prevent this loathsome sin of drunkennesse in the clergy , as appeareth by the former canons and constitutions , what care and circumspection ought there now to be had therof in this our age , when as the light of the gospell is not now set under a bushell ; but with its bright beames shineth overall this our goshen . i hope the reverend fathers of the church in a laudable imitation of antiquity , will narrowly looke into this so enormious and swinish a sinne . if the watchman bee overtaken with strong drinke , what shall become of his charge he is set over ? if the minister bee a drunkard , how shall he reprove this sinne in his parishioners ? or if hee doe , may they not reply , medice cura teipsum . k physitian heale thy selfe . l turpe est doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum . it was a worthy saying of a m learned man that drunkennesse in a lay man was a great and hainous sinne , but in a clergy-man a sacriledge ; whereby the one suffocats and kills his soule , the other ( the clergy-man ) quite extinguish the holy spirit . it were therefore to bee wished , that as david would have no liar to dwell in his house ; so a drunkard should not have the charge of soules in gods house . too much moisture will extinguish a light ; wherefore , if this cannot be amended , i wish such might bee removed , and better burning lights set up in their roomes . and if any shall thinke this too sharpe a censure , i answere , that sometimes for lesser matters , some have been as sharply censured . and whereas men are often so eagle-eyed , that they can espy a broken pane in a glasse window , or a stone broken up in the church pavement ; i wish there might be the like vigilancie and circumspection in presenting & punishing of drunkards , especially the minister , if such ● parish ; i speake not here against the keeping of gods house in that orderly decencie becomming the same ; but i would not have § mint and cumin tithed , and weightier matters of the law neglected . it is a true saying vivimus exemplis , non regulis . people are are apter to imitate the life and conversation of their minister ( especially in any sinne whereunto all adams sinfull off-spring are prone enough by nature ) than his doctrine . and i wish these two golden sentences were deepely engraven in all clergy mens breasts . n sonne of man , i have set thee a watchman , &c. and that of the new testament : o if the blinde lead the blind , they shall both fall into the ditch . clergy-men often complaine that they are not in that esteeme and account , as the eminency of their calling requireth : and i confesse it to be too true : but withall i advertise them , that many times this proceedeth from themselves ; and besides , they are often the cause that many honest ministers have the same aspersion , howbeit undeservedly , cast upon them . but because i purpose not to uncover my parents nakednesse , i leave this point , which i have onely touched occasionally and by the way . since then drunkennesse is so loathsome and detestable a sinne , so hurtful both to the soule and body ; leaving both liable to gods curse ; so hatefull to god and man , and by which all gods commandements are broken ; it being so great an enemie also to the common-wealth , and so great an enemy to the health of the body , is it not fit that such offenders should be condignely punished ? and if many yeeres agoe , p som germane writers did even then acknowlege some judgements , which had then befalne that nation , and others then threatned ( which neverthelesse were but flea-bitings to that hath since befalne them ) was , by reason of this beastly and swinish sinne of drunkennesse , what may we say now ? but this i leave to them , whom it most concerneth to handle such a subject . i confesse indeed , we have good and wholesome lawes enacted against drunkennesse , and i praise god for it : and withall my wish is , there were no neglect in the execution . i could likewise wish , that the superfluous number of ale-houses , the very nurseries and upholders of this swinish sinne did not so much exceed . it seemeth , that howsoever drunkennesse is no new-upstart , yet in antient times people were not come to that height of brazen-faced impudency to bee drunke in the day time ; but as it is a worke of darkenesse , so was it the custome to be most used in the night-season , as may by the apostles speech appeare : q they that are drunke are drunke in the night . but now people are come to that height of impudency , and have so steeled their fore-heads against all shame , that they dare even in the sight of the sun ; yea , in the open view of the world ; yea , even before god , and all his heavenly host of angels , reele drunk up and downe the streets . it was againe wont to be a proverbial speech , drunke like a begger : but now many of the gentry ( alas the more is the pitty ! ) doe assume this as a prerogative to grace their gentility . and what a pitty is it now , to see gentle-men of faire estates , of antient houses , descended of noble parentage and pedegree , so farre to wrong themselves , as in tavernes and tap-houses to become a companion to any base varlet , swill-bowle , tosse-pot and pot-companion ? if their noble predecessors , of martiall courage and invincible valour , men famous in their generations , among whom many spared not their blood for the defence of their countrie , and to purchase peace to the publicke ; should now behold these their degenerate successors , with their busie heads , long love-locks , slasht sutes , italianised , frenchised , espaniolised , and what not : and besides , should yet see their excesse in gluttony and drunkennesse , chambring and wantonnesse , in taverns , ale-houses , play-houses and whoore-houses , and neglecting that antient hospitality and good house-keeping which heretofore hath been so common in this kingdome , i leave to the judicious reader to judge what they would say to such a sight . but if i should proceed in this point , i should lose my selfe , and too much inlarge this discourse . onely this counsell i shall be bold to give to some that are most exorbitant , that wheras they are often so punctual in their points of precedency , and such other things , as they suppose , concernes their credit , that they wil sometimes , rather than come short an inch of their owne due , take an ell of another mans right : yet by such carriage make themselves base and contemptible in the face of their countrie ; howsoeuer , some of their flattering claw-backe parasites , and some others for some sinister respects , may with cap and knee , seeme to honour and worship their worthlesse greatnesse . howsoever , my wish is , that such as are betrusted with matters of justice , and have the oversight of alehouses , may be free from this fault , or else what reformation can wee looke for at their hands ? as for his majestie , he hath alwaies expressed himselfe and his good affection for the suppressing of this and such other enormities : it remaineth therefore , that such as he hath therewith betrusted this businesse , be careful . now , in many great cities & corporations of this kingdome there is often too much neglect even in this fame particular ; and that often by reason of a meere relation unto and dependance one upon another , every mans private so overswaying him ( quite contray to the g apostles golden rule , seeke not every man his owne , but seeke yee one anothers good ) that it is a hard matter to have justice executed as it ought . and in such societies there is a certaine triumivrat combination betwixt the master , and the baker , and brewer ( innes and alehouses especially i meane ) having neere relation one to another , and indeede a mutuall dependencie one upon another . some trades-men againe , for feare of losing some custome , are contented to sit still , and keeping the formality of the place , and what credit may thereby unto themselves accrue , goe on still the old pack-horse pace , lest they should be thought too stirring and pragmaticall . and by the way , i cannot but highly commend one laudable constitution of late yeeres made by this corporation : that no victualler , or innekeeper should be elected governor or major of this corporation ; which hath also beene above these twenty yeeres by-past inviolably observed . but my speech is not here against the lawfull use of these so necessary places for the reliefe and comfort of travellers ; my speech is onely directed against blinde and unnecessary ale-houses , which might well be spared ; and others made to keepe the statutes made to that end and purpose . i therefore earnestly exhort all those with whom god hath betrusted authority , and the sword of justice ; that as they would avoid , and turn away gods heavy judgements from themselves , & from the whole land ; and as they will give a good account of their stewardship at that last and dreadfull day , they would be carefull to draw the sword of justice against both these active and passive offenders ; the drunkard , i meane , and the disorderly ale-house . and whereas by a laudable late law ; there is a pecuniary mulct inflicted upon the drunkard , i pray you robbe not the poore , but let the offender be punished , and the poore have his due . and as concerning gods heavie judgements inflicted upon great princes , whole kingdomes and common-wealthes and many private persons , by reason of this same , it were easie for me to compile a whole volume . but this i can say of mine owne knowledge , that for the space of about twenty yeeres at least , since my first comming into this place , i have observed few of those who kept such tipling houses , and died since that time i mentioned , ever attaine to the period of old age ; and died for the most part of dropsies , consumptions , palsies , or the like diseases . my purpose is not here to enter upon a large discourse against drunkennesse , the multiplicity of dehortatory arguments against it , being so various , so many , and handled by so many , both prophane and divine writers ; what i have said , is but by the way , being an abuse of that good creature , wherof i have at great length set downe the right use , and therefore shortly and briefely have touched upon it , and how hurtfull it is to the body ( that being most prevalent with most men ) with a little touch of some other hurts . as for that forced kinde of drinking by measure ( commonly called drinking of health ) i thinke it a satanicall invention , to rob men both of health and heaven . the multitude of strong unanswerable arguments , both against this and all maner of drunkennesse ; as also the authorities , both divine and humane , christian & heathen , lawes and constitutions , both civill and ecclesiasticall , as they are many ; so are they learnedly , and at great length set downe by a learned religious gentleman , whose booke i wish those who desire to be satisfied in this particular to peruse , and there , no question , they may receive full satisfaction . now , since by some it hath beene prescribed to be drunke to drive away an ague , and some have deemed it good physicke to be drunke once a moneth , it may be demanded , whether this practice be allowable ? i answer , it may as well be demanded , whether wee may not sinne , that some future good may thereon ensue , and i doubt not , but all sound divines will answer with a negative voice . and besides , there is no benefit can this way be proved , but we may farre safelier , both for soule and body , effect it by other meanes . but this assertion is so absurd , that it needeth no further confutation . the diet of the diseased . the second booke . the argvment . in the second booke wee descend to the handling of the diet of the diseased , and in what manner all the premisses are to be used by the sicke : and first of the aire fit for sicke and diseased persons , and in excesse how to bee corrected : where also something concerning fire , and what fewell is the best : and something also concerning the situatian of the house , where the sicke lieth , the chamber and bed , the sickes apparell on his body and bed ; next we proceed to some generall directions and rules of the diet of the diseased ; concerning abstinence , a thinne and spare , a liberall or full , and a meane diet betwixt both . afterwards we proceed to the particular preparation of the diet of the diseased ; and first of that afforded by vegetables , bread especially ; and what is the best , with some preparations therof for the use of the sick . then followeth flesh of several sorts , the various and divers preparations , together with divers liquid substances thereof prepared ; as broths , co●lices , conserves , gellies , &c. and next concerning fish , fowle and egges ; and whether fish may bee , and what best used by the sicke , and with what cautions . after is discussed the drinke of the diseased , both naturall and artificiall , alimentall & physicall of water , whether and how it may be safely used of the sicke . of severall sorts of physicall drinkes ; as aqua vitae , usquebath , and divers sorts of strong waters ; together with their right use and abuse ▪ as also of divers drinkes made of honey , oximel , hydromel , mulsum or mulsa , divers drinkes made of barly , ptisin , creame of barly , &c. of milk , whey , butter , cheese , and severall sorts of possets usefull for the sick ▪ and something also concerning the use of emulsions , or almond mikes . and lastly , of the several sorts of exercise usefull in sicknes and in health . chap. i. of the diet of the diseased in generall something , the utility and profit thereof . of the aire in particular , and how to bee corrected in times of sickenesse , and what fewell is the best . what hath been hithero handled , hath beene chiefly in regard of that which now hereafter ensueth ; to wit , the diet of the diseased , which is the principall end i at the first aimed at . and i cannot sufficiently wonder , this being a worke so profitable , so necessary and usefull for all sorts of people , that it hath beene hitherto so long neglected . and so much the more am i hereat amazed , in that so many both antient and late writers have so copiously handled the diet of healthfull people : yea , even here among our our selves , some such tractats have beene published in our vulgar tongue . among the antients this part of physicke hath scarce by any of set purpose been touched , but scatteringly here and there some few things have been said concerning this subject . a hippocrates is the first we read of , that ever set upon this businesse , and wrote some thing concerning the diet of acute diseases against the guidian physitians of his time , above . yeeres agoe , and which differed not a little from the diet used in our daies . and besides , his witing is so short and succinct after his laconicke manner , that they are not obvious to every vulgar understanding . since his time i know not any that hath published any tractat concerning this subject , excepting onely one b brudus a portugall by nation , who hath written but slenderly of the diet to bee used in fevers . and yet we read the ancients were so carefull in the observation of diet , that among the locrians , it was death without the physitians prescription to drinke a draught of wine . c alexander the great commanded to put to death his physitian glaucias for allowing his favorite hephaestion to drinke too much : or as some will have it , that seeing him drinke wine abundantly , he did not inhibite or hinder him . among the aegyptians it was strictly commanded they should fast till the fourth day . since therefore , this part of physicke concerning the diet of the diseased is so much neglected , what marveile , if diseases prove so fierce and furious ? and there is no remedie so effectuall ( saith d galen ) which can produce the expected effect , if either not furthered by a due and convenient diet , or at least not hindered by disorder . and therefore it is the opinion of the e same author in another place , that people of inferior ranke , and smaller meanes , are often easilier and sooner cured than many of greater eminency and ability : and that by reason of their willingnesse to be ordered by the physitians presciption ; whereas the richer sort often oppose them , desiring commonly to be cured with slight and triviall medicines , not able to expell so strong an enemy . and sometimes this is againe occasioned ( saith f he ) by the assentation and indulgence of the physitian , who will give them drinke as much as they desire , let them drinke wine when they demand it , and suffer them to doe whatsoever they list : and finally , in every thing carry themselves in a slavish maner towards their patients , quite contrary to that which becommeth such as are descended of aesculapius , who ought to command his patients , as a generall of an army commandeth his souldiers , or a king his subjects . it is moreover to be observed , that among the antients , the office of the physitian was divided into three parts , and by consequence there were three sorts of physitians . the first were such as assisted the sick observing all their actions , and seeing them observe the diet , and other things prescribed by the chiefe physitians , called architectonici , ( answerable to our rationall physitians ) when they came at their accustomed houres to visit them . the third sort were called pepaedeumeni , who taught this art in the schooles , and brought up others in the same profession : to which are answerable the doctors of the chaire in our vniversities . now , such as assisted the sicke , by reason they sate by their bedsides , were called clinici ; and from thence this part of physicke handling the diet of the diseased , was also called clinice . the two later sorts of physitians , wee have here in our countries ; but with the first sort wee are not acquainted . and in truth this is a great defect , and the prejudice thereby redounding to the publike not small , for as much as this charge is most commonly committed to ignorant women , with us called nurses , a people for the most part so wilfull , and wise in their owne eyes , and so selfe-conceited , that in stead of furthering the physitian in his course , by keeping the patient strictly to his prescription , they are often the readiest to overthrow whatsoever they ordaine , unlesse it please them very well . and many other women also ( the judicious , discrete and better bred , i alwaies except ) who take chiefely this charge upon them , are much of the same stamp . and this was the reason why that famous h celsus wished an able and understanding physitian never to be farre from his patient . of this same diet of the diseased , my purpose is with the aid of the almighty to discourse . now , howsoever the matter of this diet be the same with that of healthfull people ; yet the manner of preparation , use , and other circumstances doe not a little differ , as hereafter shall more plainly appeare . and first , i will begin with the aire : as then the aire is that elemenr without the which , in health the life man of cannot subsist , and a sweet , pure , temperate aire a great meanes to preserve health : so is the aire , endued with the same laudable qualities a great means to further the recovery of health already lost . in sicknesse therefore , it is a matter of no small consequence how the aire is ordered . now , as it will not of any be denied , but that the best aire is to be made choice of , so againe , all are not able to change their owne naturall aire ; some for want of ability , and some in regard of the nature of the disease . in acute diseases ( fevers i meane , and such diseases as have fevers for their continuall attendants ; as pleuresies , squinancies , &c. ) it is not safe to transport the sicke : in chronicall , and diseases of longer continuance ; as dropsies , consumptions , &c. thou maiest be bolder . the aire then is in a double respect to be considered , either as the common ambient , or as it is included within some particular roomes . the aire , as the common ambient , which is of a laudable qualitie , neither too cold and piercing , nor too hot and foggy , if it be possible , and thy disease will permit , is to be made choice of . now , the properties of the best and most laudable aire , together with nature & properties of severall sorts of winds , have beene heretofore at great length related . true is it indeed , that acute diseases seldome suffer the patient to remove his habitation , after he is once ceized with the same ; for the which cause , we must use art to alter and correct the quality of the aire contrary to the disease , as wee shall shew anon . in chronicall and long lingering and continuing diseases , such as are dropsies , consumptions , quartanes , and the like , one may easily exchange the place of his abode for a better . and that this was also the practice of the antient physitians ▪ doth by that of i hippocrates plainly appeare , who wisheth the sicke in long continuing diseases , to retire themselves into another aire . and k galen himselfe , sent such as were sicke of consumptions , by meanes of ulcerate lungs , to a place not farre from rome , called tabiae , being a pretty high place , where was a pure dry aire , the which is even at this time also much frequented by such diseased people . and for this same cause in plinies time , many , upon the same occasion sailed into egypt . the like custome in these our countries wee likewise observe , to send the sicke either into a better aire , or else into his owne native soile . now , the aire whither they are to retire , ought to be a pure , sweet , and fresh aire , not infected with any noisome and evill smells , nor yet neer any fennes , and standing pooles . but before i proceed , i must needs give an aduertisment to the reader , concerning the place for burying of the dead , on the which , if i insist a little , i must needes crave pardon , the matter being of some consequence for the health of mankinde . i say then , that the inveterate custome of burying the dead in church-yards , but especially in churches , proveth often very pernitious and hurtfull to the health of the living . and this inconvenience in populous cities and townes , ( especially in the noble city of london ) may not seldome be observed : and that in such places principally , where the church and church-yard are so little , that often times new graves are digged for new guests , before the old inhabitants be quite metamorphosed into their mother mold ; the which how inconvenient it is , especially where the corps must stand unburied untill the sermon be finished , let the unpartiall reader judge . sure i am this great church of all-saints , in this towne , was already this last sommer so fraught ful of dead corps , that it was a hard matter to finde a place to digge a new grave ▪ and yet since that time , how many have there beene buried , there are a many witnesses . and so good church men would many be after their death , who in their life time cared but little for comming at the church assemblies ; that if they be of any ranke or means , they must needs lye in the chancell at the least ; and then after a popish superstitious conceit , many it may be , thinke they shall be the wel-comer to heaven . but they will finde i warrant them , that they reckoned without their host . and that this is not mine owne private opinion , it may appeare that it was accounted a matter of policy , not to bury within cities and townes ; as may by a * learned late writer , who proves that the dead should be buried without cities and townes , and not in churches ; where are frequent assemblies and great concourse of people , which he there proveth by divers arguments and reasons . . this is proved , saith he , by the continuall custome of gods owne people , who buried their dead not within townes and temples , but in the fields , as by the patriarchs may appeare . and this is yet made more manifest by that place of s. luk. . where mention is made of the son of the widow of nahum , who being dead , was carried out of the towne to be buried : upon which place , all the learned interpreters doe observe , that , not among the jewes onely ; but even among the gentiles also , it was the custome to bury their dead without their cities and townes . reason is taken from charity towards our neighbour , against which is this custome of burying the dead in townes and temples , the health of the living by this meanes being hurt , and that by meanes of vapors and exhalations arising from these dead carkasses ; and the which must needes exhale and rise up in greater abundance , by how much more the place is close , and warmed by the multitude of people . and that such vapors and exhalations ( especially if they proceed from bodies dead of the plague ) are venomous and contagious , our physitians doe witnesse . and besides , this earth being thus embrued with those venomous vapors , when it is moved , and cast up to bury new bodies , must needs send out evill and venomous vapors to the living . the . reason is taken from the originall of this custome , which was evill , and at first introduced by the monks , franciscan friers especially , and that for their owne profit and gaine . and whereas god himselfe affirmed to the people of the jewes , that the very touching of a dead corps made them uncleane , and that the place where it was laid , was thereby polluted : yet , those holy begging brothers hold that the sepulchers are the cleaner and purer , the nearer they lye unto the high altar , howsoever their churches have before beene consecrated with their holy water . . the civill law it selfe condemneth this custome ; and to this purpose are there cited the words of a learned writer : that to prevent the stincking and noisome smell proceeding from dead bodies , by our ancestors sepulchers were divised , not for the dead , but for the good of the living : for by reason of this noisome smell where dead bodies are buried , therefore the emperour adrian inflicted a mulct or fine of forty crownes to bee taken of such , as should bury any dead body within a city or towne , the place likewise to be confiscate , and the body likewise to be from thence removed ; the magistrate permitting to be likewise punished . and the law of the tables commanded likewise dead bodies to bee buried without the cities and townes . and some haue beene of that opinion , that no buriall place was to bee compared with that of the open fields whereas grasse and flowers grow in great abundance . and . this is the laudable custome of some common-wealths : as of strasbourg , nuremberge and leipzig , whereas either very seldome , or never bury they any dead bodies in their churches . besides , this same point concerning the buriall of the dead , among other things was thought a matter worth the reformation : and therfore at this day they have ordinarily other convenient places deputed for the buriall of their dead . and if we will yet more narrowly looke into this businesse , considering this is gods house , the which , wee ought at least to keepe as cleane and sweet as those of our owne ordinary abode ; i thinke , we shall find it but a matter of equity . and i will yet appeale to any , whether they would have their owne houses , especially their parlours or roomes , where they are most frequently to be made places of burying the dead . and the papists would yet make a man wonder more , who were so carefull and curious in contenting the outward senses , that not onely would they please the eyes of the spectators with curious pictures and images , and by melodious musicke of organs and other instruments of musicke besides vocall , give so good content to the eares that notwithstanding , they were so carelesse of this other sense of smelling , that they would not spare to bury the dead even under the high altar it selfe . but i thinke they may reply , there was another smell which did more affect them , to wit , that which did so much affect that roman emperour , vespasian , the smell of gaine . and this pleasant smell was that which first forged purgatory , indulgences , consecrating of agnus dei , episcopall palles , and innumerable other things , sent to princes and great persons , and sold at a high rate : and this same bred first this burying in churches , in s. francis his habit , yea , caven hard by the high altar ; the which was little above yeers agoe brought into the church , whenas this begging brother-hood began to increase to a greater number than their almes and ordinary allowance would well maintaine . but on this particular i will not dwell any longer , but wish that things might be so carried , as injury might be done to none : and withall , that a publike good might be alwaies preferred before any private or personall respects : neither were it a hard matter for mee to answer whatsoever could be objected against this so laudable a custome of burying the dead in some place set apart for this purpose in some out-part of townes and cities , or rather without the same . howsoever i have discharged my dutie as a physitian , giving warning of the inconveniences from hence arising , and prescribing a sweet and wholesome aire , especially for the sicke . but of this , ●●us much shall suffice . now , when there is any fault , either by excell●●● defect in the aire , wee may safely correct the same . in the sommer time , when the aire is too hot , wee are to use all meanes to coole and refresh it ; by strowing our roomes with cooling greene herbs : as lett●ces , vineleaves , violet leaves , sallow and the like , by sticking the roome with greene boughes , and letting in some aire by opening the windowes , if any , that looke towards the north. there may also great pales full of cold water be set in severall corners of the house , and sometimes water powred out of one uessell into another . if the aire againe be too cold , as in winter , then the best way is to warme the roome with a good fire . and because fire is so necessary and vsefull , wee must have a speciall regard , especially being for the use of the sicke , of what fewell it is made . in the first place then , it must be made of drie wood , and not of greene smoakie sticks , very offensive both in sicknesse and in health . the fire of coles is not so good for the use of the sicke , especially such as are digged out of the bowells of the earth . and those wee commonly call char-coale , if either new kindled , or yet be in a narrow roome , are very hurtfull for any sicke , yea , will offend a healthfull person . and it is reported that iovinian the emperour travelling towards rome in the winter-season , by the way was lodged in a roome newly whited with lime , in the which , to aire the roome , was made a great fire of char-coale , and the next morning this emperour was found dead in his bed , being stifled by the venomous vapours of these coales and lime . i remember , that living in paris , . a young gentleman of poictou in france , my chamber-fellow set a great pan of char-coale within his studie in the winter time , shutting both doore and window , & within a little space came running out of his study halfe stifled , whenas being in mine own study within the same chamber , ● marvelling , and much amazed , came to him , asking him the cause of this sudden fright ; who scarce able to speak , related the truth of the matter , and how that being almost suffocated with the venomous and suffocating vapours of these coales , hee was scarce able to open his study doore . sweet wood , without all controversie , is best fewell ; as rosemary , juniper , bai-tree , if they were as frequent with us as in the south parts of france , and many other countries . with us our ordinary wood of ash , elme , oake , sallow and beech are good fewell for the chamber of the diseased . but the poplar , the elder , and all sorts of thornes are farre inferiour to the former , by reason they trouble the head more , as witnesseth n ranzovius : and what if we adde to these the walnut tree , which hath beene ever reputed an enemie to that principall part ? besides , there is a fewell in the northerne parts of this iland , called heath or ling , whereof there is great use made , as well for ordinary uses of baking , brewing and drying malt , as for burning in the chambers sometimes , both of sicke and healthfull persons ▪ the which in my opinion is exceeding good , especially for the sicke , without any offence or hurt to any part of the body , being very good in all manner of defluxions , and diseases from thence proceeding , and good to corroborat the sinews and nervous parts . if the aire of thy chamber be infested with noisome smells , if otherwise unavoidable , then art thou to correct the same with sweet smells : as of vineger , roses and rose water , sanders , in hot diseases : and in cold diseases , with juniper , and many hot aromaticall smells . it is also to be observed , that such hot woods are best for the sickes chamber in cold , and not in hot acute diseases , unlesse the roome be large and spacious . if there be no other meanes to correct the aire , we are , if it be possible , to exchange it for a better , as hath been said already . but it is now time to come to the habitation of the sicke . chap. ii. of the particular aire wherein the sicke liveth , to wit , his habitation , and the best situation thereof : as also , whether a countrie-aire , or that of townes or cities be best ; where something concerning the situation of the towne of northampton . the ambient aire wee considered in a double respect , one generall , of the which already in the former chapter ; now in the next place wee come to consider of it in a particular relation to the sicke , considered in the habitation , or place where the sicke dwelleth . and since it is seldome so safe to remove the diseased , there is therfore no small care to be had in the choice , of the place wherin any one is to live . the healthfulnes of the house is by the situation and structure thereof esteemed . that house is by many esteemed the best , which is situate somewhat high , and on a dry firme ground , sandy rather than any other : the house it selfe being of an indifferent and competent height , and looking towards the south principally ; from sommets heat well shaded , yet not deprived of cooling winds , and in summer receiving the benefit of the sun-beames in abundance : the which ought also to bee accommodated with divers roomes , differing in bignesse and situation , where the sicke may solace himselfe according to times and seasons . it is also here to bee understood that there bee no fennes , marshes , or any such noisome and stinking places neare to the sickes habitation . now next to this situation is that which is towards the sun-rising : but worst of al towards sun-setting , in sommer especially : for in such places the morning light is more unpleasant , in which time , notwithstanding , the sicke should finde most solace . and the morning sunne doth purge and rectifie the ambient aire , provided it be not admitted within the house , untill it hath first a little cleansed the aire , and dissipated and driven away the thicke vaporous night exhalations , in moist times especially . and it were to bee wished also there were some pleasant springs , or some little cleere brooke , or swift running little river not farre from this habitation . many great houses are now a daies so built both in cities and townes , and in the countrie that there may be choice of roomes , which way one will. low roomes , especially vaults , or caves under the earth are the fittest for fevers , spitting of blood , and faintnesse of heart ; by reason of the coolenesse of the aire , which better upholdeth and mainteineth strength than higher roomes . great and spatious roomes are fitter for fat and full bodies , by reason they draw ever in fresh aire , which discusseth and resolveth collected humors . in narrow roomes the aire is suffocate and stiffled up . and therefore we read that that great and memorable plague of the athenians in the time of thucidides , did first of all set upon the poore mens cottages . and common experience doth even so farre testifie unto us , that in any epidemicall , contagious , or pestilentiall diseases , the meaner sort which live in little close roomes , are sooner and in greater number , than those who live in more spatious houses therewith surprized ; as i my selfe could instance . and i beleeve , many are able to say something to this purpose , the alleies , and other close places of the city of london , at this last great and memorable plague . but in cold frosty weather , i confesse , especially where is no feare of any such infection , a close roome is not to bee refused ; provided it bee not made too hot , and too many people be not suffered to be in it at once . and by the way , with o ranzovius , i cannot but reject the use of the aire of stones or hot-houses , as they are ordinarily used throughout all the germane countries , which are ordinarily made so hot , that in the coldest frost of winter one is not able to sit in them without sweating , as i have often , howbeit sore against my will , experimentally tried . and by this meanes the pores of the body are so relaxed and dilated , that they easily receive the impression of the first occurrent cold aire . now to this discourse of the aire & habitation belongeth also to say something of the light , wherwith the patient is often not a little affected . § if the sick be weake , then the light often offendeth , and is therefore to bee kept darke ; especially if the eies be weake . if the sicke love the light , let him enjoy it ; if no apparent danger be thereby procured : if both be troublesome , keepe a meane betwixt both . where the sicke is not offended with the light , if the time and place concurre , especially in winter ; the beames of the glorious planet phoebus will not a little correct the ambient , and comfort the patients weake spirits . the colour of the walls come also here within our consideration ; which if whited with lime or chaulke , are likewise offensive ; but especially if the roome be of it selfe full of light . hangings also of severall colours doe much trouble the eye-sight of the sicke , especially if they be mad . to this place may we also reduce that which writeth hippocrates . * that it is not sufficient for the physitian to play his part ; but the sicke and the assistants , tending upon the sicke : and besides , all outward things must be accordingly accommodated . such as are about the sicke ought to bee gentle and couteous , not peevish and froward , observing the sickes humor and disposition , and in reasonable and lawfull things ready to fulfill his just desires ; to cheere up and cherish the sicke , and to give them good words ; but especially carefully and diligently to observe the physitians prescriptions . the physitians ( saith p aristotle ) cannot alwaies cure the sicke , because it is in the hand of another man that he cure according to art , and not in the power of art it selfe . besides , in the roome where the sicke lieth there should be heard no noise , nor ought the sicke be troubled with much talking ; and therefore much company is to be avoided ; especially in hot diseases and the like seasons , and narrow roomes , which are thereby over heated . and q p●●nie writeth , that it hath been observed , that wounds have beene the worse by much trampling and stirring with peoples feet . but concerning the aire , there remaineth yet a question to be discussed , whether the aire of townes and cities , or that of the countrey be better ? now this hath been an antient question among physitians ; and it seemeth it was by the antients decided on the countries side , in that the temple of aesculapius was built without the city of rome ; intimating thereby the prerogative of the country-aire above that of cities and townes , as witnesseth r plutarch : and not for the gaine of physitians , as ſ pliny prateth . it is true indeed that in the generall , and for the most part the countrie aire is more open and free , than that of cities and townes ▪ which oftentimes by reason of multitudes of people , nearenesse of buildings , narrownesse of streets ( especially if they be not kept sweet and cleane ) must needs bee farre inferior to the other . and yet are there herein divers particular cautions and limitations to be observed . some country-aire is farre inferior to that of many townes : witnesse the hundreths in essex , and the fennes in lincolneshire ; by which it plainely appeareth , there is great diversity in the qualities of the country-aires . there is againe some country-aire in its qualities simply considered , especially for the naturall inhabitants healthfull ; and yet for some constitutions very dangerous : as many places of the north parts of this kingdome and iland , where the aire is very sharpe and penetrant , and therefore might easily offend thinne and weake constitutions , and consequently procure distillations , from whence arise many dangerous diseases . there is againe a great difference to be found in divers cities and townes : for some are very great and populous ; as paris and london , &c : and therefore in such cities , the aire must needs be grosser and thicker , and not so sweet and wholesome as that of the countrie : and therefore in such populous places , it is good for the patient , if it be possible , especially in chronicall , or diseases of long continuance , to remove into a sweet country-aire . againe , some townes are so well situated , and so free from the aforenamed annoyances , enjoying so free an aire , that they often equall , if not exceed sometimes a country-aire : for as i have already said , some country-aire may be too sharpe and piercing , whereas a city or towne well situate in a temperate aire , and freed from these former inconvenients , may prove farre fitter for indisposed persons . of such divers may by found within this noble iland , amongst whom , in this respect , few exceed this antient towne and corporation of northampton . this towne hath for its soile whereon it is seated , a ground gravelly for the most part , and under this digging a little is to be found a good firme tough clay , producing good store of good stone , fit for buildings . it is situate in a fruitfull country , on the side of a hill , looking towards the south sunne ( the best situation as wee have already proved ) the streets faire and spatious ; and by the care and industrie of good governours , kept sweet and cleane ; the buildings faire and beautifull , and adorned with such a market place , as few corporations in this kingdome exceed it ; yea , very few that come neare or equall it . it is not my purpose to discourse of that old strong castle , together with the first founder , and the famous churches and religious houses have been in and about this towne . and as the aire is good and wholesome , so is that other element of water , neither within nor without the walls wanting . within are divers wholesome wells and springs : and without the walls , besides many wholesome and pleasant springs , that famous river of nine ( so called from the nine springs , from which it hath its first orignall ) which runneth all along the south side , and the west directly under the castle walls , and with many serpentine windings and turnings , thorow a pleasant medow ground above miles in length , and conveighing its silver streames by the antient city and sea of peterborrow , at length marrieth it selfe with the great ocean , being every where furnished with many good and wholesome fish : such as be , perches , great jacks , pickrells , roches , genious , little inferior to smelts ; chubs , silver-eeles , and divers others . and as for sweet and pleasant walkes of pastures and meadows , it is almost ever● where with them environed . and all beyond the towne for many mi●● north-ward , it is a dainty light gravelly ground , yet very profitabl● and commodious both for corne and cattell . my purpose is not here to set downe a particular and exact geographicall description of this antient corporation ; but onely by the way and occasionally discoursing of the aire , tooke occasion to acquaint the reader with a touch of the commodious and healthfull situation of the same . but this famous corporation hath now for a long time lyen lingring under the burden of wasting and consuming sickenesse , which hath eaten up , and consumed the bowels , not of this onely , but of many other famous cities and corporations of this flourishing kingdome : my meaning is decay of trading , the which to supply , as a feeling member of the publikes wants , i wish , it were as well in my power , as to be moane and bewaile the same . it is not unknowne to many of the inhabitants , what great trading by meanes of clothing hath been here in former times ; as the ruines of some great buildings , imploied to that purpose , doe yet evidently witnesse . and i know nothing to the contrary , why this might not as well now bee followed , as it was in former times . this countrie is furnished with as good wooll as any other , and affordeth this commodity to some of those countries where clothing is in greatest request . the water is likewise very good for dying , and no other conveniency , that i know , wanting , except good will , and an earnest desire to promote a publike businesse . and in so high esteeme hath this towne been had in former times , that besides parliaments here kept , and other solemne meetings , it was once accounted one of the fittest places for founding an vniversity : and now for these many yeeres hath beene accounted the fittest and most convenient place for publike meetings , as well of assise and sessions , as of any other importance : and that in regard of that entertainment and content which all things in even scales well weighed , may be better had in it than in any other towne in the whole countie . and besides , this corporation yeeldeth as much to his majesties exchequer , i thinke , as any other of that bignesse and trading . neither yet hath this towne come short of any in expression of dutifull and loyall affection to their princes , according to the possibility of their powers . my wish therefore is , that a mother in israel may not decay , but some regard may be had to the re-establishing of the former flourishing estate of this antient corporation . and this by no meanes , in my opinion , might sooner be effected , than by setting up this antient trade of clothing againe : for this purpose it were a worthy worke , and deserving great commendation , if such as have had their first being in this place , god having now made them his stewards of a great substance , would helpe to uphold their aged , and weake decaying mother . and this were a pious worke ( at least in a large acceptation ) and a part of that honour the childe oweth to an aged , and decayed parent . remember that the very heathen held this tenent , that men were not only borne for themselves , but that their common countrie claimed some interest in them . to incourage others in the prosecution of so laudable a worke , one alderman of this same corporation , hath now of late broken the yce , and againe , like a good patriot , minding the publike good ( whereof now most are unmindfull ) hath at his owne cost and charges , begunne to set a foot this laudable trade of clothing : the which , if well followed , and seconded by others , and neighbours in the country would further to set forward so laudable an enterprize ; it would in a short time , prove no small benefit both to the towne and countrie ; and by this meanes , many poore might well be set a worke , who now are forced either to begge their bread , or else labour hard at knitting stockings , which will not furnish them with browne bread to fill their hungry bellies , especially in these hard pinching times : besides , some other inconveniences on which i cannot spend time . i adde onely this , let us follow and imitate the laudable industry of the dutch , in providing for their poore , and setting them a work . they suffer no straggling beggers among them , and why may wee not as well ? another thing there is , which would much further and advance this businesse , and prove beneficiall , not to this corporation alone , but to other market townes also : to wit , owndel , thrapstone , and waldenborrow , together with the whole adjacent country , and other neighboring shires : and this is by making the river of nine navigable from peterborrow to northampton . now , let every one seriously consider the need , and they shall find more than enough ; if it were but even in regard of the scarcity and decay of fewell in this westerne part of the shire , besides many other benefits would from thence arise : as preserving the high-waies ( now chargeable to the countrie in regard of much carriage by cart ) keeping the meddowes from so frequent overflowing ; and that by meanes of scowring the chanell , and raising the banks : besides the importation of corne , and other commodities in time of dearth ; and againe , exportation of the same commoditie of corne in time of greater plentie and cheapnesse ; besides many other benefits whereon i may not now dwell . as for any objections to the contrary , they may easily be answered , and the worke knowne to be faiseable , having been long since surveied , and the charges cast up , and an act ready drawne to be put up in parchment divers yeeres agoe ; and this same alderman lately mentioned ( as hee hath ever manifested himselfe a good patriot , in furthering any publike good ) at that time followed the same businesse . i hope , when time and opportunity shall serve , good patriots will not be unmindfull of promoting and furthering the publike good ; and those whom it more neerely concerneth , even this same in particular . and although , i shall perhaps , by some be censured for this digression ; yet , because i thought it not impertinent , i must needs crave the curteous reader pardon , and so i now proceed to the prosecution of the businesse i have begunne . chap. iii. of the clothing and covering of the sicke , as also concerning shifting of the diseased , and of the error of the vulgar practising the contrary : something concerning the bed wherein the sicke lieth , and whether the sicke ought to have his haire cut . now , because among other uses of clothes , one is to keepe and defend us from the injuries of the ambient aire ; therefore after our discourse of aire , i thinke it materiall to say something of the clothing and covering of the sicke . now , our meaning is of such clothes as cover the sickes bed , and lie upon him : and the sicke are either covered with many & thicke heavy clothes to defend them from the injury of the cold aire , or else with thinne covers , for feare , lest they be by multitude of clothes oppressed , and internall heat increased . a hippocrates in cholericke diseases , covereth the sicke with thinne and soft clothes . and asclepiades the physitian , saith b pliny , did abrogate this troublesome custome of covering the sicke with so many clothes . in that great and fearefull sweating sicknesse it was observed , that most died by reason they were covered with so many clothes : for , their opinion was , saith c a learned writer , that the disease was to be helped by sweating , which by all meanes they laboured to further . in the beginnings of the paroxysmes , or fits of fevers , we ought to cover the sicke with many clothes , that the sicke may quickly grow warme , and the cold be driven away : and for this purpose , the parts which are cold are to be rubbed with warme clothes . after they beginne to be warme , the clothes are to be taken off , and toward the declining of the heat to be laid on againe , the better to provoke sweat . moreover , it is to be observed , that more clothes be used in the night-time than in the day , and that by reason the d night aire is colder than that of the day . but if it should so fall out that the sicke could not sleepe with a multitude of clothes , then were it good to wait while they be asleepe , and then to cover them . now , the bed wherein the sicke lieth , is not to be neglected : as for the forme of the bed , a high headed bed , such as is now in greatest request , and we commonly call french beds , ( especially in sommer-time , and in hot acute diseases ) are the best for the use of the sicke , and afford him most aire : and withall , i would have the ascent , or going up to it low and easie . in sommer and hot weather , in hot acute diseases , the curtaines would be thinne , in winter , and colder weather thicker . as for the bed he lieth on , downe beds are the hotest of all others , and next to them ordinary feather beds ; yet both doe much heat the sicke , especially in sommer , and hot acute diseases . and therefore i can in no wise approve of the preposterous german custome , to cover them with one feather bed , and lay another under them . wooll beds and mattrices are cooler ▪ and fitter than the former , if the sicke would be perswaded to indure a little hardship for a future benefit . but straw and chaffe , especially of oats , are coolest of all other , and fittest for sicke folke , if people would prise more their health than their ease . in babylon ( saith a late writer ) great men used in sommer to lie upon beds of leather ▪ filled with cold water , which i would not advise our new fashion-mongers to imitate . and they say in italy they use even at this day to lie upon leather-beds filled with wind , as we doe here our foot-balls , and the french their ballownes . our low field beds and canopy beds , are not so good in the former cases as high beds . the best of all others are accounted such as hang by cords , whereby this benefit may be reaped , that the sicke may be rocked asleepe ; as is the custome of the brasilians , to have their beds hung betwixt two trees , for feare of venomous vermine . now , from the covering of the bed , to the covering of the sickes body in bed , and immediatly touching the same ; and first wee will beginne with the head-peece , his cap i meane . it is an inveterate and radicated custome , in all diseases , to cover the head with thicke caps or other clothes ; esteeming all manner of defluxions and diseases to proceed from the head , and as it would seeme by their practice , to proceed of a cold cause : whereas by this meanes they rather increase , for the most part this paine , if any there be already ; the head like a ventose , or cupping glasse , attracting vapours from the neather parts . avicen warneth us , that too much covering of the head weakneth it . and yet it is thoght by many that the head can never be sufficiently coverd . i confesse , in this case it is hard to set down and determine all the particular circumstances ; as of the time of the yeer , the sex , the nature of the disease , the age and constitution of the diseased , according to which circumstances , the physitian is forced to accommodate his particular prescription of clothes . and heere i must needs give warning to younger people , that they would not so much in their health oppress themselves with such a multtiude of cloths , who keep themselves so warme in their younger yeeres , that they become farre infirmer afterwards when they come to age , and apter to receive harme by the least blast of cold wind . there is a great difference to bee had both in our clothing and diet , according to the severall seasons of the yeere . the apparell in sommer and warme weather , ought to be thinner than in winter ; and among these , the hotter constitutions ought to goe thinlier clothed than others . and as on their body , so on their bed the clothes ought to be thinner . but few , if any , observe the difference to bee observed of the beds they lye on ; it being for an uncontrolled custome received , both for young and old , hot and cold complexions , to lye both sommer and winter on the softest feather-beds they can . and yet for hot constitutions , especially the younger sorts , and such as have hot livers and kidnies , and molested with the stone in the kidnies , especially in the summer time , this custome cannot but be hurtfull . and as for this covering of the head , as it is indifferently used , alike in sommer and winter , of young and old , and all complexions whatsoever , i hold it a very pernicious custome , especially in the younger sort , and very prejudiciall to their health . it is a great fault in many parents , that they are too carefull in the nice and choice tender educating of their infants , who in their tender yeeres might be easily accustomed to goe thinner in their apparell ; and custome would afterwards make this easy . and this wee may see apparently in many of our gentle-women , who both young and old , both sommer and winter , go with naked breasts , wrests and necks ; and yet never complaine ; in this verifying the old proverb to be true , pride is never painfull . and yet those parts are , according to physitians prescriptions , most carefully to be kept warme . and yet all this notwithstanding , as also all our best divines preaching to the contrary , and oppugning this pride by their pens , we see , how carefull many are to accustome and inure their children with this kind of pride ; whenas for the most part ( alas more is the pitty ! ) there is but small regard had of their vertuous education in the feare of god. but i leave this puritanisme . another point in the clothes and covering of the sicke to be considered , is the quality , that they be cleane and sweet . e hippocrates would have the physitian to bee neatly and decently apparelled , and perfumed with sweet odours , that by this meanes , he might bee the more acceptable and pleasing to his patients . how much more then ought the sicke himselfe to be neat and cleane in his apparell ? and it is no small contentment to the sicke , when hee seeth himselfe neat and cleanely in his clothing . againe , it much discourageth and dejecteth the sicke , when he is suffered to lye stinking like a hogge in the mire , in dirty and foule clothes . and f galen advertiseth us , that young children , who after much crying , could neither by the teat , by rocking nor singing be quieted ; by changing of their foule and stinking clothes , and exchanging them with cleaner ; were presently stilled . but , me thinkes , i heare some of our wise women , at least in their owne conceits , with open mouth cry out against me , by reason , i wish , the sicke should be often shifted , objecting in the first place , that by this meanes the sicke may catch cold ; and next that it weakneth the sicke to bee thus shifted . to the first i answere , it is but a foolish feare , the vulgar often fearing where there is no cause : but howsoever , if it be in cold weather , it may by meanes of the fire easily be prevented ; and if in warme weather , their feare is frivolous . as for the other feare , which i have heard some women object , of weakening the sicke , it is very absurd , and as frivolous as the former : and so farre is it from weakening the sicke , that on the contrary , it is rather a meanes to further and increase strength . and to make this more plainely appeare , we are to take notice that in the body of man , there are three severall concoctions : the first , in the stomacke or maw , called chylification ; having for excrement , the fecall ordure , or ordinary egestions . the second , in the liver , veines , called sanguification ; and hath for excrement , the urine . the third , is called nutrition , and is performed in the whole body ; and hath for excrements , certaine fuliginous vapors , which by insensible transpiration breath out by the pores of the body ; and the sweat , which is apparent to the eye . now in time of sickenesse , especially in all sorts of fevers , these excrements doe most abound , and make foule the linnen they lye in , and that they weare next their skinne ; for the which cause , sicke folkes should have their linnen often shifted , especially when they sweat much . besides , if they bee not shifted , this danger yet insueth , that if the sweat continue about the body , it will bee drawne in againe by the same way it went forth ; and then judge whether thou likest that better , or sweet cleane linnen . for this must be well considered , that the arteries of the body have a double motion , one whereby they expell these excrements already named ; and the other whereby they draw in the ambient aire to refresh the blood . now whatsoever aire is next unto them , be it good or bad , sweet or stinking , they draw it in . and therefore , if thou let this dung-hill lye about thee , undoubtedly the arteries will draw in these noisome excrements , which will suffocate naturall heat , and by consequent , prolong thy disease . and a g learned french physitian who doth much inveigh against this nastinesse ( that so also it may appeare , this is not mine owne private opinion ) to prove this truth bringeth in an instance : let any person come newly out of a heat hath , where there is great store of dust newly raised , he shall presently feele a pricking over his whole flesh ; which is nothing else but this small dust drawne in by the arteries . the case then thus standing , all filth and corruption ought to be cleansed from the skin , and all the pores and passages thereof kept open and cleane , by removing whatsoever might let or hinder the same , and for this end and purpose , the romans and greeks in antient times had so frequent use of their frictions and hot bathes . let this then be a warning to all those who attend the sicke , that they have a speciall care of shifting and keeping them cleane and sweet , as hath beene said already , and let the contrary erroneous custome be hence forward●for ever buried in the dust . one thing yet remaineth concerning warming of the sickes bed , whether it be to bee used ? i answere , in weake and aged people especially , and the winter time in others also , there is no doubt to bee made of altering the cold aire of the bed with a warming-pan : but in young people , in hot acute diseases , and the sommer time , when all tendeth to heat , i see no necessity , yea rather hurt than any good ; unlesse some cold constitutions , or decrepit old age doe plead for a continuance of this custome , and then i shall not bee against it . but whether this be so convenient for such as live in health , may with better reason be demanded ? i answer , that for young people i wish , they were not so daintily brought up , and accustomed to this warming of their beds , which maketh them afterwards the more unfit to undergoe any hardship . but for the antienter sort , tender women , and such as have heretofore accustomed themselves thereunto , i am not against the airing of their bed in cold winter weather , that so going to bed , they may still finde the bed-clothes somewhat warme about them at their first downe-lying . to this place also belongeth to say something concerning the haire of the head , and whether in sickenesse it ought to bee cut , or no ? my purpose is not here to insist upon the generation , utility , and proper use , and the material cause , & differences of haire with many other things ; this onely know , that haire is but an excrement , and properly no part of the body , in the esteeme of all our physitians ; and yet appointed for a speciall use to cover and adorne that part wherunto it is appropriated . in women , it hath beene alwaies a comely ornament and cover of the head . and to men , ( saith the apostle ) doth not even nature teach you that it is a shame for a man to weare long haire . but i come to the question , whether in the diseased , it bee safe to cut the haire of the head or no ? long and thicke haire keepeth in fuliginous excrements of the head , and suffereth them not so well to breath out of the pores ; from whence rheumes are ingendred , the originall almost of all diseases . hence was it that the aegyptians painted aesculapius bald ; thereby signifying thus much , that the haire was to be cut short ; yea , if it were even shaven , it were better for a mans health than to weare long haire . it is therefore best in all diseases of the head , especially in long continuing defluxions of sharpe rheumes , to shave the head , according to the opinion of antient and late physitians . in a word , it is better both in sickenesse and in health to have the haire rather short than long ; howbeit the too often cutting of the haire is not so good , and the often shaving of the beard and face is evill , and not to be used . i enter not here upon particulars , in what diseases the haire is chiefely to be cut , yea even shaven ; whereof something may perhaps more largely be spoken in any another place . but this which hath already been said , may easilie convince the more than mad effoeminate custome of our effoeminate age , wherein men are not now contented with that portion of haire , which their maker in his wisedome thought fit for them ; but besides , must have their head covered with a great bushie perwig , both to the great dishonour of almighty god , and with no small prejudice to their health , as by the premisses may easily appeare . i deny not , but some of them have scalded their haire in the fire of the barber-surgeons purgatory , and therefore have the more need to cover that deformitie : but let others take warning by their harmes . but as for women , they being commonly of a colder constitution than men , and their heads weaker , their haire is not commoly so hurtfull for them : besides , that h their haire was given them for a cover and ornament . but as for their curles , false & sophisticate haire , either not content with that colour which god gave them , or else because they would not seeme to yeeld to old age ; as i do not much mervaile at such tricks in a stewes strumpet , or a cōmon curtisan : so i think , they no waies beseeme a sober , modest and grave gentle-woman , especially in the state of wedlocke , and now attained to some competent number of yeeres . i wish both sexes to call to mind that saying of a french writer , speaking against the pride of women , painted faces , and many other particulars , almost . yeeres agoe . i that when as they shall stand before the tribunall of the great god of heaven at that last and dreadfull day , it is to be feared that the judge of all the world will say unto them , get you out my presence into everlasting damnation : for i doe not acknowledge this colour , haire , to be of my making . but as concerning the abuse of this excrement of haire both in men and women , directly crossing the apostles rule , men wearing side and long haire , and some wearing it longer on one side than the other , by them now called a love-locke : women againe , quite contrary to womanly decency and modesty ( that i say nothing of gods command ) cutting and clipping their haire , and the great injury they heerein offer to almighty god , it being daily by our learned divines preached against , and a k learned religious gentleman having lately of purpose written a tractate concerning this same subject in both sexes , where at great length he proves both the unseemelinesse and unlawfulnesse of this custome , i will not insist upon it . i will onely tell you of a l monstrous and strange disease in the haire , heard of but of late yeeres , and not recorded by any antient author that ever we read of . and this is nothing else but an agglutination , or inviscation of the haire of the head and beard , by which meanes it acquiteth sometimes the forme of some great adder , or snake ; and sometimes of lesse serpents : and these horrid and hideous serpent-like locks doe often occupy the whole superficies of the head and beard ; insomuch , that who so beholds this strange serpent like sight , may the easilier be induced to beleeve that monstrous gergonean head , the poets attribute to medusa . and as the author affirmeth , may it not seeme a strange thing , that plaine and smooth haire in so cold a climat ( meaning poland and a part of germany ) should so curle and balter , and contract such hideous and strange shapes : besides , that they should bee of so loathsome and putrid a smell . and which hath never yet been heard of , that these baltered locks being prickt with a pin , should presently yeeld blood . and it hath been observed , that such as have cut off these locks , have either suddenly become blind , or else a great defluxion of humors hath falne downe upon some other parts of the body . this disease hath of late yeeres runne thorow a great part of poland ; and entered also into some parts of germany . if god should send it here over among us to punish this prodigious pride in the use of this same excrement , were it not just with god , to punish us in the same part wee offend in ? this author affirmeth , it is most frequent in women : but another affirmeth , it as often frequenteth men , and that they let both these prodigious locks of haire and beard hang downe over their shoulders , and many times downe to their breast and navill , a strange and prodigious thing to behold . chap. iiii. of abstinency , either from some , or all sorts of food , for a short , or a longer time ; and of severall sorts of abstinence . after the aire , and such other things thereon depending , i now proceed to the diet of the diseased . but before wee come to discourse of the particular sorts of diet , wee must permit some generall rules and directions concerning the diet of the diseased . now all manner of diet is of a threefold nature , a thinne spare diet , a liberall or full , or a meane betwixt both . a thinne or spare diet we call , either a totall abstinence from all food for a certaine time ; or else a very sparing use of one or more sorts . now of all other diets this is the most sparing , when the sicke for certiane daies takes no sustenance at all . and this abstinence among some of the antients , the greekes especially , was often very rigid and strict ; insomuch that many times the patient was suffered to take no kind of sustenance for the space of three , foure , five or six daies . but because we are now falne upon this point of abstinence , it will not , i hope , be unwelcome to the reader to make a particular enumeration of all the sorts of fasts whatsoever . now then as repletion and gluttony is the cause of manifold mischiefes in the body of man ; so this abstinence seemeth to make amends for that which is don amisse . now this abstinence is of divers sorts , and may be reduced to these foure ; naturall , voluntary , miraculous , and violent or forced . naturall i call , when as nature in her full strength and vigour , and health ; or yet foiled with some sickenesse , abhorreth the use of some certaine kindes of food , and therefore abstaineth from the use of the same . another abstinence againe is in diseases , when as the appetite is either quite lost , or else smal or slender , loathing food for the most part : which refusing and loathing is called by the greekes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and by the latines , a nausea & fastidium cibi . voluntary abstinence i call that , which is by mature advice and deliberation willingly and freely undertaken : and this , according to the severall ends and scopes it propounds to it selfe , is also of divers sorts . for either it is physicall , politicall and civill , religious or superstitious . physicall abstinence i call that , whereby people whether sicke or in health , either for preserving and mainteining this healthfull estate , or else for recovering of the same being now lost , by the appointment and prescription of the physitian , doe either abstaine from all manner of food , or else from some certaine kindes , contrary to their health and constitution : and this either for a certaine and determinate time , or for ever ; and which is therefore called diet. politicall or civill abstinence is that , whereby people upon certaine occasions , as profit or others , for a certaine time , abstaine either from all , or some certaine particular kindes of food , being then it may be , imploied about som earnest busines ; as when b saul followed hard after the philistines , he discharged any to eat till the evening . and of this nature is our lent fast or abstinence in this iland both in england and scotland , according to the expresse words of the statute ( howsoever some a little to symbolize with our neighbour - romanists would faine have it a little to smell of religion ) and was no doubt upon very good grounds and considerations injoined to be observed . c the third sort of voluntary abstinence , is called religious , and had its originall from god himselfe ; which is againe either morall or ceremoniall . morall againe is either ordinary and daily , or else extraordinary , and ordained but for a certaine time . ordinary and daily abstinence is nothing else but temperance and sobriety , which as it hath been in no small request even among the heathens ; and that not for their healths sake alone , but that they might thereby also the better wait upon their contemplations and philosophicall studies : how much more then doth it become us christians ? religious extraordinary abstinence at any time undertaken , is that which wee commonly call a fast ; and being not onely a bare abstinence from food for a time , but from all other delights also ; that thereby we may the better bee fitted , to pray either for the removall of judgements present , or keeping off judgements imminent , and like to overwhelme us . and this was very frequent among the people of the jewes , and was either publike or private . would to god we were made more acquainted with this noble ordinance of almighty god , when as both in regard of our owne selves , and our distressed neighbours abroad , our need hath been so great . ceremoniall abstinence is when we abstaine from certaine kindes of meats , and that for religions sake : the which kind of abstinence was by god himselfe strictly injoined the jewes , and lasted till the comming of the messias , d which tooke away that partition wall ; as may by divers places of the new testament appeare . there was lastly , & is yet , a certaine superstitious kind of abstinence , whereby som people , without any warrant of the word , abstained from certaine kindes of meat : and such were both some heathens , and some hereticks also , and bastard christians . among the heathens , pythagoras of samus , who lived during the babilonian captivity , abstained from all manner of flesh , and that for feare lest some mens soules might bee conveied into such beasts as he might eat of , as witnesseth e s. august . and f s. ierom. tells us that the antient aegyptian priests , after they were once initiated into that superstitious worship , abstained from wine and flesh ever after . the babilonians also lived onely upon fish , and the persian magi lived onely upon meale and herbs . g plutarch also reported that the priests of heliopolis abstained from all manner of diet that might increase lust and wantonnesse , and never wine to come within their temples . and it is h reported , that the antient inhabitants of this iland abstained from the hare , the hen , and the goose . and others againe abstained from certaine vegetables , fruits , flowres , &c. some abstained from all manner of flesh . the i esseans among the jewes eat neither flesh , nor yet drinke wine ; nay eate not of any creature that ever had in it any blood . in the time of the primitive church , especially a little after , many heresies sprang up , amongst whom , som forbad the eating of flesh ; and some both that and wine . k the eucratite who came out of the schoole of one tatianus abstained from all flesh ; withall so strictly abstained from all wine , that they would not so much as use it in the holy sacrament , but in stead thereof used water . the ebionites also condemned altogether the use of flesh . the l marcionites were so farre from eating of flesh , and placed holinesse in the eating of fish . and the m same father affirmeth , that the montanists lived on bread , salt and pulse , and dranke onely water : they abstained at certaine times from flesh and wine . the maniches , of one manes a persian hereticke so called , about the yeere of our lord . among many other and destestable errors , brought in this also of abstaining from certaine meats ; as all manner of flesh , egges , milke , and all things made of the same : the reasons see in n s. augustine . they forbad also the use of wine , were it never so new , and yet permitted the use of grapes . the same hereticks forbad also the use of marriage . it is also to be observed , o that all this abstinence was only forbidden their elect ones , and such as they tearmed perfect and initiated into their sacred mysteries : but to their hearers , who were but novices and beginners such meats were permitted . p the same heresie was againe about the yeere of our lord . by one priscillianus in france and spaine renewed , from whom it received also a new name . and this same heresie , as by many fathers it was spoken against , so was it by many q councels condemned , r among the russians or muscovites , the metropolitans , the arch bishops and bishops alwaies abstaine from flesh : and yet when they invite any lay-men , or other priests to their table , they set flesh before them : and yet may neither an abbot nor prior eat any . besides , the russians never eat of any thing killed by the hand of a woman , esteeming it altogether uncleane : and therefore in the absence of all mankind out of the house , if they have any pullaine or other creature to kill , the women stand in the house-doore , holding a knife in their hands , intreating any that passeth by to performe this kindnesse for them . now besides these afore-mentioned severall sorts of abstinence , there is yet another voluntary abstinence , which is miraculous ; as that of christ , moses and elias , which is beyond the reach of any ordinary person ; although we read of many strange stories of such as fasted not onely many daies , weekes and moneths ; but even many yeeres also , as hath been declared already . the last kind of abstinence is involuntary , when as any one is forced against his will to fast , and is divers waies procured , whereon i will not now insist . the excellency then of a right abstinence may evidently appeare , which is not properly an abstinence from any one particular kind of food , either totall or for a time : but a sober and moderate use of all the creatures at all times , especially in sickenesse ; as it is sometimes necessary for a time to abstaine from all , and sometimes from some sorts of food . in health , moderation and temperance are never out of season , and totall abstinence at sometimes required ; and that both for preventing infirmities , and sometimes a religious abstinence is to be observed , as hath been said already . as for religious abstinence from certaine kinds of meats , not i , but the ſ holy oracle it selfe , which cannot erre , doth plainely evince to be a doctrine of devils . and here by the way , if there were no other marke , it may easily appeare , that the church of rome is an apostaticall and hereticall church , and jumpeth just with the hereticks of antient times , whom the fathers of the church have confuted . they would beare the world in hand , they abstaine from flesh in lent and some other daies . a great matter indeed , when they are fed with the best fish they can come by , dressed with the most curious sauces , and afterwards well washt downe with the best wine or other strong drinke . besides the variety of banqueting stuffe , march-panes , and varieties of other junkets , all which notwithstanding , this must needs be accounted a strict abstinence and fast , especially , if these things come but in the name of a drinking . now would i willingly aske one of their wisest prophets , whether a peice of powdered beefe , or other meat , such as wee ordinarily use ; or a dish or two of dainty fish well dressed , it may be with wine sauce , and divers good spices , and afterwards made to swimme in the belly with good wine , be more inciting to lust ? it is well knowne that wine yeeldeth a more speedy nourishment , and is farre sooner distributed through the body , & a little quantity therof more cheereth and cherisheth the drooping spirits , and with lesse oppression , and withal inciteth more to lust , than a great quantity of flesh ; which must lye a long time heavy in an ordinary stomacke before it bee concocted , and thorow the body distributed , and then by assimilation and agglutination converted into aliment . and this is the judgement of all our both antient and later learned physitians : yea doth not even ordinary experience instruct us in this truth ? and yet here is no small quarrell , because we will not assent to their pharisaicall superstition , and will not in every thing jumpe with them in their erroneous judgement . and i pray you , is not this a meere mockage , that a little before lent , especially on shrovetuesday , ( by the french called mardy-gras , or fat tuesday , and by some here in former times gut-tide ) they let the reines loose to all manner of lasciviousnesse , and all excesse of riot : pampering their bellies with the best cheere , the most exquisite wines and strong drink is to be had ; assuming to themselves liberty of doing what they list ; addicting themselves to dancing , dicing , drabbing , and all manner of other insolencies : insomuch that one would thinke all the divells in hell , and all these foule fiends were then set at full libertie ; in this equalling , if not exceeding , the heathenish bacchanalia . and which is yet more , their romish god the pope , must that day depart the citie of rome , and then all manner of insolencies and outrages ( greater than which , if as great , were scarce ever by any heathens committed ) of all sorts , without any controll there committed . and in this is verified the saying of that t florentine secretary to bee true ; that if the court of the pope with his cardinalls were translated from rome , and placed among the switzers ( a people in those times most ingenuous , and freest from all manner of exoticke vices ) they would in a short space become the most wicked , factious people in the whole world : in so great credit was then this court of rome , even in the esteeme of those who made profession of the same religion . but these , and a thousand more of their pranks are better knowne to the christian world than i can relate them . my purpose is onely here to let the world know , how senslesse and absurd is this superstitious kind of abstinence from flesh onely , whereof like proud pharisees , they make so great an ostentation , and would put out the eyes of the world , that they should see nothing in the cleere sun-shine . and yet what is all this but a renuing of the antient heresies lately mentioned ? and renuing heathenish superstition ? nay it doth plainely and evidently appeare , that the antient hereticks and heathens did farre surpasse in this point , many of our romanists . if they would , as they pretend , subdue the lust of the flesh , why doe they not then abstaine from wine , in that point farre surpassing any flesh , as hath been proved ? and why doe not their priests and clergie-men abstaine from wine , and forbid it the people , at least in lent and on fasting daies ? i have already instanced in the like abstinence both in heathen and heretickes . if sir iean and his generation will reply , that they must serve at the altar , and therefore must both drinke for themselvs and the people , who by their canons , are debarred from the cup : i cannot deny , but as in many other things , so herein likewise , their clergy have been too hard for the laity : yet good sir iean , if you have purchased such a privilege above the people , mee thinkes , you might the better abstaine from wine at other times , especially those of your strictest abstinence ; and might likewise abstaine from many flatuous meats , as many sorts of bulbous roots , which all our physitians doe hold to be irritamenta & incitamenta lib●dinis . the abissine priests and religious persons so strictly observe their lent fast , that it is reported of them , that they eat nothing but roots , and drinke water during that time ; yea , and stand often up to the chinne in cold water : and the laity , during that time onely eate bread and drinke water . if our supercilious pharisaicall romanists would imitate this rigid austerity , the clergy i meane , it would coole their courages , yet withall purchase them a great deale of more praise and reputation , than many of them have hitherto attained unto . i am not ignorant , that some of the simpler sort of their religious orders are more rigid and austere in their manner of living than many others : but this i confidently avouch , that for the most part , their clergy , especially the greater sort , are as licentious and luxurious , as any sort of people this day living under the face of heaven , upon which point i will not here digresse . now to conclude this point of abstinence , we are so farre from rejecting , and far lesse from finding fault with it , that we wish it in farre greater request than hitherto it hath been : i meane , not onely that ordinary and customary abstinence , or sobrietie in meat and drinke , and other delights ; but even that other sort of fast also , which we have wished might bee more in practice . but i hate and abhorre these counterfit and hypocriticall , heathenish and hereticall-like fasts of our pharisaicall romanists , with their many idle repetitions of their many mumpsimus upon their beads , making a shew of prayer , where there is nothing but a little lip-labour , without any true religion , or any true devotion indeed . but having said more than i doubt i shall be thanked for , i leave this point , and proceed . chap. v. of aliment or diet of the diseased in generall : whether a thinne and spare diet , or a full or liberall be better ? from the elements wee are now comming to the aliments , of nourishment and food fit for the sicke . now as by the moderate and timely use of aliments the diseased reapeth no small benefit ; so againe by the immoderate and unseasonable use of the same , the diseased is much indammaged and indangered . and for this cause no small care ought to be had of the diet of the diseased . we made mention of three sorts of diet , of the which we have a galen for our warrant : a thinne or slender , a full and liberall , and a meane or middle diet betwixt both . now these two extremes have a great latitude and extension . in the first place , a thin and spare diet is either simply thinne and sparing , more sparing , and most sparing of all . so againe , the like by way of opposition is to be understood of a full and liberall diet . now an absolute thinne and spare diet , called victus tenuissimus , is nothing else but an absolute abstinence from all manner of food whatsoever : or at most , permitting onely the use of a drinke made of water and hony , called by the antient greekes , melicratum . and this manner of abstinence did the antients use in most acute diseases , which were terminated on the fourth day . and when they did a little exceed this first so thinne and slender diet , or abstinence , they did then allow the sicke some barly-water , ptisan or creame of ptisan at most . this was usuall among the greekes , which strict and rigid kind of diet the arabians were not able to undergoe . and it may bee the greekes , either because they were thicker skinned , or else surprized with sharper sickenesses , did more easily endure this kind of diet . it may be also the arabians fared better than the greekes , and were not therefore able to endure this kinde of diet . and in this wee adhere more to the arabians than to the greekes . and therefore , if physitians should now imitate the hippocraticall course of dieting , they should be utterly shent . galen was not so rigid and strict in his diet : for he often suffereth the sicke to use some sustenance in acute diseases , and often findeth fault with certaine physitians called diatritarij , who pined their patients with abstinence , in the beginning of their disease made them fast untill the fourth day , and after againe exhibited something on the sixt , and againe on the eight ; and so consequently after the first foure dayes , they fed them but every other day . and b this manner of cure is by celsus aurelius called a circular cure . to this manner of cure was quite contrary that manner of diet , which used that antient physitian petronius , who abbridged his patients of no kind of diet , but filled them with wine and flesh . and this is that we call a full or liberall diet , according to the extensions and latitude therof . to this manner of diet ours approcheth nearest : and it is the cōmon opinion of our people , of our vulgar women especially , that unlesse the sicke be crammed with all manner of food , he is quite starved . and this commeth often to passe by importunitie of those about them , and sometimes by meanes of the physitian , saith c galen ; who to give satisfaction to the sicke , and assistants , oftentimes giveth way to such a diet . followeth now in the next place a question to be discussed , whether a thinne or slender , or a full and liberall diet be the better ? now as almost all diseases have their originall and beginning from gluttony , and abundance of humors ; so would it seeme the cure thereof required principally abstinence and hunger : for by this meanes the body is dried up , and superfluous humors exhausted . and it is reported , that the emperour aurelian in his sickenesse used no other physicke . d e hippocrates seemeth in some places to allow of a full diet in all diseases ; and f againe in other places to stand for a thinne and slender diet , finding fault with the guidian physitians , who in the beginning of the disease , permitted the use of a more liberall diet . g galen often preferreth a slender diet before a full and liberall : and that by reason a full and plentifull diet breedeth innumerable dangers in the body , which a thinne and slender diet doth not , the which , if to the body troublesome , may easily by addition be amended . this question cannot absolutely be determined , by reason both are alike , and equally necessary , all circumstances well & seriously considered , but especially having a due regard to the strength of the patient , together with the nature of the disease . h we must conjecture , saith hippocrates , whether the sicke be like to hold out with such a diet or no , or whether the disease will not first give over , before there need any alteration in the diet . but with us wee need never be afraid that there be any fault committed in the defect ; wee are most commonly inclined to be faultie rather in the excesse . and howsoever , i confesse indeed , our bodies are not able to beare that antient strict and rigid grecian thinne and spare diet , yet i wish there were a more moderate course taken for moderating the diet of our diseased . but riot and excesse haue so ceized upon us in our health , that it is a hard matter to regulate our desires according to reason , when wee are diseased . now , wee proceede to other circumstances according to this subject . chap. vi. certaine rules and lawes from whence the diet of the diseased is desumed . as in the structure and building of houses , we must lay a good foundation , before ever we beginne to build : so no lesse carefull ought wee to be this case , where the diet of the diseased is to be handled , to lay a good and firme foundation , whereon our building may stand the firmer ; wee are therefore in the first place to take notice of certaine rules or lawes ( call them as you list ) which in the ordering of the diet of the diseased are carefully to be considered : and they are all reduced to these two principall heads , being all desumed or fetcht from the party diseased , or from the disease . in the party diseased , or the sick himselfe , we are to consider , the strength , the temperature , the disposition or quality of the body , the age , custome , particular , or individuall disposition or propertie of each person ( expressed by this word idiosyncrasia ) the time of the yeere , and the region where one liveth . now , the first and principall rule , law or judication , is taken from the strength of the sicke person ; which by a due and convenient diet , answerable to requisite necessity must be sustained , to the end the diseased may the better be inabled to overcome the contumacy of the disease : for here nature must play the physitian in curing of the disease , both food and physicke receiving their power and efficacie from our naturall heat , and from divine benediction principally , which we ever would have to be understood . this one thing is alwaies , saith a celsus , to be observed , that the physitian present , diligently observe the strength of his patient , and so long as it holdeth out , to cure him by abstinence : but if feeblenesse be feared , let food then supply what is wanting . in the next place , the temperature of the body is to be considered : for this , wee may easily observe , that cholerick complexions are not long able to indure long abstinence , although in perfect health ; and if they be at any time ceized with any diseases proceeding from choler , they are by a thinne and slender diet much offended . in the third place , wee are carefully to consider of the frame and structure of the body , called habitus ; for such as are of a thinne and slender constitution of body , are more by a thinne and slender diet offended , than others of a thicker . wee are not also to neglect the age , for old people are best able to indure abstinence ; and next unto them , those of a consisting or middle age : but children , and little infants , are with fasting most offended . by old age , i here vnderstand greene old age , as it is called , cruda viridisque senectus , and not decrepit old age , which by reason of the languishing and decaying of the innate naturall heate , as the oile of a lampe , unlesse it be frequently by good and comfortable food , and good drinke refreshed , will quickly faint under the burden . and this must be done frequently , and often , not confertim , or abundantly at once ; lest this small fire be by too much fewell suddenly suffocated and oppressed . and since custome often carrieth so great a stroke , that wee see , even poisons by long continued custome converted into food ; it is not slightly in ordering the diet of the diseased to be past over . and experience it selfe doth even teach us , that things wherewith we were formerly accustomed , doe lesse offend us . the prerogative of custome b galen well describeth by the example of arius the peripateticke , who being much molested with a great weaknesse of stomacke , that he durst neither indure the cold aire , nor once so much as taste a drop of cold water ; falling into a fever , and forced to drinke cold water , died suddenly . and therefore if any were in their health accustomed to eat twice or thrice aday , not onely are we to yeeld to this custome in their sicknesse ; but even to permit unto them their accustomed houres , unlesse some sudden accident ( as the fit in a fever or the like ) doe hinder us . now , besides the premises , every one almost hath some certaine peculiar property , or condition , called idiosyncrasia , whereunto belongeth often some peculiarity in appetite , and other things , and to the which sometimes wee are forced to give way : and wee finde often , by common experience , that when the stomacke is whetted on , and eagerly longeth after some particular food , howsoeuer , it may be in it selfe not so fit , having injoyed it , greedily imbraceth , and with great facility concocteth the same : and this c hippocrates in his aphorismes , did very well expresse . but herein i would not that any one should , at randome , let loose the reines of his appetite , but carefully , and with good counsell regulate and moderate his desires . we are in the next place to consider the time of the yeere , howsoever , many may , perhaps , thinke it to small purpose . but as in health this is to be observed , there must then be like correspondency in the time of sicknesse . and certaine it is , that in winter , the internall heat of the stomacke , and inward parts , is farre intenser , and greater than in sommer , and the concoction easilier performed ; and therefore no question is to be made , but that the quantity of aliment must needs be answerable , and in greater abundance than in sommer , when as by the heat of the ambient aire the internall is extracted , the pores of the body rarefied and dilated , and sweat with fuliginous excrements more copiously expelled . and therefore a lesser quantity of food , of a laudable quality and easie of digestion ; as also a more liberall allowance of drinke is then to be permitted . and this was the opinion of d hippocrates , and so hath beene held by all our physitians , that in winter wee are to feed most liberally , in sommer very sparingly , and in the spring and autumne , to keepe a meane , betwixt both the former , whatsoever any say to the contrary . the region wherein any one liveth , is likewise not to be neglected : for in cold countries , where people feed more plentifully , there the sicke is to be allotted a more liberall allowance , than in hot countries : as spaine , egypt , and the like . and mee thinks , that besides all the premisses , the calling , or course of life one leadeth is worth the consideration : for the which cause , schollers , and others accustomed to a sedentarie life in their health ; as then their diet ought to be more sparing and easier of concoction than for other people : so falling sicke , the like caution must be observed . and here women come also to be considered , who , for the most part use lesse exercise than men , and have the pores of their bodie lesse perspirable , and often a colder complexion : and this is chiefely of the better sort , who live in ease and idlenesse , influence and abundance of all things , to be understood . in the next place wee come to rules of diet desumed from the disease it selfe , which was the second head wee here proposed to handle . and these rules must be understood by dividing them into their proper ranks , and must be illustrated by accommodating them to fevers ; few diseases without a fever ceizing on the body of man ; and therefore in this discourse wee have of them a speciall regard , though other diseases also shall not be neglected . all diseases then are either acute and of a shorter continuance , and for this cause called acute ; or else chronicall , or of longer continuance . acute and short diseases , require a slender and sparing diet , and the shorter and sharper the disease be , the more sparing should be the diet . againe , in chronicall and long continuing diseases , the diet must be allowed more liberall ; lest in a long journie nature being toiled and tired out , before shee be at her journies end , faint and succumb under the burthen of the disease . now , of chronicall diseases , some are of a longer continuance than others ; and therfore as to them that continue long , wee allow liberall allowance , so to the longer wee still allow the more liberall allowance : and on the contray , since among short and sharpe diseases , some are shorter and sharper than others ; as the acute and sharpe requireth a sparing , so the sharper a more sparing , and the sharpest of all , the most sparing diet of all ; which approacheth neerest to that strict diet of hippocrates : having all this while a principall regard to the strength of the patient , and other cicumstances already nominated . now , besides , the difference of the nature of the disease , no lesse carefull and circumspect ought wee to be in the observing the times of the disease , both generall and particular . the generall time , i call the whole course and continuance of the disease : the particular , the paroxysmes , or exacerbations of the same , and in fevers commonly called fits . now in both these times , as well generall as particular , wee are diligently to observe the beginning , the increase , the heighth , and the declining : many in the beginning of the disease , if they foresee the disease , like to be of long continuance , doe use to feed the sicke liberally . but according to e celsus , in the beginning of the disease , the sicke should suffer hunger and thirst : for if corrupt humours abound , the best food is but by them corrupted . foule bodies ( saith f hippocrates ) the more thou feedest , the more thou hurtest . wherefore in the beginning , if strength permit , wee are by degrees to withdraw their food , untill the heighth of the disease , in the which , if it be an acute disease , they are more sparingly to be fed . in diseases therefore , that very speedily come to their heighth , a very thinne and slender diet is to be used . but where it maketh not so great hast to the heighth , then are wee in the very time of the heighth , as also a little before , to withdraw some part of their diet , and before permit to them more liberall allowance , that the sicke may the better hold-out . but there being so many severall circumstances herein to be observed , and the severall and individuall constitutions being so various , it is very hard to set downe any certaine rule concerning this particular . in diseases which give no intermission ; as continuall fevers , beware of feeding the sicke in the exacerbation or worst time , but wait for some remission , when the sicke findeth some alteration . in intermitting fevers ; as tertians , quartanes , &c. except their fit should prove very long , and their strength feeble , feed them not in their fit , but wait for the remission or declining of it : or else prevent the fit certaine houres , lest it surprize the sicke with a full stomacke , and so prolong it . but if it should come to passe , that the sicke were not able to attend this appointed time , then were it better to take something in the beginning , or increasing of the fit , and no waies towards the heighth of it : and yet if strength should faile , it were better to yeeld to an inconvenience , than to a mischiefe . and there g galen diligently observing the strength of his patients , fed some of them in the beginning , some in the vigor and very heighth of the fit , which occasioned some to mocke and deride him . but with us , women , many times , must have their will , although it cost the patient his life ; and what they apprehend to be right , the physitian may often spend his breath , but doe little good . i wish people therefore to be wise , when they see especially it lieth them upon their lives ; and if they will learne wit of no body else , let them learne some of satan : h skinne for skinne , and all that a man hath will he give for his life . chap. vii . what things in prescribing diet for the diseased are to be observed . of the three severall sorts of diet fit for the diseased ; to wit , a sparing , slender , or thinne , a liberall or full , and a meane diet betwixt both , wee have already discoursed . each of these diets is so called in relation to the aliments which nourish sparingly , liberally , or in a meane maner . now , in each of these aliments , we are to consider the substance , quantity , quality , the fit time for feeding the sicke , the order , and the preparation , or manner of preparing the same . the substance of food is either solid or liquid , of easie or hard degestion , yeelding to the body good or bad nourishment . that aliment which is appropriated for the sick , ought to be easie of digestion , of a good and laudable juice , and nourish much in a small quantity ; and liquid or solid , according to the nature and variety of the disease . a hippocrates used to feed the sicke of fevers with suppings . and b aristotle , wisheth us to feed the sicke in fevers , with suppings at the beginning , especially , by reason or their lightnesse , and facility of concoction and distribution . the quantity or measure of the diet of the diseased , must be ordered according to the sense and feeling of the sicke , and nature of the disease , as c hippocrates well expresseth it . now , it is not unknowne , that whole and sicke folkes are not with alike quantity of food to be fed . and this by the practice in hippocrates appeareth , where d cratolaus being sicke e contenteth himselfe with the one halfe of his former allowance . to the quantity wee may also referre the number of repast , which must be measured according to custome , which is consonant to f hippocraticall prescription . and this according to many severall circumstances , is also variable . the next is the quality , which we are not to neglect , nor slightly to be past over . healthfull and sound people ought to use a diet like unto their owne temper and constitution : but the sicke are to use a diet contrary to their disease . a hot distemper requireth a cooling diet , and rest from motion . neither are wee in the diet of the diseased , onely to consider the first qualities ; as hot and cold , moisture and drinesse , but even the second qualities also ; as opening and astringent , &c. if the humours be tough , then have they need of opening diet ; as all manner of obstructions : defluxions need astringent and strengthening diet . as for the time of feeding the sicke , as witnesse g galen , it is very hard to define , and that in regard of the diversity of fevers , requiring divers times for diet . in diseases , wee may consider a double time of feeding the sicke , one of election , another of coaction , or necessity . that of election i call , when as the disease gives the sicke some truce , and leaveth the sicke sometime free for food . that of necessitie and coaction , when as for preserving strength , we are forced at uncertaine times to feed the sicke . now , for feeding the sicke , the day-time is alwaies the best , as witnesseth h celsus , and many other physitians . i ioubert , a french physitian , much inveigheth against that perverse and preposterous custome of feeding the sicke in the night time , and giveth this reason for his assertion : the day is ordained for our nourishment , as the night for rest and sleepe ; now , by sleepe the noisome and noxious hunmour , cause of the disease , is concocted , the naturall heat now by reason of sleepe being recalled into the center : now , if by nourishment in the night time , thou make a distraction of naturall heat to helpe concoction , it must needes have the smaller force to subdue the disease , and from hence arise many crudities , the cause of much evill in the body . but if , perhaps , the sicke cannot sleep , and have bin sparingly dieted in the day time ; then may wee give the sicke some supping , as a little broth , almond , milke , or the like : but in no case let the sicke ever be wakened out of his sleepe to take any food ; it being farre better to let the sicke take his rest , than unseasonably to waken him for food : for k watching suffereth not the disease to come to maturity , making all sustenance harder to digest . it may then be asked what time of the day is fittest to feed the sicke ? and in what time of the day may the diseased feed freeliest ? if it may be with conveniency , the morning is the best time , or towards noone , and worst towards night . it hath been already proved , that in healthfull people a larger supper is allowed : but in the sicke it is not so , as hath been already proved . besides , experience it selfe telleth us , that toward night , and in the night time , diseases most commonly afflict most : what reason then is there to oppresse the body with a double burthen ? and this is principally to be observed in all defluxions and diseases of the head , yea , even in health it selfe , much more then in sicknesse to be observed . the order of diet in the diseased is then chiefely to be observed , when there is variety of dishes ; which , whether fit for the sicke or no , would be considered . a single diet is alwaies most profitable , agreeing best with health , and in sicknesse is easiliest concocted . the multiplying of many severall lusts , l saith pliny , is pernicious , and a multitude of sauces is yet farre worse . and yet some would have the sicke use variety of dishes , especially in a weake and queazie stomacke , that by tasting a little of every dish , his weake stomacke might the better be whetted on . but if it be possible , and strength subsist , the sicke is not to be incited to such variety , for feare lest he eat more than hee can well overcome . but in the diet of the diseased , the preparation is not of smallest moment : as whether it be better rosted , boiled or baked , the which is , according to divers circumstances , varied , as wee shall heare more hereafter . sometimes also sauces are not unseasonable for the sicke ; and for this cause some physitians have written tractats concerning this subject : and to speake the truth , they are the fittest for the sicke , to excite and stir up their weake and languishing stomacke , which often by all our art , wee can scarce indure to take so much sustenance , as will support their weake strength for a few daies . now , as there is a preparation required in the diet , so is there also in the diseased , who is to wash his mouth with faire water , or water and vineger , with a little wine , or other fit and convenient liquor . and is principally in fevers , where the mouth is often so furred , principally to be observed , to wash away that slime , and other stuffe that sticketh to the tongue and palat of the mouth , and giveth a bad rellish to all that is eaten . besides , as avicenne saith , the sicke , if it be possible , should sit up in his bed to take his food , and so for a while after continue : for by this meanes concoction is farre better , than any otherwise performed . now to the particular diet of the diseased . chap. vij. of fit diet for the diseased , and that of severall sorts , and first of that which vegetables affordus , as bread , herbes and fruits . the matter of diet for the diseased , as wee have already said of the diet of healthfull people , is either taken from vegetables , or plants and fruits : or else from living creatures and their parts : as from beasts , fowle and fish . among plants or vegetables , corne , and among corne , wheat , whereof the best and wholesomest bread for the use of man is made , challengeth by right the first place . that bread then is best for the use of the sick which is made of the best wheat , not fusty , mildewd , or of any other evill quality ; and withall made of new ground meale , which is better than long kept . this bread would be a little salted , and moderately leavened : for so it becommeth more pleasant to the taste , lighter and easier of digestion , and lesse stopping . in our countries here we have a custome to adde barme to our bread , which other countries , as france , italie and spaine , &c. use not ; and therefore i give warning , that this be sparingly used in the sickes bread , very bitter barme especially ; which maketh both the bread unpleasanter , and hotter in acute diseases , and hot bodies . as for salted bread , a galen himselfe doth not reject it , even in fevers ; and besides , even in the cure of a dry stomack alloweth the use of it . bread for the sickes use is to be used new , and not old ; especially not above two or three daies at the most . new bread is two manner of waies used , either simply as it is of it selfe , or else artificially prepared . simple bread i call such as it is baked , when it is so administred to the sicke . bread is againe prepared after the baking , and that divers wayes . now whether the one or the other be used , the crummes are the best , the crust being of an evill quality . ordinary simple bread was used either hot , or after it was cooled . a b late writer sheweth that the antients used hot bread . and hippocrates used hot bread in the cure of that kind of dropsie which wee call anasarca or leucophlegmatia , which neverthelesse elsewhere hee c alloweth not of . hot bread filleth suddenly , is hard of digestion , and drieth much ; and this later reason might move him to exhibit it in that kinde of dropsie . but cold bread was ever most in request , and is also the best , especially if not too old , as hath beene already proved . as for the preparation of bread , the antients used either to wash it in faire water , or else to mingle it with flesh broth . d pliny affirmeth that wheat-bread being washed either in cold or warme water , is a very light food for the sicke . now they used to wash their bread two manner of waies : either they soaked and steeped their bread in warme water , which they often shifted untill such time as it had quite lost all the taste of leaven and salt : or else they grated and punned it small , and so steeped it in faire water , and strained it through a cleane linnen cloth ; by this meanes making a seperation of the solid from the subtilest parts , which subtile thinne part they afterwards boiled untill it grew thicke . this washed bread both hippocrates and galen used to coole in all kindes of fevers . wee use rather to wash it in rose-water , adding some sugar and currants . neither was it the custome onely to steepe bread in water , but in wine also ; where they were free from any fever . wee use rathe to toste bread at the fire , and so steepe it in wine , and that sometimes also they mingled bread with fresh broth is apparent out of the same e hippocrates . there are also divers artificiall preparations of bread which may be usefull in some diseases : as biscuits prepared with divers ingredients ; as yolkes of egges , annise and fennell and coriander seeds , with a little sugar , and may be usefull for weake stomakes , and rheumatik persons . but because few of our gentle-women are ignorat of the preparation of these and the like , i shall not need to insist upon their preparation . besides these , there are divers sorts of march-panes made , partly for superfluity and adorning great feasts , and great mens tables ; and partly also sometimes for physicall uses : as in hecticke fevers , and some pectorall diseases , which here to particularize , is neither the particular place , nor my purpose . but before i finish this point concerning bread , i must advertise all diseased people , that since unleavened bread , as pycrusts , many sorts of cakes and the like , are not so fit even for the use of healthfull people ; how much more then are they unfit for the sicke ? such bread is alwaies very hard to be concocted , and apt to ingender obstructions and the stone . now in the diet of the diseased there is no small use made of herbs , whereof we have spoken already . herbes minister but small nourishment , and serve rather to alter than to nourish the body . and therefore they are of good use to coole , to open obstructions , and keepe the body soluble : of the which both juleps , apozemes , and divers decoctions are made , according as the nature of the disease requireth . we use them likewise in the sickes broths , according as we see occasion . now that herbs nourish but little , a galen himselfe avoucheth , affirming , that men cannot live upon herbes , although beasts are therewith nourished . and hippocrates affirmeth , that those who use this kind of food much , live a shorter while than others . and b galen upon that place expoundeth the word imbecillis cibus , or a feeble food , to bee such as yeeld little or small nourishment to the body : such are herbes , and many sorts of fruits growing upon trees : and such , saith hippocrates , are both of a short continuance , and make them short lived who use them : by reason such food maketh but short stay within the body . out of this place then is confuted the opinion of c cardan , affirming , that such as lived on fruits and herbes were longer lived than those who lived on flesh , which hee would prove by the antient fathers , and by eremites living in deserts onely upon such food . but this may easily be answered , that it was our forefathers frugality , free from all manner of excesse and riot , and not the quality of their food which prolonged their lives . besides , their lives were for other necessary and usefull ends then prolonged , as we have heretofore touched . as for hermites , and others who live long by the use of such diet , i doubt not but with the moderate use of flesh , and keeping a moderation in all other things , they might have lived longer , and in as good health of body , whatsoever cardan say to the contrary . now it may againe be demanded , whether fruits may be admitted into the diet of the diseased ? i answere , it would seeme that by reason of their waterish juice they should bee excluded : yet no doubt they may safely be used , at least some sorts ; as apples for melancholy , capers for the spleene , pomegranats for hot and cholerick stomacks , the quinces in fluxes of the bellie ; in costivenesse , prunes and cherries ; raisins and currants for the liver : and so of divers others according to severall occasions . d trallian tells us that the aegyptian physitians fed their sicke of fevers with cucumbers and melons ; and that by reason they cooled much and nourished little . but e cardan altogether disalloweth of any such diet . and it were farre more tolerable to use the distilled water of such fruits . i doubt not , but fruits may sometimes be exhibited to the sicke , provided they be first rosted , that by such meanes , the moist watery juice may either be corrected or dissipated . now the antients had another fashion of rosting their fruits than we have , as may by the same late alledged author appeare ; who speaking of the use of peaches in a tertian , saith , that being hung up , they are to bee rosted by the onely heat of the fire . f galen in two or three places explaneth this manner . they tooke ( saith he ) a high pot , which they filled ful of water , & within the pot above the water they set in grate , on the which they layed their fruits , and so rosted them at this vapor . and g st. ierome writeth , that cookes were wont after this manner to rost their phesants , which made them farre daintier to the taste . our age hath in use to preserve divers sorts of fruits in the autumne , and so to keep them both for necessity and delight . but i wish they bee sparingly used of the sicke , especially in fevers and hot cholericke constitutions , by reason that sugar wherewith they are preserved , is quickly in such turned into cooler ; besides , that the too frequent use of such things quickly cloggeth and overthroweth a weake stomacke , whereof we are to have alwaies a principall regard . chap. ix . of flesh , and what sorts of flesh are fittest for the sicke , and how to be exhibited . although wee have already spoken sufficiently both of the nature and nourishment that severall sorts of flesh efford the body of man ; yet will wee now say something more of this subject , as it hath relation to the sicke . that flesh was a strong nourishment , pythagoras was not ignorant , saith pliny , who changed the wrestlers diet from pulse to flesh ; their fat and gluttonous substance , having neerest affinity with mans radicall moisture : and therefore , as well in sicknesse as in health , it yeeldeth strength and vigour to the party that useth it . but all sorts of flesh are not promiscuously and indifferently to be used of the sicke : for , among foure-footed beasts , some for goodnesse and wholesomnesse , are farre before others to be preferred . and here for the use of the sicke , are principally recommended weather mutton and veale . among fowle , young pullets , hennes , cocks and capons , pigeons , partridges , phesants , thrush and some others : and all these kindes of flesh are common to all diseases ; and besides , there are yet some certain sorts of flesh proper to some particular diseases . such flesh is in a double manner adminstred unto the sicke ; either in substance , boiled or rosted ; or else their juice drawne out by decoction , called broth ; or else expressed and strained ; called commonly colices or gelees : or , lastly , distilled ; and so called destilled restorative water of capon , or any other flesh . besides these aforementioned , hippocrates accustomed to feed his sicke with other sorts of flesh ; as with the flesh of hares , hogges , horses , asses and whelpes , which with us are now altogether out of request . but a question may be here asked , whether flesh be in diseases a fit and convenient food . and it hath beene by some arabian physitians called into question , who forbid flesh in all sorts of fevers ; and that by reason it is easily , by the distempered heat of the fever , putrefied and corrupted . and by the fame authority was it denied in the inflammation and consumption of the lungs . and in the i le of crete , it was not permitted to feed the sicke with flesh . h hippocrates himselfe , in fractures of the skull , forbiddeth flesh , untill the tenth day . but there he must be understood of solid flesh , by reason hee forbiddeth any mastication or chewing . but to forbid broths , colices or gelees , and the like , i see no reason : and therfore with the same hippocrates , and the generall current of all our best physitians , wee allow of the use of flesh for the sicke . ewes flesh is often used by hipprocrates , and commended by galen : but wee to better purpose , use weather mutton , to them altogether unknowne ; and the which we have from the arabian physitians , who first used it . and in this flesh , it is also to be observed , that it is colder in quality than either ewes or rammes flesh : and it is to be observed , that the flesh of gelded beasts is both sweeter and cooler than of the ungelded . as for veale , the antient greeke physitians seldome used it , and wee read not of it above once in i hippocraters . and for this are wee also beholden to the arabian physitians , and k averroes in particular , who averreth , that it may safely be used in all diseases . l another antient physitian , would not have the sicke to meddle with it , although in health he holdeth it to be a singular good nourishment . and some thinke it too moist , and that it was therefore in the easterne countries quite forbidden . but it is now without any doubt by all our physitians admitted into the diet of the diseased . hogges flesh was both by galen and hippocrates , had in high esteeme for the sickes use , howbeit it be now altogether banished from the diet of the diseased . and wee read , that m galen gave to the sicke in a tertian , hogges braines and feet : as also gives hogges feet boiled in ptisan for a restorative diet . how would this rellish our dainty palats ? and that hippocrates himselfe did use it , may also appeare , by that hee warneth us to eat it without the skinne : and galen in his commentary , taketh it for granted , that hogges flesh and pigges ought to be eaten without the skinne , quite contrary to our custome , who hold that the daintiest of all the rest : but i warne weake stomackes to looke to themselves . young sucking rabbets are for the sicke , with us , in no small request , yet let them not be too young . now , as concerning fowle , o galen affirmeth , that if compared with foure footed beasts , their nourishment , as it is farre lesse , so is it farre easier of digestion ; especially the wings of such fowles as are in perpetuall motion , and affoord the body a wholsome and subtill nourishment . all manner of wilde fowle , saith p hippocrates , are of a drier substance than foure-footed beasts : and whatsoever creatures yeeld no spittle at the mouth , are of a drier substance than others . and the wilde fowle are drier than the tame of the same kinde . and therefore the flesh of the stocke-dove is drier than that of our ordinary pigeon : among all manner of fowle , our hennes , cocks and capons for the sickes use beare away the bell . neither was it without a mysterie that the cocke was consecrated to aesculapius . as for the goose , ducke , and other water fowle , they are seldome allowed the sicke , especially in acute diseases . and it is to be observed , that in antient times the comparison was betwixt the flesh of the cocke and the henne , which of their flesh was the best , some preferring that the cocke : as for capons , which wee acknowledge both in sicknesse and in health to be better than both the former , they were to the antients unknowne . above all sorts of pullaine , pullets , or pretty bigge chickens are accounted the best for the sickes use , especially if they be of a white colour : for such are not so hot as the others , and therefore fittest for fevers and hot diseases . the antients used especially the stones and wings of pullaine , as may by q galen appeare ; and this must be understood of young pullets , and not of old cockes . now , as for old cocks , they were of old chiefely used to purge the belly , being for that end and purpose stuffed with divers ingredients ; which is even usefull with us at this day also . as concerning capons , a question may here be moved , whether they ingender not the gout : and that this question seeme not strange , it hath beene by some of later times , called into question : and howsoever it hath beene held both of r cocks and hens also , yet principally and chiefely of capons ; and that principally if they be old : the reason whereof is pretended , that these creatures are obnoxious to this disease , witnessed by certaine knots growing sometimes on old capons legges . but in my opinion , this is but a needlesse and frivolous feare , it being a thing most certaine , that in a good and strong stomacke , they will be converted into a good and laudable nourishment . as for those who feed every day daintily upon that or any other delicate food , using little or no bodily exercise , nor keeping a good moderation in their diet , be they young or old they shall find they shall either ingender the gout , or as bad , if not a worse disease . so that i cannot adhere to their opinion , who hold any specificall podagricall qualitie in this kind of fowle more than in any other food . the young pullets of turkies may be ranked among our pullaine , and may likewise bee safely used of the sicke . as for phesants , i forbid them to no body that can come by them . as concerning pigeons , it may be demanded whether they bee safe for the use of the sicke ? the arabian physitians , by reason of their heat , utterly rejected pigeons from the use of the sicke , which we understand of the elder . as for young pigeons , they are nothing so hot , especially well blooded under the wing . and therefore , all the controversie betwixt the arabian and greeke physitians concerning the temperature of pigeons may easily , by distinguishing the ages , be composed . old pigeons are hot and dry , and the young rather temperate , participating of some heat . ſ wild pigeons by reason of their drinesse accounted better ( especially in moist diseases ) and their young ones hatched in the spring , better than those in autumne . others hold that ordinary pigeons hatched towards harvest , when corne beginneth to ripen , are best , and feed fattest . there are some which hold an opinion that pigeons are good against the plague , and that such as eate of them often in such seasons , free themselves from pestiferous and contagious diseases . and for this cause , if the plague at any time had been in persia , plinius , secundus the physitian was wont to make pigeons his chiefe food . it is moreover to be observed , that pigeons never bee rosted with their heads : for it hath been observed , that such as have often eaten them thus , have by degrees falne blind : and it is moreover held , that thus they ingender the leprosie . t rhasis also relateth a history of a certaine casipha ( as he calleth him ) who having thrice in one day eaten of pigeons rosted with their heads , the same day died suddenly . as concerning partridges , u galen writeth , that the flesh of young partridges is of a laudable nourishment ; but the elder of a more solid substance , and harder of digestion , which neverthelesse being two or three daies hung up , becommeth tenderer . now concerning this flesh betwixt the greeke and arabian physitians , there is no lesse controversie than was about the former , and by distinguishing the ages , may as easily be composed . as for thrushes they are by galen accounted among good and laudable nourishment , as ingendring neither too thicke nor too thinne humors : and it seemeth , it was accustomed to be prescribed to sicke persons , by the ancient romane physitians : as may appeare by the prescription of them to pompey in his sicknesse , x who would rather venture his life , than be beholden to lucullus for them . the larke is of very good nourishment , and easy of digestion , and good in moist diseases , especially commended against the wind-colicke . it is somewhat dry , and therefore not so fit in fevers ; and if used , they are best boiled , by this meanes becomming moister . the larke with the tuft on the head is the best . and it is to be observed that in fevers , wilde fowle , by reason of the drinesse , is not neere so good as the tame . chap. x. of egges , and ●●●ir use , whether they may safely be allowed the sicke ? of divers liquid substance made of flesh ; a●●roth , colice , gelee , restorative distillations , &c. next to fowle , for the affinitie , wee are to say somethings of egges , as being their proper birth and off-spring , as i may call them , and will withall subjoine next after them , for the affinitte , some liquid substance made of them . this then is a light , liquid and laudable nourishment for the sicke . there is no food ( saith a pliny ) that nourisheth more in sickenesse , and burdeneth lesse the stomacke , supplying the place both of meat and drinke . and yet is this food by some called in question , whether it may be allowed the sicke or no ? and that for a double reason , both in regard of the plentifull nourishment it yeeldeth in fevers , and by reason also of a supposed exorbitant heat in this aliment more than in another . and this hath beene not a feare among the vulgar onely , but even some learned b physitians have held the same opinion . and if at any time , say they , the antients did allow of egges in fevers , it was never in the beginning , but in the declining of the disease ; unlesse it were in extreme weakenesse , which overturneth and altereth all order in diet. c galen in tertian fevers alloweth both the yolkes of egges , and rocky fishes ; but withall giveth us warning , that this diet was onely for the daintier and nicer sort : but that in others it were better according to the hippocraticall rule , to use the juice of ptisan untill the crise . and againe in d another place , in a fever with swounding he alloweth of egges before the fourth day , and afterwards flesh . and e hippocrates where there is no fever permitteth the use of rere-rosted egges , which in a fever , it is like hee would not have permitted . but it might be proved , that sometimes in the inflammation of the liver and of the lungs , where there is alwaies a fever conjoined , he permitted the use of egges . but what talke we of antient times , when as people lived more frugally , and used not so liberall and plentifull a diet as now adaies , and we were never now able without danger of life to sustaine so strict a diet , as did the diseased in those daies ? and therfore in our daies to give the sick egges to eate , yea even in acute diseases , we see no danger at all . as for the feare of heat in egges it is very frivolous , they being very temperate , allaying the acrimony and sharpenesse of humors , and withall moisten much . the f yolke of an egge applied to any part grieved with paine , easeth the same : and according to the cōmon consent of physitians such things as ease paines , called properly anodyna , are of a temperate facultie . besides , the white of an egge cooleth , as daily experience teacheth us . and although the white of the egge be cooler , yet is it withall harder of digestion than the yolke : and therefore galen in the aforementioned place in a tertian admittteth of the yolke onely . and a late writer condemneth much the vulgar erroneous opinion of the heat of egs , affirming withall that the italian physitians doe ordinarily exhibite them to their patients , even of hot constitution of body , and the like diseases , and that even in the heat of sommer . as for the feare of nourishing too much , we esteem that to be a singular prerogative in egges above many other meats , that they nourish much in a small quantity ; as being that which we cheifly aime at in great weakenesses , and which we may easily regulate according to our pleasure , exhibiting a quantity answerable to present necessity . my meaning all this while is of hens egges , as being of all others the most temperate , and most appropriate for the sickes use . such egges also are esteemed best , which are laid of a hen troden with a cocke : for others nourish lesse , are of lesser quantitie , and moisten lesse , if wee will beleeve aristotle . in egges also the preparation or dressing is of no small consequence . they are commonly either boiled in water with the shell , or rosted likewise with the shell , or boiled a little in seething water or other liquor without the shells , called potched egges ; or fried in a frying-pan with butter , and sometimes with an addition of herbes or others things . of all these preparations the boiled in water without the shell , or potched are best and fittest for the sick , & potched in vineger or verjuice , as some use to doe , they coole , and withall corroborate a hot and weake stomacke . the next in goodnesse are accounted those are boiled with the shell in water , by reason they are all alike and equally bo●●●d . egges rosted in the imbers or otherwise are therefore held inferior to the former , because they are not so equally rosted : howbeit if care be had in the rosting , i hold them nothing inferior to the other , if not better . but for the use of the sicke a speciall care must be had , that they be not hard . egges fried are worse than any of the former , and therefore altogether to be forbidden the sicke . sometimes they have mingled with them divers sorts of herbes , tansey especially , ( whereof this composition taketh the name ) and creame ; which howsoever used , are no waies to be allowed sicke folkes , being heavy of digestion even for the healthfull , especially for weake stomacks , of egges also are made caudells , which being made of drinke that is not too strong may without any danger be allowed the sicke ; of the making whereof there is hardly a woman in the countrie , i thinke , that is ignorant . but that we may discerne the good from the bad , it is materiall for us to know some certaine markes which may make this appeare . the priests , it seemeth , in former times , as they ever loved their belly well , so set they us downe three marks whereby we may discerne the best : that an egge be new laid , long in figure , and white in colour , according to the * old proverbiall verse . but to know the new laid from old , stale and addle , wee must yet finde out some more markes . new laid egges are commonly full , and the stale empty towards the broder end , which is also the cause that stale and addle egges swim in the water , when as the new laid fall to the bottome . besides , new laid egges , betwixt thee and the light looke brighter and clearer than the stale and addle ones , which looke more darkly and obscurely . another signe is , that when it is opened , an old and stale eg , the yolke especially disperseth it selfe , whereas the new and fresh laid clingeth close together . i have the longer insisted upon egges , by reason it is so usefull an aliment for the sicke , and the vulgar is so possessed with a needlesse feare of a supposed excessive heat in this food , and therefore thought good to remove all such rubs . having heretofore sufficiently spoken of solid flesh , as also of egges , i come now to speake of some liquid substances made of flesh , and fit for the use of the sicke . the juice of flesh nourisheth more speedily and easily than the solid substance it selfe . it is farre easier , saith hippocrates , to be refreshed with drinke , than with solid food : which is not onely to be understood of drinke , but of liquid and supping meats also . whosoever have need of a sudden and speedy refection , b saith the same author , humid or moist diet , is the best to repaire strength . and whosoever have yet need of a speedier way , it may be effected by smels . the antient physitians therefore , taught by experience , that oftentimes the sicke was not able to concoct solid food , found out this way of suppings . the c same authours counsell is againe in another point carefully to be observed : that such as are able to digest and concoct solid food , to such , suppings are to be denied : for they exclude the use of other food : but to such as cannot make use of any other , to such , suppings are to be allowed . moreover , in the preparation of these liquid substances , there must be an especiall care had of cleanlinesse , both in the persons that prepare them , and in the vessells wherein they are prepared . the persons must be neat and cleanly ▪ skilfull in such preparations , and carefull in skimming off skum and fat , offensive to a weake stomacke . the vessels wherein they are made must be cleane and free from all filth , evill smell or taste . the matter of such vessells are best of earth , yron , or silver : but brasse is the worst of all other , and what is made therein is likeliest to offend a weake stomake , especially if it stand any space in it , as experience daily teacheth us . some brasse , i confesse , is better than other , and yet the best bad enough . of all these liquid substances , that which we commonly call broth , is most ordinary , and made after various and divers waies , according to the nature of the disease , and party diseased , and the patients palate . some is made with herbs , some without ; some with plummes ( as they call them ) raisins of the sunne , or currants , or dried prunes , and some without any . the variety therefore of broths being infinite , it were a tedious taske to enter upon this subject . but one sort of broth was wont to be made by the antients of an old cocke to purge the belly , being for that end stuffed with many such ingredients fit for that purpose , which is even usuall with us at this day also . i will instance in one fit to be used in pectorall diseases . take an old cocke , and after a long combat with another cocke , kill him , pull him , and cleanse him of all his intralls ; then fill his belly with barlie prepared as it ought , raisins of the sunne stoned , violet leaves , maidens haire , a little hysop and peny-riall , with a little salt : boile him till the flesh come from the bone , then bruise him well , and squeeze out all his moisture , and of this broth take a good draught . there are yet many sorts of broth used for severall ends and purposes ; some to coole , some to strengthen and cherish nature , &c. amongst restorative broths , there is one in frequent use , especially in consumptions and great weaknesses , made with the outlandish root , fetcht us from beyond sea , called from the soile , china-root . the proportion of this root to the liquour is not alwaies the same in every sicke person . the china-root must be heavy , and not worm-eaten , and being thinne sliced , must stand about twelve houres by a soft fire , not boiling at all , but simpering by it ; and afterward provide a good bigge young red cocke-chicken well dressed and cleansed from his intralls , bruise him and put him to thy china , adding ingredients , as the nature of the disease and other circumstances shall permit : as in pectorall diseases , such as wee nominated already , more or lesse , as occasion shall require , which cannot be determined : and in other cases , the ingredients may be altered accordingly . it must boile till little above the fourth part remaine , and it looke red in colour , being still well skimmed as it boileth , and towards the later end adde to your broth the bottome of a manchet , and two or three chives of mace : and when all is sufficiently boiled , bruise your chicken in a stone morter , and squeeze out the juice , and adde to your broth ; whereof , being sweetned with sugar , the diseased may take a little draught an houre or two before dinner , supper , or both , if need be . in my opinion the quantity of china would not be under an ounce , and seldome exceed two . howsoever , in time of need it is safest to be directed by learned counsel , which may direct the right preparation and use according to severall circumstances . againe , sometimes meat is first well rosted , and afterwards pressed out in a presse or otherwise , and seasoned with sugar , or made a little tart with a little juice of a lemmon , or otherwise appropriated to the patients palat , as particular occasions shall require : which they call in latin expressum , or a juice squeezed out of flesh . and this is best given by it selfe without any other broth or liquor : and this is better for cold constitutions than for hot , and consequently for the like diseases . now , when the flesh is let boile untill all the substance of the meat be boiled away in the broth , and then strained thorow a clean linnen cloth ; it is called in latine consumptum , and in the english a colice , and may likewise be seasoned and salted according to the liking of the sicke . this colice is either taken of it selfe , or else mingled with other broth . another liquid substance there is yet extracted out of flesh , which we commonly call a gelee , which is made of a capon or a big cocke-chicken , and a couple of calves feet , and so let boile untill it fall to pieces , and being sufficiently boiled , the skum and fat being carefully taken off , it must bee well strained thorow a cleane linnen cloth , and the juice so strained is to bee sweetned with a little sugar , and seasoned with a little cinamon , and so set on the fire againe to boile a wame or two , adding thereto , if thou wilt , two whites of egges the better to clarifie it . after all is done , straine it through an hippocras bagge , which being cold will turne to a gelee , and may bee coloured with a little saffron or red sanders , and with a graine or two of muske or amber-greze , if the patient please , this may also acquire a pleasant smell . this gelee may also bee used either by it selfe , or else mingled with broth . if there be a fever , it is best to boile it in faire spring-water : if there be neither fever , nor yet feare of any , then the one halfe , or yet lesse , may be of white wine , which will make it both pleasant to the pal●t , and very comfortable to refresh weake nature . our gentlewomen have in frequent use a gelee made of harts horne , which i hold very good , especially in pestelentiall and contagious diseases , or in pox and measels is very soveraine . those of ability may adde to it a little of confectio alchermes or de hyacintho , and then it will bee very soveraine . and if thou wilt have this or any other gelee tart , thou maiest adde a little juice of lemmon or the like to it . besides all these , there is yet in use for sicke folkes , a forme of restorative distillation made of a capon , or other restorative flesh with an addition of cordiall ingredients for that purpose . some find fault with this distillation , because of the impression of fire left in it , and may bee distastfull to the sicke . but this may easily by a glasse still in balneo mariae be prevented . but the truth is , that by this meanes the phlegmaticke and watry part is onely extracted , which hath but very small nourishing power in it : since that which nourisheth ( as witnesseth d galen ) ought to bee of a tough , thicke and glutinous substance , to the end it may bee the more firme and permanent . these kinde of distillations are very frequent it france and some other countries ; insomuch that they are to bee found ready distilled in many apothecaries shops ; which a learned e french physitian findeth fault withall , as being fusty , and of no value at all ; if they be kept but a litle while . with us these are not so in request ; yet to speake mine opinion also , since they retaine both some taste and smell of the meat they are distilled of , ( if carefully done ) although their nourishment be but very small , yet see i not , why in great weaknesses , and a loathing of all food , these may not sometimes bee admitted , especially , since thereby no damage or detriment whatsoever redoundeth to the stomacke , or other part , it passing so speedily thorow the body . there are also some restoratives made of flesh bruised and minced , made up in solid formes , and may be used in chronicall diseases , but are not for fevers , nor other acute diseases . but at this present , i will dwell no longer on this , not this subject of flesh , but will say something concerning fish . chap. xi . of fish , and whether they may be allowed the sicke . now , because sicke persons are not all and alwaies to be fed with one and the same food , and some in their sicknesse loath flesh ; it may then be demanded , whether fish may not be permitted sicke folke , although they be not so nourishing , & are also indowed with another manner of juice ? and therefore whereas flesh is forbidden in lent , yet fish are permitted . it may by many places both of a hippocrates & galen evidently appeare , that the antient physitians fed their patients more with fish than flesh . besides , when as the sicke loathed their hony water and ptisan , galen allowed them rockie fish boiled in water , prepared with leekes , dill salt , and a little oile b cardan , in the diet of the diseased , preferreth fish before flesh ; and that because they are of a cooler quality , moisten more , and nourish lesse . and that the arabian physitians allowed to their patients the frequent use of fish , it may by c averroes appeare . their manner was to fry them in oile , by which manner of food their opinion was , that the liver was much strengthened . d a late writer is of opinion , that most of the antient physitians used to feed their patients with fish rather of custome , than that they esteemed them better than flesh . and this may yet the better appeare to be true , in that the easterne people , and the greekes especially , used , and doe yet at this day , very frequently use fish ; as is by e a learned physitian , who , of late yeeres , travelled into those countries , well observed . but if wee shall in even scales weigh both flesh and fish , we shall finde that flesh doth farre surpasse fish in good and wholesome nourishment , and that even by the testimony of f hippocrates himself . fish indeed , saith he , in the same place , are a light meat , both boiled and broiled , both by themselves and with other meat . and yet they differ thus among themselves : fish of ponds and pooles , the fattest especially , as river fish also , are harder of digestion : but sea , fish living neere the shore , are lighter ; and easier of digestion : and among them againe , fish boiled are easier of digestion than rosted or broiled . and therefore in case of restoring strength , feed the sick with the former : but if thou wilt either keepe the sicke at a low ebbe , or yet abate some of his strength , feed him with the latter , which are lighter and nourish lesse . flesh therefore beeing wholesomer than fish , yeelding a more laudable nourishment to the body , they are rather by way of permission , to satisfie their languishing appetites , then otherwise allowed sicke people ; and that even in fevers , where we affect a moistening diet . but then if may in the next place bee demanded , what fish are best for the use of the sicke ? all fish are either bred in fresh waters or in the sea. sea-fish againe , are either such as frequent the shore , called littorales : or else live most among rockes , called pisces saxatiles ; or else they live in the depth of the maine ocean , callen therefore pelagici . g galen preferreth sea-fish before fresh-water fish : and againe among sea-fish , those who live among rockes ; as the sole , sea-perch , and the like , he accounteth best . neither yet are such as live in the maine ocean and neare the shore to bee misliked . that kinde of fish , saith h celsus , is lighter that liveth among the rockes , than among sand ; and againe , that which liveth among the sand is lighter , than that which liveth among mud and slime . and therefore fishes living in lakes , ponds , pooles , or rivers , must needes bee inferior to the former . and yet notwithstanding fishes living in cleere and rocky rivers , and which have a quicke current , are not to bee misliked : such as are the pyke and pickerell , the perch and carpe . the gonion especially , called the river smelt , may as safely as any fish be allowed the sicke . galen would have all his fish prepared with his white broth , as he termeth it , being made , as wee mentioned before , with faire water , dill , leekes , and a little salt . but since galens time the case is much altered , and our european palats have since that time well improved their sense of tasting . in acute diseases especially , a tart sowre taste gives our patients best content . and for this purpose we use , not without good reason , the juice of a lemmon , as also of a sowre orange , a soveraine good sauce in all fevers , infections and contagions especially , both unknowne in galens time . and for a corrective in all fish sauces , pepper and salt are with us in most frequent use and request , the former not then so much by him used . in france , i remember , there was a frequent use of a broth made of mushels with the yolke of an egge , made tart with verjuice of sowre grapes , which pleaseth the palat well , and is not impertinent for a weake stomacke , whereof in my fever i made now and then a triall . chap. xii . of the drinke of the diseased , and first of water , with the frequent use therof in antient times , whether , and how now to be exhibited , and how before to be prepared , and how to supply the defect thereof , where it is not to be admitted . what cruelty it were , after so many and various sorts of meat , it may be , scorched with sealding heat in the heighth of a fever , without a comfortable refreshing with that so much desired drinke , those who have beene scorched in this purgatory can best tell : and therefore with the assistance of the almighty , i purpose to dwell a little upon this so usefull and profitable a point . and how usefull and profitable the handling of this point is , may from hence easily appeare , that many times the stomacke refuseth all manner of sustenance whatsoever , especially in great weaknesse and acute diseases , and yet drinke is seldome out of season . and in this same particular , we see by experience , it is a hard matter to make the sicke keepe within compasse . but because all times are not alike fit for drinke , therefore must we be a little more circumspect in the choice of the time when it is fittest for the sicke to drinke . and therefore when the time is not fitting , wee must acquaint the sicke , saith a celsus , that when the fit is over hee shall drinke , and that as abstinence from food will shorten the fit , so when the fit is over past , the lesse he now drinke , the lesse desire shall he have after to drinke . but because often times little or no food serveth the sickes turne , therefore must wee be the more carefull to gratifie them in their drinke . now , as for the time , if election may have place , wee are to make choice of that time when he goeth to rest . b celsus in another place , would have the sicke in the night time to rest , and neither to eat nor drinke , if it be possible , and drouth be not too urgent , in which case hee would not have the sicke too much tormented with thirst . but because sometimes the mouth and the throat are drie , and crave drinke , when as the internall and inferiour parts are plentifully supplied with moisture ; which is that we call sitim mendosam , or a false thirst , as there is also a false appetite ; therefore it wil not be amisse sometimes to wash the mouth & throat with a little cold drinke , sometimes with a little faire water , and a few drops of wine vineger , or some such other liquor ; and sometimes some preserved or conserved barberries , raspes , ribes , some lemmon sliced and sugred , or the like acid things ; and sometimes a stewed acid prune , keeping the stone in his mouth , as the manner is , or any other like art may be used to deceive this counterfeit thirst . but when the house is now all on a fire , we must needs have some liquour to quench this heat , and extinguish the fire : even so when this house of mans body is all on a fire , wee must needs have some moisture to quench the same . now what this must be , is our purpose here to discusse . the most antient drinke , and most common to all living creatures is water , of the which , as in generall usefull to all , and in particular , as serving for drinke in healthfull persons hath beene already spoken . now we are to speake of it as it serveth for the use of the sicke , and whether it bee usefull for all or not ? the use of water we read to have been very frequent among the antients , and especially the guidian and rhodian physitians used it much , and that chiefly in acute diseases ; whom therefore c hippocrates reproveth for not distinguishing the causes of diseases , which may often alter our purpose of exhibiting water to drinke in acute diseases , especially where there is a burning fever proceeding of choler . and this he there illustrateth by the example of the inflammation of the lungs , where he affirmeth , that neither staieth it the cough , nor maketh spit up eafilier ; but in a cholericke constitution is altogether converted into choler : and besides , is hurtfull to the nether parts about the stomacke , overthrowing the whole body , especially if dranke fasting . if there bee any inflammation of the liver or spleene , it increaseth the same , swimming and floting in the stomacke , descending slowly , being hard and not easy to bee concocted : for the which cause also it looseneth not the belly , provoketh not urine , nor futhereth any excretion . and d galen himselfe also confirmeth this same opinion , adding , that when as hippocrates perceived the harmes and mischiefes proceeding from the drinking of water , abstained from the use of it in all acute diseases , and betooke himselfe to drinks made of hony and water , of honie and vineger , and sometimes to wine . and with them yet agreeth e a late writer , who out of divers places of both these authors compared and parallelled together , mainteineth , that in acute diseases water is altogether hurtfull . and of the same opinion is likewise f another learned physitian , yet with this qualification , that if a small quantity of water be added to a great quantity of choler , it is quickly converted into choler : but a great quantity of water drunke , tempereth and allaieth the heat of the choler , and so overcommeth it , whereas a small quantity increaseth this humor , being turned into the same . g another antient physitian notwithstanding controlleth this opinion of hippocrates , and affirmeth the quite contrary . but to compose this controversie , our authors meaning is to be understood of water actually cold , which indeed in pectorall diseases , and for the breast it selfe is very hurtfull , and hindereth expectoration : but being once boiled , it groweth thinner and more subtile , and then onely fit in pectorall diseases to further expectoration . and it cannot be denied , that cold water is very profitable and usefull in acute diseases , as may even by divers other places both of hippocrates and galen appeare : and besides , most of our antient and moderne writers with one unaminous consent approve of the same . but in the use thereof wee must diligently consider , both the nature of the disease , and constitution of the diseased . and it is the saying of the same h hippocrates ; whose bellies are hard and apt to bee inflamed , they are to drinke the lightest and purest water : but whose bellies are soft , moist and phlegmaticke , such are to use hard , thicke and somewhat saltish waters , subsalsis is his word . now water is not in all diseases to be used after one and the same manner . in burning fevers , water is to be drunke cold , in pectorall diseases , a little warmish . now , that it was familiar in antient times to give cold water to drink in hot acute diseases , i shall make it appeare . i galen himselfe findeth fault with erasistratus and his followers for denying cold water in burning fevers . and againe , for the same cause k reproveth thessalus , and braggeth , that hee hath often cured distempered hot stomackes with drinking cold water , yea , even sometimes cooled with snow it selfe . and againe , in l another place hee cureth that sort of fever , called ephemere or diaria , that is of one day , by this same meanes . and in the same booke , by this onely meanes hee preventeth this same disease . and in m another place giveth us yet warning , that this is a remedy fit for any sort of fever , providing it be drunke in great abundance . n a late german physitian also braggeth how many fevers hee hath by this meanes cured ; and i know it will seeme no strange thing to heare a o portugall relate what cures he hath by this meanes performed , as in his centuries is at length to be seene . neither is it my purpose to spend time , and increase the bulke of this booke by relating of such stories . and it is not only commended in all ordinary acute diseases , but even in maligne and pestilent fevers also , as witnesseth p celsus , and is the opinion of the arabian physitians , who all seeme to have borrowed it of q hippocrates , who relateth the story of one sicke of a pestilent fever , who having drunke great store of cold water , and cast it up againe , recovered presently his health . and besides , the same r celsus in fluxes of the belly , and in all defluxions proceeding of choler , commendeth this as a soveraine remedy . the point then being reasonably well cleared , it resteth to be considered , how it is to be exhibited . ſ hippocrates , in that hot countrie would have the drinke for the diseased to be exposed to the night aire , that so it might receive the morning dew , which might increase the coldnesse thereof : but because this procureth to it some acrimony , some would have other meanes tried ; as salt-peter , snow , &c. concerning the which , wee have sufficiently spoken heretofore . but i would not have any such extraordinary actuall frigidity by any such meanes in this case procured , it being so prejudicial to heath , howsoever , peradventure at the first not so sensibly perceived . now , in the exhibition of water to the sicke , two things are to be considered , the fit and convenient time when , and the quantity thereof . the time is either generall , to wit , the course of the disease , or particular , the exacerbation or paroxysme , which we call the fit . concerning the generall time , all are not of one mind : for t galen , and our greeke writers , would have us wait for signes of concoction in the urines and other excrements . the u arabian physitians are of another minde , and would have us give store of cold drink in the very beginning of the disease . it is indeed very certain , that better it were to wait for signes of concoction , if the fever were not violent : but in extremity of heat , and for feare of further inconvenience by meanes of too long absteining , it is better to yeeld to an inconvenience than to a mischiefe . true it is indeede , that drinking of cold water before signes of concoction , may somewhat prolong the disease , and make the humour grosser , and more crude : but againe , this scalding heat would parch up the humours of the body before these signes of concoction . and therefore * galen sometimes fore-seeing this danger , was forced even in the beginning of the paroxysme to take this course . as for the particular time , in intermittent fevers , it is by x hippocrates himselfe determined , while as he willeth us in the fit to absteine from all manner of food : and if hee forbid food , why not drinke also ? since that by much drinking in the beginning of the fit , wee see it prolonged . while the feet are yet cold , wee are to absteine not from suppings only , but from all manner of liquid substances , saith the same hippocrates , and so the common currant runneth , that the sicke should not drinke during the fit , and yet are not all of this minde . and there is a y learned late writer , who would not have the sicke altogether debarred from drinke during the fit . and although , saith hee , hippocrates willed us during the fit to absteine from all food , even from suppings also , yet must not this be extended to drinke . and galen himselfe , in the heighth of a burning fever , ordeineth a good draught of cold water : and the fit of an intermitting fever is correspondent and answerable to the whole duration and continuance of continuall fevers . as for my part , as i would not be too rigid in denying any reasonable gratification which might not prove prejudiciall to the patient ; so would i not be too servile and obsequious without some great necessitie , it being most commonly seene , that if wee give an inch , they will take an ell . besides , there is difference betwixt our bodies here , and the french in the south parts of that kingdome where this author lived : and both in regard of the ambient aire , and their ordinary diet and drinking of wine , their bodies in any fever must needs admit of a higher degree of cooling , than our moist foggie phlegmaticke bodies in this our climat . but if any particular individuall patient should be thus by excessive heat scorched up , as i should not my selfe be too rigid , so i wish others to be wise . it resteth in the next place to define the quantity , which would seeme to be controverted , some allowing of a great draught at once , and some againe , would have drinke taken by degrees . it is by the most , both greeke and arabian physitians mainteined , that the sicke may drinke , ad satietatem ; even to satiety . but z aristotle seemeth to be of another minde , and it seemeth , it was the custome of some physitians of his time : for , saith he , physitians use to give cold drinke by degrees , whereof he rendreth this reason ; that being thus drunke by degrees it moisteneth more than drunke plentifully and at once : even as wee see soft showers moisten more than great dashes of raine . i answer , that wee intend not here so much humectation , as sudden extinction of this exorbitant scorching heat : for even as we see in smiths forges , that a little water kindleth the fire , and maketh it burne faster ; even so doth a little drinke rather increase the heat of the fever , than extinguish it . now , because so great a quantity of cold water , if it should long lodge within the body , might breed some inconvenience , it is therefore by physitians appointed , that the sicke should cast it up againe , as both by a hippocrates , and many other authours may appeare . and b in another place relating the disease and death of the wise of one antiochus in larissa , to the end of his long discourse subjoineth this , that it seemed shee might have lived , if shee could have drunke store of cold drinks , and cast it up againe . but now , to come home to our owne country wherein we live , and to see how the premisses may agree with us , i thinke it will not be impertinent . it is then to be observed , that all those countries wherein the greekes and arabians lived , were very hot , and the inhabitants thereof much naturally addicted to drinking of water , their wine being there too strong for ordinary drinke , as it is in many parts of europ even at this day , where the vulgar drinke most water , or mingled with a little wine , and therefore in time of sicknesse cannot so much offend them . but with us water is not so usuall for ordinary drinke , and therefore might more wrong our bodies . besides , water is hurtfull to weake stomackes , whose bodies abound not with blood , or yet are troubled with any tumour , or inward inflammation , and oppressed with tough and crude clammy humors . and therefore wee safely permit the use of small beere , which neither indangereth the body , if not cast up againe , neither can it much wrong the body by sudden overcooling of the same . besides , the boiling correcteth the crudity ; the barly is good in all acute diseases , as after shall appeare ; and the hoppe openeth obstructions of the inward parts . if the patient , after a good draught can cast it up againe , it will doe him good : and if not , it will finde a vent some other way , as being farre more penetrant than water . and as for the benefit might by casting it up againe be procured , it may by meanes of a convenient vomit easily be effected , which may by a discreet physitian be according to severall circumstances accomodated . but if the heat were yet very violent , and more cooling drinke be yet requisite , we are not unfurnished of variety of distilled waters , whereof we can easily compose such variety of cooling juleps , with the addition of tart acid juices and liquors , as may give content to the nicest and daintiest palats . and wee are not unfurnished of barly waters , posset drinkes of severall sorts , and many others , whereof we purpose shortly to make mention . and yet , if wee would make use of water in fevers , i see not but it might be very well , and to good purpose used . i would have then pure spring water well boiled , and afterwards well cooled againe , and then made tart with a spoonfull or two of good white-wine vineger , or some drops of the acid spirit of vitriole , some barberries , or the like . this would prove a soveraine good cooling and wholesome drinke in all hot fevers whatsoever , contagious or others : and the poorer sort might reap as much benefit by this , as any other drinke . chap. xiii . of warme drinke , and whether it be usefull or no. what hath hitherto beene spoken concerning cold water , and the many waies were used to coole it its hot countries , to please the palate , wil easily finde credit with a vulgar understanding , hot drinke being of no living creature whatsoever desired , and cannot therefore be naturall : for thirst is nothing else but an earnest desire of a cold and humid substance . now , de facto , that there were such hot drinkes in use among the antients , if we should deny , yet many authors will make the truth thereof appeare . but whether this now used in sicknesse or in health , or both ; as likewise de iure whether usefull for the body or no , resteth now to be discussed . it hath beene an usuall speech among people , that wee ought to drinke as hot as our blood , and that for feare , lest naturall heat by cold drinke be quite extinguished . and it would seeme that the antient romans had this custome in frequent use : for wee read that a in rome there were shops where such hot drinkes were sold ; called therefore thermopolia , as may appeare by that the emperour claudius discharged this custome , and tooke quite away all such places . and againe , caius caligula put to death a master of one of these shops , for selling of this warme drinke , during the funeralls of his wife drusilla . and from this warme drinke was the emperour tiberius nick-named biberius caldius mero . and in great families , one of the servants had the charge of fetching such warme water , which was alwaies in a readinesse to be sold , the which , if he brought too late , his punishment was stripes . and that the romans had it in ordinary use , especially at their suppers , when as they fed most liberally , may also by many places of the old b poets appeare . and the old comicke poet c plantus make thereof frequent mention , and many other authors , whom for brevity i here passe by . d a late writer rendereth a reason why some of the easterne nations , as namely the inhabitants of china and iapan use warme drinke , and yet live long , and in good health , to wit , that by reason of the extreme heat of the ambient aire , their stomackes and inward parts are cold , and therefore , to warme them within , use this warme drinke . * others againe , used this warme drinke onely for wantonnesse , to make them cast up their meat , and so fill their stomacke againe with fresh food : the which , the same authour also out of some antient writers relateth , and that this was a common custome among the rhodians . f some againe were of opinion , that the antients never dranke warme water of it selfe , but mingled with their wine . at least , it seemeth it was the custome of some , as likewise that nothing might be wanting at a great and sumptuous feast , as the poet intimateth unto us . some againe thinke that although they warmed their water , yet that they let it coole againe before they either drunke it , or mingled it with their wine : at least it seemeth it was the custome of some , as of some others , to warme both their water and their wine , and then to coole them being so mingled before they dranke them . h some learned men are also of opinion that these warme drinkes were not alwaies water , but some other sweet artificiall drinkes , and which people out of wantonnesse were wont to drinke : as is the custome both in high germanie and the low-countries to repaire in a morning to certaine shops where strong waters are sold , whereof they drinke some , being mingled with sugar or sweet sirup . but certaine it is , the best course is to drinke our drinke cold , as it is in its owne nature : and if in extreme cold , as in frosty weather , or any otherwise be by extreme cold drinke offended ; then may they qualifie this extreme quality , either by putting a warme tost into it , or otherwise abate the extremity of the cold , but in no case to drinke it hot . and yet we see , that even among our selves we have a custome sometimes to drinke warme wine , burning it with spices , as is supposed , to qualifie the heat and strength of the wine , and so drinke it warme . but in my opinion , this is a wrong both to the wine and themselves also : burning away the spirit , which is the life of the wine , they procure unto it an accidentall and adventitious heat , more hurtfull to the body , than the naturall heat of the wine it selfe . and besides , although it be often used in cold weather , yet to drinke it so actually hot is nothing so good , the wine howsoever it be actually cold , yet doth it alwaies by a potentiall heat warme the inward parts . but let us now see whether warme water were in use with the sicke or no ? it would seeme to bee more usefull for the sicke than for the whole , and the arabian physitians administer it in pectorall diseases , by reason cold drinke is an enemy to all the pectorall parts . and an i antient roman physitian commendeth it in all fevers . k others commend it in that fever called diaria , or of one day . besides , the greeke physitians used it ordinarily in diseases of the reines . but yet that it is not so good for the stomacke , cannot bee denied . and although it be not now the custome with us to give our patients warme-water to drinke , yet upon divers occasions we use also warme drinks ▪ as warme posset drinke to further the operation of vomits , and others to provoke sweat . and howsoever we use not to exhibite this warme water , as did many of the antients ; yet because we are accustomed for the sickes use and benefit to boile our water with addition of some simples , something i will say concerning this point . water boiled is more subtill and of a more sudden penetration , than crude as it commeth naturally out of the earth . the antients boiled it either with the heat of the sunne , or of the fire . and the persian and aegyptian kings were wont to boile their water at the he at of the sunne , were it never so thinne and pure in it selfe . with us we have in use a double boiling of water : the one by the heat of the fire in ordinary vessells , the other by way of distillation to the antients unknowne . which of these two wayes is the best , we are now to inquire . our physitians are for distilled water , and must needes be the best . indeed boiled water is to bee preferred before the crude , and is farre more familiar for the stomacke : but in this , distillation hath the preheminence , that whereas by decoction many thinne parts are evaporated , this is here avoided . and indeed by distillation all uncouth taste , if any , is removed , and by reason of this refining and attenuation , it will also keep a long time without putrefaction . but this point is so cleere , that i shall not need to prosecute it any longer . and although we are not accustomed to distill ordinary water , yet is it very frequent with us to distill waters out of simples of all sorts , both hot and cold , whereof here to speake is not now my purpose . onely this one thing i adde , that whereas some object that waters distilled in stills made of metall , either are not so good by reason of some relicks of the mettall communicated unto them , or else have some smoakie or firie impression left behind in these waters : i answere , the first feare is frivolous , and builded on a false foundation , and the other may by care and diligence be much prevented . but if any be so curious and fearefull , they may have their waters distilled per balneum mariae , in glasse stills , if they will be at cost . but it is the custome of many people , that they would fare well and pay little for it . now before i finish this point , i must give warning to such as attend the sicke , that they doe not unseasonbly too much obtrude upon the sicke these their warme drinks , or suppings , wherein women doe very much exceed , and many times quite debilitate and overthrow their weak stomacks . and this shall for this particular now suffice : as occasion shall offer it selfe , i shall now and then touch upon some particular abuses and failings in this kind ; and now i proceed to some other drinks , and first concerning wine , and whether the sicke may be suffered to drinke any . chap. xiiij . of wine , and whether it may safly be administred to sicke ? of artificiall wines ; of aqua vitae , usquebath , and other strong waters . of wine we have already spokē at great length and of all the severall sorts thereof , the right use and abuse , resteth now to say something thereof , as it hath relation to the sick . of the excellent vertues of this king of liquors there is no doubt to be made ; but yet the event is often doubtfull , whether it may prove a profitable medicine , or a deadly poison . and therefore a pliny relateth , that a famous wiseman called androcides wrote good counsell to alexander the great , as an antidote against his intemperance : when thou art to drinke wine , o king , remember that thou drinkest the blood of the earth : for as hemlocke is to man a poison , even so is wine . to which precepts if he had hearkened , he had not in his drunken fits imbrued his hands in his deerest friends blood . so that of it may truely bee said , there is nothing more conduceth to the strength of the body , not yet more dangerous delight than this , if not regulated according to reason . no mervaile then , if there ought to bee great caution and circumspection in exhibiting this to sicke folkes : and indeed there hath beene some alteration among physitians , whether wine might safely bee exhibited to sicke people ? for si●●e diseases are cured by contraries , and wine in the estimation of all physitians is reputed hot , it will follow that to drinke wine , especially in hot diseases ( for of others there is no controversie ) is to increase the disease . b plutarch writes that alexander the great falling into a fever , and drinking wine liberally , by that meanes died ; howbeit we are not ignorant , others hold an other opinion concerning his death : & yet it cannot be denied , but wine might hasten his end . it may be then admired and wondered at , why c hippocrates in fevers and hot diseases permitteth the use thereof . neither yet did d galen in like cases deny his patients the use of wine . if the like care and caution they used in the exhibiting of it were observed , no doubt , it might be without feare yeelded unto . the wine they used was thinne , weake white wine , called by him vinum aquosum , or watery wine , much degenerating from the nature of strong hot wine : and there he findeth fault with the guidian physitians , who were altogether ignorant of the right use of wine ; affirming , also that we may safely , even in a pleuresie or inflammation of the lungs , exhibite such wines : providing , still there bee neither great headach ; nor deliration or perturbation of mind ; as likewise that the spitting up of tough phlegme bee not hindered , nor urine suppressed , &c. and a little after , thou must know that it will be lesse hurtfull to the bladder and upward parts , if it be thinne and waterish , as he termeth it : but better for the guts if it be stronger . it appeareth then plainely , that even in the opinion of hippocrates such small wines might be used of the sick . and therefore these wines , which in comparison of others may bee called e cold ( of the which both hippocrates and galen are to be understood ) are often without danger administred to sicke persons . but in the use thereof wee are diligently to consider , besides the quality , whereof we have already spoken , the quantity and opportune time of offering the same . the quantity cannot well be determined , yet must it be by moderation regulated , and severall circumstances not neglected . the fit and opportune time is by the same authors assigned , when signes of concoction appeare , or in the declining of the fever . as likewise in a pleuresie or inflammation of the lungs , the matter being now concocted , and the inflammation abated ; and by this meanes expectoration is furthered , not hindered . something notwithstanding , is to be yeelded to custome and old age . if any from their youth bee brought up with wine , they will hardly admit of any other drinke , neither will the stomacke commonly admit of any other liquor . but heare what pliny saith concerning this same subject . f as concerning fevers , saith he , it is certaine we ought never to give wine in that disease , but to such as bee of good yeeres , and that in the declining of the disease onely . and in acute diseases to none but such as have manifest remissions , especially in the night time , the halfe of the danger being in the night time , that is , hope of sleepe to such as shall then drinke . it must therefore be given onely with meate , neither after sleepe , nor yet after any other drinke , that is onely taken when the diseased is dry , and almost in the case of greatest extremity , all hope almost now failing us . in such places then where such smal wines grow , as in the i le of france about paris , and in the countrey of xantonge , especially about rochell , they may freely give the diseased such smal wines without any danger at al. and of such a thinne acid , and somwhat tartish wine , composed of most white grapes , and a few red , i my selfe made a triall in a double tertian during my abode in france . this they cal couleur dupesche , or peach coloured wine from the colour of the peach flowre or bloome : and this wine mingled with water did both quench thirst without any apparent heat , and provoked both sweat and urin . but let us now draw nearer home , and see whether wine may be allowed our sicke ? it is not unknown that our cold moist climat bringeth not this noble liquor of the grape to any maturity or perfect ripenesse , so that whatsoever wine we use , we are beholden to our neighbour countries for it : besides , that wine not being our naturall drinke in time of health , is neither in time of sickenesse of us to be used , especially in hot acute diseases . and our wines are commonly so strong , that it is not fit to administer them to sicke folkes ; howbeit if any , i thinke our rhenish were the safest and fittest , if it were free from brimstone , or such other trash , wherewith our vintner , wine-brewers doe oftentimes marre our best wines . but god of his singular goodnesse hath furnished us with a wine befitting our owne countrie and climat , which being also in ordinary use in time of health , may freely and without any danger be allowed the diseased in time of sicknesse , but because in imitation of wine , this our northern wine ( for so i may cal it ) wee are likewise furnished with divers sorts , differing in strength one from another , we may , according to the nature of the disease and constitution of the diseased , allow the sicke such as shall be thought most fitting . but in acute diseases the smaller the beere be , it is so much the better ; provided it be neither too new , too stale , nor taste too much of the hop , which will make it more heady and hotter . let people therefore beware of their march beere and strong ale in all such infirmities , which may as much offend their bodies , as strong wines doe others in hot countries . but in any case , let this beere be very cleere , and not thicke and muddy . most of our ordinary people , in the country especially , are perswaded , that wine and strong drinke will recover all diseases whatsoever , bee they never so hot and acute . and a bottle of good wine is commonly the first physicke they send for to the next market towne . but many times before their recovery , they are forced to their cost to recant their former erroneous opinion , and often cry a too late peccavi . now besides naturall wines made of the juice of the grape onely , there bee also severall sorts of artificiall wines made for divers uses : some made with purging ingredients to purge the body , and so for divers dayes to be drunke , according as the physitian in discretion shall thinke fit , and the strength of the patient , and nature of the disease shall suffer . some , againe , are appropriated for other uses : as for strengthening of the stomacke , opening of obstructions , and innumerable others . but because these artificiall wines are commonly to best purpose made with new wines , when they are new prest out of the grape , therefore wee are deprived of the benefit of making such artificiall wines . in stead of them , wee use to boile in our new wine , our wort i meane , such ingredients as we thinke fitting for that we intend ; either purging simples or others : as sage , wormewood , &c. and thus wee make severall sorts of diet drinkes , and ales , for severall ends and purposes . but amongst many others , there is a drink made with scurvy-grasse , much used by our ladies and gentlewomen in the spring of the yeere for clearing of their blood . many , i am sure , make use of this drinke without any use or need at all , but only out of a wanton custome , and a certaine preconceived opinion of making them looke faire . out of wine is also extracted a noble liquor or spirit , called for the noble effects ( as being esteemed the true balsame of a mans life ) aquavitae , or water of life . this liquour by many hath been much magnified , and no small commendations ascribed unto it , for the preserving and mainteining the life of man for many yeeres . among many there is g an italian writer , who doth exceedingly extoll and set forth the praises thereof , and relateth many histories of such as have by meanes thereof prolonged their lives for many yeeres . as one physitian called antonius sapelius , who , after hee had atteined to yeeres of age , by the use of this liquor , lived yet more . the like hee relateth of another famous physitian called iacobus parmensis , who attributed his long life of yeeres to the use of this noble liquor . but what ? me thinks i heare some secret complaints of aurum potabile , as though it were somewhat thereby disparaged ; by meanes whereof , notwithstanding , they say men may live multitude of yeeres . but i heare nothing but words , their smoakie promises not being seconded by answerable events , as i have already proved . but i wish people to be wise , and cautelous in the use of this or any other such hot fiery liquor . those of whom this late alleaged author made mention , were physitians , and of a good age , and no strangers to the state of their own bodies , and well able to judge what might best make for the preservation of their own healths , and so might find that benefit therby , which another might long seek , and at length , perhaps , for his labour , find a late repentance . if it be usefull for any , it is especially for old and cold moist constitutions ; and so no question , moderatly used now and then , it may produce a marvellous good effect in spinning out of divers yeeres , the thred of mans life . and therefore let youth , and hot and dry constitutions , be very wary in the use of this , or any other such hot waters . there is also a spirit extracted out of our northern wine , beere or ale , i meane , the which , although inferiour to the former , yet may it well in time of neede , with good successe be used . that which is most commonly sold under this name of aquavitae , and in most frequent use , is nothing else but a liquour distilled out of the dregges and washings of ale and beere barrells , and might rather from the evill it breedeth in the body , be called , aquamortis . the right spirit of wine , if it be as it ought , will suffer drops of oile to sincke to the bottome , and will dissolve campher : besides , being once set a fire , it is quickly all wasted away . and such a liquor would be used onely in extremity , in swounding , and the like , and then but a very small quantity at a time . i deny not but it may be of good use also , which commeth somewhat short of this absolute perfection : howsoever , i advise thee , as thou lovest thy life and health , know well what water thou medlest with , and especially shunne such stuffe as i have already disclaimed . somewhat milder than this aquavitae is that strong water , wee commonly call vsquebach , so much in use among the irish , having for this same purpose some liquirice and raisins of the sunne , and withall some cloves , mace and ginger . this is likewise cautelously to be used , and especially of cold phlegmaticke constitutions , and in a cold and moist constitution of the aire . but still beware of excesse , even in those whom it best befitteth . there are yet an infinit other varieties of strong waters , both simple and compounded , destilled both with wine , ale and beere , and take the denomination from that simple or simples wherewith they are distilled : as wormwood-water , balme-water , cinnamon-water and the like ; and they reteine the vertue of the simples whereof they are distilled , whereof we have at large already discoursed . some of these waters againe , are compounded of many severall simples ; and take the denomination either from that which is most predominant ; as the theriacal-water : or else from the sublime and extraordinary effects ; as aqua coelestis , aqua mirabilis , &c. and sometimes from the author also ; as doctor stevens his water . but whosoever is too busie , or bold with any of these hot waters in ordinary use , either for furthering concoction , or otherwise , shall at length finde them produce the like effect , as lime laid to the roots of trees ; which howsoever it hasten the fruit for the present , yet killeth it the trees in a short time . and this i have in some of my very good friends and patients often found too true ; with whom i wish sound reason might have more prevailed than their owne disorderly appetites . i have observed in some , who had these hot liquors in too frequent use , as they pretended , to warme their stomacks , that at length they came to this pitch , that whether they drunke any of these sublimate waters , or the best sacke or other wine whatsoever , they found no more heat in it than of a cup of cold water powred downe their throats . but this was not all the harme from thence ensuing , but was after accompanied with an extraordinary great distempered heat , both in the liver and kidnies ; and in some an irrecoverable scirrbus in the liver , a disposition to a dropsie , and in conclusion , an untimely death . i could easily , at great length , dilate and discourse largely upon this one point , but that i hasten to the other matters which yet remaine to handle . chap. xv. of divers drinkes made of hony : mulsum , mulsa , or hydromel , and oxymel , with the various waies of composition , and their excellent vertues . although wee have already handled hony with the vertues thereof , and divers other things concerning this subject ; yet now wee are to speake of it againe at more length , at least of some drinkes made thereof , of no small use in the diet of the diseased . and the praise of it may from hence appeare , in that the land of canaan was commended , and that by the authour of truth himselfe , to be a land flowing with milke and hony . of this many excellent drinkes were made by the antients , which with us at this day are not in so great request . howbeit even at this day , some nations , where hony is plentifull , make thereof some drinkes very usefull both in sicknesse and in health : as namely , the polonians , lituanians , or country of lettow , and other territories subject to the polonian crowne , where good wine is scant , and good hony plentifull ; and therefore in stead of wine use this drinke . and wee have already made mention of metheglin , made in wales . now , of hony were made three sorts of drinkes , differing one from another : the first of those was called mulsum , or a drinke made of hony and wine : another mulsa , or hydromel , a drinke made of water and hony ; the third of hony and vineger , water sometimes being mingled therewith , and by them called oxymel ; at this day with us in no small request , in pectorall diseases especially . the first of these then is that which the antients called mulsum , and so celebrated by that roman pollio , as wee have already mentioned . and that this was a very antient drinke , may by a b late learned writer appeare , who proveth the same against plutarch , who held it in his time to be but a new invention . his opinion hee proveth both by the authority of homer and hippocrates , who call this drinke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . of this drinke c pliny maketh one aristeus a thracian the author , and the which drinke he brought into that credit and reputation , that in these daies there was no sort of drinke in greater request , howsoever , now in our daies neglected . it was made of tart or sharpe wine and hony , taking its name a mulcendo , from mitigating and qualifying the sharpnesse and tartnesse of the wine . pliny would have it made of old wine , as being easiliest incorporated with the hony . that this is that oenomeli mentioned by dioscorides , may by comparing that place of pliny with his , easily appeare . d plutarch writeth , that honie spoileth and corrupteth the wine , and may therefore be questioned , whether it be wholesome or no ? i answer , that being new made , it is windy ; but being well boiled , and kept a good while , it becommeth a most wholesome drinke . and many , saith the same pliny , have by the continuall use of this drinke , atteined to old age , as hath been already in pollio instanced . this drinke is in some places of hippocrates prescribed in pectorall infirmities . the likest to this drinke , is that famous metheglin , so much used in wales . e in some sea-cities of germanie , they make this mulsum , and mingle therewith many aromaticall simples . there was another drinke made of the same hony and water onely , and in no small request among the antients , called therefore hydromel . of this drinke , there were divers manners of composition : f dioscorides maketh it of two parts of old river water , and one part of hony boiled together , and set a long time in the sunne . g pliny composeth it of hony and raine-water long kept , boiling the water with the third part of hony , untill the third part of it were wasted away . there was also another drinke made of hony , in request among the antient greekes , called apomeli , and was made of the hony-combes , washed and boiled in faire water . h galen maketh yet mention of another manner of composing this drinke ; taking of vineger one part , of hony two parts , of faire water foure parts , and so boiled them , where no mention is made of the combes . the arabian physitians made their mulsa or hydromel after this fashion . they tooke one pound of very good yellow hony , and not too old , which they boiled with eight times as much spring-water in an earthen or stone vessell , skimming them well , and boiling altogether at a great fire , and then straining it thorow a cleane linnen cloth . in i hippocrates , wee read of two sorts of this mulsa , or melicratum , one ravv , another boiled . the former was made of three parts of spring-water , or old raine-water , and one of very good hony well mingled together , and set a long time in the sunne . the second sort which was boiled , was composed of the same quantity , but presently boiled to the wasting away of the third part . besides , he maketh there two sorts of this drinke , according to the predominancy of the one or the other of these two : for when the quantity of water exceeded that of hony , it was called melicratum aquosum , but when there was greater store of hony than water , then it was call sincerum melicratum , or pure and plaine hony-water . in our daies , some make this drinke of good pure hony one part , and six times as much good spring water , well boiled and skimmed , till the fourth part be wasted away . to know whether it be sufficiently boiled or no , put into it an egge , and if it swimme on the top , it is sufficient , but if it sincke to the bottome it is not . when it is tunned up , for better defecation and purging , in hot weather , especially in hot countries , it may be set into the sunne for certaine daies . it may be about a quarter old before it be drunke . when it is very old , the use of it is condemned , even by k pliny himselfe . this drinke might be of good use in many infirmities of the body , of the brest especially , excepting alwaies hot and cholericke constitutions . it might be made tarter by meanes of some vineger , or some other acid or sharpe juice , provided alwaies it exceed not . there was yet another drink made of hony , in no small request among the antients , called oxymel , or sirup of vineger ; the which is even at this day in no small esteeme and account . this drinke is both by l hippocrates and galen highly commended and esteemed of ; affirming it to bee of an opening and cleansing faculty , without any danger of heat ; and that increaseth not the fever , and yet openeth and cleanseth effectually , and that it is very usefull for all ages . a m late writer affirmeth , that this is a very wholesome drinke , and may safely be used in all fevers , and that there is no better drinke to quench extreme thirst . and n another saith no lesse in the commendation of it . some differences of opinions there are concerning the composition of this drinke . hippocrates maketh it of hony , vineger and water , not expounding the quantity of any one . o galen mentioneth a threefold manner of compounding this drinke , but to none of them addeth he salt , as doth dioscoride : take of veneger one part , well skimmed hony two parts , let them boile with a gentle fire untill their qualities be well united together . with water it is thus made : for one part of hony , take foure parts of faire spring water , and let them boile over a soft fire , untill it yeeld skumme , and when a great part of the water is wasted away , then adde thereto halfe as much vineger as remaineth of the water , and boile them well , untill there be a firme union of all their qualities together . thirdly , it is thus made : al the three are at the very first mingled together , taking for one part of vineger two parts of hony , and foure parts of faire spring-water , boiling them untill there remaine a third . this hippocrates often mentioneth , though not alwaies under one name . we have the composition therof set downe in our late dispensatories . p some take one part of vineger , two parts of spring water , and foure of pure hony , letting them all boile untill they attaine to the forme of a liquid sirup , i meane not so high boiled as some sirups : for it will thus keepe well enough . q some againe make it after this fashion : take of good hony foure pounds , faire spring-water two pounds : let the water and the hony be boiled together untill the water be quite wasted away , and the hony well skimmed , and then adde thereto two pound of good sharpe wine vineger , and boile it to the thicknesse of an ordinary sirup . this oxymel or sirup of vineger is a very excellent medicine for expectoration , or cleansing and cutting tough phlegme stuffing up the pipes of the lungs , and exceeding good in many pectorall diseases . but many , by reason hony is not so pleasant to their palats , therefore they use in stead thereof sugar , which indeed is not so forcible , nor effectuall as the former : but we are falne into such times , wherein people are all for toothsomnesse , and little for wholesomnesse . in the composition of this drinke , there must a speciall care be had of the hony it is made of , that it be of the best , such as we have already described . the vineger would be of the best sharpe white wine vineger , if it can be had , and the water must be pure spring water , and approaching as neere as may be to our description of such water of best note . besides these ordinary oxymels , there are yet some other compounded with divers ingredients , both purging and others : as with hellebore , with squills and the like , all which here to set downe were both tedious and needlesse ; such as would make use of any such , may , as occasion and necessity shall require , have them prescribed by the learned and judicious physitian . but in the use of this , as in many other medicines , there is a great error in the ordinary use of it committed ; and that by reason , the vulgar use it promiscuously in any matter whatsoever , distilled or falne downe upon the lungs , be it thicke or thinne ; whereas in a sharp thinne tickling rheume this can doe no good at all , but rather harme . but because this is not the proper place to convince and confute these errors , this being spoken but by the way , i will here leave this point . neither yet will i insist at this time upon any other compositions made of hony , it being only my purpose in this place to discourse of such drinkes as are made of hony , and by the way to give a taste , what was the opinion of antiquity concerning hony , and the high esteeme they had thereof , and how usefull a thing it is both in sickenesse and in health , howsoever in this degenerate and wanton age , wherein we now live , it be too much contemned and despised . chap. xvj. of divers drinkes made of barly , very usefull for the sicke , and in frequent request , as ptisan , barly-water , creame of barley ; and wherein our formes differ , from those of antient times . some thing concerning emulsions both almond milke , and others . this graine ( barly i meane ) in greece hath been in no small esteeme and request , and that by reason of divers drinkes made therof for the use of the sicke . it is temperate in quality , in all likelihood and probability , howbeit a galen maketh it cold and dry in the first degree . howsoever , it is very fit and proper in fevers and hot diseases , and that after severall sorts and fashions prepared . and besides , it participateth likewise of an abstersive or cleansing facultie , whereby it is to good purpose used in pectorall infirmities . of this graine the antients made a water for the sicke , from thence called barly-water . and of the same graine was there yet made an other composition , which they called ptisan . of this ptisan , b hippocrates maketh frequent mention . of this now wee reteine the name onely , ptisan being nothing else ( saith a c late writer ) but a drinke made of licorice , and a little barly , and sometimes without it . the ptisan in use among the antients , especially with hippocrates , was nothing else , but that which we commonly call creame of barly , and served the sicke in stead both of meat and drinke . it was made of divers sorts of graines , both of wheat , rice and barly , &c. but that of barly for the sicke was alwaies in highest esteeme . and this diversity ministred occasion to d aristotle to aske the question , whether ptisan made of wheat or barly were the best for the use of the sick ? and ptisan made of wheat was for these reasons preferr'd before that made of barly : first , by reason that such as eat bread of wheat are cōmonly more vigorous and sound of body than those who use barlybread . againe , say they , barly is harder of concoction than wheat . and thirdly , barlybread was never in so high an esteem , as that of wheat , but alwaies esteemed of farre meaner account . the answer is easy , that the comparison here is not absolute , but relative ; having relation to the sicke . indeed absolutely compared together , wheat doth excell the other ; but in relation to the sicke barly is farre better , especially in fevers and pectorall diseases , being more cooling and cleansing than the other , which indeed is rather harder to be concocted , and apter to ingender obstructions . and for this cause hippocrates useth this most commonly in restorative diet , and that of barly in acute diseases . the manner of preparation of this antient ptisan or creame of barly , as we may call it , d was after this manner : they tooke graines of barly full , perfectly ripe , neither too old nor too new ; this they steeped a little in water , then beat it in a morter , to cleanse away the chaffe and husks , afterwards washed it and rubbed it with their hands , and afterwards let it dry : when they made use of it , for this ptisan , they tooke one part of barly thus prepared , and twelve parts of faire water , which they let boile at a soft fire while it swelled , and was boiled to a thinne pap , having lost all the windinesse , and being so boiled they gave it their sicke . some added to this messe sweet new wine boiled , which they called sapa , and some a little hony , wheat or flowre ; and sometimes a little oile , vinegar or salt . in many places of this kingdome there is commonly in use for this purpose , a certaine kind of ready prepared barly , to be sold in shops , called french barly , whereof both this cream of barly is commonly made , and whereof wee make use in our broths also , and barly-water . this barly we use to boile and shift twice or thrice the waters untill it colour them no more , and then boile it with a sufficient quantity of faire spring water ( the proportion of the antients may be observed ) and then straine it through a clean linnen cloth , adding thereto a little sugar or sugar-candy , and a little rose-water . to correct the crudity ( especially in a weake stomacke , and it bee often to bee used ) wee may boile with it some whole mace : or else when it is strained , we may adde thereunto a little small cinamon-water , which will both correct the crudity , and not overheat the body if some acid juice of lemmon or other shall be added thereunto , if need so require , thou mayest use thy discretion ; in acute and maligne fevers especially , but not in pectorall diseases . in defect of cinamon-water a little powder of cinamon may be used . in this decoction who listeth may also boile other cooling or pectorall herbs , according to the nature of the disease and party diseased : as violet leaves , strawberry leaves , succory , endive , agrimony , or the like . but beware the taste be not marred , lest the patient reject all ; and boile no sorrell nor other acid or sharpe thing in it , especially if it be to be kept for oftner than once or twice : but the fresher it be , the better it is . this is very soveraine good in all fevers and pectorall diseases , especially for young people , for hot and dry cholericke constitutions . but i will advertise thee of one thing , that whereas there is an opinion held among many that no barly but this , they call french , will serve the turne ; our owne barly may bee easily so prepared , that it may very well serve our use . and to this purpose it may either be beaten in a bagge , as wheat is commonly ordered for frumenty ; or else , which is the cheaper and lesse chargeable , provide a deep stone or wodden trough , wherein put a little quantity of rough barly with a little warme water , and then with a beetle with a long head for the purpose , beat it untill the husks come off : afterwards winnow it , still rubbing it with thy hands , and then let it dry , and when thou wilt use it , wash it in warme water , which thou maiest shift untill it looke cleane and white , and colour the water no more . and this may with a small labour , and i am sure with lesse charges , be made ready as often as need shall require . and this may be used whensoever we need the use of barly , either for this we have spoken already , for broth , barly water , almond milke , or any like use . and thus they prepare it in the north parts of this kingdome , in all the kingdome of scotland , and in ireland also , where they use much barly in their brothes , and for other uses also ; and yet never make use of any but this . and besides , in scotland of this graine there is made a dish , which they there call orgemond ; and is made of barly thus prepared , together with milke and hony , and is answerable to our frumenty here ; but in my opinion farre wholesomer : and this is a dish , at most of the country merry meetings in no small esteeme there among them . there was yet besides this they called a ptisan , a barly-water in use among the antients , wherof e hippocrates indeed maketh mention , howbeit setteth not downe the manner of preparation , no more then doth galen explaining that place . to the arabians therefore for this barly-water are wee most beholden , who used it much . f oribasius maketh particular mention of the same , where hee would not have the barly prepared , as we have already set downe , but onely a little bruised , and twice washed in warme water , and afterwards boiled in a gallon of water till it was burst , ad crepaturam hordei . this liquor being strained was reserved for the use of the sicke , and was called barly-water . barly-water was in very great request among the arabian physitians , both made of whole barly , and of barly prepared and cleansed . that of prepared barly was of two sorts , as may bee collected out of g mesue , first thus : take of barly prepared and cleansed one pound , boiling it in twenty times so much faire spring-water , in an earthen glased pot , untill the halfe , or two parts of the water were wasted away : this they called a physicall barly-water . the other was thus made : take of barly as before well prepared , often washed in warme water , one pound which they let boile a wame or two in twenty times as much faire spring-water , and after this was cast away , they added againe as much more water , and let it boile untill the halfe of the water was wasted away ; and this they called a physicall food . but the immoderate use of this barly-water is dangerous , in cold and windy stomacks , especially , and in hypocondriacke melancholy , being it selfe also somewhat windy . but by correction this may easily be amended , as wee have said already . we seldome now use the decoction of barly alone , but with addition of other simples ; as divers sorts of cooling herbes , and sometimes of opening roots and some prunes , sweetning it with sugar to liking : and wee may also adde some juice or sirup of lemmon , or some other acid juice ; as some drops of the acid spirit of vitrioll or sulphure . the poorer sort may make for themselves a decoction of ordinary barly a little bruised , boiling therewith some cooling herbes , and a sticke of licorice or two , and after it is strained adde thereto a little white wine vineger , and a sticke of cinamon ; or else some whole mace may bee boiled in it . or they may boile faire spring-water with some mace , or without , and afterwards adde a sticke of cinamon , and a little vineger and sugar , or else boile in it a little hony ; and so may they make for themselves a wholesome and pleasant cooling drinke , which they may safely use in all hot diseases . besides these drinkes made of barly , wee have yet amongst us the frequent use of a drinke which was not used among the antients , made of sweet almonds in manner of a milke , and is therefore commonly called by the the name of almond-milke . this milke is much used , in fevers especially , and in pectorall infirmities , being often also called by the name of emulsion . this drinke is sometimes made of water and almonds alone without any addition , and after sweetned with sugar ; or else are boiled in the decoction many other ingredients . and howsoever almonds bee in themselves a little hot , or rather temperate , yet being prepared , and made into an emulsion after this manner , they qualifie and moderate the heat of the body , and withall doe cut and attenuat tough and phlematicke humors in the breast , and further expectoration . and this emulsion serveth often in stead both of meat and drinke , and is often used , when as all other food is refused . and i thinke it often with us , supplieth the roome of that ptisan so much and so often by hippocrates commended ; although wee have it also in use with us . but for the most part we use a decoction made with barly , cooling herbes , raisins of the sunne stoned , and sometimes in pectorall infirmities , a little licorice , and so make a decoction , whereof we make our almond milke . the barly may be of our ordinary barly without any other preparation , save a little bruising . the almonds are to bee blanched in warme water , and cleansed from their thinne skinnes ( unlesse in some loosenesse , where we require astriction ) and then beaten in a stone morter with a wooden pestell , the liquor by little and little added , and severall times squeezed out , untill all the milkie substance be expressed . and take heed the almonds be not too old , as being then too oilie ; and withall let the liquor bee warme , when it is added to the almonds . sometimes wee adde some seeds unto this emulsion , as lettice or poppy-seeds , especially in long watching , where sleepe is wanting , and so give a draught of it towards bed-time . sometimes we adde also some other cooling seeds , as melon seeds , cucumber seeds , especially in diseases of the kidnies ; and then the greater seeds must be cleansed from their skums , and so mingled with the almonds ready blanched , and beaten with them , and the other seeds mingled and beaten without any other preparation : and of these greater seeds we mingle sometimes a greater , and sometimes a smaller quantitie , and so of the others , as necessitie requireth . in the sweetning of emulsions or almond milkes we are to observe this caution , that in fevers we adde alwaies lesse sugar , for feare of increasing choler : but in pectorall diseases , where there is no fever , we may be the bolder . it is also in the use of these emulsions to be observed , that they be neither too frequent , nor yet too fulsome or thicke of the almonds ; and it is best after the expression of the almonds , to give it a wame or two upon the fire , and then adde some rose-water to it , if thou wilt . the richer sorts , if they please , may make their emulsion all with rose-water or strawberry-water . if any acid thing , as juice or sirup of lemmons or the like be added , it must onely bee added to the draught the patient takes at one time ; otherwise it would quickly sowre it all . the poorer sort may use a milke or emulsion like unto this made of the kernels of haselnuts or filberds blanched as are the almonds , and made with a convenient decoction of cooling herbs or other things , as wee have said already . there are yet besides these , divers other sorts of emulsions made without almonds , for divers intentions ; as in pestilent and contagious diseases , made of many severall cordiall ingredients : as namely , of the aforenamed seeds and others ; as also of corall , pearle , amber , harts-horne , all extracted with appropriated decoctions or distilled waters , fitted and appropriated for that purpose , on the which i cannot particularly insist . and i have so much the longer dwelt upon these drinkes of the diseased , in regard it doth so much concern the sick , as also in regard of the great neglect in this particular point , and the wrong and injury is thereby offered the sicke . now concerning milke , and what is made thereof , if , and how it may bee administred to the sicke ? and so i will finish this point of their meat and drinke . chap. xvij. of milk of divers kinds , whether fit to be used of the diseased ? and what is the best , how to be used . as also of whey , posset-drinkes of severall sorts . of butter and cheese and white meats . from artificiall milke it is high time we come now to natural , there being at this time more frequently used both to nourish the body , and to alter and change the quality of the humors . milke is milked from divers beasts : as from mares , asses , goats , ews , cowes , &c. and womans milke is both used for the nourishment of her owne infant , and sometimes also sought for thein consumptions , as a principal restorer of decaied nature . in spaine they use camels and asses milke both in consumptions and dropsies : and in old time sowes milke was also in request . asses milke is yet in great request in those countries , where such beasts abound : as in france , spaine and italy . at this day the tartars , as well as the old scythians , use little other diet either for meat or drinke but mares milke . the a antient numidians also used for their chiefe diet mares milke . and some particular persons have lived all their life time on nothing else but milke ; as b plutarch reporteth of one sostrates . and c a late writer maketh mention of a maide living then in the low-countries , sixteene yeeres of age , who from her nativite had never tasted of any food but milke . and d another instanceth in a country-fellow in holland , who in all his life time never used any sustenance but milke , and yet was very lusty and healthfull in body . the milke of all others most temperate , and best , is womans milke , which is used to bee suckt out of the breast , the which is the best way : for if it be but a little kept , it sowreth , and is not so apt to nourish . of this milke hippocrates maketh no mention , which may seeme somewhat strange . the best excuse wee can for this pretend , is to say , that he regarded not so much in milke this alimentary power , as the abstersive faculty , in cleansing the ulcers of the lungs . in goodnesse of nourishment next to it is thought to ewes milke by some , as being thickest and most nourishing , then next goats milke , after which followeth cowes milke , and after it mares milke , asses and camels comming in at the last . in abstersion and cleansing of the lungs , asses milke hath alwaies challenged the first place , and with us , next to it is goats milke , for camels milke wee cannot come by it . but of all others cowes milke both in sickenesse and in health with us is most usuall and ordinary . and goats milke moisteneth much , and is not so hot as some imagine , who hold that the goat is never without a fever . as for asses milke it is thinner , more cooling and moistening than any of the other , and ingendreth no obstructions , as other milke doth ; and is therefore more physicall . and concerning this milke , this much upon mine owne experience i can testifie , that during my long sickenesse in france , i found more benefit by a moneths use of this milke , than by all the other coolers i used : in so much that whereas before no drink could satiat my unsatiable drouth , i was with my mornings draught of this milke so refreshed , that i little regarded any other drinke for all that day following . but because cowes milke is with us in most frequent and common request , wee will bend our speech most to this kind of milke . and because the goodnesse of the milke dependeth not a little upon the goodnesse of the beast from whence it is milked , we are therefore to consider the estate and disposition of the creature . a browne womans milke is accounted the best , even in the judgement of hippocrates . the beast from whence milke is to bee milked , ought to be of an indifferent size of body , neither too fat or corpulent , nor yet too leane . and here the colour commeth also to bee considered . a blacke cowes milke is by most esteemed the best , howbeit some like as well of a red or kindled coloured , as they call it . some againe esteem browne beasts milke the best , as being of a strong constitution of body . but indeed none of these can come amisse , howbeit i thinke that of a blacke cow rather best than otherwise : but of white beasts , the milke is worst and weakest . the difference in the goodnesse of the milke is likewise taken from the goodnesse of the food the beast feedeth on . in the beginning of the spring therefore , by reason the herbs are then moist and waterish , therefore the milke is then also thinner , and nourisheth lesse : it is better towards the latter end of the spring and beginning of sommer , and yet better in the midst of sommer . in autume it is thicker , and nourisheth farre more , although then , especially in winter , it is not so physicall . the worst milke is that which is milkt from beasts feeding on graines , in such places where they brew much : as in some populous townes , where in the winter-time they feed their beasts with graines ; the which , although by this meanes it is more copious , yet is it thinne , waterish , and of small value , as the beast likewise feeding on this food is the worse . beasts feeding on high and hilly places yeeld farre better milke , than they that feed in vallies and moist places . in the goodnesse of milke wee are likewise to observe the age of it ; that is , how long after the birth . for milke after the birth , but a small space being betwixt them , is thicke , uncleane , and not so wholesome for use . neither yet is that so good , that is very old , being too waterish , and therefore not so nourishing . that then betwixt both these extremes is the best . in the next place we are to consider the qualities and markes of the best milke . it ought then to be white in colour , of equall consistence , which being dropped on the naile standeth round and firme without dispersing , or spreading abroad . all which properties if they bee found in any milke , we may freely pronounce that it is good and wholesome . asses milke wee must here except , which by reason of the thinnesse , cannot obtaine all these aforenamed properties . in the next place wee are to consider for whom milke may be fit ( since for all it is not so usefull ) and for whom not ? it is therefore no waies good for such as are much subject to wind , and rumbling in their bellies , who have the forepart of their belly stretched out , and as it were pulled up , and obstructed ; nor yet for such as are very thirsty , or are much inclined to head-ach , nor in fevers , to weake stomackes , and such as use to belch up crudities , and often of an evill taste , or that are oppressed with weaknesse or impurity in their stomackes : but to such as are accustomed to this liquor , whose stomacks are strong and themselves free from any obstruction of liver , and spleene , &c. being free from the burthen of bad humours , and their stomackes neither too hot nor too cold : for in the former , the milke is quickly converted into choler , and in the later it is quickly curdled . but howsoever , it is good to be sparing in the use of it , unlesse thou have beene long accustomed to this food : for it is hurtfull to the eyes and teeth , and if the use thereof be too frequent , it ingendreth the stone in the kidnies and bladder . the diseased then , who is to use it , must first have his body by purging prepared , and then it must be taken in a morning fasting , lest by the admixture of other aliments , it be corrupted in the stomacke . after the taking of milke , the patient is to absteine from all manner of other sustenance , untill such time as it be voided out of the body , if given to loosen the belly : or else untill it be turned to nourishment , if given to that purpose . now , whether the patient reape any benefit thereby or no , may be discerned , if he cast it not up againe , and if he feele no raw evill favoured belchings . after the drinking of milke the sicke is to rest , lest by the motion and agitation of the body , the heat be attracted from the center of the body to the circumference , and so the concoction thereof be hindred . but it may be asked whether the sicke may not sleepe after it ? i answer , that it is onely to very weake persons permitted , and not to others , for whom it is very hurtfull , especially if drunke in any great quantity ; lest head-ach , heavinesse and drowsinesse of the whole body follow after . womans milke is best suck'd out of the brest , which if the sicke refuse to doe , then it is thought expedient that it be milked in a cleane vessell , standing in water a little warmish , and so presently drunke up . milke of beasts is to be drunke warme immediatly after the milking , with the addition of a little sugar rosat , or other ordinary sugar in defect thereof . the antients added hony and a little salt to it , especially when they would have it to purge : and so might wee well at this day , if our palats were not now adaies growne so dainty and nice , that no sweetning now will serve our turnes , unlesse fetch'd from madera , barbary , or brasill . howsoever , the poorer sort may use it after this manner . the ordinary measure to take at once , some would have it to be three or foure ounces , or about a quarter of an english wine pint , according as the nature of the disease and diseased shall indicate to vs. e galen in a fever hecticke , beginneth with two ounces , and then addeth halfe as much more , increasing the quantity , untill such time as hee saw it sufficient for the sicke . physitians of old , were wont to give milke to the sicke in a very great quantity : and f hippocrates gaue at once almost five quarts of asses milke , and sometimes lesse . but hee giveth onely asses milke in this abundant quantity , so farre as we can read : and elsewhere , he giveth sometimes above a gallon and a halfe , and sometimes above two gallons of this same milke . g rondeletius addeth this caution in the use of asses milke , that if it be used to cleanse and purge , wee may use an english pint at a time , but if it be used for aliment , then a lesser quantity will serve the turne , lest it trouble the stomacke . i dranke as much as was milk'd from the asse at a time , the quantity i remember not . but such as have in their health beene accustomed to the use of milke , may drinke as much as they please . sometimes the antient physitians , and hippocrates himselfe also , in benigne and milde fevers , and in internall heats used to boile good store of water with their milke , and so gave it their sicke to drinke . but because milke in its owne entire substance is not alwaies so safe for the sicke ; besides , there being so many cautions to be observed , and so many cases wherein it is not safe to exhibite it ; it therefore being composed of three severall substances , the mercuriall or waterish part , called serum , and in english whey , may farre safelier in any disease be exhibited than any of the other . this serous substance doth cut tough humors , cleanse and loosen the belly : and therfore whatsoever milk most aboundeth with this moist substance , is most wholesome , and although often used , yet hurteth least . such are womans , goats , asses & camels milke : for the whey of such milke is accounted good against the iandise , dropsie , arising from the obstructions of the inward parts , as also against scabs , morphewes , tetters , freckles of the face , and cataracts of the eyes . of all other wheyes , that of goats milke is esteemed the best : for it participateth of a sharpe nitrous quality , whereby it cleanseth ; a thinne and subtile quality , whereby it openeth obstructions ; cold and moist , whereby of cooleth and moisteneth in all fevers : it is good against dropsies , iandise , the spleene , melancholicke diseases , obstructions from choler , diseases in the kidnies , and all inflammations . the antients used also often to infuse their medicines in whey , made especially of goats milke ; although sometimes mention be also made of whey of cowes milke , which now is most in request . h antient physitians make mention of two sorts of whey ; one of the whole substance of the milke as it is , and another of milke already skimmed : but the first is the best , and loosenth the belly most . both these sorts were prepared after a double manner ; one without commixtion of any other substance , called a simple manner , and was thus prepared : the milke being very hot , they suddenly set within it another vessell full of cold water , and so by this sudden concurse of hot and cold , was made this separation . some would have this vessell of i silver , some of brasse , others care not what the metall be . boiled with a very hot fire , it often also quickly curdleth , and then by straining , one substance is separated from another . another way of separation , was called compounded , by addition of some other substance , rennet , juice of the figge tree , &c. and many other things , as well hot as cold , will easily curdle milke . it is moreover to be observed , that whey acquireth unto it selfe divers qualities according to the various preparations thereof : for that which is made with rennet is sharper than that which is made without any addition of any other substance . that which is made with sowre juices , as of lemmons and the like , is more cooling and pleasing to the palat , and more appropriate , and fitting for hot and maligne diseases ; howbeit more hurtfull for any internall ulceration , or excoriation . now , for the quantity , it must be measured according to the nature and constitution of the patient , observing also these cautions following : to wit , that it be drunke blood-warme in a morning fasting . some give above a pint , if for the qualifying of sharpe humours ; but if to purge , then about three pints , and hippocrates to almost two pints more . wee follow rather the arabians directions , who give it from halfe a pint to a wine quart and upwards ; and this quantitie must be taken by degrees , not all at once , and the patient must walke a turne or two betwixt , as is the manner in drinking of minerall waters . and as did the antients , so doe we likewise , often boile in our whey divers sorts of simples , and with us is much used in the sommer-time , for cooling and clearing the blood . we use endive , or succory , fumiterre especially , dock-roots , &c. according to the particular occasion , and the parties constitution , &c. who useth it . and this is often used even of healthfull persons . wee make our whey for the sicke after a farre other manner , which we commonly call posset-drinke , and is made after divers manners . in fevers , and hot diseases , we turne the milke only with the juice of a lemmon ; and this we call lemmon posset , being both cooling and cordiall : and in the absenee of lemmons , wee may make use of the juce of sorrell , or some wine vineger , which the poorer sort may use , whensoever they have need . and in the use of posset-drinke ▪ this is to be observed , that it be alwaies made cleare for the sick ; and if it be not so at first , with an addition of some such acid juice , as wee have already named , it may easily be effected . that made with sorrell is in very great request , especially of the wood-sorrell , or sorrell dubois is the best , and differreth in shape and forme from our ordinary sorrell . we use often also to boile holy thistle in our posset-drinke , in fevers especially . posset-drinke made after this manner , is good in all pestilentiall and contagious diseases , and are with us every where in great request . againe , wee use another manner of making this posset-drinke ; when as wee mingle some cold beere , ale or wine with our hot milke , and so make a posset-drinke not altogether so cooling as the former , yet safely used in many infirmities . in diseases that are not of so hot a nature , wee may make our possets with a little white wine , as also in the declining of fevers , which is good both to provoke urin and sweat . and this i thinke be the fittest and safest way to use wine for the sicke , unlesse in chronicall and long continuing diseases . wee use also sometimes plaine and ordinary posset-drinke , made of ordinary drinke , which is much used for the furthering of the operation of vomits , and sometime used as a lavative after the taking of purges ; in which cases i wish the milke be not skimmed , but even as it commeth from the cow : as for the curd , i wish sicke folkes especially , altogether to absteine from it . and as for our eating possets ( although many country people are of opinion , that a posset , a cup of wine , or strong water , will cure any disease ) i advise the sicke altogether to absteine from them . and to speake the truth , in best health , they are used rather for wantonnesse than need , being altogether superfluous , being used especially after a good meale , as they are often used after supper . in scotland , the better sort make their posset onely of milke and white wine , with a little sugar and cinnamon , which they drinke , and give away the curd , which is the best way of using it , and least hurtfull to health . now , in milke , the next substance to be considered , is that which swimmeth upon the top , and is called the creame of the milke , or flos lactis , which we commonly call butter , and use it for dressing of meat , and many other uses , as in other countries they use oyle . it is a very wholesome dish for healthfull people , moderatly , and in due season used ; best in a morning , at the beginning of dinner , or at breakefast . if immoderatly and unseasonably used , it swimmeth on the top of other meats , hindreth concoction , fumeth up into the head , dulleth the senses , and hurteth the eye-sight . in sicke folkes it is seldome to be used , especially in a weake stomack , as it is most commonly : and their meat dressed with much butter oftentimes , so cloggeth their stomackes , that it maketh them altogether unfit for any other food , and especially butter much boiled , as it is not good in health , so is it yet farre worse for weake and sicke people : and therefore i advise all those who dresse the sickes meat , to be very circumspect in the use of butter . the third substance in milke , is the terrestrious substance , which we commonly call cheese , and concerning this , it may be demanded , whether the sicke may safely eat cheese , or no ? i answer , that in acute diseases , where solid food is not allowed , farre lesse are we to give way to this solid and terrestrious substance . but in the declining of the disease , & when the sick beginneth now to feed more on solid food , if especially it be earnestly desired ; and in chronicall diseases , if the sicke hath before bin accustomed to this food , then a little sometimes , to satisfie a longing appetite , may be allowed : provided it be good cheese , made of unskimmed milke , neither too old , nor too new , and in a small quantity . others , i wish to be sparing in the use of this aliment . in all manner of laskes and loosnesses , the use of it is most safe , if there be no other impediment . old hard cheese is neither good in sicknesse nor in health ; nor that which is made of too cleane skimmed milke , whereof i have seene some in saxony which might well have served in stead of chalke ; and to mend the matter , was well seasoned with blacke poppy seeds . and what good can any expect from the use of rotten putrified cheese , crawling full of maggots , so greedily , notwithstanding of some gluttons gaped after ? now , whereas i say , that too new cheese is not to be used , i doe not exclude the use of new cheese , after it is a little kept , as is the custome in many places of this kingdome , and none better than in northampton shire , without any disparagment to other places . and of such cheeses , i thinke , is hee to be understood , who wrote these k verses following : caseolos nisi lactantes & ab ubere pressos ne crebro comedas consuluisse velim , inde putri mordax vesice pondus adhaesit , gutta nec inde boni sanguinis ulla venit . to eat cheese oft , i would not wish that thou should make a trade , vnlesse it be some new milke cheese , new from the udderne made . for from thence to the bladder doth a smarting paine proceed , and not a drop of wholesome blood from thence will in thee breed . cheese is most ordinarily eaten after other meats to close up the stomacke , which is indeed the best way . and by this meanes it openeth the belly ; howsoever , cheese in it selfe bindeth : and yet taken at the beginning of the meale , it produceth a contrary effect , and best to be used in fluxes , according to this vulgar verse . caseus ante cibum confert , si defluat alvus , si constipetur terminet ille dapes . if thy body be laxative , cheese before meat is fit : if costive , then thou shalt doe well to end thy meale with it . howsoever , cheese is to be used sparingly , especially in weake stomacks , and such as lead a sedentary life , and use but little exercise : for in such , too frequently and too liberally eaten , it wil breed the stone , and all manner of obstructions , the colicke , and many other diseases . and therfore it is a good caveat which was included in this verse following : caseus est sanus , quem dat avare manus . a sparing hand in the use of cheese i hold alwaies the best . and in making of cheese this caution is to be observed , that it taste not too much of the rennet , which is nothing so pleasant to the palat , and maketh the cheese hotter . and therfore the italian parmesan cheese is for this cause in farre higher esteeme , by reason they say it is made with thistles , only , without any rennet at all . as for strong stomackes , and laboring people , with ostritch stomacks , which would overcome yron , and whose best meales are often made with cheese , these rules doe not so much concerne them . and now in generall , concerning the use of milke in healthfull people , i deny not , but for many people it is very soveraine good and wholesome aliment , especially for hot bodies , and in sommer time , and so it moisteneth very much , and may be corrected with sugar or salt from curdling in the stomacke , or with some spear-mints put into it . sometimes milke sowreth of selfe , especially in the sommertime ; and sometimes it is also of purpose suffered to sowre , and that for the serum or sowre whey it aftewards yeeldeth , which is very pleasing and usefull for a hot and dry body , and exceeding good to quench thirst , and allay the extremity of heat in any hot disease , being an easie and cheape drinke for the poorer sort , especially . this kinde of drinke is in very great request in the northerne parts of this iland , where it is called of some whigge , and of others wigge . butter-milke , which remaineth after the chirning , is cooler than other milke , yet not so good for nourishments , and being a little sowrish , it is best for hot and dry bodies . for sicke people , it is best to make with this milke a posset , with a little white wine , which will be a very pleasant and wholesome drinke , the curd being separated from the drinke . and it is to be observed , that that whey which is last prest out of the cheese is the thickest , aptest to ingender obstructions , and not so usefull as that which is thinner . milke is best , as we have said , for hot & dry bodies , and good strong stomacks , and if used of moister and more phlegmaticke bodies ( for whom it is not so good ) it will be best to boile it , adding thereunto a little sugar or some hony and salt , and a little powder of cinamon & other spice . and it is alwaies best to eat milke by it selfe , a pretty distance from other food , and after the use of it , wash well thy teeth & gums with beere , wine , or vineger . as for the proverbiall speech , if thou wilt live ever , wash milke from thy liver , it is most absurd and erronious ; this being a meanes to make it curdle the sooner , which is that wee labour here to avoid . but of milke are made many other dishes , which wee commonly call white meats , whereof a word or two before wee conclude this point . white meat is not only here , but in many other places of christendome in very great use , and in no small esteeme among many ; of all which , to speake , were here too tedious . in generall then , all manner of white meats are apt to ingender obstructions , to fill the body with grosse , crude , and phlegmaticke humours : and therefore altogether unfit for weake stomackes , and such as are subject to any kinde of obstructions , either in the brest or nether belly : and are worst for old age , cold and phlegmaticke constitutions , and all such as lead a sedentary life , although i shall hardly perswade women that they receive any harme by the use of them . of all other white meats , there is here with us one sort of white meat made of milke and wheat , called frumentie , in greatest and most frequent request , which is a strong nourisher , and therefore requireth a strong stomacke , it being hard of concoction , and a great enemy to any oppilations , especially if it be thickened with flowre , as most doe ordinarily use it ; howbeit corrected with cinnamon or other spices , it is so much the better , and some adde also sugar and currants , wherewith i can finde no fault . rice pottage made after the same manner , of rice and milke , is much of the same operation , howbeit the later , i thinke , is more binding , and therefore may both be very well used in laskes and fluxes of the belly . and of the same nature is that which the french use much , made of millet . and besides , of milke there are no small variety of dishes made for ordinary food , and for feasts and great banquets , the which were here too long to relate . but all white meats , especially the more liquid they be , would be eaten before any other meat , or betwixt meales : and all suppings , or liquid meats , brothes , or the like , must be used at the beginning of our meales ; and so ought crustards , although custome hath much prevailed to the contrary . but all these white meats must be left of our sicke , especially of acute diseases , as being hard of concoction , apt to ingender obstructions , and by consequence like to prolong the disease . in some chronicall diseases , as in fluxes , some of them may with discretion , to good purpose be used . and this shall suffice to have said of milk , as also concerning the whole drink and diet of the diseased ; now come wee to certaine other things belonging also to this subject . chap. xviii . of exercise , which terminateth in rest : the necessity and utility thereof ; together with the divers and various sorts of exercise , as well generall as particular , with severall circumstances to be observed . having handled somewhat at large both the elements , the aire especially , and the relation they have unto the body of man in sickenesse and in health : as also aliments of all sorts , conteining the whole matter of the diet of whole and sick persons : there remaine yet , notwithstanding , divers other things concerning this subject , of diet to be handled . in the next place , therefore , wee are now to say something concerning motion or exercise , and rest from the same . to prove the utility and necessity of exercise , and agitation or motion of the body , it being so undeniable a truth ( yea , even among vulgar judgements , with whom , neverthelesse , other truth in this profession , find oftentimes but hard entertainment ) i hope i shall need to spend the lesse time in proving the same . but that in the mouth of two or three witnesses , the truth may the better be established ; besides some reasons , i will produce some authorities of antient physitians and phylosophers , that so it may appeare this is not mine owne bare assertion onely . now , the utility of exercise duely and orderly used as it ought , is threefold : the increase of naturall heat , a more speedy motion and distribution of the spirits thorow the body , and addition of strength to all the members therof : and besides the cherishing of naturall heat , fuliginous excrements are expelled , concoction furthered , and strength added to the nerves , and all the parts of the body . and of these , a galen discourseth at great length ; and not onely he but b hippocrates himselfe . whosoever eateth , saith he , unlesse he use bodily labour and exercise , cannot long continue in health . * and againe , in another place , it ought to be the care of such as will be carefull of their health , not to satiate themselves with food , and not to be averse from exercise . and the c same author averreth , that nature her selfe , without the counsell or advice of any other , hath sound out certain motions for the better performance of her actions . d and labour and exercise . saith he , are very usefull for the ioints and musculous parts , but food and fleepe for the inward parts of the body . and galen in many places of his workes , doth not a little extoll and magnifie exercise , as in these words following . e to mainetaine our bodies in good health , we must beginne with labour and exercise . and elsewhere . to maineteine the body in good health , the moderate exercise of the body is marvellous usefull and necessary : but on the contrary , rest , ease and idlenesse are very hurtfull . and in the same book hee affirmeth , that both himselfe , and a companion of his , for the space of many yeeres , lived in very good health , hee attributed to the moderate and seasonable use of their exercise : by meanes whereof crudities were avoided . and of the same minde is the learned g celsus , sluggishnesse , saith he , dulleth the body , exercise and labour maketh it firme and strong : the one hasteneth on old age , the other prolongeth the time of youth . and the opinion of h plato , is , that exercise strengtheneth , but ease and idlenesse corrupteth the body . but fearing to trespasse too much upon the readers patience in the enumeration of more authorities , i come next to the time , and then to the several sorts of exercises , of us seriously to be considered . the fittest and most opportune time for exercise is agreed upon among all our physitians , in the generall , to be best before meales , when concoction is accomplished , to be seene in the urines . and as for the particular time of the day , the morning is both by hippocrates , and of others preferred before any other time of the day . howsoever , let this alwaies carefully be observed , that thy exercise be not undertaken before thy food be well concocted , and that now the time of thy next repast approach . and this a late writer proveth both by reasons , and the example of alexander the great . and hippocrates mentioning the moderate use of divers things , which concerne the life of man , ranketh labour and exercise in the first place . i let labour or exercise , and meat and drinke , carnall copulation and sleepe , all be used with moderation . and k celsus wisheth those who in the day time have been busied , either with their owne private , or else with the publike affaires of the common-wealth , to set apart sometime wherein they may take care of their owne body . now , the principall care thereof consisteth in the use of exercise , and ought alwaies to be used before meales : and hee that hath taken lesse paines , and his food be well concocted , may use it more freely : but he that hath beene toiled out with labour , and hath not well concocted his food , let him use exercise more sparingly . and this was the sauce the noble cyrus used in all his warlike expeditions : for saith l xenophon , he never supped before he had sweat , or had performed some warlike exploit , or some rusticall and country imploiment , and by this meanes , inioyed his health perpetually . and besides , being not only sollicitous of himselfe , but also of all his souldiers & servants health , he had an especiall care that they were never admitted either to dinner or supper before they had laboured hard . and the m egyptian youth by the command of amasis , did not eat before they had run about * miles : and tully relateth , that denis the tyrant , having supped with the lacedemonians , said , hee cared not much for their blacke-broth , which was , notwithstanding , the principall dish of the feast : whereunto the cooke replied , that it was no marvell : for , saith hee , the sauce was wanting . what sauce , saith the tyrant ? n labour and exercise , saith hee , in hunting , sweating , running , hunger and thirst : for these be the sauces wee lacedemonians use . and o hippocrat●● hath one particular precept to this purpose , to use exercise before our meales . labour and exercise , saith he , must goe before our meales . but to use exercise , especially if it be violent , immediatly after meals , is altogether unfit for the health of man. and that by reason it filleth the body full of crudities ; from whence proceed strong and often invincible , and incurable obstructions , the orignall , and as i may say , the mother of most fevers , and a multitude of other diseases : for the foode being before concoction violently expelled out of the stomacke , must needes much annoy the body . let such therefore looke to themselves , and be warned , who , immediatly after meales give themselves to any violent exercise ; as jumping , dancing , and the like violent motions , and agitations of the body . having now sufficiently discoursed of the time , wee come next to the place . now the place where exercise is used , is not of small consequence : as whether it be in a towne , or in the country : and in particular , whether within doores or without ; in a warme aire , or in a cold ; whether in a blustring windie , or in a calme and quiet aire . we are againe to consider the place wee tread on , or whether it bee hard or soft ; grassie , dusty , sandy , wet with water or snow ; or whether hard or dry . and againe , we are to consider the p time of the yeere , whether in sommer or winter , which doe intend or remit the manner of exercise . violent exercise in sommer in the heat of the sunne , heateth much , dissolveth and melteth the humors , and procureth distillations : and where the braine aboundeth with humors , the head weake , and the stomacke stuffed with crudities , it occasioneth sometimes death , or at least very dangerous diseases . and in winter exercises in the sun , being violent , cause wearinesse , inward impostumes , as pleuresies ; in hot countries , i thinke especially , such as is spaine , where this author lived . in the shade it is safer , yet ought it to be shorter in sommer , and lesse violent : but in winter it may bee more violent . in the use of exercise , againe we are to consider the persons to be exercised : as whether men or women , young or old , weake or strong : for according to these and other the like circumstances , the manner of exercise must bee ordered and altered . the strong may use stronger exercise than the weake ; and the man other exercise than the woman : and againe , the same patient is to alter his exercise according to the seasons of the yeere and other circumstances . children againe are not to use such exercise as able young men ; and old age must use such exercise as becommeth that age . cholericke persons also are not so much to exercise their bodies as the phlegmaticke and other constitutions , and withall their exercise must be gentler : and the like is to bee said of thinne , extenuate , dry bodies , who by strong and violent exercise are much in damaged . and exercise in the quality must also bee accommodated according to severall circumstances , as hath beene touched already , and shall more particularly hereafter appeare . and in it we consider first the manner of exercise ; whether violent or no ? whether by lifting any great weight , a lighter , or of a middle size : and whether it bee continued or interrupted ; whether the motion bee swift or slow . wee are againe in it to consider the site and posture of the bodie moved : as whether it stand upright , bee crooked , or turne and winde about in a circular motion . exercise of the body standing upright , is more beneficiall , and easier ; bending and stooping is more laborious and painfull : but circular motion or turning round is of all others the worst , procuring giddinesse and casting , especially where the body is thereunto most prone . as for the time of duration or continuance of the exercise , which we comprehend under the name of quantity , it is likewise various according to the nature of the partie exercised : and is either great , small or a meane betwixt both . that physitians call great , which soonest causeth lassitude or wearinesse ; that small which neither increaseth the heat of the body , nor causeth a more frequent respiration : a meane betwixt both , which both increaseth the heat , and maketh a more frequent respiration . it is notwithstanding a very hard matter to determine to any the quantity of exercise he is to use , q there being such a variety and difference in the individuall constitutions of particular persons ; and withall , so many severall circumstances to be considered ; the exercise being to be accommodated to the nature , strength , age , and necessity of the partie to be exercised . and as there ought to be a due proportion betwixt the quantity of food , and the duration of exercise , so is this not so easy to find out . but in the use of exercise we must observe this rule , that the respiration grow more frequent , or else it deserveth not the name of exercise : and in some exercises we somtimes cease not untill r we sweat ; which is also variable according to the constitution of the body , time of the yeere , &c. howsoever , whensoever thou seelest any lassitude or wearinesse , and the alacrity and vigor of thy body any white abated , know for a certaine , it is then high time to give over . now besides the premisses , the antients observed an order in their exercise , using in the first place frictions and inunctions , as a preparative for other exercises , as may at length in ſ galen appeare . now these frictions were in very great use among the antients , and now among us in little or no use , howbeit in some particular cases they might bee yet of good use among us ; but here i will not insist upon them , but proceed to the division of exercises . of exercises , therefore some exercise the body alone : as jumping , dancing , digging , &c. others againe exercise the mind alone : as all manner of serious cogitations and study . some exercise both the body and the mind : as playng at hand-ball , at tenice , &c. againe , some exercise the whole body ; as playing at tenice , and many others : some but one part ; as singing , speaking , and reading aloud , exerciseth the lungs ; ringing , the armes especially , and pectorall parts ; digging the reines and loines , &c. another difference of exercise there is also according to the end some being onely exercises ; as wrestling , running , walking , and the like , our end in them being onely our pleasure , recreation , or exercise of the body : but in others there is more labour and toile , and in the which we propound to our selves some profit , at which we principally aime ; as in digging , plowing , harrowing , and divers other sorts of husbandry ; and the like may be said of divers manuall trades and handicrafts . and according to the quality , some exercises are valid and strong , and some more mild and easy . strong and violent exercises are wrestling , foot ball play , and the like , which are sparingly to be used ; howbeit tennice play used with moderation , i thinke hath scarce its fellow , as exercising the whole body , and that without any hurt . hunting and hawking howbeit they exceed many other exercises , yet are they more obnoxious to hazard and danger than many others ; and being exercises and recreations chiefly appropriated to the gentry , they doe not so well besit trades-men and people of inferior condition . and in these same recreations i wish the gentry would use a moderation , and not make of a recreation a trade and vocation , and mis-spend so much pretious time , which was alloted them for a better end , and whereof they must one day give an account . and i wish them seriously to consider , that the end why they were placed in this world , and adorned with so great dignities and preheminences above the inferiour ranke of people , was not to t eate and drinke and play , as was reproached to the people of the jewes : but the more god hath graced great ones , the more honour and service he requireth at their hands . but to our purpose againe . there are againe some exercises , wherein sometimes the party exercised is the principall agent and mover himselfe ; as in walking , running , and the like : and sometimes the motion dependeth on an other ; as in sailing , riding , travailing by coach or waggon , by ship , &c. and the kinds of exercise differ both one from another , and sometimes even one and the same kind of exercise from it selfe : as namely , the motion of a coach or waggon is farre more unequall than that of a horse , and the more uneven and rugged the way is , the more unequall is the motion : as riding on a hard trotting horse is farre more violent and laborious than riding on an easy ambler . and therefore it is not without good reason , that such as ride post use to sweath themselves about the midle , and eate little : for by this meanes they become subject to the lesse danger . and it is to be observed , that hard riding is hurtfull for a weake backe , and sometimes is the meanes of breaking some small veine , whereupon often insue incurable ulcers in the kidnies or bladder , being also an enemie to weake legges ; and besides ▪ hard riding often overturneth the stomacke , especially if it bee weake and full , and yet more if the partie be not accustomed to ride . sailing differeth likewise according to the water whereon one saileth . on the ocean where are great waves , and good gales of wind the motion is more unequall , and sooner maketh a weake and full stomacke to vomit , and so proveth a good helpe for our health . but to saile on a fresh-water river on a calme day , is far easier , and troubleth the body far lesse . next to this is the carrying of one in a chaire on mens shoulders ; and carrying in a litter is a meane betwixt the two former . now besides the premisses , there are yet a multitude of exercises ; both universall , which exercise the whole body ; and also particular , which exercise some part thereof . the whole body was exercised in that play with a little ball , which u galen so highly commendeth in a booke made in the cōmendation therof , which , as appeareth , differed much from our tennice play , in that there was in it mutuall imbracings and graplings . but in my opinion , as i have said already , tenice-play moderately used yeeldeth to no other exercise whatsoever . we may here take in walking , which used with moderation , is hurtful to no age , sex , & may ( contrary to other exercises ) be even used after meals . besides these , foot-ball play , wrestling and cudgell play exercise the whole body , ( howbeit the taste lighteth many times on some one part ) and many more which i willingly here passe by . there are also som particular exercises , which exercise some one part of the body or more : and some of those againe , besides the part moved , move the whole body also . and againe , of these some are appropriate and peculiar to some particular part onely ; as namely , the voice to the brest and lungs , mastication to the jawes , seeing to the eye . and therefore all such members as have a free motion , and for some proper utility and use , ought to be exercised ; as the lungs , brest , armes , legges , &c. but the head , because it obtained not motion from any proper utility or profit , but onely to avoid dangers , therefore needeth it no exercise . crying therfore or reading with a loud and audible voice is very beneficiall for the lungs , if they be not too weake , and no ulcer either present or imminent , either there or in the brest ; and therefore very good for preaches that have strong lungs . if it continue long , it heateth the whole body , helpeth the shortnesse of breath , wasteth the superfluous moisture in the muscles of the pectorall parts , concocteth crudities in those parts , and furthereth expectoration : but withall , if violent and of long duration , it hurteth the head , if weake already , cacochymicall , replete and bursten bodies . great , loud , long , crying and singing , sounding the trumpet , playing on pipes , and the like instruments , are hurtfull to schollers especially , in that it attracteth the heat upwards . to row with oares exerciseth the armes and upper parts strongly . ringing of bells , swinging with a rope , playing at shittlecocke , and the like , exercise the armes and upper parts especially , and consequently the whole body also . and so doe shooting with bow and arrowes , gouf-playing , and the like . but cleaving of wood , sawing , drawing of water , howbeit they exercise the armes and pectorall parts , yet communicate they not so much motion to the rest of the body as the former . cleaving of wood shaketh the head more than the rest . digging exerciseth the kidnies and the backe . walking exerciseth the feet and nether parts principally , but consequently the rest of the body also . this exercise as hath been said already may bee used of any age or sex , and may at pleasure be intended or remitted according to pleasure . after meales , if moderate , it may safely be used , especially after supper . it helpeth too concoct crudities , is good against the wind colicke , helpeth infirmities of the stomacke , is good to prevent the stone in the kidnies and the bladder , besides many other benefits it procureth to the body of man ; and is very usefull for such as lead a studious and sedentary life . some professions there are , who ordinarily use some parts of the body more than others ; as tailors and shoomakers , their hands and armes ; weavers , their feet ; smithes , and such professions as handle the hammer , their hands and armes . such persons therefore , when they are to exercise their bodies , let them exercise those parts which are most deprived of motion . such persons as exercise little , must detract somewhat from their ordinary diet , and feed more sparingly . chap. xix . of the exercises of the mind : whether at our meales wee may discourse and deliberate of serious affaires , and what was the custome and practice among the antients . accomodation of exercises to the sicke , and how safe it is for them to use exercise . as there are exercises of the body , so are there likewise exercises wherwith the mind is busied and imploied : and such are all manner of thoughts , serious cogitations , cares , and all manner of imploiments , wherewith the mind of man is imploied . this must also be moderate and seasonable , otherwise it overthroweth the whole man. and this of all others concerneth most such as lead a contemplative and sedentary life ; as schoolers , and such as are imploied about weighty affaires in church or common-wealth : and therefore it is with an unanimous consent of all our physitians agreed upon , that wee are at meales to banish farre from us all sad and serious thoughts and cogitations , as hindering and distracting the worke of naturall heat , which is to concoct the aliment in the stomacke . and for this cause was it that physitians did inhibite study for the space of certaine houres after the repast , according to this triviall verse . nec propere à mensâ studijs vacaveris unquam , sed tribus aut horis quatuor inde vaca . haste not from study to thy booke , from study still refraine . three or foure houres , then thereunto thou mayest repaire againe . but this is not of any ordinary , but of very serious and weighty study to be understood , which is not a good while after meales to be undertaken . now it would be well considered , what bodies are most hurt by much serious study and intent cogitations of the mind . dry bodies , especially such braines are most indammaged and indangered thereby . and therefore hot and dry bodies , or yet cold and dry melancholicke bodies must use a moderation in this particular , or else they will repent when it is too late . i cannot here enter upon particulars concerning this point , but advise every man narrowly to have an insight into the temperature of his owne body , and to order it accordingly . phlegmaticke and sanguine constitutions are freed from this feare , this exiccation which wee so feared in the former , being for them beneficiall rather than any wayes prejudiciall . but here ariseth a question from that which hath been said concerning serious and intent cogitations at meales , whether we may not during meales discourse or deliberate about serious and weightie affaires , or discourse of any serious philosophicall or other grave question ? now that this was an antient custome both to deliberate of serious affaires in their feasts , as also to discourse of divers philosophical questions , is by divers antient authors apparent . and therefore nestor in a homer is brought in at a great feast , all the peeres of greece there assembled , perswading agamemnon to take some speedy course to helpe the then distressed gre●ians against the trojans . and the persians in their great feasts being full of wine ; were wont to consult of warre , and every man thus full of wine was suffered to give his voice for the warre . but the next day after they were wont to meet againe , and not till then being sober , to make a full conclusion of all affaires . this same probleme is of set purpose handled by some antient authors , and the affirmative by them mainteined , that during feasts and great meetings we may freely talke and discourse of serious affaires . and this is the opinion of two famous antient writers , b plutarch and maecrobius , the one a greeke , the other a romane writer , who have both of set purpose , handled this same question . if philosophy bee banished from banquets ( saith the aforenamed c. macrobius ) then let her nurce also , to wit , honesty and modesty , packe them hence : and then let both piety and sobriety also be gone : for which of these discerne greatest commendation , i can hardly discerne . but the same author in that place setteth downe at great length many directions concerning this same point : amongst others , that we are to not enter upon the depth of any philosophical point , but such as may be both easy and profitable . and of the very same opinion is plutarch also . and indeed in a publike meeting such things are to be discussed , as the whole company may understand , and may , if need be , reply to the purpose ; lest it fall out , as it did with the fox and the crane . d the fox at a certaine time invited the crane to dinner , and set upon the table a messe of thinne pottage , which the crane with his long bill could not take up to satiat his hungry appetite : the crane therefore in requitall inviteth the fox to a feast , where was set upon the table a vessell full of food , having a long narrow mouth , into the which the cranes long bill could easily entex , and eat up his food , when as master fox went home almost famished . and besides , it is by e aulus gellius also apparent , that these philosophicall discourses were at such meetings in very great request , and by plato himselfe . this limitation then being carefully observed there is no doubt , it seemeth , but we may often discourse of honest serious matters , and such as may be profitable to the hearers . and therefore a f late writer discoursing of this subject , hath these words . who ( saith hee ) at such a solemne meeting could indure a physitian prescribing strict rules of meate and drinke ? a divine to enter upon that profound point of predestination ? a lawyer upon some intricate case of law ? or a philosopher to enter upon a discourse of the first matter , or any other intricate point of metaphysicke ? an astronomer to discourse of his circles , epicycles , and the like ? but that there was a custome of handling and discussing of some serious matter , which might even exercise the wit , among many nations , by the practise of the philistines may plainely appeare , to whom sampson ( no doubt according to their ordinary custome at such meetings ) propounds his riddle . now ( saith the same author ) if these antient wise philosophers , altogether ignorant of the true heavenly philosophie , did notwithstanding , not onely in their schooles , but even in their parlours ; thinke it not unseemely to discourse of serious matters , conducing to the leading of a comfortable , quiet and happy life , and of letters and the liberall arts : how much more doth it then become us christians , instructed in the true knowledge of heavenly wisedome , in our publike meetings to accommodate all our discourse to honest , pious , profitable and religious matters , and such as might tend to edification , according to the apostles rule ; that is partly for the glory of god , and partly for the strengthening and confirming of our mutuall faith , hope and charitie . and yet , saith he , some there are , who thinke it a thing very absurd and unseemely at such publike meetings , to admit of any speech of god , of divine matters , or a christian mans duty : howbeit , on the contrary they admit and allow of the free use of scoffing , flowting , of unseemely jesting , quips and satyricall tants , not only vaine , idle and ridiculous ; but even oftentimes blasphemous against god , and contumelious to our neighbors . but farre different from this was the custome of our most wise lord and master iesvs christ , who , as in the whole evangelicall history may appeare , not onely in the temple , in the synagogues and other places ; but even at table tooke all occasions of giving good and wholsome precepts , not onely for leading an honest and civill life here among men , but even to atteine to eternall life also . and this same custome was also in the primitive church imitated , as witnesseth tertullian . g so they talke ( saith hee ) as knowing that the lord heareth them ; that is , their discourse is chast , pious and religious , of the which they know they have an eare-witnesse , even the allseeing , and all-hearing god himselfe . in the same place he mainteineth certaine hymnes and praiers , which did both proceed and follow these love-feasts . and s. chrysostome hath to this same purpose a worthy speech , not to be past over in silence : would to god ( saith he ) that both in the wine tavern , at their merry meeting in their feasts , in their hot-houses , yea , and every where men would discourse of hell-fire : for the often remembring of hell , would prove a meanes to keep men out of hell . and for this same cause was hell made and threatned , that by the seare thereof being battered , wee might not fall therein . besides these ordinary grave philosophicall and religious discoureses during their meales , they had oftentimes also others , who , during their meales , read to them some antient history , or some other memorable matters , as the same author out of many antient writers , maketh it evidently appeare . and it is recorded of alexander severus the emperour , that during dinner or supper , or else , after , either he himselfe read something , or else gave diligent attention to others while they read . and of the same emperour it is also recorded , that whensoever hee dined or supped in private , then hee admitted into his company vlpian , and other learned men , by whose learned discourses , hee confessed he was both refreshed and fed . the like is also recorded of charles the great , that during dinner and supper , hee had some histories or exploits of antient kings read unto him . and not onely the christians of the primitive church , did in laudable imitation of antiquity accommodate this custome unto themselves , in causing read some portions of holy scriptures during meales ; but is now become customary in some colleges of our vniversities . i will adde yet but a few words out of this same author , they being so pertinent , before i finish this point . now , from these conviviall conferences , as well of our saviour christ , as of the christians of the primitive church ; how farr doth our table talke differ , daily experience sufficiently doth testifie unto us . their speeches and conferences were grave , modest , chast , pious and religious : ours againe , are light , vaine and idle , filthy and obscene , blasphemous , contumelious and opprobrious both to god and man. and it was a holy saying of the antient hebrewes , that such as in their festivall meetings had no talke of divine matters , were as if they had eaten of the sacrifice of the dead . but on the contrary , such as doe magnifie the word of god , his law , his workes of divine wisedome , upon those resteth the divine benediction , and are as if they had eaten at gods owne table . but now with us the custome is farre contrary , many christians being of opinion , that all religious speeches are then altogether out of season , and if any one shall speake any thing tending this way , hee shall be esteemed an uncivll and unmannerly person . and now ( alas , the greater is the pitty ) our feasts are so full of intemperance and gluttony , that if a man should insert any holy and pious speech , it will be but as pearles cast to dogges and swine . i need no comment to explaine these words ; the text is plaine enough , and i leave the explication . it resteth now , that i should say something of the exercise befiting the sicke , it being the thing i here principally aime at ; howbeit it was necessary i should make an enumeration of them all ; and as the matter of the diet both of the whole and sicke , is one and the same ; so are their exercises also , not differing so much as their diets doe . in the exercise then of the sicke , two things are to be observed : first , in what diseases exercise may be used , not being usefull in all ; and the moderation thereof in such diseases where it may safely be used . some diseases then are acute , and others againe , chronicall . of the former , some are called simply acute , some peracute , and some perperacute ; which are certane degrees of sharpe diseases . of these two later sorts , the accidents are commonly so violent and fierce , and the diseases so dangerous , that in a very short time they are terminated either to life or death ; and by reason therof , they are not to use any exercise at all . of the first sort againe , to wit , of acute diseases , some are of longer continuance ; and some of shorter ; some give some intermission , some scarce any remission . such as give intermission , admit of exercise also , and in that time when they find most ease , and such as they were in health accustomed unto , and if it may with convenience , about the same time , especially when the intermission is of any long duration : provided alwaies , that the exercise be answerable to their strength and other circumstances . where there is no intermission , and the accidents not very violent , with some remission , some gentle exercise may in the remission be allowed . now , where any exercise may be either in acute or chronicall diseases admitted , walking may safely for the most part be used : provided still there be not a great debility in the nether parts , which yet by the helpe of a staffe , or leading by the armes may be helped , and the defect supplied . as for chronical diseases , although they are commonly of longer continuance than acute , yet unto some of them is denied the use of exercise which consisteth in motion , their nature requiring rest and quietnesse : such as are ulcers in the lungs and brest . as for other chronicall diseases , most of them may admit of walking , unlesse in great debility of the legges ; as in violent paroxysmes and paines of the gout , or some such other infirmities . and in many diseases where the sicke is not so well able to move himselfe , yet may he be moved by another , as in a chaire : and if hanging beds were here in use for the sicke , they would proove of very good use , and with more facility procure sleepe to the sicke , as i have touched heretofore . and frictions , although they be now almost out of use with us , yet were they among the antients of very good use in many diseases by way of diversion ; as also ligatures of the extremities are for the same purpose of very good use : as in swounding , in immoderate fluxes , of blood and other humours . in violent fluxes tending downewards therefore , wee are to use frictions and ligatures of the armes , wrists and fingers : and in the suppression of any wonted evacuation , we use these meanes , neere and tending to the part affected , to further this evacuation . but to enter upon particular exercises befitting severall particular diseases , this is neither the proper place , nor yet my purpose , where i can onely insist upon generall directions . and as for exercise of the minde , the anxiety and trouble of mind by reason of the sicknesse , and the manifold , painefull and troublesome accidents , as individuall companions attending the same , together with many future ( howbeit sometimes needlesse and frivolous ) feare doe often so wholly possesse the mind of the sicke , that he needeth no other imploiment : besides , that many times there is somewhat to doe about the disposing of a mans temporall estate . i wish therefore that the sicke ( especially in acute diseases , fevers , and the like ) be troubled , as little as may bee with any serious or weighty affaires , either studies or others . i except alwaies the care of the soule , which is never unseasonable , which neverthelesse , i wish , it be not put off to the last , as is too common with the most part . it is now , i confesse , thought sufficient , if the sicke ( death especially being apprehended ; or else be sure of silence ) send to the parson of the parish , and sometimes to some other , whom perhaps he fancieth best , to say some good prayers by his bed-side , although all his life time he never cared for praier or any other good exercise ; and then after opus operatum , this formality being now performed , with a lord have mercy upon us , whatsoever the former life hath been , without any more adoe , thinketh to goe straight to heaven in a feather-bed . and here is the greatest miserie , that many times they meet with some empiricke divine ( for there are many empiricke devines as well as physitians ; the more is the pity ! ) who after a formall confession of their sinnes in the generall , apply presently their plaister of mercy to all indifferently , without any further searching into the wound , and like a skillfull spirituall physitian laying first before them the terrors of the law , searching into the sore , humbling them for their sinnes , and then powring in the oile of mercy . therefore as in bodily health , i advise every man to looke narrowly to his diet , to refraine from such things as may prejudice the health of his bodie , and prevent diseases , or at least make them farre more easy to bee endured when they come : so i wish every one to bee warned to have a speciall care of the spirituall estate of the soule , in feeding it with the wholesome food of gods ordinances , the word and sacraments and other good meanes ; and in any case not to surfet thy soule with sinne ( that so thou mayest prevent many dangerous diseases ) which will never with a formall lord have mercy on us , and some prayer booke of thine owne , thy minster or others ( for with many to pray without booke smelleth ranke of puritanicall precisenesse ) without a true and serious repentance from the bottome of thy heart , ever bee expiated . if this were carefully observed and practised , and people would make their reckonings ready in their life time , and not post off all to the last , but often too late repentance , the sicke would not often be so much dismaied at the pronouncing of his finall sentence ; nor the physitian oftentimes so much troubled , how and in what manner to deliver this unwelcome message . but i know some will say now : suitor ultra crepidam , and therefore since the pens and pulpits of our learned divines give daily warning of this danger , i will cease from digressing any further ; but among many other worthy workes published concerning such subjects , i wish the reader to bee acquainted with two , published by a h reverend divine of northamptonshire : the one a comfortable walking with god , and the other , instructions for comforting afflicted consciences . now after all exercises and motion and agitation of the body , there must be in due and convenient time a cessation and rest , and into this must all motion and exercise terminate and end , and alternatively succeed each other . now as motion and exercise is accounted usefull for all men , and after to succeed ; so would it seeme that no person , in health i meane , and able for exercise , is to bee freed therefrom , and so to live in ease and idlenesse . and yet i hippocrates seemeth to command the contrary , wishing hot and cholericke constitutions to rest , and not to use exercise . and k galen hath likewise something tending to the same purpose . this is not a little to bee admired , saith he , that whereas hippocrates is of opinion , that it is farrebetter for hot constitutions to live at rest than to use exercise , yet many physitians there are who scarce are able to discerne such constitutions , and therefore indifferently appoint every one exercise alike . but wee are not here simply and litterally to understand hippocrates of a meere idle sluggishnesse , which was never of any wise physitian yet allowed ; but whereas he denieth such constitutions exercise , hee is of strong and violent exercises to bee understood , and such as may safely bee allowed to other constitutions . and indeed , hot and cholericke constitutions , by meanes of violent labour and exercise , especially in sommer and hot seasons , fall often into hot and choloricke diseases , which by avoiding this violent motion might bee avoided . the diet of the diseased . the third booke . the argvment . the residue of the sixe things called not naturall , and such things as thereunto belong , are here in this last booke handled , the first whereof is repletion and inanition ; and in the first place of repletion in generall , and the division thereof , as likewise of inanition or evacuation , and the divers kinds thereof : afterwards is phlebotomy handled in particular , and the diversity thereof , where is set downe the utility therof , the persons fit to be phlebotomised , the veins to be opened , the quantity , quality , convenient time , together with the preparation before , and the ordering after phlebotomy are plainly and largely set down , where something concerning the signe , whether in phlebotomy to be observed , with a confutation of that and some other points of judiciall astrology : after follow purgations , whether or no we ought to purge ? what persons are to be purged , of the nature of the humors to be purged , and concerning their preparation . of purging medicines , reiteration of them , their quātity , quality , time of exhibition both generall and particular . of vomits , glisters , and suppositories . severall formes in which medicines are exhibited , together with the manner of governing the sicke , in and after physicke . of sweating , and meanes to further the same . of bathing and baths , both naturall and artificiall : of the nature and properties of divers minerall waters , both in this iland , and other parts of europe , and in what infirmities most effectuall . also concerning urines , the fecall excrements or ordure : of spittle , spitting , or salivation , and of tabacco , and the use therof , as also of snot or snevell , and of rheumes & distillations descending upon the nether parts , the lungs especially , and how remedies are for this to be used . of carnall copulation , the right use and abuse thereof : of watching and sleeping , and dreames in sicknesse & in health : of the soule and the chiefe passions thereof : of love , and love potions , and whether they can procure love or no ? of effascination , and something concerning mandrakes , and the erronious opinion of some concerning this simple : of anger , joy , sadnesse or griefe , and the effects that follow thereupon . the conclusion of this whole discourse . chap. i. of repletion and inanition in generall , what they are , and the variety of particular circumstances therein to be considered . hitherto have wee discoursed of the nature of the aire and other elements , and other things pertinent to that purpose , as well in sicknesse as in health ; as also of severall sorts of aliments ; and lastly , of severall sorts of exercise : there remaine yet some things to be discussed , which concerne not a little both the sicke and the whole : and among these wee are now to speake in the first place of those things which our physitians commonly call excreta & retenta ; or such things as are to be reteined within the body of man , and such as ought to be expelled out of the same . the a old father of physitians according to his laconicke manner of speech , includeth the whole body of physicke within these two words , adiectio , & substractio : that is , in adding or supplying that which is wanting , and detracting that which is superfluous , or superabounding . now , as in all living creatures there must be a daily addition of aliment , so must there be something also reteined for the nutrition & preservation of the body nourished . againe , by the continuall addition of aliment , it is not possible but there must be some excretion of superfluous excrements , or of such humours as abound in quantity only . that which doth thus so superfluously abound in the body of man , we commonly call repletion , the which is remedied by evacuation . if there be accumulated within the body of man a greater quantity of humours , good or bad , of one kinde , or more than is usefull for the mainteining of health , and performing of such functions as become the state & condition of such a creature , they become a burthen to the body , and by consequent to be expelled . now , in the body of the daily addition of aliment for the reparation of that radicall moisture ( which neverthelesse by degrees , doth still insensibly decay and waste away ) there are continually some superfluities or excrements ingendred , which must be expelled : and for this purpose the great and wise creator and governour of all things , hath appointed certaine emunctories , or passages whereby the body might of them be unburthened . it commeth , notwithstanding , often to passe , that these humours , whether abounding in quantity , or quality , are by some meanes still reteined within the body , and so either threaten some disease , or else have already produced it ; and then wee are by such physicall helpes as are fitting , to further the excretion of such humours . this oppression , or over-burthening of nature , if generall through the whole body , commonly called repletion , is either of all the humors jointly , and called by the name of plethora , and is to be remedied by phlebotomy ; or else of some corrupted humours ; as phlegme , melancholy , choler , jointly or severally , and called by the name of cacochymia , the which is to be expelled by purging medicines . there is yet besides the premises , a retention of certaine profitable humors abounding onely in quantity , and ought at certaine time , for the benefit and better being of the body , to be expelled : as the seed of generation in both sexes , and the menstruous fluxe in women : and sometimes more excrements ; as sweat , urine , ordure , &c. are deteined within the body . all these in their due seasons are by fit and convenient meanes , by the counsell of a judicious artist prescribed , by their emunctories and proper passages to be expelled . and sometimes these evacuations either naturall , or procured by art , by their too great abundance , threaten danger ; and then wee are to use our best art and skill for the speedie and safe suppressing of any such evacuation . of all these in order , by the helpe of the almighty , i purpose to say something , after some generall rules permitted , which concerne all sorts of evacuation ; for the which purpose it shall not be amisse to beginne with the definition of evacuation . evacuation is an expulsion either naturall , or procured by arts industry , of such humours as abound in the body of man , and that by fit and convenient passages , whether it be universall , whereby the whole body is evacuated ; or particular , whereby some part is purged . now that this may be , safely and profitable undestaken , divers things are first to be considered : as namely the fulnesse of the bodie , the strength , temperature , the plight or state of body , occurring accidents , the age , the time of the yeere , the former custome , and the part itselfe to be evacuated , and the place by which we are to evacuate , together with the quantity . among all these , the fulnesse of the body , together with the strength of the party , have the pre-eminence . now , this fulnesse exceeding measure and mediocrity , alwaies indicateth evacuation , whether it come by the abundance of blood , or other humours , and that both in sicknesse and in health : howbeit some particular individuall bodies there be , for whom either abstinence , a slender diet , or frictions may suffice . the strength is here likewise diligently to be considered : to wit , the animall faculties in the braine , the vitall in the heart , the naturall in the liver : and among all these , the strength of the vitall faculties doe chiefely indicate evacuation : as on the contrary , the imbecillity of the same inhibiteth evacuation . againe , wee are to consider the temperature and plight of the body to be purged , for thinne cholericke bodies indure more easily evacuation by vomit and sweat ; but melancholicke and phlegmaticke constitutions , having hard and thicke bodies , are more easily evacuated downeward . custome doth also often indicate the manner of evacuation , nature it selfe often inclining that way , to which it was wont and accustomed in former times . againe , the quantitie of evacuation is not to be neglected , which may by a skilfull and wise physitian easily be atteined unto . in great repletion of what sort soever , great evacuation must be answerable , and in the lesser small evacuation ; and a meane repletion requireth an evacuation in the same proportion ; of all the which more hereafter , when we shall come to discourse of each evacuation apart . the time fit for evacuation , is when that which doth indicate is swollen up , and increased , forceth us to evacuation . the time of the yeere , day , and other things thereunto belonging shall in their proper places hereafter be discussed . besides the premises , wee are yet diligently to consider the waies and passages most convenient for our evacuation : and that is performed if we have one eye intent upon the pronenesse and forwardnesse of nature , and the other upon the part by the which the evacuation is to be conveied . now , since all and every one of the humours may be conveied by severall passages and waies ; as choler by vomit , sweat or urine ; wee are therefore to looke into the inclination and propensenesse of nature , and so if we perceive it incline upward , manifested by a nauseous inclination to cast , it is then to be purged by vomit upwards : but if it take the course downewards , and we perceive any propensenesse that way , then wee are likewise to follow natures direction , according to the golden precept of b hippocrates . and hence it commeth to passe , that wee often cure excessive casting by the same meanes , and fluxes of the belly by glisters , or some gentle abstersive purges , howbeit the vulgar often wonder at such proceeding , and out of their stupid ignorance often traduce this so laudable and warranted way . the convenient places or passages by which humours are evacuated , are such as receive these noisome humours without any hurt to themselves ; in the which , neverthelesse , wee are to consider as well the nature of the part whereunto wee expell the humour , as the consent and affinity it hath with the other parts . to this end wee must consider , that it be no principall part ( by which we can never purge without prejudice to the party purged ) and besides , that it be a place for this same end and purpose of nature for apart , as the guts , bladder , wombe , the pores of the skinne , &c. now , although nature sometimes attempt some such evacuation ; as in criticall excretion of blood by the nose , the blood passing by the braine ; an impostume of the lungs by the urinarie passages , the guts , and the hollow passages of the heart ; yet the physitian is not to take this course , unlesse when of two evills , we are to chuse the lesser . by the consent and sympathy of the parts , the way of evacuation is also found out , and hence is it , that the hollow part of the liver by reason of the sympathy it hath with the stomacke and guts , is purged by those waies : but the backe , and bossed part of the liver , for the connexion it hath with the kidnies and bladder , is by them for the most part evacuated . and sometimes when great store of grosse humours conveied thither from the mesentary and hollow parts of the liver are there seated , then the skilfull physitian is carefull ( lest by their abundance and thicknesse they stop up the narrow passages of the kidnies and bladder ) with fa●re greater conveniency to convey them to the large passages of the guts . the passages by which the humours are to be purged , must not likewise be of too exquisite feeling , lest by this meanes insue swounding , fainting , gnawing of the stomacke , and a sudden overthrow of strength . we must likewise beware , lest the matter to be purged be conveied by the part already surprized with the disease . but if nature of it selfe should attempt any evacuation a wrong way , then this were suddenly to be suppressed , and the matter to be drawne backe againe another way , except some other rub come in the way , and c hippocrates testifieth , that many thicke grosse and tough glutonous humors are easilier evacuated downewards by the guts : but thinne , sharpe serous humors more easily by urine and sweat . d and againe , elsewhere he testifieth that cholericke humours are easilier purged upwards , and melancholicke downewards . and e againe , that in sommer , it is best to purge upwards ▪ and in winter downewards : as concerning acute diseases , they are most ordinarily purged by vomit , by sweat , by the guts , and by bleeding at the nose : except in contagious , maligne , and pestilent diseases where antidots and cordialls , expelling by sweat , are of most use ; and where humours abound , or ill accidents occurre , some of the aforenamed evacuations may be of good use . and this shall suffice for evacuations in generall , now come we to particular evacuation , and first , of phlebotomy , so famous a remedy both in antient times and in this our age also . chap. ii. of phlebotomy , what it is , the severall sorts , and sundry things therein to be considered . in the body of man , of the aliment he receiveth is ingendered blood in the liver , and conteined in the veines and arteries , and by nutrition communicated to the whole body . this blood , as it conferreth no small benefit to the whole body ; so from thence are many mischiefes thereunto procured ; and that not onely by the excesse thereof in quantitie , in quality , or both , but also by the multitude of superfluous excrements from thence proceeding ; which often proove the fountaine and well-spring of a multitude of diseases in the body of this miserable microcosme . now , according to the repletion of this or that humor , so is the evacuation of the same answerable . all evacuations then are either naturall or artificiall . if naturall and withall beneficiall , we are so farre from suppressing any such evacuation , that we are rather to further it . artificiall evacuations , of which at this time i intend to speake , are either generall or particular . generall or universall evacuations i call , such as doe in generall evacuat all the humors indifferently both good and bad ; or such as doe evacuat the bad humors of all sorts , and that jointly or severally : and thirdly , which doth evacuat indifferently from all the parts of the body . the first is effected by phlebotomie , the second by purgation , and the third by sweating . the first of these then is phlebotomy , the which as it is an instrument used by the physitian , we thus define . phlebotomy is an aritficiall evacuation of humors abounding in quantitie , and that by the opening of a veine or artery , to this end , that the vessells distended and oppressed with the multitude of humors may be relieved , or else that noxious humors may be averted from the part affected . phlebotomie and purgation doe both in this agree , that both are universall evacutions , are great and generous remedies , and appropriated to great diseases . they differ againe not onely in the instrument , but also in the manner and forme : and againe , that purgation draweth forth by election , humors distinguished by their qualities : but phlebotomie neglecting the quality , respecteth the quantity onely . the nature therefore of phlebotomy is to draw indifferently any humor whatsoever is conteined in the veines , not making any election of this or that particular ; and although it draweth from the whole body , yet doth it draw immediatly from the next veines , and the part next adjoyning to it ; and secundarily it doth evacuat the whole body . now for our orderly proceeding in this particular , it being a matter of that moment , we are to consider these five heads . . in what infirmities of the body , this generous remedy is to be used , and the severall kinds thereof . . what veines or arteries are to be opened . . what bodies may best beare this remedy , or are not able . . how much wee may evacuate , how long , or how often this remedy may bee reiterated . . the time , when it is to bee used . as for the first , we have already mentioned a double repletion in the body of man ; one called plethora , wherein we make use of phlebotomy ; an other cacochymia , wherein we use purging medicines . this plethora againe is double , or of two sorts , quo ad vasa , & quo ad vires . that which we call quo ad vasa , or according to the capacity of the veines , is that fulnesse , wherein by reason of the abundance of blood , the veines are so distended , and stretched out , that the party himselfe may feele as it were this distention , with no small danger of disruption of some veine , or sudden suffocation . plethora , or repletion quo ad vires , according to the strength , when as there is such abundance of blood conteined within the veines , that nature is not well able to governe the same , but oppresseth the strength , by that meanes inducing as it were , a heavinesse and certaine weight . both these repletions are incident , as well to the whole as to the sicke ; but in health cannot long continue : for in a short space the humors are either putrified , some veine burst , or some defluxion procured , the cause of infinite infirmities in the body of man. againe , all repletion or fulnesse in regard of the humors conteined , is twofold , either exquisite and single , proceeding of the abundance of good humors onely ; or else declining from this purity , when as with the good some bad are also intermingled , called therefore plethora cacochymica : as againe , when as with abundance of bad humors some good are intermingled , we call it then cacochymia plethorica . this single plethory or repletion againe is twofold , one properly so called , when all the foure humors doe equally abound ; another called sanguinea , or of blood , when as pure blood is increased in too great a quantity . againe , plethora , or repletion in regard of the body affected , is either universall , or diffused through the whole body ; or particular , when as this fulnesse is setled and impacted upon some part of the body . againe , there is one fulnesse in the vessells or veines , another in the whole bulke of the body . there is also a repletion or fulnesse present actu , actually in the whole body , or some part thereof ; another potestate , onely in power , which is likely shortly to ceize upon the same : as when by the suppression of any wonted evacuation of blood , we feare a fulnesse in the whole body ; or when as by the affluxe of some humor to som determinate part , we feare some inflammation , putrefaction or paine , &c. now phlebotomie doth evacuat this fulnesse in the whole body , or any part thereof , either in any great disease already present , or yet imminent . a great disease i here understand , not onely that which by reason of the greatnesse ; as some great inflammation or would is esteemed to be such ; but even in regard of the excellency of the part , and some malignitie of the disease : for a small inflammation in some ignoble part of the body , although arising from the abundance of blood , doth not require phlebotomie or any other great remedy . in great plethoricall diseases we are to use this remedy , especially , if the strength bee answerable , which is the chiefe indication to be regarded . and here we are to observe , that the indication of this evacuation is sometimes desumed from the disease it selfe : as in an exquisite tertian , we open a veine for eventilation , not for any great evacuation . againe , in regard of the cause wee are often undoubtedly to use this remedy : as in the suppression of the piles in men , and menstruous fluxe in women ; and sometimes in dysentericall and lientericall fluxes proceeding from excessive heat of the liver . the use and end of phlebotomy is not alwaies one and the same : for the most part indeed , wee use it as a remedy against repletion , and then we use it for it selfe . sometimes wee use it for an other end , when as we would bring some thing to passe , which without this cannot well bee effected : as , when in the beginning of any disease wee use this remedy for ventilation , or breathing of the blood , and not for any copious evacuation , that thereby concoction may the better be procured , putrefaction of the humors may bee inhibited , and all other remedies may more commodiously be exhibited . of it selfe , and for its owne worke we use this remedy in a double respect . first , that this double repletion , of the which before , consisting either in the whole body , or in some part of the same , may be evacuated , and that the humor may bee diverted or turned backe from the part affected , or for preventing of a particular repletion . the humor is recalled or turned backe two waies : first , when as it hath a sudden influxe upon any part , it being from thence againe pulled backe to the contrary part : and againe , if the influxe of the humor be without any force , or this fulnes be partim in facto , partim in sieri , or partly in being , and partly already bred , if it be then derived to the next place . hence have we three sorts of phlebotomy , evacuans , or evacuating , revellens , or pulling backe , derivans , deriving or diverting , as it were turning aside . that which evacuateth , doth either simply evacuat from the whole body , or else from some one determinate part onely ; if the humor be inherent without any new affluxe . but if withall there bee any affluxe of humor , then requireth it some derivation to be joined with evacuation . evacuation , or evacuating phlebotomie wee use both in sicknesse and in health also , if we perceive any plethoricall disposition , or disease imminent ; as in the a athleticall disposition , especially , if the strength doth not hinder . single plethory or repletion of all others is safeliest cured by this remedy ; the false and bastard not so safely ; and the more admixtion there be of all other humors , the more sparing ought we to be in the use thereof . plethory or repletion proceeding from choler may safelier thus bee evacuated , than of melancholy ; and againe , of that safelier than of phlegme ; by reason that phlebotomy not onely evacuateth the abundance of humors , but cooleth the body also . the second sort of phlebotomy is , that we call revulsio , or revulsion , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and is taken either in a large or strict sense : in a large and generall sense it is taken for any aversion , or turning away of the humor , whether to the contrary part , or that which is nearest ; but b properly it is a retraction of the humor flowing unto any part , to the contrary place . now all such may be called contrary parts , as have a sufficient distance from the part affected . and by contrary we understand not onely the contrary part to that which is affected , but also to the contrary motion , or the terme from whence the humors flow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as artists speak , observing as much as may be , the rectitude and communion of the veines . this is apparant in a pleurisie , where we open the basilica of the same side , which is a branch of vena 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or without a fellow . contrariety in motion wee call up and downe , behind and before , inward and outward the right side and left . but on this i will not insist ; as not being usefull for us to insist upon all these particulars , whereof galen and our other physitians discourse at great length . this kind of phlebotomy is chiefely used in diseases , where the affluxe of is humors is great and violent , and the humors in great abundance ; as especially in the beginning of inflammations : and is therefore to be used in the squinancy , pleuresie , phrenesie , ophthalmy , inflammation of the liver , lungs , and the like infirmities , ingendred of blood , or the eruption of hot and sharpe humors . neither is it onely of use in humors already flowing with impetuosity , but by way of preservation also , when they have been accustomed to fall u●on any part , or yet when as we feare any such influxe ; as also in woūds , luxations ▪ fractures , &c : having especially , respect to that which wee feare will follow ; to wit , some inflammation of the part affected . c derivation is an aversion , diversion , or turning away of humors falling without force or violence upon the part affe●●ed , or of such as have already fal●e upon it , but are not yet impacted , or setled upon the same ; to the place next adjoyning to it , to the end that the part affected may be freed from the noxious humor . derivation then principally regardeth the part affected , and differeth from evacuation and revulsion , in that we derive or divert humors yet in the fluxe , and not yet impacted into the part ; not by the parts remote , as in revulsion ; neither by the the part affected , as in single evacuation , but by the parts adjacent , and such veines must of necessitie have a communion with the part affected . this kind of phlebotomie we commonly use in infirmities , having their originall from long continuing defluxions , and after universall evacuation from the whole body by revulsions ; as in great inflammations after the great affluxe of humors is staied : we use it also in some infirmities , where other evacuations have not prevailed , and that two manner of waies : one , that by them that which is conteined in the veines of the parts affected , may bee evacuated ; and that that which is collected in the part transmitting , by the veines next adjoining to it , may be expelled . againe , in some healthfull persons it is usefull , although the humors now be still and quiet , yet being accustomed in times past to seize upon any weake part , although without any violence . now because mention hath been made of a plethory or fulnesse , we will briefely set downe some signes or markes of both the sorts . of that which we call ad vasa , or according to the vessels or veines , these bee the chiefe signes : a fresh ruddy colour , arising either from externall causes ; as the heat of the sunne , bathing in a hot house , great labour and paines taking : or from internall causes , as a conspicuous tumor or swelling up of the veines , together with a notable tension and largenesse of the same ; a pulse also very full , firme , quicke and very great . signes againe of fulnesse quo ad vires , or according to strength , be these : there is a naturall or voluntary wearinesse and a lazinesse ; so that notwithstanding , there may easily be seene such causes as increase blood , together with some conspicuous tumor or arising in the veines , there following in the body , as it were some acrimony and sharpenesse to the sense . to draw therefore this chapter to a conclusion , phlebotomy is a most soveraine and excellent remedy , not onely in the aforenamed infirmities , but also in many other : as in all fevers , proceeding of blood , as well without as with putrefaction , and of any other humor putrified , and that both in continuall and intermitting ; even of quartanes and head-aches proceeding of blood ; in the dropsie , proceeding of suppression of blood , in strangury , retention or difficulty of urine proceeding of a hot cause , and in the palpitation of heart in health comming without any manifest cause , and in divers sorts of obstructions ; as the jaundize , &c. where these are wanting , the strength weake , and in the presence of any great evacuation ; as fluxe of the belly , vomits , much sweating in young children , women with child , ( unlesse in great extremity ) we are not to use this noble and generous remedy . and withall let this rule alwayes be observed , that it is alwaies better to use this remedy by way of prevention , in the approaching rather than in the presence of the disease . let every one therefore beware how they trust ignorant empirickes , and desperate , bold barber-surgeons , to rely , i meane , upon their judgements in so weighty a matter , when there is question of losing this noble elixir of life . chap. iij. whether in contagious , maligne and pestilentiall fevers , and in the small pox and measels , as likewise in the iaundize , phlebotomy may safely be administred ? by that which hath been said already concerning phlebotomy it is apparent that phlebotomie in fevers is a soveraigne and approved good remedy , which is confirmed by the common consent of all our judicious and learned physitians . and a galen himselfe is of the same opinion , where hee alloweth of this remedy , as well in continuall as in intermitting fevers ; provided alwaies the strength hold out , and the age be answerable . but then here ariseth no small doubt , whether in contagious , maligne and pestilentiall diseases so noble and generous a remedy may be used ? and it would seeme that the negative is to be holden , in that in such diseases commonly the heart , the fountàine of life is assaulted , the spirits also infirme ; and for this cause it would seeme wee should rather use alexipharmaks and cordiall remedies in this case most proper , to strengthen and corroborate the vitall spirits ▪ and to expell , if it be possible , this poison from the heart : whereas any great evacuation , especially of this so usefull for mainteining of life , may by the evacuation of spirits , rather hinder then helpe forward the cure of such diseases . the answere to this question must be by distinction : for we must consider , that the pestilence it selfe ( for i will beginne with the most dangerous ) setteth upon the body of man after divers manners ▪ as sometimes striking suddenly without any shew , or at least it is scarce discernible , in which case it were a desperate course to attempt any such evacuation ; but then the onely cure is , with antidots to oppugne the disease , and by all meanes possible to underprop and uphold the decaying spirits of the patient . againe , often and many times , and more frequently , especially in these our northerne and cold countries , this infection is accompanied with a fever , and often meeteth with plethoricall bodies as living in ease and idlenesse , and then i see no reason , why phlebotomie should or ought be denied unto such bodies ; if especially administred in the beginning , strength , age , and other circumstances then concurring . and that this hath alwaies been the b practice of the learned both antient and latter physitians , i could make it easily appeare , if i were not afraid to spend too much time , which by reason of divers matters , yet to handle , i must husband . now if this hath place in the pestilentiall fever , of all others most dangerous ; then much more hath it place in other fevers , participating indeed of a certaine malignity , howbeit not pestilentiall . of this nature is that fever , which hath now divers times , especially of late yeeres , swept away many lusty people out of this iland . this fever is of the nature of putrid continuall fevers , and yet not tied to any one particular kind . it is called , by reason of the evill quality , febris maligna , approaching neare the confines of the pestilentiall fever , howbeit commeth farre short of it in malignity , this disease being indeed contagious per contactum onely , when as such as are yet free , are infected by touching the body that is sicke , especially in their sweat , and sometimes also by being too neare their breath : and therefore wee see it often come to passe , that a whole family is one after another infected with the same , when as others who come to the sicke by way of visitation goe free , provided they be not too busie about them . but the pestilentiall fveer infecteth often by inspiration of the ambient aire , although they have no commerce with the sicke of the same disease . this fever is also called febris petechialis , from the little blacke or blew spots like unto flea bits , which notwithstanding differ from those of the pestilentiall fever . it is also called morbus hungaricus , or the hungarian disease , by reason it hath been , and is very frequent among the people of that nation . it is now become a free denison in these our countries , the smart whereof hath been of late yeeres experimentally felt here among us . now it may here be demanded , whether phlebotomy may be of any use in this maligne fever ? the reason why i take upon me to discusse this question , is , because of the ignorance and error of many people , who have conceived so hard an opinion of this so noble and generous remedy in this disease , that if the patient die after the use thereof , they impute this successe to the use of this remedy , and the vulgar often are affrighted at the very mentioning of it , and as they are commonly jealous of the best actions of the physitians , and apt to interpret every thing in the worst sense , so commeth it to passe in this particular . it is true indeed , that many after the use of the best meanes doe many times miscary , the almighty who first made man having set downe a period of time for every one , which no man can passe : and because the skillfull physitian not being able to dive into the secret counsell of his maker ( as being a man and no god ) useth the likeliest meanes , which by reason , and his owne and other mens experiences he thinketh fittest to grapple with this strong champion ; in the which combat , the violence of the disease being so great that it will not yeeld to any meanes , is it reason that the physitian for all his care and diligence should be so sharply censured ? i doe not deny , but that they had need to have their eyes in their heads who deale with this disease : but againe many stand in their owne light either protracting time and irrecoverable occasion , which as in all , so especially in this disease , is speedily to be laied hold on ; or else using the counsell of such ignorant and unskillfull persons , who although they assume unto themselves the name of physitians , and are so by most reputed , are notwithstanding altogether unfit for so weighty an imploiment . by these meanes an error may be committed in the carriage of the businesse , and yet will this be but vitium personae , non rei , a fault in this ignorant person , but not in the profession it selfe . and it is by an unanimous consent of all our best practitioners agreed upon , that in this same fever phlebotomy is a most soveraine remedy , and may safely be used , if in time , and with due circumspection of circumstances it bee administred . the famous c crato , physitian to foure emperors , is of this opinion , and did so practise it , as likewise a famous d spanish physitian , and divers others doe all subscribe to this practise . and therefore let women content themselves with their owne affaires , and conteine themselves within the precincts of their owne callings , and not take upon them to passe sentence in matters of so high a nature , whereof they are altogether ignorant , and let every man ( as is most reasonable ) be beleeved in his owne profession . i doe not here averre , that the fever of it selfe in regard of the malignitie doth indicate phlebotomy , but onely in regard of repletion . neither yet am i so ignorant , but that i know there are divers such constitutions which admit not of phlebotomy , which may severall waies come to passe : either in the absence of any such repletion , or else in regard of the sexe , age , some ordinary evacuation supplying the place thereof , a thinne or rare structure of the body , the individuall and particular constitution of some bodies , and the like circumstances . and indeed the various manner of the invasion of this disease , and the diversitie of bodies it assaulteth ( few being surprized after one and the same manner , as e writers doe witnesse , and i may selfe have , as very often , so especially this last yeere , and . observed : in both which yeeres the constitution of the aire , humid and austrine , was much alike , doth require a divers , and not alwaies the same manner of cure . and therefore as in all diseases , so in this more particularly , people had need to consider with whom they deale , and not , as it the too common and ordinary custome , to be trust their lives with such as are unfurnished often either of skill or honesty . it is true the patient often dieth after the use of this remedy , and so doth he also often recover after it ; and so if the case be to be judged by issue and event , why take they not this with them then , and set the hares foot against the goose gibblets ? and whereas it may bee objected , that phlebotomy in this disease occasioneth a sudden evacuation of the spirits , so carefully here to be preserved . i answere , that the former cautions carefully being observed , there is no such feare : nay it is more agreeable to reason , that a breathing of the blood by eventilation , should rather refresh the spirits , and by that meanes the better enable nature to subdue the residue behind . and as some have died after the use of this remedy , and others recover , so have i likewise observed divers , who without either this or any other meanes , died . and many againe , especially of the poorer sort , who after a long endurance of much misery by reason of this disease , have at length without meanes recovered . this ministers sometime occasion to some of the ignorant sort , especially of our too busie women , to say it is in vaine to use the advice of any physitian ; which opinion is so absurd in it selfe , that i thinke it needeth no confutation . but i reply to these pragmaticall busie bodies , that many poore women are in their lying in hard pinched with poverty , lying upon a little straw , scarce able to come by a morsel of good meat to refresh their hūgry appetites , and by this necessitating poverty , are often constrained within two or three daies after their delivery to goe about their domesticall affaires ; and yet these people ( the blessing of the almighty supplying the want of that he hath otherwise denied them ) all this notwithstanding doe well live , and recover their former strength againe . i would willingly aske any of these so wise women , if they would in imitation of those poore people betake them to their straw-bed in a raw earthen floore , forsake their warme eawdells , plum-broths , almond-milkes , and many other dainties , their downe-beds well warmed , and couches well accommodated , and betake them in so short a time to bussle about their houshold businesse . there was a neare kins-woman of mine once delivered of twinnes in the fields , a great way from any towne ( she not thinking her time of delivery then so neare ) accompanied onely with her two men , the one performing the office of a midwife , while the other posted to the next towne for this same intent ; but ere her comming , the gentlewoman was delivered , and lived till she was above eighty yeeres old . of these swinnes also , the one was afterwards a captaine in the low-countries , and died afterwards at home in his bed : and the daughter was married to a gentleman of good meanes , and lived to be a mother of many children . by these and the like these foolish and idle objections are easily answered , and yet , sure i am , many of those poore people would be glad to injoy such comforts as those of the better sort doe ; howbeit , i thinke , they would scarce exchange their condition with that of those poore people , nor yet imitate this last or the like example , howsoever the party sped well . many of these poore people , i am sure , would be glad to have the counsell and directions of a good physitian , and would be willing to follow his directions , at least in diet , if they were able . and howsoever many in this extreme poverty through the blessing of the almightie , who is able both with small meanes , and without any meanes at all to bring his owne purpose to passe , yet doe many of those poore people also miscary and die ; and many of those who recover , for want many times of a small helpe , as of a glister , often undergoe a great deale of misery , and especially for want of good , comfortable and wholesome diet , lye often languishing a long time . now the judicious well know and understand , that the physitian many times neither useth phlebotomy nor purging medicines , where hee sees no use of the same , but when he sees nature able of it selfe to doe the worke , lets it alone , doing nothing but as he sees need : and many times there is need only of som directions for diet : and yet is this a thing of no smal moment , as hath been proved already . besides , that the presence of the skilfull and expert physitian watcheth and espieth the fit time and opportunity of doing , that which in his discretion he shall thinke fitting . the vulgar indeed thinke the physitians skill consisteth all in purging and bleeding , and where either that is not to be done , or they conceive it ought not so to be , they thinke there is no use of the physitians counsell . but now i proceed to the small poxe , wherein wee are to discusse this question , whether phlebotomy in this case may be admitted or no ? the which may be also understood of the measells . of this remedy in the diseases , not onely the vulgar sort , but some of better breeding are also very shy , whether there be any just cause , let us inquire . to discusse this question , we are to distinguish the times of this disease , whether before the eruption of the pox or after . it hath beene held hitherto by most people , a great absurdity to let blood , or administer any manner of physicke in the least feare , or suspition of any such disease , and many , especially of the more ignorant sort , are still of this old erronious opinion : but others have of late yeeres , by the judicious proceeding of learned physitians , atteined to some better understanding and are better satisfied in this point . it is then the opinion of all our best e physitians , that before the eruption of the poxe , consideratis considera●dis , all circumstances duely considered , it may be safely administred , if wee see neede : and this i could both out of mine owne , and other physitians experience plainly make appeare . the late practice of the physitians of the city of london , where this remedy was used , both in this disease before eruption , and in many young people for prevention , i thinke , hath rectified the erring judgement of many people . this last yeere , . a lady then living in this i owne , had a chamber-maide , who falling sicke , within three or foure daies after , i was sent for to her ; but perceiving some beginning of either pox or measells , and for this cause abst●ined from phlebotomy , at first , by reason of the fever by mee intended : but inconclusion , the disease getting the upper hand , the fever increasing , the maide died . the same day , a little after , having hired another chamber-maide , within a little space shee also fell sicke of a fever , for whom also my presence and counsell being craved , at my first comming , finding a plethoricall body , with an intense fever , yet without any eruption of poxe or measells , although a feared some such matter , i caused open a veine in the arme , and the next morning after the poxe came for thin great abundance ; and so through gods blessing upon the meanes , she in a short time recovered her former health . and yet after the use of this remedie , shee confessed , that before her bleeding , shee was not sensible of any thing that was either said or done to her : and yet immediatly after , shee confessed shee found great ease and allevation of former accidents . if this party had died then , many of the vulgar would undoubtedly have said , phlebotomy had beene her bane , and yet the former died without it . f some physitians proceed yet further , to the use of phlebotomy , even after the eruption , in some cases , as in a great plethory , or abundance of blood , accompanied with a fever , difficulty of respiration , &c. especially , if there be no other impediment or contra-indication . and in case this could not conveniently be effected , then doe they advise leaches , or else scarification with application of cupping-glasses . but herein it will concerne that physitian that shall follow this course , to be verie warie and circumspect , for feare of hindring the laudable course of nature , as also for preventing the clamour and calumnie of such as are alwaies readie to censure the physitians best actions , and to interpret all in the worst sense , especially if so it come to passe , that the patient die of the disease . but because my purpose is not , in this place to dwell upon particular diseases , i will speake but a word or two of phlebotomie in the iaundise , and so conclude this chapter . as in many other points , so in this particular concerning phlebotomie in the iaundise , the vulgar are much mis-taken . they are alwaies of opinion , that some ordinary womans medicine will doe the turne , how unfit soever , and without any consideration of the cause . now , whether the use of phlebotomie be here sometimes necessary , let us inquire a little . wee are then first to consider of the cause , and then shall wee be better able to proceed to the right cure . this disease then commeth either of it selfe alone , without any other disease , and that of divers causes ; or else as a symptome , an accident , or reteiner to some other disease , a fever , especially . g if then it be conjoyned with a fever , the fever of it selfe , if no impediment , doth indicate phlebotomie , and the iaundise doth not at all hinder our course . and if it come primarily , and of it selfe , blood abounding , or being the chiefe cause of the disease , it is in no wise to be neglected , as the authorities of our learned physitians doe evidently witnesse , as i could prove by a cloud of witnesses , if i had undertaken of set purpose to handle this subject , and withall had not said some thing of this subject in h another place , this being here spoken onely occasionally , and by the way , this being often an accident accompanying fevers , as wee have said alreadie . hence is evinced the mad temeritie of many , indifferently exhibiting their ordinarie iaundise medicines in every sort of iaundise , without any respect , either to age , sexe , cause , or any other circumstance whatsoever , of the which to judge they are altogether unable ; thus often trifling away irrecoverable occasion , untill the party be ready to be imbarqued into charons boat . and thus it befell a young gentleman of northampton-shire , some few yeeres agoe , and little above thirty yeeres of age , in whom , about the later end of the spring , the jaundise was apparently to be seene , of the which a woman ( as it commonly the custome ) tooke upon her to cure , and thus was the time trifled away , untill at length , in the harvest , the gentleman came over to northampton , to finde some better counsell than this womans skill could afford him , and did continue here for a certaine space . at my first comming to this gentleman , i perceived besides his jaundise , a double dropsie of the worst kinde , together with a very hot obstructed liver , whom , a learned physitian then living in this place also , and my selfe , doing our best indeavours to cure , yet had this enemy taken so strong possession , that all our writs of remove could not serve the turne , nor would any meanes serve to bribe this grim sergeant , death . let people therefore be warned by other mens harmes , and learne to be wise in that which concerneth them so neere . chap. iiij. of the veines to be opened in the body of man , together with the manner . it followeth now in order , that wee say something concerning the veines to be opened in the body of man. vnder this name , veine , wee understand , besides the ordinary veines , the arteries also , which by antient physitians were often opened for divers infirmities ; the arteries have their originall from the great artery planted in the heart , and sending branches thorow the whole body , filled with a pure , thin , subtile , and more refined blood than that of the veines , and full of the vitall spirits . these arteries are not with us usually opened , as they were in antient times , and that both in regard they are not so easily found , also for the difficultie in the solidation , there being danger of gangrene , or at least of a dangerous tumour , called ancurysma , which are hard to be cured : of these therefore i will say no more . the liver is the fountain and wel-spring of blood , from whence by the veines , as it were so many pipes , it is conveied thorow the whole body . the two principall , or master-veins , taking both their being and beginning , are the great hollow veine , called by our anatomists vena cava , and the other vena porta , or the porter-veine . from these two especially vena cava , are many great branches ful of blood , distributed thorow the whole body . of these branches , a● need requireth , either by way of prevention , or curation , we open sometimes one , sometimes another , as well for generall evacuation ; as in great repletions , and prevention of diseases ; as also sometimes to evacuate blood abounding either in quantity , in quality , or both , in some great and dangerous diseases . it is againe sometimes used for revulsion , and sometimes for derivation , as hath beene said already . sometimes also we use more particular evacuation of the veines : as by leaches , scarification , with cupping , as afterwards shall appeare . the veines usually opened in the arme , are sixe : cephalica , basilica , mediana , axillaris : and besides these , yet two other ; the one running downe the arme like a cord , passing betwixt the thumbe and the formost finger , and another runneth out betwixt the ring-finger and the little finger . among all these veines of the arme , none more safe to be opened than the cephalica , or humeraria , as having neither nerve nor artery under it , as the others have . these three first mentioned are most usually opened in the arme : and sometimes the smaller veines upon some occasions : to wit , either when the great veins are not conspicuous , or perhaps when we feare the strength of the party ; in which case the salvatella , running betwixt the ring finger and the little finger is opened . for these great master-veines send downe small branches , which are distributed among the fingers . all these veines are branches of the great ascendent truncke of the great hollow veine . the cephalica , we open to evacuat and pull backe from the head and parts above the necke . the basilica , or liver veine , to evacuat and pull backe from the liver , and all parts beneath the necke . the mediana or middle veine drawes as well from the parts above as beneath the necke . the salvatella , as well right as left are used to be opened in infirmities of the liver and spleen . that which runneth out betwixt the formest finger and the thumb is not so often opened . in the head there be divers veines which vpon occasion may bee opened , howbeit not all in use , there being few surgeons so skillfull as to open them well . there is one in the forehead usually opened for a paine in the hinder part of the head ; as also for the numnesse and heavinesse of the head , and for the inflammation of the eyes , called ophthalmia . the veines of the temples and in the corners of the eyes helpe the megrim , old inflammations of the eyes , scabs and inflammations of the eie lids . but wee proceed now to veines usually opened in the foot , howbeit there be divers more veines in and about the head , which might upon occasion by a skillfull artist be opened ; howbeit there is in frequent request phlebotomy of the veines called ravinae in a squinancy , and internall inflammations of the almonds , tensills and tongue . in the foot then there are two veines usually opened ; the one called ischiadica or vena poplitis in the out-side of the foot , usually opened in inflammations beneath the kidnies , especially after the basilica of the arme hath been once opened . saphena in the inside of the foot we open especially in infirmities of the womb : as in retention of the menstruous fluxe , &c. and these veines are branches of the great truncke descendent of the great hollow veine . many ignorant surgeons doe indifferently oftentimes open the wrong veine in the foot in women , that in the outside for the other in the inside , and so doe them wrong . in phlebotomy we are likewise to observe a rectitude , or answering of the place affected , to the place by which we evacuat , and this in revulsion is the best way , and giveth speediest ease : as in a pleurisie , to open a veine in the arme of the same side ; as if in the right side , the right arme ; if in the left , the left arme . and galen himselfe witnesseth , that the parts of the body which have this relative situation , have likewise a great communion or sympathy one with another : as likewise eruptions of blood proceeding from any part of the side affected , bring no small profit ; whereas that which proceedeth from the contrary side bringeth but small benefit , or if otherwise , it is after a long time . but upon many other particulars concerning this point , and many other alterations concerning the veines to be opened , i thinke it not pertinent now to insist . the manner of opening of the veine , and the orifice are not to bee passed over . now as for the manner of the section , it is of three sorts : oblique or slopwise , when as wee reiterate this operation the same day , transverse or overthwart , when as wee purpose no reiteration : downe-right , when we intend reiteration the next day . sometimes also we make a larger orifice , and sometimes againe a narrower . a large orifice we use when the blood is cold , thicke , clammie and melancholicke , in harvest and winter , and in strong and able constitutions . and therefore in all diseases proceeding from melancholicke or phlegmaticke blood , as in the fever , quartane , quotidian , madnesse proceeding from melancholy in the braine , apoplexie , suppression of menstruous fluxes in women , we are to use a large and ample orifice , as likewise , when we are to make use of a plentifull evacuation . sometimes againe , we are to make a smaller orifice , and that both to prevent weaknesse , to evacuat the thinnest blood , and to avoid the dangers which might insue upon immoderate evacuation . if the party likewise prove unruly , as in delirations or phrenesies ; or yet fall out in the night time , the same course is to be taken , and the sicke to bee watched , lest the opening againe of the orifice should procure a dangerous , if not deadly evacuation . chap. v. to what persons this remedy may safely be administred ? and whether a woman with child may safely be let blood , where some thing also concerning the age fit to be phlebotomised . now in the next place we are to consider what persons may safely use or not use this so noble and necessary a remedy . and we are not alwaies when we deale with the sick to set upon that remedy , which the disease doth indicate ; but must alwaies in the first place carefully consider , whether their strength will endure it or no ? a great disease present or imminent doth indicate phlebotomy , if strength , age , the time of the yeere , &c , do permit . but every weaknesse and debility doth not inhibite the use of this remedy . the strength then is weakened two waies : first , when it is oppressed , and againe when it is quite dissolved and overthrown . strength oppressed doth not alwaies inhibite evacuation , but onely that which is dissipated and prostrated or overthrowne , either by the abundance of humors or by their stuffing up , ab infarctu : as in that plethoricall disposition whereunto the wrestlers of old were obnoxious , and by interception of the veines , in fierce fevers , &c. the strength is dissipated or prostrated by the dissolution of the substance of the spirits of the musculous or fleshy parts of the body , of the spermaticall parts , or by the overthrow of their temperature : as commeth to passe in consumptions , hecticke and maligne fevers , in great crudities and the like . the strength is to be considered according to the triple faculty , animall , vitall and naturall , and are discerned by their severall functions : the animall by the functions of sense and motion , the vitall by the pulfe ; and the naturall by the signes of concoction and cruditie : although galen mentioneth onely the vitall , as that on which all the others doe depend . strength is altered by meanes of things naturall ; not naturall , and such as are besides nature . so then in the first place the temperature of the body hot , of a solid and firme substance , with large and ample veines , may sustaine a large and ample evacuation : the contrary constitution either admitteth of a very small , or no evacuation at all . againe , a hot and moist constitution of body , of a soft and thinne substance , and often induring great dissipation , doth in no wise sustaine any great evacuation . a temperature of body , hot and reasonable dry , with large veines , will indure a more liberall evacuation , than a body either cold and moist , or cold and dry ; by reason that both these constitutions have but small veines . and let this alwaies carefully be observed , that such bodies as have small veines and little blood , can spare but little , if any at all , of this so noble and necessary a humor . and for the most part in fat folkes the veines are small : but if they be larger , they endure phlebotomy better than the former . againe , severall ages have their strength and naturall vigor for the most part answerable . middle and flourishing age is ordinarily and most commonly lusty and strong , abounding both in blood and spirits , and by consequent is more able to endure a more copious evacuation of blood . but old age , decrepit i meane , by reason of the defect thereof , is to be exempted from this evacuation . and children before . yeeres of age , although their strength in the substance doe abound , yet by reason of their soft and tender bodies , and by meanes of much evacuation , endure a daily dissipation , doe therefore either admit of little or no evacuation at all by phlebotomie ; howbeit we take not alwaies our indication from the age , as hereafter shall appeare . againe , we are to consider the sex , for men generally and most commonly are for the most part better able to beate this evacuation than women , such especially as are of a thinne and foggy constitution , with small narrow veines . and during the time of their menstruous fluxe wee are to abstaine from this evacuation , unlesse sometimes in case of necessitie , when as it exceedeth in quantity . women with child are likewise , unlesse in case of necessity , exempted from this generous remedy . and here custome commeth also to be considered : for such as are altogether unaccustomed to this evacuation , using a spare diet , turmoiled with cares and troubles of mind , are lesse able to endure this evacuation . the contrary is to be understood of such as are thereunto accustomed , and feed more liberally : againe , things contrary to nature , in regard they overthrow the strength , do inhibite this evacuation : as diseases proceeding from crude and ill humours without repletion ; as a dropsie , or the like . as also great distempers of the principall parts , great wounds , &c. and so doe likewise distension of the nerves , paine or gnawing in the orifice of the stomack , swounding , long-watching , immoderate fluxes of the belly , spontaneous evacuation of blood , so farre as it overthroweth strength , or doth suffiently diminish the matter of the disease . neither yet doth it suffice to consider the present estate of the sicke , but to forsee also what is likely after to insue . by these things wee may then judge ; not onely who may safely bleed , but in some sort aime at the quantity , and how often and when we may let blood , concerning which , notwithstanding , wee shall say some thing more at large in the next chapter . but first i will discusse two questions ; one concerning women with child , the other concerning the age , and whether age doth indicate phlebotomy . concerning that therefore which hath been said concerning the sex , especially of bleeding women with child , ariseth here no small doubt , whether a woman with child may safely be let blood or no ? and great reason there is for this doubt : first , for that the antient a hippocrates , and father of physitians hath left upon record , that there is no lesse danger than of aborsion to let a woman with child blood . there is also good reason to succour this assertion : for blood being the aliment and proper nourishment wherewith the child is sustained in the mothers wombe , if this sustenance be by phlebotomy withdrawne , the infant frustrated of its food , fadeth and is expelled before the accustomed time of deliverance . now if this question were to be dec●ded by a jury of women , i doubt not , but we should have a verdict for the negative , unlesse it were composed of some of the wiser sort , who , perhaps , ha●e sometimes seene this with good successe practised . to answer this question , true it is , that hippocrates doth totally inhibite this remedy , and that , as is most probable , by reason neither this phlebotomie in women with child , nor yet any other was so frequent in his age , as it is now adaies . as for that which some alledge , that the evacuations in his time were so copious , and so farre exceeding ours , that with good reason he forbiddeth the same , i thinke it to be no reason at all : for it is not to be supposed , that a man of that eminent understanding & experience was ignorant of the limitation of so generous a remedy , according to the severall circumstances . but with us this controversie is long agoe decided , we finding by daily experience , that this in many women proveth a most soveraigne and singular good remedy both for themselves and their children , as both my selfe , and many other physitians have by daily experience found to be true . and besides , it is by an unanimous consent of our b late writers of whatsoever nation fully agreed upon and determined . but let us now see whether there bee any reason for this practice ? wee see many times some women so abound in blood , that all the time they are with child , they have their periodicall and monethly fluxe as constantly as at any other time , and often also in reasonable great abundance , which argueth that besides the infants ordinary allowance , there is yet a great deale to spare . besides , it is not unknowne that some women cannot goe out their full time , unlesse they make use of this remedy . againe , doe we not see , that even towards the later end , when they are now nearest their time of deliverance , notwithstanding the infant now growing greater , demandeth a greater allowance of food than in former times , yet are the brests now filled fuller with this whitened blood than before . as also , doe we not often see some women to void a great quantity of pure , refined blood at the nose , sometimes in the beginning , reason . sometimes in the middle , and sometimes towards the later end of reason . their time ? what prejudice then , i pray you , can this bring to a woman reason . reason . man in this case , if surprized with some dangerous acute disease by the advice of a judicious and understanding physitian ; to prevent a further mischiefe , she make use of this remedy ? it is true indeed , the issue and event is not in the power of mortall man ; and perhaps ; sometimes some have observed some sinistrous accident to have in sued the use of this remedy , which may deterre others from the use of it . but by the same reason we may reject the most laudable and usefull evacuation in time of greatest need , it not alwaies answering our expectation : i can , notwithstanding , upon mine owne experience testifie , that some , to whom upon necessity , i administred this remedy , did afterwards confesse , they never found more easie and speedy labour , than after they had used both this and some other evacuating remedies , being likewise freed from divers accidents wherewith they had beene in former times after their delivery molested . others , i make no doubt , can speake as much reason . upon their owne experience . besides , the same hippocrates alloweth women with childe , the use of strong purging medicines in certaine moneths , which is yet , in my opinion , more dangerous , and not so in our power to stop when wee please : as for phlebotomy , it is alwaies in our owne power , according to our discretion , as we shall see neede require , to take more or lesse , and to use reiteration , if wee shall not see it safe to take our full allowance at the first . but let no man here mis-take my meaning , as though i would perswade women , desperately and unadvisedly to rush upon this noble remedy : nay , my meaning is so farre from this , that i wish them to be very wary and circumspect in the use hereof , but when the case without it is dangerous , if not desperate , then my counsell is , that they rather admit of a lawfull warranted remedy , which , by the blessing of god , is in all likelyhood and probability like to doe them good , then to lie still in the ditch and cry god helpe mee , and yet suffer none to put to their helping hand . but it may be the issue will not answer expectation . i answer , it is better to admit of a c doubtfull remedy , than to continue in a desperate case , admitting none at all . moreover , i wish women to be circumspect and wary whom they set aworke , not be trusting so pretious a jewell as thine owne , and it may be , thy childes life also , with some idle , prating , counterfeit physitian , assuming , though undeservedly , unto himselfe , the name of a physitian : but such a one as thou knowest an artist , experienced in his profession , and able to consider of all the severall circumstances here to be taken notice of . it is also to be observed , that it is not here sufficient to take notice of the strength and greatnesse of the disease in the woman her selfe , but to consider the strength of the infant also , and how much time is past since her first conception . and let this rule alwaies carefully be observed , that this remedy be freelier , and in a greater quantity used in the three or foure first moneths than after . againe , although the woman seeme to be strong and lusty , yet i wish the quantity to be but small , and rather to be sparing , so committing the rest to nature , than standing too punctually upon thy set quantity , adventure to overthrow both the mother and the childe : and if there shall seeme an urging necessity of a larger evacuation , then will it be farre better , and lesse prejudiciall to either party , to divide thy quantity , and take it at two severall times . besides phlebotomy upon this occasion , there occurres yet another in the which phlebotomy is used in women with childe ; and that is , when now their reckoning is at an end , and they upon the point of their labour , then some physitians doe advise phlebotomy in the foot , to facilitate and further the birth . the which course , as it hath beene practised by hippocrates , so can i not altogether disallow of it ; yet i wish him that shall undertake such a taske , to beware , lest hee precipitate and eject this guest out of his antient habitation before his lease be out ; and so according to the old proverb , haste might make waste . now , before wee conclude this point concerning the persons who are to use this remedy , i have yet something to sa● concerning the age . wee have already said , that d children under yeeres of age , were not to use this remedy . vpon this then ariseth a question , whether the age doth indicate this evacuation or no ? this is the vulgar opinion , that the age simply doth indicate this remedy : and therefore they stand punctually upon the number of yeeres , without any consideration had to the strength of the party here principally to be considered . i answer therefore negatively , that the age doeth not simply and in it selfe indicate the strength , and by consequent the use of this remedy , but wee are rather to consider the state and constitution of body : for wee see some bodies to be farre stronger at a certaine age , than others at the same age . some children are stronger and abler at eight , than others at foureteene : and if we may upon urgent occasion let the one blood at foureteene , why not the other at eight , upon the like occasion ? againe , as e celsus saith , if a young man be weake and feeble , or yet a woman that is not with childe , wee ought to refraine from this remedie . but a childe that is strong , as likewise a woman with childe may safely use this remedy . put the case therefore , that a childe having overpast his sucking time , of a thick & strong constitution of body , and full of blood , fall into some acute dangerous disease , and without the use of this remedy , in all appearance , irrecoverable ; it will be the best course without any further delay to let him blood , yet not without a due consideration of the time , age , &c. and thus avenzoar let his sonne blood at the age of three yeeres . the like may be said of lusty able men or women , sicke of some dangerous disease proceeding of repletion , as long experience hath taught us . besides , it cannot be denied , that some men are abler and lustier at or , than divers others at yeeres . why then may not such persons , upon urgent occasion , injoy the benefit of phlebotomy . some dozen yeeres agoe , m● pres●nce was sollicited for an antient gentlewoman in bedford-shire , about yeeres of a●e , at that time much distempered with heat , not without a fever , and feare of further danger . after the use of some small meanes fit for the purpose , fearing shee would hardly admit of phelebotomie , although in my opinion then useful for her , yet i asked her whether shee had ever used this remedy , and whether shee durst adventure upon this remedy , if need should so require ? she replyed , that for many ●eeres together , she had used this remedy at least three or foure times a yeere for divers yeeres together , and therefore very willingly gave way to the same , which was not without good successe , and was very lately alive . moreouer , doe wee not by experience , often see many both children , women with childe , and old men and women lose a great quantity of their purest and most refined blood , at the nose , and often in a farre greater quantity than any physitian would ordinarily let out of the arme ? and therefore to conclude this point , let not people so much stand upon niceties of age , which as appeareth , is of no such validity , as to withstand and oppose in time of need so noble and so necessary a remedy . chap. vi. of the quantity , how long the patient is to bleed , and concerning reiteration of this remedy in time of need , with a confutation of some erronious opinions concerning this point . in bodily infirmities we are not onely to consider what is fitting for them , but likewise what nature is able to beare : and therefore we are here to use no small discretion , lest wee give nature more than it either demandeth , or the cure requireth . when nature therefore is strong , then dare we boldly goe about that which the disease doth indicate : for nature it selfe being once set aworke by some auxiliary meanes , doth afterwards of it selfe perfect the rest . the quantity then of evacuation of blood must answer in quantity to that which aboundeth in the body , provided the strength can beare it . but because there is no certaine rule and measure of the strength , neither doe wee assuredly know or fore-see divers circumstances and accidents to insue after ; as of the constitution of the ambient aire , &c. this quantity therefore must needs remaine uncertaine . it being , notwithstanding , in our power when wee open a veine , to take lesse or more , according to our liking ; therefore comparing the strength with the greatnesse of the disease and the repletion of the body , by the proper signes of them both , it will not be very hard by an artificiall conjecture , to come very neere to the just quantity . but if yet wee cannot so well bring our purpose to passe , it shall be the safer course to keepe within compasse , and reiterate the remedy another time , than standing too much upon our precise quantity , indanger the sicke by diminution of strength . now , wee must alwaies measure the quantity of evacuation , by the quantity or greatnesse of the causes requiring , and strength tolerating the same . and from the mutuall comparison of the diseases requiring , and the strength tolerating , this phlebotomy admitteth a three-fold difference : for there is one sort of phlebotomy called great or perfect , evacuating all or the greatest part of the matter of the disease ; another profitable but imperfect , which detracting some part of it , leaveth a lesser quantity behinde , which therefore nature may easily overcome : there is yet a third , so small and little in quantity , that not only may it be called imperfect , but being so small , is also unprofitable , and no whit beneficiall . the like we may say concerning the strength , which is either absolute , and in the heigth , in a meane declining from the former , or weake and overthrowne : the first requireth perfect evacuation ; the next , though imperfect , yet may prove profitable : the last admitteth either of a very small , or no evacuation at all . the like division may we likewise make of the diseases . and if wee would safely proceed in our cure , this rule must alwaies be observed , that wee lay in even scales the greatnesse of the disease with the measure of strength . if the disease be very great and dangerous , accompanied with strength answerable , we are not to deferre a full and copious evacuation : if the disease be lesse , yet with full strength , a lesser evacuation may prove profitable , that the cure may be safe , although not so sudden : for to use a plentiful evacuation at the first , is not alwaies so safe . againe , if the strength be but small , yet not altogether prostrate , meeting with a great violent disease , it will be best to divide this evacuation , and in the time interceding these two evacuations , before wee come to reiteration , to refresh and cherish languishing nature . in acute diseases , by reason of greater danger , wee may use a more plentifull evacuation , if strength be not quite prostrated : but if onely oppressed and languishing , we are not to omit , but divide it , as hath beene said , which wee commonly call phlebotomy , per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . in diseases called chronicall , or of longer continuance , the longer we thinke they are like to last , the lesser evacuation may serve , for feare lest nature sincke in the way : for in chronicall diseases , we are not only to have an eye to the present , but also carefully to fore-see the future forces . againe , in phlebotomy , by way of prevention in approaching of any disease from repletion , wee need not evacuate so much as this plenitude requireth ; as wee see in diseases which require a present and speedy cure . the antients , i find , were very lavish in this kind of evacuation , and let them blood often , till they swounded ; and yet is this no certaine rule how long they should bleed , neither yet is it safe , although both by hippocrates and galen in some cases prescribed ; for neither are such as fall into those fainting fits , alwaies sufficiently evacuated , neither yet will some swound , although they lose a farre greater quantity of blood than the former . no more is the changing of the colour of the blood , especially in inflammations , and many more cases besides , any certaine signe of the true quantity . now , this change of colour is either to be observed in the fluxe , or after : in the fluxe it is hardly discerned , and after , it is to small purpose : and we see oftentimes , that after a double or triple reiteration , the blood is still bad , and yet were it not safe to goe on still , untill the blood appeare better : for so sometimes we might exhaust all the blood of the body . and this is diligently to be observed of covetous or ignorant surgeons , either in the city or the country , many being often too ready to exceede the limits of reason ; as little certainty is there to be found in the changing of the face & eyes . and in the streame or impetuosity of the fluxe of blood , there is yet as litle certainty as in the former : the which many waies faile before a ful evacuation , howbeit none of these are to be slighted & neglected . we are then to judge of the competent quantity principally by the ease ensuing , and the patients easie enduring of the same . now although sudden alieniation doe not alwaies ensue , yet were it better againe and againe to reiterate the same , than proceed too farre at first , as we have said already ; although the a antients proceeded to an excessive quantity , as . or . pounds at a time ; and a b late writer relateth strange stories of prodigious and stupendious evacuations in this kind , which i had rather beleeve than make triall of the like . our brittaine bodies , i am sure , would never endure such vast evacuations . but i hold the rule of the learned celsus far better , that it is good to be sparing in the use of those remedies which evacuat strength , the preserver and gardian of our lives , and in stead of credit purchase often disgrace to the physitian . now when as wee cannot at once evacuat a due quantity , then , as said is , we come to reiteration . and this , both in evacuation , revulsion and derivation , is a very effectuall remedy : and the oftner this reiteration be used , the more effectuall is the revulsion , saith c galen . now in reiteration , if necessitie urge us not much , and we not so well as yet acquainted with the patients strength , it is better to beginne with the lesser quantity : but if necessity constraine us , and we assured of the patients strength , it is better at first to beginne with a greater quantity , and more the second time than the third . if we are to let blood in any inflammation , wee are to reiterate it the same or the next day , and out of the arme . reiteration by way of preservation may bee deferred untill the third or fourth day . now before we proceed , we must say something of a point , whereof some ignorants make a scruple : for oftentimes it commeth to passe , when the physitian , not without great need , prescribeth this so lawfull and use full a remedy , that some are afraid to venture on it , not out of any present feare or faint-heartednesse , but for feare , say they , lest our bodies looke for it againe every yeere . to this the answere is easy , that if there be the like occasion , the yeere after , i see not , why thou maiest not with as good reason , as before , yeeld to the use thereof . if there be no need , i warrant thee from incurring any danger for this omission . some againe use to bleed twice a yeere , and feare some great danger if this be neglected ; and it may be demanded , whether this be well done or no , blood being the treasure of life , and the fountaine and originall of all the spirits ? i answere , i would wish thee to bee well advised , how thou partest from such a jewell : yet because some may have more need than others ; as namely , sanguine complexions with large and ample veines , living in ease and idlenesse , may with good counsell be bolder than others . some doe this meerely out of custome , as many of our country people will , without any occasion , or good counsell , bleed in the spring : many covetous country-surgeons ( and i wish there were none in the city ) also will sooth them up in this erroneous opinion , and bleed them without any necessity at all , yea , although it prove oftentimes the cause of many after-ensuing dangerous diseases . but such as have , without any need for a long time inured themselves to so base acustome , i advise them by degrees to change this custome into a better : and if they be such , as have been accustomed to live in ease and idlenesse , and to feed liberally , i wish them to bee more frequent in their exercises , and more sparing in their diet ; so shall they both live longer , and injoy better health . no certaine perpetuall rule can here be prescribed to all bodies ; yet will it prove alwayes the safest , especially in a businesse of so great a weight and moment , to establish thy thoughts by good counsell , for feare of a too late repentance . there is yet another erroneous opinion , for want of the knowledge of naturall philosophy , and ignorance of anatomy , hatched in the braines of some ignorant people : to wit , that when as they perceive any palpitation , by reason of some inclosed aire , either in the muscles of the temples , jawes , or any other place , they are of opinion that the life is then in that place , and by consequent , if the blood should at that same instant be let out of that place , that the party would instantly be deprived of life . and a d learned germane physitian relateth , that some ignorant surgeons , after the falling of the blood out of the vein into the vessell , perceiving it sometimes , by reason of some flatuous matter mingled therewith , a little to move or tremble , made the party presently to drinke up this warme blood , affirming that this was the very life , whose sottish , ignorant and erroneous opinion the same author doth there learnedly confute , on the which i cannot now insist , having now yet many other things to handle , both concerning phlebotomy and other matters . but i hope our people will be wiser , and leave many of their foolish , idle , ignorant and superstitious opinions , both concerning phlebotomy and other points of physicke . as for this flatulent , windy matter , the letting of it out , if there be not therewith too great an abundance of blood , will rather doe thee good than hurt : and as for the life , it is not confined to any particular part , but diffused thorow the whole parts of the body , although it be more principally , or as we may say , radicativè , in the more noble and principall parts , the braine , heart and liver , according to the seats of the three principall powers or faculties , animall , vitall and naturall . chap. vij. of the fittest time for evacuation by phlebotomy , both generall and particular , both of election and coaction : as also whether wee may safely let blood during the dog daies . a as there is a fit and convenient time for every action under heaven , saith the wise man : so is not time to be neglected in this so waighty a businesse of evacuation by phlebotomy , where especially the life of man lieth at the stake . the time is either generall or particular . by the generall time we understand the foure seasons of the yeere : by the particular , the day and houre befitting such a businesse . among all our physitians it is agreed upon ; that the spring is the best and most seasonable time , and next to that the autumne : but the sommer by reason of excessive heat , and the winter by reason of cold , are not esteemed so seasonable . againe , in the particular times the morning is answerable to the spring , the noone tide to sommer , the afternoone to autumne , and the night to winter . now in the use of phlebotomy , we consider the time after a double manner , one of election , another of necessity . in election when it is in our power , we are to make choice of the fitest time , as wel generall as particular : in necessity and cases of extremitie and coaction , wee must take hold of that which offereth himselfe , when we stand in most need . now phlebotomy is used for a double end , either to prevent sickenesse in the whole , or to cure diseases in the sicke . in prevention , where we may have a free election , we are to make choice of the spring , as the most temperate time , and a day temperate , neither too hot nor too cold : and in particular , the morning is the best and fittest , an houre or two after rising , the partie to be bled being fasting , and having unburdened his body of the fecall excrements , and concoction being fully finished . next to the spring is autumne , in the which , if any be to bleed , the same cautions are to be observed . in sicknes is the case not a like , where we are not alwaies allowed this freedome of election . now all diseases are either acute or chronicall , as we have said already . in chronicall diseases wee are , as neare as we can without the patients prejudice , to pitch upon the best and most convenient time : but in acute diseases the case standeth farre otherwise , where we are often cast upon a coacted necessity . wherefore , in burnning fevers , in plurisies , in squinancies , and other like diseases , if strength permit , we are not to deferre this remedy , delay here breeding danger ; but with all speed , either day or night , at what soever houre , not regarding any preparation of the body , to goe about it . by protracting of time , strength is often overthrowne , and therefore it will be best at the beginning , and if in the first or second day , wee find this be wanting , we are not to adventure ; nor yet after divers daies over-past , if it be not wanting , to incite it . but according to the b hippocraticall oracle , it is best in the beginning of the disease to undertake such a worke , and when the humors are now setled , it is best to rest . and this is chiefely to bee understood of such diseases as are without intermission . in acute diseases with exacerbation , whether they admit of remission or intermission , we are to make choice of this time of greatest tranquillity . and therefore in fevers with remission we are to take that time ; as in those that intermit , we are then to use this remedy , whatsoever houre it be , whether day or night : for then nature is most at quiet , and in regard of strength they then are best able to beare it . but when in any inflammatiō , or any extraordinary great paine without any fever we are to use this remedy , we are not to wait for any remission , but having respect to the greatnes of the cause , presently to set upon it , and in time of greatest extremity to use this remedy , to the end there may be procured a retraction of the humor ( the other parts transmitting thither both blood and spirits ) from the part affected . phlebotomy used onely for a generall evacuation from the whole body , ought to bee administred in the beginning of the disease : and therefore in putrid fevers it is best to be used at the first , according to c galens testimonie . revulsion is used in diseases proceeding from distillation , and is best in the beginning in the impetuous fluxe of humors : but derivation after revulsion or generall evacuation , the affluxe of humors now ceasing . by that which hath been said already , the fittest and most convenient time for phlebotomy appeareth to be that which is most seasonable , and by consequent , both the heat of sommer , and the cold winter-season is here excluded . but here ariseth a great scruple in the mindes of the vulgar and ignorant people , who are so fearefull of phlebotomy in some seasons , especially during the dog-daies ; howbeit , if they well weigh the premisies it will evidently appeare , that in all seasons we are to yeeld to necessitie . but the vulgar seeme to have some reason on their side , at least the authority of d hippocrates , who hath left this upon record , and the antients did carefully observe this rule , and that , as seemeth , not without reason . i answere , it is true indeed , we have it recorded by antiquity , that during that time , it is not so safe to adventure upon phlebotomy or purging , and that by reason of the excessive heat of the sunne in that season . and indeed in hot countries , this season is often very tedious to the body of man , by reason of the dissolution of the spirits , and by consequence debilitating the whole body : yea , during that season , the sea it selfe suffering some alteration is more troubled , and wines in the cellars during that season doe often shew themselves therewith affected by a new ebullition , as it were boiling a fresh . and therefore , good reason had these antient fathers of physicke , to wish men , during these excessive heats , to refraine from the use of any great evacuation . but let us see , whether there be any specificall , maligne influence descending upon the body phlebotomised during that season . the vulgar , yea and some of a more refined understanding are carried away with , i know not what , superstitious feare of this season , be it hot or cold ; that be they or their friends in greatest extremity of danger by reason of sickenesse in the same , yet shall one hardly many times perswade them to the use of any remedy . and in this , women ( as they are commonly most pragmaticall , and readiest to controll the physitians prescriptions ) shew themselves most crosse and opposite . in the first place then , true it is , that this season proveth often the hottest time of the yeere , the sun then entring into the signe of leo , as they call it , and the dog-starre then arising upon our horizon , the heat is most commonly then increased . but that any specificall malignity , more than is procured by heat , ( which is a generall cause , and an active qualitie ) is conveied from this or any other starre or constellation into the body of man more than at any other season . i utterly deny : although the vulgar are of opinion , that the very season of it selfe , howsoever the ambient aire be affected , portendeth alwaies danger : even as the papists have a strong conceit of their opus operatum , in mumbling over a set number of their prayers in an unknowne tongue , the receiving of the sacraments , &c. to be of great force and efficacie . and besides , these antient physitians doe not absolutely inhibite the use of phlebotomie or physicke during this season , but hold comparatively , that then they doe not so well sute with the body of man as at other times , and in this doe our opinions also concurre . and what judicious physitian of our time maketh choice of these canicular daies for any elective evacuation by way of prevention ? doe we not alwaies advise people , when it is in their power to make choice of the most temperate time , as may plainely by our precedent discourse and difference of election and coaction or necessity , appeare ? but the question is not here of election , but of coaction ; whether the body being assaulted with some furious fever or inflammation ; as pleurisie , squinancy , or the like , may not in this case safely admit of phlebotomy ? if we should deny this truth , we should be injurious to our maker , as though he were not alwaies the same , and would in some seasons leave men destitute of any helpe or succor , than the which , what can be more impious ? i deny not indeed , but that if the sick can adjourne his disease ( as lawyers do their courts ) till the spring or autumne , i shall be of their opinion . but we know , and many wilfull and peevish patients , though to their great smart , doe often finde this old saying true : ante capillata , post est occasio calva . he that will not when he should , often cannot when he would . now as there is no time nor season of the yeere , wherein there is any immunity or exemption from sickenesse , so is there no time nor season of the same , wherein we are deprived of meanes and comfort against this calamity . and this is the generally received opinion of all learned and judicious physitians , as i could prove by a multitude of witnesses . among many others , there is a famous d french physitian , who lived in the south parts of france , the kings physitian , and chancellour of the famous university of mountpeliers , and doctor of the chaire in the same university ; who of set purpose confuteth this sottish and erroneous opinion of the vulgar in this particular concerning evacuations . and yet this place montpeliers , i meane , is betwixt * or degrees further to the south , than wee here in this cold and moist climat , that knowne to be very hot , and of the same heighth of elevation of the pole , with many parts of spaine , and italy , yea , of rome it selfe : which may be yet further proved by the strong wines of that countrie , exceeding many places of italy ; as likewise by the abundance of orenges , lemmons , olives , figs and pomegranats , together with the abundance of scorpions , vipers , and other venomous vermine ( to counterpoise this former felicitie ) no where but in hot climats and countries to be found . this e same physitian , among many other passages , inserts a metric advertisement for women , wishing them , during this hot time , to counsell their husbands , for their healths sake , to absteine from their amorous imbracings , rather than trouble themselves with controlling the physitian in his owne profession , who can tell well inough what to doe without their directions : although as he affirmes , some would have this abstinence in all the moneths that have not an ( r ) in them , yet disclaimeth he this rigidity . all this notwithstanding , many people are so pertinacious and obdurat in this their foolish opinion , without either ground or reason , that they will often adventure their owne , or dearest friends life , rather than admit of any meanes for the recovery of their health during this season , and if , perhaps , sometimes pinched with extremitie , by meanes of some dangerous disease affrighting them , they use the lawfull meanes not to be neglected in any season , necessity so requiring , and through the violence of the disease , the patients , or assistants errour , there follow not that answerable successe as was expected , the physitian is presently laid in fault , and condemned of temeritie and boldnesse , in adventuring the use of any meanes in such a season , when as the ambient aire , perhaps , was as temperate as in april ( as in this our countrie and climat often commeth to passe ) yet all is one , the very name of a dog-day , doth as much affright them as if some furious mastiffe dog had bitten them by the breech . about some ten yeeres agoe , a knight living in northampton-shire of any acquaintance , about bartholomew-tide , fall sicke of a viol●●t fever , with extreme drouth and headach , and although at his first falling sicke , hee would willingly have sent for mee , yet some ladies and gentlewomen his friends , at that season lying at his house , for the space of two or three daies , caused him deferre the execution of his intended purpose , and withall , kept him so short of drinke , that scarce would they allow him a good draught of drinke in a day . at length finding no amendment , and fearing some further inconvenience , neglecting now his womens counsell , hee sent for mee . at my first comming , i found him in great extremity of heat and head-ach , and for this cause i presently caused administer to him a cooling glister , with diet accustomed with such a case , giving way also to a more liberall allowance of drinke , which of all other things gave him most content . the next night after , his rest was better , and after followed great allevation of his former accidents : and therfore , although my purpose was to open a veine , yet perceiving some allevation , and hoping still for more , by reason of signes of concoction in the urine , which accordingly came to passe ( withall knowing the hard conceit these gentlewomen , as is vsuall also with others , had conceived of that remedy , especially in that season , which neverthelesse was not them very unseasonable in regard of the temperature of the aire ) with cooling glisters , abstinence , and some other small meanes , within the space of two or three daies , this gentleman recovered againe his former health , although by some otherwise indicious , this sudden good successe was not expected . and as for phlebotomie during the dog-daies , and purging , i have both knowne others use them with very good successe , and have beene my selfe both an agent and patient in time of need . many yeeres agoe , about the midst of the canicular daies , a man of this same towne , about or yeeres of age , fell sicke of a dangerous pleurisie , who sending for mee , intreated my best advice and counsell . acquainting him then with the danger of the disease , notwithstanding the heat of the weather and his yeeres , i wished with all speede to open a veine , a remedy of all other most likely to helpe him in this extremity . this was by him as speedily put in execution as apprehended , ( notwithstanding many womens opposition , and their peremptory sentence of temerity and unadvisednesse , past upon mee , as it pleased them to speake ) and with as great speede was he rewarded for a voluntary submission to the meanes , by a speedy and happy recovery : who after that lived a many yeeres , and with a thankfull remembrance to his dying day acknowledged me under god the meanes of saving his life . but lest i may seeme too rigid and strict in imposing heavie burthens upon others , which i would not touch with mine owne little finger , i will adde yet one experiment practised upon mine owne person . some yeeres agoe , during the heat of these canicular daies , being newly returned from a noble lady of northampton-shire , and being great with childe , and then in some extremitie had desired my presence and counsell ; after my returne i was surprized with the head-ach , a drouth , with other accidents , arguing the inchoation of a fever , and therefore well remembring that golden rule , principijs obsta , i did first use a gentle purge , keeping a diet fit in such a case , and the next day after sent for my surgeon , and out of the median of the right arme , caused him take at least twelve ounces of blood already begunne to putrefie ; with a full purpose within a day or two after , in case of continuance of the former accidents , to have proceeded to a reiteration of the same remedy , evacuating as much out of the other arme . but the former quantity sufficed , and followed immediatly alleviation , and so with the use of a gentle purging infusion , by the help of almighty god , recovered my perfect health : all this notwithstanding , i kept not at home two daies together , but every other day rode abroad to visit a gentlewoman , a patient of mine , lying within some few miles of northampton , and newly before that come out of stafford-shire ; and this is moreover yet observable , that although the weather was then as hot as any time i have knowne it , yet found i no more faintnesse then in my bodie after this evacuation , than at any other time of my perfectest health ; but on the contrary , a speedy alleviation of all my former accidents . it were easie for mee to produce yet a multitude of mine owne , and other mens experiments of this nature , but these few shall suffice to confirme the truth of this assertion . i will yet adde this , that there is no small difference betwixt this our cold climat , and the country of france , the south part especially ; in the which , notwithstanding , their physitians , as appeareth , allow both of phebotomie , and purging in time of need , be the season as it will , as hath beene already proved . and greece , in the which hippocrates and galen lived , is yet a farre hotter countrie than any of the aforenamed , as extending it selfe to divers degrees neere the south . besides , this our iland being so invironed round about with neptunes watrie walls , by meanes of many moist exhalations by the sunne-beames attracted into the middle region of the aire , is often so watered with showers , and our aire often so overcast with thicke cold clouds , by this meanes keeping from us the force of phoebus burning beames ; that by this meanes wee need not be so much afraid of the biting of this mad dog . to which purpose , i will relate a story told mee by a friend . the cruell cardinall beton , arch-bishop of st andrewes in scotland , sent for that famous cardan out of italy ( for no me●er , nor ordinary physitian would serve the proud prelates turne ) to consult with him concerning some infirmity then troubling him : in his returne homewards , passing thorow england , hee staid some daies in london . during his aboade in the city , many hearing a great fame of an outlandish famous physitian ( as the proverbe saith , a new broome sweepeth cleane ) resorted to his lodging to crave his counsell : but when hee saw them so shy of physicke , and that few would then in that season adventure on any , hee asked what was the reason ? to whom it was replied , it was by reason of the dog-daies , in the which to take any physicke , they were much afraid . hee wittily and wisely replyed againe , canis non mordet in anglia : alluding to this i have already said , that the dog-starre is not much to be feared here in england . and this did yet more evidently appeare , this late yeere past , . in the which , during all this canicular season , or dog daies , wee had not three hot daies , and proved colder than any of the former part of the sommer . if the season then before or after be hotter than these canicular daies , why should not wee be as warie and circumspect , as when the heat falleth out in that season ? and when that time falleth out seasonably , why are we as fearefull of it , as when extremitie of heat scorcheth our feeble bodies ? it is the ambient aire , hot or cold , &c. as i said , which doth most affect our bodies and not any specificall maligne influence from this or any other star that threatneth us with any mischiefe . let people therefore from hence forward be warned , that they be not so superstitiously fearefull at the very naming of a dog-day , that during that season they neglect good and wholesome meanes for the recovery of their health in time of neede . but if it be in thy option , no necessity compelling thee , make choice of the most temperate time . but if thou beest surprized with any acute or dangerous disease , whatsoever the season be , take heed of dallying with thy disease : take counsell of a judicious and able artist , and thou shalt finde , hee can accommodate his physicke to any season . the judicious and understanding physitian goeth not hand over head and at randome ; but knoweth how to accommodate his physicke both for quantity and quality , not onely to the severall seasons of the yeere , but to the particular and individuall constitutions and diseases also . but if thou cast thy selfe upon empirickes , woman physitians , and unlearned physitians , i cannot blame thee to be afraid , not onely of dog-daies but of any other season also . but if thou wilt be ruled by no reason , upon thine owne perill be it , it is sufficient thou hast beene warned . chap. viii . whether in phlebotomy wee are to observe the signes , and severall other things pointed out vnto us by our ephemerides-masters . by that which hath beene alreadie said , it hath plainly appeared , that in diseases wee are in no hand to procrastinate and spinne out time , but lay hold on oportunitie without respect of time or season whatsoever ; yea , even during the scorching heat of the canicular daies . this hath beene acknowledged , as an uncontrolled truth , and generally entertein'd by the most learned and judicious physitians of all ages of all countries ; greeke , arabian , roman , and others of all europe . but as errorum plena sunt omnia , error and imposture carrieth a great stroke in this whole universe ; so neither the noble celestiall creatures themselves ( the heavens i meane , with their glorious orbes , and resplendent ornaments ) have beene freed from imposture . and all this by meanes of wicked and malicious men , prostituting themselves to imposture , and making bawds of these celestiall bodies , the more cunningly to circumvent the vulgar , and cover their their owne covetousnesse and ignorance in the principles of this profession . hence have wee so many erronious and pernitious opinions now so ruvetted in mens mindes , that they cannot without great difficulty againe be extirpate . and this opinion concerning phlebotomie , the moone being in certaine signes , among others is not one of smallest consequence . to mainteine then this erronious opinion they have taken for granted , that there are certaine signes , having dominion over certeine parts of the body , and therefore if any shall happen to be let blood in that member , where , say they , the sign for the time is predominant , portendeth no small danger to the patient . and therefore when at any time there is occasion offered of using this remedie , especially to the vulgar sort , or countrie people above others , they aske presently how is the signe ? and if it shall then happen to be in that place to be phlebotomised , a man had need to use all his eloquence , and yet should scarce , perhaps , perswade them to it at that time , untill such time as the signe be past that part . and why , i pray thee , ought wee to be so curious in the observation of the signe , so many thousand miles off us , and in the meane time neglect the ambient aire , which , as sense it selfe teacheth us , environeth us alwaies on every side . now , they cannot deny that all diseases are ingendred in all times of the yeer , in every moneth , weeke , day and houre ; and hot acute diseases are as well ingendred when old frosty father saturne is in conjunction with the moone , as when firie mars is joined with the same affinitie : and cold diseases againe ingendred as well under the one as the other . now , then , master astrologer yeeld me a sound reason , why i may not as well use phlebotomie and any other evacuation during these conjunctions ? and yet a ptolomee was in this particular so superstitious , that hee affirmeth that if physicke be exhibited while the moone is in conjunction with iupiter , it doth blunt the edge of the operation thereof . for , saith hee , our life consisteth in heat and moisture , over which qualities iupiter presideth : wherefore , saith he , if the moone be also joined to iupiter , then is vigour and strength so much increased , that they farre surpasse the vigour and strength of the medicine , so making it of no effect or operation , insomuch , that it worketh not at all . but by ptolomees good leave , all our physitians doe very well know , that by the vigour of naturall strength and heat , all physicall operations are furthered and perfected . and therefore the moone being accounted the mother of humidity , if iupiter adde yet more moisture , there will be great use of all the heat hee can communicate unto us : and by this meanes , in all probability of reason , it would seeme , this active quality of heat should the more facilitate the operation in the body now replenished with this double humiditie . and therefore , not without good reason is it that all our physitians doe prohibite the use either of phlebotomie or physicke to old and decrepid persons , by reason of the want of this naturall vigour and strength , and then onely use them when as the body aboundeth therewith . but now concerning the signe , saith the * same author , wee are nor to open a veine when the moone passeth by that signe which governeth that part of the body : for , saith hee , and with him almansor , that since the moone filleth the body with moisture , that then that part is replenished with humiditie : and yet it would seeme there should be then most use of phlebotomie . but this doctrine is againe contradicted , by messahala , who would have us to beginne the cure of all diseases , when as the moone is entred into that signe which is appropriated to the part affected : as if one were surprized with a phrensie or squinancie , although the moone were in aries , taurus , or gemini , yet should wee beginne our cure by incision of the cephalica veine , otherwise called humeraria ; which , neverthelesse , is quite contrary to the tenent of ptolomee . this contrariety caused some to confesse , that these precepts were to be understood only of such diseases as might well without danger be deferred . it will then follow , that in dangerous and acute diseases , they are of no force and validitie . of this then the people in their prognostications ought to be advertised : for , wee see many times , that many , insnared with this perverse opinion , rather than they will transgresse these irregular rules , often indanger that which ought to be to them most deare . and have wee not too many that sooth them up in this their sottish superstitious and erronious opinion ? i speake not onely of our ordinary ephemerides-masters , and ordinary almanack-makers , but i wish some of the sonnes of levi were not too much addicted to such idle vanities , with calculating nativities , and such other foolish frothy and forbidden stuffe . i will not deny , but since the moone is accounted the mother of all moisture , there may be some use in the observation of her increasing and decreasing , according to her quarters , and when it is in our free election , by way of prevention , if there be no impediment , wee may use evacuation in the increase of the moone . and wee deny not that this same planet manifesteth her power in many sublunary creatures ; as wee see in the sea , and creatures therein conteined ; in the fruits of the earth , &c. it is true indeed , that m galen , both in the birth of mankinde , and other creatures , and in the criticall daies ascribeth something to the motion of the moone , according to the angles of her monethly peragration ; and wee doe not deny the same . but withall , it as certaine , that the observations and effects of these criticall , judiciarie and provocatory daies depend upon the disposition of the materiall cause of the disease , and concoction of the same , and better knowne by the ordinary and set periods and paroxysmes of the disease , than by all the starres in the heavens , witnessed that worthy c hippocrates , in many places of his workes . and in c one place hee maketh it yet more plaine , where , searching into the cause why the crisis commeth commonly upon the odde day , maketh no mention of any starre at all . now , besides all this , the moone is of so swift a motion , that in two or three daies shee passeth by any of these signes , and that with such a celerity , that she hath quite passed by the signe , before the force of the same can be perceived , or taken notice of . and yet these wise masters will have us in no hand to exhibite any purging medicine , the moone being in any signe which doth ruminate or chew the cud : to wit , aries , taurus , capricorne , for feare forsooth , say they , lest it be againe rejected by the mouth . but i could tell their wisdomes , that both my selfe and others have found this most idle and false ; besides , that it is builded upon no reason at all , i have found by manifold experience , that a nice , daintie and weake stomacke , but especially oppressed with corrupt humours , will scarce reteine any purgation , unlesse it be first evacuated by vomit upwards , the which i have proved to worke as well in my selfe as others , when the moone was most remote from those ruminant signes : and againe , purgations to worke as effectually in these ruminant signes as in others . and besides , i have alreadie made it appeare out of hippocrates , that hee appointeth some times and seasons fitter by farre for evacuation of some humours , than others , without any relation at all of the signe . moreover , this rumination is but a meere chimaera , or phansie , and nothing indeed : for these starres fixed in the firmament for mens better conception and capacity , were by some , at first , ranked into certaine troupes , and as it were , certaine companies ; and unto each severall troupe or company , men imposed , certaine names of such creatures as in their conceit they most resembled : as of a ramme , bull , beare , dog , dolphin , and the like ; although most , if not all of them might as well be resembled unto some other shape or figure , and so carry another name . now , then , it is apparent , that there is neither bull nor beare , dogge nor cat in these celestiall bodies ; and therefore what relation can there be betwixt this their supposed rumination and our medicines here exhibited ? i could yet instance in a multitude of such idle fopperies : as in what signes with the moone to administer pills , when potions , and such like ; and when to waine children . and what better is it than meer heathenish , to point us out some daies of the moneth good , some bad , some criticall , some not ? is there one day of it selfe better than another ? and what makes one day better than another but divine ordination ? if they say this dependeth upon some influence of celestiall bodies , i answer , that according to their owne doctrine , they are so various and divers , and doe so suddenly change , that their operations and influences cannot be certaine , and fixed upon set certaine daies alwaies the same . and therefore , as for their good and bad , criticall and not criticall daies , wee care not at all . but what is the reason that these wise men doe so much neglect that great and glorious triumphant king phobus , who sitting in his chaire of state , by his accesse towards , and recesse from us , produceth such an alteration in the seasons , and the ambient aire , that not one of all the rest of that great host of heaven is able to parallell his power ? who doth not sensibly see and feele the various effects and changes of seasons hee produceth in this inferiour world , is deprived of his senses . his effects are more forcible than any of his fellowes : the moones moisture is but a passive , his vivifying heat an active quality , and therefore of farre greater force and validitie . see in his highest exaltation above our horizon what a sweet refreshing heat he darteth downe upon these sublunary creatures . againe , in his recesse and lowest declination , notwithstanding iupiters hot and moist influence , and all his auxiliary helpes , yet for the most part doe we find such frosty effects of old frostie father saturne , that nill wee will wee , forced wee are to confesse and acknowledge the noble effects of this king of planets above all the rest : for the which cause , not without reason , among all remote causes , in the generation of mankinde , and by consequence of other creatures , the philosopher ascribed the pre eminence to this noble planet . the efficacie and power of this powerfull king doth yet more plainely appeare , by comparison of those places where he doth most manifest his majestie and power ; namely , under the aequinoctiall line , and within the tropicks , and many degrees on either side : with such places as are a great part of the yeere deprived of his princely presence ; or else by reason of the farre distance from them , are so little thereby refreshed , that in some of those places , there is no habitarion for mankinde , and in some others a life indeed some lead , but such , as , in regard of the outward estate , a death may rather be desired . the hollanders in their navigations , to finde out an north-east passage to the east indies can testifie what enterteinment they found at nova zembla in about degrees elevation of the northerne pole : forbisher , davis and hudson of this nation , attempting the same by the north-west , could testifie the same truth . if we will passe but into poland , and other dominions of that great prince ; as life-land , lap-land , courland , &c. we may , during all winter , make our habitation upon that vast and waterie element , where neptune hath his dominion , as safely as upon any part of the terrestriall globe . besides all this , the sunne hath his abode and continuance in each of these twelve signes , for the space of a whole moneth ; and yet for all this , there is no mention made of the sun in the signe , which , in regard of these former reasons would seeme farie more reasonable . e a late german writer maketh mention of one of those prognosticators , who had lately published an almanacke , wherein were set downe certaine daies in each moneth of the yeere , on the which , if any were let blood , it portended extreme danger , if not death to the party : and besides , prognosticated death to all that should be let blood on the feast of the annuntiation of our lady ( i hope the roman catholikes will have this villaine by the eare , for so farre vilifying the power of the virgin mary that she , that commanded her son , cannot divert any dismall event from her holy day ) on the day of simon and iude , and s. andrew the apostle , with many more other idle fooleries . in the same place , againe , hee inveigheth against the foolish custome of some , who postposing signe , or any other thing whatsoever , in the midst of winter , be the weather as it will , frost , snow , or haile , especially upon s. stephens day , doe usually ( as is the custome here with horses ) to have a veine opened . f this pernitious and pertinacious custome of some surgeons ( speaking still of the signe ) and by them stiffely mainteined , is a cause of no small mischiefe in a well ordered common-wealth ; and yet hath no solid nor sound foundation , either from antient or moderne physitians of greatest fame , who never have any regard unto the same . g and some of our late writers , of no small note , and as well skilled in all the mathematicall sciences as any ephemerides-master of them all , yet neither in their cures nor indications once make mention of the moone in the signe , of all these idle planetary conjunctions , evill or good aspects , and the like needlesse curiosities . among others , there was of late yeeres a famous physitian , and native of aberden in scotland , and no lesse skilfull in mathematicall speculations , and therefore by henry , late duke of brawnswicke ( called henry with the long nose , and married a sister to our late gracious queene anne ) chosen for mathematicall profession in his vniversity of helmstadt : and yet in his learned works published to posterity in the latine tongue , in his tractat of indications , evacuations and curations of all sorts of fevers , hath not one word of the observation of the signe and the rest of that rabble of foolish vanity . and this is also the generall opinion of all our most famous and skifull physitians . h since then these signes , conjunctions , and the rest of these more than foolish and superstitious observations set downe in these lying ephemerides tables ( saith our former author ) are no certaine true judicatory signes , either of phlebotomy , purgation or scarification , they are rather to be derided , and blotted out of all bookes . and i another famous physitian and his country-man before him , wisheth that the magistrate would take order that in these publike prognostications , nothing might be divulged , save onely the festivall times , together with the times and returnes of legall proceedings . the like could i wish might be looked into here in his majesties dominions , that wee might have nothing but the moveable feasts , the motion of the moone , and the times and returnes of the termes : and if any memorable accidents or historicall relations were set downe , i thinke no man would be against it . as for physitians they could make a good shift without their helpe and directions , to phlebotomise both the sicke and the whole ; to purge by pills , potions and electuaries , as the case and occasion should require : women could weane their children , the barbers shave beards and cut haire ; and every man pare his owne nailes without the almanacks prescription and direction . and princes could undertake , and wage warre , and others goe about the businesse of their particular places and callings , without such busy-bodies intruding upon that which concerneth them not . by these particulars it may then appeare , that this judiciall astrology is not so well rooted , but may easily fall to the ground , being so loosened and weakned by so many famous and worthy personages of severall ages and times : yea , and some who have in former times favoured the same , after they were thorowly acquainted with the vanity and uncertaintie thereof , at length forsooke it , and have left their recanaition for a perpetuall memoriall behind them . many others things concerning this subject be said , and many arguments to evince the vanitie and superstitious use of judiciall astrology , with all the dependants on the same : but this were besides my text , and withall would prove a taske too tedious , especially for mee , having at this time so many other things yet to handle ; and therefore i will now draw this point to a period : protesting neverthelesse , that what i have said , is neither of any hatred or prejudicate opinion conceived against the persons of any , who have either practised this art , or published any thing concerning the same : but onely to vindicate the truth from error and imposture , and to give the world notice , how farre they have hitherto been deluded . and besides , it never came into my mind to harbour in my heart the least evill thought against that noble and thrice renowned true astronomy , with the subalterne power it hath , from the great lord , maker of heaven and earth , received over all these sublunary creatures : onely i would not have the servant to have dominion over his master , and place a creature in the place of the creator , and to abuse the simpler sort of people , as is most frequent with those which attribute so much to this art . chap. ix . preparation before phlebotomy , during bleeding what to be done , and how to bee ordered after . of particular phlebotomy by leaches : of sacrification and cupping . of searing , setum , vesicatories , &c. in the first place then before phlebotomy we are to prepare the body , by cleansing it from the excremēts of the first concoction conteined in the guts , & withal we must have a care to correct the crudities of the stomacke and small veines . crudities before must be corrected by a spare and wholesome diet. as for expulsion of the fecall excrements , it is safest to use a gentle , emollient glister , of some gentle , lenitive , manna , sirup of roses , or the like . a broth made of loosening herbes ; as mercury , mallowes , betcs , spinage , groundsell , and the like , will sometimes serve the turne . but if necessity constraines us , or any other acute disease urge us : as a pleurisie , a squinancy , or the like , we are then to make no delay , but take hold of the present opportunity , delay in this case threatning no lesse danger than death . if the orifice or mouth of the stomacke be very sensible , if some choler proceeding from the liver or veines have ceized upon it , or it hath contracted any imbecillity or weakenesse , then before we set upon this worke , we are first to corroborate the stomake , and b●unt the edge of these humors , with the juice of lemmons , pomegranats , barberies , or rather their sirups : and the imbecillity of the heart is to bee remedied with a toste in a little canary-sacke , hipocras or the like ; as also with some cordiall loosings , or the like solid or liquid substance . if fasting be offensive , an houre or two before , they may take a little of some liquid substance , broth cawdell or the like . the party to be phlebotomised , if in health , is to bleed sitting , unlesse upon a small occasion subject to swound in which case he may bleed upon his bed . in sicke persons , especially when they are weake , this same rule is to be observed , and withall we are to be obserue and diligently to marke , whether in the bleeding strength continue ; the decay of which may be discerned by the changing of the colour , by gaping and yawning , by stretching and reaching , dazeling of the eyes , singing of the eares , the hicket , loathing of the stomacke , and especially by the changing of the pulse : in which case it is good either to give over , or else to pause a little untill the partie be a little refreshed , and then to bleed againe , or deferre it a while as occasion shall require . if hee swound set him backward sprinkle his face with rose-water , or other ordinary , and present to his nose refreshing smell . after bleeding , especially in sicknesse or weaknesse , the patient is to be laid upon a bed on his backe , not sleeping for two or three houres after ; and within an houre or two may take some food in a small quantity , and easie of digestion : as some cawdell , broth or the like . and in case of sudden fainting it may bee sooner used ▪ or at least some other comfortable cordiall . after this , the patient must keepe a good and spare diet. but many times is commeth so to passe , that this noble and generous remedy by opening of a veine cannot so wel be effected , or at least is not so fit , in regard blood is oftentimes impacted into some particular part , so that it cannot by ordinary phlebotomy bee evacuated , and then doe we betake our selves to a particular kind of phlebotomie by leaches , scarification and cupping glasses . the leaches must be chosen , such as live not in stinking puddle-water , not very greene , nor having great blacke heads : and being caught , they are to bee kept in faire water , which is often to be shifted . some counsell to put a little sugar in the water , and some a little blood . they are best that live in waters where mosse and frogges abound : not rough on the backe , of the colour of antimony , or having blew lines ; but round little tailes like unto mice , and small heads . in defect of phlebotomy , when for some good consideration it cannot conveniently be administred , we may apply them to the great veines : but most properly they are to be applied to the small veines . they are much used in the hemorrhoidall veines , and doe best of all draw unto them melancholicke blood : & for this cause , they are of singular good use in itches , scabs , and the like . they are to be put through a quill , and so applied to the place wee please ; howbeit some use a spunge , fomenting the place first with warme water , and then anointing it with a little blood to make them sucke the sooner . some , when they are a sucking , cut off their tailes that they may draw more freely . if they fall not off in due time , sprinckle some salt on them : and if they fall off too soone , bath the place with warme water , and if it may be with conveniency , bleed over warme water ; and after they are falne off , this will still further the bleeding . if the veine bleed too long , use the same meanes we use in stopping the bleeding of a veine in ordinary phlebotomy , adding , if thou wilt , a little powder of bole armenicke , some powder of galls , &c. besides these , there is yet another particular evacuation of blood performed by meanes of scarification or racing of the skinne , and differreth according to the manner it is used . if deeper , it draweth more copiously and from the remote parts , and withall evacuateth the thicker blood . it may often supply the place of phlebotomy . and thus in the armes deepe scarifications evacuat from the whole , as likewise sometimes in the legges , especially cupping glasses being therewith applied . and thus oribasius in that great and memorable asiaticke plague scarified both himselfe and many others , and drew out very neare two pounds of blood , and by this meanes escaped the present danger . scarification in this same place is also good in a plethory , proceeding from the suppression of the piles or menstruous fluxe . it may sometimes be used , by way of revulsion , to the remote parts , observing still the rectitude or communion of the parts , as in the inflammation of the right legge , scarification of the right hand or left legge . as likewise scarification of the legge attracteth from the inward to the outward parts , and draweth downe-wards , &c. and in the menstruous fluxe scarification of the thighes or hands serveth in stead of derivation in furthering this fluxe . but scarification hath alwaies a most forcible effect in attracting from the remote parts when it is deepe , and a cupping glasse presently applied . but the most proper use of scarification is to evacuat from the part affected , other remedies not prevailing . and for this cause is effectuall in all scabs , and other breakings forth upon the skinne , as also for an inveterate scirrhus , inflammations , gangrenes , pestilentiall tumors , bittings of venemous beasts , &c. but with scarification for the most part we use also cupping with or without fire ; and these cups are made of divers matters , of horne , glasse and copper ; and of severall formes , long , round , some of a wider and some of a narrower orifice . they are for the most part used of glasse called therefore cupping glasses . and of these the round with a narrow mouth or orifice are the best , and draw most effectually ; and of these some are bigger , some lesser , according as the evacuation is to be more or lesse in regard of the bodies they are to be applied to , they have a farre more successefull operation in thinne bodies , than in thicker constitutions . againe , we are to consider the nobility , consent , and the vicinity of the parts in the application and use of this remedy ; and therefore not to bee applied to any principall part , lest there follow an attraction of bad humors thereunto . but in the mutuall consent of two parts , they may to good purpose be applied to the one ; as in the immoderate menstruous fluxe , to the breast . they are not to be used of sound and healthfull bodies , to young and growing people , nor to old decrepit persons : nor yet of custome , but with good advice of the learned physitian , as need shall require , especially in the spring and in winter ; not in a hot house , but neere a good fire , onely some frictions going before . we use them either with or without fire , also with or without scarification . the time elective is after perfect concoction , the stomacke now being empty , and the guts cleane from cōmon excrements . the time of coaction or necessity is that which requireth this remedy , although the time bee not so seasonable , and that to prevent a further danger . they are not ordinarily to be used before generall or universall evacuations have been used , but in some cases ; as in the wind-colicke : or when as by reason of the thinne structure of the body it is not so safe to open a veine ; or when we would attract any tumor from the internall to the externall and superficiall parts of the body . wee are then to apply this remedy either to the part affected , or the next to it , when there is now no more affluxe of matter . dry cups without scarification draw and evacuat the body insensibly , especially of wind . they are sometimes for staying of vomits and yexing applied to the stomacke . they are in divers cases applied to severall parts of the body : as the hinder part of the head , and the crowne for divers infirmities of the eyes and head : to the forepart for the phrensie , lethargy , &c : as also to the shoulders , chinne , thighes , legges , for divers infirmities , whereon i must not now insist , but proceed . besides the premisses , there are yet some other particular evacuations performed by the hand of the surgeon , the which for affinitie with the former , although no bloody evacuations , we will handle in this place . of these , the chiefe is burning or searing of some particular place of the skin both for preservation and recovering of health ; whereunto we referre also the two other , setum and vesicatory . this searing , in latine called cauterium , is nothing else but a little ulcer made in the superficiall part of the body of man , with some actually or potentially hot thing , by this meanes to make a free passage for a leisurely ensuing out of peccant , noxious matter causing diseases : and that both for inhibiting corruption , corroboration of the members of the body , and the restriction of the influxe of humors . this remedy is of greater utility and profit than many are aware of ; and may indifferently be used in all ages , not excepting infancy it selfe , where it is most soveraigne , even when they are yet in the cradle , and that for curing and preventing many diseases : as convulsions , epilepsies and rheumes ; and besides , is not denied to any sex . the severall sorts or kindes of it are distinguished by three severall & distinct names : the one sonticulus , the next setaceum or setum ; from a thred of silke or haire drawne thorow ; and the last vesicans or vesicatorium , and of the vulgar , a blister , from the effect : and as for others dropax , sinapismus , psilothrum , as not being so frequent and usefull in sicknesse and health , as the former , i passe by . now as concerning the part or place of the body where this issue is to be made , we must be very circumspect , and well consider where this noxious matter to be evacuated is ingendred . if the matter be by the issue to be derived , diverted or drawne aside , then is the issue to be made neare to the part affected . if it be for revulsion or pulling backe , then we are to beware of molesting any noble part , and therefore the place of the issue must be made a little further off ; with that caveat notwithstanding , that the rectitude and consent with the part affected be observed . neither are wee ever to make any issue in the part affected , unlesse the matter be already there impacted , and universall evacuations have already proceeded . this issue is made most commonly with an instrument made of iron actually hot , and of divers formes according to the nature of the part affected : and some are also made of gold . some againe use no materiall instrument of iron or other metall ; but some hot burning medicine , composed of some ingredients of a hot , burning operation , although no heat to the outward senses of seeing or touching be therein discerneable ; called therefore potentiall cauteries : and these being applied to the part , doe in a short time make an issue . some againe use to open the part by incision , and so make the issue ; but is farre inferior to the former . the best way is that which is seared with gold or iron ; and next to that , such as are made of causticke matter ; especially , if care be had that is performe its operation with speed , and with as little paine as is possible . the particular place where this is to be made , is indicated by the place affected , where the matter hath its residence ; which if ingendred in the liver ascendeth up into the head , then is it to bee made in the legge ; and if it descend into the legge , then is the arme of the same side to have an issue opened . againe , if noxious humours abound in the nether belly , it must be opened in the legge ; if in the middle region , in the arme , if there be no impediment : but if there be any such matter in the head , it must be made in the the hinder part of the head : if it take the way downe towards the breast and the lungs , then both in the coronall future in the forehead , and in the hinder part . if it be ingendred in the head , and descend upon the backe-bone , the loines and nether parts , then must it bee made in the beginning of the backe-bone to intercept the matter . in many other particular places of the body we use this remedy , which would be here too long to relate . as for vesicatories , or blistering remedies , they use to bee made of such things as blister the flesh ; such as be crowfoot , euphorbium , pellitory of spaine , mustard , cantharides ; being any one or more of these mingled , with sowre leaven and vineger wrought together ; the blister so made is to be opened , the place to bee kept open with a little fresh butter , or cere-cloth . that which we call setum or sataceum , is an issue most commonly made in the necke with a hot needle drawne thorow the necke with a thred of white or crimson silke , the place kept open by drawing the silke to or fro out of its place , and dressing it afterwards as is fitting . some used heretofore a haire in stead of silke , from whence this operation taketh its denomination . there is yet mention made of another manner of making of this issue with this hot needle , recorded by a a famous surgeon , on which now i will not insist . now all these issues are to be kept open untill such time as this noxious and evill matter bee quite spent and wasted away , at which time it may safely againe be closed up . but if they be appointed by way of revulsion , or pulling backe any humor , accustomed to fall downe upon any place , and have been of a long time continued , then may they not so safely be dried up , unlesse another bee made to supply the place of the former . this setum is a singular good meanes to helpe all infirmities of the eye-sight , and many inveterate infirmities of the braine : as epilepticke fits , bad memory proceeding of moisture , and many more . and thus have i somewhat at large handled phlebotomy , and all circumstances concerning the same ; and so much the rather , for that i see the world so much herein abused , and so many by the indiscreet use thereof miscary : now i proceed to the other and second generall evacuation called purgation . chap. x. of purgation , or evacuation of corrupted humors in generall . hitherto have we handled phlebotomy both generall and particular , it now resteth , wee proceed to other generall evacuations . in the body there is a triple repletion , two with , in the vessels or veines , and one without : one abounding in quantitie , to be evacuated by phlebotomy ; another abounding in quality , to bee purged by appropriate purging medicines : the third being without the veines , is to be purged by sweat . and all these are called universall evacuations , by reason they doe not evacuat from any one particular part , as from the head , errhina ; from the brest , bechica , &c : are properly called particular purges . here wee purpose in the first place to speake of purgations in generall , as they purge evill humors from the whole body . a purgation therefore we define to be an evacuation of humors abounding in quality , procured by the helpe of nature , together with the efficacy of the purging medicines administred by the physitian , for the preservation of health present , or recovering of health already lost . in purgations properly so called two things are to be considered : first , that which is to be purged , and do principally indicate purgation : to wit , the humor abounding in quality , which we call cacochymia , and is of many sorts . againe , in purgation we are to consider that which purgeth . nature it selfe , or the expelling faculty purgeth , yet not simply in it selfe , but seconded and set forward by the power and efficacie of the purging medicine , and exciting the expulsive faculty to purge away the superfluous humor , either upwards by vomit , or downwards by dejection . such purging medicines are of two sorts , either such as by a manifest quality evacuat any obvious humor : and such are ordinary loosening herbes ; as betes , mallowes , spinage , coleworts , and infinite others . againe , there is another sort of purging medicines , properly so called , and by a proper name cathartica , and make peculiar choice of one or more certaine peculiar humors , called therefore electiva purgantia . now in purgations wee are to consider three things : the first doth concerne the medicaments wherewith we purge . the second , the manner or method how to use them . the third , the accidents following upon purgation , or such things as are to be done after the taking of a purgation . purging medicines , as wee have said already , are of two sorts , either purging by manifest qualities , heat and cold , without any distinction , any or all humors : or else one or more particular humors , or from some particular part . now although purging medicines by reason of heat , attract unto them peccant and noxious humors , yet that the attraction is of this or that particular humor ▪ proceedeth from a specifical quality , or from the whole substance . and yet such medicines as together with this specificall propertie partake of a greater heat , doe more forcibly and effectually attract the appropriated humor . each purging medicine most commonly evacuateth one particular humor , sometimes two , seldome three , and never all , unlesse , either the medicine be so violent , or nature so weake , that it is not able to master them : and then it oftentimes worketh so violently , that at length it bringeth blood ; and this the greekes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or over purging ; very familiar to empiricks , women-physitians , and such as have not been initiated in the schooles , and so trained up in the practise of this profession . in these purging medicines then foure things are to bee considered . first , what humor they are properly to purge , whether choler , phlegme , water or melancholy . secondly , by what wayes they evacuate : for some purge upwards by vomit , and some downe-wards by dejection . thirdly , from what parts principally : for some purge from the nether belly , some from the liver , some from the head , &c. fourthly , after what manner : for some purge gently and mildly , some againe more forcibly and violently , and some keep a meane betwixt both . manna , cassia , sirup of roses purge gently : rhubarb , sene , and the like , keepe a meane : scammonie , colocynthis , strongly . it were easie for me here to make an enumeration of variety of purging medicines appropriated to severall humors . and although these medicines both weake and stronger draw some from the more remote parts , some from the neerer ; yet have some of them a neerer relation to one , and some to another part : as colocynthis and agaricke most effectually from the head , rhubarb from the liver , aloc from the stomacke , &c. these milde and gentle medicines , by reason of their milde and easie evacuation , are rather referred to preparations than purges ; these other being of a farre more forcible power to attract and draw humors from the remote regions of the body . notwithstanding , the judicious physitian can easily quicken them according to occasions , with an addition of a small quantity of the stronger ; as likewise , with some of the milder medicines , blunt the edge of these stronger and more violent purgations . of these simple purging medicines , divers compounded are made , and that in severall formes ; which are either taken inwardly by the mouth , or injected , and put up into the fundament : or else outwardly applied , by way of cataplasme , ointment , &c. such as are assumed at the mouth , are taken either to worke upwards by vomit , or downewards by stoole ; and are , according to their formes , divided into three severall sorts : some liquid , as potions made after divers manners ; some , againe , solid , as pills , solid electuaries , or confections : some of a soster , and as it were , of a middle substance , betwixt both ; as our ordinary electuaries . in the fundament wee use to make injections by glisters , and put up suppositories , in constipation of the belly , and divers other cases . but in some cases , when the patient is uncapable of any of these , or at least refuseth them , then are wee sometimes forced to supply this defect by outward ointments , cataplasmes , epithemes , &c. and sometimes by masses & lumps made of strong purges holden in the hand , until they grow warme , and smelled to at the nose . of these purgations againe which purge by election , or by choice , some are called perfect and full , which purge away the whole cause of the disease at once : another againe , imperfect , which doth not all at once evacuate the whole matter of the disease . vnder this last is cōprehended , first , that which we commonly call a minora● purgation , whereby wee lessen a little the matter and humour causing the disease , which most commonly is used in the beginning of diseases : and againe , that evacuation performed by degrees , which wee call pe● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , whereby we gently , and by degrees purge away the vitious humour , and in stead thereof supply the sicke with good and laudable humours , which by meanes of good and wholesome diet is effected . now , the next thing we propounded to consider in purgation , was the manner how to use these purging medicines , or the method of purgation , which we may reduce to these five heads : whether , and to what persons wee may safely administer purging medicines : what manner of humors wee are to purge : how much , how often we are to purge , and how farre to proceed : the convenient and fit time for purging : by what waies or parts , or passages wee are to purge . and this is the summe of that wee have to say concerning purgation and purging medicines , and therefore of these in order . chap. xi . whether wee ought to purge or no , what persons are to be purged , and able to indure purgations , whether women with childe may safely be purged . that evacuation by purging medicine is to be used in cacochymicall bodies , abounding in bad humours , hath beene said already . a but whether bodies living in health may be purged or no , may not without cause be questioned : for purgations not finding bad humours in the body , trouble the good , make a colliquation of good flesh , and withall induce divers evill accidents . i answer , this holdeth true of such strong purgations as were used in the time of hippocrates and galen : but in our milde and gentle purging medicines , there is no such cause of feare , they being rather in stead of a preparation than of any strong purgation : for the which cause , being my selfe administred , they may safely be used of all sorts of people , to loosen the belly , to expell the common excrements of the guts , and withall , to prepare the humour causing the disease . and we may safely purge any body , although living now in health , and that by way of preventing the accumulation of humours , which in time might produce some disease . hence appeareth the frivolous feare of many people , who being altogether ignorant of the true knowledge of this sublime profession , yet , with open mouth cry out there is poison in all our purgations : but the judicious are not ignorant with what caution and circumspection the honest and able artist , even in cases of greatest necessitie , and with what correction and preparation , and in how small a quantity they make use of these strong medicines , which , notwithstanding , were in onely use among the antients , and yet many of these plantives themselves will often in their need , sooner have recourse to some ignorant empericke , some unskilfull barber-surgeon , yea , to a beard-shaver , or a woman , who will adventure upon any the most desperate medicine , without any preparation , or knowledge of the constitution of the body : than to the learnedst and ablest physitian , who is able , if it were a poison , so to prepare and accommodate it , that it may safely be taken without any danger : and indeed , who deale with such chapmen , may often cry out with these prophets , mors est in olla , death or poisoniis in the body , howsoever the effects are not alwaies upon the sudden so sensibly perceived . besides , some of these severe censurers are often as busie with a pipe of tabacco , as with their appointed food ? and yet no bill of inditement preferred against it . now , i will be judged by the learned , if this simple be not indued with as poisonable and maligne a qualitie as any of these strong and violent purgations the antients used : i will except neither hellebore , of them , nor antimonie of us used , nor any other ; besides , the narcotick quality , as we prove by daily experience , of the which more hereafter . it is then apparent that we may purge , and that no bodies are excluded from the use of gentle and milde purgations . and yet do we not so indifferently admit of purgation , that we thinke they may be of all , and at all times indifferently used , but with divers cautions , diorismes and limitations , especially when wee are to purge cacochymicall bodies with strong purgations , when as they will not yeeld to gentler remedies . before we proceed , wee are to take notice of a threefold constitution of the body : one injoining perfect health , which we commonly call a sound and healthfull constituion : another we call a neuter , or neutrall constitution , declining from the former perfection of health , and yet not falne into any sicknesse which may be taken notice of : and such wee commonly call crazie , or valetudinarie bodies , and pertake of both the extremes , and so is apt , ready , and inclined to fall , and yet not falne into sicknesse . the third is such a body as is now already falne sicke . now , as the first may safely be purged for prevention , so this second sort hath yet greater need , as living still in feare of some infirmity . the sicke especially are not to be abbridged of this benefit , but with these limitations : first , of the strength , constitution , and other circumstances doe not inhibite ; we may safely use it . againe , if nature of it selfe suffice , and by other gentle meanes it may be effected , and where nature leadeth us not the way ; as likewise if the humor be unfit for purgation , wee are not to attempt it . in every purgation then , the first indication is desumed from the morbisicke cause , or humor peccant , which doth indicate purgation ; to the which wee are to joine also the disease it selfe , and the most urging accidents of the same . the second indication is desumed from the stomacke of the patient . the third is desumed from the condition and nature of the part affected ; as likewise the ambient aire and region , which we will referre to the time . as for the first then , in the sicke wee are to consider the quality of the disease , whether acute or chronicall ; whether sole , and of it selfe alone , or joyned with some other , as with a sever , &c. againe , weare to consider of what manner of matter , whether calme or quiet , or furious and raging ; and whether crude or concocted . the physitian is againe to consider how long the patient hath been sicke ; and finally his individuall propriety , called idiosyncrasia , and whether formerly accustomed to strong evacuations or otherwise . it commeth also sometimes so to passe , that the sicke is unfit for any physicke at all : wherefore it is good physicke sometimes to administer no physicke at all : and yet this must be alwaies at the physitians pleasure , and not according to the humor and pleasure of the ignorant assistants , no competent judges in a matter of this weight and worth . in the next place , urging accidents doe often inhibit strong evacuation . strong purgations , saith hippocrates , are not fitting for ill-coloured persons , very dry or drouthy , that have a dry cough , and distension under the short ribs ; as also such as use evill diet . such symptomes againe and urging accidents as debilitate and overthrow strength : as violent paine , watching , gnawing about the mouth of the stomacke doe inhibit evacuations . the strength is indicated by the age , sex , temperature of the body , naturall individuall propriety , disposition of the body , custome , and urging accidents . first then for age , the middle age is aptest to endure purgations : old age and infancy of all others , by reason of weakenesse most unfit ; and therefore unlesse in time of great need , to them they are not to be administred . and yet old age is farre abler to endure them than infants . besides , children have a certaine naturall evacuation thorow the pores of the skinne , by which meanes , without any other evacuation , they often breath out abundance of bad humors . and yet , if there be need , and nature be wanting , wee are not to deny even a sucking child such an evacuation : yet with the counsell of hippocrates , we are then to exhibit some gentle purgation to the nurse , which communicateth a purging facultie to her milke : to children of fuller yeeres we may safely administer some gentle medicine . in the second place , the sex is to be considered in this indication of strength : men then , for the most part , endure strong purging medicines better than women . virgins and widowes , and such as are much subject to hystericall infirmities , or fits of the mother , are not to be purged with strong purgations . besides , women with child doe not easily endure purgations . and from hence then ariseth a question , whether we may at all purge a woman with child ? i answere that even hippocrates himselfe , who forbad phlebotomy to women in that case ( which notwithstanding both by reason & experience i have proved to be lawfull ) giveth yet allowance to this remedy . and yet , as hath heretofore been proved , the purgations used in his time were farre more violent , and of more maligne quality than most of our medicines now in ordinary use with us . b purge women with child ( saith hippocrates ) when we conjecture the child to be attained to the age of foure moneths or seaven , but the last least , for feare left by the violence of the medicine the ligaments tying the child to the womb be burst : but if the child be either younger or elder , we must not use these means . now in these our daies , if a woman with child be ceized with any acute disease , or the body abounding with bad humors , and without purging there be apparent danger , may we not administer some of our gentle medicines , in antient times altogether unknowne ? if hippocrates permitted the use of his helleborate medicines of so maligne qualities , and so dangerous for the diseased , why should any be afraid of our gentle and mild medicines ? there is no such danger of bursting those ligaments by the use of so gentle meanes . is it not farre better to administer some gentle medicine , which may prove profitable both to the mother and her fruit ? againe if there be any reason in those women that oppose so useful meanes ( for this sex is , as in other , so in this action , often most opposit to physitians prescriptions ) let them answere me , how many women they see , not only for some daies and weekes , but even for moneths together , molested and tormented with excessive vomiting , that one would wonder , that ever they should bee able to hold out to their appointed period ? and yet through the helpe of the almighty both mother and child doe very well , wherof i need to instance in no examples , they being obvious every where . now it cannot be unknowne , that the succussion and straining of the body one day in so extreme a manner , offereth more violence both to the mother and the child , then three or foure dayes would doe with some gentle purges downewards . it will be replied , this violence is naturall , and therefore not so dangerous . i answere , violence is alwaies violence , howsoever procured ; and the action is alwayes the same , whatsoever the instrument be : a man may breake his necke as wel by a natural fall from the top of a tower without any violence offered ; as when he is pusht downe by the hand or otherwise . againe , the mother many times , for want of appetite , and by reason she rejecteth that the taketh , indangereth that she goeth with . in widdowes and unmarried women , we are willing to use meanes to free them from such evill and unpleasing accidents , and why shall we let languish a woman in this case . all the answere will be , that in them we use to provoke their menstruous fluxe , which here is no waies to be tolerated , far lesse attempted . i answere , wee may freely with gentle medicines purge away these corrupt and evill humors , so offensive both to the mother and the infant , without feare of any danger whatsoever . now this is not my private opinion onely , but generally of all our best and most famous physitians , wherewith i could stuffe up this my booke , and make it swell to a too great voluminous bignesse . i will instance but in one of whom i have now and then alreadie in this book upon occasion made mention , to wit , the learned ioubert . c this famous french physitian of late yeeres , hath writ a whole chapter of this same point only , where hee proveth : that many womens bodies are farre harder strained many times by blowes , falls , scolding and chafing , than by any gentle medicine ; and yet never for any such violence miscarry . nay , yet further the same author affirmeth , that many gallants dance the gaillards , the valt , and the like , ride on trotting horses , are carried in coaches , being full to the throat , plemees a lagorge ( these be the authors owne words ) and yet for all this never are thereby indamaged . now , besides the case they may from hence receive of all those evill accidents wherewith they are molested ; as casting , feeblenesse and fainting , shortnesse of breath , and the like , are all by this meanes quickly cured ; and why , saith the same author , should wee thus suffer a woman to undergoe so much trouble , when it is in our power to helpe her ? and upon this insueth yet another great inconvenience , that the childe thus soaked , as it were , in such corrupt and filthy humours , seldome proveth afterwards so sound and healthfull , as when the body of the mother is kept cleane from such corruption ; and for want of this seasonable evacuation , in stead of one medicine seasonably administred , during the abode in the mothers wombe , the childe is after forced , it may be , to take a hundreth . to confirme this truth , i could produce a multitude of particular examples out of severall authours , where this course hath with prosperous successe beene used : but to avoid prolixity , i will passe them over , and instance but in one or two of mine owne experiments . a woman of this same towne , some or yeeres agoe , and great with childe , was surprized with a fever , loathing in her stomack , and a number of tedious and troublesome accidents , her body both plethoricall and cacochymicall , and withall much oppressed with melancholy , who , after she had for divers daies indured these noisome and troublesome accidents , at length craved my counsell . her neighbours ( of the female sexe i meane , they being especially in such physicall affaires , more pragmaticall than men ) utterly disswaded her from any physicke whatsoever . i confesse , i was unwilling , if it had beene possible , to have meddled in so dangerous and intricate a businesse , and where the event was so doubtfull , and where , if all things succeeded not according to expected desire , i exposed my selfe to the censure and slander of so many venomous and virulent tongues : yet being thereunto lawfully called , i first acquainted both her selfe and husband with the danger both the mother and the childe were in without the meanes , and that by the use of phlebotomie and purgation , wee might through the blessing of god hope for some good successe , howsoever the issue or event was not certaine . both her selfe and husband freely giving way to use such meanes as i in discretion thought fitting in this case to be used , by gods blessing , upon the meanes of bleeding , and purging both by vomit , and direction downewards , with cordialls and coolers , she went forth her full period of time , and brought forth a sound and living childe ; having in this , by her owne confession , both easier labour , and more freedome from after accidents , than in any other before or after . some two yeeres before that , another woman of the same towne , being bigge with childe also , for a fortnight and upwards was so tormented with excessive vomiting , that she was able to reteine neither meate nor drinke in her stomacke , whereupon insued great weaknesse and feeblenesse , insomuch , that shee was much afraid , lest this young guest should have forsaken his lodging for want of fresh supply ; i being sent for , and finding her stomacke pestered and oppressed with corrupt humours , i gave her a vomit , which wrought to so good purpose , that after the administring of some other small meanes for the corroborating of her stomacke , within two or three daies not onely her appetite returned , her casting ceased ; but shee in a short time also recovered her accustomed strength , and at the time appointed was delivered of a lusty man-childe , and although a mother of many children before that time , yet , by her owne confession , never better in and after her labour , than at that time . and that it may yet still more plainly appeare , that a woman with childe may sometime indure without aborsion , heare yet of a third , who , notwithstanding , used none of these generous remedies . about some fifteene yeeres agoe , a woman of this same towne , about the third moneth of her conception , was surprized with a double tertian , with a continuall casting , coughing , and spitting of blood ; the which for certaine daies , as women in those cases thinke themselves exempted from all physicall helpes , shee did neglect , hoping it would not long so continue ; but at length , fearing aborsion at the least , sent to mee , but then absent , and therefore sent to another physitian of good account , then living within this same towne , who , after hee had administred one glister , this set nature so aworke , that for the space of two moneths at least and upwards , to all the other accidents this was also added . at length the physitian forsooke her , as then irrecoverable , especially by reason of her spitting of blood , which was supposed to proceed from the lungs . in this case she continued some three weekes , or neere by , and after my comming home shee sent for mee : but hearing of all that was past , i refused , although twice or thrice intreated , hearing of so desperate a businesse , yet being intreated , to give her satisfaction , at least by seeing her , although i administred nothing . at length , after i had seene her , and well considered of this blood thus reiected , i found it proceeded not from her lungs , whereof i gave her notice , and withall proceeded with cordialls , and other things fitting for her cough , especially excretion of blood , which were by this meanes qualified , and the excretion of blood within a few daies was quite staied ; and although i know both phlebotomie and purgation to be of very good used for these diseases , yet durst i not then adventure on any of them , but continued this course with diet such as was fitting . at my first visiting of her , she was now above a moneth quicke with childe , and very feeble , and for the most part kept her bed : her loosnesse left her about a moneth after , and her cought and casting , together with her fever , forsooke her about a moneth before she was brought to bed , and was delivered of a sonne , who lived a moneth , and was assaulted with fits of a fever of the the same manner as the mother , and died about the end of the moneth . the mother , notwithstanding all the premisses , a few daies after her delivery was assaulted with the measels , and afterward , recovered her perfect health , and lived after that many yeeres . it may then plainly appeare , that it is not a matter so dangerous as it is deemed , sometimes in time of need to give a woman with childe some gentle physicke , as shall by a judicious and understanding physitian be thought fitting : and since this hath beene the opinion of all our famous physitians since the daies of hippocrates , let women be silent , and not too sawcie in controlling such a cloud of witnesses of learned and able artists . but let no man nor woman here mistake my meaning , as though i would incourage any women to be too bold in this case ; my meaning is onely this , that in case of extremity , women should not be so wilfull , as to let their neighbours perish without meanes , upon needlesse feare , or at least indanger their lives in apparent necessitie , hippocrates himselfe giving way to this course , as hath beene said alreadie , yea , even during any time of their nine moneths , although freelier in some than in others , their physicke , notwithstanding , being farre harsher , and of farre more violent operation than our ordinary medecines , as hath beene proved alreadie . but withall , i wish them still to be very warie whom they trust in so waightie a businesse , or else it may cause repentance when it is too late . especially beware of such ignorant and erronious practitioners as i haue alreadie mentioned . but this by the way , although i hope , not out of purpose , now i proceed . in the third place then , in the body to be purged wee are to consider the temperature and constitution , which doth either indicate or inhibit purgation . the middle , or meane temperature and constitution , betwixt extremes , is fittest for purgation : but bodies of drie complexion , drie , leane , loose , of foggy , thinne , soft , or very fat bodies are not so fit for purgation : nor such as abound in blood , are much subject to swounding , ond are hardly recovered , and such as are apt to cast upon any occasion : children also , and women plentifully purged by their menstruous fluxe : and such as have cleane bodies , and observe a strict and good diet , and such as naturally are constipat in their bodies , and are easily overtaken with fluxes of the belly : all such are not so fit to be purged as others , although upon occasion , necessitie so requiring , they are not totally excluded , yet must it then be done with great discretion and circumspection , and more sparingly than to others . but on the other side , strong able fleshy bodies , accustomed to labour and paines , having strong stomackes , who collect great store of superfluous and excrementitious matter in their bodies , may better undergoe this evacuation . next to the temperature or constitution , wee adde the specificall and individuall proprietie of the bodie : and this is the reason why some bodies will beare a strong purgation , and others againe , it may be of a stronger constitution , yet are not able to beare halfe so much . besides , wee must not neglect custome , which doth in some bodies facilitate the use of purgations ; which they may therefore better beare , which in others unaccustomed , wee must not attempt , unlesse to us knowne to be of a strong constitution . besides , the ambient aire , the region and place of abode are not to be neglected , of the which , when we speake of the time of purgation . now , besides the strength , we must also consider the situation of the part affected , which is discerned by the temperature , the use , figure , or forme , and sense or feeling of the same . and therefore the head requireth stronger purgations than the stomacke and the liver ; and the stomacke of a quicke and exquisite sense , subject to gnawing , is gently to be dealt withall . and now wee proceed to the humours . chap. xij. of the humors to be purged , of their preparation ; as also of the body to be purged . of the quantity and reiteration , or often exhibition in time of need . that corrupt humors , commonly called by the name of cacochimia , are to be purged and expelled out of the body , hath been already . these humors are in all foure in number ; choler , melancholy , phlegme , and serosity , or thinne waterish humors . these humors doe diversly in the body abound , and so produce divers diseases . sometimes one humor alone aboundeth , sometimes one or more , in an even or uneven proportion ; and this noxious peccant humor is alwaies to bee purged with appropriate remedies . againe , in regard of the quality , it is either crude or raw , or else concocted : and againe , either thinne or subtile ; or thicke , or else participating of a meane betwixt both . it is againe , either still and quiet impacted into some part of the body ; or raging , swelling and moveable . now in all purgations , aswell spontaneous and naturall , as artificiall , this is to be observed , a that that purgation is profitable , whereby such humors , as nature would of its owne accord expell , bee purged out . and againe , b we are not to judge of a profitable purgagation by the quantity ( as is the custome among many vulgar , especially of our country-people , who therefore many times more magnifie ignorant empirickes , who purge away plenty of humors , bee they good or bad , than better skilled physitians , who purge away but the worst , although in a smaller quantity , but if the right peccant humor be expelled . humors already concocted are easiliest purged , and then next such as swell and are of a furious nature , and are of thinne or a meane substance . crude humors , still and quiet , impacted into any part , thicke , tough and clammy , are not so expelled out of the body , and are therefore first by concoction to be prepared . now concoction is nothing else but a reduction of the peccant humor in the body to a right temper and frame , whereby it is fitted for expulsion . now of these peccant and noxious humors some are capable of concoction , some not . capable of concoction we call , such as grow tame and tractable ; as the humors in putrid fevers , which ought first to bee concocted , and then expelled . not capable of concoction are first , such as are sequestred from the blood ; as in the defluxion of rheumes , yellow choler , in suffusion and some sort of the bloody fluxe ; of phlegme in the wind-colicke , and water in the dropsie , which without expecting any preparation are to be expelled . some humors againe , are in fault by reason of the corruption of their proper substance , which destroy and overthrow the substance of that part whereon they : fal as commeth to passe in the plague , in cankers , and in raging and furious humours , called turgentes , or swelling . the faculty of concoction proceedeth from three causes , the imbecillity and feeblenesse of nature , the narrownesse of passages , and the contumacy or repugnancy of the matter . in these crude and corrupt humors natural heat hath no predominancy nor power , but externall and adventitious , with a debility of the naturall , confounding good and bad humors , dividing humidity from its naturall siccity . c in diseases therefore of that nature and kind , wherein the humors are putrified and corrupted in the veines , and nature hath not the pre-eminence , we are not to purge in the beginning , but to expect the concoction of the humor , which maketh a separation of the good from the bad . after concoction whatsoever noxious humor yet remaineth within the veines , and by a laudable crise not expelled , is to good purpose purged away with physicke . concoction is , by nature it selfe , by meanes of naturall heat , performed : now if nature be feeble and weak , and his heat not in a due proportion answerable , it is then the physitians part , with fitting and appropriate meanes to supply this defect . this supply consisteth in removing the lets and rubs lying in the way , preparing the humours to concoction , and repairing the breaches made in the strength and naturall heat . concoction then is performed when nature overcommeth , and affimilateth the matter making resistance . now , since the humour many waies repugneth or resisteth ; as sometimes by reason of the quality , or the manner of substance beyond the naturall course : to wit , by distemper , thicknesse and clamminesse ; and somtimes by reason of too great a quantity impacted into the part : hence commeth it to passe , that there is not one onely kinde of remedy fit to prepare and concoct these crude rebellious humours . and therefore d hippocrates affirmeth , that concoction is performed by contraries , and that sometimes it is furthered by hot , and sometimes by cold , and sometimes by drie meanes : and againe , sometimes by extenuation , sometimes by incrassation , sometime by abstinence , sometimes by rest , &c. and thus thicke and tough humours are ratified , and made thinner ; thinne hamours againe thickned , obstructions opened , and each humour with proper and appropriate medicinces prepared , as the judicious and discreet physitian , according to circumstances , shall thinke fitting . there is then a preparation of the humors , and yet another of the body , which was the meaning of hippocrates in these words : e if any have a purpose to purge the body , it must first be made fluid , thinne , and passable . and thus the passages are first to be made slippery , large , and passable , without any impediment : which may be effected by meanes of loosening and opening set brothes , by emollient glisters , and such others meanes as easily open the belly and the small capillary veines and other parts obstructed . now , since of purgations some worke upwards , and some downewards , there must not be in all a like preparation : for , in purgations that worke downewards , it is required , that the guts and the small veines be open , and free , as hath beene said already : but in a vomit , especially if it be to worke strongly , f hippocrates willeth us , sometime to bath and anoint the body , to use a liberall diet , and to rest : but when the time of administring the vomit is come , then are we to use such meanes as irritate and loosen the humors , and make them more easily to ascend upwards . but when to prepare the humors , how , by what meanes , and in what bodies , this double preparation is to bee performed , is the worke of a learned and understanding physitian : but not of any ordinary empiricke , barber-surgeon , ignorant apothecary , woman-physitian , and the like , who most commonly exhibite their strong unprepared medicines , without regard of any of these preparations . but i proceed now to the quantity , wherein they erre as much as in any of the premisses . the various and divers constitutions of severall individuall bodies breed no small difficulty in the due dose or quantity of the purging medicine . but to define the particular dose of these particular medicines is not my purpose , but onely to set downe some generall rules of direction concerning this particular . ●he indication then of the quantity is desumed from the greatnesse of the disease , and the refractarinesse of the same , the peculiar and individuall propriety of the body , and the strength : as likewise from the nature of the part to be purged , in the sense , substance , office , forme , situation and society . g thus great diseases require great remedies , as witnesseth hippocrates : and som bodies are moved with gentle remedies , and others againe although of a weaker constitution , yet endure stronger purgations . againe , some bodies are strong and well able to endure strong purgations ; as in the middle age : some againe , as young children , and decrepit old men , are either not to be purged , or very gently , and so are we also to consider the severall parts to be purged : as the head , liver , stomack , kidnies , &c : and to observe the severall circumstances in them and other parts to be observed . now to every purging medicine physitians doe commonly assigne three doses , comparing the strength of the patient with the medicine : to wit , to strong people , the greatest ; to weake the smallest , and the middle or meane to the middle or meane strength . the quantity of the medicine is also intended or remitted according to the ambient aire , region , as also according to the nature of the noxious humor : for thinne moveable humors will give way to a mild medicine ; but tought , thicke and clammie humors , and impacted in the part , will not so easily bee removed . besides , we must neither exceed in giving too small a quantity : for that often stirreth and moveth the humor , gripeth the belly , and putteth the patient to great paine , howbeit to small purpose . neither yet must it exceed in too great a quantity , which is yet farre worse ; and a more dangerous error than in the defect which is easilier remedied than the other in the excesse . now sometimes we evacuate all the noxious humor at one time , and sometimes wee returne againe once or oftner . this first is called a full evacuation , and then onely hath place where the body is strong , and nature it selfe leadeth the way : and this commeth to passe , when as in diseases the humors are already concocted , and withall doe so abound , that they , as it were , swell and rage . but by reason this seldome commeth to passe , therefore we doe most commonly purge by degrees , in reiterating our remedies . and in unknowne bodies , rather than to adventure a full dose , it will bee better to beginne with a lesser quantity , although it be not the true dose the patient may endure , by this meanes trying the strength at first , and afterwards supplying what is wanting . now in these leisurely reiterated purgations , the indication is desumed from the nature of the humor peccant , from the situation , from the condition and nature of the part affected , and the strength of the patient . thus we often find , that all this morbificke matter , is neither altogether , nor yet after the same manner in the whole body , and the vessells of the same , but distributed into divers parts ; one part being conteined in the stomacke , to bee evacuated by vomit ; another in the guts , by qlisters ; another in the veines , by potions ; another in the head , to be purged by pills . it commeth often againe to passe , that some portion of the matter is concocted , another part yet remaining crude , some part thinne , another thicke and rough ; some part of it quiet and still ; and some againe unquiet , swelling or raging : all which ought neither to be purged at the same time , nor at once ; and therefore both galen and hippocrates counsell us in some diseases ; as quotidianes , quartanes , and diseases of the spleen , and proceeding from melancholy to purge little and often , which notwithstanding in time will make up a great evacuation . but h in acute diseases the same hippocrates would have vs to purge seldomer , and that not without great care and circumspection . againe , the condition of the part affected doth variat the manner of evacuation : for a part that is common and of acute sense cannot endure a plentifull , large and sudden evacuation . in like manner any part that is farre distant from the nether belly , or by reason of small and narrow passages hath any communion with the same , must not bee largely at once evacuated : as infirmities of the brests and joints . and any part that daily receiveth a new supply of superfluous humors must not at once and suddenly , but by little and leisurely be evacuated . but above all the rest , as in all other , so in this the strength principally must be regarded . and therefore although both the nature and quantity of the humor , and the situation of the part doe require a strong purgation ; yet , if the strength be not answerable , we are forced to administer more mild medicines , and reiterate them the oftner . and this is that wee commonly call to purge per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when as by degrees we purge any noisome and noxious humors , and , instead thereof , make a new supply of good and wholesome . chap. xiii . of vomits , glisters , suppositories , and with which evacuation wee are to beginne , when divers are required . it hath beene sufficiently already proved , and experience it selfe doth daily evince unto us , that there are divers sorts of purgations , some taken at the mouth , and some injected at the fundament . and of these againe taken at the mouth , some worke the same way they went in , which is by vomit ; and some againe worke downwards by stoole . now , although wee have at large spoken of all manner of purgations in generall , yet this being an evacuation not befitting every one , and which some of the antients , as asclepiades , did utterly reject , it will not be amisse to say something of it . of this kinde of evacuation , a galen givieth no small commendation , and in some cases the most soveraigne of all others : to wit , in repletion of the stomack , and tunicles thereof , and in the hollow parts of the liver , in infirmities of the spleene , the laundise , many infirmities of the head : as epilepsie , vertigo or giddinesse , megrim , suffusion ; and all infirmities of the head proceeding from a sympathy with the nether parts . now , it commeth often to passe , that humours which descend not so easily into the guts , yet by vomit are easily expelled . some of the antients againe , quite contrary to the minde of asclepiades , were so farre in love with this evacuation , that they prescribed it even in time of health , every moneth for two or three daies together , which i confesse was too much , and tending to another extremity . but all are not fit for the use of so noble and generous a remedie , such especially as are not accustomed to it , are not , unlesse in case of great extremity to be urged to the use of it . and againe , wee are to looke unto the inclination of the humor , whether it incline that way or no , and then are we to second this naturall inclination of the humor by exhibiting help for the bettet furtherance of this worke . but great care and caution must be used in the administring of this remedie in regard of the partie to use the same : for such as are narrow breasted , have a long necke , and disposed to a consumption , are not to use this remedy : and such , whose stomackes are unfit for it , a weake braine , women subject to hystericall infirmities , indure not vomits easily . and to induce this evacuation , there is a good strength required in the stomacke , especialy if the vomit be strong . now , as in other evacuations , so in this also , wee use in time of need some preparation to facilitate the operation thereof . relaxation of the stomacke by outward inunctions and fomentations i hold suspect , for feare of too much debilitating the stomacke after , especially in this so nice and effeminate age . for an inward preparation to facilitate the operation , we use sometimes to suffer the patient fill his stomacke before , with divers sorts of food , especially such as may cleanse and cut , or attenuate : as salt meats , onions , and the like ; and this is when the matter is tough , congealed and stuffed in the stomack , where the use of hot herbs , time , savory , of oxymel and the like may safely sometimes be permitted . but when the humor is thin , fluid , and easie to be purged , then posset drinke blood warme , now and then taken after the assuming of thy vomit , will serve the turne . some adde butter , which to some bodies wil prove too fulsome . vomit evacuateth & cleanseth first the stomack , and the adjoining meseraick-veins ; and next if it be strong , the liver , splene , and great veines ; and lastly , the whole body : it serveth for revulsion , or pulling back of humors from the stomack , and other inferior parts ; and therefore b hippocrates affirmeth , that after great fluxes of the belly , a vomit succeeding , doth presage good to the patient . and by the same reason it is good in the sciatica , and all other gouts , infirmities of the kidnies , bladder , fundament , &c. it deriveth or diverteth the humours from the next adjacent parts into the stomacke . it helpeth therefore hypochondriacke , melancholy , dropsies and other diseases of the mesenterie , liver and splene : but especially if the matter tend upwards toward the stomack ; which by bitter belching , spaine and heauinesse or gnawing under the short ribs may be discerned . now as of other purgations , so of vomits , some are milde and gentle , some stronger , and others againe stronger than any of the former , such as the antients used . our emperickes , and ignorant practitioners erre in nothing more , than in the rash administration of this remedy , to any indifferently , present or absent , without any consideration , either of the body or disease . and yet if there be any veine burst in the brest or lungs , or the party subject to any hemorrhagie , or effusion of blood at nose , &c. what danger may insue to the patient , a vulgar understanding , i thinke , may easily judge . i will not now protract time with instances of such errors , but proceed to that which yet remaineth . besides vomits , there are yet some purgations , which may be called particular , and are injected at the fundament into the guts : and such are our gilsters , which are appropriated to divers inrfimities , and used for divers ends , and are composed of severall ingredients , and sometimes of one only , as occasion and necessity require . c the use of these glisters , among the antient egyptians , was so frequent & common , that as they used their vomits , so did they those glisters three daies in a moneth successively , one after another . they are used by way of evacuation , and sometimes for astriction and healing ; as in the bloody fluxe . sometimes we use them only to mollifie and supple the guts , that nature may have the freer passage . sometimes we use this medicine as a preparative for other insuing physicke . they are administred for a number of infirmites of the body , but differ accordi●●●y in the composition , and that both in the quantity and quality . 〈◊〉 ●he quality , some being appointed to purge , some to mollifie ; 〈◊〉 against the wind-cholicke , some against the stone , strangury , suppre● 〈◊〉 urine , of menstruous fluxe , or in the excessive fluxe of the same ; 〈◊〉 , againe , being administred in great weakenesses to nourish , 〈◊〉 of many others , the matter whereof must of necessity accordingly differ , as the learned physitians well know . againe , the quantity must needs differ according to the nature of the disease , and party diseased . according to the disease : as in the wind-colicke , in the suppression and induration of fecall excrements , the quantity must needs be small ; as also in children , women with child , &c. and nourishing glisters must be administred in a smaller quantity than others , or else they will purge rather than nourish . such as are injected for the infirmities of the small , must bee in a farre greater quantity than in the great guts . besides , glisters must bee reteined a pretty while , some more , some lesse , according to the cause for the which they are administred : for glisters given onely to wash and cleanse the guts , would bee reteined about an houre or more ; anodine and mitigating of paine , somewhat longer ; and such are given to heale and conglutinat the guts , as in the bloody fluxe , a longer time than of the former . purging glisters commonly give warning when time serveth ; and yet , if they be too quicke , it is not good to give way to the first warning . in great weakenesse they may bee kept by application of hot cloth to the fundament for a certaine time . if it stay too long , it may be helpt by a suppository put up . this medicine not onely cleanseth the guts , but by consequent often helpeth the head , stomacke , and other parts adjacent . and therefore i wish people not to bee so shy in the use of so soveraigne and so excellent a medicine , wherein there is so small offence , and in the use whereof there is no injury offered either to the taste or stomacke . but when as many times either for haste , or else we cannot prevaile with the patient to admit of a glister , we make use of suppositories put up into the same place , but yet with greater facility and ease ; they are not onely made of hony hard boiled , but also of allum and other matter : and sometimes the end of a candle performeth such an exploit ; and sometimes a violet comfit , especially in children , and many other things will make an irritation , to provoke to stoole . but let this caution , aswell in glisters as suppositories alwaies carefully bee observed , that in infirmities of the fundament , the piles especially , fistulaes and the like , there be none of those strong powders or electuaries , hiera simple or compound , or the like vsed , unlesse when we have a purpose to open the piles , or provoke the menstruous fluxe . but let this alwaies be done with great caution and circumspection . now in all our physicall actions , especially in evacuations , when divers are to be performed , wee are to consider the order , what is to be undertaken in the first , and what in the next place . so that when as we have need both to purge and bleed , it is doubtfull with which we must beginne . and againe , if purgation be necessary , whether to beginne with a purge upward or downeward , by glister or otherwise : if these things be not carefully looked into , they may prove not a little prejudiciall , if not pernicious to the patient . now in this case , our rule of direction must bee desumed from the order of the causes , and that especially we are to beginne with that which urgeth us most . it it may be , conveniently , we are to beginne with that operation , which conduceth to , and helpeth to further the operation of the other , removing that which is the cause of others insuing after : but in any case beginning alwaies with that which presseth us most : as in some diseases , where with a cacochymicall body is conjoined a great debility of strength ; postposing all evacuations , wee beginne to repaire the breaches thereof , without this all other remedies conducing but little . in like manner , if in the veines we perceive a great redundancy of humors , we hold it the 〈◊〉 to beginne with phlebotomy , and afterwards to purge , and what is remaining to bring to a right temper and frame : and in such cases after phlebotomy purgation hath the better successe . but if there be any impurity in the first region of the body , it will be best to begin with a gentle purge , left being conveied into the veines it infect the blood . but if there be any urgent occasion for phlebotomy : as a fall from some height , squinancie , pleuresie , phrensie , burning-fever , we are not to deferre this generous and noble remedy . if the stomacke be oppressed with choler , or inclined to casting , and nothing let us , we are to beginne with that remedie . if constipation of body , wind-colicke , nephriticall paine pinch , then is it best to beginne with a glister . what further concerneth this businesse , may from that which hath been said already easily be collected , and therefore now we proceed to the time . chap. xiiij . of the opportune time of purgation , both generall and particular , with divers things concerning this subiect . now if all other things be duly as they ought performed , in purgation , yet we if erre but in the right and opportune time , all our labour is lost . by the fit and opportune time i here understand aswell the time of the disease , as the time and season of the yeere and day . as for the time of the disease i understand both the general and particular , as hath been said already : and in both wee consider the beginning , the increase , height and declinning . by the generall , the whole course and period of the disease ; by the particular , the paroxysmes or exacerbations thereof : as in fevers with paroxysmes which we commonly call fits . now concerning this opportune time , although that which hath beene lately spoken may give us some light , yet will we make the point yet more cleere . it may then be demanded , whether it be fit and safe to purge the patient in the beginning of the disease or no ? and that a among the aegyptians it was strictly forbidden , may by aristotle appeare , affirming , that the aegyptians would not suffer the physitians to innovate or attempt any thing about the sicke untill the fourth day were past ; which if they did , they were at their owne perill to doe it . from them it seemeth hippocrates brought this custome into greece , not determining the day , but deferring purgation untill concoction of the disease , whensoever it commeth to passe . and therefore with b hippocrates following therein also galen , we expect the signes of concoction in the urine and the like , unlesse the humors be furious and swelling , then we purge in the beginning , as hath been said already . otherwise we neither purge in the beginning , nor in the increase of the disease , but deferre it untill the end or vigor or height thereof , when as most commonly diseases are concocted , and by the benefit of nature is made sequestration of the matter , and is often thereby critically expelled . c if nature of it selfe be strong enough for this worke , let it alone : but if deficient and unable , the physitian is then to further the operation . and this is the wise counsell of hippocrates , who againe adviseth us , d that if any reliques of the matter be left behind , it may procure a relapse ; and therefore it is good wisedome to sweep the house cleane , and so may we be freed from future feares . all this notwithstanding , when as by reason of the abundance of putrid humors , wee feare lest nature faint before perfect concoction , we may sometimes use a gentle minorative , which may lessen this quantity , by which meanes nature is made stronger for the subduing of the residue behind . besides , in maligne and venemous humors , threatning to the party sudden destruction , we are not then to deferre evacuation , nor yet feare the danger the want of concoction might produce ; being better alwayes to yeeld to an incoveniencie than to a mischiefe . and e hippocrates himselfe adviseth us sometimes to purge even in the beginning of diseases , before the humors bee setled or impacted upon some parts , or else after they are brought to perfect maturation . for in diseases proceeding from an influxe of humors ( such as are pleurisies , squinancies and the like ) we are even in the very beginning to use all manner of evacuations fitting , either by purging or phlebotomy : the like in luxations , or members out of joint , in wounds , is to be observed , for feare lest the humor settle upon the part affected . but what is already setled in any part , cannot , before concoction , bee evacuated . the like course is to bee taken when the humor overwhelmeth any noble part , and by that meanes oppresseth the strength ( which often in apoplexies , and sudden suffocations by reason of rheumes commeth to passe ) when delay is not without danger . in other acute diseases , where we feare not the like danger , we are to be more sparing , and use it onely in case of necessity : but in chronicall diseases , and of longer continuance we may be bolder in our evacuations , especially signes of concoction appearing . in them also , by reason of the toughnesse of the humor , being especially setled on some part , we may by a minorative lessen some of the matter , and withall open some of the wayes and passages . and therefore if here we see but the beginning of concoction , we are contented , f now concerning acute diseases , having no set paroxysmes or exacerbations , it is best to abstaine from all manner of physicke . and this seemeth to be the precept of hippocrates , bidding us to beware of odde and criticall daies , on the which the humors are most moved ; as in continuall fevers , &c. the like may wee 〈◊〉 of the paroxysmes , or fits of intermittenr fevers , in the which it is safer to purge on the day of intermisson , especially where the strength is not vigorous , than on the day of exacerbation , which is , according to hippocrates , odde and criticall . and yet if the party be strong , in quartans , and the like intermittent fevers , in the which the humors are not easily moved , it is not amisse , sometimes on the same day , when the humours are in motion , to expell them . for whensoever the matter is in motion , and the disease exasperated , it is then easiest to expell it by purgation : but if the party be weake and feeble , it is farre better to attend the time of intermission . againe , as concerning the time of the yeere , the spring is the best , and next to that , the autumne : but winter and sommer , especially if extreme hot or cold , are not so convenient ; howbeit if temperate , as they often prove here with vs , i see no reason why we should so much feare them : howbeit in elective purgation , and in chronicall diseases that will stay our leisure , without feare of any danger , i thinke it fit to make choice of thy fittest time . on a temperate faire day , the purgation is most commodious ; howbeit on a warme moist day it is more copious and plentifull . in diseases therefore free from paroxysmes , in sommer , and hot times it is best very earely in the morning to purge : if in cold weather , it will be better later in the day , drawing neerer noone , i meane , that the medicine may beginne to worke about that time : and as wee see the ambient , so are wee to fit our physicke , so as it may worke in a temperate time of the day . sometimes we exhibite pills an houre before supper to purge the belly ; but three or route houres after a light supper to purge the head . strong purgations are not to be taken but on an empty stomacke : but easie and gentle medicines are given before and sometimes with meat , especially to cleanse the guts only . as in plebotomie , so here may be asked , whether wee may safely administer physicke during the dogge-daies , or hot seasons ? i answer , as i did before concerning phlebotomy , that there is neither time nor age doth hinder any from this so usefull and necessary a remedy ; provided all the circumstances in such cases considerable , especially the strength of the patient , be well weighed , as i my selfe have with good successe often found true , both in my selfe and others . and if any shall yet aske mee concerning the signes , and severall conjunctions and aspects of planets , and their manifold conjunctions , whether in them we may safely purge ? my answer shall be the same , that it is a frivolous feare , to be afraid where there is no cause , and what wee have already pleaded for phlebotomy , will here sute as well with these evacuations . it is true indeede , hippocrates gives us warning to mark certaine starres , especially the dog-starre , during the raigne whereof it is not commonly so good and seasonable a time to bleed and purge . but this is not meant of such a starre as a starre ; but by reason that about that season of the yeere , heat hath commonly a great pre-eminence , especially in those hot countries where hippocrates lived ; but with us , neither is this dog-starre so dangerous , nor our ambient so hot , that wee need to feare , in time of necessity , either to purge or bleed , as i have already made it appeare . the same e hippocrates giveth us yet warning to observe certaine other starres as arcturus , and the pleiades ; and this onely because that about the rising and setting of these starres , there is commonly a great alteration in the weather : and not as they are such starres , and do alwaies undoubtedly send downe in all places alike , some particular inevitable influence . the like may be said of the two aequinoxes , and solstices , whereof the same author also maketh mention . but because i have somewhat largely already explained my meaning concerning the starres and signes , i will not repeat any thing , but wish people to be warned , and now to grow wiser , and not to be afraid of wizards and prognosticators , whatsoever they prate concerning signes , conjunctions , aspects good or bad , and the like : but in time of need inquire of good counsell , and accommodate thy selfe so as to follow such directions as are prescribed thee for thy health , howsoever the season be . chap. xv. of the waies and passages by which wee are to purge : of the formes in which wee exhibite physicke ; together with the manner how to governe the sicke during purgation , and meanes how to keepe physicke in the stomacke , that it cast it not up againe . it hath beene already declared , that the waies by which we are to purge , are two , either upwards by vomit , or downewards by dejection . the way or passage is partly indicated by the place which the humour peccant , either already occupieth , or is like shortly to assault : and partly the inclination of the humour , and motion of nature it selfe . in the waies and passages by which the humor is to be purged ▪ wee are to consider foure things : to wit , whether they be neere the place where the noxious humour is seated , whether it hath any communion with it , and whether they be naturally disposed or no. now , a noxious humour either taketh hold of the whole body , and all the regions thereof , or else some one region , or one part of it : as the head , stomacke , &c. and wee are alwaies to fit and prepare the place by which the humor may most easily be evacuated ; it being alwaies easiliest purged by the passages freest , wide , accustomed ▪ and most naturally disposed . and therefore what is conteined in the stomacke , is easiliest by vomit expelled ; that in the guts by dejection , and what is conteined in the whole body , both waies . the like wee are also to observe in particular evacuations : as the excrements of the forehead , by the palate and the nose : of the bladder and kidnies , by the urine , &c. but when as the matter is yet in fluxe , it is the physitians part by all meanes , possible to turne it away by some other passage . wherefore , if the eyes and braine be affected , we are not to purge upwards , except it come by sympathy from the stomacke , but downewards . contrariwise , if any defluxion fall downe upon the legges or nether parts , we are not to purge downewards but upwards ; especially , if nature and custome can well beare it , and the passages be thereunto disposed . againe , as a hippocrates teacheth us , we are to follow natures inclination . now choler inclineth most upwards ; phlegmaticke and melancholicke humors decline more downewards . and therefore in sommer and beginning of paroxysmes , where choler is most abounding , it is best to purge upwards : in winter best to purge downewards ; to wit , when the whole body is to be purged . but if it shall so come to passe that phlegme and melancholy be lodged in the stomacke ; as in the paroxysmes of quotidians and quartanes , and it affect the way upward , then may we safely follow natures direction , notwithstanding the winter season , as both hippocrates and galen direct us . the forme of the medicine is not here also to bee neglected . a liquid forme penetrateth more powerfully , openeth obstructions better : but a solid forme , as of pills , stayeth longer in the stomacke , and draweth more effectually from the remote parts . but in hot and dry constitutions and diseases they are not so convenient . besides , hot medicines in a liquid forme are not so fit for a weake stomacke , except the distance of some part require it ; and in that case they are to be mingled with well-smelling correctives , or else they much debilitate the stomacke . but if the stomacke be strong and uncleane , then may they bee exhibited with lesse correction , and long after meales . electuaries participate of a meane betwixt both , and are of divers sorts ; some lenitives and preparatives , and some againe strong purgers . followeth now the ordering of the party that hath taken physicke , both before and after the same . the patient after the taking of physicke for feare of casting up againe may wash his mouth with some liquid substance , whereof he may let downe a guple or two to wash and cleanse away the loathsome-taste of the medicine ; and this may bee either a little cleere posset-drinke , thinne broth , or a little ordinarie beere or ale : or yet it will not be amisse , especially , for our sweet toothed female sex , to eate a preserved damson , cherrie , or some such thing , which may take away the evill taste of the medicine . some wish before the taking of the medicine to chew a little pellitory of spaine . as for the smell , few are ignorant how to hold a tost of bread dipt in rose-vineger to the nose , that the smell offend nor . and as for the manner of taking physicke , i hold it not amisse to take pill● in the pap of a rosted apple , as many doe , and better in my opinion then in the yolke of an egge . some gild them over , and so swallow them , which is not amisse . the germane physitians make them farre smaller than we use ; as for our seven they make commonly the double , if not more , and so give their patients . or . in a spoone at a time with some sirup to suppe up , and so proceed till they have taken all . electuaries are most usually rolled in sugar , and so eaten by gobbets , or on the point of a knife without sugar . potions are drunke downe , and therefore in most danger to be cast up againe ; and therefore greater care must be had in keeping them downe , for feare of frustrating our intention : and therefore , besides that which hath beene said , when that is feared , it will be good to make the party hold his hand in cold water , to besprinckle his face with a little faire water , rose-water , or rose-vineger mingled therewith , or to lap the hands in a linnen cloth wet with vineger ; and which is a most soveraigne remedy , let tye a warme linnen cloth close about their necke . and some hold a raw egge , shell and all close to the throat . besides the premisses , let them be silent , and refraine as much as is possible from spitting , coughing , sit still a while without motion or agitation of the body . it is to bee wished , that the medicine at the least stay an houre : and if there be no meanes to reteine it longer , yet will it not cease to have its operation , the vertue and efficacie thereof having in that space diffused it selfe abroad , and sometimes in a shorter space , as i have often observed : and besides , it will hardly come up alone , but bring up with it such corrupt humors as have been collected in the stomacke , which is no small benefit , if it went no further . i have often observed , that even after halfe an houres retention , and sometimes lesse , although rejected againe by vomit , yet hath it wrought effectually downe-wards . now here it may be demanded , whether after physicke the patient may sleepe or no ? it is agreed upon by all our physitians , that after pills the patient may sleep , and are therefore often after supper exhibited : but as for other physicke , most are against it untill the physicke have finished its operation . and yet b a late learned french physitian sometimes heretofore by us mentioned , alloweth of sleep after any physicke , which he professeth to have practised to his patients without any prejudice ; howbeit after the operation is once begunne , then permitteth he it not untill all be finished . as for vomits , we give now and then a draught of thinne posset-drink to facilitate the operation , and some dissolve in it a little butter : and some to facilitate the operation thrust their finger into their throat , and sometimes dip a feather in oile and so thrust it downe the throat , the better to facilitate the same . now as for the lavative , ordinarily given , after purgations ( being nothing else but a draught of thinne broth or posset-drinke ) it is hard to determine the particular houre : but it is then to be given , when as we thinke the medicine al or the most part to bee descended out of the stomacke into the guts , which is most commonly three or foure houres after the taking of the purgation : so that if it be taken about six in the morning , this broth may be given about nine or ten ; in some sooner , in some later : and then there would againe interceed two houres to let this lavative descend into the guts before dinner ; which is to be given , when as we guesse that the medicine hath wholly , or almost finished it operation , and the patient findeth his stomacke empty of it , which is not at one and the same houre in all alike . the dinner must be sparing , and of boiled meat ; and as for supper , if the dinner be late , the supper need to be little or none , unlesse some cawdell , a potched egge or two , of some such easie thing . if the medicine be taken earely in the morning , then is the operation of the physicke so much furthered , that dinner-time commeth on so earely , that supper may be had in due season , which may likewise be sparing , and rost meat rather than boiled . if pills be taken over night , the lavative may be taken in the morning betimes , and dinner and supper at their accustomed seasons . during this time of purging , it is commonly injoined by the physitian to keepe the chamber , which is called cum custodia : and that for a double reason ; both for feare lest the ambient aire abroad , if exceeding in cold , might offend , as likewise for feare of troubling the operation of the medicine by any objects , which , then occuring , might hinder the operation thereof . and therefore the roome ought not to be too light , but rather somewhat darke : and the patient to be purged , is that day to free his thoughts from any weightie cares , not to study , nor admit of company , which might hinder and divert the operation of the medicine . and it is to be observed , that if the ambient aire be warme , wee need not to warme the roome with any fire ; but if the ambient be cold , then are we to warme it moderatly . if the diseased be weake , then the discretion of the physitian must appeare in accommodating diet and other things according to the strength , and other circumstances concerning his patient . and when solid food cannot be received , suppings and liquid meats must then of them be used . and this is the summe of that i thinke needfull to be said concerning the governing of such as take physick . in some , i confesse , we observe not alwaies so strict and precise a proceeding : as in some persons , who , either by way of prevention , or otherwise , for some inveterate chronicall infirmity ( being , notwithstanding , well able to walke up and downe , and dispatch their ordinary and usefull affaires ) doe use some diet drinke , or other gentle medicines for divers daies , yet without keeping close within their chamber ; called therefore sine custodia . now , we proceed to the signes of a laudable purgation . that the purge hath plaid its part , wee discerne by these signes : when the excrements shew some alteration in colour , if the party finde alleviation , the appetite returne , and the accidents be eased : and sometimes if there be a propensenesse to sleepe , and if drouth appeare : provided , it proceed not from some hot rheume , from the heat of the purging medicine , or of the stomacke it selfe , or some cholericke humour , or that there were no complaint of it before the medicine taken : for oftentime a great drouth is well qualified and quieted by purgation , the hot cause being then removed . in other cases , faith c hippocrates , such as being purged , have no feeling of drouth , let them purge untill they be sensible of it . neither yet is sleepe simply to be understood , but when as by sleepe and hot humours , great watching preceding , the cause now removed , sleepe ensueth : provided alwaies it proceed not from debility of the body . but that purgation wee account not laudable , which mooveth and stirreth the humours , but expelleth them not : or that expelleth them , yet not as it ought , nor the fit humour to be expelled ; but with great paine , with evill accidents , and the good and bad both together . the cause of these proceedeth either from the party purged , in regard of some fault in the debilitie of the facultie , or want of preparation in the humours , or by reason of obstructions : it may also come to passe by meanes of the medicine ; as being either too strong of a maligne quality , weake , or not well corrected . it proceedeth also sometimes by reason of some errour in diet : as i remember a young gentlewoman , my patient , some yeeres agoe , having taken a purge by my prescription , within an houre or two after filled her belly with baked peares , which hindered the operation of the physicke , although strong enough , and not without danger to her selfe . if it should happen , as sometimes it may , that physicke should not work , a gentle glister , or perhaps a quicke suppository will draw it downe . if too violently , a temperate aire , warme clothes applied to the belly , astringent diet , and rest without motion will helpe it . if not , a little burnt claret wine , or some good venice treacle , will helpe it . if gripings proceeding from some tough phlegme , which cannot passe thorow the orifices of the small veines , doe gnaw thy belly , some warme clothes applied to the belly will dissolve the humour , and discusse any flatuous matter . and this ●hen shall suffice to have spoken concerning this generall evacuation , we proceed now to the last generall evacuation , which is sweat . chap. xvi . of sweating , and meanes to provoke the same ; divers sorts of hydrotickes or medicines provoking sweat , both externall and internall : something concerning teares , their causes and prognosticke . of two generall evacuations , phlebotomy and purgation wee have said sufficiently already , resteth yet a third , which by reason it evacuateth in the like manner from the whole body , is therefore also ranked among generall and universall evacuations . it hath been said already , there are three concoctions performed in the body of man : the first , in the stomacke and guts , having for excrement the ordure , which is expelled by the fundament : the second in the liver and veines , having for excrement the urine : the third in the capillary veines , in the habite of the bodie , having for excrements the sweat and fuliginous evaporations , expelled by the pores of the body . this last is the subtilest part of this matter , by a milde and gentle heat resolved into vapours , so and insensibly expelled : the other of a grosser substance , expelled in the forme of moisture ; and this wee commonly call sweat . and it is defined , an excretion of thinne , serous , or watry humours by the whole habite , or outward parts of the body . but a fernel would have all sweat to proceed from the inward parts super abounding in moisture , whom , notwithstanding , all our best physitians doe contradict . sweat is usefull both in sicknesse and in health , and is both naturall and artificiall . artificiall sweat is often procured by exercises in healthfull persons , and sometimes by bathes and other meanes . my purpose and intention is here chiefely to speake of sweat in the sick , together with the utility thereof , and many meanes to procure the same ; as also divers generall directions and rules concerning the use of these meanes both in sicknesse and in health . sweat is used either in acute or chronicall diseases . in chronicall diseases , exercise may sometimes further them , which in acute diseases most commonly cannot be effected . in acute diseases , sweat is either naturall or artificiall : and againe , naturall , besides the ordinary course , is sometimes criticall , and sometimes againe symptomaticall . criticall , as when on a criticall day , accompanied with other good and laudable signes , the strength especially holding out , and alleviation after insuing . symptomaticall , is , when failing either in quantity , in quality , or in the timely and orderly excretion it is deficient , accompanied with some other ill accidents , and without alleviation of the patient , often also accompanied with the overthrow of the vigor or strength ; and thus we often by experience find , when the sicke sweateth but in some one or other part of the body ; as about the head , and upper parts only : or when the sweat is of an evill smell , and often also cold and clammie ; and sometimes also comming in too great abundance , nature now being so much overthrowne , that it is not any more able to conteine this humidity within the body , which we then call sudorem diaphoreticum . now , all these kindes of sweats doe many times prove dangerous , if not deadly , especially accompanied with other dangerous presaging signes , as hippocrates in many places of his prognostickes , and other places of his workes ; and after him , galen doe fully testifie . but it commeth often also to passe , that nature is defective in expelling this humiditie , which may proceed from divers causes ; and is then by the phsiytian to be helped forward , by administring such meanes as may answer the patients expectation . now , this is by divers meanes effected : sometimes , as was said , by exercise , in cases where it may safely be admitted , and sometimes by other meanes , as by covering with many clothes , hydroticke , or sweating medicines , diet drinkes , and the like inward medicines : and sometime by outward meanes also ; as by perfumes , ointments , baths drie and moist , application of bottles to the soles of the feet , hot brickes and the like . of simples provoking sweat , called therefore sudorisickes , there be divers sorts , as well vegetables as mineralls , as also some compositions there are which further this worke effectually . the simples are of an opening quality , somewhat hot and drie , yet with moderation , rarefying and opening the passages and pores by which sweat is to passe : as among vegetables wee have divers woods , both forren and domesticke : to wit , lignum sanctum , assafras , zarzaparilla , china root , vine root , box , ling , heath or hadder , of the which divers sudorificke drinkes are made , in severall cases and manners , according as the nature of the disease , the strength of the patient , with other circumstances concurring shall permit , with the which decoctions are often mingled some other vegetables , herbs , flowers , or roots ; and besides , we have yet many other simples of a forcible operation , which may safely be given in a small quantity : as bezoar stone , harts horne calcinated or burnt , vnicornes-horne ( in the esteeme of some ) which i value not a rush ; a gumme found in the eye of an old hart. diuers plants there be also of good use and efficacy for this same purpose : as holy thistle , the decoction , water and salt of it and of many other simples . some there are also made of mineralls and metalls , which ought carefully to be prepared , and with great circumspection administred ; any empericke or barber-surgeon can tell how to make any sweat apace in the poxe , with some mercuriall medicines , suffumigation of cinabaris , &c. better than to fit and prepare proper medicines for the strength and constitution of each individuall patient . there are yet a multitude of medicines made of antimonie , sulphur , and other mineralls and metalls , yea , of gold it selfe : as flores sulphuris , antimo●●i , aurum diaphoreticum , &c. concerning which , our late writers , especially our paracelsists , haue written at great length , and undertaken thereby to worke wonders . compounded sudorificke medicines are venice treacle , mithridat , dioscordium , &c. but in the use of these sudorificke medicines , some cautions and rules are to be observed : first , that the body be first evacuated by purgation , phlebotomy , or both , if need be . againe , the body is to be prepared , especially where there is need , and that by some of the gentlest of some of these same sudorificke medicines : such as are mulsa , or hony water , the decoction of tormentill roots , squinant , of our ordinary canes with calamus aromaticus , the decoction of chamomill , sage , betonie , and the like ; wherunto may be added cordiall flowers of borrage , buglosse and marigolds , the which , together with the water of the decoction , will correct both their hot and drie qualities . after the exhibiting of these preparatives , they are in no case to be forced to sweat . now , the preparations may be divers , according to severall and divers diseases : as french poxe , fevers , and divers chronicall diseases . but when then the poison in the plague ▪ and some pestilent fevers hath already taken possession , i wish thee then , neither to stay for purgation nor preparation , but according to strength , presently by all meanes possible to expell the enemy out of the house . some prescribe frictions as a fit preparation , which i thinke to be very good , if they be used as they ought . some , againe , prescribe fomentations ; howbeit this better becommeth a particular sudorificke , i meane , of some one particular part . besides acute diseases , they are very usefull in many chronicall diseases : as in all manner of defluxions , sciatica , and all other gouts proceeding of a cold cause ; as also in long continuing fevers , french poxe , all long ▪ continuing fluxes of the belly : as also in epilepsies . palsies , and paines of the head , proceeding of cold humours . wee are also to observe , that wee urge not the sicke to sweat , at least halfe an houre after the reception of his sudorificke medicine : and then if it come not freely , wee are to force it with covering with more clothes , or hot brickes quenched in vineger , and lapped up in linnen clothes dipt in vineger , applied to the arme-holes , soles of the feet and thighes , rubbing still off the sweat with warme clothes to make it come the freclier . some bodies thou shalt hardly by any meanes make to sweat , and there the physitian is to beware lest he offer too much violece nature . the sicke is to sweat as strength and other circumstances shall require . this remedy must not be used in extreme weaknesse , in extenuat persons , wasted with long lingering diseases , in consumptions , fever hecticke , in very young children , and old decrepit persons , &c. now because our authors doe much commend sweating procured by bathing , either naturall or artificiall , we will therefore say something of the use of both these before we proceed any further , having first said something of teares for the affinitie with sweat . to this place of sweat wee may also referre teares , a moist excrement of the braine , participating of the nature of sweat . i passe by a punctuall description of many particulars concerning this point , which may at great length be seene in a b learned late physitian , and come to that which most maketh for our purpose in hand . as for the differences of teares , they are these . some are called cold , by reason they seeme in trickling downe to be cold ; some againe seeme to bee hotter ; and others are called dry : and these be such , as falling downe are quickly dry againe . some againe are called thicke , and sticke closer to the cheekes , and some againe thinner , which are quicklier dissolved , and are of a very thinne and watery substance . teares againe sometimes come in great abundance , and sometimes in a smaller quantity . some againe salt , some sweet , some bittter . some againe are without any sicknesse , and some with sicknesse . some come easily and of themselves , and some againe are forced . upon the severall causes of all these particulars , i will not insist . the use of this moisture is to irrigate and moisten the hard horny tunicle of the eye , which otherwise with its hardnesse might easily have hurt the other tender tunicles , and adjacent parts of the eye . but let us see what teares signifie and prognosticat . now that a physitian ought to contemplate and consider the nature and signification of teares , there is a warrant in c galen himselfe . abundance of teares argue abundance of moisture in the braine , as wee see commonly in women and children : few teares againe argue the contrary disposition ; howbeit sometimes that peice of flesh lying within the corner of the eyes ( called caruncula lachrymalis ) may be growne to such a bignesse , that it stoppeth all the passages of this tearie moisture , as i may call it : and this may be well assigned for a reason , why some cannot by any meanes whatsoever be forced to shed one teare : others againe upon any small occasion shed abundance of teares . teares of several tasts argue the dominion of such a humor in the braine : as bitter , choler , &c. tears againe are observed either in health or sicknesse , and either naturall and involuntary , or else voluntary . naturall involuntary teares proceed either from the want of this caruncle , or abundance of moisture in the braine , which they signifie . if they be accidentall , then they may proceed by meanes of cold compressing and condensating : as also by meanes of sharpe things from without , or taken inwardly ; as onions , mustard , smoake , and defluxions and weaknesse of the braines . involuntary teares in the sicke of acute diseases are esteemed bad , as signifying a great imbecillity of the retentive faculty . voluntary teares both in sicknesse and in health may proceed aswell from a voluntary compression or a dilatation : and hence is it , that teares proceed aswell from joy and mirth , as from sorrow and anger . cold teares are not esteemed good , and so are very hot and salt ; and that not only because they signifie too great a heat of the braine , but also , because , as witnesseth hippocrates , they threaten exulceration of the eyes . thicke teares argue concoction . the thinnesse argueth sometimes the crudity of the humor , and sometimes againe the narrownesse of the passages , which are also causes thereof . but this shall suffice to have said concerning this subject . chap. xvij. of bathing among the antients ; as also certaine ablutions , of head , hands and feet . of artificiall bathes generall and particular : their right use , the time , preparation , and divers other considerable circumstances , and how far we observe these customes . the antients had in great request divers sorts of ablutions , or washings both of the whole , and also of some parts of the bodie , some whereof we yet observe , and some wee have forsaken . they were used either before or after meales , and that for severall uses and ends . before meales they had a custome to bath their whole body , and to anoint it , as may appeare by many places of antient writers both poets and orators , and many other antient authors , aswell physitians as others . of these some were publike , to receive all commers : others private , which private men of meanes with great cost and charges builded for their owne and friends use : the like whereof is at this day to be seene in all the germane countries . my purpose is not to spend time in entring upon a particular description of those sumptuous bathes of antient times , whereof antient authors are so full . but what excesse was used in this particular , see in that wise a seneca . at this day the germanes have in very frequent use this bathing once a weeke , or at least in a fortnight , those of any fashion having for this same purpose their hot house in their backe court , as we here have other office houses ; and in every towne are some of these publike hot-houses for the use of any ; where they pay a certaine rate for their attendance . in these bathes they use most commonly to sweat , without any other previous preparation or purgation , both man , woman and child ; and many use immediately after , scarification with cupping-glasses applied to some parts of the body , where they bleed at the discretion of their dog-leach , who yeelds his attendance during this time ; or yet according to their owne foolish fancy , seldome consulting with a physitian about this businesse . with us these bathings are not so much in request ; although i deny not , they might now and then discreetly used prove profitable for the body ; howbeit in some places of london there are some hot-houses , whereof one may make use . it is more frequent here with us to wash the body in cold water in the sommer-time , which being but seldome , as twice or thrice a yeere used , might well bee allowed . but there is a very perverse and preposterous custome , used of the younger sort , apprentices especially , to wash their bodies in rivers or other waters immediately after meales , especially after supper , being very prejudiciall to their health , and disposing the bodie to divers diseases . the hands may be as often washed as one will , both morning , evening and midday , both before and after meales , in sicknesse and in health . but whether often washing of the hands helpe the eye-sight , may not without cause be questioned . the b salernitane schoole affirmeth it , howbeit his interpreter thinketh it is only by accident , by reason the hands being cleane , they handling the eyes , they are like to fare the better . againe , whether we may ever wash head and feet may likewise be demanded ? or whether that old proverbiall speech be true ; saepemanus , raro pedes , nunquam caput . now as for the head , in regard it is for the most part so well supplied with internall moisture , and that aswell in regard of its moist constitution , as also by the continuall exhalations from the nether parts of the body , and there by sublimation metamorphosed into moisture , it would seeme to be against reason , by any new addition to increase the same . i doe indeed confesse , we are to be wary in medling with this sublime and noble part , the seat of the senses , of reason and understanding it selfe . it is notwithstanding , in some cases and certaine diseases , not onely tolerable , but even also necessary to use this lotion of the head ; provided it bee but seldome used : as namely in heads much subject to defluxions of rheume , in which case we may wash the head in a lee appropriated for this purpose ; as of betony or the like , and afterwards wash it in faire water not fully cold , then dry it with a dry linnen cloth without warming it ; afterwards besprinckling the head with some powder made of frankincense , masticke , red-rose leaves , rosemary and sage , it will much comfort both head and senses . and we see the antients used much embrocations , which was a wetting of the head : and those who goe to the hot bath in sommerset-shire , sitting in the bath use these embrocations , or buckettings , which some doe often endure to a very great number . i wish notwithstanding , that these ablutions of the head bee but seldome used in health : as twice or thrice , or at most foure times a yeere . and as for the use of it in the sicke , as in defluxions and rheums , i advise them , if they desire to speed wel , to be advised by good counsell what and when to doe . as for this ablution or washing of the feet , it hath been of very antient use , especially among the easterne people , where the heat was great , where this was an ordinary curtesie used towards strangers , which was no small refreshing in these hot scorching countries . wee use it often also both in sicknesse and in health , but in warme-water commonly , with addition of some well-smelling herbes : as fennell , camomill , hyssop , and the like , which cannot be misliked , especially to bed-ward , as it is most commonly by us used . in sicknesse it is also often of very good use , especially in hot acute diseases , in burning fevers , phrensie● , where often pertinacious watching is joined with deliration . and in this case we are to boile good store of lettice , white nymphaea or water-lilly leaves , violet leaves and flowers , and some poppy-heads , being very forcible to provoke sleepe , by reason of the great sympathy betwixt those two , howbeit farre distant and remote parts . but in this , as in all the rest , if it be possible , bee advised by thy learned counsell . but now we come to speake of the division and diversity of bathes ; and being of so great use in the body of man , it shall not bee out of purpose to insist a little the longer upon this subject . all baths then are either naturall or artificiall . of the artificiall first , as being most obvious and easy to come by , we will speake in the first place . in the first place then , for the matter of these bathes it is various and divers : as water , wine , milke and oile ; and sometimes sand , but the most common and frequent matter is water , sometimes warme , sometimes cold , and sometimes of a meane temper betwixt both . in the body of man these bathes have a triple use or benefit : some evacuat and cleanse , some qualifie and temper the humors of the body , and some supply and fill up that which is decaied . now that they doe euacuat by sweat if one should deny , daily experience will evince , and c galen himselfe witnesseth unto us : but to fill up and supply any thing that is wanting , will perhaps finde lesse credit with ordinary understandings ; which notwithstanding the d same author yet in another place witnesseth . in the sicke wee commonly use them of warme-water , intending or remitting this quality of heat as occasion requireth , adding thereunto divers simples , according to the nature of the disease , and constitutions of the body to be bathed . now a temperate warme bath helpeth forward natures worke in such as have need of moderate humectation and heat , and by reseration of the pores of the body refresheth and cooleth , and by extraction of fuligionous excrements freeth from internall heat . a hot bath helpeth contractions proceeding from cold , provoketh sweat , exhausteth and draineth the body dry of superfluous moisture . this bathing in warme-water acccording to a e late writer is good to bee used in divers infirmities : as in a diarie or owne dayes fever , and in a hecticke fever also sole and of it selfe , before it turne to a marasme , and not as yet joined to any putrid fever : as also for such as have their moisture exhausted with watchings , cares , dry diet , or medicines of that nature . and not in these onely , but also in dry distempers , and in decrepid old age . in fevers proceeding from putrefaction , it is not to be used but after signes of concoction , unlesse in a perfect tertian , the drinesse of the humours urge the use of it . it is also in use in quartans proceeding from choler adust . in rheumaticke distillations , inflammation of the lungs , pleurisie , after signes of concoction , and in headach , proceeding from humours or vapours arising from the nether parts , it is of good use : as also for the falling off of the haire , for lethargies , phrensies , epilepsie not proceeding from the stomacke or head , but from some other part of the body . it is also good against melancholy proceeding from sharpe humors , paines of the eyes , bleere-eyes , fluxes of the belly , helpeth defects of the voice , inveterate infirmities of the spleene , and indurations thereof , the cholicke proceeding of choler , especially in the younger sort . but proceeding of a cold cause and grosse humours it qualifieth indeed , but cureth it not . and it is good against the gout , proceeding of choler , as also against all extenuation of the body . but on the contrary is hurtfull to plethoricall and cachochymicall bodies , to hecticks proceeding from an erisipelas , commonly called s. anthonies fire , and headaches proceeding from a flatuous matter : and it is hurtfull for the inward parts overtaken with inflammation , in all diseases of the ioints , excepting the above mentioned ; and for all manner of effusion of blood , whether at the nose , or any other part of the body . and it is yet hurtfull for all such as are inclined to casting , loathing of the stomacke , weaknesse of body , such as are subject to bitter belchings , and such as abound with humors , howbeit otherwise good ; especially if any feare of a fluxe of blood . that bath which is hotter than the former , in provoking sweat is more effectuall , but withall doth not communicate that humectation to the body as the former . now there was also an use of bathing in cold water succeeding the former , which was not immediatly to be used after the temperate ; but from this into a tepid or a little warmish , and then into cold water . but to some bodies this kind of bathing bringeth some prejudice : as among healthfull people , to such as are yet growing , and to children especially , as also to women , and antient people , to small and weake persons . it is also hurtfull for the brest , procureth hoarsenesse and the cough , offendeth the heart , the stomacke ; especially if already weake and feeble . and as for the diseased , it is principally hurtfull to weake kidnies , procureth paine in the guts ; especially that called tenesmus , and stayeth womens fluxes : and it is hurtfull also for humid and cold diseases , as likewise for the fevers hectick , that especially already turned into a marasme . the antients used often to enter into another roome , where they sweat by meanes of the aire warmed , the which they called laconicum , answerable unto which , in neerest resemblance , are our hot houses , or stoves , as they are in frequent use in all germanie , although the particular manner of heating this aire differeth much ; these drie stoves being warmed by the heat of the fire onely ; but this laconicum was a moister vapour . this vapour then , or hot aire the antients used , was twofold : either dry , in respect of the other , procured by heat of flints , or the like , water being cast upon them , and the sicke set in the tub , and covered with clothes made to sweat : or else this was a moister aire , procured by a vapour derived from a vessell full of liquour , with answerable ingredients , and conveied betwixt the two bottomes of a bathing tub , the uppermost full of holes , where the sicke being set , and covered with clothes , was to sweat , as need required ; and this with us is also in frequent use . wee use often also particular moist bathes , called insessus , and semicapium , being a bathing tub filled with warme water , or other matter with appropriate herbs , wherein the patient sits up to the middle or more , being prepared for divers uses and ends . and these are chiefely usefull for hot and dry bodies . the other dry sweatings are fit only for moist & cold constitutions , abounding with grosse humours , and for fat and corpulent people , having alwaies a watchfull eye , to the strength of the patient . but such are altogether contrary to cold and dry , and yet more to hot and drie constitutions . now , as concerning the time of these bathings and sweatings , both generall and particular , wee are to consider , whether they are used for any necessity in sicknesse , or otherwise , as physick for prevention of future infirmities . if it be left to election , then the most temperate time of the yeere is to be made choice of , as hath beene said of other evacuations : and the time of the day likewise most temperate , as in a morning before dinner , and after concoction is perfected . in sicke folkes , if there be a necessity , the ambient aire , if not answerable to our desire , must be corrected , as accasion shall require . as for the time of the day , as hath beene said already , the former daies food must first be perfectly concocted , as well in the stomacke as in the liver . as concerning the time of the disease , it being with us unusuall in fevers , and such acute diseases , wee need not so curiously insist upon it : yet if there were any such necessity , the same time already set downe for the diet , and evacuations , both generall and particular , were to be observed . before entring into any of these baths of any kind whatsoever , wee are to see that the body be before cleansed , and that the common excrements of urin and ordure first be evacuated , for feare of some defluxion upon the feeble parts , by dissolving & liquifying the humors of the body . neither yet are we to use exercise before it , for feare of filling the head with fumes & vapors : and food must also be refrained from , for feare of crudities , from whence obstructions , and divers dangerous diseases might after insue . if the party be not able to absteine , let him take some little sustenance in a morning , a little biscuit , or some cordiall electuary , or the like . in bathing , the party is to abstein from all manner of food , as also from drinke and sleep , for feare of crudities , the mother of a many diseases . but if strength should so farre faile , that we should feare fainting , then are comfortable smells to be presented to the nose : or else the crums of a manchet soak'd in good sacke , or the like , a little marchpane , manus christi , or some such comfortable refresher of the spirits , speedily to be given the patient . as for the continuance in the bath , there cannot be one certaine rule prescribed to every individuall person . cold constitutions , unlesse very weake , may continue a longer time : but temperate persons , when they begin to grow red may goe forth of it : and leane and slender people , by long continuance therein are much indāmaged . but the strength is that which must alwaies be our best directer . in hectick fevers , they are first to goe into the warme bath , and next into a cold , that by this meanes a constipation of the skin may be procured and dissipation prevented . such as in health were much accustomed to bathing , in sicknesse more freely may use this meanes : and yet if they use oftner than once a day , they are to interpose or houres betwixt the two severall times . after bathing , the party is diligently to be dried with dry clothes in a warme roome , and well rubd , the head especially , and then sent to bed to sweat a while ; and is afterwards againe to be rubd and dri'd with soft linnen clothes . after all this is performed , and the body setled , then are we to offer the sick some liquid food at first : as namely some broth , or the like , and afterwards in a more solid substance , sometimes in a greater , & sometimes in a lesser quantity , according to the nature of the disease , strength of the patient , custome , the ambient aire , the season of the yeere , &c. but as in all other things , so are we here to observe the golden mediocrity : for all manner of hot baths immoderatly used , whether moist or dry , doe too much mollifie the body , evacuating & overthrowing the naturall vigor thereof : and if too hot , they cause continuall burning fevers , debilitate the body ; from whence proceedeth great faintnesse , and finally death it selfe . againe , too much bathing in cold water , procureth shivering and shaking , convulsions , and at length an extinction of naturall heat , wherein life consisteth . chap. xviii . of naturall baths , or minerall waters ; whether leap-yeere called also the bissextil , causeth any alteration in these minerall waters , or infringeth the force thereof : and of the originall and first beginning of this time . almighty god , out of his singular goodnesse , and infinite bounty , taking pitty upon miserable man-kinde , now by reason of sinne made subject to so many sicknesses , a due reward of the fame , as bee hath affoorded this microcosme man , a multitude of soveraigne medicines for his solace in such diseases ; so among many others hee hath made many waters , that spring out of the earth to affoord him comfort in his great calamity of sickenesse . now , besides the common waters of severall sorts , whereof wee have daily use , both in food and physicke , as hath beene proved already ; there are yet many waters that spring out of the bowells of the earth , participating of the nature of divers mineralls and metalls , the vertues whereof these waters do reteine , and are therfore with no small successe often used of the sicke for many and divers infirmities . and these by a generall word , are by us commonly called thermae or aquae thermales , from that heat whereof most of them doe lesse or more participate . now , that these waters were not at first among antient physitians in that request they have beene since , may by a pliny appeare : who wondering that homer made no mention of them , doth afterwards answer himselfe , that in those daies there was no physitian that made use of them ; although homer maketh often mention of washing in warme water . after homer , b hippocrates , although hee seeme not utterly to to reject such waters , yet by reason of their running thorow minerall and metallicke veines , holdeth them therefore for suspected : for the which cause hee never admitteth of them for the use of the sicke . and of the same mind was galen also , who never that we reade of , made any triall of such waters . but the late physitians , as well greeke as arabians , have introduced the use of them ; as finding by long experience , that in chronicall and long continuing diseases , there is not a more soveraine remedy : as in old inveterate obstructions of the inward parts , and the like . now , it is confirmed by the authorities of a multitude of our best physitians , that some of these waters are hot , and some againe cold in their first qualities ; and some mixt : and so in their second qualities depending upon the first , they differ likewise , according to those mineralls or metalls from whence they borrow their vertues , howbeit in generall , all these waters participate of exsication . now , from what metall or minerall the water taketh its vertue or operation , may partly by the colour , taste , smell , the day in the bottome ; and partly by distillation , long boiling , evaporation , and the dregges left in the bottome be discerned , as also the nature of such diseases as are thereby cured . and howsover , many trust much to distillation , yet is it not so sure a way , that we may alwaies trust to it , these waters being often of so subtile a nature , that they draw nothing , but , as it were , the spirituous qualitie from these solid substances . in generall , it is to be observed , that those which abound in brimstone and bitume , are all of a loosening and mollifying nature , and doe therewith affect both the stomacke and the liver . but such as partake more of the nature of yron , alum , copper , or plaster , doe too much condensat and shut up the pores of the skinne , by which meanes it commeth to passe , that no excrement can thereby be excluded . but such as participate of both these extremes , are accounted the best , and their use alwaies safest : for they digest & discusse , yet alwaies reserving intirely the strength and naturall vigor of all the parts of the body . but before i proceed to handle divers particulars concerning these minerall waters , i must here discusse a question , whether all these minerall waters be at all times of a like and equall force ? and that this question is not out of purpose , nor needlessely propounded , may from this appeare , in that some have beene , and some yet are of opinion , that these waters every bissextile or leap-yeere , as wee call it , lose a great deale of their efficacie and power , and therefore not so efficacious and powerfull against ordinary infirmities . in the first place then , that the vertue and efficacie of these minerall waters , is according to the severall seasons of the yeere , and often according to abundance of drouth or moisture , is often intended and remitted , as wee cannot deny , so is not the point in controversie : but whether in any one certaine determinate time , quatenus such a time , howsoever the ambient aire in all the qualities be affected , doth produce such an infallible alteration in all minerall waters , that during that time , they are of little or no efficacie against diseases : and this is this leap-yeere now in question . and although i am not ignorant , that many of the wiser and more judicious have their judgements well enough setled herein ; yet because not onely some of the vulgar , but some of more eminent parts , and more sublimate understandings , have beene involved in this vulgar errour , i shall crave pardon to digresse a little upon this point , which in my opinion may not seeme impertinent . in the first place then , let us take notice of the originall of this leap-yeere , and what it is . before the time of iulius caesar , it is thought that most nations used the computation of the yeere according to the course of the moone , the which , because it was uncertaine , the moone in her motion being so unstable and uncertaine ; therefore iulius caesar yeeres before the nativitie of our lord and saviour , after he had finished his warres , taking into his consideration this irregularity of the yeere , resolved to rectifie the same . and for this same purpose he sent into egypt for the most expert mathematicians of that kingdome , and among the rest one sosigenes ( from whence , as from this iulius it is called the iulian , so from this same sosigenes it is called the sosigenian yeere ) and therefore whereas before the yeere was ordinarily measured by the motion of the moone , it was then reduced to the motion of the sunne , which finisheth his course in daies , and houres . these daies he divided into twelve equall parts , called by the name of mensis , or measure . and because there rested yet odde houres , for avoiding confusion , which in processe of time might thereby be occasioned , every fourth yeere , there being just houres remaining , these making up a just naturall day , were inserted into the moneth of february , which before had but daies . and yet this computation is not so perfect , but that it admitteth of some defects , here being added unto this yeere more by the fifth part of an houre than ought : and by consequence more added every leap-yeere unto february than ought , by minutes : the which hath made an alteration in the aequinoxes , and solstices since this emperours time , about or daies . besides , that i say nothing of the motion of the moone , wherein was likewise some defect , notwithstanding the course was taken to rectifie the same , which made a great confusion in the time of the observation of easter betwixt the easterne and westerne churches , untill the councell of nice . the emendation of this errour , howsoever for the space of yeeres by divers popes attempted ; yet untill the time of gregorie the in the yeere of our lord ● , was never brought to any passe . this pope , by the helpe especially of one lilius , a doctor of physicke , tooke such a course to reforme the calender , that the vernall aequinoxe was from the of march reduced to the , to the same day that it was at the nicene councell . now , this could not be , unlesse in the calender and computation of the daies of the yeere there were daies quite cut off . and for this cause , this same lilius chose the moneth of october , wherein this pope was borne , and tooke quite away from it tenne daies : so that when the of october was to be numbred , in stead thereof was substituted the . and october that yeere had but daies . and this is that wee call the gregorian , or beyond the seas account or yeere ; by reason it is received in those countries beyond the seas where the pope is acknowledged . the which account , yet notwithstanding , * is not perfect , nor without exception , as i could make appeare , if i were purposed to insist upon this point . but to come now to our purpose , and to answer this point : i say it is a thing very ridiculous , and an opinion very erronious , that this orderly alteration in the computation of time , should infuse any new influence into these celestiall bodies , which should againe produce so strange and stupendious effects upon these sublunary creatures . now , these celestiall bodies keepe constantly the same course they ever did since the first creation , these humane constitutions neither adding to , nor detracting from these celestiall bodies any new energie , vertue or power . and if there were any such matter , why then did not some such effects follow upon the c alteration of num pompilius , who added two moneths , to wit , ianuary and february to the former yeere , consisting onely of ten moneths ; and why followed not there some strange new effects , upon the altering of the names of two months , quintilis & sextilis , to iuly & august , the names of two famous emperors : and finally , why followed not there some strange effects upon the alteration of the old roman iulian calender , where there is no lesse than the difference of ten whole daies betwixt us and the romanists , whch it would seeme , should produce new and stranger effects ; and this would seeme a thing not unbeseeming a papall power , who , as gods vicar generall here upon earth , yea , and an earthly god too , as they would make him , possessing not onely the waies of heaven and purgatory , but even of hell it selfe ; and hee that can alter the decree of the almighty , that from hell is no redemption , and bring an heathen ¶ emperour out of those firie flames , why might hee not as well worke some new wonder in the alteration of the influences of these celestiall bodies ? this would have purchased farre greater credit and reputation to his shavelings , than all the juggling iesuites , in iapan or china , with their counterfeit miracles , yea , or their whole legend of lies , put in to weigh downe the scales , our lady of loretto , and all the wonders of the west indies , could ever yet doe . this , i confesse , would , perhaps , make our heretickes and huguenots thinke better of s. peters successe . this would be obvious to the simplest understandings ; whereas when wee see a dead mans scull thorow a glasse , wee may as well thinke it the head of some barabbas , as of a holy iohn baptist ; and when we see some milke , which they tell us was the virgin maries , in regard of the great store , and more than miraculous multiplication of this milk , it makes many hereticke huguenot of their master c calvins minde , that if all the milke they say was the virgin maries , and which for such they keepe up , and make the people beleeve it is such , the best cow in holland never gave so much : that i say nothing of the monstrous bodies of the saints , some of them having two or three heads , some store of legges , &c. yea , some double or triple bodied . but if his holinesse could but stay a little the course of the sunne or moone , there might yet be some witnesses of it . but yet , to give the divell his right , i doe much commend the attempts of some popes , for attempting , but this gregory , especially for effecting some reformation of the old calender ; but withall wish this famous doctor , that was the chiefe doer had beene as well kept in remembrance for associating him into this communion and fellowship of calling the yeere , as gregorian , so lilian , as was done to that famous sosigenes . but since those daies , the case is quite altered , and gregory must goe farre beyond iulius , our popes assuming the pre-eminence alone , and precedency before emperours . let this then remaine firme and stable , like the lawes of the medes and persians , that in these leape or bissextile yeeres , as such , there is no alteration nor difference from other yeers . as such , i adde , because sometimes this yeere may much differ from the precedent , or subsequent yeere ( and so may any other yeere differ from others ) but never as such a yeere , neither yet is such a difference ever in every such bissextile yeere observable . now at the ignorance of countrie people , and such others as may easily in such points prove ignorant , i marvell not so much , as that some better learned in the arts and liberall sciences , should be so farre mistaken . and this hath made mee a little the longer insist upon this point , finding a e learned physitian , in his treatise now and then mentioned , to be of the same mind : sed bernardus non videt omnia . but i thinke that some such yeere , perhaps falling out to be very wet , in which seasons , such waters often are not so forcible , and this falling out it may be twice or thrice in these yeeres , and so by some observed , was afterwards taken for an uncontrolled truth , that alwaies in every leape yeere , the minerall waters lost much of their vertues . but now i proceed to that which followeth . these minerall waters are in a double manner used , being either drunke , or the body bathed in them . they are used for divers infirmities : for the cleansing of the stomacke , guts , and meseraicke veines ; as also to correct the distemper of the body , to helpe infirmities of the lungs , shortnesse of breath , purging of sanious matter without , an ulcer out of the breast , and to heale the infirmities of the liver , splene , guts , and kidnies , &c. in hot baths the body is commonly bathed ; the others are ordinary drunke for divers diseases . the time and season most proper for the use of these baths , especially these hot watets , when election may have place , as in other evacuations , so in this must be the most temperate time of the yeere ; as the later end of march , all april and may : and againe , in september , and beginning of october . but with us it is better to goe rather in august , that so the businesse may be dispatched before the cold come in , our sommer-heats here being seldome with us so excessive . if any necessity require , they may be used also at other times , correcting the aire , as occasion shall require , and thy learned counsell shall advise , without which , if thou go rashly to worke , thou maiest , perhaps , all thy life long repent it . chap. xix . of the preparation before the use of minerall waters , the right use and vertues of them ; their various kindes both in this iland and other countries . now , as in all other noble and generous remedies which concerne the health of mankinde , wee are not rashly to rush upon them without some previous preparation and fitting of the body before : no more are wee in the use of these meanes to neglect the like prudence in the preparation of the body . and the same are here to be observed , which before in the use of artificiall baths were mentioned : to wit , obstructions to be opened , the body to be well purged according to the nature of the disease , strength of the party , and other answerable circumstances , and withall , there must be a care had , that the concoction be well accomplished , there be an abstinence from the venereall act , and a freedome from passions and perturbations of the minde . the fit and convenient time to enter into these baths , is two houres after sunne rising in a morning : and if the nether parts be affected , the party is to sit in the water , covered therewith to the navell : if the upper parts be affected , as farre as the necke . and this must all be done in due order , the first day beginning with the space of an houre , so increasing both the time of continuance , and intending the hot quality of the water . in the meanetime , the same caution both concerning the nature and constitution of the parties to be bathed , and the rules concerning diet , before , in and after the bathing , is to be observed , as we have heretofore set downe . in the morning they may be suffered to continue longer , in the evening a shorter time , the space of five or sixe houres interceeding betwixt these two times . but neither can there be a certaine or precise time for the number of houres continuance in the bath , nor yet a certaine and set number of daies determined , not other new particular circumstances limited , but must still depend upon the judgement of the learned and judicious physitian , without whose counsell this businesse may prove more pernicious than profitable . of these minerall waters there be divers sorts , as said is ; every country being furnished with some one kind or other . france and italy abound most in hot baths , desuming their force and efficacy most from sulphur or brimston , wherewith is sometimes conjoined some salt , or salt peter . our english baths in sommerset shire , take their vertue and efficacie from this sulphureous substance . in germanie , baths of all sorts are in great abundance ; and as the country abounds in divers mineralls and metalls , so doe these waters participate of severall and divers qualities and vertues : as those of baden in switzerland , participate of brimstone principally , and some little quantity of alum : those of baden the marquisat , besides the premisses , participate also somewhat of salt and salt-peter . againe , in the confines of lorreine , there are hot baths called plumbarenses , participating of the nature of lead , brimstone and salt-peter . in the dutchie of wirtenberg , there is the wild bath , called silvestres , or ferinae , participating of the nature of brimstone , salt and alum : and as some say , of copper and salt-peter also . and besides these , a great number of many others also , not differing from the former in operation : some of them , as they say , participating also of the nature of gold , which i hardly beleeve , it being of so solid and well compacted a substance , that hardly doth it communicate any vertue to waters that runne thorow such mines , no more than silver also , being likest unto it for solidity of substance . as concerning our owne baths with us here in great use for a multitude of infirmities , and which doe most concerne us , because a learned a physitian hath lately explained their vertues and use , as being best with them acquainted , i shall not need to say any thing ; the vertues of others of the same nature and kinde in other countries , being much also of the same vertue and efficacy . but because peregrination and travell , partly for profit , and partly for pleasure and other ends , is now much in this our age improved , and by reason it concerneth not a little the health of such as are to live or travell in remote and forren countries , to know the nature and vertues of such minerall waters as are found in these countries , i will therefore say a little concerning some of them . among all those , such as are of an acid or sowre taste , and much abounding in many places of high germany , beare away the bell . and these waters doe commonly participate of the nature of vitriol or copperas , of alum and yron , with the admixture often of other mineralls or metalls : as sulphur , salt , &c. there sowre waters sometimes somewhat differ in taste one from another ; and sometimes little or no difference at all in their taste can be observed . their chiefe vertues in the body of man are these following ; in the first place , they are very soveraine good against all manner of obstructions of the liver , splene , kidnies , and meseraicall veines , and for this cause conduce not a little for the infirmities of those parts , being very good against exorbitant casting , which by their astringent facultie they cure : and they helpe also the iaundise , the dropsie , in the beginning ; cleanse the kidnies , bladder , and other urinary passages , purging away gravell , or any other matter lying in these passages . they are also good against the itch , scab , and any other defedations of the skinne , all foule ulcers and gangrenes . but nihil est ex omni parte beatum . so are not these acid and sowre waters able to helpe all infirmities : and in particular , they are great enemies to infirmities of the lungs , especially where there is any ulcer , wasting or inflammation . they are hurtfull also for the bloodie fluxe , with exulceration of the guts , and any other internall ulcer , or excoriation , and that in regard of their acidity or sharpnesse . and for the dimnesse of the eyes , they have beene tried to be soveraine good ; and that they have a singular and forcible faculty in provoking urine , i had the triall in mine owne body , this sowre water being ordinarily brought from a place distant from ments , in stone bottles to franckfort mart . these waters are cold , and therefore are commonly drunke in hot moneths , § may , iune , iuly , august , september , in a morning fasting , an houre or two after sunne rising , as is the use in others ; and then againe at night , after dinner is digested . the continuance or time of duration of drinking this water , is according as necessity shall require , and cannot certainly be determined : as in some or daies , a fortnight , or three weekes . no more can the measure or certaine quantity be gaged , some contenting themselves with halfe a pint , and some againe will drinke double , some or . and the more freely they passe thorow the body by urin or otherwise , the bolder in the use of them may we be . how the body before the use of these waters is to be prepared , the physitian shall in time of need give notice , and according to all severall circumstancess give particular directions . it is to be observed , that these minerall waters , by carrying from one place to another , lose alwaies something of their former force and efficacie , how close soever they be stopt up , and so become lesse powerfull . it is further diligently to be observed , in the use of all minerall waters that are to be drunke , that when as they are drunke twice a day , the partie using them must be carefull that dinner be well digested before they be drunke in the afternoone : and for this purpose dinner must either be very sparing , or else a long distance betwixt dinner and the drinking of them ; or else it were better to drinke it but once in a morning , and so double the time of continuing this drinke , as for a fortnight , a whole moneth . moreover , if the case should so require , that the party should need both to drinke of this water , and bathe in it , it would be most expedient to doe them severall : as first for certaine daies to drinke them , and afterwards for as long to bathe in them . but because wee in this iland are so farre remote from these acid and other fountains , that ordinarily we cannot have recourse unto them , therefore i shall not need to particularise many of them ; of one only , being so much freequented by many of the gentrie , as being neerer unto us than the rest , i will say a little ; the so much renowned well of spa i meane . this spa then is in the bishoprick of liege , a part of the provinces , and is much resorted unto yeere by many knights and gentlemen , and sometimes by ladies and gentlewomen also ; and that for recovering of their health in divers chronicall infirmities : howbeit it is well knowne , that under this colour , some have other projects in their pates . this water particapateth principally of the nature of yron , which in the taste it doth somewhat represent : and it participateth also somewhat of a sulphureous faculty , and a little of vitriol . it correcteth hot distempers , quencheth thirst , and is good against all inveterate obstructions : and therefore usefull in all inveterate quartane fevers , or others , and in all sorts of iaundise , in the dropsie , and to open the splene ; provoketh also urine , and the menstruous fluxe , and helpeth melancholy hypochondriacke . these waters are exceeding dry in operation , and therefore exceeding good against all diseases proceeding of moisture . but yet it is to be observed , that they fume up into the head , and therefore not so fit for such as are obnoxious to the epilepsie , apoplexie , vertigo , or giddinesse of the head . now , to come to our owne iland , besides our ordinary baths in sommerset shire , so famous , and so much frequented ; whereof i have promised silence ; therere are yet many more in this our iland of no small vertue and efficacie against many infirmities of the body of man. and first i cannot but mention that water of s. vincents rocke , neere that famous and antient city of bristoll , which commeth now in request against the stone ; and this i need but only mention , the which is to me altogether unknowne , howbeit the b former author hath likewise past his censure concerning this spring , and the right use thereof ; and therefore unto his discourse i referre the reader : howsoever , it seemeth by his relation , that it participateth chiefly of the nature of sulphure and nitre , and is taken now orderly , being potable , and used for all manner of internall heats and inflammations . there is a well in yorkeshire , thought to participate somewhat of the nature of the well of spa , taking its vertue and operation from yron ; and therefore is good against obstructions of the liver , splene and mesaraicke veines , and to cleanse and corroborate the urinary passages , &c. whereon i will not now dwell , there being a little tractat of late yeeres published concerning the vertues and use of this water . there is within miles of this towne of northampton , and hard by the market towne of wellenborogh , a well much of the same nature and efficacy , participating of the nature of yron , as by proofes may easily appeare : and all the ground through which it runneth , coloureth red . this water , although it can scarce be discerned from others in taste & colour , yet is it powerfull in opening obstructions of the liver , splene and mesaraick veins , to cleanse the the kidnies , bladder , and urinary passages , and so good against the stone , &c. it was but within these few yeers brought in request by that famous physitian , sr theoder mayrne , dr in physicke , and phsitian to the king & queenes majesties ; and first renowned by some good successe , the right honourable lord of pembrok , then lord chamberlaine , found thereby : and since , by our gracious queens majesty now living , and divers others , approved to be of good use and efficacy . but when i shal be my selfe better satisfied & certified concerning this businesse , i shall be ready , if god prolong my life , to give more particular satisfaction to the publike . but in the use of this , and other such minerall waters , especially such as are deprived of any acidity , in the taste , there is an especiall regard to be had to the strength of the stomack , and accordingly to the strength of it to accommodat the quantity of water , and alwaies to have a diligent care to correct the acidities of the same ; and either before , or together with the use of this water , to be carefull in the corroboration of the stomack . i heard a story of a worthy lady , who , by advice of some physitians , for some infirmities did drink for certaine days of tunbridge water in kent : after the use whereof , by means of an irrecoverable debility , her stomacke had by the use of this water contracted , it cost her at last no lesse than her life ; as for the nature and vertues of this water , because i am not acquainted with it , i will not meddle . some other waters in this kingdome have for a while beene in great credit and estimation for many infirmities , and their fame againe as quickly falne to the ground . some few yeeres agoe , there was in great esteem and credit a well in mauborn hils in worcestershire , which the vulgar ( ut est natura hominis novitatis avida , a new broome sweepes cleane ) for a while esteemed as some noble panacaea , or aurum potabile , supposed good against all infirmities : but in short space , there was againe , altum silentium , and proved , according to the proverbe , but a nine daies wonder . i doe not for this condemne this water , the nature and vertues whereof are to me unknowne , but i advise people to be wise , and to be circumspect , and with good and mature deliberation to admit of these minerall waters , and then should we not have often times such sudden flashes of the fame of some waters , which as quickly againe vanish into smoake , and their credit is as soone crackt . there hath beene likewise no small account made of new name wells in warwick-shire , which of late yeeres have come in request for the stone , and infirmities of the urinary passages , &c. the which , as many others , i beleeve , doe most participate of this same yron , whereof mention hath beene made already , and therefore are good to be used against the same infirmities . i have heard likewise , by relation , of a famous well , neer aberdene in the north parts of scotland , called by the name of spa ; and as they say , effectuall against the same infirmities , which the well of spa is said to cure . of this water a learned physitian of that same kingdome , composed a learned tractat , as i am credibly informed , the which as yet i never saw . there is within two miles of the citie of edenburgh , in the same kingdome , a bituminous well or spring , called the oily well , yeelding great store of this bituminous stuffe , being very good against all manner of itches , scabs , and many other outward defaedations of the skinne , &c. this well was in time of popery called saint catherines well , and so this saint carried away the credit of any cure that was thereby performed : as the like use they made of minerall waters , not onely here , but in many other places , as is the use even at this day . i make no question , but in that same countrie , especially in the most mountainous parts thereof , where there is such store of yron , and all manner of other ore , there might be found as efficacious waters against any infirmities , as any in remote regions . the like may be said of divers places of this kingdome ; especially in wales , cornewall , devonshire , and many places of the north countrie ; as in yorkeshire , and other shires lying further to the north. but concerning minerall waters , and all manner of baths , as well naturall as artificiall , together with their uses , for the present this shall suffice . chap. xx. of the excretion by urine , the retention of urine , together with the nature of diureticke remedies , the right use and abuse thereof . having already at length discoursed of generall evacuations , being three in number , we come now to some particular , the consideration whereof is of no small use , as well in sicknesse as in health . now , for the affinity it hath with sweat , being much of one nature , although both at divers passages , and in a different manner voided , it shall succeed in the next place . of the nature of this excrementitious humour , the manner of generation , deceit and coozenage of ignorant and erronious practitioners , in the judgement by the same , and many things which concerne this subject , hath beene * else-where handled at great length ; where hath beene sufficiently proved the uncertainty of judging the issue of diseases by this bare signe onely ; being a signe whereby some diseases only , and somtimes , may be discerned : and yet but a generall one , which can neither acquaint us with the strength of the patient ( a thing of all others in diseases of great moment ) nor many other particular circumstances , wherewith the physitian ought , in so waighty a businesse , to be acquainted . and there we likewise proved , that from thence wee could neither gather any certainty of conception , nor yet of the sexe . i say , neverthelesse , that urine is not to be neglected either in sicknesse or in health : but withall , let other signes not be neglected , but have their due desert . that urine therefore , both in sicknesse and in health , which is of a laudable colour , and contents answerable , doth commonly argue that body to be in best case , especially if all other signes concurre ; as if it be otherwise , wee are to conceive the contrary . that urine we commonly call best , that is of a light golden colour , with a meane white coloured even contents : and the farther it decline from this golden rule , the worse we deeme it : as sometimes when it is of an intense red colour , it often argueth fevers , or inflammations , &c. unlesse sometimes by reseration of some small veines the urine be died with this colour . and yet the urine of a cholericke man will looke of a higher colour than any other , and so if hee shall fall sicke , it must needs be of an intenser colour than of a phlegmaticke person : and this same phlegmaticke person in health shall have a paler coloured urine , and falling into some fever , the urine may be also paler than the former , and yet the party as dangerously sicke ; and so i could instance in many other like cases . againe , it appeareth sometimes of a blacke colour , and portendeth often no good to the party ; and yet this same colour may often prove criticall , and accompanied with like contents . it may sometimes againe appeare unto us like pure transparent water , without any contents at all , signifying sometimes crudity in the first concoction , sometimes obstructions , with a totall ouerthrow of naturall heat : howbeit sometimes it may be accompanied with extreme heat in a burning fevet , with a phrensie , of all others most dangerous , &c. in generall , in sicknesse , these colours and contents are very various and changeable , according to the nature of the disease , and constitution of the diseased , on which i will not now dwell , nor make any repetition of that which hath beene formerly handled . vrin again faileth somtimes in the excesse , being in too great a quanty , and sometimes in the defect , where little or no urine is excerned . in excesse , as in that disease called diabete , h●drops ad matulam , or pot-dropsie ; whersas by weaknesse of the retentive faculty , and want of concoction , drinke passeth thorow the body with little and small alteration : answerable to that disease in the stomacke , commonly called lienteria , being a defect of concoction in the stomacke and guts ; but with us is but rare . as for criticall excretion of urine , it is very profitable , and helpeth often to terminate the disease . now , on the other side , there is a frequent defect in the expelling of urine , and proceedeth from suppression totall or in part ; or else by difficulty , whereas without great difficulty and paine it is expelled . painfull pissing commeth divers manner of waies to passe : as either by the acrimony and sharpnesse of the humour , or by the imbecillity or weaknesse of the retentive faculty , proceeding often from cold : and is sometime occasioned by inflammation , ulcer , clotted or congealed blood , and by the stone , &c. suppression of urine proceedeth likewise from divers causes : sometimes by meanes of the obstruction , or stoppage of the guts ; and sometimes of the emulgent or sucking veines , when as by meanes of imbecillity they are frustrate of their attractive faculty , or yet by obstruction . a it is procured likewise by obstruction or passage of the kidnies , or urinary passages , and by meanes , of the imbecillity of the same . by reason of the obstruction of the foresaid passages , it is divers waies procured : as either by inflammation , knob or bunch of either of the these parts , or some tough phlegme impacted in , and cleaving fast to the place : as also sometimes , howbeit seldome , by reason of some holes and cavities left in the kidnies after the voiding of some stones . it is sometimes also caused by meanes of the bladder , or parts thereto adjoining , comming divers waies to passe : as first , by reason of the want of sense of feeling , by reason of the resolution of the nerve descending from the loines and hucklebone . secondly , by reason of the failing of the expelling power of the bladder , &c. thirdly , by the too great quantity of urine longer than is fit , deteined . fourthly , by a resolution of the muscles of the nether belly . fifthly , by the totall overthrow of the expulsive faculty : as in burning foevers , and then proveth for the most part mortall , as witnesseth b hippocrates , and yet divers other waies commeth this also to passe : as by the resolution of the muscle sphincter , a stone , bunch , clotted blood , &c. and this commeth sometimes to passe by consent of the places adjoining , the bladder and urinary passages being also sometimes so shut up , that they cannot freely deliver the urine ; and many times also cannot keepe it long : as commeth to passe in women with child . all these severall cases are to be cured accordingly , and that with a due regard had to their severall causes . the totall obstruction of urine proceeding from any cause , if long continuing , may prove mortall . such remedies as provoke urine , we commonly call diureticks , or provokers of urine . but neither are these in all cases of suppression to be administred , nor yet indifferently , when there is need , are they alwaies without a previous preparation to be used . now in all such obstructions of the urine , before we goe about the right cure , we are first to procure the expulsion of the urine out of the bladder , lest o● by the use diureticke medicines a greater attraction of humors increase the obstruction . and therefore in such cases we often use the helpe of a catheter , insessions , fomentations , inunctions , glisters , violent motions , as riding on a trotting horse , &c. such medicines as are properly called diureticke or expellers of urine , are of a hot and dry facultie , rarefying , attenuating and making thinne the humors . now such as are properly of this nature , doe not onely extenuat and rarefie the blood , but dissolve also , rarefie , and as it were , melt it , and make a sequestration of the thinnest serositie , coagulating and thickning the residue , as we see in curdled milke come to passe : and that serosity so separated , the kidnies , by their attractive faculty , draw unto the themselves , and from thence transmit it into the bladder ; and such not onely provoke urine , but even ingender it also . and such bee especially hot and dry simples , seeds especially : as of carrots , cumin , and the like . there is another sort of diureticks , milder than the former , which doth indeed attenuat , howbeit not so forcibly as the former ; which send it onely towards the passages of the urine : and of these there are yet two sorts , some being of greater force to extenuate and cleanse : as the foure hot seeds , namely parsly seed , &c. some againe performe this action more mildly and moderatly , and with a temperate heat ; as the foure cooling seeds , of melons , &c : so called in comparison with the other foure hot seeds . among these diureticke medicines are also reckoned some which supple and make smooth the passages : as marsh-mallow and licorice root , and prove often more beneficiall than the former more violent medicines , so ordinarily used by empiricks and ignorant persons . now it is a common received opinion among most people , that those violent hot and dry medicines are of all others most forcible and effectuall , to breake and expell the stone out of the kidnies or bladder : wherein notwithstanding they so farre are deceived , that for the most part , such medicines , not onely by reason of their great heat they communicate to the body , but also in regard they send downe too fast uncleanne and corrupt humors , doe rather much increase the matter of the stone . such simples therefore as are indued with a temperate heat , attenuating tough and clammie humors ; such as are asparagus root , and the like , are for this purpose the fittest . some medicines are thought to have a diureticke property accidentally , by scraping and tearing by their roughnesse the superficies or outmost part of the stone : as powder of burnt glasse . and some are thought by meanes of excessive heat to dissolve the viscosity of the stone , and breake it to powder . but i thinke thou maiest sooner by such medicines bake it harder , as we see brickes baked in a bricke kilne . some medicines by reason of some occult qualitie are esteemed good against the stone . and of this kind is the jewes stone , goats blood , and many other medicines . acid juices , as juice of lemon , spirit of vitriole , if they could in their full force come at the stone , and not offend the passages betwixt , in my opinion were of all others the fittest . but to draw this point to an end , there is no disease for the which there are more remedies boasted of , with the attestation of a probatum est at least , as much worth as the oath of one of the knights of the post : and yet no disease wherein we see fewer good effects follow . as for these hot violent diureticke medicines besides the former inconveniences , they prove often causes of excoriations in those tender nervous parts , and at length incurable and tormenting ulcers . and sometimes when as thou thinkest to have made a great purchase , to have procured of some empiricke or other ignorant person a rare remedy for the stone , thou art now falne , as we say , out of the frying-pan into the fire : and thou who before diddest so magnifie thy empiricke , and too much trust to his smoakie promises , art often then forced to implore the helpe of the learned physitian , when many times his best skill can scarce allay the extremity of thy painefull disease , whereas by wise counsell at first thou mightest both have prevented thy paine , and saved thy purse . and thus the proverb proveth often true , covetousnesse bringeth nothing home . to conclude then this point of urines , i wish , that in time of need people make not such an idole of their urines , that in time of sicknesse they thinke it sufficient to send their urine to the physitian , it may bee in an inke or oile bottle , and without any further to demand of the physitian , as of some oracle , not onely the disease ; but even often , all the circumstances thereof : but if you would speed well , if you will need your old mumpsimus in sending your urine to the physitian , acquaint your physitian with all the severall circumstances of the disease . but an honest learned physitian will bee better able to advise by one view of the patient , than twentie sights of the urine . it may be others , whose worth and sufficiency is confined to such an excrement , may like an empty barrell prate apace , and make thee beleeve wonders by thy water . and be carefull in any case in trustin● such cheaters with their rare recits against the stone , and if thou be wise , be warned by other mens harmes . chap. xxi . of ordure or fecall excrements , and divers things in them considerable , this excretion being sometimes too lavish , and sometimes deficient . next unto the urine for affinity we wil say somthing of the fecall ordure , an excrement of the first concoction performed in the stomacke . and howsoever some may perhaps think the consideration thereof to be of small use , yet hath it alwaies beene of great utility both in sicknesse and in health , and hath been by our antient physitians diligently observed : and a some have written whole tractats of this excrement , aswell as of urine . the utility thereof is by b hippocrates aswell mentioned as of the urine and sweat , and by him as much commended . moreover , if wee shall compare the urine with the fecall excrements , wee shall finde that of the urine farre inferior , which may seeme a strange paradox to our urine-mongers , who will have no signe but the urine of any signification . now the urine giveth onely notice of the state of the liver and the veines , and sometimes of the bladder : but this excrement besides the liver and the veines , giveth also notice of the nature of the mesaraicke veines , the stomacke , and the guts , and finally of the state of the whole belly , for the which we take so much paines , and for whose sake most men live , saith c pliny . this excrement is then thus defined : the most terrestrious part and purgation of the unprofitable part of aliment , in the consummation of concoction separated , and many times mingled with many waters . it is said to have other matters mingled therewith , by reason of choler which doth colour and dye these excrements ; which if not thus dyed , then were they not so good and laudable in quality as is required ; and some other substances have been some times observed , mingled therewith . wee will then beginne with those excrements which in every respect are accounted best ; and from thence wee may the better observe and know the deviation of others from that rule . the best then are neither too hard nor too soft , or liquid and thinne , but consisting of a meane betwixt both ; compact and firmely united , without the admixture of any uncouth matter , of a pale yellow colour , and in quantity answerable to the food received ; in smell , neither too stinking , not yet altogether free from all manner of smell , nor of too sharpe a quality ; and which are at the time accustomed , without any great paine , labor , straining , or great noise , easily expelled . such as decline further from these laudable markes , are alwayes accounted worse either in sicknesse or in health . and therefore thinne and very liquid excrements , unlesse procured by the like diet , by physicke , or by way of crise , are esteemed bad and unconcocted : as likewise such as are white in colour , and reteining still the quality of the food from whence they proceed : and such also as are of a high golden , or intense yellow colour , by reason of the affluxe of choler into the guts : and in like manner we approve not of too pale and frothy , and yet worst of all purulent and materie excrements . greene , black , linid or leaden coloured , unlesse by reason of such diet , or by way of crises , are dangerous and to be condemned ; and so are viscous and fat ordure , by reason they signifie colliguation and wasting . besides , whensoever a very bad stinking smell is joyned with a bad colour , it is very bad : for then it argueth a very great putrefaction . variety of bad colours in these excrements is also very bad ; as arguing in the body many ill infirmities . wormes on a criticall day with the ordure expelled signifie good : but if in the beginning of the disease they appeare , it is bad : and if they come forth by themselves without any excrements dead or alive in acute diseases it is dangerous . there be divers causes of these severall substances of excrements . thicke , compact and well united excrements proceed from a good concoction of the stomacke , and a temperate heat of the guts . thinne and liquid excrements proceed either from obstruction of the mesaraicke veines , or by reason the food is not digested and concocted , as in crudities : or else is not altered or changed ; as in the disease lienteria : or is corrupted ; as in belches from such matter may bee discerned . such excrements againe from the imbecillity of attractive faculty . fourthly from defluxion of humidity upon the guts . fiftly , from the quality and nature of the food , and such other things as loosen the belly ; as prunes , caffe , and the like . sixtly , drinke descending towards the guts , when as it is not carried thorow the mesaraicke veines to the liver , and attracted by the reines and ureters . soft excrements proceed also from divers causes . . from the moderate moisture of the guts . . from the mollifying diet : as mallowes , lettice and the like . . they proceed sometimes from the admixture of divers humors , proceeding from the liver or other parts ; as likewise from the admixture of some fat with the ordure : as in pthisickes , hecticke fevers turned to marasmes , &c. d and it is the opinion of galen , that in pestilentiall fevers the egestions are almost alwayes liquid , by reason of this fat substance . hard egestions againe proceed likewise of divers causes . . by reason of immoderate heat proceeding of great labour , from bathing , or some other externall cause . . by use of diureticke medicines , by which meanes these excrements may bee dried up . . by reason of astringent diet : as medlars , quinces , sloes , and the like . . the long continuance of the excrements in the guts may likewise occasion the same , the small veines implanted in the guts attracting all the moisture from the excrements , and the guts by this long continuance acquiring a greater heat . . by means of the dry constitution of the guts , and the like distemper of the whole body . i could here likewise insist on many other particulars concerning the mixture of severall sorts of excrements , and causes , which , to avoyd prolixity , i willingly passe by . but the question may here be asked , how often , and when is the best time for this evacuation in health ? i answer , that as wee can hardly certainly determine mens particular occasions , constitutions , and individuall proprieties and natures ; no more can wee absolutely set downe any verdict concerning this businesse : yet is it best in time of health to inioy this benefit at least once , if not twice aday : howbeit i am not ignorant , that some , both in sicknesse and in health , have continued divers daies , yea , sometimes weekes , without the use of this evacuation . i confesse indeed , such as were able to absteine from all manner of sustenance for divers yeeres together , needed not either this , or any other evacuation ; examples whereof i have produced some already . but in ordinary healthfull bodies this is alwaies the best , and so answerable also in sicknesse ; and who so decline from this rule , it commonly fareth not so well with them . i deny not but there are some individuall constitutions , who better indure the want of this benefit than others . neither yet is there any set quantity to be determined : for good and laudable nourishment ; as egges , and the like , ingender fewer excrements than herbes , browne bread , and the like . the best time is the morning , and if it may be conveniently , in the evening also before going to bed , will prove beneficiall . but it commeth many times to passe , than in fevers especially , and hot acute diseases , the body being bound , and , as it were , locked up , there arise and ascend up into the braine divers hot vapours , the cause of no small annoyance , not to that noble part only , but to the whole body : there must be therefore a speciall regard and care had to expell these excrements , especially by opening and loosening diet : and if that will not prevaile , by lenitive and milde gentle evacuations , suppositories and glisters . againe , it commeth so sometimes to passe , that nature is too forward in this kinde of evacuation ; as commonly in fluxes of all kindes , proving often very pernicious to the patient . now , these fluxes are of divers sorts ; as first , that wee call diarrhaea , the mildest and safest of all the rest ; and next , dysenteria , proceeding of divers humours , but ordinarily , with the admixtion of blood , and therefore called commonly the bloody fl●xe , or fluxe rather ; which , if not carefully in time look'd unto , proveth often dangerous , if not deadly . besides , there are yet other dangerous fluxes , call'd lienteria , and caeliaca , where the parts appropriated for concoction , being interessed by these fluxes , the body is frustrated its of proper nourishment . all these fluxes in due and convenient time , are by the advice and counsell of the wise and judicious physitian , by proper and convenient remedies to be cured : but now alwaies by the use of astringent medicines , by most people , ignorantly and unadvisedly used in those fluxes ; lest it befall thee , as it did that woman , of whom e fernel maketh mention , who , having beene for a long time troubled with a tedious fluxe in her belly , at length , by the advice and counsell of some shee neighbour , are a whole rosted quince , which indeed , presently stopp'd the fluxe , but withall burst a new passage thorow her belly . but having here no purpose in this place to insist either upon the cure , or diet of these particular diseases , and not willing any longer to deteine the reader with the entertainment of so unsavorie a subject , i proceed . chap. xxii . of spittle spiting , or salivation : of tabacco and the great abuse thereof in this kingdome , to the great preiudice of the health of the body . the braine , not onely by reason of situation , as a limbecke attracting many vapours from the inferiour region of the body : but also in regard of the moist temper and constitution , is apt to ingender much excrementitious moisture . but all this excrementitious matter or moisture is not altogether unprofitable : for some of this moisture is ingendred of certaine glands or kernells , by our great architect and creator placed in the jawes or uppermost part of the throat , to the end that those parts might thereby be moistened , lest by exsiccation of internall heat they should prove lesse usefull for the body . so then neither are these glands , nor that excrement they produce , without a profitable use in the body . of these glands , or kernells , and their utility , a galen maketh frequent mention , and affirmeth , that by the same , even the tongue is nourished . this excrement is called in the greeke , , or . and in the latin saliva , and with us spittle , spitting , and salivation : and when this too much aboundeth , it argueth great moisture of the braine . this spittle then is such a moisture , as in it selfe , in health , and a sound person , is a profitable , and laudable , and usefull excrement . this spittle then , which of all others is the best , in a sound and healthfull person , should be such , as neither exceedeth in quantity , nor yet hath any ill taste ; and this is spit up without any cough . now , when it aboundeth in quantity , wee use to spit it out ; and for this purpose , we often use divers meanes to further the same . and the body being ill affected , it sometimes exceedeth also in quality : and thus it appeareth sometimes of a yellow , pale , or blacke colour , howbeit the white be the best . sometimes againe , it is of an insipid , acid , bitter , salt or sweet taste : howbeit insipid or sweet be the best . sometimes againe , it is too tough or clammy , or else too thinne ; and the meane betwixt both is the best . these severall colours and tastes in the spittle do often indicate and demonstrat the nature of the humors conteined in the stomack , and therefore , in sicknesse especially , are of good use , and to be observed . when excrement exceedeth in quantity , wee use to purge it out , not onely naturally by expuition , or spitting out , but divers times by some appropriate medicines , used in divers diseases of the head proceeding from phlegmatick or rheumatick matter : and such are commonly of a hot or sharp quality , and are used sometimes to be chewed in the mouth , and draw downe abundance of rheumatick matter : and sometimes of these are made and composed certaine compounded formes : as gargarismes , masticatories , and liniments or ointments . of the simples whereof these are composed , some are of a more milde and gentle operation : as greene bay leaves , dill , and annise seed , tops of hyssop , &c. some againe , are of a more forcible operation : as pepper , pellitory of spaine , mustard seed , &c. the effect produced by these and the like medicines , we call salivation , or purging by spitting . and this salivation is observed sometimes not onely to purge the humours from the head , but from the whole body : but this is not by any of these ordinary medicines ; as in mercuriall inunctions for the french poxe commeth to passe . but in stead of all other medicines used for the expurgation of this excrement , there hath beene of late yeeres , since sir walter raleighs first voiage into the west indies , in use with us the smoake of an indian herbe , called by the indians tabacco . to insist upon any large discourse or description of this simple , the use of it being now so frequent , and so much said , both pro and contra , for and against it , will be thought , it may be , to small purpose , and thought perhaps , but to sing the cuckowes song ; yet comming now so handsomely in my way , and offering it selfe , as it were , into my armes , left i should leave any thing untouched , i will yet cast in my mite . as therefore every creature of god is good , so in this simple , this is as easie to be seene and observed . that this simple then is hot and dry in the second degree , cannot be denied : as for the second qualities arising from the first , as attenuation , penetration , discussion , &c. they cannot likewise be denied . and besides the afore-mentioned qualities , it participateth yet of a narcoticke or stupifying nature ; which , whether it proceed from heat , cold , or the whole substance , it is not my purpose here to dispute , leaving it rather to be discussed in the schooles . and howsoever out antient physitians did attribute unto those narcoticke medicines a transcending cold , even to the fourth degree : yet am i sure , that in this simple , with this narcoticke quality , concurreth both calidity and siccity . by reason then of these first qualities , it heateth and drieth very much ; and by consequent , conduceth in cold and moist diseases , and alike constitutions : and by reason of these second qualities , it openeth obstructions , cutteth tough and slimy humours , attenuateth and rarefieth them ; and therefore helpeth defluxions of phlegmaticke humours upon the wind-pipe and lungs , obstructions of the liver , &c. by its narcotick quality , it stupifieth & benummeth the senses , and so allaieth paine . and the indians often endure many daies hunger by the onely use of the smoake of this herb , this stupifying quality bereaving the nerves of sense , and procuring often times an artificiall and forced sleepe . besides all these , we have already proved , that it is indued with a violent purging quality , both upwards and downewards and that in as violent a manner , as either antimony , or that so much renowned hellebore , and the rest of those violent purging simples , used by hippocrates or others . and this proceedeth from none of the afore-mentioned qualities , as all our physitians confesse . it is likewise by the learned in this profession confessed , that such violent purges participate all of some maligne quality , contrary to mans nature : and therfore never sole and of themselves exhibited , without due preparation , and never in any great quantity , and that but seldome , and in cases of necessity , and for the most part to sharpen and quicken the dull and sluggish operation of other milder medicines . by that which hath been said then , let the ingenuous and judicious reader judge of the ordinary use , or rather abuse of this so noble a medicine . we see how nice and shy many people are of the use of good and wholesome physicke prescribed by the most industrious and skilfull artist , still pleading that in all physicke there is some poison : and yet may we see , and observe the same persons all the houres of the day smoaking this poison , sole and of it selfe , without any correction ; morning , evening and mid-day , fasting and feasting , before meales and after , before and after sleep , at home and abroad , in winter and sommer , and in all seasons whatsoever : and that for the most part without any respect either of age , sex , or any other circumstance whatsoever . the dry and melancholicke person is often as forward in the use of it , as the moist and cold , the leane as well as the far . if it be good for cold , foggy , moist constitutions , then must it needs be hurtfull for the contrary . if it be good to procure sleepe in watchfull bodies , then let the drowsie , sleepie sluggard refraine the use of it . opium prepared in the most artificiall and exquisite manner , although there bee scarce the proportion of one graine to twice or thrice as great a quantity of the best extracted cordialls , yet is it had in detestation , and such a suspition had of it , that it is often condemned before any good evidence given in against it . and yet dare i be bold to say , that some of those ordinary tabacconists take in one day the very quintessence and strength of a many graines , that i say no further , of this benumming , intoxicating tabacco . and whereas the other is used but seldome , by good advice , well prepared and corrected , and that in case of necessity too : this on the contrary is of all indifferently used , and without any preparation ( although many times , if they knew all the truth , there is some poyson added to the former ) of an unlimited quantity , as every ones unbridled affection , and unlimited lust leadeth him . but it will be objected , that people find hereby some benefit , abundance of rheume being thereby avoided at the mouth . i answere , that there is thereby much moisture voided , but many times , yea for the most part , good naturall and radicall moisture is thereby extracted . but this is neither safe , nor yet agreeth with sound reason . it hath been already proved that there is a necessary use of this laudable humor , which ought not thus , without rime or reason as we say , be exhaust , when as againe many times by a new supply with the pot wee fill in twice as much as was exhaust . we complaine often , and not without cause , of empirickes and ignorant practitioners , that they commonly erre in this particular , that they purge away both good and bad humors indifferently : and shall we wrong our selves in the same kind , wherein wee find fault with others ? but as concerning the seeming ease it giveth for the present , it is but momentary and of short continuance ; but the hurt redounding by exsiccation of radicall moisture and profitable humidity more permanent , and of longer endurance : so that of this it may well be said , that the remedy is worse than the disease . what shall i say of the venomous and violent deleterious damps from thence imparted to the braine and animall parts , by reason whereof we often see such strange astonishment and amazement in the senses ? if any shall reply that by reason of heat and drouth it drieth up a moist braine : i answere , that as in such a braine i hold it best , so againe i say , if a cow yeeld a good deale of milke , and kicke it downe when she hath done , what hast thou here to bragge of ? if it doe thee good that way , and perhaps hurt thy memory , and by long continuance leave some ill impression upon thy body , brag of thy winning . and why may not sage as safely , and without any seeming shew of danger be used ? it is by all our physitians accorded and agreed upon , that it doth apparently corroborate and strengthen the nerves , and by consequent , all the animall powers , besides the many excellent vertues thereof recorded , the like whereof were never ascribed to tabacco . and in obstructions of the pipes of the lungs , why might we not with far greater reason use the harmelesse and innocent smoake of colts foot ( since the world is now become so smoakie ) than the dampish smoake of this deletorious plant ? but we see the world is now full of fansies and phantasticke fashions , and this growne now of late yeeres , a new fashion to smoake away our precious time with this smoakie weed ; besides , that this proveth often but a shooing-horne to make them draw downe drinke apace , the pip and the pot mutually entertaining one another : the dry ale-house , ( so did a reverend judge on the bench lately stile these smoakie places ) as said is , proving often a preparative to the other . some againe in defence of this whiffing plead , that it proveth beneficiall for the furtherance of digestion , without the which they are not able to eate any . i answere , that tabacco in this case proveth as lime laied to the root of a tree , which howsoever hasteneth , it may be , the maturity of the fruit , yet by meanes of exsiccation , and precipitate maturation , the tree is farre sooner overthrowne and decaieth : even so commeth it here to passe , where tabacco driveth the meate downe out of the stomack before it receive that due alteration it ought , and consequently , howbeit the stomacke be sooner emptied , yet crudities the mother of a multitude of diseases are often thereby ingendred , which in their appointed times bring forth oftentimes a bitter fruit of many incurable diseases . how much better then were it not to oppresse thy stomacke , and to impose no heavier burden on it than it is well able to beare ? and if ceized with any debility , are there not many good wholesome and corroborant medicines farre safer than this smoake ? besides , that moderate exercise and abstinence till thy appetite returne , would perhaps prove better medicines than thou art aware of : sure i am , farre better than all the tabacco of trinidad . now what hath beene hitherto said concerning this simple , i understand even of the best not sophisticate : what shall we then say of that which is sophisticate and adulterate with divers , yea it may be sometimes deleterious drugs , yea even sublimate it selfe ? now if notwithstanding all that hath been said , people will needs bee dallying with a doubtfull drugge , yet i advise them , that as in other medicines they are wished to weigh divers circumstances : as of time , place , age , constitution of body , the disease , the quantitie , quality , and the manner of preparation : so thinke i here the like circumspection , and care not to be neglected . and this i speak to the more understanding & discreeter sort , who erre it may be out of ignorance . as for our roaring bores , tosse-pots , pot-companions , and our ordinary swil-bolls , who , i thinke , will be readier to jeere and flout , than be reformed and ruled by my counsell , therfore such i leave to be corrected with their owne rod , and it may be a sharper , if they persist . i advise especially all thin , cleare and cholericke , constitutions , as likewise all melancholicke persons , especially by meanes of choler adust , hot brained and yong people , women with child , and all such as are sicke of any acute diseases , to absteine from the use thereof . it is best to be used in winter , in raw and moist weather , and in cold and moist braines , in dropsies , defluctions upon the joints and lungs , proceeding from cold humors , tooth-ach , gout , pector all infirmities , &c. as also for the megrim , proceeding from the same cause , the mother , and divers infirmities of the braine proceeding from wind & cold moisture . as for the age , it best befitteth old age , where the brain is cold and moist . and as for the kind of life , mariners and sailers , and such as live neer waters , and there use their trade : as tanners , pelt-mongers , and the like ; and such as live in moist , fenny , waterish and moorish places : as in holland , in lincolneshire , and other like places . and such as make use of it thus physically ( for to such here i direct my speech ) i thinke it very fit they use with it some correctives , it having as great need as any most violent purge whatsoever , as hath bin already proved . in diseases of the braine therefore , a drop or two of the oile of amber , cloves , mace ; or in defect of them , some of their powder , or halfe sage , some dry rosemary , or the like : if in epilepticall fits , some powder of paeoniae seeds , or roots will much correct the ill qualities of this intoxicating simple , and corroborate the animall powers . in diseases of the lungs , joints , cholicke from wind , or phlegme and the like , a drop or two of the oile of annise seeds , of mints , cumin or caroway seeds , or in defect of them , some of the powder of the seeds will serve for a good corrective . but howsoever , let no man deceive himselfe so farre , as to thinke this to be some famous panacea , nepenthe , or some golden elixir , whereof there hath beene much bragging , but small benefit as yet reaped . if thou wilt not be warned by that which i and others have advertised thee , thou maiest , perhaps , repent when it will be too late : and howsoever thou findest not alwaies suddenly such ill successe as we fore-tell thee , yet remember , that oftentimes in yonger yeers , there is such seed of diseases by disorder sown in the body , that in old age bringeth forth much bitter fruit . and of this i am verily perswaded , that the excessive and disorderly use of this simple , is no small cause , as of the more frequent raigning of divers dangerous diseases among us , so of many strange and uncoth accidents , according to the severall and individuall bodies therewith assaulted . but yet before i finish this point concerning salivation , i must give notice of an ignorant and dangerous custome of some barber-surgeons in the use thereof . some of these many times undertake the cure of some in●●●●●t●●● 〈…〉 with an ordinary 〈…〉 with a 〈…〉 by 〈…〉 into this c●●rt , o● 〈…〉 by 〈…〉 mercurially 〈◊〉 , which in this cas● 〈◊〉 commonly uses , wh● 〈…〉 no●th all there 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 into 〈…〉 with a 〈…〉 . his reason , as s●●be of her 〈…〉 ●ted 〈…〉 all 〈…〉 or this cause was , to draw the humour upwards , and fr●● the 〈…〉 . but here the whole frame of her body was out of order the live 〈…〉 body , especially the nether parts , by reason 〈…〉 . now , whether such a cours● was then sit 〈…〉 the ●●rned ●●dge , and besides , a reasonable in 〈…〉 by that which hath been said already 〈…〉 and their wai●s , how unfit and indirect a course this was , 〈…〉 mak● it in th●● appeare , but that now i● cann●t , 〈…〉 thi● particular . onely by th● way , take a 〈…〉 sottish stupidity , and or 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 this so●● 〈…〉 counsell , a 〈…〉 onely 〈…〉 time , being 〈◊〉 winte● , to 〈…〉 such a 〈◊〉 as 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 from an● kinde of physicke , to 〈…〉 by 〈…〉 and a●e●snesse , and partly for 〈…〉 ●presse upon her , sh●● seeming 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 the spirits of the yeere : and yet , 〈…〉 it perswasion , shee that before was unwilling to 〈…〉 ●tion , submitted her selfe to this trouble some mercuriall 〈…〉 ●vation , and such other directions hee was pleased to ordeine , 〈…〉 member ▪ very neere a matter of a yeere , i speake n●t this 〈…〉 will i beare this mans person : but pleading now f●r the publi●● 〈…〉 ●he which i haue my warrant from my m●ther , the vniversity . i thought not my duty to betray the truth , but hee ●om● to my 〈…〉 to vindicate the same from error and impo●ture . and therof for 〈…〉 ●●suredly knowne that the same party hath with others pr●ceeded aft●● this same manner , in other cases also , and where , i dare sweare ther● was not the ha●t ●●●●ition of the po●e , i thought good to give the countrie notice , that they be no more deluded . and that so much 〈◊〉 ●ther , in that ● supp●se it be not his errour ●●●ly , but 〈…〉 be culpable in th same binde . chap. xxiii . of snot or snevell : rheume falling downe upon the lungs and other pectorall parts : of expuition , or expectoration ; and the great abuse in the use of expectorating medicines , and the right use thereof . as in the whole body of man there are divers emunctories or passages whereby superfluous and excrementitious matter is expelled ; so hath the braine for the same purpose obteined the nose , which besides other uses , hath this in particular , thereby to expell such superfluous excrements as abound in the braine . this excrement most usually thus expelled , is by the greeke physitian hippocrates especially , call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : in latine mucus narium : in english snot of snewell . a this is then an excrement of the braine , the which abounding in phlegmaticke moisture , whatsoever is superfluous or unprofitable , it partly expelleth by the nose , and partly by other places . of this excrementitious matter , some is sometimes very thinne , and some tough and clammy , sometimes in a greater , sometimes in a smaller quantity : some againe hot , some cold ; some also sweet , unsavoury , and bitter : againe , some without and smell , and some of an evill smell , as commeth to passe in ulcers called ozenae , and principally in the french pox , where the nose , to the view of the eye , may often be discerned to be eaten away with this venomous matter . this excrement is againe often died with divers colors ; as reddish , yellowish , white . sometimes this snot commeth away of its own accord , and sometimes otherwise expelled . such excrements as are purg'd by the palat of the mouth and the nose , according to galen , declare unto us how the braine and the members thereof are affected . when this matter is thinne , it signifieth a colliquation , as it were , a melting of this matter , and the beginning of this distillation : but that againe which is thicker , argueth concoction , and that it is either now at the height , or else declining . when this excrement stinketh , it is alwaies taken for an evill signe , indicating an ulcer , and sometimes taken for a signe of headach proceeding from wormes . great abundance of this excrementitious humidity in the braine , is signified , where this excrement aboundeth , and by consequence , often stupidity , or debility of memory : descending copiously of its owne accord , it is not so good as when it is blowne out . when it is of a reddish colour , it is not so to be approved of , as arguing alwaies some blood . salt or bitter argue some heat ; sweet and insipid , the contrary . when this excrement is stopp'd , and the head stuffed , the passages must by convenient and fit meanes be opened , by means of the juice of beets , marjoram , and many other such opening simples , either the juice or dry powder thereof being for this purpose used . such are commonly called errhina , or caputpurgia . if it be too aboundant , then meanes must be used to dry the braine by powders , perfumes , &c. especially , a spare and drying diet , and forget not to keepe warme the head and feet . but wee finde often , that a liquid thinne excrement taketh another way , and from the braine descendeth and falleth downe upon divers parts of the body ; which , when it falleth down upon the pectorall parts , wee commoly call the rheume , which , as also catarrhus , is a greeke word , signifying a defluxe , or falling downe . in latine sputum is common to both that we call saliva , whereof before , and this same whereof wee now speake . that spittle or rheume in b galens esteeme is the best , which is white in colour , smooth and equall , being neither too moist and liquid in substance , not yet too thicke and tough : and avicenne out of hippocrates addeth , that they be easie , and of speedy expectoration . this theumaticke matter is either solitary without any other disease or symptome ; or else therewith accompanied ; to wit , a feuer . when it falled downe upon the wind-pipe , or the pipes of the lungs , and be not very hot or sharpe , it causeth hoarsnesse and shortnesse of breath , in intention or remission , according as the humour lesse or more aboundeth ; and as it is tough and clammy , or thinner ; as also according to the strength or weaknesse of the part recipient , &c. when there is a fever joined with such a matter , falne downe vpon the pectorall parts , it is commonly either a pleuresie , or inflammation of the lungs , called peripneumonia : howbeit i deny not but that there are also divers other rheumaticke fevers , whereof i purpose not here to speake . this excrement is found to be of divers tasts : as sweete , insipid , bitter and salt , proceeding from the nature of the humours they are ingendred of . and it is likewise of divers colours , partaking also of the nature of the humours : as some are white , some reddish , some yellow , blacke or greene , which varietie of colours is oftenest in pleuresies to be observed . sometimes there is also some other matter mingled therewith : as sometimes a congealed mattery substance , sometime a cartisaginous substance from the wind-pipe , and sometimes also little stones . now , this rheumaticke matter falling downe upon any of the aforesaid parts , if it be not from thence expelled , is not a little prejudiciall to the health , and is commonly accompanied with a cough . upon the first annoyance of the cough therefore , it is a common custome to use some meanes to expell this humour ; which is most commonly done without any order , or distinction , either of causes or constitutions , &c. and none so ignorant , but they are furnished with some one or other , if not more medicines for the cold , as they call it . and yet in the use of them there is no small caution to be observed , both of the state of the body , the time of the disease , the part ttansmitting , commonly the head ; and the part recipient , or receiving , to wit , the parts within the brest . when as this excrement is hard to be expelled , wee are by all meanes possible to further and facilitate the same : and this difficulty proceedeth from a double cause , the thinnesse and sharpnesse , or from the toughnesse and clamminesse of the humor . the former we effect by incrassation of the humor , by sparing and orderly diet , and divers other things which doe incrassat and thicken this thinne matter : as conserve of roses , sirup of violets , of jujubes , &c : and divers compound medicines tending to this same purpose . if it be tough and impacted into the pipes of the lungs , then are wee to use such meanes as may both cut and expell it : as colts-foot , maidens haire , hyssop , licorice , and the like ; whereof are made divers sirups and other compositions for the effecting of this businesse . and when these will not serve the turne , then make we use of some more forcible meanes , as of oxymel simplex , and compounded with divers forcible ingredients , as squills , &c : as shall by the counsell and directions of the learned be prescribed . and this is the proper way by which diseases of the pectorall parts are ordinarily purged : howbeit sometimes , although seldome , we use to purge by stoole in these cases . it is here also to be observed , that such medicines as are for this purpose appointed , be prepared in a solid , or at least not a very liquid forme , that they may be lickt downe , or else let melt under the tongue : for taken in a great quantity , and drunke or swallowed downe , they goe onely into the stomacke , and so into the guts and veines , and therefore produce not the expected effect . hence doth appeare the error of such as thinke to drive away their cold , as they call it , by large draughts of buttered beere to bed-wards ; which is so farre from answering their expectation , that by hindring and interrupting concoction , increasing crudities , opening the orifice of the stomacke , and loosening the same , and by fuming up into the head , it rather furthereth and increaseth this cough or cold , call it as thou wilt . it is in like manner to be observed , that as sweet things loosen tough phlegme , and so facilitate expectoration , so doth the too frequent use of them much debilitate the concocting faculty of the stomacke , besides that in cholericke persons they are apt to ingender the like humor . and the too frequent use of too acid , tart or sharpe things , is here also to be shunned : but bitter things , howbeit better for both , yet scarce so wel-come to the apitian palats of our age . and it is here likewise to be observed , that in diseases conteined within this second region , the spittings up , sputa are equivalent to the urines in many other diseases , whereby wee judge of the concoction or crudity of the disease : as c galen himselfe at great length witnesseth : yea , and he himselfe willeth us , in the first place , ere ever we view the water , in diseases of this naure to consider of that which is spit up , which may often reveale unto us the causes of the disease , and sometimes the indications thereof . for that which is spit up reasonable thicke , except some other worse matter be joined therewith , doth most commonly argue concoction : as againe on the contrary , that which is very thinne and liquid argueth cruditie , especially in the beginning of diseases . very tough and clammy matter spit up in a pleurisie , argueth the length and contumacie of the disease : yet if it bee frothie , it is a signe it proceedeth from putrefied phlegme . that which is spit up of it selfe without any admixture of other matter , is good and laudable ; and yet in a pleurisie and inflammation of the lungs argueth the crudity of the disease . if it be thinne , salt , and in a small quantity , according to galen , argueth alwaies cruditie ; and avicenne addeth , the long continuance of the disease : and if joined either with matter , caruncles , or small cartilages , or little stones , there is no good presaged . in pthisickes or ulcerat lungs , if all spitting up faile , it is alwaies a dangerous , if not a deadly signe . if this excrement should too much abound , we must looke into the cause , and cure it accordingly , by good and sparing diet , by light suppers , and sometimes none at all ; corroboration of the braine , by perfumes , plasters , and other things in such cases requisite . by that which hath beene said then , may evidently be understood , how erroneous is the opinion of the vulgar , esteeming that all diseases may by the bare inspection of the urine onley bee discerned ; as also of such ignorant , erroneous , and covetous empiricall practitioners , who being void of all true sufficiency in the profession of physicke , would by this or other indirect meanes magnifie themselves , amongst the more rude and ignorant sort of people . chap. xxiv . of carnall copulation , the right use , and abuse thereof : what age and constitutions it best befitteth . something concerning the menstruous fluxe in women . besides all these unprofitable excrements , and to be expelled out of the body , there is yet a profitable excrement ingendred in the body of man , abounding not in quality but in quantity onely , and that for a beneficiall and profitable end , the propagation of mankind . and this is that we call the food of generation , which with man is common to unreasonable creatures . this excrement then is nothing else save a remainder of some portion of blood after the whole body is served in the third concoction , and which being altered and changed into a white colour in the spe●maticall vessells , is in those places reserved untill it be expelled in the act of generation . this is not found in the body untill it have atteined to yeeres of puberty , and these persons atteined to some reasonable stature , all the blood before being imploied to the growth and increase of the body . the proper use of this so utile and profitable excrement , is the multiplication of mankind , and is found both in man and woman . and therefore as other excrements , so is this sometimes to bee expelled out of the body , the which being too long deteined , in some bodies especially , proveth often the occasion of divers diseases and dangerous accidents . but as in all other things , so here especially , i meane , a moderation should bee observed , and herein the lawes of god and man be not infringed . the moderate ; timely and orderly use thereof is in many respects usefull and profitable : for , besides that it serveth for the propagation of mankinde , it inhibiteth also the repletion of the body , reviveth the spirits , exciteth naturall heat , helpeth the agility of the body , preventeth phlegmaticke diseases , dilateth the pores of the body , quickeneth the minde , and qualifieth fury and melancholy . the immoderate and unseasonable use thereof , resolves the spirits , cooleth the body , hurteth the head , eyes , nerves and joints , ingendreth crudities , dulleth the minde and senses , procureth a stinking breath , pissing of blood , consumption of the backe , &c. and this i say to such as will take warning , and will not wittingly and willingly overthrow both soule and body . i thinke it is to small purpose to speake to these sensuall sardanaples of this our licentious and luxurious age , our common haunters of whore-houses , to brothel birds , and the like , who will sell their soules , and part of paradise for satisfying a short lasting lust . but because such sensuall epicures are seldome moved with divine threats , and scarce ever firmely beleeve there is a hell , untill they fall headlong into it ; therefore if the premisses will not serve the turne , let such know , that , besides the loathsome poxe , rottenesse of bones , and a world of weaknesses doe often accompany their later yeers , if divine punition permit them so long to live : besides , that as the a wise-man saith , that by meanes of a whorish woman , a man is brought to a morsell of bread , and if hee should yet escape all this , yet is he but led like an oxe to the slaughter , as witnesseth the same wise solomon . and all that which is in the same golden booke of proverbes set downe concerning this subject , i wish they would read , and seriously consider : i knew , my selfe , within these few yeeres , a knight of antient descent , having left him by his father of antient inheritance , pounds sterling of yeerely rent to spend , who having in a short space wasted all this estate on whores , and other excesse , was at length brought to that passe , that hee had not a morsell of bread to put in his belly , but what hee begged , or else sharked for ; and for his lodging , hee had some shop doore in the city to lie at , a penthis to shelter him from the raine , and a hard bulke for his feather bed : many that read this , can , no doubt , out of their owne knowledge , instance in a multitude of the like examples . the age fittest for this act , is manly age , to the younger sort and old age it being rather hurtfull . from hence may then evidently appeare the preposterous course of many , who , for some sinister respect , either for covetousnesse to compasse some great match , some great alliance or the like , often cause children to marry before ever they know what marriage meanes ( although not alwaies consummate , yet in effect , and finished at parents or neere friends pleasure ) or how to make a free choice , which ought to be voluntary , and not forced : and hence commeth it to passe , that both their bodies are debilitated , their growth often hindred ( that which should have turned to the nourishing and increasing of the body , being too soone , as we have already said , turned another way ) divers diseases ingendred , and their issue ( if they have any , they being ordinarily not so fruitfull as others ) proving often crasie and valetudinary , and by the just judgement of god , upon such unlawfull matches , there is seldome seen that firme love and true affection , agreement and concord betwixt such parties as ought to be , in this sacred ordinance , as i have often observed , and by relation heard of a many more : besides , that many times they prove afterwards more incontinent : for considering that they were not of judgement sufficient when they were first married , disliking the party that before was , as it were , pinned upon them , breake forth into unlawfull lust . it is their sinne , i confesse , but parents and friends minister occasions , which prove more dangerous , when these parties have not first been trained up in the feare of god , which , alas the pitty , is too much neglected . such , therefore , as have children marriageable , it is the parents duty to provide for their children matches in due time , observing the disposition of their children , lest the neglect of this duty done in due time , extort out of them aftewards a too late repentance . such as cannot so suddenly , as need requireth , be furnished to their liking , let parents be more watchfull over them , and all have a care of their pious education in their younger yeeres , preventing all occasions of evill ; idlenesse especially , reading of lewd lascivious love books , frequenting lewd and lascivious company ; stage-plaies especially , the very bane and break-necke of all modesty , honesty and chastity : and all other things that may worke prejudice in this kind . and such as are of yeeres of discretion , and sui iuris ; and now by death of parents freed from that triall of obedience , i wish them to marry , rather than burne and breake out in sinne , and so live to dishonour god , and scandalise their neighbour . and if they cannot accommodate themselves so suddenly , let them in the meane-time avoid all provocations to lust , use spare and thinne diet , avoiding the pampering of the flesh , using often for companion the bible and other good bookes , and other good meanes . but in any case , never abandon thy selfe to idlenesse ; but alwaies be imploied in some good and laudable vocation , whereby thou maist prove profitable either to church or common-wealth . but this belonging more properly to the divines pulpit than the physitians pen , i leave to them . but now because it concerneth every one , both in sicknesse and in health , to be acquainted with that which concerneth them so neere : i therefore advertise all weake , feeble and infirme persons , that they be not too busie in this particular . of constitutions the hot and drie cholericke , and next dry melancholicke persons are most thereby indamaged : but hot and moist , sanguine and phlegmaticke bodies are hereby most benefitted . and i advise sicke persons , especially in acute diseases , and in their recovery , untill they have atteined their full strength , for feare of a relaps , to absteine from this act . as for chronicall , or long continuing diseases , by reason it is an enemy to the nerves , and nervous parts , it is therefore in many infirmities of the braine , epilepsie especially , and all manner of gouts most hurtfull . as for the age , the particular yeeres cannot so well be determined , some being more able at twenty , than others at thirty or upwards : and some old men of fourescore , abler than others at fifty : but yet , as i touched before , to marry children , or young people while they are yet a growing , it is both prejudiciall to the publike , and their owne private persons . for feeble old age , it cannot but prove very pernicious , as any one may easily understand . as for the time of the yeere , the most temperate , keeping a meane and moderation betwixt heat and cold , as in other evacuations , so here likewise is alwaies most seasonable . but in extreme hot or cold seasons be wary & circumspect , especially in time of great heat , which is more hurtfull than the cold . as for the particular time , some have preferred the evening , by reason of sleepe insuing after ; but most are for the morning , as most seasonable . howsoever , after a full stomacke , any violent exercise or bodily labour that hath much debilitated the strength , is not to be used . and besides , among men , some are sometimes ignorant of that they ought to know , and some more sensuall than becommeth so noble a creature ; therefore , in time of a womans menstruous fluxe , as likewise that time which is set apart for this evacuation , after a womans delivery they must absteine : the which b as we see to have beene by gods owne appointment practised among the people of the iewes , so for divers good respects , the same is to remaine with us inviolable . now , if this excrement be not in due time and order expelled , it proveth often the cause of divers diseases both in man and woman : as that we call gonorrhaea , or involuntary effluxe of seed in either sexe , proceeding also sometimes from the debility of the retentive faculty . in women it occasioneth often histericall passions , or fits of the mother , greene sicknesse , obstructions , palpitation of the heart , &c. but in both sexes i wish that moderation which becommeth christians to be observed , and withall , to consider that a man may be drunke with his owne drinke , if he take too much , and besides , that * a man may ( as our divines hold ) even commit adultery with his owne wise . there is yet no small prejudice hereby procured to thine owne health , and besides , hath cost many a man his life . c pliny maketh mention of two roman knights , quintilius horatius , and cornelius gallus , who both died in this act . i thinke , few that read this treatise , but can relate the tragicall stories of many , who have by this meanes both shortned their lives , wasted their meanes , and purchased to themselves many loathsome and dangerous diseases , the poxe , especially ( a punishment sent from god to punish this odious sinne ) and we may see in every corner of the country the wofull effects of this excesse of luxury . in all that i have already said , my purpose is not to disswade any from the use of that sacred ordinance of wedlocke , which god in the depth of his sacred wisedome hath ordeined as a fit remedy for preventing of sinne , and for the great good and manifold comfort of mankinde : but only to advise all people to a moderation , and withall , wishing every one to know themselves , and who have more or lesse need , and accordingly to accommodate themselves in the lawfull use of this ordinance . and from hence may manifestly appeare the malapert sawcinesse of that man of sinne and his shavelings , who in direct opposition to gods command , and approbation of this sacred ordinance , will make it knowne to the whole world , that he is that man of sinne foretold by the holy d apostle , forbidding marriage and meats . it hath , by that which hath bin said , plainly appeared , that some persons , and some constitutions may better and longer forbeare this ordinance than others : but never was it by god absolutely forbidden any estate , degree , sexe , or any sort of people , to use this sacred ordinance , priest nor people , in the old or new testament : nay , is there not a punctuall e place to the contrary ? marriage is honourable among all men , and the bed undefiled . but the pope replies , ( lest it should not be taken notice hee is antichrist ) that it is not so , marriage is dishonorable to my shavelings . but what ? to keepe a concubine , yea , to practise that unnaturall sinne of sedomi● , by god himselfe punished by fire from heaven , belike is no sinne : nay , what shall it be then for a clergie man , nay , for a f popish prelate , not by word of mouth onely , but by a booke in print proclaime his owne shame to the open view of the world , and the romish clergies impious , abominable , and more than brutish luxurious and lascivious lives . and if one should make a narrow search , and take a survey of these holy fathers of the church , wee shall finde them nothing inferiour to , if not exceeding sodome by many degrees in filthy lust ; and then what we may expect from children of such parents , let the world judge . we may read of iulius the d. who , to grace that gracelesse innocentius , whom he had before abused in commiting with him that sinne against nature , when he was himselfe installed into s. peters chaire , preferred this base varlet into the number of the cardinalls . and when as some writers had by publicke writings detested his blasphemies and other grosse villanies , he suborned one of his favorites by publike writing to defend the lawfulnesse of these abominable villanies ; and lest he should be unlike himselfe , by his bull and broad seale allowed of all this varlets witing . sixtus the . for another monument to perpetuat the memory , and continue the practice of these salacious satyres , erected in rome a publike stewes for the daily practice of both kindes of uncleannesse , for the which they pay even yet a weekly tribute to this unholy holinesse , the which often amounteth to ducats in the yeere : and this is by his clergie collected , and by them together with his church revenues brought in to his coffers . this same holy father at the request and petition of one of his favorites , whom he abused in the same sodemiticall sin , granted to his whole family , and to a certaine company of cardinalls freely to use this sin ( a horrible impietie to be mentioned , saith mine author ) in the three hot months of the yeere , iune , iuly & august . and iohn the . was accused in the councel of constans for a whoremaster , adulterer , and a sodomite . of clement the . it is recorded that hee was a bastard , a poisoner , a murderer , a bawd , a smoniacke , a sorcerer , a ra●i●h●r , sodomite , sacrilegious , and a contriver and inventer of all wickednesse . such were benedict , . and the . and paul the . and for the commendation of this paul . it is written of him that he prostituted his owne sister , that he might become bishop and cardinail o● hostia . another sister with whom he was as familiar as a man with his wife , by reason he saw her more affectioned to another than himselfe , hee poisoned . and being taken in the very act of adultery with another mans wife , received of the husband such a blow , that he carried the marke of it to his grave . and that he might the more freely enjoy the company of his owne daughter whom hee had for a long time thus abused , he caused poison her husband . he had in his memoriall the names of . thousand whores of whom hee received a monethly tribute . and these might kisse his foot , have familiar accesse unto him , and converse with him both day and night . these few instances among a multitude more i have set downe , that the world may see the hypocrisie of that filthy roman strumper , who would beare the world in hand , they and their clergy are very chast and continent , and yet none can come neere them in all manner of uncleannesse . nay , there lived a gentleman here in this towne a few yeeres agoe , in the priory of st. andrewes , whose sonne told me he saw among some deeds concerning this priory , his father had then in custody during his lease , one , wherein a priest , as i remember , living at saywell within foure miles of this same towne , was for something hee held of the prior , tied to bring him every moneth a pretty , faire , young wench : and this was not said to be for lust ( they know not what it meaneth , simple babes ) but to cleanse his kidnies : pu●llam pulchram nitidam , &c , non libidinis gratia sed ad purgandos renes ; were the words as i remember . nay , if i should hold my peace the multitude of young childrens skulls found in many ponds of these convents of many monks , friers and nunnes , when they were cleansed , would proclaime the romish whores uncleannesse . and this by the way for a touch shall suffice to have said concerning this point . now besides this profitable excrement of seed of generation , there is yet another in women , appointed also for a profitable and necessary use . and this is the blood of the menstruous fluxe , which is good and laudable blood , of the same nature and property of the rest of the blood of the body , at first appointed for a profitable use , the nourishment of the infant in the mothers whomb : and after it is brought into the world , this alimentarie liquor is by certaine vessells , as so many pipes , for this end and purpose appointed , conveied into the breasts , and there by paps or dugs converted into a white liquor , which we call milke , the proper aliment of the infant , the which is still by the mother to be continued , and to be exhibited to this tender fruit of her womb , so long as shall be needfull . in women that are with child , whether virgins or married women where this fluxe is become habituall , that which superaboundeth , in sound and healthfull bodies is ordinarily by a periodicall course once a moneth expelled . but upon divers occasions it commeth often to passe , that both in maids and married women this fluxe being stopt proveth a cause of many dangerous diseases , and therefore by good and wise counsell this fluxe is to be furthered , and if it be not regulat and keep not the due times and turnes , we are by fit and appropriat remedies , according to the severall causes and circumstances , to provoke and further the same , on the which here were too long to insist , my booke already being growne to that bignesse that i dare not bee too bold . howsoever i advise young maides not to bee too idle , and cocketing mothers not too much to mainteine them in idlenesse . this fluxe is sometimes againe facultie in the excesse , which is then with great discretion , according to the severall causes and circumstances to be suppressed . but i advise every woman afflicted with this infirmitie to be wise , and not be too busie with empirickes , and womens receits by strong astringent meanes suddenly to stop this course , which was never yet by the judicious and learned allowed for a legall cure of this disease . on the diet befitting both this and other fluxes proper to this sex , it requiring some more paines and time then i can now well spare , i will not insist , but reserve it to some fitter opportunity , when as if god spare my life and health i may give this sex some more particular satisfaction . chap. xxv . of sleeping and waking , the benefit and use thereof in sicknesse and in health . the severall sorts of sleepe ; and what persons may freeliest sleep , and who lesse . having hitherto at great length discoursed of foure things commonly called not naturall : to wit , of the aire and other elements ; of meat and drink , the uses and preparations in sicknesse and in health ; of exercises of divers sorts ; and lastly of divers sorts of evacuations ; we come now to the fift , watching and sleeping , not unworthy of our consideration both in sicknesse and in health . my meaning is not here to enter into a curious and philosophicall discourse concerning the nature and essence thereof , but leave such speculations to our schooles , and who so will bee satisfied herein , let him have recourse to a that prince of philosophers who hath handled this subject learnedly and at great length . the same author and galen also referre both sleeping and waking to the common sense . as for the seat of sleep , we with b galen and all our famous physitians doe undoubtedly place it in the braine , from whence the originall of the nerves is by the senses to be observed , and from thence the nerves communicated to the whole body impart both motion and feeling to every part and particle of the same : although i confesse aristotle as he would have the originall of the nerves in the heart , so following the same error , would likewise have the seat of sleepe feated in the heart : which we utterly reject , whatsoever c acute scaliger seeme to say to the contrary ; who by the sharpenesse of his wit would seeme to think that his ipse dixit should be sufficient to make us beleeve that the moone is made of greene cheese . but my purpose is not here to enter upon any polemicall matter , but proceed to that which concerneth the consideration of this subject in sicknesse and in health . under watching wee here comprehend both the functions of the common sense . the first is the distribution of the animall faculty proceeding from the head to the organs of the outward senses , to the end they may receive the species : and the next is , the perception it selfe , and the judging of such species received into these organs of the outward senses . now sleepe is not properly a function of any sense , but a certaine affection following upon the naturall function of the senses , to wit , waking , that thereby the strength which by waking was tired out , might the better be repaired and refreshed . the moderation of both these in sicknesse and in health are very necessary , and when either exceedeth , the body is much endamaged , and health much hindered . immoderate watching drieth up , attenuateth , exhausteth and debilitateth the body , and spendeth the spirits ; and therefore in hot acute diseases , if long continuing , prov ▪ the very dangerous . sleep , produceth the contrary effects ; howbeit exceeding measure dulleth the body , moisteneth too much , oppresseth and suffocateth naturall heat , ingendreth abundance of excrements ▪ and drowneth both the senses and the mind . but sleep moderately used benefitteth both the body and the mind : for by this meanes the concoction of the aliment in the stomacke and all the parts of the body , are by the testimony of d hippocrates , best performed , the which is also by e galen him selfe seconded . sleep moistneth also the body , whereunto it seemeth the f poet alluded , fessos sopor irrigat artus . and besides , it nourisheth and maketh fat , and what is corrupted expelleth by sweat or urine , and what is not fully concocted it perfecteth and maketh profitable for the nourishment of the body : besides all this , it qualifieth and mitigateth choler , the cause of many dangerous diseases : and it staieth and hindereth any evacuation except sweat , and withall cooleth the body . sleep then is a naturall rest , and that almost perfect of all the externall senses ; or a naturall impotency of the animall faculties to the actions , by reason of a mild and pleasant vapor arising from the aliment irrigating , and as it were , besprinkling the braine , that in the meane time , the vigor and strength of the body may be this meanes bee repaired and refreshed . now , although there be here a cessation of the influxe of the animall spirits into the organs of the outward senses , yet is there not a totall cessation of this influxe : for then a man should not againe waken at all , and this would prove a stupefaction of the senses , and not a sleep . sleep is therefore , as it were , a binding or tying up of the common sense , and a hindering of the influence of the animall spirits into the organs of the outward senses in part onely ; as wee see by experience in respiration and many motions the body useth in sleepe : but the influxe of so great a quantity and quality of spirits into these organs of the outward senses , as for the performance of their functions is requisite , then is denied . and in a profound , sound or deep sleep , as we may call it , there is a smaller or lesser influence ; in a lesse profound sleep , when as the senses worke but slenderly , there is a greater quantity of spirits . this humor or vapor thus moistening the braine , being spent , the body awaketh , and so becommeth more fit and quicke to goe about all ordinary imploiments ; and these two doe thus alternatively succeed each other , according to the poet. quod caret alternarequie durabile non est . what thing wants rest , thou maiest be sure , long time on earth cannot indure . and all this is to be understood of naturall sleepe , usefull and usuall both in sicknesse and in health , there being also some sleepes , or rather soporiferous affections which are not naturall . and this unnaturall or soporiferous sleep is often an accident of acute diseases , sometimes dangerous , and sometimes free there from . sleep then being so necessary for all ages , sexes , and sorts of people , wee will say something concerning the fit and convenient time for sleepe , as also of the duration and continuance thereof , and with what site or posture of the body we are to sleep , and who may safely sleepe longest , and who are not allowed so long a time . the wisedome and provident care of our maker , is not a little in this to be admired , in that as he hath appointed the day time for man to labour in , so hath hee likewise appointed the night time for a cessation from worke and serious imploiment , and a time to repaire that which hath beene decaied or tyred out the day before . the night time therefore is the fittest and most convenient time for sleep and rest , when as both the sunne withdrawes from us his bright beames , and the darknesse and night-silence seeme to invite and summon us thereunto . but it hath been and yet is a question among many , whether sleep in the day time be not allowable , which by the generall suffrage , and unanimous consent of physitians seemeth to have been condemned ? the g salernitan schoole likewise disclaimeth it as hurtfull for the health . i answere , it is not indeed allowable , that especially which is used immediately after dinner , called commonly somnus meridianus , of the which all our physitians are to be understood : and indeed it cannot but be very hurtfull to the body , and prejudiciall to the health , filling the head with many vapors , and by consequence procuring many diseases . such especially as are subject to rheumes , epilepticke fits , and diseases of that nature , are chiefly to shunne this kind of sleep . to some thereunto accustomed it is lesse hurtfull , if especially sparingly , and an houre or two after dinner used . morning sleepe , although by some longer continued , is alwaies lesse offensive than used immediatly after meales , howbeit the night is alwaies most seasonable . as for sicke people we are often forced to suffer them to sleep when they can , it being often out of our power to accommodate it , as we would , to the right and proper time and season , especially in acute diseases , and in hot cholericke constitutions : howbeit we are by all meanes , if it be possible , to helpe them to rest in the night time , as they were accustomed in time of health ; the which is alwaies most fit and convenient both in sicknesse and in health . and silla , h saith plutarch , is of opinion , that this symbole of pythagoras , whereby is injoined to marre the print of the bed-clothes wherein any hath lien , is to be understood of sleeping in the day time , as though we were thereby dehorted from sleeping in that unseasonable time , appointed for action and imployment , and there be no remainder or shew of sleeping left behinde , there being no more use of a sleeping , than of a dead man. what shall wee then say of such prodigious monsters , not worthy to be ranked among men , unprofitable pieces of earth , who seeme to have beene borne to subvert and invert the orderly course of nature ; while as in drinking , dicing and drabbing , they turne the night into day , and the day into night . these night owles , the cankers and caterpillers of a common-wealth , would to god our magistrates would diligently search and inquire after , and having found out , would condignely punish , that others might thereby be warned to live moderatly and honestly in their places and callings , if they have any ; or if without , to force them to live in some usefull and lawfull imploiment . now , although the night time is of all others most seasonable for sleep , yet are we not immediatly after supper to compose our selves to sleepe , but at least to let an bourne or two passe over before wee goe to rest . and it is the advice of all our physitians , after supper to walke a while gently , that so our food may descend from the upper orifice of the stomacke to the bottome thereof : for as wee are not suddenly after our exercise to set upon our meats , untill the perturbation of the body be somewhat setled , ; no more are we immediatly after supper to setle our selves to sleepe . this was the custome of i cato of vtica : and likewise k domitian the emperor was wont after supper to walke all alone in his chamber till bed time . the manner how to compose our selves to sleepe , is at first to lie downe on the right side , and after the first sleepe to turne on the left : and the head ought to lie reasonable high , especially in a disposition to defluxions from the braine , and diseases from thence proceeding . to lie on the belly , might , perhaps , helpe and further concoction , but the harme the eyes might by affluxe of humors by that meanes receive , would quickly eat out all the gaines would be gotten by the bargain . to lie upon the back is yet worst of all other , and furthereth the apoplexie , epilesie , vertigo , or giddinesse , incubus , or night mare , and the like . now , as for the time , duration , or continuance of sleepe , wee use to determine it by concoction , continuing the same untill it be quite finished . but because in all is not required the like length of time for concoction ; hence have wee also the uncertainty for the time of sleepe . but most commonly , in ordinary and indifferent constitutions in time of health , wee include it within the compasse of seven houres , so that wee thinke it should not exceed this period of time . some constitutions of body , as the cholericke and the melancholike , are commonly contented with a smaller portion of rest i was my selfe acquainted with a gentleman , who many times contented himselfe with a nap of an houre or two long , sitting in his chaire , and that for divers night● together , and found thereby no inconvenience at all . some againe have need of a longer time for sl●epe : as young inf●●● 〈…〉 abound in crudities , and others also that are 〈…〉 travell . and it s written of augustu● 〈◊〉 , that 〈…〉 ●bove seven houres at a time . as for 〈…〉 to consider both the nature of the person , and the 〈…〉 eases differ much , both in their nature and in 〈…〉 and some chronicall : againe , acure , either 〈…〉 all which may make the sleepe differ in 〈…〉 diseases , which give no intermission , if it can b● 〈…〉 prove best of the night rest , as was accustomed in the time of 〈◊〉 unlesse necessity and long want of sleepe prevail● with us . it 〈…〉 be wished , that the sicke absteine from sleepe an 〈…〉 past , if extreme weaknesse alter not our intention : in which cas● necessity must be our best guide . and by reason sleepe doth 〈…〉 , and withall cooleth the inward her distemper , the 〈◊〉 in 〈…〉 diseases , the sleepe may be of longer continuance , 〈…〉 b● any internall inflammation , in which case much sleep 〈…〉 ●ning of the disease increaseth the same . as for i●t●●mitting 〈◊〉 , wee cannot appoint any certaine or precise period of time , m●ght 〈◊〉 day ; and that in regard of paroxysmes , or exacerbations , which 〈◊〉 here be our load-stone to lead us . in the beginning therefore of the paroxysme , or fit , physitians doe with the sicke to abstein● fr●m sl●●p● and towards the declining thereof to repaire the ●●rmer l●ss●●● and if the presence of a judicious physitian shall some 〈…〉 alter , to his discretion it is left . but as concerning 〈◊〉 disea●●s , we are as neere as wee can to admit of sleepe at the time ac●●stomed in time of health , most of them being of that nature , that they may easily be guided after that rule . some diseases there 〈◊〉 , as namely some in the braine , proceeding from frigidity and humility where in the 〈◊〉 i● too prone and inclined to sleep , and therefore such we are ●ot to suffer to sleepe too long to shunne sleeping in the day time , and to suffer them to sleepe so much in the night as may well suffice to repaire decayed strength for the more ea●ie vnderstanding of this matter ▪ we are to consider that physitians make 〈◊〉 ●●efold sleep ; a naturall , not naturall , and criticall . of the naturall we have already spoken . of that which is not naturall there are three sorts properly so called : that is , when the sicke either sleepeth in the day and waketh in the night ; or else when sleep● is troublesome and unquiet ; and when the sicke sleepeth both day and night unto the which some adde this also , m when the sicke sleepeth neither day nor night : and although this may seeme rather to belong to immoderate waking , yet being an extreme , referred to the same medium or meane , it may be , as wee use other extremes , referred hither . now , all these in diseases prove often , although not alwaies , dangerous ; but then especially , when accompanied with other dangerous accidents . and it is often observed , that when the sicke hath long languished , and it may be for divers daies beene deprived of any rest , that before he exchange this life for another , some certaine time , before falleth into some pleasant sleepe , often deluding the friends and assistance , flattering them with some counterfeit sh●w of some better presage then is often confirmed by event . and indeed this is nothing else but a drowsie disposition , arguing an extreme imbecillitie of the animall parts , when as they are not now able any longer to keepe open the shop-windowes , and this is rather to be termed sopor , than somnus , or a heavy and deadly drowsinesse , rather than a true and naturall sleepe . a and most commonly that sleepe is to be suspe●ted that bringeth no alleviation to the sicke partie . and this is likewise to be observed , that as well in sicknesse as in health , a full stomacke to bed-wards , or too hot and vaporous and flatuous meat or drinke , will much annoy and interrupt quiet rest , which in sicke persons especially is carefully to be avoyded . as for soporiserous affections , my purpose is not in this place to meddle with them , as being now beyond my present intention , but will say a little of criticall sleepe . this criticall sleepe then is twofold , as being either a presage of a good or bad crise . of a good crise againe two manner of waies : either when as there is a freedome and liberty for nature , without any trouble or molestation whatsoever , to order and dispose of their businesse , that the sicke after much trouble or turmoile , and much watching , falleth now into a quiet , profound and comfortable sleepe , a sure presage , especially accompanied with other good signes , of a good and comfortable crise . and sometimes , againe , during this sleepe , there is often an eruption of an orderly alleviating sweat , sometimes also seconded by some laudable criticall excretion , accompanied with a durable and continuing alleviation . but on the contrary , that which commeth with unquietnesse , accompanied with many ill accidents , with imperfect sweating , and other evacuations begunne onely , and not fully perfected , without any alleviation , and often seconded with a profound soporiferous sleepe , with intense and strong delirations , bad pulse and urine , doth either presage death , or at least a ttansmutation or exchanged of the disease for a worse . now , since the benefits of sweet , comfortable and moderate sleepe are so many , and so great , and the body by extraordinary watching so much endammaged , we are , especially in cases of extremity , as namely in hot and dry diseases , in feare of delirations and phrensies to use all meanes possible to procure the sicke some rest ; which is divers waies procured , both by fit and convenient diet , cold and moist in quality , lettices , violets and the like ; as also by outward applications of oinments to the temples ▪ and divers other meanes as the case shall require . sometimes wee use lotions of the head and feet , hypnoticke medicines inwardly in divers formes exhibited , and of such meanes the vulgar are often much afraid , by reason such meanes being often used in cases of extremity , and the patient yeelding under the burthen of the disease , after dying , the fault is presently laid upon the medicine , and the physitian who administred it . sometimes also , i am not ignorant , that unskilfull and ignorant emperickes are too busie with narcoticke unprepared , and ill corrected narcoticke medicines , and by this meanes make the honest and skilfull physitian fare the worse , especially when the matter dependeth upon the vulgars voyces , who judge all by issue and event . the like commeth often also to passe in phlebotomy and purgations , and other physicall helps , little considering that often through the malignity of the disease , and divers dangerous accidents , the physitian is forced to try rather some doubtful remedie in apparent danger , than to leave the patient in desperation , not once offering to try some meanes to succour his necessity . now , if it shall so come to passe that through the malignitie of the disease , or multiplicity of evill accidents , the sicke succumbe under the burthen of the disease ; in stead of thankfull acknowledgement of the physitians care and diligence in doing his utmost endeauour for the patients recovery , is often by slanderous and virulent tongues traduced , and by ignorant persons his actions , and diligent indeauors misconstrued , and he by false ignorant witnesses , directly against the ninth commandement , condemned without any hearing . i justifie no mans ignorance , nor patronise empiricall errour , but taxe vulgar indiscretion in assuming unto themselves to judge of that which farre transcendeth their reach , and making no difference betwixt a true physitian , and a masked or counterfeit one , where there is nothing but a shaddow and an outside , without any substance . it behoveth therefore every one carefully to consider with what physitian they betrust this precious jewell of their life : but when the honest and learned artist hath done his best , i see no reason why hee should be thus roughly without any cause dealt withall , as though the physitian were of so malicious a minde , that he would willingly suffer his patient to perish , if it lay in his power to preserve life : litle considering that , interdum doct a plus valet arte malum , diseases sometimes greater prove than skilfull art can cure . but because i have already touched upon this string , i will no further here digresse . now then , the excesse of sleeping and watching , being so prejudiciall to the body , it may , perhaps , be demanded , which of the twaine is most dangerous ? i answer , that in weake and feeble persons , especially in acute diseases , in phrensies , and strong delirations , there must needs be more danger in contumacious watching , than in profound and sound sleeping : for , besides that by long watching , the motions are often violent , overthrowing the naturall strength , concoction hindred ( howsoever distribution may too much by this meanes be furthered ) and by consequence crudities ingendred ; whereas in sleep , be it naturall , or symptomaticall , there is some cessation of the senses and motion , and that little remainder of strength whereon all hope consisteth , is not vtterly overthrowne : besides , that in hot and dry diseases the body is thereby moistened , and somewhat withall cooled . from this rule , notwithstanding , wee must alwaies except soporiferous diseases of the braine : as lethargie , carus , &c. againe , it may , perhaps , here be demanded , whether it be good to sleepe with the mouth open or shut ? i answer , that to sleepe with open mouth , doth farre better breath out such fuliginous vapours as arise from the concoction of the stomacke , than with the mouth shut : howbeit it drieth somewhat the mouth and the throat , but after the party is awakened , this is againe easily amended . sometimes againe , there be some that sleepe with open eyes , like hares , and some with their eye-lids close shut , now then may be demanded which is the best ? i answere , that in perfect health some are accustomed to sleepe thus with open eyes without any hurt or danger whatsoever ; and the same party falling sicke may so continue this custome without any hurt or detriment : but if this should befall another sicke person , in former times unaccustomed thereunto , it is then more dangerous , especially if accompanied with other dangerous signes . chap. xxvi . of dreames , and that of them there may be made good use in sicknesse and in health . of night-walkers , or such as walke in their sleepe in the night-season , and the cause thereof . now in our sleep there appeare unto us often imaginary visions and apparitions , which we call insomnium or somnium from somnus sleepe , and wee call in english dreames , and by the greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , answerable to the latine somnium . dreaming then is a middle disposition without any disease , betwixt sleeping and waking , in the which neither as waking doe the outward senses performe their whole perfect actions ; neither yet as wholly asleep are they altogether idle : howbeit this properly is an affection or function belonging to the principall faculty , especially the fancy ; which although the body bee asleep , yet is that together with the cogitation and memory , often set a worke ; and because in an ordinary or meane sleep , the fancy is often free , the discerning faculty confused ; therefore if severall objects or species , either remaining still in the senses , or which the body being yet awake , hath done or felt , it composeth together in many vaine visions , and as we commonly for hence call them , fancies , the which being asleepe we seeme to see ; and because reason is then weake we give thereunto our assent . but if it shall so come to passe ( as we often find when we are as it were in a light slumber ) that reason is at som more liberty , and giveth no assent to such fancies exposed to our imagination , then such are not so properly called dreames . of dreames there have beene some supernaturall : and thus we read that in the old testament , god did often reveale his will by dreames and visions . with this supernaturall dreame my purpose is not here to meddle at all . some againe are naturall , arguing and declaring unto us often the state and disposition of the body in sicknesse and in health , and are by the physitian onely to be considered , and to this onely end and purpose . concerning dreames a hippocrates among the rest of this works hath written one little tractate , where he setteth downe divers things concerning sicknesse and health signified and pointed out unto us by dreames , and the meanes to remedy the same . and there he sheweth ▪ that if such things whereabout we were in the day time busied bee after the same manner represented unto us , it signifieth that all is well within , if otherwise , the coutrary is signified . the same author there setteth downe , that to see with a cleere and sharpe sight such things as are done upon earth , and likewise to have the sense of hearing answerable in dreaming portendeth health : as likewise to seeme to travaile strongly and securely without any feare , to runne apace , and to see the earth plaine and smooth , well manured , planted with pleasant and fruit● full trees , and bearing good store of fruit : as also to see rivers and fountaines running their accustomed course , and the accustomed quantity of water , this doth also signifie sound health ; and that both meat and drinke and all excretions keepe a due symmetry and proportion . if these things seeme otherwise , saith the same author , there is a deviation from that former soundnesse of body , and some inward distemper thereby argued . if the sight then or hearing in thy dream● seeme to be endamaged , there is some disease in the head portended a rough and uneven earth argueth some corruption in the flesh . tr●●● seeming barren argue corruption of seed of generation . if leaves fall from the trees , it argueth hurt from humiditie and moisture : but if the same trees seeme full of leaves without any fruit , it presageth some hur● from heat and drouth . rivers running with greater abundance of water than ordinary , signifie greater abundance of blood in the body then is usefull ; the contrary argueth some deficiency in this n●ble humor wels & springs signifie wind about the bladder . if the sea seeme to be troubled , it portendeth some disease in the belly . it is also according to the same author good to see by dreame people apparelled in white and comely clothes . but againe , to see any naked or apparelled with base , blacke , sordid and sloven-like apparell , receiving any thing or carying any thing out of the house , portendeth no good . many other things are there set downe by the same author concerning this subject , with briefe remedies for the preventing and curing such infirmities . and there it may plainely appeare , that one and the same dreame may have a diverse signification in sicknesse and in health : as if the earth or house seeme to move , in a healthfull person it signifieth imbecillity and weaknesse ; but to a sicke person presageth health and a change and alteration from his former estate . in like manner if any person seeme to swimme in a river or pond , in health it portendeth too great abundance of moisture : but in a burning fever it portendeth good , and that this extreme siccity is overcome by the contrary humidity . it is moreover in that place apparent , that many times dreams do accompany such humors as abound in the body , and may often from thence be collected . as much dreaming of rivers and ponds and often swimming therein , abundance of moist phlegmaticke humors in the body . to see blacke and burnt earth , argueth a great exsiccation of the body by choler adust . strange and terrible shapes , and affrighting monstrous formes , signifieth that the body is filled with divers sorts of uncouth foods , which make a great perturbation in the body . besides , all such troublesome , fearefull dreames often argue melancholy in the body . passing over rivers ( saith the same author ) armed men often appearing , and many strange and monstrous apparitions doe portend either some great disease or madnesse . and thus wee see it is apparent , that by the dreames may often be discerned or presaged some present or future infirmity . besides , we finde many times that even in our best health , oppression of the stomacke at night with too great a quantity of food will both procure unquiet rest and troublesome dreames . and severall constitutions of body produce often dreames answerable thereunto : as the sanguine dreameth often of all pleasant things , greene medowes and gardens , &c. the cholericke of fire , and the like . such as are much subject to wind , of much flying aloft and the like : and so of the rest , as may from the premisses easily be collected . and now concerning dreames , so faire as they are observable in sicknesse and in health , this shall suffice . now to give some satisfaction to the curious reader , i will say something concerning a point depending upon the former : and that is concerning such as during their naturall sleepe , yet performe such actions as are commonly performed by such as are awake , to the no small astonishment and amazement of the beholders , and are called therefore noctambuli , or night-walkers . of these actions then thus performed our writers assigne this cause ; when as by the mediocrity of causes procuring sleepe , wee fall into sweet and comfortable rest , the discerning faculty , notwithstanding , being over-clouded with thicke , misty vapors ; the efficient cause of fancies and dreames , without any let or disturbance enjoying its full freedome and liberty ; then of such things as the party being awake either felt , thought , or by practice put in execution , this fancying faculty composeth many sorts of visions or dreames , the which by the sleeping party are taken for truths : and hence commeth it often to passe , that at length the bonds of the senses , passages of the spirits , and impediments of motion being removed , they performe workes proper to those that are awake ; as to climbe up to the tops of houses , to walke upon narrow beames and bridges , and many other such actions without any feare or danger , which if they were awake they durst never doe : and all this by reason this discerning facultie of the common sense is yet at rest , not acknowledging nor discerning any danger , unlesse by loud houping and crying the party be awaked out of sleep . if they be suddenly awaked , then are they in danger of sudden precipitation , or falling downe head long , all the spirits and powers of the body then leaving the extreme parts hands and feet , and flying to succour the feeble heart now assaulted with no small feare . a late writer averreth , that this commeth to passe by reason of hot and vaporous spirits , arising from a commotion and heat of the blood , which being carried aloft into the seat of the minde , doth incite and stirre up that faculty of the soule by which it performeth its actions , and by which it doth impell the instrumentary parts to their actions , to produce such motion and stupendious effects , as are often by such persons performed : hence also commeth it to passe , that if these vaporous and flatuous fumes be not strong and violent enough to produce the former effects , then the parties doe but stirre , or start up in their sleepe , uttering some lowd cries , and turbulent speeches , yet still conteining themselves within the bed . the same author addeth , that such persons are most commonly of a thinne and leane constitution of body , and of a low stature : and such as have hot braine ( as for the most part cholericke persons have ) saith hippocrates , are most apt to cry out in their sleepe , and are much subject to motion and agitation therein : especially , if in the day time their braines be much encumbred and busied with many matters . such especially be our busie bodies , who will needs have an oare in every mans boat , and oftentimes more imploied about other mens affaires , than carefull to looke home to their owne businesse . but of this now sufficient . chap. xxvij . of the soule , and of the passions thereof in generall . the noble painter apelles , after he had drawne that curious picture of venus , fastened the whole frame with a peg , or pinne , the which being pulled out , the whole frame fell in pieces ; and in the top of this peg , he drew his owne picture : even so it seemeth the almighty god , after he had made the whole frame of this universe , at length , as a conclusion and closing up of his whole worke , he made man the noblest of all the rest of his creatures ( for whom all the rest were made ) and stamped on him his owne glorious image , by the inspection whereof the workman himselfe might be knowne . this noble creature which we may justly call the microcosme , or little world , man , is composed of a double substance , whereof the one is terrestriall , composed of the elements , whither after a season it must returne againe , which we call the body ; the which , without the other more noble part , which wee call the soule , is but a dead carcase , as may after the separation of these two loving friends plainly appeare . now , this soule is of a more sublime and celestiall substance , neither composed of any elementary substance , nor yet ever to be dissolved into the same ; not ingendred , and therefore incorruptible and immortall . and as by the body wee take , as it were , roore in the earth ; so by the soule againe , wee take hold of heaven , and glorifie our lord and maker : and this was the principall end of our creation , being then at our first framing fitted for so high and sublime imployment , and all the faculties of our soules being then bent upon our god , his honour and glory , wherein was then placed mans chiefe felicity , and pleasure . but afterwards , this so noble a creature by the subtile serpents perswasion , rebelled , and tooke up armes against his lord and master , and so forfeited that great and glorious estate ; by which meanes both the soule , that sublime and celestiall substance , and all the powers and faculties of the same are now become sinfull , prone to evill , and averse from any good . now this same soule , although in the estate of innocency , yet was not without certaine powers or affections ; as love , joy , anger , feare : the which affections or powers the soule now by sinning hath now not lost , but are become altogether sinfull and evil , and called now in sinful man , animi pathemata seu perturbationes , the passions or perturbations of the mind ; the which exorbitant affections , as they are displeasing to the almighty god , so are they many times very hurtful to health , and in sicknesse are oft the causes of no small mischief to the patient : for the which cause it shall not be amisse to say something of them , being especially ranked among these six things not naturall , having already handled the five former , resting now this sixth and last . the stoickes indeed would have brought in a certaine apathie , or blockish stupidity among men , whereby they should be , as it were , insensible , and not affected with any thing whatsoever , which wee altogether disclaime . now , as concerning the diversitie of opinions , and some controversie betwixt physitians and philosophers , or betwixt philosophers themselves , concerning the seat and place of residence of these affections or passions , as not being so pertinent for our purpose we let passe . as for their number , it is not likewise agreed upon among all . some make tenne , ambition , avarice , pleasure , envy , curiosity , anger , feare , ioy , griefe and hope . some againe but seven , excluding the last three : and some will have but foure ; ioy , griefe , hope and feare , excluding the three former . some againe reduce all to two heads , concupiscible and irascible , under which they comprehend all the rest . vnder the concupiscible therefore we comprehend , love , hatred , desire , a flight , or fleeing from evill , delectation and sadnesse , sixe in number . vnder the irascible , these five following : hope , desperation , boldnesse , feare and anger . the actions of both these powers are commonly therefore , called passions or perturbations , by reason that thereby there is with them some affection or materiall passion or perturbation caused in the body : such as is the heat , or ebullition of the blood in anger , &c. all these againe , and whatsoever doth participate of the nature of such passions or perturbations , doe consist in the prosecution or avoyding of some thing , by reason of the opinion wee conceive of the shew of some good or evill ; and that either present , imminent , or instant and to come . and first of the imagination of some present good newly represented to us , ariseth pleasure or delight : the which againe consisteth either in our owne prosperity , or other mens adversity . as concerning our owne prosperity , if it be constant and moderate , we call it qaudium , or ioy ; if profuse and exorbitant , wee call it laetitia , or ioy in a high measure ; and if it extoll it selfe too much , it is called bragging or boasting . if againe this pleasure and delectation arise from other mens adversity , it is called malevolentia , & malitia , or ill will and malice . againe , from the opinion of evill present ariseth an aversation and griefe of minde , which is various and divers . in the first place , oppressing griefe is called angor , or anguish : tormenting griefe with labour and paine , is called aerumna , or miserie : with vexation of the body , it is called afflictio , affliction : that which commeth with trouble and profound cogitations , wee call sollicitudo , or anxious care ; that which commeth without any expectation of better hopes , desperatio , or desperation : that which is accompanied with weeping , lamentation , howling and yelling , maeror , being a higher degree of sorrow ; if for the death of any friend , luctus , sorrowing or lamenting : that which proceedeth of anothers miserie , which we desire to helpe , is called misericodia , pittie or compassion ; that which proceedeth from others prosperity , if of good things , it is called livor , envie or spite : if of evill things , it is comprised under the name of revenge , called vindicta , being a mixt affection of anger and griefe . againe , thirdly , from the opinion of a future good , ariseth hope , an expectation and a confidence , and from hence an earnest desire , called cupiditas , which is yet various ; one consisteth in the lusting after dainty faire , called cupidiae ; another in lust and lechery , called libido , or lust ; some in the earnest desire of honour and glory , called ambitio , ambition ; some againe , in excessive desire of riches , called avaritia , or covetousnesse ; some in revenge : the which , if it suddenly vanish away , wee call excandescentia ; if it grow inveterate , wee call it odium , or hatred : if there be an expectation of revenge , it is called inimicitia , enmity , or hostility , &c. on the contrary , from the opinion of any future evill , ariseth feare , ( contrary to hope and confidence ) an expectation of some future evill , the which , when it is instant , or neere at hand , we call it timor ; if of longer continuance , formido : if it move the body very much , terrour ; if it strike a terrour in the minde , pavor ; if it proceed yet further , consternatio & exanimatio , or strange amazement and astonishment ; if it arise from feare of labour , pigritia , or lazinesse , &c. but verecundia , bashfulnesse , or shamefastnesse , is a mixt affection of hope and feare . and these be the chiefe affections , passions and perturbations of the minde , all which , for the multiplicity , by reason of the copiousnesse of the latine , and penury of the english tongue , cannot all be accommodated with proper english names . but because all these doe not equally affect the body and minde of man , neither yet produce alike dangerous and sudden alterations in sickenesse and in health , therefore omitting the greatest number , we will but single out some of the principall , and on the which most of the rest doe depend . the chiefe then of these , and on which i purpose principally to insist , are these foure following : love , anger , ioy and sorrow or griefe : and these are commonly called , and accounted the exercises of the soule , the which doe not a little affect the body both in sicknesse and in health . and so forcible and powerfull are these passions of the mind , that by meanes thereof some have sometimes lost their lives , some their wits and understandings ; and some have by some of them suddenly recovered out of some sicknesse . since then they doe so much affect both body and minde , they are not slightly to be past over . and therefore my purpose is to insist upon them somewhat the longer , and first i will begin with that noble affection of love. chap. xxviij . of lustfull love , and what hurt is thereby procured to mankinde . whether any may die of love ; something also concerning iealousie . amongst all these passions of the minde ▪ this love is not the least , nor of smallest efficacie and force , as being often not only the occasion and cause of many dangerous diseases unto the body , but also depriving the soule of its chiefest happinesse , and so metamorphosing the whole man into an informe monster , void of all reason , whereby he runneth headlong upon his owne ruine . my purpose is not in this place to speake of the love of ambition , honour , riches , dainty fare and the like , but of that foule lustfull love , the author of so much hurt , of so much mischiefe to the body of man. vpon this therefore , as witnesseth suidas , a cadmus milesius published books concerning the same subject . b now , this mad affection of love is a passion of the concupiscible part of the soule , residing in the liver and the heart , conceived of the desire and representation of the thing beloved , and conveighed by the eyes unto the mind : whose concupiscence , which hardly can be satisfied , both by imagination , and the common spirits of the liver and the heart is set on sire . and therefore some deduce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the sight . and this is the opinion of c plato himselfe , as may in his workes be seene ; as also that it hath its seat in the liver . d and lactantius also assigneth the same seat to lustfull concupiscence . and to this likewise may be referred that which e homer writeth concerning titius , who fell in love with latona , and for this cause had assigned to him two ravenous vultures to eat vp his ever new renewing liver . but that which yet surpasseth all other authorities , the f wise man in the proverbs alluding to this , maketh mention of a dart striking thorow the liver of a libidinous young man , punishing that part where was the root of his sinne . the like butchery doth this cruell tyrant love exercise upon many , who can scarce ever be satiat , although many times injoying that they have long desired ; neither can yet the rule of reason so over-rule this brutish and sensuall apetite , but that it still burneth the very inward marrow of the bones , as the g poet well expresseth it : fecit amor maciem & longa internodia crurum , love makes the body pale and leane , it marres the members quite and cleane . now , the infirmities which follow this disorderly passion , are not a few : as namely decay of strength , fainting and swounding , hollow eyes , a body pale and destitute of blood , languishing , crudities , continuall watchings , palpitation of the heart , trembling of the joints ; sometimes madnesse , deepe melancholy , consumptions , and the like . these and many more like effects are the attendants of this lustfull and disorderly passion . how dangerous a thing then it is to give way to this so disorderly affection , if there were nothing else but what hath beene said already , may easily appeare . how many by this meanes have anticipated the ordinary period appointed for man to live ? and whereas it is naturall for all creatures to seeke their owne preservation ; yet have many so farre infringed this sacred law of nature , that they have put violent hands into themselves , so becomming their owne executioners : and that sometimes by way of desperation , being affraid to be deprived of that booty they so eagerly pursued after . and of this , that famous physitian h plater maketh mention of a scholler and student in physicke , who being farre in love with a doctor of the same professions daughter , and for some disparity , despairing of ever obteining that hee aimed at , with sublimat poysoned himselfe , having first set downe in a paper the cause thereof . but with such examples , and many tragicall stories many bookes are stuffed full ; and many of our young gentlemen and gentlewomen , i doubt , are better versed in such legends , than in the sacred historie of the bible . and many have bin by this disorderly passion so farre transported , that at the command of a base strumpet ( a prodigious thing ever to enter into the thought of a reasonable man ) they have cast away that life which the lord of life had allotted them to doe him service . to omit antient histories , i a late writer maketh mention of one galeacius , duke of mantua , living then at padua , a mistresse of his wished him , if hee loved her , to throw himselfe into the river , brenta ; the which , being then on horse-backe , setting spurres to his horse , hee presently accomplished . i wish by the talion law shee had her selfe beene served after the same manner . but it may , perhaps , then be demanded , what is the remedy to prevent so dangerous a passion ? the heathens themselves set downe divers good directions in this case , which would to god christians would imitate ; whereof one principall is to avoid idlenesse the mother of all mischiefe . that k amorous poet setteth downe this idlenesse as a principall incentive to this unlawfull lust . quaeritur aegistus quare sit factus adulter ? in promptu causa est , desidiosus erat . men aske the cause why ae●isthus adultery did commit ? the reason 's plaine , he sloth ●ill was , sloth lov'd , and liv'd in it . the same poet willeth us to shunne the fight of the object beloved , and whatsoever may nourish or cherish the secret flame ; of the which we are also warned by l another , although himselfe and epicure . sed fugitare decet siumulachra , & pabula amoris , absterrere sibi , & alio convertere mentem . all wanton pictures feeding love , avoid , shunne and decline , and turne thou still another way , thine eye , thine heart and minde . i have a little before in another chapter touched upon a principall remedy , concerning the care parents ought to have in the education of their children ; and therefore , as likewise being a theme proper for the divine , i will not here meddle any more with it , nor repeat any thing that hath beene said already . but it will , perhaps , be demanded what is then the remedy for such as are already intangled with this love passion ? i answer , that here i have not undertaken to set downe a particular cure of this , or any other particular infirmity , but only to set downe some generall directions to remedy this passion . there must therefore a due consideration be had of the individuall partie , considering the sexe , age , temperature , and constitution of body , and the object whereunto this furious passion is fixed . if there may be a yeelding to the parties desire without the breach of the lawes of god and man , although , perhaps , some disparity betwixt the parties , in regard of wealth , birth , or both ; yet , if there be danger in the deniall , my opinion is , rather to yeeld to an inconvenience , than to a mischiefe , especially where the disparity is not so great . but when as this cannot be atteined unto without breach of gods commandement , wee must never doe evill that good may come of it , nor commit one sinne to prevent another ; but use all other lawfull meanes , and commit the successe to him that can bring light out of darknesse , and is able to bring his owne purpose to passe without any mans sinne . let them use such meanes as wee have already set downe in that place already mentioned . it is true , wee m read of erasistratus the physitian , that hee found antiochus , sonne to king seleucus , to be now almost consumed and pined away with the love , or rather lust , of stratonice his mother in law , insomuch , that to his seeming , there was now no other way but the inioying of his lust to save his life : this too indulgent parent gave way to his unlawfull lust . but wee are to remember , this was but a heathen , and such actions not to be drawne into imitation . but among us in this age , there is many times a great oversight in parents , who stand often so punctually upon some points : as of wealth especially , and some others ; that vertue and true worth , the true feare of god especially , is set in the last place , and scarce , indeed , regarded in any place . hence commeth if often to passe , that many of our young prodigalls so gallop out of their goodly estates , and are throwne off their horse before ever they were well setled in the saddle ; and their wealth many times quite vanished away , before they atteine to a dragme of wit. i speake not here against some sutable proportion betwixt parties to be matched in marriage , and some competent meanes according to their places and callings ; but my meaning is , that many times true worth and vertue is so , by worthlesse people , undervalued , that this proverbiall speech is often very truely verified , many times for a little land they take a foole by the hand . but because it is an easie matter for an ordinary understanding to make a large cōment upon this text , i here leave it , wishing people to be wiser , and not so much wrong their children , as is now adaies the custome , which oftentimes brings the gray-haires of the parents to the grave with sorrow , and a too late repentance , had i knowne so much , &c. the antient heathens against this used mans blood against this intoxication , and histories make mention of n faustina , daughter to the emperour antoninus pius , and wife to antoninus the philosopher , who fell so farre in love with a sword-player , that this emperour asked counsell of all his wisards what was the readiest and speediest way to cure this strong and violent affection : and they ( being instructed by their master satan , a murderer from the beginning ) advised him to put to death this sword-player , and that afterward faustina should drinke up a good draught of his warme blood , and then get her to bed to her husband ; which accordingly was performed : of the which copulation was ingendred that cruell emperor commodus , who with his frequent sword-plaies , and slaughter of his subiects , had almost quite over throwne the whole roman common wealth . and howbeit this woman was thus freed , yet is this no warrant for the use of such a remedy , although some of the o antients have set downe this as a remedy both against this and the epilepsie . the paracelsists promise wonders of mans blood ; as paracelsus himselfe promiseth by a secret made of mans blood , to cure all epileptick diseases . and one ioh. ernestus burgravius maketh a lamp of mans blood , called brolychnium , or lampas vitae & mortis . of this lampe of life and death hee promiseth wonders : to wit , that it shall burne as long as the party of whose blood it was made continueth , and goe out at the same instant that the party dieth ; and withall , that as this lamp burneth cleare and quietly without any sparkling , the party shall live with freedome from any infirmity , either of body or minde ; but if otherwise , it sparkle , or the light be dimme and obscure , and the flame be sometimes lighter than at other times , then it is a token of anxiety , heavinesse , and the like . credat iudaeus apella . let them beleeve it who list . it is not unknowne how satan hath from the beginning thirsted after mans blood : hence have wee so many sacrifices of mankinde : as in antient stories recorded , so even unto these our times so many still continue ; as our spanish narrations make mention of the westerne parts of the world . and hence was if also , that hee suggested to his ministers so many remedies composed not onely of the blood , * but of divers other parts of the body of man , and as our magicians still teach their too too credulous disciples , p as an antient father well observeth . but now it may be asked whether one may die of love , inseeming not to offer that violence to nature as to extinguish this lampe of life ● i answer , that this passion , as we have heard , may emaciat , dry up and exhaust all the radicall moisture of the body . and so although it doe not worke such a sudden impression upon the body , whereby it is in an instant overthrowne : yet doth it by degrees so extenuate and debilitate the whole body , that it is thereby often cast into an irrecoverable consumption . and with histories in this kind , it were easie to make up a great volume . q schenchius maketh mention of a maid , who being by her parents crossed of a match intended betwixt her and a young man , pined away and died ; many , i make no question , can instance of many in their owne experience , as it were easie for my selfe to doe also , but that i hasten to other matter . and besides , because i thinke few of judgement will make any doubt thereof , i will therefore leave it . to this place also we may referre iealousie , called * zelotypia , being nothing else but the excesse of love , with a continuall feare of being deprived of that they love , or at least of having any corrivall , which often maketh a man or woman to lose the use of reason , insomuch that the minde is never at rest . and this feare is merely imaginary , i meane , without any just cause , and sometimes there is too just cause ministred . it behooveth therefore both man and woman , to be carefull in their choice , and afterwards to give no just occasion to bring their reputation in question . some instances of jealousies , both justly and unjustly conceived , a r famous late physitian setteth downe . a certaine merchant of a chiefe towne in switzerland , a man of good account and esteeme in that place , being divorced from his former wife , married another being a maide , who bare him divers children . after certaine yeeres , perceiving his man too familiar with his mistresse , conceived a strong iealousie of his wife , which caused him the more narrowly to observe her carriage . vpon a time he fained himselfe to goe a iourney into the countrie about some earnest businesse , and yet in the evening conveied himselfe secretly into a chamber next adioining to his owne bed-chamber , where he might easily observe what passed , and within a short space , es●ies his man come boldly to his mistresse , where he killed them both in the very act of adultery : and then , as is the custome of that country , laid certaine pieces of mony upon their dead corpses , which was a signe , that they were taken in this filthy act , and might therefore lawfully be killed ; the matter being afterwards examined , hee was acquitted of the fact . the same authour maketh mention of a doctor of the civill law in the south part of france , who was very iealous of his wife ( and not without iust cause ) and suspecting her familiarity with a scrivener , so narrowly observed her actions , that one day hee comes rushing into the roome where shee and this scrivener were together ( being in his owne house ) masqued and accompanied with many schollers , students in law ; where he first bindes him hand and foot , then cut off his nose , his yard ; and afterwards cut his hamstrings , and so let him goe : the same maimed scrivener ( sayth mine author ) i saw afterwards at montpelier , going upon crutches , and in a miserable and wretched case drawing his lame leggs after him . a just recompence for adulterers ; and it were to be wished we might see some such exemplary punishment inflicted upon such as thus neigh after their neighbours wives : since especially moses law , that the adulterer should dy the death ( which in all the germane countries is in force is not here with us in force . the ● same auth●● 〈…〉 yet mention of another ev●n me jealous of his wife , and yet with out any cause : this was a scholler newly returned out of france , who married do●●●● of physickes daughter , with whom a long time before h●e had been 〈◊〉 love ; 〈◊〉 doctor had a patient lying at his house , a canon : and because the ●●the● , 〈◊〉 widdower , often sent for his daughter to helpe him out in some domesticall all 〈◊〉 therefore this scholler conceived a great iealousie against this canon , as though 〈◊〉 were more familiar with his wife than was fitting ( howbeit , 〈…〉 kept her fathers house , it was not to be marvelled that hee often sent for h●● ) insomuch , that he confessed to the author , that he sometimes purposed to have killed this supposed corrivall canon , when he went at night to fetch home his wife , but after a while , giving way to reason , and fully perswaded of his wives honesty , and so acknowledging his owne fault , became more wife afterwards . but before i close up this discourse of jealousie , i cannot passe by a story of an t old woman . this woman , although very antient , yet married a lusty youngman ; and afterwards when she bethought her selfe of her owne old age and his youth , perswading her selfe , he would out-live her , and marry againe another younger than her selfe , it did so trouble her , that with much anger and in di●●nation she● would m●●e her griefe knowne to her neighbours and gossips , and thus to her dying day persisted . it is good wisedome therefore to be wary , and take warning , that neither man nor woman give any just cause of suspition . how much more then ought both parties to be circumspect in absteining from the act of uncleanesse it selfe . and by that which hath beene said already , we see that which was spoken by the wise salomon , the pen-man of the holy ghost , confirmed : iealousie is the rage of a man , therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance . he will not regard any ransome , neither will he rest content , though thou givest many gifts . and a worthy divine of this kingdome , expounding the later part of this chapter , by the text it selfe maketh it plainly appeare , how farre adultery doth exceed theft ; and how erroneous is the judgement of many men , who will exclaime with open mouth against a theefe , and will scorne to come in his company ; and yet many times bragge of this erroneous and detestable crime ; which the same spirit of truth in the same place affirmeth , to destroy the soule . and besides that , this reproach shall never be wiped away . but this sinne is so frequently in the pulpits spoken against , and better befitteth the pen of a divine than of a physitian , and therefore , manum de tabula . chap. xxix . of amorous or loue-potions , called philtra . whether loue may be procured by fascination ? it hath beene an inveterate opinion , and is yet fast rooted in the mindes of many , that there are certaine medicines of that naturall force and operation , that being taken within the bodie , they will inflame that party that taketh them with this passion of loue . now whether this be so or no ? and if it be , whether it can force the affection to any one individual person more than another , is worth the inquiring . as for the first , it would seeme there were some such medicines , there being so frequent mention made among our authors of these love medicines . the poets both greeke and latine often mention them , and some also set downe the matter , wherof they are made , which is without all controversie : but whether they be indued with any such efficacie , let us now inquire . we have already declared that all simples worke either by their ordinary qualities of three severall sorts , as we have said already : or else by an occult and hidden qualitie : as we see the loadstone draweth the yron ; and divers purging medicines make choice of certaine select and peculiar humors : as rhubarb purgeth choler , &c. now that there proceedeth no such vertue from any of these ordinary qualities , it is so manifest that none did ever yet affirme it . it resteth then that it must needes proceed from an occult qualitie . it must needs then follow , that there are some simples that will procure love : and since love is an affection of the soule , why may there not be other simples to worke upon other affections of the soule : as harted , anger , & c ? and if so , then these medicines which are corporeall , may worke upon the affections of the soule , which is spirituall , which is absurd . but will some reply , it cannot be denied , that some medicines there are which procure love . i answere , that some doe provoke lust , i doe not deny ; but to procure love is not yet proved ▪ and such produce this effect by an ordinary and to us knowne qualitie as some by increasing the blood , and consequently the seed of generation : some by meanes of their flatuous quality : and some againe by their acrimony , sharpe and venomous quality , doe often provoke an irritation , and are of such a corroding and fretting nature , that they often make pisse blood , and cause irrecoverable ulcers in the kidnies and obscene parts . and sometimes these intoxicating medicines fly up into the head , and cause madnesse , of the which fearefull effects frequent mention is made in divers authors . and it is memorable which is written of lucretius the poet , who howbeit he set downe divers directions against love , yet could he not escape death by this owne violent hands , incited thereunto by meanes of a love potion ex●●o●ted to him by his owne wife , lucilla : of the which a another poet hath these words : his qui philtra hibit , nimioque insanus amore mox ferro occubuit , sic mente●● a●●●serat omnem . in love who drunke his charmed drinke , raging on sword did fall and being mad , did lose his wit , his sense , his life and all . and it is just with god often to punish men by that meanes wherein they promised themselves some extraordinary great contentment . but those same simples which are supposed of this efficacie and power ( howsoever some of the antients have by tradition received them from others ) yet neither our antient , nor moderne physitians doe attribute any such efficacie unto them . and besides , if there were any such force or efficacie in them to be found , then were this towards all equally , and not towards one individuall particular person . if any shal yet reply , that this hath beene often observed , that after the use of such medicines , such an effect hath followed ; i answer , this is but an evill consequence , and that philosophers call ▪ lenchus a non causa pro causa ▪ when that is assigned for a true cause which is none at all . and this wee see often verified in magicall spells , and characters , which in themselves have no such efficacy and power to produce such strange stupendious effects , where it may plainly appeare that satan is the chiefe actor in the action . during my abode in france , som yeeres agoe , i was familiarly acquainted with a gentleman of poitou , who had a tennant dwelling in the same towne , ever which hee was sole lord , whose wife told mee , that some few yeeres before that time , being married , the very same day as they went out at the church doore , the one ranne away from the other , and could not indure either to come neere , or indure the sight one of another : and when the one was brought at unawares into the presence of the other , they cryed out , that they were in that case as though they were all pricked with pins and needles , and hated as much one another , a● did ever two of the mortallest enemies that lived on earth . their land-lady , a stout and couragious ; gentlewoman commiserating this distressed couple , and suspecting a knave accustomed to play such prankes , and living in the same towne , sent for him to her owne house , and taking him aside into a private roome , drew her knife , and vowed shee would presently cut his throat with her owne hands , if hee redressed not the wrong hee had done her tennants ; who , after a saint deniall at first , yet promised hee would presently accomplish her desire , which as soone was performed ▪ for this villaine went but a little way into an adioining closset , where with his knife he digged out of the ground a point , with certaine knots on it , with a crosse sticke , and i remember not if any thing else ; after the untying of which knots , accompanied with some secret whispered words , this couple came presently together , without any feeling of these former painfull accidents , and ever after that loved one another in such a manner as became such as were ioined in that honorable estate . and this i had from the womans owne mouth who was so served ; as likewise from the relation of the gentlewoman her selfe , of whom i learned all these particular passages . besides , this same gentlewoman told mee that another time all her pigeons came flying out of the dove-coat , and would not by any meanes any of them goe in : the which this same gentlewoman perceiving , used this same fellow after the former fashion , and he presently went up within the dove-coat , and tooke out of a hole a crosse sticke , with a little salt , and i know not what else , and before the fellow came downe three or foure rounds of the ladder , the pigeons were all got in , and continued their former custome . besides , i was credibly informed , by many of good worth , that this practice towards new married couples was there so common , that many for this cause married in the night time : and yet many times the priest himselfe that married them was the worker of this villainy , who , even as he married them would use this charming or inchaunting , call it which you will. and i was informed of three neigbouring priests , in the three next adjacent townes to this gentlemans dwelling , who ordinarily played such prankes . and while this lasted , there was neither love betwixt those parties , nor the man able carnally to know his wife . and these relations i had from papists themselves . as for the protestants , i speake it unfainedly before god , i never remember that i heard it practised among any of them , either in that kingdome , or any other place of christendome where i have travelled : farre lesse did i ever heare any of their preachers to be tainted with any such infamous courses . it is then apparent that this was no vertue or power in these things whereof use was made ; but was the immediate operation of satan , who , by gods permission , and for causes best knowne to himselfe , sometimes suffered satan to afflict the bodies of men after strange manners ; the which by the history of iob , is apparent . and as for these amorous potions , wee finde they prove rather poisons , than produce any amorous effect ; as by that wee have already said of the poet lucrece may appeare . and ¶ a late writer allegeth out of divers authors the truth of this tenent . cornelius nepos ( saith he ) and plutarch have written , that lucius lucullus emperour , having drunke an amorous potion , given him by his wife calisthene , became fist furious and mad , and afterwards died . the like is related of caligula the emperor , who having received of his wife caesonia a like medicine , became mad therewith ; and this was supposed to be made of that so much talked of hippomanes . * and yet , even in the opinion of aristotle , this hippomanes , and that they write of it , is nothing but a meer fable of old women , and the invention of such as make a profession of sorcerie . but even many of the same heathen poets , who plead for all that may procure love , do often disclaime these amorous medicines , as may at length in their writings appeare . and many times a love potion is pretended to colour a great deale of knavery : and many times a pretense of the affections to be forced by some such meanes , is made a stalking horse to hide and cover our owne foule lust . y mine authour rehearseth to this purpose a history : wee have knowne , saith henry jnstitoris , and james sernger , doctors in divinity , an old woman , who , with her love-drinkes , not only bewitched and inchaunted three abbots one after another , but likewise ( as the common report goeth , yet at this same time amongst the fryers of that convent ) that shee made them all three to die , and set the fourth besides himselfe . and this strumpet is not ashamed to confesse in publike , that shee hath not only done , but continueth still to doe the same villainy , and that these abbots are not able to withdraw themselves from her love , and that by reason they had eaten as much of her dung as her arme was bigge . and this woman yet liveth ( say they ) by reason none hath as yet given us any charge to bring her before any iudge that shee might be punished . but ( saith mine authour ) i am of opinion , that this dung shee saith shee hath made them eat , was nothing else but their filthy lust and pleasure , in the which , as in a stinking filthy mire , these monkes being now as it were drowned , and having so often now tasted of this carnall and filthy lust with this old strumpet , they were now at length , as it were , so poisoned , and bewitched therewith , that they were never after able to leave this beastly sin , and returne againe to their right wits . z the same author bringeth another history out of plutarch , of a yong maid , belov'd of philip , father to alexander the great : this philip , king of macedonie , fell in love with a young maid of meane condition and degree ; this maid , by reason of the great disproportion betwixt these regall riches and her poore pedigree , without any great difficulty yeelded to this great king that which hee demanded . this being brought to olympias the queene , it is no marvell if shee tooke it ill , the which did yet the more trouble her , in that it was reported , that by meanes of amorous potions shee had attracted the kings affections ; much therefore mooved at this matter , she sends to the lodging where she lived , commanding to bring her to her , with a stedfast purpose and resolution to shut her up in some dungeon or else to send her away into some remote country . being brought into her presence , and perceiving her beauty and comely countenance , the excellency of her understanding , &c. shee said with a lowd voice , i give now no more eare to false and slanderous reports ; for thou hast within thy selfe power enough to bewitch any . and by this meanes was her anger appeased towards this young woman , and her owne husband also . i wil instance in no more histories , but now proceed . the absurdity then of this opinion may yet further appeare in this , that such as maintein & practise such things , a affirme , that the same part of one and the same creature produceth divers effects , according to the right & left situation in the body : insomuch that the bone in the right leg shall cause love , and that of the left hatred . these amorous medicines therefore are in case to be used , as being altogether dangerous , and besides , unlawfull , and by the learned ranked with that sort of witch-craft , called b goetia , and reckoned for the third sort thereof , there being of this same yet divers other sorts , on which we will not now insist ; but leave them to such as delight in such trash , which is all forbidden in the second commandement . and therefore i thinke i have proved this point sufficiently , that these love-potions , or philtra , are not to be used , and that they produce no such effects as are unto them prescribed , neither yet can they of themselves force the affection . as concerning medicines which provoke lust , i hold it altogether unfit for the unmarried to use them : and for such married people only , who , for the better furtherance of procreation of children , do desire and crave the aid of the honest and learned physitian , to excite and stir up the force & vigor of nature now languishing . as for others , yea , even in wedlocke it selfe , merely for wantonnesse to increase their carnall lust , i advise all those of mine owne profession , that they yeeld no satisfaction to these their disorderly carnall lusts : and that as they will not be accessary to their sinne , and as they will answer it at that great and dreadfull day , when that great house-keeper shall call for a redde rationem villicationis tuae . the like i say of our complexion-mongers , who , as our taylors devise new fashions , so these are ready to devise new faces , to such of our discontented female sexe ; who , not contented with that feature and comelinesse of face , which their lord and maker thought fitting , will yet make use of a painter . and i thinke it much derogates from the dignity and worth of an ingenuous and generous physitian to abandon himselfe to such base imploiments ( i meane , both this last and the former ) as become better some bawd than an honest artist , professing so excellent and eminent a calling . sed manum de tabula . howbeit i could yet insist at length on these matters , yet i hasten to that which followeth . chap. xxx . of fascination by sight , by word or voice , and by spells : of imagination , and strange stupendious effects our paracelsists attribute therunto , together with the absurdity of the same . there is yet another erroneous opinion crept in , not onely among the meaner and more ignorant ; but even among some of the more judicious sort , that love may be procured by effascination or bewitching : and by this meanes some have been strongly perswaded that affections might be forced ; and the affection of one by effascination ( as before they conceived of philtra ) to be procured to another : the truth whereof would be a little inquired into . that there is such a thing as fascination , or effascination , cannot be denied , as by the antient poets , both greeke and latine may appeare ; but what it is would be considered . c in this fascination therefore , there must needes be an effluxe of something from some body , and received againe into some other body . in this businesse then wee are to consider the body transmitting , the body receiving that which is transmitted , the medium , or middle space betwixt them , and that which is transmitted . that which transmitteth , is most commonly the eye or mouth , the party receiving , some tender body , apt to receive such an evill impression , as children especially : the medium , or middle space , the aire : and the thing transmitted , a vapour , called by the greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . now , certaine it is , that there is no member of the body that doth so abound in spirits as the eye , nor that sendeth out more resplendent beames than the ball or apple thereof . and it is reported of d augustus caesar , that on whomsoever he had firmely fixt his eye-sight , they were forced after a while to winke , as in the bright shining of the sunne beames , so cleare and bright shining were his eyes . e and of tiberius caesar it is also written , that when he rose in the night time , he saw as clearely as any cat . and it is reported , that f in the country of albania , the inhabitants before they atteine to mans age , are white haired , and that they see better in the night than in the day time . these lucid spirits then , the carriers of this fascination , slowing in that abundance , towards the eyes , and ejaculated upon the object ; if these spirits proceed from uncleane blood , it is no marvell , that some most obnoxious to receive this venomous impression , be therewith surprized : and such vapors our g authors affirme often to proceed from bleare-eyed persons , whereby they may infect others with the same infirmities : as likewise that a menstruous woman infecteth the glasse shee looketh into . h and some write of certaine families among the triballians and illyrians , who , if they looke earnesty , especially if angrily , upon any one , they presently kill them by their bare aspect onely ; and they likewise write of some women of scythia , and of others living neere unto pontus , having in one of their eyes a double bale , and in the other the shape of a horse , being very terrible to behold , and who being throwne into the water , clothes and all , could not be drowned . now , this fascination among the antients was so frequent , that the very brutes were not freed therefrom ; as may by the poet appeare . nescio quis teneros , &c. many other things might here out of antient authors be alleged , but that i hasten to that which followeth . besides this fascination by sight , antient authors mention yet another kind by meanes of speech and tongue . and gellius maketh mention of whole families in africke , bewitching with their speech and tongue : who if they praised much either young children , trees , corne , cattell , or any thing else , all died , and withered away presently . hence have wee this custome derived from antiquity , that when wee praise any thing in a high manner , wee use a kinde of prayer , desiring god to blesse it , lest , perhaps , our tongue hurt it . and there is yet another phrase in use among the vulgar especially , when any thing prospereth not according to our intents and wishes , to say it is forespoken . but whatsoever credulous antiquity hath beleeved concerning this matter , yet in truth there is no such efficacie in either of these as was supposed . i beleeve no such strange effects produced by bare beholding of any . if any children or weake natures received any such venomous impressions from such eyes , it was but rare , and seldome came to passe . and as i said before , so here againe : why might not god sometimes suffer the divell to inflict some hurt upon children or other , after some such particular persons intent fixing their eyes upon them , which that arch-enemy of mankinde might afterwards make them beleeve came to passe by reason of their intent aspect ; as he does ordinarily make our deluded witches beleeve that by meanes of certaine words , spells , or other creatures , such effects are produced , howbeit most falsely , as shall presently appeare . and that which some relate , that if a wolfe see a man first , it bereaveth him of his speech , is but a mere fiction . and so is that which pliny writeth concerning that serpent called catoblepas and the basil●●k● , which hee , beleeving others , saith , doe kill any man on whom they looke . all this i a late writer confuteth as fabulous , proving the varieties of opinions concerning this serpent , the last especially , called by vs a cocatrice , which our vulgar erroneously beleeve to be hatched by a toad sitting on a cocks egge . this , as some say killeth by sight : some againe , affirme onely by the bite , and some by the sound or hissing of it . the history of it therefore is very doubtfull , and divers waies related . as for the other sort of bewitching by * words , there is as little , if not lesse probability of producing such strange stupendious effects . and if i should grant that sometimes there might proceed out at the mouth some virulent vapours which might annoy a tender infant , especially by neere approaching , yet tell mee , i pray thee , what so forcible vapours can come forth at the mouth of any mortall man to infect forrests of trees , and whole come-fields . it is then a cleare case , that when any such accidents come to passe , they are effected by satan himselfe , god in his hid and secret wisedome , and for causes best knowne to himselfe , suffering some persons themselves , or their goods , to be in this enemies power : and many times such persons as are by the vulgar suspected of performing such ill offices , are ignorant wicked people , filled with envie and malice , often wishing such harmes to their neighbours , which satan by his power from above , putting presently in execution , these wicked malicious people are often beleeved to be the actors ; and sometimes god in his justice suffereth such to be punished by the sword of the magistrate , although free from any compact with satan ; god sometimes thus justly punishing their envie and malice , and other sinnes . and therefore it behooves those in authoritie to be carefull of the lives of such people , where there is no evident and apparent proofe to convince them . and it commeth often to passe , that as old age is peevish and froward ; so sometimes some poore melancholicke woman in the countrie falling out with some of her neighbours , useth froward speeches , and , perhaps , some imprecations also ; and then , if any hurt or harme suddenly befall this neighbour , with whom this woman wrangled , be it that any of the cattell miscarry , or any of the family fall sicke ; especially if any thing by this poore woman imprecated come to passe : this poore woman then is presently accused for a witch ; and if it lay in their power ( so ignorant , envious and malicious are some of those people ) merely upon this pre-conceived opinion , they would hang this accused party : in which cases , if the reverend judges and the justices of the countrie were not more judicious and mercifull than the accusers , we should have many an innocent person condemned to death . i have here a large field offered mee to expatiat upon , but not willing to dwell too long upon it , i must contract my matter . the cure used against such fascination doth yet argue the truth of that which hath beene said : as to hang some things about their neckes , for the which , corall is commended : although i cannot see what vertue can proceed out of so sollid a body , to encounter with so subtile and venomous a vapor , as proceedeth either from the eyes or other part . and what great vertue can proceed out of herbes hung up in the roofe of the house ? and what extraordinary vertue was there in k a wolfes head nailed upon the entry of great mens gates , as is yet the custome in divers places of germanie , although now i thinke they have no such intention ? and in divers places in switzerland they use boares heads after the same manner . it is farre more probable that l aristotle writeth concerning rue , which being eaten , is good against fascination : for being good against poisons , it might also resist maligne and venomous vapours proceeding from any part of the body . now , that both ordinary spells , barbarous words , and many other such trash used by satan and his imps , have no such power not efficacy in them either to bewitch , or yet to cure the bewitched , i could makes it by evident arguments appeare , but that i may not now too long insist , howbeit i will relate a story our of m a late writer , who hath of set purpose confuted this foolerie , where he prooveth the force of a strong confidence . a knave upon a time , saith hee , went to visit a woman much vexed with a paine in her eyes , whom this fellow promised to cure , onely by hanging a billet about her necke , wherein were written some few words , which shee was to weare constantly , and never to open or one looke what was within it . this foolish woman , accustomed continually to weepe and cry , ( the chiefe cause of all her misery ) conceiving now such a confidence in this cure , gave over her weeping , and became now as cheerefull as ever before , and so her eyes mended . after a pretty while , her eyes being now reasonable well , shee was somewhat carelesse of her billet , so that at length shee quite lost it . but bethinking her selfe what shee had lost , and fearing lest shee should be againe troubled with her former infirmity , fell a weeping and crying as before shee had beene accustomed , and so fell as ill in her eyes as ever before . this note or billet was found by a stranger , who opening it , found written in it these words in high dutch : der teuffel kat zedir die augen auff , vnd scheisse dir in die loocher : that is in english , the divell scratch out thy eyes , and fill up the holes with his ordure . now , if there had beene any vertue in these words , this good woman had lost her eyes : for they had beene pulled out and filled with the divells ordure . it behooveth then all honest , carefull , and conscionable physitians , to shunne all such unwarranted and suspected waies of curing the sicke . and i advise sicke people to seeke for remedy by lawfull and allowed meanes , and not to wizards , witches , spell-mongers , and the like forbidden crash . what ? in the time of the gospell must wee needes goe to n beelzebub ? is there never a god in israel ? no balme in gilead ? if this be scandalous for common christians , what shall it be for one of the tribe of levi , anointed with sacred oile ? it is not unknowne to the country , how that some of that profession , besides their lawlesse intrusion upon another profession , if they doe no evill , yet i am sure , doe that which is evill like . i speake nothing here of their practising of iudiciall astrology , calculating nativities and the like : but i heare by relation round about the countrie , that some remedies they use , which have beene by the most judicious accounted to savour of superstition . and although i have heard much , yet will i instance but in one particular , and of mine owne knowledge , and related to mee by a clergie man , and therefore , i hope , the credit of the story lesse liable to exception . this sa●●e last yeere there came to mee a minister , desiring to know mine opinion concerning a doubt whereof hee was desirous to be satisfied : a maide ( saith hee ) being obnoxious to epilepticall fits , craved the counsell of a minister-physitian . he gave her o a silver ring to hang about her necke , wherein were written certaine barbarous words , such as are commonly used by those who use unlawfull arts . this the young woman for a while continued , and was so long as shee wore the amulet free from her former sits : afterward being by some put in doubt of the lawfulnesse of this manner of medicine she left it off , and still after that was haunted with her old fits , as before . but being againe by some perswaded , if i remember right , shee made againe tryall of the same medicine with a like effect following as before . but after a while being without the use of this ring , whether it was lost , or whether shee left it off of purpose . i re●emember not well , but shee was seized with her fits as before . now , this minister demanded of me , whether i thought this to be a regular cure , and warranted by the rules of our art , and by us ordinarily practised ; my reply was , that cures were all either supernaturall , or naturall : the former proper to almighty god , and practised both in the old and new testament . as for natural means , the physitian makes use of them , as medicus est naturae minister , the physitian being an assistant and helper of nature in time of neede . and thus physitians make use of severall sorts of simples of all sorts , variously prepared , and exhibited often inwardly , sometimes applied but outwardly , according to severall circumstances , and such simples as the physitian knowes to be indued with such vertues and qualities , or else he meddleth not with them at all . as for this ring made of a solid metall , although our chymists attribute some antepilepticall quality to silver ; yet neither use they this not gold it selfe ( of the medicines whereof they tell us such wonders ) without a laborious and artificiall preparation , and then exhibit it inwardly , most commonly in a potable forme ; and yet are many times , yea , for the most part frustrat of her expected effects . and as i said then , so i say now , that i see no naturall cause of this cure : the silver being so solid a substance , can send out no such forcible vapors as might produce so strange an effect . now , then , it resteth it must either be effected by vertue of these barbarous words of the ring , or force of the imaginating faculty , and her strong conceit of the excellency of the medicine : the former of the which i have already proved to be false , and that words have no vertue either to hurt or heale . it resteth then , if by any meanes , it was by vertue of her strong imagination , by reason of the high conceit shee had of this medicinall ring . but this is false : for howsover shee might at first have some high conceit hereof , yet afterwards her minde was quite altered , and what shee then did , it was rather against her judgement , and with feare , as not being perswaded of the lawfulnesse thereof . but now i appeale to the ingenuous and judicious unpartiall reader , whether this be fit and comely for a church-man to make use of such meanes , which , suppose they be not unlawfull , yet at least are they suspicious . and the apostle wisheth us to absteine from all appearance of evill ; if this precept my be extended to all clergie men . and whether there be not here at least an appearance of evill , that i say no further , let the learned and judicious judge . i cannot dwell longer upon this point , but wish master parson now in his old age , being now capularis senex , to leave these vanities , and betake himselfe to doe what good he can in his owne ministeriall function , not meddling with such things especially , as have bin by the honestest and most judicious of all ages condemned ; and so may he at that great day of account give up a good reckoning . now , because in this point of fascination there is often much use made of imagination , and having beene lately also mentioned , it shall not be impertinent , ere wee proceed further , to say something thereof . i purpose not here to enter into any exquisite and accurate philosophicall discourse , concerning this subject , nor yet the strange effects thereby produced , but to demonstrate the erroneous opinion of some concerning the same . p the phansie , then called phantasia , is an internall sense , reteining and examining such species as have beene by the commonsense apprehended , or yet by it selfe framed . of the strange effects of this phansie , called also imagination , both in melancholicke persons , in women with child , and divers others , the mouthes of every one are so full , that i shall not neede to insist thereon . but all these strange effects are yet immanent , and confined within the body imagining , not transient or working upon any outward object . for although wee ofte gape or make water when we see some others doe such things , yet is this but by way of remembrance , and being excited by their example , and not forced thereunto by their imagination . but here ariseth now the question , whether the phansie can worke without that body whereunto it belongeth : or whether it can worke without its owne body for a great distance . this hath beene alwaies by an unanimous consent as well of physitians as philosophers ever denied , the which i could prove by a cloud of witnesses , which were but to small purpose , it being a confessed truth . notwithstanding the premisses , some have taught us another lesson , and q that imagination not onely within the same individuall body , but in others also may produce strange effects . and this hath been by our arabians strongly mainteined , that the soule approached neerest to the celestiall understandings , and by that meanes was indued with extraordinary vertues and powers , and among the rest , to command inferiour natures . but to confute this opinion , many arguments might be produced . in the first place , these supreme intelligences , by meanes of naturall causes interceding , produce raine , stormes , and faire weather , &c. besides , that if by this strong imagination any thing might be without the body produced , then mad men , who are very strong in their imagination , should in this farre excell others . besides , if by strong imagination any man could alter any remote object without touching , it might thus doe infinitly , there being nothing in any distance to hinder it . besides , if this were true , then the wisest and most vertuous men should performe best such actions . but the case stands farre otherwise : for these impostors are of opinion , that the most wretched and unskilfull knaves and drunkards , whose soules were never indued with any excellency or vertue , produce such operations . but besides that which hath beene said , our paracelsists have well improved this doctrine of imagination . so strange things they tell us of this imagination , that * it will draw health from a whole man ; whereas , saith mine author , in reason the contrary should rather come to passe , and the stronger draw the weaker , insomuch , that the sound party should rather draw sickenesse from the former . and as concerning that sympatheticall operation , saith the same author , as that of persicaria , the weapon-salve , and the like , they have no sound reason for them : if any thing come to passe , it is but casuall and accidentall , and often deceiveth us . by the same imagination they tell us , that wee may inflict any sicknesse upon our neighbour : and the stronger be our imagination , and ſ the more our cogitations that way intended , the greater shall be the mischiefe : by reason that by intent cogitation the spirits are directed , the which holdeth as well in doing good as harme . this will sute well with the popish doctrine , whereas the consecration of the hoste dependeth upon the priests intention ; insomuch that any sir iean may gull his people , and give them a bare wafer for the body of christ . but now , if imagination do all , our witches & wizards are mere ignorant fooles , let them but turn paracelsists , and by their strong imagination they may bring any mischiefe to passe which they had purposed , and not be liable to the law . what neede they be so much beholden to the divell , as to sell themselves to be his slaves , if these operations may so easily be effected . but if this should come to passe , then the divell would have nothing to doe . this t crollius tells us yet strange things of this imagination ; to wit , it dependeth wholly upon the starres , yea , that it is all one with them , as also , that the firmament it selfe is indued with imagination , howbeit it be void of reason ; as man hath imagination with reason . and that the whole heaven is nothing else but mere imagination , sending downe upon this inferiour world , fevers , pestilences , and the like , without any corporeall instrument . and this imagination , saith he , is as a load-stone , yea , farre exceeding the same , working beyond thousands of miles : yea , saith be , in its exaltation it attracteth from the elements whatsoever it pleaseth . so that these wise men can attract the power and vertues of the starres into any image , metall , or any other thing whatsoever ; insomuch , that the power and efficacy therof may therin plainly and conspicuously be seen . many more such things may there be seen , the confutation of the which fooleries may in the forenamed libavius at great length be seene : where the same authour justly taxeth the other , that if hee can attract any thing from the elements , as hee seemeth to have both heaven and earth at command , why then doth not he and his fellowes help the publike in time of need ? and why did he not , saith hee , in the yeere . draw downe some warmth , to qualifie the extreme cold of that nipping winter : and if he can doe good to the publike , and be so envious , it is a pitty , saith he , but he had beene buried in the snow . i adde yet , where were all our imagination-mongers this last yeere . where drouth , and by consequence famine and scarcity prevailed through the most parts of christendome ? it was a very malicious minde , that had no pitty of the publike . if they would not helpe their enemies , yet they might have helpt their friends . but i am sure for all their strong imaginations , if our poore people had not found more reall comfort by the charity of well disposed people , they might often have dined with duke humphrey , and gone supperlesse to bed . but concerning this imagination , this shall for this present suffice , howbeit i could yet have inlarged my selfe very much upon this point . a digression concerning the weapon-salve , not impertinent for this place . courteous and kind reader , by thy good leave , let mee a little digresse upon a point which , as i hope , will not prove impertinent , of the which howbeit i might by reason of the precedent chapter have taken occasion to have discoursed , yet had i past it over in silence , if there had not come lately into my hand a little discourse concerning the weapon-salve , by one impugned , and then by another in another discourse stoutly mainteined : for the which cause i must intreat a little patience to declare as briefely as i can mine owne opinion also , which whether it be grounded on reason i shall be willing to be judged by the judicious aswell of mine owne profession as others . and first i doe here protest before the searcher of all hearts , that in this particular i aime at no private or particular end , either for mine owne advantage , or yet to injury others ; but onely to cleere and vindicate truth from error and imposture . neither is it here my purpose to meddle with any mans private quarrell , or to adjoine my selfe as a second in this contention : nay both the plantife and defendant are to me alike knowne by any intime acquaintance , the one being knowne by sight , and the other by heare-say onely , and by his late published tractat. and besides , i have never ever had , nor yet have , any particular relation to the company of barber surgeons , nor yet any one person among them in particular ; and know none of my kinred either by affinity or consanguinity of that profession . surgery indeed is a part of the physitians profession , the which , as also the apothecaries part in galens time ( as some doe yet even at this day ) was performed by the physitian alone ; although now the case be much altered , the surgeon often ( here in the country especially ) undertaking all three . and therefore , if partiall respects carried me away , i had more reason to give sentence against the surgeons . besides then , the antient , and in all ages accustomed cure of wounds by application of appropriate and fit remedies to the part wounded , paracelsus hath brought in a new manner ( whether he were the first inventer , or onely the disperser abroad of this cure i care not ) of curing the same by anointing the weapon onely which inflicted the wound , or some other drawne thorow the wound . a oswaldus crollius a late germane writer , and a very affectionate scholler to his master paracelsus , hath both set downe the description of this ointment , and the manner of performing this cure . it is ordinarily knowne by the name of huguentum armarium in latine , and in greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : but by paracelsus and his disciples vnguentum sympatheticum , the sympathicke ointment ; magneticum & stellatum , the magneticke and starry ointment , from the supposed attractive power , whereby it seemeth to draw down influence and efficacy from the starres . it is likewise to be observed , that this b author willeth us first before the anointing of the weapon to stay the bleeding of the wound : as also addeth this caution , that the wound be every day bound up with a clean linnen-cloth first dipt in the patients urine . moreover , the wounds thus to be cured must neither be in any principall member , and neither nerve nor arterie must be cut . this manner of cure howsoever used by paracelsus and his disciples and some others who have beene by them caught , yet hath it beene by others confuted and impugned , some calling it c impostorious and others worse . this same last yeere there came forth a little tractat , disclaiming the use of this ointment , and proving it altogether unlawfull . but the same yeere there was by a learned physitian of the colledge of london published an other tractat , wherein he not onely labours to confute his adversaries arguments ( wherein i confesse hee satisfies me not , whatsoever he doth others ) but with might and maine , by a fresh supply of arguments and examples , labours to uphold and mainteine the credit of the weapon-salve . in the first place then to divert our thoughts from any conceit of a cacomagicall cure ( so i cal it according to his owne mind ) or diabolicall cure ; the defendant ( so here i call the doctor , as the impugning parson the plaintiffe ) takes great paines to prove , and that by many places of scripture , that because god alone operateth all in all essentially , therefore there is no devill nor evill spirit that can produce any good worke or doe any good , his nature being destructive and altogether evill , quite contrary to the manner of gods spirits operation ; and therefore that he is altogether for hurting but never for healing of mankind . as for gods omnipotent power and goodnesse , that hee is good , yea goodnesse it selfe , to prove the same were but to spend our time in vaine : as likewise , that the divell is the prince of darknesse , aiming at the overthrow and utter ruine both of the soule and body of man , cannot be denied . and although his end be alwaies evill , yet is his purpose not alwaies prosecuted after one and the same manne . can any deny this d text , that satan oftentimes transformeth himselfe into an angell of light ? and what more contrary than light and darknesse ? why doth he thus transforme himselfe ? is it not because he cannot alwaies in his owne lively colours deceive every one ; and therefore when the lions skinne will not serve the turne , he puts on that of the lamb. it will perhaps be objected , that then his actions are still evill , which is the point in hand . i answere , that howsoever indeed that be true , yet it serveth our turne , if these actions be apparently good , which is that most men looke after . now that god oftentimes suffereth the devill and his instruments to doe some apparent good , in healing some diseases , &c : if any shall deny , experience of all ages will evince the contrary . and a e late writer , as stoutly standing for this cure as our defendant , yet cannot deny but that sometimes the devill may by repairing the radicall moisture in man , and by a supply of benigne , warme , temperate moisture , retardate , and for a while stave off old age . and what , doth not this farre surpasse the curing of a greene wound ? and is not this accounted a reall good which so many men hunt after , whatsoever the devills purpose bee ? nay which is yet more , did not god himselfe make f the mouth of wicked balaam a notorious wizard , to blesse his owne people israel , and yet this same imp of satan aimed onely at the destruction of this people , as after appeared ? and it is not without great reason ordinarily averred , that the white devill is alwaies the most dangerous . who likewise is so ignorant , that knoweth not , that there are such as they call good witches , which doe more dangerously than any others often insnare the simpler sort . in the time of the raigne of king iames of famous memory , in his kingdome of scotland , after his returne out of denmarke , and marriage with queene anne , divers witches were questioned , and at his owne desire convented before him , who affirmed they were in the ship with him at his returne , relating many particular passages which had then happened : among all these was there one woman called anna sampson , who was commonly ( for her ordinary practice in curing maladies ) called the good witch , who did constantly averre , that she never hurt any , but helpt all she could . some few yeeres after that , there was in that same kingdome a notorious wizard called richard grahame , who , as i was credibly informed , came to a great noble man , a pious peere of that kingdome , then lying and languishing on his death-bed , promising to cure and recover him , if he would follow his advice ; who like a truely noble man indeed utterly refused any succour from satan , if god would not by lawfull meanes affoord him health and deliverance , and in this pious resolution resigned his soule into the hands of his maker and redeemer . this same wizard was aftewards burnt at the market-crosse of edinburgh . i will not avouch that this wizard could then have cured this noble man ; but this much to us it evinceth , that he practised upon others this trade of healing . and who hath not heard that in our forefathers dayes in the time of cimmerian darknesse , when this prince of the world domineered with lesse controll , there were certaine spirits then usually frequenting many houses , performing in the night-time many workes , the servants were with great toile to have done in the day-time , as threshing in the barne , dressing up the houses , &c. and these were here called by the name of hob thrush ; and in the northermost part of this iland , brownie ; and beyond the seas other answerable names . the white divells , the faries , or rather ( as they say they were ordinarily to be seene ) the green divells were wont to pinch the maids in the night time , if all were not cleane in the house . and thus those divells were seldome observed to doe any apparent harme either to mans body or goods , and yet still the same divell ; and no question , this was , notwithstanding , a farre more efficacious meanes to delude the simpler sort , and to lead them hood-wink'd into hell , than when hee appeared in his more lively colours . if god , either for the punishment of his creature , or for other ends best knowne to his secret wisedome , shall feale satan a commission against his creature , what matter is it whether hee delude as an angell of light or darknesse ? this being also a thing most certaine , that hee neither can , nor dare in the least point exceed his commission . and therefore it is altogether without sense or reason to aske , if then the tutelary angells leave their charge , as though god had now forsaken them . i answer , that his is meant of either his owne electiones , and then he somtimes leaves them to satan to try for a time ; as he did to g iob , or else they are reprobate ; h ahab , who was by lying prophets seduced ; and that by satans inspiration , although by gods owne direction . i hath not the potter power over the clay to make of it a vessell of honour or dishonour ? and to no more purpose is it , that because it is said , k the uncorruptible spirit of the lord is in all things , and l that from the spirit of gods mouth proceede the vertues of all things , with such other places , which for brevity i here passe by , therefore god doth not make use of inferiour angells . and therefore there was no neede of the enumeration of so many places to so small purpose , no man calling in question the power of gods spirit . but whereas the defendant would from hence inferre such a new spirit of paracelsus , and his owne forging , to operate in this weapon-salve , we have at least as good reason to deny it . i cannot here for brevity insist upon the severall acceptations of this word spirit in holy writ , but must leave it with the true meaning of the severall places alleaged , to those who have more leisure and meanes to effect the same : yet sure i am , that in all holy scripture there is no such signification of spirit as is here intended . but now i proceed to the salve it selfe , the ingredients , and manner of use or application . as for the ingredients , the various waies of composition , doe evidently evince the vanity and nullitie of the operation of this ointment . some indeed set downe a number of various ingredients collected after a superstitious manner . some againe are not so scrupulous and superstitious , either in the number of simples , or curious composition ; some contenting themselves with dogges grease : and m a learned late writer relateth an insianee in a woman of high germany , who professed , shee onely stucke a sticke or weapon in a piece of lard , and had as good successe as others with their most curious composed ointment . and it is there usuall with others to sticke a knife , or any other thing that hath hurt them , or a sticke in stead of it , in a loafe of bread , or in the earth it selfe , and yet ( say they ) followeth still the same effect . and this , i thinke , were sufficient to confute this weapon-salve , if there were no more . but it is to be observed , that whereas blood by our defendant is accounted one of the principall ingredients of this ointment , how commeth it then to passe , that crollius ( as it were paracelsus his owne genius ) doth omit the same ? but howsoever , since such an account is made of the blood , i will not quite passe over it in silence . it is then demanded why god gave so strict a charge to his owne people of israel , that they should n eat no blood ▪ if not for this reason that the life is in the blood ? i answer , that indeed the blood is the vehicle and receptacle of life , which is communicated to the whole body . but this was not the reason why god forbad them the eating of the blood of beasts ; but as that worthy light of the church o calvin allegeth : in this prohibition god would accustome men to a gentle and milde kinde of diet , and lest then being too much accustomed to the eating of blood , they should afterwards be imboldned to shed mans blood , which is the principall scope is here aimed at . besides ( as the same authour allegeth ) that the flesh and the blood are not here as divers and distinct set downe , as differing so much one from another , but the same in substance ; and yet was the flesh of beasts even then permitted to be eaten , and so was the milke , being nothing else but blood refined and dealbuted or whitened in these gloobus mamillarie glands . moreover , if this had beene simply and in it selfe a sinne , and had obliged us adsemper , for ever , then had it beene still a finne , the contrary whereof is true , this ceremoniall precept being but a part of that legall pedagogie ; as the difference of meats , cleane and uncleane , and the like . and the blood of the murthered cries as loud in these our times , as ever it did after the death of abel , this being still a crying sinne , and this being a figurative speech , as the plantiffe hath sufficiently proved . and howsoever blood by some be esteemed for one of the principall ingredients in this salve , yet ( saith the same learned p libavius ) surgeans hold mans blood to be poyson to wounds , and that the cure is thereby rather hindred than helped : and put the case it were indeed helpefull , yet were this onely applyed , and not at so farre a distance . and as for the spirits in the blood , wee justly deny so active operating spirits in the blood now separated from the body . and besides , admit there were any such matter , yet were all spirits alike efficacious ? hath a heavy melancholicke or phlegmaticke blood as active spirits as a quick cholerick and firy blood ? and what if the blood be putrefied by the poxe , plague , poison , or any other contagious disease , the blood being starke naught , shall these corrupt spirits be so powerfull and efficacious ? surely , the more we stirre in this businesse , the more it stinketh . and whereas it is said that of mans blood , with the spirit of wine , is extracted a spirit whereof is made that burning lamp which will burne as long as the party whose blood it is , liveth , and at his death goe quite out , with divers other like allegations ; i answer , that even in this they then confesse , that this blood is actuated by meanes of this operating menstruum , the spirit of wine , and therefore no such efficious power proceeding from so farre a distance can be the cause of this cure . besides , that the right spirit of wine is to be knowne for such , if it be suddenly quite consumed with the flame , and put the case the blood might a little retardate and hinder this operation , yet could it neither wholly inhibit the operation of this devouring element , nor could there such strange effects follow as are related of this lumpe . but for brevity i passe by all other things concerning this point . the fat is likewise forbidden to be eaten , howbeit no vehicle of life , the flesh ( permitted notwithstanding to bee eaten ) being farre neerer the substance of blood , as hath beene already proved . againe , as for the bones of the skull , mummy and skull-mosse , or usnea ( by them called the essence , i say rather the excrement of the skull ) being now but parts of the cadaver , or dead corps , them cannot bee that neere relation to the lively microcosme man. and if we plead a sympathy betwixt man and man , what doe we know but some of these may sometimes be taken from an enemie , and then shall we have an antipathy , and by consequent a contrary operation ? and let there be as much balsamicke salt ( as they tearme it ) in the blood and bones , this same answere will serve . i hold it impious to mainteine that by vertue of that balsamicke salt remaining in the bones of elisha q made to the murthered man revive : for it should then first have revived elisha himselfe , in whom it inhabited radically , or else not suffered him to dye . no more was there any power in the dead bones mentioned by r ezechiel , nor yet in the dead at the death of our saviour christ , and at the last resurrection to arise , all these being meerely miraculous , & not effected by any natural meanes . on these , i say , and the like places , impiously ( in mine opinion ) and out of purpose alledged , i cannot now longer insist , but leave them to the scanning and judging of by the judicious and learned divine , and come to the manner of cure . and here i must intreate the reader to call to mind what was first said concerning this cure . in the first place then the blood was to bee stanched , the wound washed with the patients owne urine , and well bound up : and that the author might act his part more handsomely , if a bone were broken then he put into this ointment some comfrey rrots . the condition and quality was that it were neither of any principall part , nor yet yet that any nerve or arterie were cut . and what need such adoe about nothing , this being easily by nature effected ? wash an ordinary wound , and keepe it cleane , and i warrant it will heale without this curious ointment , which effecteth just nothing , especially as it is used . the beasts ( dogges especially ) wee see licking a wound or ulcer , and by this meanes keeping it cleane from corruption ( the chiefe impediment hindring the healing ) is thus easily cured without either stitching or any other helpe . and therefore if this have beene accounted impostorious to make the world beleeve that was done by the vertue of such ointment wherewith the weapon was anointed , let no man marvell . this manner of cure is called sympatheticall and magneticall by way of sympathy and attraction ; and from the supposed attracted vertue from the starres , stellatum , or starrie ointment . now , as concerning the operating vertue by sympathy , as i doe not deny , so i say the same is not here to be seene ; and where this sympathy is to be found , the things sympathising are not far remote one from another : as in the unisone harmony and consent of two lutes or vialls may easily appeare , which is the defendants owne instance . but let any one touch the string of a lute or viall , and see whether the unisone string of another lute a mile off will make any vibration or stirring of the straw , or make it leape from one thing to the other unison with that of a miles or more distance ; suppose also there be neither wind stirring , nor interposition of houses , or any other impediment whatsoever . and therefore the length of a table is no proportionat distance to that often , yea , twenty miles of the operation of the weapon-salve , as is applied by our defendant . and as little , or farre lesse for this purpose make the rest of his examples of sympathie : as of the maw or gussord of fowles , alleaged for this same sympathie , good to corroborate the stomacke , braines to braines , lungs to lungs , heart to heart , guts to guts , &c. if i should yet grant all this to be true ( whereof i have yet just cause to doubt , if not to deny , whatsoever some others have held to the contrary ; and fox lungs working by their abstersive and opening quality ) yet would all this make just nothing for the purpose , these working , per contactum physicum , by mutuall contact , and their operation exuscitated and actuated by the internall naturall heat ; but none of them producing any such effect at a miles or more remote distance . but on things so plaine and evident i need not to insist . this salve is called also magneticall , for magnetically attracting ( forsooth ) a sanative vertue from the weapon and salve to the wound . but the experience of many yeeres hath taught us , that the load-stone will draw yron but at a small distance , neither twenty , ten , nor yet one mile , take as bigge a load-stone as a mans head , and as little a piece of yron as you will. ſ and therefore although some agents worke at some distance , yet is there alwaies some proportion to be observed betwixt the agent and the patient ; and although there be not alwaies a naturall contract , yet there is commonly some effluxe , or emanation whereby the one toucheth the other . and this is the ordinary manner of operation . and that this is the case with the loadstone may easily appeare , in that it attracteth yron , more or lesse , as it is of efficacy and power : and not only doeth it draw yron , but even sometimes silver it selfe : yea , sometimes one loadstone hath beene observed to draw another , yron to draw the loadstone , yea , yron to draw yron . and some piece of a loadstone hath beene observed , with the one side to draw yron unto it , with another to draw another loadstone , and with a third to attract both unto it . and as concerning the point of the needle compasse alwaies looking to the north , that is not universally tree : for sailing towards the wersterne world , passing under the meridian of asores or terceres ilands , the compasse then turnes , and lookes not towards the north pole as before . and not onely there , but even in our owne hemisphere also that the needle of the compasse declines from the line looking towards the north , from the canarie ilands to carygara , about some nine degrees . but of this subject , although i could say a great deale more , yet this shall here suffice . and in the fire this is yet more manifest , where there is an emanation of heat , which warmeth at a proportionate distance : and therefore although the fire heat , and warme at a remote distance , yet is this not indefinite , but proportioniate , the fire warming according to the bignesse of the fire , and the propinquitie or remotenesse of the object . and therefore although the fire be a very active agent , yet make a fire of ten or twenty load of wood or coales , and in a cold frostie morning let any stand a mile or two off , yea , although there be neither hill , nor any other obstacle betwixt , yet let him tell me what great warmth he findes thereby . as for the distance alleaged , sometimes to interceed betwixt the bullet and the party thereby offended , it makes as little for the purpose : for the bullet violently beats the aire , the aire thus agitated , worketh such a violent impression on the bodie : and the like may be said of the lithning producing the like effect . but this aire so agitate by such an agent will not offend the partie many miles distant from thence . a friend of mine told mee , that in a hot skirmish , betwixt the english and the portugalls , in the east indies , a bullet shot from the enemies ship , past over him within a yard or little more of his head , and yet never hurt him . as for the sweet smells of rosemarie in spaine , and sassafras wood in the west indies , be many miles carried into the aire , and by sailers smelt a farre off , what strange thing is here , these countries abounding with such odoriferous trees and shrubs , by meanes of the vehicle of the aire agitated with the wind , carries such smells to the olfactorie organe , as i may say , where wee see , that sense it selfe is here judge of this action : and yet if the wind be contrary , these odoriferous and fragrant smells are not carried halfe so farre . the like is likewise here in our owne countries , by meanes of the blossomes of pease and beanes observed . and yet this ointment , being so little in quantitie , notwithstanding all winds , or other interceding rubs or hinderances , can by a direct line send out for many miles a sanative vertue from this salve and besmeared weapon to the wound . now , yet somewhat more concerning this operating medicine , besides the blood besmeared on the weapon , there is also great store spilt upon the ground , and on the patients clothes , and in the same , no doubt , great store of spirits , and therefore the greater store of blood be effused , the sooner should the cure be performed : and if those few spirits in so small a quantitie of blood so far remote from the patient produce such stupendious effects , shall all those spirits of the hot blood so neere the patient be idle , and of none effect ? but i will yet demand further , whether the blood besmeared on the weapon , or that mingled with the ointment gives this efficacie and operation . if that in the ointment , how then , when there is no blood in the same , as wee have already proved . ( as for blood on the weapon , wee have newly answered it ) and if any , then this blood is taken from any man , and yet sometimes they tell us of the sympathy betwixt the blood of the wound and wounded , howbeit this blood may be taken from one that bare the patient small good will. but if they will yet hold so neere a sympathy , then this cannot hold betwixt those that differ so much , it may be in complexion , and many other circumstances , but especially betwixt man and beast . but if we should yet admit of this sympathy , yet when the blood is now separated from the body , this sympathie also ceaseth : and although there remaine some vertue in the parts so separated , yet are they farre different from those of a living man , a dead man being a man onely equivocally : for the which cause it commeth also to passe , that of the dead carkase of a man are ingendred some other creatures , but never a man being of the same species . and hence also is evinced the impertinency of the defendants comparison betwixt the blood and a graine of corne : for , as i said , the blood now separated from the body hath lost those lively spirits and operations it injoyed being within the body ; therefore when as being yet within the body , it was not able to produce any such effect at so far a distance , farre lesse now reteining onely the nature of a part of a dead carkase . but the case is not alike with the graine of corne , which hath not yet left its proper forme and potentiall energie to produce another corne like it selfe , being sowne in a fit and convenent soile , as the meanest husbandman in the country can tell ; and when i shall have as good triall of the former as of the later , and as good reason , i shall be ready to beleeve it . and therefore the seede of generation of man , being sowen in a fruitfull soile , had been more pertinent to be compared with a graine of corne , howbeit it is true , this would not have proved the tenent the defendant tooke in hand . the blood had farre more pertinently beene compared with the chaffe or straw : and as the straw will never produce corne , sow it and dung it as much as you will , no more will the blood produce any such effect as is pretended , order it as you please . there is then no sympatheticall nor magneticall cure performed by this ointment , as is erroneously pretended . this opinion symbolles too much with paracelsus his imagination , whereof something hath beene lately said . as concerning the cruentation , or bleeding of the corps killed , at the presence of the murtherer , it would take up a larger time to discourse of , than i can here well spare . some would have it by antipathy , and some otherwise ; howsoever , it is not alwaies observed to hold true , although some strange things concerning the same are received , besides , that sometimes some innocents have beene by this meanes accused . and if this come by antipathy , then when sometimes at the approaching of some whom the deceased dearely loved , it must come to passe by sympathy ; and thus shall wee have one and the same effect produced by two so contrary causes : and therefore the defendant findes as little helpe here , as in the other arguments . it is likewise to be observed , the time of the yeere , the site or situation of the dead , the nature or quality of the blood , magicall spells , with many other things , may hinder or further such an effect : as also when sometimes the magistrate or other maketh the party suspected , put his finger into the wound , &c. and therefore i advise magistrates not to be too rash in giving credit to every such shew of detecting a suspected person . and as concerning the operation this ointment taketh ( as is supposed ) from the starres , i have already proved , that many times this cure is as well performed by other things where there are no ingredients collected with the observations of the heavens . and as i doe not deny a power from the superiour powers of the heavens upon our inferiour sublunary things here below ; so in like manner doe i acknowledge the same to be but generall , and so effect things here below , as they find them disposed . and even in some of those most cōmonly received and subject to our senses , all is not so cleare , but may admit of some doubts . as who makes any question of the moones predominant power over humid and moist things ; and hence is the cause of the fluxe and refluxe of the sea ascribed to this planet , together with the spring-tides , and yet might it be asked why have wee so high a spring-tide in the change of the moone , when shee is quite hid from our sight , and shines not in our horizon , as well as when she shines in her full and greatest glory and splendour : and likewise since the sea in most places keepes a like time of ebbing and flowing , yet in some other againe , it ebbes and flowes farre oftner , as in the euripe and at burdeaux in france . and why againe in some places it neither ebbeth nor floweth : as in the balticke sea ; of some of which , althoug some have indeavoured to render a reason , yet are they not satisfactory and without doubts . if there be then such doubt concerning this neerest planet unto us of all others , what may wee say of the remotest fixed starres , and their particular supposed influences ? and therefore although superiour bodies produce due effects upon these inferior creatures , yet have they no such particular influences upon these inferiour bodies , as is supposed . and since the starres are of so vast a bignesse , that the least fixed starre farre exceedeth the whole earth in bignesse , they send not downe such particular influences upon the particular subjects , but affect these inferiour things , as wee have said already . and therefore wee justly deny those particular influences upon particular simples , as wee have said . as with like reason doe wee deny that some starres make the body stipticke , and some againe prone to fluxes . but wee finde by daily experience , that in obstructed bodies , without previous preparation , physicke will not so well produce its expected effect . but because something concerning this hath beene said already , i will here surcease ; but withall i would have the reader take notice of one point whereby the defendant would faine seeme to mainteine the credit of particular effects of the starres ; he wrests and detorts some places of scripture , as in other passages of his booke may evidently appeare . hee makes use then first of that place of ecclesiast . there is a time to plant and a time to pull up . what can be here collected , but that we are in all our actions to lay hold on the right time and oportunity , as he instanceth in the husbandman , and here he shall finde no particular influence . as little for his purpose maketh that place of the psalme : t the sunne shall not burne thee by day , nor the moone by night , where david witnesseth his confidence in god so much , that nothing can hurt him , no , not the sunne himselfe , nor the moone , these being the two planets that have most powerful operations . neither is here any particular influencee vinced , but such ordinary operations as are by them produced upon these sublunary creatures . and if i should grant the moone produced the epilepsie ( which is yet to prove ) yet would it not prove this particular influence . againe , there is a place produced out of the a ephesians after this manner by him alleaged . put on the whole armour of god , that yee may resist the divell in the unfortunate day . now , neither in the new translation , nor other i could find , neither yet in the originall greeke , nor bezas latine translation could i find any such unfortunate phrase . see then how farre this trash is fetcht to prove that which cannot be found . the place of iob is as little to this purpose , yea , rather maketh against the same . for wheras x the lord there asketh iob whether he knoweth the course of heaven , &c. this interogation is to be taken for a strong negation , as in the precedent and subsequent discourse , may evidently be evinced . i wil proceed no further to this apocriphall proofe , which , notwithstanding , would stand him in as little stead . now , i proceed to that which remaineth . all the former arguments and allegations seeming too weake , and the credit of the weapon-salve now being in danger , the defendant is forced to flee to a miraculous operatoion , whereat indeed , in most of those generall passages concerning the almighty power of god hee aimeth at . and thus it appeareth , that not onely in some places , hee calleth it miraculous , but affirmeth , that that man that beleeveth , and relieth upon this spirit , may effect what hee desireth , and that even by the true knowledge and use of it , the prophets and apostles did wonders , as well in curing , as effecting matters of greater moment . now , that the spirit , or omnipotent power of the almighty , can doe whatsoever it pleaseth , is without all controversie ; howbeit here he seemeth to intimate unto us this spirit or power of working miracles , and then immediatly afterwards applies it to the dead blood . i know not what hee meanes to make such a mingle mangle of miracles with this working of the weapon-salve . if it be miraculous , like the cures performed by the prophets and apostles , let it appeare , and wee will beleeve it ; and if this be true , hee might have spared all this labour in alleaging falsly so many places of scripture with his other arguments . and yet i deny , that he that hath the gift of miracles may doe what hee listeth : for neither moses nor aaron , both indued with this spirit , could either prolong their fatall period of life , or yet atteine to enter into the land of canaan , although the chiefe earthly thing that holy man moses did desire . and to the end wee may the better beleeve any dotage that paracelsus , or any phantasticall spirit hath hatched in his braine ▪ wee have brought in the miraculous healing of the y poole of bethesda , with the which it seemeth this weapon-salve is paralleled : yea , the lying legend of z tobies angell , and the liver and heart of his fish , the perfume whereof is there said to chase away the evill spirit . what need wee thus to be enterteined with lies , if this cause be good . a this sort of divell ( saith our saviour christ ) is not cast out but by fasting and prayer . the perfume of the heart and liver of a fish are used by none to drive out divells , unlesse by magicians ; and that it hath any such power , out rationall physitians , i am sure , done where that i have red , avouch . as for the poole of bethesda , when i shall see as good a warrant for the weapon-salve ( the manner of operating i meane at a farre distance ) as i see for it , i shall be ready to beleeve it . besides , it resteth yet to proove , that in this poole of bethesda , did any sanative vertue reside , as also in the river of iordan , wherein b naaman the syrian was cleansed from his leprosie . and in the text it is affirmed , that at a certaine time the angel of god moved the water of this poole● , and whosoever after this stepped in first , was healed , and freed from whatsoever infirmity he was formerly troubled with , and no other , untill the next time , although multitudes lay there attending this motion of the water ; which if it had beene otherwise , then that infirme person healed by our saviour needed not to have lyen there so long . and howsoever this cure was miraculous , and done per contactum , and not at a farre distance distance , as the operation of the weapon-salve is pretended to be effected : although i disclaime here any efficacie in the water , as the like appeareth in the c clay and spittle wherewith our saviour cured the blinde man , this clay participating of no such sanative power ; yea rather efficacious to the contrary to put out eyes . and the better to blind the world , and to confirme and strengthen his opinion of working miraculously , or ( as sometimes againe hee sayeth ' ) mystically , hee would have us quite to abandon and abdicate all heathen philosophie , the d apostle giving us warning that we be not therwith deceived . but i think the abuse doth not abolish the right use . what ? shall all universities give over teaching aristotles philosophicall precepts ? the scope & drift of al is this , that we be not tied to the ordinary operation of agents and patients , but adhere to paracelsus and his followers , and beleeve their mystical , miraculous , if not cacomagical manner of curing , and so by this meanes must we take for current whatsoever they shall obtrude upon us , as may by the question now in hand plainely appeare . by this meanes also should all our rationall and methodicall proceeding by our antient physitians so carefully prescribed , be quite overthrowne . and what ? were miracles in the old law so seldome , and that by holy men onely performed , and afterwards by our saviour christ and his apostles , and is it now in every mans power that can greaze a weapon or sticke at pleasure , to worke a miracle ? we justly tax the church of rome for their lying wonders and miracles by e gods owne spirit foretold , and shall we beleeve that whatsoever strange or wonderous act , transcending the ordinary course of naturall agents , is some miraculous worke of god ? nay wee have no reason so to doe . we know there was a f simon magus , who with his counterfeit miracles wonderfully deluded the samaritanes . and have we not good reason to suspect paracelsus , and what he and his followers obtrude upon us , of such especially as transcend the course of ordinary agents . if he had bin either prophet or apostle , we might have had a better conceit of his strange cures ; and yet not so that we would not have his tenents examined & tried by the true touchstone of gods word , with the which this doth not agree . and that he was too much addicted to infamous magick , but that i wil not now so spend my time , i could easily make it appeare . and that he was no holy man , may appeare by his manifold impieties in abusing and wresting many places of holy scripture to maintaine his phantasticall and impious opinions , concerning which , a g learned writer hath composed a whole tractate . as for his wholesome and approved chymicall remedies either of his owne invention , or collected from other men , i am so farre from disallowing the use of them , that being discreetly used , i doubt not but they may and doe produce very laudbale and desired effects ; neither am i , or ever was i so rigid , that i would refuse the use of any safe and lawfull remedy , whosoever were the author . as for that they tell us , that if the weapon be exposed to the cold aire , the wound will smart , and be in paine ; but not so , if kept warme in a close place and free from dust . to that i have already said concerning sympathy may serve for an answere . and if there bee such a sympathy , seeing wounds are much wronged by great noises ; as shooting of ordinance and the like , i mervaile whether such a noise many miles distant from the party wounded , but hard by the weapon anointed , would annoy the said wounded partie . it is by that famous h pare reported , that at the siege of hesdin in france by the army of charles the fifth emperour , at the shooting off of the ordinance many hurt in the head were extremely tormented , whether the weapons wounding them were in the open aire or lapt up warme by the fire-side . and i meruaile whether our souldiers now in the germane warres doe alwayes keep their weapons in the open aire , or close lapt up . i beleeve it is not the custome either of the king of sweden or his enemies , to lap up their weapons by a fire-side ; and yet , if one should make inquiry , hee should find , that many of them were notwithstanding easily cured without great paine , as many by experience have heretofore found true . some wounds againe in regard of the ambient aire , although but small , and in themselves seeming secure , yet many times prove mortall : that i say nothing of the severall constitutions of bodies , time of the yeere , the country , age and sex , &c. but it seemeth this cure like an empiricke contemneth and neglecteth all such circumstances . as for the signe of life and death by the blood sweaty drops , i hold it either imposterious or impious and superstitious , the sympatheticall operation being alreadie overthrowne . powder of red sanders being laid upon the weapon being warme , and being moister then it may make a shew of bloody sweat , and then this is but to cozen the world : and if otherwise , it is already answered . and as for the knowledge of life and death by a lampe made of his blood with the spirit of wine , i have already touched it , and if any such thing be effected , it is more like to bee produced by art diabolicall than otherwise . as for that which is alleaged , that lying with a menstruous woman will frustrate the operation , i hold that the carnall knowledge of any woman is hurtfull to the wounded ; and this standeth to farre better reason than that the person that anointeth the weapon , lying with a woman should be hurtfull to the wound . but on these and the like i will not any longer insist , but proceed to some examples . now although that which hath beene said already might suffice to prove the invalidity and unlawfulnesse of this cure , yet will we say something of these examples also . these examples then are of two sorts , either of such cures are supposed to have beene performed by the weapon-salve , or of other magneticall and sympatheticall cures ( as the defendant calls them ) seeming farre stranger than those performed by this ointment . as for the first sort then , admit they have been performed , wherein i will not call in question the relaters credit , of what quality soever , the question is not here de facto , as we say , but de jure ; not whether there hath beene any such cure performed , but by what meanes , and therefore they are of no validitie . and the invalidity of this argument desumed from issue and event , i have already in the beginning of this discourse answered . of one of those cure notwithstanding i will speake a word . a fellow ( saith he ) had his finger cut with a sith , and when the blood could not bee stanched , the noble man his master wished to knocke off the handle of the sith , and send him the very sigh to anoint ; the which , the wounded fellow himselfe went about , and at the very first knocke he gave the sith that had wounded him the blood stanched . in the same place he avoucheth that the same noble personage acknowledged , that although there were not drop of blood to be discerned on the weapon , yet if hee anointed the place of the weapon that made the wound ( which oftentimes he confessed was done by guesse ) he did aswell performe the cure , as if the blood had stucke upon it . out of which revelation or detection ( saith our defendant , for they are his owne words ) i gather , that all the mystery of this cure consisteth in the secret and invisible spirit that is within the blood , aswell remaining still and operating in the wounded body , as that which hath penetrated invisibly into the weapon : or else without the presence of the visible blood it could not operate . out of which i againe likewise collect , that if all this mystery consist in the secret and invisible spirit of the blood ; then no part of this mystery consisteth in the salve ; and so by consequence the variety of ingredients blood , fat , mummy , mosse and bones , the observation of the starres and position of the heavens in the collection and composition are of no efficacy , and not to be regarded , and consequently it will follow that this is a meere gull and tricke put upon the world to cozen them , and by this meanes the cure will answere the name by some imposed , to wit impostorious . againe , whereas it is said , that the cure was aswell performed without any blood to be seene upon the weapon , as with it ; that the same noble man ingeniously confessed , that he was often forced to anoint the weapon by guesse , i againe gather this conclusion , that the former tenent of the emanation of the spirits of the blood in the wound to that of the weapon , and the sympathy betwixt both is frivolous and idle . the weapon is sometimes anointed by guesse , there being no blood sticking on the same whereby to discerne it ; and yet this stout champion , where both sense and reason faile , loath to have the foile will needes have the spirits of the blood to bee there by secret penetration . i thought strange before to heare of so subtile , penetrant spirits of blood separated from the body , and now i confesse i am more amazed to heart as much of the emanation of spirits of blood where no blood at al is to be seene . in a peice of wood , perhaps , there might be more appearance of this penetrating spirit , but in yron or steele it is farre more unlikely . this as a tricke transcending that which hath hitherto been published . now to prove the operation of the weapon-salve , and confirme his former tenent , ( although already by himselfe overthrowne ) besides that which hath been said already , hee mustereth up a number of other examples both homebred and forren . one is of a noble knight now resting in peace , who often staied any fluxe of blood at a pretty distance , if he might but get a handkercher of the parties with some of the same parties blood sticking thereon : the which manner of cure , because built on the same foundation with that which hath beene said already , concerning the sympathy betwixt blood and blood , what hath been said already shall now suffice : howbeit the argument used is but impertinent , that if this knight had thought this cure unlawful , would hee have persisted in the use thereof ? and the defendant himselfe sayes , bernardus non videt omnia : this knight might likewise bee perswaded of the lawfulnesse of this cure : and yet doe not milions of people often commit enormious crimes , which their consciences doe witnesse to be sinnes ? and this i am sure none will deny . i deny not notwithstanding , that many who both use this weapon-salve , and many other unwarrantable , are perswaded of the lawfulnesse of the same : neither yet doe i thinke so uncharitably of all such persons , as have through ignorance used either this , or some other cures of the like kind , which is the cause i take this paines to acquaint them with the truth , and to reclaime them from their erroneous opinions . other sympatheticall and magneticall cures ( as they are called ) are likewise in the same chapter produced , some of them in my opinion ( and i doubt not but i shall have many both of judicious , learned and religious on my side ) as like cacomagicall cures as an egge is like another ; and therefore , if this may passe for current coine , i warrant we shall not bee unfurnished of such commodities . the first is concerning the cure of withered members , by taking some of the nailes , haire , and skinne of this member , stopping them in a hole of a willow or hazell tree , bored with an auger or wimble , fastened with a peg of the same wood , and close stopt up : and to give the better glosse to the matter , it is added , that the motion of the heavenly bodies , the moone to bee increasing , and the good planets in such a multiplying signe , as is gemini , &c. this cure is by him also called magneticall , concerning which manner of cures , because i have already said something i shall not now need to speake much . we have had already much adoe about the spirits of the blood moving to and fro , for the which were pretended many faire shewes of reason , howbeit to small purpose , as hath been already proved ; and now behold wee have as great , yea greater matters performed without this loud-crying blood and the spirits of the same . now the very excrementitious parts ( by most of our physitians denied the very name of parts ) haire , nailes and skinne , seeme to be as efficacious as the blood it selfe . nay any old wife can cure warts by rubbing the same with a piece of raw beefe , and after burying the same in the ground , the which as it rotteth and wasteth away , so doth the wart . well then , according to the defendants owne assertion , this is performed without any observation of the heavens which have here no energy : and indeed the starres are made but a stalking horse to hide a great deale of cosenage in the like cures , as may by that which hath been already said , easily appeare . but now i would aske mine author , whether there be as great and efficacious spirits in those dry excrementitious parts , as was in the blood , from whence was fetched the sanative or healing vertue . in the first place then it is said , these parts were withered and dried up , and these excrementitious parts , especially now amputated from the part wherunto they pertained , i thinke not so well furnished with balsamicke spirits , as that they might impart some to this member from whence they were fetcht , there being no bond to tye them to communicate that to others which they have not themselves . from whence then proceedeth this sanative vertue ? if it be answered , from the starres , i have already confuted that , yea he himselfe hath made it void . but if it be answered from the tree , i demand againe what so great a sympathy betwixt the tree willow or hazell and the parts of a mans body ? what ? is there such a sympathy betwixt a vegetable and an animall ? are trees and plants furnished with such spirits as may supply the defects in man ? as for the event that so it commeth to passe , proveth no more than may bee said for any cacomagicall ( for so i see i must distinguish ) operation . and how like this is to this satanicall operation of witches and sorcerers , may by that history by a i late writer related , easily appeare . a scottish king languishing of an irrecoverable consumption ( as was supposed ) at length were certaine witches discovered in the country of murrey at a small fire roasting the kings picture made of waxe , and as thi● picture wasted , so the body of this king sensibly decayed and wasted away ; and as these witches pinched this picture with pins or bodkins , so this king found paine in his body answerable : and these witches being apprehended , and this picture taken from the fire , the king recovered . the application is easie . this i leave to the judicious , christian and unpartiall reader to judge of . it is well knowne i am sure , that witches are very diligent in searching after some of the clothes or haire , &c : of that partie they would bewitch , although this be not alwayes . and that they may likewise sometimes helpe the sicke to health , hath been already proved . howsoever sure i am , this is not the manner of operation practised by god himselfe or any of his prophets and apostles , either in the old or new testament . no more than the others doth that relation concerning the herbe rose of the sunne opening and shutting as doth the matrix , prove any thing . this plant is put in plantaine water , and a little of this water given to the woman with child in the beginning of her labour , and the gentle-woman using this remedy , judgeth of the time of the birth by the opening and shutting up of this plant . in the first place then this is a relation from others , and what may therein be concealed i know not . and admit all be true as is related , yet this plant and plantaine water not being of one and the same operation , seeme not so well to accord ▪ for howsoever the former may produce a laudable effect , yet the plantaine water being of an astringent faculty , is impertinent : and were better to use some matricall water appropriate for such a purpose . howsoever this instance or argument taken from such an event ( put the case it hold alwayes true , whereof i am ignorant ) will yet prove nothing . and what doe i know what may bee here hid and concealed from us in this relation ? and what know i whether there be spels , or compact direct or indirect used by those who make use of this remedy ? much more could i yet say concerning this , but i hasten to that which followeth ; howsoever many times aliquid latet quod non patet . there is likewise related unto us a story concerning the jaundize , at the distance , not of . or . but even almost of a . miles , the which because i have from the same author , and he relateth the same from a great personage , yet because he taketh upon him the justifying of such manner of cures , i take it as his owne act . this cure of the jaundize is performed by meanes of a paste made of the ashes of certaine wood against the jaundize , together with the urine of the patient , with a blade of saffron in the top each ball . as for the ingredients of these balls , i doubt not of their efficacy and power , being used after an orderly , legall and methodicall manner of other medicines : but that they have any power to worke at such a distance , i am not so credulous , as by seeming shewes to beleeve . the manner of the cure is that these balls are layd in a secret place , where they must not be stirred , lest the cure be hindred . and it is not unlike that of the weapon-salve , but that this seemeth rather to exceed the same . in that we read not of above miles distance betwixt the wound and the weapon-salve , and here is neere an . and besides , there was blood , and the secret emanation of the spirits of the same from the wound to the weapon , the blood thereon and the salve , with the speedy posting backe againe of all these nimble spirits with their sanative vertue to the wound : and here wee have a tincture of blood and naturall salt , and some of the relicks of the icteritious humor . but this emanation of spirits , and the manner of this cure may easily be confuted by that which hath been said already . and we are yet to take notice , that in the weapon-salve the simples were to be collected at a certaine time , when the aspect of the heavens were propitious ; and in these balls working at a farre greater distance wee heare of no such matter observed : and from hence may we collect that this and some other circumstances are but fopperies , and have no more power to procure or further any sanative vertue , than spells , characters and uncouth words have in the cure of diseases . but this may yet seeme strange to a rationall physitian , that he affirmeth indefinitely any jaundize , of any age , sex , or proceeding from any cause , may be thus cured . our best medicines duely applied per contactum , yet cannot cure any jaundize whatsoever ; and yet these balls are said to do this at almost a . miles distance . k what if the jaundize proceed from the debility , obstruction , inflammation , scirrhus of the liver , will this medicine make up all these breaches , especially at so farre a distance ? what if from obstruction of the gall-bag , from the abundance of this excrement , from the small bulke of this bag , or the imbecillity of the attractive faculty , will this remote agent produce such stupendious effects , where the united forces of the best physitians , how methodically soever applied , are often frustrated of their desired effects ? and if it be a sympatheciall jaundize , manifesting it selfe before the seventh day , by the father of physitians , deemed so dangerous , will this medicine suddenly cast nature into a new mold , and so prevent all future danger ? and besides , when the jaundize proceeds from poison , which hath poisoned all the blood of the body , will these balls rectifie and renew the whole masse of blood , and like some famous antidote extinguish this whole venomous quality : ordinary medicines , i confesse , sometimes cure ordinary jaundizes , although , i confess , there is no small error often committed in the use of these , as those used for other diseases . but to cure such as have long lyen drooping under the burthen of this disease , is not so obvious for any ordinary medicine to cure , and farre lesse at a very far remote distance . the learned know there is often a great mistake in the cure of diseases , and some said sometimes to have cured them , who never had any share in the businesse , as i have in the beginning of this booke already proved . many times the learned physitian hath so shaken the foundation of a disease , that it is now ready to be eradicated , and yet nature now weakened with a multitude of medicines is not able so suddenly to recollect it selfe , howbeit after a while , the good effect of former medicines is to the patients senses apparent : and yet , if in the meane time the patient shall happen to use any medicine prescribed by the simplest old woman in the country , that shall often carry away the credit of the cure , yea , many times , although nothing be by any administred , and yet there intercede any distance of time betwixt his physicke and time of recovery , it will often be imputed to the strength of nature , or some other meanes . in cures of this nature both my selfe and many other physitians could easily instance . and therefore the more i mervaile that a rationall physitian , and a doctor in his profession should so meanely account of a rationall and methodicall proceding , and so much to magnifie and extoll such unwarrantable manner of cures . a worthy and learned divine , and sonne to an antient , reverend , grave divine this last yeere . having for a while lost the use of his rationall part , for a long time used the counsell and advice of some learned and expert physitians of the city of london , of whose labours , notwithstanding , no sudden effect did follow , so that at length they desisted from any further administring physicke . in the meane time during this rest , mention is made of certaine empirick , a barber by profession , but accounted very famous for such cures . the friends of the patient taking hold of any hope of doing him good , commune with this barber aesculapius , who would not under . pounds undertake his cure , and for that summe he made no question of the cure : and after some dayes demurre , the patients friends standing upon the summe demanded , the patient suddenly recovers without any further meanes than what had beene formerly by his physitians prescribed . some were ready to censure the physitians , that they could not helpe him : and had this bold empiricke exhibited the least medicine ( yea although contrary to the disease , as is with them most common and frequent ) the whole credit of this cure had beene ascribed to this ignorant empiricke , whereas , next vnto god , it was performed by the meanes those learned and rationall physitians used , howsoever the effect so suddenly followed not . but leaving divers other things i could except against this jaundize cure , i proceed . to confirme this wonderfull working of the weapon-salve , our defendant is not contented with homebred examples , but seekes abroad for forraine aid . he tells us of a noble man of italy recovering a nose lost . this noble man having at a combate lost his nose , afterwards by advice of his physitian , for a summe of money and liberty , got his slave to yeeld to wound his arme , and so joyned his owne wounded nose to his slaves wounded arme , and so caused bind them fast together , untill these two fleshes were united and assimilated , and after a collop or gobbet of flesh was cut out of the slaves arme , and fashioned like a nose unto this lord , and so handled by the surgeon that it served for a nose . the slave manumitted and rewarded went from boloigne to naples . afterwards it fell out that this slave died , at which instant the lords nose did gangrenate and rot off , whereupon the part of the nose which he had of the dead man , was by the doctors advice cut away , and hee being animated by the foresaid experience , followed the advice of the same physitian , which was to wound in like manner his owne arme , and to apply it to his wounded and mutilated nose , and to endure with patience till all was compleate as before . hee with animosity and patience , did undergoe the brunt , and so his nose continued with him untill his death . here is then the storie which the doctor had by relation . upon this is concluded an undoubted victory , and this example taken for a strong argument to prove the operation of the weapon-salve , how truely let us a little inquire . from hence ( saies hee ) is inferred , that the concourse of these two spirits , or rather ( as he calls them ) one spirit , being as a line stretched out from the extremities of so farre a distance , could neither by the tall hills of hetruria , nor yet the high apennine mountaines bee stopped . in the first place then , for the credit of the history wee have nothing but the authors owne bare relation , so that wee must take it upon his trust ; and how well it is knowne in italy , i am ignorant . but put the case this were yet true , what will his new nose make for the confirmation of the matter in hand . hee sayes it was related to him that immediatly upon the death of the slave , the noble mans nose gangrenated and rotted off . well , i am neither certaine of the time nor manner ; and yet of this am sure enough , that many have not onely had their noses , but some other parts also rotted off , with the neapolitane or catholicke disease . what doe i know whether this might not be so , and concurre about the time of the slaves death , it may bee a little before or after , or what , if at the very same instant ? what from this effect will follow for the fortifying of this former position . moreover what , if , as we sometimes observe neere kinsfolkes , brothers , sisters , &c : by reason of a like radicall temperature fall sicke , and sometimes dye at one and the same time , although many miles asunder , as i could instance in examples of mine owne and other mens observations , if i did not feare to trespasse on the readers patience : so likewise this slave and that piece of his flesh , although now incorporated with the noble mans nose , participating of one radicall temperature ( notwithstanding some difference in their late aliments ) might both perish at one and the same time . divers other things concerning this same point i were yet able to say , if it were necessary ▪ howsoever , if it were but this , that it might be a catholicke , neapolitane nose , and so perish without any poasting and repoasting of catholicke spirits over the hetrurian or apennine mountaines , may suffice . and notwithstanding , the defendants peremptory opinion , that here can be no operation of the divell , i affirme , that as wise men , at lea●● as will maintaine the contrary , might here maintaine a possibility of satanicall operation , but i will not insist upon this point . and thus by way of concession of the supposed truth of the story , it is apparent , that this story proves no more than any of the former , which without any further might well satisfy the reader . but besides that which hath been already said , what if i should hold this artificiall reparation of noses scarce to bee faisable , and this story consequently to be false ? i can produce mine author , one of the famousest l surgeons of this our latter age , a man famous in his generation , of manifold experience in peace and warre , and who was imploied in the continuall service of . french kings succeeding one another . and thus much for these examples . but to daw now towards an end of this controverted point , i thinke it is now apparent to the indifferent and unpartiall reader , that this cure by the weapon-salve cannot be ranked amongst ordinary naturall cures , being neither performed per contactum physicum , nor being within the spheare of activity , as the plaintiffe well pleadeth , howbeit , in mine opinion , the defendant answereth not so pertinently . and besides , there is no such manner of operation recorded in holy writ . naturall cures are there performed per contactum physicum : as m hezekiahs sore healed by a lump of figges , a medicine befitting the same . miraculous cures have sometimes conceived contactum physicum , howsoever the instrument used have in it no such energy or efficacy : as the river jordan to cure the leprosie , clay to cure the blinde , &c : as we have already instanced . sometimes againe is no instrument at all used , but the absolute power of the almighty : as in the lepers , paralyticks and others may be observed . but such cures as this of the weapon-salve we have no where in scripture recorded . and those who use such cures , let them take heed lest they fall suddenly in to satans snares . i doe not deny , that many excellent and rare conclusions are by that called naturall magicke , or wisedome brought to passe . but i affirme againe , that this same hath often proved a stalking horse to cover a great deale of cacomagicall impiety , as might easily bee proved . this spirit of error hath now by the experience of so many thousand yeeres well improved his cunning and skill in seducing and deceiving mankind , and although he yet many times easily seduce the simpler sort , and weaker sex , especially by reall contracts and bonds ; yet every one will not bite at this baite ; and therefore there are other more cunning contracts for more refined understandings . n there is therefore a more secret close and indirect compact with satan , as is by our divines and other writers granted , as the plaintiffe truely affirmeth . and as a learned late writer affirmeth , the divell is the author of both these operations , although he cunningly delude such impious magicians , howbeit some are not ignorant of their commerce with the divill , but yet pretend the light of nature and other faire shifts and colourable excuses . the light of nature is ( saith mine author ) to command uncleane spirits to be ready at our service : to cut off mens heads , and set them on againe : as likewise to raise stormes and tempests ; to translate whole fields of corne , and that by a naturall faith : in a moment and suddenly to exhibite magicall suppers : to set hornes on a mans head , to drinke out of a riddle or sieve : to make dead men seeme alive : with gun-shot or arrow-shot to kill any thing although thou see it not : in a mirror or looking glasse to see all things past , present and to come , done , written , spoken , or once but thought : to cure at a farre distance ( marke with what company this cure by the weapon-salve is coupled ) to speake with one in persia , the other party being in spaine : to worke upon a man absent and ignorant by a waxe picture : to read in the body of the moone written by another a . miles distant : to induce physicall legatures , and at pleasure to undoe them againe : to procure hatred and favour , and to change mens affections : to draw strength from one , and bestow it on another : to convey great victories to their friends : with the noise of a flute , the sound of the voice , and by imagination only to put great armies to flight : with characters and the like to free one from outward injuries : to congregate and assemble together mice , rats and witches : to make such armour that at the very sight thereof , the enemy shall runne away to conjure ordnance and guns that they shall not shoot off ( it is a wonder the emperour can find none of these so usefull artificers now in his so great need ) to provide such horses as will with incredible colerily carrie the riders over any high hill or dangerous precipices ; yea thorow the middest of an enemie . and such horses , say our paracelsians , used the wise men of the east at the nativity of our lord and saviour . a multitude of such in●tances of other strange magiciall impieties could i relate . howsoever many of these be meere lies , which they cannot effect , yet may the judicious and unpartiall reader thereby easily perceive ex unguibus leonem , what such people aime at , whasoever plausible reason they pretend to the contrary . and such is the doctrine of paracelsus and his followers , for the which reason , we have just cause to suspect such cures , rather then with the defendant call them dona dei , miraculous , mysticall , extraordinary , and what not . o there is a way ( saith salomon ) that seemeth right in his owne eyes , but the issues thereof is death . and the p apostle paul wisheth us to abstaine from all appearance of evill . and if there were no other reason , methinkes , a good christian should be circumspect what he useth . if some divines and physitians have approved of it , that is no warrant for me nor any man else , it is good for every man to be sure of a good warrant for his actions . i weigh more the truth than the eminency of the person or his calling . amicus socrates , amicus plato , sed magis amica veritas . and thus have i declared mine opinion concerning this cure done by the weapon-salve , although neither of any contentious spirit of contradiction , or opposing any mans opinion : farre lesse to please or applaud or plead for the profit of any silver-smith demetrius ; howbeit i thinke those men ( the company of barber-surgeons i meane ) not so despicable , but that they ought to be regarded and have their due , that profession being both antient and famous , yea most antient of all the parts of physicke , and practised by manuall operation ( from whence it is denominate ) many yeeres before either anselmus , paracelsus , or whosoever was the broacher and propagator of the weapon-salve was heard of . many things here i passe by in the defendants booke worthy of confutation , as not having taken that in hand , which would have required more time , and made this booke to swell to too voluminous a bignesse , my purpose being onely to touch upon such things as chiefely and most neerely concerned this subject of the weapon-salve . and what i have said , i referre to the censure of the learned and judicious . errare possum , hareticus esse nole . chap. xxxj. of mandrakes , the nature and vertue thereof , and whether this plant hath any power to procure love ? now from that which hath hitherto beene said concerning philtra or love potions , there ariseth yet a question concerning one simple , and which may seeme to crosse that which wee have already said concerning such simples as are supposed to provoke or procure love . for it seemeth , at hath beene constantly mainteined , and by sacred writ confirmed , that that simple called mandragora , and in english mandrake , hath beene endued with this amatory qualitie . that truth therefore may prevaile , and error may be convinced and confuted , i thinke it shall not bee impertinent , ere wee proceed , to say something concerning this simple . of this mention is made in a genesis , where it is said , that reuben went forth in the time of wheat harvest , and having brought home with him mandrake , rachel begging them of her sister leah , she refused , &c. from whence it is collected , and by some supposed , that leah used this simple as an amorous bait to make her fruitfull , and to attract , and so much the more procure her husbands love , into the truth whereof we are now to inquire . in the first place then , it would seeme this simple was by the antients used to this same end and purpose ; and was for this same cause by them called circaea or circetris , from that famous witch circe . b dioscoride maketh it of two sorts , male and female : the female he maketh lesser in leaves , the leaves smaller , and smelling better : to the male againe he ascribeth greater leaves , and the fruit bigger , participating of a sweet , heavy , loathsome smell . of any pleasantnesse of smell c pliny speaketh not one word ; but whereas all agree that the leaves and root are of a loathsome and strong smell , pliny averreth , that this apple or fruit doth yet exceed them herein : but neither of them doe ascribe unto it any amorous quality . d s. augustine affirmeth , he found in his owne experience this pleasant smell in these apples , and withall that they were of an insipid and unsavoury taste ; for the which cause , he wondreth why rachel should so much desire the same , and acknowledgeth himselfe to be ignorant hereof , unlesse she were in love with the smell and beauty of this fruit , and the rarity thereof . a e late germane divine , who also quoteth this same place of s. augustine , is of this opinion also , that this was not for any venereous use , that rachel so much desired these apples or flowers , or whatsoever it was . f galen giveth it no such amorous quality , but ascribeth unto it a cooling vertue in the third degree , together with some portion of heat , especially to the root : but the apples he acknowledgeth to be moister ; but in all he holdeth this narcoticke quality to be predominant . now by any thing which hath hitherto beene said , there hath beene proved no amorous quality in this simple , which notwithstanding hath beene hitherto by many very stedfastly beleeved , and hath been the cause that many have bought such supposed roots at a very high rate . g matthiole a late learned physitian upon that place of dioscoride above mentioned , maketh mention of the cheating and cosening of impostors with this counterfeit root . they take , saith hee , a briony or some other root , in the which they cut out the proportion of a man , and in the head , place of the beard , and other parts where haire useth to grow , they make many small holes , into the which they put some cornes of barly , millet , or some other graine , and burying it in the ground , let it lie untill such time as these graines were growne out : and then with a pen-knife , or otherwise , cut out those blades of the graines in the forme and fashion of small haires , and so sell them to credulous and simple people , women especially , who are perswaded that this is a speciall remedy against sterility . and this the same author affirmeth that hee learned of a notorious quacke-salving mountebancke , whom at rome hee cured of the french pox ; who among many other cheating trickes , confessed this also , and affirmed , that for one of those counterfeit mandrakes he had had sometimes . sometimes . crownes . now the better and more easily to delude the simpler sort , and more cunningly to picke their purses , they tell them a g strange tale of the manner of pulling up this root : that it is very dangerous for them that doe it , and therefore that they bare it about the root , tye one end of a string about it , and the other end about a dogs necke , and the master departing , the dog essaying to follow him , pulleth up this plant by the root , and dieth immediately ; and then there is no more danger either to the master or any body else . and this fable , it seemeth , had its first foundation in h josephus , who writeth such a thing of a root , which he calleth baaras , digged up after the aforementioned manner . now this mandrake root barren women sought much after , supposing it did further fecundity ; unto the which they have beene induced by the mistaking of the true meaning of that place of genesis . and there is a i learned late writer that laboureth much to prove this , howbeit in my opinion to small purpose . his first argument is taken from the chalde paraphrasts , who both in both places ( genesis , i meane , and the canticles ) translate this word dudaim , jabruchin in the plurall number , the singular being jabroach : and the arabians even at this day call mandrake , jabora and jabroach . againe , saith he , both the septuagint , and the old latine translation hath translated this word dudaim , mandragora in both places . againe , saith he , dod , and in the plurall dodim , signifieth love or charity ; and therefore the breast and paps are also called by this name , being , as he saith , the seat of love , and in forme like this apple . but the truth is , that whatsoever faire flourishes these reasons may make , yet in them is no certaine nor assured truth . for as concerning the signification of the word he himselfe confesseth , that the word dod from whence dudaim is derived , besides this signification , signifieth also a caldron , and laboureth also to apply this to the forme of the mandrake : and againe , dod signifieth an uncle , and dodah an aunt , from the effect of love , and would have this greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the brest or dug derived from this hebrew dod or dodim , how well , let the learned judge . and he confesseth also that rabbi schelomoth in both places interpreteth this word dudaim sweet and well-smelling figs : others interprete it violets ; others that plant we cal satyrium ; and some againe , that we cal winter-cherry : and finally some translate it pleasant and well-smelling apples . to come then to our purpose , it seemeth this word is not proper to this plant onely , or rather is a generall word , signifying well-smelling fruits or flowers ; as doth appeare by the late translation of the learned tremellius , himselfe a jew , and his friend junius , who both in both these places where this word is onely found , translate it well-smelling fruits or flowers ; in english indeed , in both places it is translate mandrakes . now if wee but consider a right this place of the canticles , it seemeth to stand to best reason that it should be translated sweet smelling flowers , or at least , of very pleasant and delectable fruit , there being mentioned before it the vine and pomegranat ; and after all manner of pleasant fruits . now this apple of mandrake , take it at the best , is not , i am sure , to be parallelled with the best and pleasantest fruits . s. augustine indeed saith it smelleth well , and some others say it hath a mixt smell . i will not call in question s. augustines credit , nor argue the case whether he might be deceived , and being no physitian have some other fruit given him , and called by this name : but with us , sure i am , there is no such smell to be found in those that grow in the hottest of our european countries , nor such as i smelt in the middest of france , nor could learn it of others : and it is proper to all our narcoticke medicines to bee of an evill and loathsome smell , although growing in a hot climat : as we finde it in opium , as also in tabacco ; although it be verified in this drug which divines say of sinne , consuetudo peccandi tollit sensum peccati , the custome of sinning taketh away the sense thereof : so may i say of this , customary use maketh people complaine of no annoyance at all , being so inured to this filthy smell . l this soporiferous and narcoticke quality ( say our chymists ) proceedeth from a narcoticke sulphur , whereof this loathsome smell is an individuall assistant . galen also himselfe judgeth of the quality of the simples , not only by the taste , but also by the smell : and such as are of a sweet and pleasant smell , not only he , but all other physitians after him , account to comfort and corroborate the spirits , and principall parts ; which no man yet ever affirmed of any narcoticke : nay , nor yet of tabacco it selfe , although growing betwixt the tropicks in trinidad . is it then likely , that the holy ghost , and salomon his pen-man , and so well skilled in the nature and vertue of simples , would ranke a venomous plant among so pleasant fruits or flowers ? but put the case , that this simple growing in those hot easterne countries , did smell well , and lost that loathsome and unpleasant smell , incident to such simples ( which , notwithstanding , is not likely , these hot countries commonly intending their properties and smell , as appeareth in tabbaco , &c. ) yet then , why may not i with as good reason affirme , that many of our ordinary fruits or flowers , transplanted into salomons pleasant garden , might much improve their former properties and smells , insomuch , that they might farre surpasse this plant and fruit , and so should be in small request , where there were so many better ? i thinke now i have made it to the indifferent and unpartiall reader , plainly appeare , that there is small probability , that this mandrake mentioned in the scripture , is our mandrake . and put yet the case it had beene so , yet wee see it produced not that effect in her that obtained this plant ; and she that parted from it had children in a short space . but let us yet search a little further into this love-property attributed to it : this property is only confined to helpe womens sterility by those who stand stiffeliest upon the point . and yet our antient physitians , neither dioscoride ( who reckoneth up all the severall properties thereof , yea , even a violent purging quality , equalling , if not exceeding , hellebore it selfe ) galen , nor pliny , make any mention of this property . and whereas they make mention of some names , tending to that purpose , they only relate other mens opinions , they never ascribing any such property unto it . i will not indeed deny , but it might have bin used by witches and sorcerers in their love-potions , ( as i may call them ) and so were bones of frogs , haires of a wolfes taile , hippomanes , and such other trash ( which no understanding man ever thought to be indued with any such quality ) by wicked people , notwithstanding , imploied for such purposes . and this same late alleaged author , when he alleageth the supposed love quality in this simple , groundeth his reason on the cooling quality of this simple , fit , saith he , to coole the hot wombs of those eastern women , as he thinketh it to be incident to most women dwelling in hot countries . but what if this simple be hot in quality ? i think then his building wil soone fall to the ground . m galen himselfe joyneth heat with the cold quality in this simple . and i thinke , let but a judicious physitian well consider of the purging quality , and many other operations in this simple , incident ( at least many of them ) to other narcoticks also , will acknowledge a hot quality predominating in it , and then this cooling effect is quite vanished away in smoake . and put the case this were yet true , then were it onely good for women of very hot wombes , and not proper for ever barren woman ; and withall , were not good for women of our cold northerne climat , who are not , for the most part , so hot wombed as there easterne women . besides , if by reason of its narcoticke and soporiferous quality , by reason it provoketh to sleepe , and consequently the better to reteine the seed of generation , why may not opium , henbane , or hemlocke doe the like ? or why should that plead such privilege above other simples of the same nature and quality ? moreover , if this plant had beene indued with any such vertue , is it likely that leah , who had now for a long time beene debarred from bearing of children ( insomuch that for this cause she had given her maid to her husband to helpe out her number ) would so easily have parted with so effectuall a meanes , to her sister especially , betwixt whom and her selfe there was such emulation and debate ? to conclude then this point , there is no probability , that this mandrake hath any such power or vertue , as to make barren women fruitfull ; and yet farre lesse to procure love , or make any love better , howsoever , it may be that in antient times , it hath , perhaps , beene used as other poisons for this same purpose , as i have said already . and pliny himselfe mocketh the magicians , who attribute strange vertues to herbes , and divers simples , and such as is impossible for any reasonable man to beleeve , as namely , to open any locke without resistance , to drie up rivers and lakes , to supply all wants , and make enemies to flee . but the same n pliny wisely replyeth , where were such herbs when the romans obteined such victories of their enemies ? and i could make a many questions to this same purpose , although , i confesse , it were but to small purpose . but concerning these things , as also concerning love , love potions , and the appendixes , or things thereunto belonging , thus much shall suffice for the present : on the which i have somewhat the longer insisted , by reason i perceived some erroneous opinions concerning this subject to be so ruveted in the mindes of many , that it is a hard matter to root them out : wherefore , if i have trespassed upon the readers patience , let this apologie plead for mee ; that my intention was to profit the publike ; the which i wish may likewise plead for any former trespasse of the same nature . chap. xxxii . of immoderate or passionate anger , the hurt thereby procured to the body , in sicknesse and in health , and antidots against it : in what diseases best , and in what worst ; and whether any may die of anger . that the affections of the soule being kept within compasse , and ruled by reason , are not sinfull , may by that which hath been said already plainly appeare . and a worthy light of this land , a man famous in this generation , and to whom not this land alone , but the whole church of god is not a little indebted , speakes worthily to this same purpose . a the affections and perturbations of the minde ( saith he ) are , and that not without great reason , by god himselfe given unto men , and prove often very profitable for the atchieving of high and sublime matters ; provided alwaies , that by the awe and feare of god , as with a bridle they be kept within compasse , and not suffered to exceede the bounds of mediocrity . of the first of these passions , to wit , of love , wee have spoken at great length ; we come now to anger : this the same authour , in the same place , observing what hath beene said before , doth not discommend ; but when a man upon any small occasion shall so farre suffer himselfe to be transported with this passion , that like a drie match , hee is easily set on fire ; according to our common proverbe , but a word and a blow . and therefore , b galen well compared and paralleled together anger and reason , comparing anger to a horse , and reason his rider : as the horse then ( saith he ) should be ruled by his rider , so should anger be ruled by reason , which made vlysses curbe and keepe in his anger , and just indignation conceived against his maids for their great insolencies , it being then no fit and opportune time to punish them according to their deserts ; and therefore when reason beareth rule , then this furious and raging beast , anger , is supprest and kept under : as when the rider is master of his horse , and both strong and skilfull enough to rule him , then the horse obeyeth his master , and doth him what service is sit for him to performe . but it commeth sometimes to passe , that either by imbecillirie and weakenesse , or unskilfulnesse , or both ; the horse gets the head , and so , running away , hee throweth his rider : even so commeth it often to passe , that this rash and precipitate anger getting the head and mastery , often over-throweth reason his rider , and so giveth him the foile . this , when homer would expresse , hee brings in hector and achilles , young men , succumbing and yeelding to this furious passion : but on the other part , vlysses , polydamus and nestor , prevailing and getting the victory over the same . but if i should speake of the mischiefes procured by this furious wilde beast , anger , i scarce know where to beginne , and might compose great volumes of this subject onely . it armeth the will to all manner of villany , and openeth a doore to all manner of wickednesse . is it not often the cause of great warres , broiles , dissention , of the overthrow of whole countries and famous cities . and therefore well may it be called a most cruell informe monster , matamorphosing man , not only into the shape of some furious cruell wilde beast , but even into the shape of the divell himselfe : and as smoake dazleth the eyes of the body , so doth this the eyes of the understanding . and what marvell , i pray you , if a man now deprived of the use of reason , and following the violence of this furious passion be transported to the perpetration of strange and enormious facts ? it was not therefore said in vaine ; ira furor brevis est , anger is but a short fury : and wee may as well say , furie is but a long anger . how many murthers have beene by this furious monster committed ? have not men thereby become more cruell one to another than the very wilde beasts ? according to that old proverbe , homo homini lupus . see how this anger prevailed in that great conqueror of the world , alexander the great , who yet could not conquer himselfe , but in his drunken anger killed clitus , &c. it is recorded of vedius pollio , a noble roman , having invited augustus caesar to a feast , and his butler having broken a crystall glasse , hee cast him into his fish poole to be food for his lampreies : for the which cause , that noble emperour caused breake all the rest , lest they should afterwards be an occasion of any such cruelty . but i should spend too much time , if i should insist upon many particular relations of this nature . it will be better to set downe some antidots , both out of sacred and prophane writers , against this disorderly passion . the wise man well acquained wiih the evills and mischiefes thereby procured , therefore in that golden booke of proverbs , and in severall places of the same , setteth downe the evills of anger , and the antidots against it . besides that place alleaged , in another place hee setteth downe these words : c a soft answer turneth away wrath , but grievous words stirre up anger : d a wrathfull man stirreth up strife , but hee that is slow to anger appeaseth strife : e hee that is soone angry dealeth foolishly : and a man of wicked devices is hated . f he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty : and he that ruleth his spirit , than he that taketh a citie . g the discretion of a man deferreth his anger , and it is his glory to passe over a transgression . h a man of great wrath shall suffer punishment : for if thou deliver him , yet thou must doe it againe . i it is better dwell in the corner of a house top , than with a brawling woman in a wide house . and againe , k it is better to dwell in a wildernesse , than with a contentious and angrie woman . l proud and haughtie scorner is his name , who dealeth in proud wrath . m make no friendship with an angrie man , and with a furious man thou shalt not goe . n an angrie man stirreth up strife , and a furious man aboundeth in transgression . the learned , if they list , may read the exposition of that worthy divine , cartwright , upon these places . the same sacred writ affoordeth us yet in sundry places soveraigne remedies against this same passion . o be not hastie in thy spirit to be angrie : for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles . p cease from anger , and forsake wrath : fret not thy selfe in any wise to doe evill . q let all bitternesse and wrath , and anger , and clamour , and evill speaking be put away from you , with all malice . r but now you also put off these , anger , wrath , malice , &c. ſ be yee angry and sinne not , let not the sunne goe downe upon your wrath . and this last holy anger , not sinfull , but against sinne , is that which only is warranted by gods word . and thus wee see holy moses was so moved at the making of the golden calfe , and to see god so grossely by idolatry dishonoured , that he brake the two tables . but to discusse this theme i leave to the learned divine , and proceed to shew how carefull the very heathen philosophers were to subdue this foule passion , and what wholesome precepts and directions they gave against it . t plato very wisely wished his hearers when they were angry , to view themselves in a looking-glasse , and when as they should see their countenance looke so furiously in every respect , like one in a phrensie , it would be a meanes , for ever after to make them refraine from this so fierce and furious passion . u the same philosopher being angry with his servant , and preparing himselfe to punish him , it fell out that in the meane time xenocrates came in , whom plato intreated to punish his servant for him ; alleaging that now bee was angry . this wise philosopher , by reason of the commotion of his minde , mistrusted himselfe . and yet is this the ordinary custome among men , then to punish and correct , when they are most transported with this passion . * it was the saying of aristotle , that prince of philosophers , that as smoak so troubleth and dazleth the eye-sight , that wee are scarce able to discerne such things as are right before us : even so doth anger so farre blinde the eyes of the understanding , that a man cannot for the present discerne hee doth amisse : according to that vulgar verse : impedit ira animum , ne possit cernere verum . the x same aristotle being acquainted with alexanders hasty and angrie disposition , wrote to him after this manner : anger and wrath is not commonly exercised against our equalls , but against our betters ; and now there is no man on earth to be compared with thee . y z bias the prienean , was wont to say , that there were two things contrary to good counsell , hast and anger : for an angrie man being besides himselfe , is void of all counsell . chilon taught , that it was good to overcome anger with reason , the which affection is stronger than any other : the which to overcome , is more excellent , and requireth more strength , than to over-come an enemy ; neither receive wee lesse hurt from anger , than from an enemie . a diogenes upon a time seriously disputing against this passionate anger , in comes a young rake-hell , and to try his patience , and whether hee could practise that himselfe hee taught others , spate in his face : but the philosopher replyed , i am not angrie , howbeit i doubt whether i ought not to be angrie . b democrates seeing a lacedemonian in great anger , beating his servant , wished that hee himselfe should cease to be of his servants servile condition : for he is a servant that cannot command his owne affections . c architaes having found some of his seruants in some fault , and finding himselfe somewhat incensed against them , yet did nothing to them at that time , but departing , added these words ; happy are you that i am now angry at you . d one demonax being asked of one to whom a great emperor had committed an army , by what meanes hee might best discharge his duty in this so weighty a businesse ? answered , if thou beest free from anger . the same wise-man advised people not easily to be angrie with any ; but rather to use all meanes to amend their faults ; imitating in this physicians , who are not angry with their patients , but labour to cure their infirmities . by that which hath been said may then easily appeare , what is the duty of christians , and how farre wee come short of these heathens , destitue of any other guide , but the light of nature ; the which , comparing these two cases , and paralleling the one with the other , may more perspicuously yet appeare . but this i leave to the learned divine at great length to prosecute . but before i leave this point , i cannot passe over in silence that worthy and memorable example of that e famous emperour , theodosius , and his constitution , worthy to be ingraven in letters of gold on pillars of brasse for a perpetuall memoriall to posteritie , to shun and avoid rash anger . this great emperor , by reason of a sudden sedition , raised in the towne of thessalonica , sent thither his troupes , who slew of the citizens about men . this good emperor , although hee had no small provocation to incite him to this revenge ; yet because this remedy was somewhat sharpe for the disease , hee not onely repented him of the fact , being by saint ambrose for the space of eight moneths first therefore excommunicate : but made such a decree , as i wish princes and great ones well to consider of it : that no decree made by any prince should be put in execution before the full space of thirty daies were accomplished , that in the meantime that might be fulfill'd , give place to wrath ; and lest the like accident should againe befall any , that had befallen those of thessalonica . f and yet ( as a late writer well observeth ) there were three great and notorious offences , which incited this pious emperour to this severe revenge , lest it may be imagined , that like a tyrant hee raged thus against his subjects without any seeming reason , for a small or no cause at all . for in the first place , the people would not suffer a villaine to be punished , who had ravished a youth to abuse him against nature : againe , when as hee was by this good governour committed to prison , they raised a tumult about so infamous a businesse : and when as this governour did labour to suppresse this their sedition , they killed both him and divers others of worth assisting him . but it is now more than time wee come to the hurt it procureth to the bodie , both in sicknesse and in health . and first in health , it often altereth the naturall comlinesse and decency thereof , changeth the colour of the face , dazleth the eyes , maketh the tongue clamorous , armeth all the parts of the body ; as hands , feet , teeth , &c. and as for diseases thereby procured to the body , they are not a few , and no passion more prejudiciall to the life of man , and which more accelerateth or hasteneth on old age . and this to be consonant and agreeable to right reason , may easily appeare : for anger being nothing else but a heat , or ebullition of the blood , and a violent motion of the same in the heart , which at length with violence is diffused and dispersed over the whole body ; as galen himselfe defineth it : it must needes over-heat and dry up the bodie ; by which meanes , it sometimes exciteth fevers ; in such bodies especially as are apt for a long time to reteine this impression of heat . and although oftentimes the violent motion of the heart be setled and staid , there remaineth , notwithstanding , in the body an unnaturall heat , from whence often proceed fevers . many also overtaken with this passion , have beene suddenly surprized with apoplexies , epilepsies , convulsions , palsies , trembling of the joints , and gouts of all sorts . some also have fallen into pleuresies , laundizes , many sorts of laskes , proceeding of choler , &c. but such especially are most offended with this passion , that are of a hotter constitution of bodie than ordinary , either naturall , or adventitious , by meanes of any infirmitie : but such especially , as have the head and heart hot naturally , or accidentally , are most obnoxious to hurt by the same . in all hot and acute diseases , therefore , as also in hot cholericke constitutions , we are by all meanes possible to prevent this passion , the patient then of himselfe , by reason of his infirmitie , being more peevish and froward : for the which cause there must such caution and circumspection be used of those about the sick , that all possible content must be afforded , and such placed about them in whom they most delight . their diet also and their physick must with all discretion be accordingly accommodated , as hath alreadie beene related . but it may , perhaps , here be demanded , whether anger be not usefull in some diseases ? or whether it be hurtfull in all ? i answer , that in some diseases it may be beneficiall for the patient . and this is chiefely to be observed in some infirmities of the animall parts ; especially in cold diseases of the braine , in cold constitutions of bodie , and where the head and heart , especially , are of this temperature , and that even by the authoritie of g galen himselfe ; where hee affirmeth , that it exciteth and stirreth up naturall heat , in them almost decayed . and this is the opinion of h hippocrates himselfe also , where he affirmeth , that both it helpeth the colour of the face , and disperseth the blood through the whole bodie . in cold and moist cachecticall constitutions , it may be now and then , and by intermission used , and that at fit and opportune times : but yet never so as the body be thereby prejudiced , or the facultie offended . and this must be , as it were , by way of exercise , and that with great discretion : as for the degrees of anger , wee mentioned them in the generall discourse of the passions ; and howbeit all the sorts of this passionate anger be evill , and pernitious ; yet the most violent and most furious are most hurtfull to health ▪ and inflict the deepest wounds . before i finish this discourse of anger , resteth yet i should say something concerning a question which may here be asked , whether any may die of anger , as of other passions of the minde ? now , that i have reason on my side to move this question , it may from hence appeare , that even i galen himselfe , who freely confesseth that of exorbitant joy and griefe one may die , yet , that ever any died of anger , hee altogether denieth . his reasons are probable , in that anger neither cooleth the bodie , nor yet overthroweth the strength thereof . but by galens good leave , we have of late yeeres learned another lesson . in his time hee never had observed it , and yet others have since his time : bernardus non videt omnia . k a late writer , and heretofore sometimes mentioned , tells us this storie : a widdow being married to a captaine and switzer by nation , on the marriage day , some of her friends having hindred her to bestow upon her new married husband so much as she desired , was so transported with choler , that shee would eat no supper that night , and fell , a few houres after , into so strong convulsions , that shee died immediatly after . l the same authour relateth yet another historie : a man of good account having by certaine intelligence found , that his maide had one night lien with his miller , watching her on the morning , as shee came home , pulled her by the haire of the head , and troad her under his feet , and was in that violent manner transported with anger and indignation against her , that suddenly he was seased with shortnesse of breath , and a trembling over his body , insomuch that i ( being called to looke upon his wives eye ) found i had more need to succour him : but having used phlebotomy , and findin no alleviation , the former accidents continuing , and strength decreasing , he died withing two daies . by this then which hath beene said , the truth of this assertion may appeare , so that i shall not neede to instance in more examples of such as have fallen into epilepticall , apoplecticall and convulsive fits , and after died of the same . those that are wise , will be warned by that which hath beene said , to those not i , but that truth which cannot erre telleth them , that anger resteth in the bosome of fooles , and therefore with these verses i conclude this point . ira animis lethale malum procul absit , ahilla mors saepe ingeniis corporibusque venit . turbat enim , caecaque animos caligine versat , et sensus tota cum ratione rapit . sicut enim tactae serro candente lacunae sic motu calidi sanguinis ira fremit . hinc subitis fractos accendit febribus artus , saepius hic etiam deteriora facit . hinc flavam ratione omni praevertere bilem convenit , & caussis non statuisse locum . a deadly plague to mortall minds , is fretting wrath and rage , it kills the body , spoiles the wits , thine anger then asswage . it troubles so , and over-turnes mens heads and hearts alway , that senses , wit and reason quite , it snatcheth cleane away . as water trenches make a noise , hot yron put therein , so anger meeting with hot blood , to rage doth still begin . thus man with sudden agues oft his broken limbs inflames , and oftentimes in mortall men , it breeds far worse ill quames . chap. xxxiii . of sorrow , griefe and feare , the danger and detriment commeth thereby to the bodie of man ; and how hurtfull in sicknesse and in health : whether any may die of sorrow and gríefe . there is yet a passion of the minde , oppressing both body and minde , when it exceedeth moderation , and is not kept within the compasse of mediocrity , and ruled by reason . and this is griefe and sadnesse , which in latine hath obteined divers names , which by reason of the penury of our vulgar tongue cannot all be englished by severall termes . they proceed all from the opinion of some future or instant evill oppressing the minde , and by this meanes often occasioning great hurt to the bodie : and are these following : metus , tristitia , timor , terror , pavor , consternatio , & exanimatio , as we have already in the generall discussed . these passions doe all , more or lesse , concentrat and draw in the spirits from the circumference or outward parts to the center , or middle region of the bodie , the heart especially , which being destitute of heat and spirits , they doe by this meanes coole and drie up the bodie ; and that lesse or more , according to the extension or remission of the passion , the sudennesse of the same , together with the aptitude of the subject to receive such impressions . of this effect of sorrow and griefe , the wise salomon was not ignorant . a heavinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoupe , and againe , b by sorrow of the heart , the spirit is broken ; or as it is after expressed , it drieth the bones . this feare or griefe , or sorrow , are commonly affections following melancholie , and depending thereupon ; on the which subject , if i should expatiate , i had need begin another volume ; but because this hath bin by c others , both learnedly and largely handled , as also my purpose and intention not being here to handle any particular disease , but briefely to say something concerning these passions of the mind , and what dangers they procure to the body in sicknesse and in health , i will not meddle therewith , but prosecute that i have undertaken . this grief and sorrow then , if too much yeelded unto , will to some procure irrecoverable consumptions , will dry up the braine and marrow of the bones , hinder concoction , and so procure crudities by meanes of want of rest , and by consequent prove a cause of many dangerous diseases . now , as the excesse is hurtfull to all , so to some farre more than to others : especially to leane spare bodies , dry braines , persons inclining to melancholy . and women , especially , if with childe , young children , who be reason of their sexe and age are lesse able to resist such passions , and some by naturall constitution very timorous , are more liable to danger , by reason of feares and sudden frights , than other people . it is therefore a very unadvised course most commonly to affright children with bug-beares , hob-goblins and the like : for there is many times thereby such a deepe impression of feare ingraven in their tender senses , that howsoever it doth not bereave them of their lives ; yet are they so possessed with an habituall feare , that they are scarce ever freed therefrom ; at least , untill they atteine to ripe and mature age . and some that are yet of a more tender constitution , are sometimees ceized with some sudden and dangerous disease , if they escape death : as paralyticke , epilepticke , apoplecticke and convulsive fits , as i could easily instance , but that i cannot dwell upon it . of all others it is most dangerous for women with child ; and that not only for feare of present aborsion ; but even for some future feare of some hurt may befall the tender fruit of her wombe . i have knowne some little better than meere naturalls , by reason of the mothers fright , during their ingravidation . it hath beene often also observed , that even upon men of mature age and judgement , the strong apprehension of some future danger , hath in them produced strange and sudden effects . d a late authour relateth a storie of a young gentleman , whose haire was in one night turned white . the gentlemans name ( saith he ) was didacus , or diegus osorius , a spaniard , who falling in love with a gentlwoman , one of the queene of spaines attendants , this gentleman according to former agreements , was got up into a tree growing within the precincts of the court , but bewrayed by the barking of a dogge , was by the guard laid hold on , committed to prison , and in danger to have lost his life , for attempting any such thing within the precincts of the court . the next morning the keeper found this gentlemans haire turned to a perfect white color as the antientest mans in the countrie ( and yet their haire in that countrie is ordinary of a blacke colour ) the which the king first hearing related , and seeing it so indeed , it wrought such an alteration in his minde , that not onely freed hee him from his punishment , but restored him to his former liberty , affirming , that it was punishment enough to have changed the flower of youth with white old age . e there is in the same author a like accident happening in the cour of charles the fifth , emperor , whom the emperor himselfe could scarce beleeve to be the same party that was committed to prison the night before , and granted him likewise a gracious pardon : and many strange accidents are there out of divers authours related , which for brevity i here passe by . now , as other passions excite and stirre up some particular humour : as joy stirreth up the blood , and anger choler ; so doth feare and griefe stirre and move melancholy . but it may then be demanded , whether such passibe contrary to all sorts of people , and whether one may ever give way on s thereunto ? i answer , some people are more privileged than others ; provided alwaies , that it be not in excesse : and such are principally f grosse , fat and foggie people , with full bodies , and such as have their spirits hot & moveable . and in such people sadnes , feare , and profound cogitations and cares do somewhat blunt the edge of those hot and fiery moveable spirits , and withall do extenuate and take away some part of that bulke of body wherewith they are so burthened ; the which both greeke and arabian physitians doe with unanimous consent witnesse . such as are of a contrarie constitution , of bodie , braine , or both , as wee have said already , are by all meanes possible , as they love their lives and healths , to shun and avoid these passions . but in sicke persons especially , which is that i here principally aime at , there must a singular care and regard be had , that as little distaste as possible be given . and herein that golden rule of hippocrates hath chiefely place ; g that it is not sufficient for the physitian to play his part , but the assistants also , and attendants ; and all other things must also be answerable . the sicke , wee know , by reason of his sicknesse , hath sorrow enough , especially , if the party be of a feeble , fearefull and pusillanimous spirit , the phansie still framing unto it selfe new feares of some bad and sinistrous event . and thus wee see through rashnesse and indiscretion of some about the sicke , sometimes by relating to them some evill tidings , and sometimes putting them in needlesse feares , without any sure ground : or yet when there is just cause of feare in the sicke ; yet being indiscreetly revealed to him , either by the physitian , or others , or yet at an unseasonable time : as about the time of rest , or before meales , may much prejudice the sicke . and therefore i advise all those whom it concerneth , to be very vigilant and circumspect , whom they suffer to come about the sicke , wee finding by daily experience , that many times ignorant and unadvised people , prove the causes of infinite evills to the sicke : and that sometimes by disswading them from a laudable and legall course for the speedie recovery of their health , prescribed by learned and wise counsell ; especialy if their shallow capacities be not able ( as seldome they are ) to dive into the depth of the physitians intentions : and sometimes also by erring in the maner above-mentioned . such constitutions of body as we named heretofore , are not hereby so much wronged , providing we goe not too farre . my meaning is not here , notwithstanding that which hath beene said , to forbid any that true sorrow for sinne , and a true compunction of heart , for offending the majestie of the almighty god , the which will be so farre from producing those effects of worldly sorrow , that on the contrary , it will purchase to thy soule more solid comfort and content , and more inlargement of true heavenly joy to thy drouping and sorrowfull soule , than all the silver and gold of ophir , and both the indies , and all the gracious gems and jewells ever gave to the greatest upon earth that possessed them ; yea , if it were yet possible they were all in one mans possession : and as h the wiseman saith , that , even in laughter there is sorrow ; so may i as well invert it , that even in this godly sorrow , is joy in the holy ghost , and comfort unspeakable . worldly sorrow causeth death ( saith the apostle ) but godly sorrow causeth repentance not to be repented of . but many are the volumes written by our learned devines , concerning this subject ; among others * a learned late divine hath handled this point very punctually , in his learned and elaborate treatise of comforting afflicted consciences . but this not being my proper element , therefore i proceed . there is yet a doubt concerning this point , which resteth to bee discussed , whether of griefe or sorrow any may dye ? to this question i galen himselfe maketh answer that one may dye of these passions , and to this doe all physitians assent ; and experience maketh it so appeare . and this same author seconds his authority with sound reason : for in such passions the blood and spirits having a speedy and sudden recourse to the heart to succour the same in so great a need , where aboarding it with too great violence , and in too great a quantity , they leave the outward parts of the body quite destitute of this blood and spirits . we see what a strange effect this griefe wrought on k good old heli ( alas how small is our griefe for matters of this nature ) when he heard the arke of god was taken . and l that worthy woman his daughter in law , although her husband were a prophane and wicked man , yet at the hearing of the taking of the arke , she was so much therewith affected , that nothing , no not the newes of a sonne borne of her womb , could give her any comfort , or hinder her from following the footsteps of her father in law in giving up the ghost and m histories relate that antiochus epiphanes , or rather , as some well call him , epimanes , that tyrant , being chased out of persia , and hearing also that his generall lysias was defeated , and chased away by the jewes , by reason of greife and sorrow fell into grievous diseases : although there was yet in him divine punition to be observed , and yet not excluding naturall causes . n a famous physitian , and now and then mentioned in this discourse , relateth a story to this same purpose . a preacher of this city ( basil he meaneth ) accompanied with his wife onely , in the moneth of november returning from a village not farre from the towne , hearing them call to shut up the gates , hee ranne before to cause them keepe open the gate untill his wife came in , and so entring himselfe supposed his wife had been entred after him , the gate was shut and she excluded ( the keyes being , as is the custome , immediatly carried to the burgermaster , no entry is of any to be expected for that night , as i found once too true by mine owne experience ) and neither could he get forth to her , nor shee suffered to come in to him , the night very darke ; this poore desolate woman , all the night filling the aire with her complaints ( there being no house nor town within a great way of this city ) passed a part of the night , and in the morning of this feare and griefe was found dead at the gate . o the same author relateth yet two other stories making to us appeare the truth of this point . a company of young wenches in the spring of the yeere , walking abroad in a faire morning , they came to the place of publike execution , where was still hanging upon the gallowes one who had been lately put to death . these wild wenches beganne to throw stones at this dead corps : at length one throwing a greater stone than the rest , this corps turned round : at the which motion , this maid apprehended such feare and terror , that strongly apprehending this ▪ dead corps to be alive , with all possible speed shee ranne home , still supposing this dead body followed her . being come home , she fell into strong and violent convulsive fits , and so died suddenly . p another young maid about . yeeres of age went downe into a grave new digged , where had beene layed heretofore some matron of the city of basil , and not as yet consumed : this dead carkasse this young maid essayed to lift up by the armes ; but was presently striken with such a feare and terror , that she went home , and was seized with so violent convulsions , that her eyes were like to leape out of her head , and so presently died , and was the next day buried in a grave hard by the other ; as though this dead corps had called for her company ; as shee cryed out a little before her death . in the late yeare . in the beginning of january , my presence and paines was craved for a yong gentleman living within some few miles of northhampton then sicke of a fever . within some two or three dayes this gentleman still continuing very sicke , the gentlewoman his wife being now quicke with child , terrified with some accidents she saw in her husband , and withall fearefull of some future event , fell suddenly one morning into strong and violent fits of convulsions ( being at other times also subiect thereunto ) the agitation of her head and armes being so violent , sometimes drawne one , and sometime another way , that much trouble it was to hold her : but withall the blood and spirits flying all upwards , the nether parts were left so feeble , that she was presently deprived of the use of her legs , insomuch that she was in a chaire carried into another roome . but yet the gentleman her husband recovering , shee was in a few dayes freed from all her former fits and feares ; and at her full appointed time was safely delivered of her burden , without any hurt or danger either of herselfe or infant . i have the more willingly instanced in these particulars , to make every one more carefully and circumspect in avoiding and shunning these passions , and whatsoever may provoke or incite us thereunto . the remedies shall appeare in the next chapter , where wee purpose to speake of the last passion . chap. xxxiiij . of ioy and gladnesse , and of the excesse thereof , which may also hurt the body : and whether any may die of excessive ioy . that the former passions are prejudiciall , and often very hurtfull to mankinde , especially if they exceed , may easily obteine credit , perhaps , with an ordinary understanding : but that joy and mirth so agreeable to our nature ; and so acceptable to our senses , should ever produce any such effect , will hardlierreceive entertainment . and this may seeme yet so much the more strange , in regard this is that we all principally aime at , as being a soveraigne and excellent meanes , not onely to preserve and mainteine our health , but likewise to recover the same , being already lost . and good reason there is for this ; a joy being a motion of the minde to the outward parts , with a certaine gratefull and delighting desire to lay hold on that which may give us content . and yet there is withal such a violent motion and agitation of the blood and spirits , that weake and pusillanimous people may bee much thereby endangered . and the wise man intimates unto us such a moderation in every thing , where hee warnes us to be wary even in visiting our neere and loving friends , under the comparison of eating hony moderately , wherein if we exceed , we may fare the worse for it . but as for moderate joy it is commended by the holy ghost himselfe , and in the same booke of proverbs the utility thereof extolled . b a merry heart maketh a chearefull countenance . and a learned expositor upon this place affirmeth , that although the substance of the soule and the body differ much ; god hath notwithstanding tyed and united them so fast together , that there is no small harmony and sympathy betwixt them : insomuch that either of them being affected , the other suffereth also . and although the harme redoundeth to the whole body ; yet because it is most conspicuous in the countenance , therefore the wise man maketh chiefely mention of the countenance ; and teacheth us here likewise , that a cheerefull and merrie heart not onely maketh the body sound and healthfull ; but maketh a cheerefull and amiable countenance . hence commeth it to passe , that when as the heart is merry and cheerefull , the eye is lively and quicke sighted , the cheeks of a comely , ruddy colour , &c. but all contrary , when the mind is heavy and dejected . in what an account and high esteeme this is in all the parts of our life can scarce be declared . for first , in divine worship and service it is very requisite that we be of a cheareful countenance . and hence was it that isaac preparing himselfe for that propheticall benediction of his sonnes , calls first for wine and venison , whereby his heart being cheered and refreshed , hee might the better performe this propheticall function . and the holy prophet elizeus being much grieved at the sight of wicked joram , before ever he went about to refresh those three kings distressed with thirst , calleth first for a cunning musitian , whereby the griefe and sorrow of his mind might be mitigated . now if the prophets themselves , inspired with a propheticall spirit , had need of this chearefulnesse of heart for the better performance of gods worship and service , how much more have others use thereof ? and such services as performed by sad and heavy persons , we see , are not so acceptable : as may in mardochee and nehemia plainely appeare . and we see that esau being cheered with jacobs gift , was of so cheerefull a countenance , that jacob confesseth he beheld his countenance as though he had beheld the face of god. but in the godly ( saith the same author ) this doth yet farre more plainely appeare , who being refreshed with the peace of a good conscience , have a cheerefull and lovely countenance . this may plainely appeare by the example of the nazarites who drunke no wine , &c : as likewise by the example of daniel and his fellowes , who although they fed but on pulse and water , yet their countenance was farre fairer and better liking than of any of the rest who were fed with all the kings dainty fare . and therefore this ioy & mirth consisting in our reconciliation with god from whence proccedeth a good conscience , is farre to be preferred before all the most curious washes and paints , wherewith the lascivious and dainty dames of our times doe dawb , and as they thinke , so curiousl● adorne their faces : yea , and of farre higher esteeme than all the most curious and dainty diet that can be devised , in the which neverthelesse , many , if not all , place all that pertaineth to the preservation of health and maintaining the comely colour of the countenance . that the life therefore might bee the more comfortable , and that griefe , sorrow and sadnesse might not too much prevaile and oppresse us , it was the bounty of our good god to give us not onely food and raiment for necessitie , and water to quench our thirst : but to give us also wine to cheere the heart , oile to make glad the countenance ( in the hot easterne countries then in great request , howbeit in our cold climats not so usefull ) and musicke both vocall and instrumentall , to stirre up , and excite the dejected melancholicke minde . and therefore the moderate use of all these comfortable creatures is , as we see , allowed by god himselfe : and besides good merry company , either at meales or otherwise ; provided , the mirth be honest , not scurrilous , and offensive either to god or man : and thus may these verses following be understood : quaere igitur sed honesta tuis solatia curis , quae tibi nec somni , nec loca sola dabunt . vtere convivis , non tristibus , utere amici , quos nugae & risus , & ioca salsa dabunt . quem non blanda iuvent varii modulamina cantus ? hinc iecur , & renes , agraque corda stupent . nam nihil humanas tanta dulcedine mentes afficit , ac melica nobile vocis opus . seek comforts in thy griefe and cares , which may thy heart solace , much more than either drousie sleepe , or solitary place . but let thy comforts comely be , and honest all thy jests . converse with cheerefull merry friends , at banquets and at feasts . sad company avoid and shun , such company frequent , as love in laughter and delights to have the meeting spent . what man so lumpish is of mood , whom musicke doth not move , and merry songs ? these frō thy heart all pensive quames remove . for nothing doth with such sweetnesse the minde of man rejoyce , as doth that noble worthy worke , of mans melodious voice . but my meaning is not here of such mirth and musicke as is most commonly and ordinarily used in tavernes and tap-houses , in play-hous and ale-house , where the most dissolute and deboist companion is often accounted the best fellow ; and hee that can most dishonour god by blasphemous bloody oathes , and by that swinish sin of drunkennesse shew great manhood in un-manning himselfe , carrieth away the bell for good-fellowship , and such are accounted the onely merry companions of the countrie . if one should advise them sometimes in their merrie mood to sing psalmes , it were puritanisme ; and yet such a puritaine was the c apostle iames : if any be merry , let him sing psalmes : and such a puritane was the d apostle paul , willing us to use psalmes , hymnes and spirituall songs . i know there are times and seasons for all things ; and as excesse of mirth is alwaies , so , especially , in these bleeding times of the christian world most unseanable . e and as the prophet elisha said in another case , is this a time to take silver , &c : so may i say , is this a time for such excesse ? the lord ( saith the prophet isaiah ) god of hostes did call to weeping and mourning , and to sadnesse , and to girding with sackcloth ; and behold , ioy and gladnesse , staying oxen , and killing sheepe , eating flesh , and drinking wine ; let us eat and drinke and be merry , for to morrow wee shall die . and it was revealed in mine cares by the lord of hostes ; surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you . and the words of that worthy vriah ought never to be forgotten : f the arke , and israel , and iuda abide in tents , and my lord ioab , and the servants of my lord are incamped in the open fields , shall i then goe into mine house , to eate and drinke , and lie with my wife ? as thou livest , and thy soule liveth , i will not do this thing . there is yet a pregnant place for this same purpose . g that lie upon beds of yvory , and stretch themselves upon their couch , and eat the lambs out of the flocke , and the calves out of the midst of the stall : that chaunt to the sound of the viol , and invent to themselves instruments of musick , like david . that drink wine out of bowles , and anoint themselues with the chiefe ointments , but they are not grieved for the affliction of joseph : therefore now shall they go captive with the first that goe captive , and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed . let our preachers apply these places ; i will not thrust my sickle into another mans harvest . but now , as concerning mirth , and cheerefulnesse in diseased and sicke persons , i thinke it is to them by all meanes to be procured ; and , as i said already , all manner of discontents are to be avoided . but of all other , sicke people , to such especially as are otherwise of a melancholy constitution of bodie , or sicke of any disease tending that way , although but accidentally : as likewise such as are of themselves fearefull and pusillanimous , and easily dismaied at a small matter . and herein is required great wisdome and circumspection , and that the physitian doe accommodate himselfe to the severall dispositions of his patients , and to many particular circumstances concerning them , which cannot punctually be set downe . and howbeit this passion as well as others may sometimes exceed the bounds of mediocritie , yet are not the sicke for the most part so much hereby indangered as by other passions : resteth now to discusse one question before we conclude . since joy and mirth is so agreeable to mankinde , and lesse offensive than any of the rest , it may then , not without good reason , be demanded , whether any may die of this passion ? i answer , that even h galen himselfe , who was ignorant that any could die of anger , yet did confesse , that some might die of too great joy . and there is some reason for it : for the blood and spirits flying all from the center , or heart , to the circumference or outward parts , the party must needs die , the heart now being left destitute of such necessary provision : and i pliny makes mention of some : as of one chile , sophocles , denis the tyrant , and of her , who after that dismall battel of canes , contrary to a false rumor , received her sonne alive , whom she supposed to have bin dead . and purchas maketh mention of the like accidents even in this our age . k abraham kendall ( saith he ) put into the i le of s. helena , about the yeere , . and left on shore a sicke man , whom edmund barker moneths after found in good plight : but their unexpected comming , as it seemeth , so ravished his weake spirits with ioy , that it distracted him , and being otherwise of constitution very well , he died daies after . the like hee saith of a portugall in the same place : i wish therefore thou use moderate mirth and cheerefulnesse , and such as be too much subject to sorrow and griefe , to refraine therefrom , and not to give way to any anxious cares , which are the causes of many mischiefes both to the body and the minde . take therefore this counsell with thee : omnia curarum somenta relinque , nec ullis corpus habe pressum sollicitudinibus . anxia mens , non ipsa sibi , non rebus agendis constat , ab hac vitium corpora saepe trahunt . hince variae pestes , morborum mille figurae , crede animam nostri corporis esse ducem . saepe graves ista , veniunt ex arce labores , sicut ab aercis pestilens aura plagis . all things that may thy cares increase , avoid and lay aside , keepe still thy heart from heavinesse , let joy there still abide , a pensive minde even to it selfe , inconstant is alway , and in all things it undertakes , it keepes no constant stay . from thence the body often drawes corruption and vice , hence plagues , and of sore maladies a thousand sorts arise . this know , that of each man the soule is of his body guide : from whence , as from corrupted aire , great pains in him reside . and thus much shall suffice to have said of joy and mirth , the true antidot against sorrow , griefe and feare . and this likewise shall suffice concerning all the passions and perturbations whereof i undertooke to speake : and as i said at first , i am not ignorant , but that there are yet a many more affections which in time worke a deepe impression both on the body and minde of man ; yet worke they but leisurely , and by degrees , and worke no such sudden impression , and therefore i passe them by . the conclusion of this whole discourse . by that which hath beene said already , may plainly appeare how excellent , and how usefull is this diet of the diseased , and how necessary it is to be carefull in the prescription thereof , and from hence may evidently be evinced , into what danger they precipitate themselves , who fall into the hands of such unskilfull persons , who are not able to advise them what diet is best , and what is worst . and yet , as by this precedent discourse hath plainely appeared ; diet is that which principally , and above all other meanes , is narrowly to be looked into . and that this is not a matter of so small a moment , as by the vulgar it is accounted , hath at great length , by the authority of the learned in all ages , beene plainely proved . in the first particular then , wee see , wee must consider the nature of the aliment , whether it be a vegetable ; as all sorts of plants , fit for the use of man ; the variety whereof , together with their severall vertues , wee have at length set downe . againe , there being such varietie of other creatures , foure-footed beasts , fowle and fishes , which afford food for susteining of mans life , their natures must be well knowne , and what food they afford the sicke , and how safe it is to administer the same . besides all this , the right preparation is duely and carefully to be observed ; some sickenesses requiring one , and some another kinde of food , and a different preparation . and besides , the quantitie must carefully be observed , and that according to severall individuall bodies ; and the order , when more than one dish is allowed . now , all this is yet nothing , if the state of the individuall bodie thou dealest with , be not without great care and diligence looked into . and principally , and above all other things , wee must have a watchfull and carefull eye over the strength of the sicke , and not onely narrowly observe the difference of severall and individuall parties , one from another , according to their severall complexions ▪ but even one and the same individuall partie , how it differeth from it selfe , according to the severall seasons , not onely of the sicknesse , but even of the time of the yeere also . all the which circumstances , as they have beene at great length discussed , so doeth it as evidently appeare , that this is not the taske of any ignorant quack-salving mountebancke , empericke , barber-surgeon , or of an ignorant busie-bodie woman-physitian ; nay , nor yet of a medling pragmaticall minister : but of a skilfull and judicious artist , able upon all occasions to adde what is wanting , to alter what is not usefull , and detract what is superfluous . if this then be true in this dieteticall part , as hath bin proved , what shall wee then say of the administration of physicke it selfe ? if the unlearned , by reason of their unsufficiencie , are not to be allowed to deale with this dieteticall point , how much more are they unable and unfit for this other of so great a consequence ? if the vulgar be so afraid of physicke , that scarce can they sometimes be perswaded in cases of greatest extremitie ( and i cannot in some sort blame them , there being so many dog-leaches , and ignorant practitioners of all sorts suffered , as it were , to throw lots upon mens lives ) to admit of any lawfull remedie , although exhibited by the hand of a skilfull , learned and rationall physitian : why are some of them , yea , and some of a more refined judgement often so lavish of their lives , that they will sooner commit themselves into the hands of any quack-salving mountebancke , or barber-surgeon , than into the hands of the must learned and judicious artist , and are often so shy of physicke , as of some deadly and deleterious poison : but it often befalleth them according to the old proverbe . incidit in scillam , dum vult vitare charybdim . they leape out of the frying-pan into the fire . and whereas the learned and skilfull physitian is furnished with store of gentle and benigne medicines , which offer no force nor violence to nature ; and if at any time the greatnesse and malignity of the disease indicate an addition of stronger remedies , either to acuate and quicken the dull and sluggish quality of the others , or to eradicate som inveterate disease ; yet is he able so to correct the malignity thereof , that he can make it a soveraigne medicine for the healing of his infirmity : the other on the contrary useth most commonly his crude , maligne and unprepared medicines both mineralls and vegetables ; the hurt and smart whereof , howsoever they be not at the first felt , yet are they often afterwards the causes of many mischiefes : besides , that this kind of counterfeit physitian purgeth often away as well the good as the bad humor , the which is impossible for the patient to observe or discerne , howsoever he knowes it to his cost . but besides empericks , there is yet another sort of intruder upon the profession of phycsike as faulty ( if not more , all things considered ) as the former : practising ministers , i meane , concerning whom although i have in the beginning of this discourse said something ; yet by reason of some seeming colourable objections might by themselves or others be made in their behalfe . i will adde yet something before i make a full end : although in my opinion , this one place of s. paul , if there were no more , a who is sufficient for these things ? were sufficient to confute them . but i have heard some of them pretend a charity and love to their neighbours to helpe them in their need . this reason , as it first makes a glorious shew , so if we shall narrowly view this pretended reason , we shall find it like b those faire apples of sodom , which being once touched , turned into ashes ; and like c those painted sepulchers being within full of rotten bones . but this is no new practice to cover vice with the mantle of vertue ; which as it is most common , so it is most accursed : simulata sanctitas duplex iniquitas . and this by many places of scripture i could make manifest , but that i think it wil not be denied , and i am loath to spend too much time on it . charitable workes , i confesse , are to be performed ; but every person is not fit for the performance of every worke of charity . the ministers charity is to have a care of his peoples soules , to visit and comfort them when they are sicke ; and even to extend their charity to their bodies , according to their ability . as for the curing of their bodies , that exceedeth the compasse of their callings , and in so doing they break down hedges , and intrude upon another mans right . if they shall reply , that sometimes they do it to supply the place of a physitian ( perhaps ) wanting . i answere , they are very witty to devise wiles to maintaine a wrong cause . and it was a good speech of a worthy divine of this shire , now resting in peace : o quam argutatrix est humana ratio , praesertim quum aliquid de suis commodis & emolumentis deciditur ! how hard doe men plead for their profits ! i say againe , if a minister bee endued with any competent skill in this profession ( as perhaps having learned it before he betooke him to this profession ) and any of his parishioners be amisse , either in the absence of a sufficient physitian , or yet in case of the patients poverty , the ministers charity in such a case is most seasonable . but my meaning is principally of such as make a pecuniary trafficke of this profession , erect apothecary shops in their houses , and often traine up others in that profession which they are yet themselves to learne , and have been knowne to have been most busie , where able and sufficient physitians were to be found . and the want of able and learned physitians is often by meanes of their lawlesse intrusion occasioned . it is not unknowne to some , that some of these men have beene so impudent and shamelesse , that they have often offered their service to the gentry , and people of best note , some of them traffiquing to and fro to engrosse all imployment into their owne hands , debasing and vilipending the actions of other able physitians : and if ( perhaps ) at any time , some successe doth second their bold attempts ( as sometimes audentes fortuna juvat , fortune helpes the hardy ) thou shalt then have them like that proud d menecrates bragge and boast of their noble exploits . it is no doubt a hard case , when no physitian will serve the turne but levies tribe ; and if lucullus were not , pompey cannot live , scilicet ! it is a hard case , no question , when physickes sufficiency is all covered under a clergy mans cassocke . but i would faine know what aesculapius hath infused this sufficiency into them . the famous universities of this kingdome doe quite disclaime them as informe monsters , and births borne out of season , which never yet received the right shape of a physitian . the famous physitians of the colledge of london acknowledge them to have no part in the hippocraticall common-wealth . their grave and learned brethren of best note deny them , e some preaching against their practice , and some againe f publishing this dislike in print . but it may bee , they will claime kinred to the g methodian thessalus , who taught that the profession of physicke might in six moneths space be attained unto . similes habent labra lactucas . like lettice like lips . but there resteth yet an objection , and more materiall , at least in shew than the former . venter non habet aures . need maketh the old wife to trot . a necessity by some is pretended , their livings being too little , and their maintenance too meane to mainteine them and their families . i doe not deny , that many of our learned levites are not rewarded according to their due desert , learning not beeing rewarded according to its worth ; which is farre easier forme to lament than to amend but all the offenders cannot cover themselves with this cloake : nay , the most grosse and notorious offenders for the most part injoy greatest livings , of one , two , or three hundreds a yeere , if not upwards . one of them in my knowledge hath plaied the usurer ; although some of the principall is gone into a bottomelesse bagge . let the ingenious reader then judge , whether any of these can justly plead poverty . others againe , i confesse , have smaller allowance , and therefore would seeme to deserve more favour . in the first place , as i grant the antecedent , so i deny the consequent , as false and erroneous . many honest men and good schollers of unblamable life and conversation i my selfe well know , whose livings come not neere the others who have least ; many of them not exceeding forty , thirty or twenty pounds , and some not twenty marks , yet far more painefull in their calling than the former , of whom none that i could yet heare of under fifty , three or fourescore pounds . but put the case this were yet true , what then ? must they strike richard for robert ? must they robbe peter to pay paul ? if they themselves be wronged , must they of necessity injure others ? must they of necessity deprive the people of their paines , and encroach upon an other calling too weighty and heavy for their shoulders ? but if they will needs make an addition to their meanes , why meddle they not with some other calling of lesser consequence , in the performance whereof the error of the artist bringeth lesse danger and detriment ? if they shall reply , that were too base for them , i answere , that h s. paul , notwithstanding , in the night-time made tents , and in the day-time was diligent in delivering his masters message . and there are yet some other meanes in case of necessity might farre easilier and safelier be used , than the profession and practice of physicke , and that without derogation from the dignity of a scholler . and yet the abissine priests even at this day keepe this custom , of i labouring in som trade or calling , their ordinary maintenance being but very meane . but let no man mistake my meaning , as envying the maintenance of worthy , learned and religious , painefull divines , as willing to reduce all to that antient , apostolicall custome , which in our established churches now for good reasons , i confesse , to be out of use . absit , nay it never came into my thought . nay , would to god i might bee so happy to live to see abuses reformed , buyers and sellers whipt out of the church , and levi to injoy his full allowance , that i might then with k holy old simeon , sing a joyfull nunc dimittis . on the the otherside , let ministers wait on their ministery : i neither plead for simoniacke patrons , nor yet for lazy levites : but as i thinke them worthy of double honour , so let them consider who deserve the same ; such as labour in the word and doctrine . as for idle loytering levites , who seeke the fleece and not the flocke , i thinke them so unworthy of any honour , that i wish , like drones they may be driven out of the church . some againe , willing to mince the matter , maintaine , that a minister may at least so farre play the physitian , as the physitian is somtimes to play the part of the minister : and that as somtimes the physitian in absence of the minister may administer spiritual physicke to the sicke , so may the minister in absence of the physitian administer to the patient corporall physicke . i confesse this maketh the fairest shew of reason of any of the former , and my meaning is as farre from hindering charity in time of necessity : provided alwayes , the party be able to exercise that kind of charity , and this particular case occurreth but seldome . againe i say , there may here fall out by this meanes some inconvenience ; so that still , latet anguis in herba . besides , these two cases are farre unlike , there being therein a great disparity . the physitian may in time of need give the sicke good and wholesome counsell for his soules health : and this may sometimes a neighbour aswell , yea , it may be , better performe , than either the minister or the physitian . the physitian then performeth this charitable worke , as the duty of a common christian , and that which any other that is able is allowed to doe , there being no danger in applying this remedy , if done but in any ordinary discretion : although it were to bee wished the spirituall physitian himselfe were able alwayes to administer his owne physick . now the case standeth not alike with the minister , who may easily be mistaken either in the disease , or the remedy due to the same , or yet in the due and convenient time of application , with divers other considerable circumstances , unlesse hee be skilled aswell in a theoricall knowledge , as in the practicall imploiment of this profession : unto the which he shall hardly ever atteine , without the neglect of the worthiest of the two . and put the case hee may yet helpe some distressed neighbour in his need , it will both draw him on to doe the like for others , who may plead the like interest in him ; and againe , his example may incourage some ignorant and idle dames to doe the like . principiis obsta . resist occasions of errour at first . all the errours of the romane church at first crept in upon faire and plausible pretences , as might easily be proved ; the which now are become so many , and so strongly mainteined , that wee had now need of some hercules to cleanse this uncleane and filthy stable . and the pope himselfe , made he any small account , thinke you , of such ware , whenas l hee sent his holy ghost so often post in a cloak-bagge from rome to trent , to inspire the fathers of that councell , to stand stoutly to the mainteinance of this their freehold ? but if they will yet plead any sufficiency in themselves , whereby they may safely practise this profession , and if any aesculapian genius hath infused into them the hippocraticall skill , i see no reason why they should be debarred from doing good , even in this same kinde . but let this proviso be put in , that they first resigne their livings to those who will affoord them better attendance . i neede not mention that young frye of able schollers , these famous nurseries of good learning , like two fruitfull mothers , send yeerely abroad into this our fruitfull canaan , flowing with milke and hony : and how many of these stand idle in the market-place , no man hiring of them into his vineyard ; when as others undertake and ingrosse farre more worke than either they are able , or is fit they should deale with . but if the dole be a dealing , i see no reason why the physitian may not claime a share in it , as well as they doe in others . the talion law will allow it , and i make no question , but they may finde some of them as fit to preach , as they to practise . as for that objection taken from the affinitie of the soule and body , i thinke it not of that worth , as to be objected by any scholler : and yet i have heard that some have pleaded this . now , if it may take place , it will make as much for the physitians preaching , as for their practising . and besides , if this argument may take place , then by reason of this affinitie of the members of the bodie one with another , the tailor shall become a shoo-maker ; and againe , the shoo-maker a tailor : and the haberdasher ( because he dealeth with the head , the most eminent part , and seat of the sense and reason it selfe ) will , perhaps , plead a priviledge in all three , and more also . i have somewhat the more at large insisted upon this point , not only for that this notorious abuse , hath so long continued ; but likewise to give warning for the time to come , that ministers keepe themselves within the precincts of their owne calling . to this the weight of their owne calling , if there were nothing else , might be a sufficient motive : besides , that i have proved in the beginning of this discourse , that the physitians pains and trouble are greater than of any calling , yea , even of the painfull and laborious divine himselfe . it is true , the divine hath his evasion : for many of them have this tricke ( although scarce honest ) that they are ready to gleane what gaines they can gets by sitting still in their cells , casting waters , as they call it , prescribing medicines to the absent , fall out as it wil : and when the patient hath most need of their presence , mr parson cannot come then : and by this means , many times mr parson hath his gaines come in easily , declining the greatest pains ; and if the patient rely wholly upon him , he shal either be denied that attendance is due in time of danger , or else cast upon another physitian , who must now take the worst , when master parson hath had the best . some againe will sometimes , and that often , attend , as another physitian , on the necessitie of the sicke : and here is then another inconvenient , that many times , when master parson or vicar should be in his pulpit , his patient calls for his presence . let the judicious and unpartiall reader then judge of the equitie of this cause . wee still hope , ( and have hoped a great while ) that the reverend fathers of the church will have an eare open to heare this more than just complaint . no ignorance can be pretended , this not being done in a corner , but in the eyes of all israel . and among them , such especially , as are too much addicted to judiciall astrologie , and many suspicious , if not sinfull things thereupon depending : as calculating of nativities , and prognosticating future events thereby ; using amulets without any shew of reason , to cure diseases , and to prevent many outward accidents , are to be inquired into : if the antient m canons and constitutions of the church forbid such trash indefinitely , shall this be suffered in a church-man , now under the cleare sun-shine of the gospell ? but i leave this text , wishing withall , that people would not prove a means of distracting the divine , and hindering him in that whereunto he is called and set apart , lest they prove accessary to his neglect , if he have not so much grace to looke to it himselfe . i have n elsewhere alleaged the example of david , o who would not drinke the water that had bin fetch'd with the hazard of mens lives : see then how you seeke health with the hazard of mens soules . but before i end , although i have already said somewhat of emperickes , yet a word or two more . there is an ordinary objection wherewith many people deceive themselves in this care of emperickes : for , say they , wee are by using emperickes often freed from a great deale of charges which learned counsell would cost . i answer , that in the first place they build on a false foundation , parallelling and equalling ignorant empetickes with the judicious and learned physitian : and this erroneous opinion is often confirmed by meanes of the like events often befalling both the one and the other , which i have sufficiently confuted in the beginning of this discourse . it is then apparent , that this seeming saving of charges , is but a meere fallacie , and so many of them finde it at the last , when it is too late . for in the first place , the ignorant and unskilfull , howsoever most presumptuous of their owne skill and sufficiencie , yet are they not able often to finde out thy disease ; especially , if either it be uncouth or intricate , composed or partaking of divers diseases , accompanied with various and severall symptomes : farre lesse then are they able to apply a right and laudable remedie to the same . againe , put the case they both finde out the disease , and apply some remedy : yet are their remedies often so rough , venomous and unprepared , that they leave a virulent and evill impression behinde them ; the which , howsoever , peradventure , not at first felt , yet at length often payeth both the principall and interest . besides , that i say nothing of their ignorance in the application , according to the severall constitutions of the individuall bodies , sexes , ages , order , time , quantity , qualitie , due preparation and correction ; but especially the strength of the patient , &c. besides all this , when they have thus hazarded their lives , spent their mony , poisned their bodies , and neglected good and wholesome remedies , which in time and place , in all probabilitie were like to have cured the infirmity : it commeth often to passe , that at length , howbeit too late , they are forced to flie unto the learned and judicious physitian , as i could instance in many particulars . now , if the patient recover , what is here saved ? is he not here at a double charge , besides the hazard of his life ? and if hee die , i confesse there is something saved : but i thinke people that are wise , should in this be of satans minde , p skinne for skinne , and all that a man hath will he give for his life . i meane , use the likeliest meanes to save thy life , and leave the successe to god. as for the meaner and poorer sort , there is no honest physitian , but in charitie hee will be readie in time of neede to further their health with his best counsell . but this fault we finde to be as frequent in the rich , as in the poorer sort : some i know doe it out of meere ignorance ; but others out of meere avarice and fordid tenacitie . and yet i have heard some say , their empericke cost them as much as better counsell had done in former times . the ignorant are more to be excused , and therefore it were to be wished ( and i doubt we may wish long enough ) that there stumlbing blocks , which vulgar eyes are not able to discerne , were removed out of the way . then should our surgeons betake them to curing of their sores , wounds , and other things thereunto belonging : apothecaries to their compositions ; and other ignorant and illiterate emperickes , forced to forsake their profession , and if they were of any before , to betake them to the same againe , or to same imploiment befitting them , if they were of no calling before . as for women , they might finde them worke within doores about their housewiverie , farre better beseeming their sexe , than to play the busie-bodie abroad , medling with that whereof they are altogether ignorant . but because a q late learned physitian of this land , hath lately said something concerning emperickes , making well for our purpose , i will insert them also into this same place . but here i must advertise you , that you expose not your body to the unlearned empericke , that can neither finde out the peccant humours , nor parts affected ; but to such as are learned in that art , that can well iudge of your state of body , and accordingly prescribe you remedies , as your constitution and affected parts shall require . many men thinke , yea , some of a generous note , wherin they bewray their carelessenesse , if not their stupiditie too , that whilest they are in health , they may for prevention take physicke from any one , it matters not from whom it be , nor what physicke it be , so it worke with them . i must tell you , that many overthrow their bodies thereby , and that there is no lesse art and iudgement required for preserving the bodie in health , than for curing of it being sicke , if they did but know how the foure humours are , or ought to be proportioned in their bodies : for inioying according , to their constitutions , a sound and healthy state , they would , i am perswaded , be more cautelous , than to commit themselves into the hands of the unlearned , who , by their inconsiderate courses , take humours from them at an adventure , so well those that are not offensive , as those which are , to the utter subversion of the oeconomie of the bodie : whereof though , perhaps , in regard of their strengths , they are not by and by sensible , which is that which onely cloaketh the errours of emperickes , and as a vaile masketh many mens eyes and understanding therein : yet they will , as i have in divers observed to their perill , by little and little , incurre a lapsed state of body . it is strange to see the ignorance of most people , how backward they are to give to the learned professors of physicke their due , readie to lay scandalls upon them ; but forward to magnifie emperickes , their physicke , their honestie , their care , willing to passe over and excuse their grosse slips and absurdities , o mira hominum stupiditas ! but proceeds this altogether out of ignorance ? i suppose no : for doubtlesse many seeke unto them , and magnifie their physicke , because it is cheape : but such are fooles and gulls indeed ; for they wrong , and even poison their bodies with grosse and ill qualified physicke to save their purses . but to answer the reasons , or rather words which they produce and alleage in the favour and behalfe of emperickes : to what purpose is the working of that physicke which respecteth not the peccant humours , nor parts affected , but to the overthrow of the bodie ? what is a supposed honestie in a physitian without learning , but a snare wherein the ignorant doe voluntarily entrap themselves ? i say supposed : for i cannot thinke that man to be honest , which usurps a calling , which with a good conscience hee is not able to discharge . or to what purpose is the care that emperickes take about their preposterous and ill composed medicines , but to the utter ruine of the patients bodie , as too too unluckie happened of late to a gentleman of good worth and note , who taking physicke by way of prevention , of a pill-boasting surgeon , in a short space , by his ill qualified and preposterous physicke , incurred an incurable and mortall lapse of his stomacke and liver , being in his constant age and perfect strength of bodie . vaine therefore , and very absurd is that conceit , which many have in favour of empericks , viz , if they doe no good , they doe no harme . admit that sometimes by their triviall pettie medicines they doe no harme ; yet neverthelesse for that , i must tell you that they doe much harme : for the sicke bodie relying upon their skill , and they being not able to direct and execute such courses as shall be sitting and effectuall to impugne the disease , while there is time fitting for the same , the sicknesse gets the masterie , and then ( perhaps ) when the strength is too much weakened , and the disease become incurable , they seeke helpe of the learned physitian . so basely verily , are most of our people affected to their health , that untill some practicall minister , parish clerke , apothecary , surgeon , or the like , have done their utmost hurt , they secke not to the physitian . and here to vindicate our art from calumnie , i cannot but taxe the most sort of people , that being affected with any great or difficult disease , which by reason of the nature thereof , or contumacie of the peccant humours , will have such progresse , as that it cannot in a short time , by the medicines and best indeavours of the learned physitian , how forcible soever , be evicted , will reiect their physitian , and betake themselves , which is an absurdity , super omnem absurditatem , to some ignorant sottish empericke , and every good wives medicine , to their great hurt , and oftentimes utter overthrow . but if it happen that they recover thereupon , they lay an imputation upon their physitian , and grace their empericke with the cure ; whereas , in very deed , the matter of the disease was wholly , or at least the greatest part thereof eradicated by such fit and powerfull remedies , as the learned physitian had formerly ministred unto them : whereupon the residue of the cure was effected by the force of nature , not by the weake endeavours of the empericke , or triviall medicines of any other whatsoever . i have of purpose inlarged this advertisment , and doe leave it far a memoriall and caveat to all posterity , especially to the gentlemen of this our age , who , for the most part of them , very much wrong their iudgements and understanding , in taking physicke of the unlearned ; and wherein they doe not onely wrong themselves , but also give occasion of hurt others : for the meaner sort of people following their example , doe the like , whereby it comes to passe , that in all likelihood , more untimely perish ( which i beleeve to be true in the * westerne parts of this kingdome ) under the hands of emperickes , than die otherwise . such as will not take notice hereof , in empericorum manus incidant . and if any asinus cumanus , or terrae filius shall obiect , that divers recover under the hands of emperickes ; i answer in a word , that the recovery is not to be attributed to their physicke , but to the strength of nature , that beares up , both against the disease , and their preposterous courses . a grave divine lately told mee a story of a notorious old empericke , living in the west countrie . this empericke was by a noble man brought before that famous prince , king james , of happy memory , thinking thereby to grace him ( a small grace for a great man to grace such worthlesse persons ) which notwithstanding , was not answerable to expectation . this noble prince then , as hee was most iudicious , and eagle-eyed in all arts and sciences ; so had he a singular dexteritie in discerning a skilfull and learned artist in the profession of physicke , from an empericke , an ignorant and counterfeit physitian . this bold empericke ( as is the custome of such emptie barrells to make a great sound ) bragged before this learned prince , how many consumptions , and other dangerous diseases hee had cured : to whom his maiesty replying , asked him how many hee had killed . this learned prince asked him after if hee could cure mad men ? that i can , quoth the empericke : being asked after what manner , by making of them madder , quoth the empericke . i beleeve thee well saith his maiestie , and withall , asked him whether hee had ever read hippocrates , galen , and other physicall authours ? who answered , that hee had never studied in any such bookes . his maiestie at length , thus closed up his discourse , goe thy way man ; for if i have need of good advice for my soules health , i will be advised by the honest and learned divine ; for my bodily health , the learned physitian ; and for my temporarll estate , the learned lawyer shall give mee directions . now then , since people are commonly so carried with apish imitation of great ones , why will not people in this particular imitate the patterne of so great a prince , of whom it may well be said , that since the daies of solomon , the world saw not a wiser . but now to draw to an end , what i have said , either against these , or any other erroneous practitioners , if the unpartiall reader will but seriously consider that which hath beene said alreadie in this precedent discourse , he will , i thinke , say , it was no lesse than necessary . i doubt not also , but according to the severall and various humours and dispositions of people , this my paines shall finde censurers of severall sorts . but against all envious detractions the uprightnesse and innocency of my intention , being a desire to profit the publique , shall be to mee as a brazen wall . now , if i have done any thing well , as is fitting , it was that i aimed at : and if otherwise , yet was my principall aime and indeavour , to doe good : and therefore , in this imitating our gracious god , i pray thee to accept of my endeavours in a good part , and charitably to interpret any error or over-sight , farewell . finis . an alphabeticall table of the contents of this vvhole discovrse , with relation to the page : intr. is for introduction . ablution of the body , page . abricocke , page . abstinence from food , . abstinence naturall , voluntary , miraculous , violent or forced , morall , physicall , religious , superstitions , &c. , . abstinence of the arch-bishops and bishops among the russians , , . abstinence of the abyssine priests , . abstinence of the church of rome , . abstinence of divers hereticks , and of the egyptian priests . . acid or sowre waters , . acid or sowre waters abound in germany , their vertues , and in what infirmities hurtfull : the continuance or duration of their use , ibid. aegyptians rigid in the time of purgation , , . age best admitting , or not admitting large and ample evacuation , . age doth not alwaies indicate , nor yet inhibit phlebotomy , . all ages may be purged , age aptest to be purged , ibid. many things therein considerable , . aire , the utilitie and qualities of it , how our bodies are thereby altered , . a pure aire , and what it is , . advertisement concerning the aire to our new colonies beyond seas , ibid. best aire according to the time of the day : night aire bad , . in the coasts of africa especially pernicious , ibid. aire of the sea , see sea-wind . aire of no small consequence in sickenesse and in health , . aire the generall ambient , . ambient aire chiefely to be considered , . aire temperate , correction of bad aire , and how to order the body according to the seasons of the yeere , , . aire of churches and church-yards , in populous places especially oftentimes noisome , , , . aire of stoves , or hot houses not wholesome , . aire in sicknesse how to be ordered , and how to be corrected , . aire of the countrie , and severall differences thereof , . of townes and cities , and the differences thereof , and whether a countrie aire , or that of cities and townes be better , ibid. aire of the ancient towne and corporation of northampton temperate , . aire considered in a double respect , . aire of the roome where the sicke lieth , , . albanians they see better by night than by day , . ale , and the vertues thereof , . ale without hops . ibid. ale-houses nurseries of drunkennes , . dry ale-houses , see tabacco . alexander the great sober before his asiatick victory against the persians , . alexander severus had something read during meales , and after meals , . allowes , . almonds , . almond-milke , . almond-milke , or nutmilke for the poorer sort . allisander , . alphonsus king of arragon his epicure-like speech . . amulets , and of what power and efficacy against fascination , . anchovies , . andrew dure his life by sea , . anger a cruell monster , . anger hurtfull to the body . . anger the cause of many dangerous diseases in the body of man , ibid. anger hath somtimes caused death , . anger for whom most hurtfull , ● . anger in what diseases most usefull , and in what diseases most dangerous , ibid. antidotes against anger , both out of holy writ , and out of divers ancient philosophers , . , . apples of several sorts , how to be used , and when best , . apples of what operation , ibid. aqua-vitae , . aristotle his counsell to alexander the great , . arteries seldome opened , . artichockes , . artichockes of ierusalem , . ash-keyes , . asparagus , or sperage , . asses flesh , see uncoth flesh . astomi , or men without mouthes , . astringent medicines in fluxes not rashly to be exhibited , . aveus , . augustus caesar very sharp sighted , . aurum potabile , . . autumne , and the temperature thereof : see seasons of the yeere . b. barble , . barlev & the cōmendation therof , . french barley , . creame of barley , , . barley-water how used among the ancients , both greeks and arabians , . barley water cautelously to be used , and how to be corrected , . barley-water for the poorer sort , ibid. our ordinary barley , how to prepare both for barley-water , and creame of barley , . basiliea-veine , . basiliske , . bathing and anointing the body before meales , . bathing very frequent among the antients , ibid. bathing very frequent among the germanes , vs'd there promiscuously without any previous preparation , , bathes artificiall . vse of bathes in mans body , ibid. warme or temperate bathes and their vertues . ibid. hot bathes , and their use in divers diseases , and in what cases most hurtfull , , . bathing in cold water , and for whom hurtfull in sicknesse and in health , . in bathing how to be ordered : continuance in the bathe , . bathes naturall of severall sorts , , , , , &c. bathes participating of the nature of yron , allum , copperas , plaster , silver and gold , ibid. of sulphurous and biluminus bathes ib. immoderate bathing dangerous , . bawme , and bawme-water , . beanes , . bed whereon the sicke lieth . downe beds and feather-beds heat the back much , in sommer especially , and in hot diseases . ibid. beds filled with wooll , ibid. beds filled with oat-chaffe very usefull , &c. ibid. babylonian beds of leather , filled with water , ibid. italian beds filled with wind , ibid. high french beds best in sommer , and hot diseases , ibid. field-beds and canopy beds , ibid. hanging beds good for the use of the sicke , ibid beds should differ according to the disease and season of the yeere . beefe , . beere , and the vertues thereof , . differences of beere from the malt it is made of , from the age , the strength , substance , taste , quantity of hops , the calour , the fewell wherewith the malt is dried , and the water wherewith it is brewed , . bitter beere , . beere better for our sick than wine , . buttered beere , and the abuse thereof , . beetes , . belly or tripes , . benedict . . and . popes , and their licencious lines , . barberies , . beteony , . bewitching : see fascination . bilberries , . bird of paradise , . bissextile or leap-yeere , , , &c. blacke-bird , . bittowre , . bleare eyes , the and effects they produce , . blites , or bleees , . blood of beasts , . blood abounding causeth many diseases , . blood-leting : see phlebotomie . borrage . . boare-heads nailed on great mens gates in switzerland , . braines of beasts , . braines of fowle , . bramble-berries , . brawne : see hogs flesh . bread of severall sorts , . bread of wheate , and the differences thereof ; from the meale , prepration and age , ibid. bread made of barley , of pease , beanes , oates , millet , panicke , &c. . bread made of roots , ibid. bread of other graines seldome used for food , more for physicke , ibid. bread of chestnuts , . bread yeeldeth the best nourishment . bread to be used both with fish and flesh , ibid. bread , what best for the sickes use : how for them to be prepared , and how to be used , , &c. bread of new flowre fittest for the sick , and how the ancients washed their bread , ibid. how it is washed with us , ibid. vnleavened bread hurtfull for the sicke , ibid. artificiall preparations of bread according to occasions , ibid. breake-fast , and whether it be usedfull , . broome , . broome-flowers , . brothes for the sicke , . buglosse : see borrage . buriall in churches and church-yards : see aire . burning lampe made of blood : see lampas vitae & mortis . bustard , . butter , . when best , . whether usefull for the sicke , and how to be used , ibid. c. cabbage and their qualities , . cacochymia what , . calipha died by eating pigeons roasted with the heads , . camels milke : see milke . camels flesh : see uncouth flesh . capers pickled , . capons flesh , . capons unknowne to the ancients , . capons whether they ingender the gout , . cardan contemned the dog-daies : his voyage into scotland to cardinall beton , . carnall copulation , and the moderate use thereof , . moderately usefull , and profitable for the body , . immoderate use thereof procureth great hurt to the body . for what bodies most usefull : for whom most hurtfull ; sicke folkes must absteine from it . some other things concerning this subject , . , &c. carpe , . carrot , . carrying on mens shoulders , . cats flesh : see uncouth diet . cephalice vein when to be opened , . chamelion liveth not on the aire . . charles the great had something read to him during meales , . cheekes of beasts , . cheese . . the best . ibid. cherries and their kindes , . chestnuts : see nuts . chickens . . children are not to be frighted with bug-beares and the like , . china broth : see broth . cider , . cinamon , and the vertues thereof , . cinq-foile , . circaea or circelus : see mandrakes . citron or lemmon , . cives , . clary , . clement the pope , a bastard , a bawd , &c. . climactericall yeeres , with the signification of the word . climactericall yeers of divers sorts , and what they portend , ibid. according to some , divers in man and woman , ibid. three severall causes of these yeeres , astronomicall & physicall , numrical , . clothing of the sicke , , . clothing would inrich northampton , . clothing begunne to be set up in northampton , ibid. clovegillisiflowres , . cloves , . cocatrice : see basiliske . cockes-flesh , . old cockes , . cockles , . cod-fish of divers kinds , . coelica passio ▪ see fluxes . cold of northerne countries , . cold countries may feed more liberally than hot , . colice , . columbines , . col-worts : see cabbage . concoction , naturall and artificiall , . concoction when to bee expected , ibid. conger , . conie , . constantine , king of scotland , made strict lawes against riot and excesse , . conviviall discourses : see exercises of the minde . corne , and the kindes thereof , . corneillons , . covering of the sicke , . . too much covering of the sicke , ibid. countrie-people often much wrong themselves in the use of phlebotomy , . country-surgeons often much wrong the people in this same particular , ibid. cow-slip flowers , . crabfish , . crane , . criticall daies depend more upon the materiall cause of the disease , than on the starres , . crustards : see white meats . crying : see exercise . cucumer , or coucomber , . cupping most commonly used with scarification : see scarification . the matter and forme of such cups , and in what bodies most usefull ibid. dry cups without scarification , ibid. currants , . . cuttle-fish , . d. dates , . david , king of scotland , suppressed all riot and excesse in his kingdome . . daies good and bad , a heathenish superstion , . deer : see venison . derivation , and when to be used : see phlebotomy : what it is ibid. distillation unknowne to antiquitie , . distilled waters , ibid. distilled restoratives for the sicke , . dinner , and the time thereof among the ancients , and among us , . . dinner or supper , which may be more liberall , . . dinner the day of purgation , . discourse of waighty matters during meales : see conviviall discourse . ibid. directions for conviviall discourse , ibid. divines and their education in good literature : intr. . their paines and prerogative : ibid. their advantage beyond the physitians : ibid. they are freed from many incombrances whereunto the physitian is subject : ibid. they have the sole power of admitting those of their owne profession , intr. . . diureticke remedies , and their use , . their right use and preparation before . ibid. of two sorts , ibid. errour in the use of diuretickes : safest and best diureticke simples , ibid. danger in the use of hot diureticke simples , ibid. dog-daies , whether to be observed , , &c. whether phlebotomy and physicke may not safely be administered therein , ibid. they are often needlessely feared , ibid. this season often colder than other seasons of the summer , . , &c. dogs-flesh : see uncouth flesh . dosis of medicines divers , . dreames and their severall kindes , . signification of dreames , and whether they concerne the ficke , . , . drinke and the utility thereof : . what drinke is : ibid. division of drinke , and rules to be observed in the use thereof : ibid. quantity of drinke : ibid. the ordinary measures of drinke among the ancients , . morning draught . ibid. strong drinke not to bee used fasting . ibid. beginning the repast with a draught ibid. drinke often used in ancient time to close up the stomacke , . drinking to bed-ward , . drinke made of corne used by the ancients , especially aegyptians , . drinke made of corne with us differeth much from that of the ancients , ibid. drinke very usefull in many diseases , but in hot and acute fevers especially , . divers drinkes usefull for the diseased . . , &c. drunkards breake all the commandements , . they are pernicious to a cōmon-wealth , to bee put to death by the lawes of a scottish king , . they are often short lived , and many times dye of long lingering diseases , no new sinne , . what it is , ibid. nations taxed with drunkennesse , ibid. it is the cause of great mischiefe to the mind and understanding , . it procureth divers diseases to the body , making the same also subject to many outward dangers , , . it proveth likewise often dangerous to the soule , and many times overthroweth a mans temporall estate , . it is unseemely to all estates and degrees , . diet hath divers significations , and what properly among physitians , . diet whether necessary for healthfull and sicke persons ? . whether by diet the life of man may bee prolonged for many yeeres ? . diet cannot perpetuate the life of man , and yet a most forcible meanes both to preserve and recover health . . diet of the diseased but slenderly handled heretofore , and by very few , . strictly observed among the antients , ibid. among the aegyptians and locrians , ibid. diet of the diseased in generall , . . a full and liberall diet : a spare and strict diet , and the meane betwixt both , . hippocraticall diet too rigid for our country climat , ibid. arabian diet better suteth with our bodies , ibid. diet of the diseased reduced into two heads ; the diseased , and the disease it selfe , . diet in acute diseases how to be ordered : . in intermitting fevers : ibid. in continuall fevers without intermission , ibid. in prescribing the diet of the diseased divers things to be considered , . . by whom the most sparing diet is to be observed , . diet drinke : see drinke of the diseased . e. eares of beasts , . earth nourisheth not , . ebionites haereticks & their abstinence : see abstinence . eeles not wholesome , . egestion : see excrements . egges and their nourishment , . egges whether fit for the sicke : they are not so hot as is supposed by hippocrates in acute diseases , . . egs man safely be allowed in fevers , ibid. egs of hens best of all others , ibid. egs prepared after several waies , in sicknesse and in health , ibid. markes of egges , and how to discerne a new laid egge . . electuaries how taken , . elements pure and simple nourish not , . , &c. elephants flesh : see flesh . embrocations , . empericke-physitians , intr. . empericke what , ibid. empericks of divers sorts , ibid. empericks abound here with us , intr. . emulsitions , their compositions and severall sorts of them , . emunctories in the body of man , whereby excrements are expelled , . endive , . error of such as divulge secrets ( as they call them ) in the vulgar coung , int. . esseans fast , or abstinence : see abstinence . evacuation , what , . evacuations sometimes too much abound , ibid before evacuations what to be considered , ibid. evacuations of severall sorts , generall , and particular , when they maybe most liberall , . ewes milke : see milke . excesse of the persian kings in their ordinary expences , . excrements of the guts , or fecall excrements . . best excrements , ib. worse excrements , evill coloured excrements of divers sorts , wormes in excrements : liquid excrements and the causes , . soft excrements with their causes : hard excrements , and their severall causes : quantity of excrements : time of egestion , and how often it is usefull in sicknesse and in health , ibid. & . exercise and the vtility thereof , . vsefull in sicknesse and in health : fittest time foe exercise , . violent exercise immediately after meales hurtfull to health , &c. ibid. place fit for exercise , the persons to be exercised : the quantitie or duration , quality , order , &c. . . exercises ought not to be too violent , especially in some persons , . difference of exercise , ibid. exercises of the whole body : of some part , mixt particular exercises , ibid. exercises of some particular profession , . exercise must differ according to severall constitutions , . exercise in what kinde of disease may be permitted , . exercises in chronicall diseases , ibid. exercises of the minde , . expectoration , . error in the use of expectoration , ibid. caveats in the use of expectorants : preparation of the humors to be expectorated , . forme of expectorants , ibid. expectoration in diseases of the lungs and pectorall parts chiefely to be considered , ibid. expectoration ceasing in vlcers of the lungs , and the presage thereof . expressum : see broth. eyes of beasts , . eyes full of resplendent spirits , . f. fable of the foxe and the crane , . fecall excrements : see excrements . fancie : see imagination . fascination , and the severall sorts thereof , . fascination with the eyes , ibid fascination by speech and voice , and how procured , . fast : see abstinence . fatt of beasts , . feare , and the severall kindes thereof , ● . feare produceth strange effects in the body of man : feare may cause death : what persons it hurteth most : feare and griefe stirre vp melancholy in the body of man : sicke folks are carefully to avoid this passion , and great circumspection for the prevention thereof to be used , , , , . feet of beasts , . figges , . filbird : see nuts . fild fare . . fish , and their severall kindes , . fresh-water fish , , fish in ancient times how prepared : how in our time , . fish , whether fit for the sicke , ibid. what fish fittest for the sicke , ibid. fisticke , ibid. flesh of severall sorts , , &c. goodnesse of flesh , according to their severall circumstances . . vncouth flesh , . flesh for the sicke , and divers preparations made of the same , , , . flounder , . fluxes of divers sorts , . in fluxes , astringent medicines cautelously to be used , ibid. fonticulous ; see searing . food : see nourishment food of a grosse , slender , and of a meane substance , . foot-ball play , . fore-spoken what : see fascination . fowle of severall sorts . . tame-fowle , wilde-fowle , , &c. water-fowle , . frictions usefell for the sicke , . frogges ; see uncouth flesh . fruits and their nourishment , . fruits of severall kindes , together with their qualities and nourishment , ibid. fruits , what fittest for the sicke , . frumentie : see white meat . g. garlicke , . gelee , . gelee of harts-horne , ibid. ginger , the vertues and cautions in the use thereof , . glisters used for divers ends , and in divers infirmities : they differ both in the quantitie and qualitie : quantitie differeth according to severall circumstances ; retention of glisters , , . gluttony with the incoveniences therof , hurtful both to soule and body , . gauseth many diseases , . goats-flesh . . goats-milke : see milke . gold and silver communicate no vertue to minerall waters , . goose-berries , . goose , tame and wilde . solan goose , . gourd , . gournard , . grapes , . gregorian yeere : see bissextile . griefe and sorrow , and the effects thereof , what sort of griefe allowable , what sort of people it most hurteth ; and whom least , . gripings in purgation , . gudgeon , . gufford : see maw . h. haddocke . . haire , whether it ought to be cut in sicknesse , ▪ whethet it ought to be short or long , . it ought not too often to be cut , especially that of the face and beard ought not too often to be shaven , . haire baltered together after a strange serpentine forme , a very strange and prodigious thing to behold . hollibut , . hares-flesh , . heatt of beasts , . haslenut : see nut. head and braines , . health a chiefe earthly happinesse , . what health is , . health two-fold , ibid. heathens and heretickes farre surpasse our romanists in strictnesse of abstinence : see abstinence . hectickes how to be bathed , . hedge-hogg , . henne , . herbs , and their use in diet . . their use for the sicke , . heron , . herring , . red-herring , ibid. history of a woman-physitian in northampton-shire , intr. . of a noble vertuous lady of northampton-shire very charitable and beneficiall to the poore , intr. . histories of quacksalving mountebanks , intr. . history of a yong woman cured by phlebotomy , howbeit much diswaded by her friends therefrom , intr. . histories of leprosies cured contrary to intention , intr. . history of a desperate cure in the sweating sicknesse ibid. another of a desperate fellow casually curing himselfe of an inveterate head-ach , ibid. another of a fellow taking an indefinite quantity of sweating powder for the ague . ibid. another of a gentlewoman cured of the mother , stone , and splene , intr. . history of a man living onely on the sunne and aire , . history of the diversity of weather in a small distance , . history of democritus his life prolong'd for certaine daies , . histories of som who lived divers yeers without any manner of sustenance , . history of a fellow living daies vnder the ground on his owne urin only , ib. history of a dead henne turned into a stone , . history of pythagoras his supposed forty daies fasting , history of the imposture of an hermite counterfeiting long abstinence , ibid. history of a maid eating all the salt she could come by : see salt , histories of some living all their life time without any drinke , . history of iovinian the emperor killed with the smoake of charcoale , . history of wine permitted in a fever , . history of one living long on the spirit of wine , . histories of some living all their life time on milke only , . histories of divers dying about their climactericall yeere : see climactericall yeere . history of a gentlewoman delivered of twinnes in the field , farre from any towne , . histories of women with child purged and phlebotomised , . history of phlebotomy in an ancient gentlewoman . . history of phlebotomy an in old man during the dog-daies , . history of a knight cured during the dog-daies , . history of a tame bucke once drunke , which never after would drinke any strong drinke , . history of an absurd cure of sore eyes , . history of galeacius , duke of mantua , . another of faustina , wife to amonius the philosopher , who dranke the blood of a sword-player . . history of antiochus in love with his mother in law , stratonice , . history of one killing his wife & a man in the very act of adultery . another of a french doctor , severely punishing his corrivall , ibid. some others to the same purpose , especially of an old woman , fearing lest after her death , her young husband should marry a young woman , . history of philip king of macedon falling in love with a faire young maid , . history of a ligature in a young country-fellow and his wife newly married , . another of priests in france , ordinarily vsing ligatures , ibid. history of one by the divell tempted to drunkennesse , who by this meanes fell also into two other foule sins , . history of a old strumpet-killing certain abbots with her love drinkes , . histories of some dying of feare , . others of some by feare having their blacke haires changed all white in one night , . history of a gentlewoman in northamton : shire bigge with childe , by reason of feare falling into strange convulsion fits , yet recovering , . another of a widdow newly married , who after a great anger , died of convulsions , . histories of philosophers concerning anger , . . history of a much renowned empericke , disgraced by king iames of famous memory . hogs flesh , . . wilde hogs flesh , . hony and the vertues thereof , . . for what complexions most usefull , ibid. boiled hony ; it must not be over-boiled , ibid. course hony , quintessence of hony , . clarifying of hony , skimming of hony : effects of raw hony , ibid. horse-flesh : see uncouth flesh . hot-houses or stoves , . humours to be purged out of the body : humours capable of concoction : see purgation . hydromell , . hydrotickes , or medicines provoking sweat of severall sorts , . . hydroticke mineralls , ibid. hydroticke inunctions , ibid. hydrotickes cautelously to be used : preparation before their use , ibid. in chronicall diseases how ; in what cases hurtfull : caution in the use of strong hydrotickes , ibid. continuance or duration , . hyssop , . i. idlenesse a great incentive and stirrer up of lust , . iewes absteine from water during their solemne fasts , . ignorant and unskilfull persons are not fit to deale with this dieteticall part of physicke , farre lesse with the particular part thereof , intr. . ignorance of the vulgar in judging of a physitians sufficiency , intr. . , &c. ignorant and undeserving people often rob the physitian of the praise & commendation due to his desert , intr. . ignorant and unskilfull practitioners often more chargeable to the patient than the most skilfull physitian , . illyrians hurting by aspect , . imagination produceth strange effects within the same body , . imagination cannot attract influences frō the heavens ; according to the doctrine of paracelsus , crollius , and other paracelsians it workes wonderous and stupendious effects , attracting from the heavens plagues , pestilent fevers , &c. and like a load-stone it attracteth any power from the elements , and worketh beyond thousands of miles : as likewise that the imagination of the sick attracteth health from the healthfull , . . indication of phlebotomy , . indication of purging , . indication of the quantity , . infirmities following lustfull love , . ingratitude of patients towards their physitians , intr. , &c. ingratitude of old , blame-worthy , ibid. intemperance : see gluttony . iringo-roots , . ioy and gladnesse good if they be moderate : exceeding measure may prejudice the health , and may sometimes cause death , . . ioy and gladnesse usefull for the sick , and carefully to be procured ibid. ischiadiça , or vena poplitis when to be opened , . issue and event in gods hands ; it falleth out alike to the learned and unlearned physitian , intr. . &c. issues where to be made , . k. kid , . kidney , . s. k●aherines well a bituminous spring , neer edenbourgh in scotland , . knaresbor●w well in yorkeshire , ibid. l. labour of the minde cannot be recompenced : see physitians . laconicum what , and for what bodies most beneficiall ; together with the time , both generall and particular : preparation before the use of it , . lamb , . lampas vitae & mortis , . composition of this lamp , . lamprey , . lapwing , . larke , . lavative broth , . lawyers and their great paines : they have many advantages of the physitians : see physitians . leaches , their election & right use , . leape-yeere : see bissextile . leeke , . legges of fowle , . lemon : see citron . lettice , . levret : see hares flesh . ligatures , their utility and profit , . ligatures unlawfull , and their too too frequent use among some , . . linen of the sicke : it ought to be often shifted : errour of the vulgar in this point detected and confuted , . linet , . liver of beasts , lungs of beasts , liver of fowle , . lobster , . locusts : see uncouth flesh . love , and what it is : lustfull love and harmes thereby procured : remedies against this unlawful lust , , &c. lovepotions mentioned in prophane authors : simples provoking lust of divers kindes : they prove often poison to the body : they have no such vertue as our ancient and moderne physitians write of : they cānot force affections , or produce such effects of themselves , . whether love can be procured by any medicine ? . m. mace , . mackerell , . magistrates should not suffer any niceties to be published in almanacks , . mallowes , . mandrakes and the consideration thereof : description of mandrakes : imposture of cheaters with their counterfeit mandrakes : opinion of the ancients concerning this point : opinion of s. augustin & others , . . it is rather hot than cold in operation : it hath no power to make the barren beare children , . apples of mandrake : narcoticke qualities of this plant , . . mans flesh : see uncouth flesh . shambles of mans flesh , ibid. manichees error concerning fasting : see fasting . manucodiata : see bird of paradice . march-panes and their use : see bread for the sicke , . . marigold . . marioram : pot marioram , . marrow , . maw or gussard , . mawborne hills springs , . meale : see repast . mediana , or median veine , . medlar , . melicratum : see hydromel . melon , muske-melon , . menstruous fluxe stopt , cause of many diseases , . menstruous fluxe abounding , ibid. mercury , . metheglin used much by the ancient brittaines , . milke , and what it is , . best milke and the parts thereof , ibid. milke , milke of divers sorts : mares milke in great request among the tartares : womans milke : ewes milke : cowes milke : goats milke : sowes milke : vertues of these severall sorts of milke : in what time of the yeere best : it differeth according to the nature of the beast from which it is milked : the colour and food it feeds on : qualities and properties of the best milke , and of whom it may safeliest be used : too frequent used offensive : how , and with what preparation to be used , and what to be done after the use thereof : how the ancients used it : cautions before it be used : ancients boiled water with their milke : the quantity . pag. . , . sower-milke : butter-milke , . milt , . minerall waters brought in by the later physitians , . the lose not their vertue in leap-yeere : see leap-yeere . they lose much of their efficacy and power by carrying and warming , . vsefull for the health of mankind , . they are used in a double manner , . preparation of the body before their use : the time and manner of using them , . ministers too busie with the practice of physicke , even where able physitians are to be found , . they have no reason to plead for want or need : divers reasons against this practice , and the unlawfulnesse thereof proved , ibid. &c. moone in some cases observable : shee is of swift motion , and abideth not long in a signe , . . moore-cocke , . moore-hen , . mulberries , . mules flesh : see uncouth flesh . mullet , . mulsa , mulsum , . mushroms , . mussells , . mussell-broth : see broth. mustard , . mutton , and which kinde is the best , of ewes , wedder , &c. n. new-name wells , . night-walkers . . nine runneth hard by the ancient towne of northampton , . this river made navigable would inrich all the country round about it . . noctambulones : see night-walkers . northampton situate in a good fruitfull soile , . it is situate towards the south sunne : the aire very temperate , and healthfull for the body of man , ibid. nourishment in generall , . things to be considered in nourishment , ibid. nourishment of herbs , . , &c. nourishment of fruits , . , &c. nutmegs , . nuts , . indian nuts , . o. oile , and the use of it very antient , . oile of two sorts , ibid. oile of walnuts wholesome , . oisters , . olives pickled , . onion , . orach , . orange , . . orgemond , and what it is ▪ see barley-water orifice of the veine : large orifice : a small orifice , . . oxymel and the commendation thereof : simple and compound ; how prepared of old , and how with us , . p. paracelsians swelling promises , . paracelsians commonly short lived for all their smoakie promises to others : they faile grossely in their antidotes against the plague , and other contagious diseases : they hold that metalls nourish the body , but falsely , ibid. paracelsus himselfe short lived : his strange opinion concerning long life : the lives of our forefathers , and prolonging of life by imagination : to save his credit , said to be poisoned , ib. parslie , . parsnep , . partridge , . peach , , . peacocke , . peares , dried peares , . penniroyall , . pepper , the kindes , right use and abuse thereof , . perch , . perry , . phansie : see imagination . phesant , . philtra : see love-potions . phlebotomy what , . . how it differeth from purgation : what things therein to be considered , . preparation before , during , and after bleeding what to be done , . phlebotomy threefold , . indication of phlebotomy : vse and end of phlebotomy , and in what cases to be used , ibid. vse thereof in pestilentiall , contagious and maligne fevers , in the small pox , measells and laundise , . the vulgar shy of phlebotomy , & why ? and causes of the often evill successe of this remedy , . not so frequent in hippocrates time , . to what persons it may safely be administred : it may safely be administred to women with child in time of need ; and safely to both young and old , . . quantity in phlebotomy hath no certain rule , and how to be found out , . large evacuations when to be used , . swounding yeeldeth us no certainty concerning the quantity , nor yet the changing of the colour , ibid. ancients very lavish in this evacuation : reiteration of phlebotomy , and divers kindes thereof , . divers vulgar errors concerning phlebotomy : oportune time of phlebotomy , generall and particular ; of election and coaction ; in prevention and in sickenesse ; in chronicall and acute disease , . . it may with us in any season of the yeere be administred , ibid. phlebotomy evacuateth plethory , . things to be considered in the opening of the veine , strength especially , . particular phlebotomy by leaches and scarification , . physicke a more painfull , laborious , and troublesome profession than any other , intr. . physitians practicall paines exceede the paines of other professions : paines of the three chiefe professions paralleled and compared together , intr. . extent of the physitians study exceedeth that of other professions , ibid. physitians often much incombred to please their patients : their best actions and indeavours often misconstrued , and they wrongfully traduced : their paines greatest , and yet often worse requited than those of other professions : they have many sharers with them which often rob them of their due , intr. . pigeons , . . whether to be used of the sicke , ibid. pigge , . pilchards or sprats , . pills , how , and when to be taken , . pine-apple : see nut. plethora : see repletion . plover , . plums and their properties , . pomgranat , ▪ pope iulius a sodomite , . pope sixtus , erected in roome , stewes for both kindes of uncleannesse , and allowed the use of sodomy , ibid. pope clement the : see clement the . pope iohn the , a whore-master , an adulterer , a sodomite , ibid. pope benedict : see benedict . pope paul the prostituted his owne daughter , . posset-drinke , and severall waies of preparation , . white-wine posset-drinke , ibid. sorrell posset-drinke , ibid. posset-drinke in maligne and pestilentiall fevers , ibid. plaine ordinary posset-drinke , ibid. best posset for healthfull people , . eating possets , and the abuse thereof , ib. potato roots , . pricke-madam , . prescilli●mists fast : see abstinence . ptisan : see creame of barley . puffe , . purgation what , . in purgation what to be considered , ibid. & . purging medicines different , . compound medicines various and of divers sorts , ibid. of divers formes , . externall and internall , ibid. purgation perfect and imperfect , ibid. minorative purgation , ibid. p●r epierasin , ibid. method of purgation , and what therein to be considered , , &c. error of the vulgar concerning purgation , . indication of purging three-fold , . when to purge , and severall circumstances in purging to be considered , humours to be purged , . preparation before purgation , ibid. preparation of the body and humors requisite , . difference thereof , ibid. quantity of purging medicines , . time of our purgation , generall and particular , . . when to be deferred , . in the beginning when to purge , ibid. in the fit when usefull , . best time of the yeere , fittest day and time of the day , ibid. strong purgations , . gentle purgations , ibid. defective purgation , and the cause thereof , . . after purgation , how the patient is to be ordered , ibid. divers formes of purging medicinces , . liquid and solid formes , &c. . passages by which we are to purge , and what therein to be considered , ibid. perfect purgation and the signes thereof , . purselane , . pythagorean abstinence : see abstinence . pyke and pycarell , . q. quaile , . quince , . r. rabbet or conie : see conie . raile , . raisin : raisin of the sunne , . raspes , . rats-flesh : see uncouth flesh , reddish , horse-reddish , . repasts and meales , and their number for one day . times fittest for repast , . repasts and their times differ in severall countries , ibid. repletion , and how ingendered , . repletion indicates evacuation , ibid. revulsion : see phlebotomy . rheumes distilling downe upon the breast , and how to expell this excrement , . rheumes troublesome to the body , ibid. rheume differeth both in colour and in taste , ibid. rheume , or that which is spit vp must be observed in pleurisies : error of the vulgar in the use of expectorating medicines against the rheume , ibid. rhintax : see bird of paradice . ribes : see currants . rice-bread : see bread. rice-pottage : see white meats . riot and excesse abound much in this our age : see gluttony . rochet , roch , . . roses of severall sorts , , &c. roses their severall kinds & vertues , . rue eaten against fascination : see fascination . s. saffron , sage , . it is far more soveraigne for the corroboration of the bram and animall parts than tabacco : see tabacco . sailing , and the differences thereof : see exercise . sal gemmae : see salt. sal ammoniacus , ibid. salivation , and the use the thereof , . abuse thereof , ibid. & . salmon , salmon-trout , . salt a sauce of sauces , . salt of severall sorts , . salt what best , ibid. salt of salt-wells , ibid salt made by the heat of the fire , ibid. salt of plant , ibid. salt , what complexions it best befitteth and to whom an enemy , . cautions in the use thereof . ibid. immoderately used hurtfull . properties and vertues of salt , ibid. salicatella vena , . sampierre kept for sallets , . saphena veine , . sardanap●lus his epicure-like epitaph , . savory , . scarification , . often used with cupping : in what cases to be used , ibid. scald , . scurvie-grasse ale : see diet-drinke . searing or burning of some part , what it is , . the benefit and utility thereof . the place of the issue , with some cautions , and the instrument wherewith it is made , ibid. seasons of the yeare considerable in sicknesse and in health . . how ordinarily defined and limited , otherwise distinguished by hippocrates ibid. seasons differ according to climats and countries within and without the tropickes . ibid. they differ according to the situation of places , . section or opening of the veine : see veine . seed of generation what , and for what use , . service , . setaceum and setum : see searing . shifting of the sicke : see cleane linnen . shooting with a bow : see exercise . shrimps : see pranes . signe whether to be considered in phlebotomy ? . erroneous and superstitious custome of the vulgar in so punctually observing the signe , ibid. confutation of this opinion , . the sunne ought to have a greater share in the signe than the moone , and the reasons , . signes ruminant a meere fancy and chimara . . signes not to be observed in purging , ibi . signes neglected of our best physitians , howsoever some of them expert mathematicians , . silke-wormes eaten : see uncouth diet . situation of the sicke , house : see aire . skallions : see onions . sleepe moderate , and the benefits thereof , . immoderate sleepe with the harmes thereon insuing , ibid. what sleepe is , ibid. it is not properly a function of any sense ibid. fittest time for sleepe , . sleepe in the day time whether allowable , ibid. for whom most hurtfull , ibid. best situation of the body for sleepe , morning-sleepe , ibid. sleepe of the sicke , . time fittest for sicke folkes to sleepe in , ibid. in acute diseases fittest time . ibid. in what diseases it may bee of longest continuance , ibid. sleepe in intermitting fevers , ibid. in 〈◊〉 diseas●s ibid. in sop●●●●rous diseases it must bee s●●●ted . ibid. whether the sick may sleepe after physicke ? . sleep not naturall threefold , . drowsie or deadly sleepe , ibid. criticall sleepe , and the severall sorts of the same , . sleepe carefully to be procured , ibid. the vulgar very shy of hypnoticke or sleepy medicines , ibid. skirret , . smelt , . snailes and their use : see uncouth flesh , snailes whether usefull in consumptions and hecticke fevers , ibid. snot and snevill , and the significations thereof , . snowtes of beastes , . sodomie by a popish prelate maintained lawfull , and allowed by a pope , . sorrell , . wood sorrell , ibid. soule and the passions thereof , . spa. see minerall waters . spa by aberdene , ibid. sparrow , . spells , characters and strange words of themselves have no power to produce any strange effect , . spices used in diet , . spinage , . spirit of wine : see aqua vita . spirit of ale or beere , ● . spittle , and the use thereof . . spittle best in condition . severall tasts of spittle : severall colours , ibid. it is to be considered in sicknesse and in health , ● . sprats : see pilchards , sterline , . stipendary physitians , intr. . stipends for physitians would prove very profitable for the cōmon-wealth , ibid. stocke dove , . stones of beasts , . stones of fowle , . storke , . stove : see hot-house , strawberrie , . sturgeon , . succory or cichoree : see endive , sugar and the vertues thereof , whether knowne by the antients , , . sugar and sweet meats much used often prove dangerous , and for whom especially , . sulpherous bathes : see bathes , supper : see repast . suppositories , their use , and with what caution to be used , . surgeons ought to be carefull . they are often too busy with the profession of physicke , intr. . swan , . sweat an excrement of the third concoction , . sweating in acute diseases , . naturall and procured by art : sweat diaphoreticall : sweat criticall and symptomaticall : sweat how to bee procured : siimples provoking sweat , ibid. swounding in phlebotomy no certaine signe of a sufficient evacuation , . t tansey : see egges , tarragon , . teale , . teares , their divers kindes , and severall significations in sickenesse and in health , . tench , tennis play : see exercise . theodosius his cruell execution at thessalonica . his worthy decree and constitution against the sudden execution of princes decrees , . thirst hardlier indured than hunger , false thirst , sitis mendosa , . thrush , . thornebacke : see scate , tiberius caesar as sharpe sighted as a cat , . time , . tabacco as strong and violent a purger , & partaketh as much of a venomous or poisoning quality as any other simple accoūted therfore most infamous , it evacuateth often good and laudable moisture with the bad : it is indifferently used of all without respect of any circumstance whatsoever : qualities of tabacco . violent purging faculty . abuse of tabacco , with the best use : it is a strong narcoticke or benumming medicine , ibid. often unseasonably used to further digestion , it often causeth crudities , ibid. it is much sophisticate . for what infirmities fittest . in what season of the yeere , and with what correction to bee used . circumstances in the use thereof to be considered . for whom most hurtfull . it is the cause of many diseases and dismall accidents , . tongues of beasts , . tortoise , . triballians : see illyrians , tripes : see bellie , trout , . truffe : see puffe , tunbridge-water , turbot , . turkie , . turneps of severall shapes and formes , and their faculties , . turtle , . v vdderne of beasts , veale , . veines to be opened in severall parts of the body of man. . venetians vigorous and long lived , . venison , . verjuice , and the use thereof . . vesicatories or blistering medicines : see searing or burning , violets , . s. vincents rocke-water , . vineger . the vertues and various use thereof , . vomit , and the commendation thereof : rejected by some of the antients , but very frequently used by others , what parts best purged by vomit . often rashly exhibited by empirickes . ibid. for what persons most usefull , and for whom most unfitting . preparation before , and what after a vomit to be done , , . vrines , and their use , . best urine in colour and contents . golden coloured urine . blacke urine . vrine a fallacious signe therby to judge either of the disease or issue thereof . ibid. vrines vary much in diseases . . criticall excretion of urine . retention and difficulty of avoiding urine . quantity of urine . suppression of urine from divers causes , ibid. w walking a profitable exercise : see exercise , walking after supper , ibid. wal-nut : see nut . washing and anointing of the body after . washing in cold water , , . washing of the hands . of the head . of the feet usuall with us . . washing of the feet in sicknesse , . watching what it is , and to what function to be referred , . immoderate watching hurtfull , and how , ibid. water highly esteemed of the antients . antiquity , utility and division of water , . weighing of water , deceitfull . division of usefull waters . . raine-water . snow-water . harmes of snow-water . cisterne-water , and the correction thereof . ibid. vulgar error concerning the boiling of water , . terrestriall , or water springing out of the earth . spring-water . best spring-water according to situation , place , aspect of humours , &c. ibid. water carried through pipes of lead , whether usefull ? water of rivers , of pooles and ponds . of wells and pumps , and which of all these is the best . ibid. water the most antient and common drinke of mankind , with divers observations in the use of drinking water , , . not to be despised for drinke . bad water how to be corrected , , water destilled to the antients unknowne . destilled better than boiled , . water in great request among the antients not to be indifferently exhibited in all diseases , , water how to bee exhibited without hurt , and what in the use thereof to be considered , ibid. cold water how to be prepared for the use of the sicke , together with the time of use generall and particular , the quantity , &c. ibid. water warmed in frequent use among the antients . whether usefull for the sicke , , . strong waters of severall sorts , and the great abuse thereof . for whom most usefull . , . weapon-salve . the names . various wayes of preparation . blood sometimes omitted in the preparation . it effecteth just nothing . sympatheticall and why ? magneticall and why ? blood used in the weapon-salve is taken from any man. it receiveth no particular vertue or efficacy from the starres . it is accounted sometimes miraculous , and sometimes mysticall . confutation of many arguments brought for the confirmation of the weapon-salve , and such other cures as are sometimes supposed to be done at as great or greater a distance without any physitians contact , . , , , . welling-borrow-well , . whey , and what it is . it may safeier in sicknesse be exhibited than milke it selfe . vertues of whey best whey . whey of goats milke , and the vertues thereof . it differeth according to the preparation or separation , . clarified whey , . whigge or wigge : see sowre-milke . white meates , and for whom fit , ● . whiting , . wild-fowle : see fowle . winds alter the body of man in sickenesse and in health . they are of great force , . their number , natures , and properties according to severall countries . principall winds to be observed . division of winds . division of land-winds west-wind most t●rrible to gascony . south-wind our greatest , for the north-wind our greatest friends . etaesian , aniversary , or east-winds : maritime , or winds blowing from the sea , with their commendation ; why in italy this proveth otherwise , . . winds of the westerne world , or america : south and south-west winds bl●● most constantly in peru : various qualities of the easterne-wind according to severall countries , . severall effects of winds , . wine , and the differences thereof , from the colour , taste , and smell , . . wi●● whether it may safely be exhibite the sicke , . what wine best for the sicke : what not usefull fo them , ibid. & . what is the best ; artificiall wine , ibid. wine is hot : it is potentially dry : white wine : small white wine least hot of any other : red wine : strong yellow wines , . . our wines differ much from the wines of the ancients , . wine moderately used , for some beneficiall : ibid. for whom most usefull , . sugar mingled with wine , . wings of fowle , . wolfe fish , . women-physitians , and who unfit and unseemly it is for their sex , intr. . women too censorious and busie about the sicke , and yet ordinarily ignorant of that which is to be done , ibid. womens cures are casuall , and therefore not to be trusted to , ibid. & . women faile much , and for the most part in dieting of the diseaded , int . why women so ordinarily exceede in their actions , ibid. & . . women with childe may safely be phlebotomised and purged , . , . women of scythia of a venomous aspect , as also those about pontus , . old womē often froward & peevish , wooll of northampton-shire very good : see northampton . y. yeere altered by numa pompilius , . by iulius caesar , . by pope gregory . ibid. youth ought not to be too tenderly educated , . youth made to lie upon the ground , to accustome that age to hardship , . youth ought not to accustome themselves to cover their heads too much , . courteous reader , by reason of the authours absence , and the strangenesse of his character , divers faults are committed , which you may thus correct : introduction page . line read , more hurt , l. . ● deprived p. ● . it 〈◊〉 p. . marg . note . responce d'vne , p. ● l. ● . 〈◊〉 . l. 〈…〉 of , p. . l. . yeeres , p. 〈…〉 , person of . in the tractat it selfe , page . line . be of it selfe , &c : p. ● . l. in bodies , 〈…〉 p● ● l ● the livers , . 〈…〉 , . 〈◊〉 . ●●●l●eve , . ● . it is , . . that which we , ●● . ● very 〈…〉 , ● . ●● ( if such ) of the pa●sh , . ●● bus●i● heads ▪ ● 〈◊〉 , 〈…〉 , . concerning the a●●yes , 〈…〉 g●●ions , . m. n. . franco● , . ● . indication , affluence , ●●●●go●ion , ● 〈◊〉 this were 〈…〉 . alter●ation , ●● 〈◊〉 have this 〈…〉 thought to be li●●es , ● . . blow lighteth , . . for any , . 〈◊〉 . ●ractatû● de pest● , ● . . fe●●●s 〈…〉 the same 〈…〉 beginning from the ●●ver , . ● 〈◊〉 , ● . . to second , , ● . alleviation , . 〈…〉 , ● . m. n. . 〈◊〉 , ● . . preceded , ● . minora 〈◊〉 ibid in m. n. . . 〈◊〉 , . . we say , . to wit , whether the passage be free and o●e● , &c. ● . 〈◊〉 , & . su●●●ssor , ●● . ● be crudities , ●● . many mat●er . . ●o●liquation , 〈…〉 seed of , l. ● permaticall 〈◊〉 , . ▪ 〈◊〉 required , ●● of sleeping in 〈…〉 our intention , . m. n. imposture des d●ables , . m. n. quintum ●sse , ● . 〈…〉 ●●●ndize , l. . ●aker , , ● . is it ● 〈…〉 . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e mr. ro●e●●●olton , minister of broughtō in northampton shire . notes for div a -e a ecclesiast . , . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. aph. . lib. . multitude of idle and superfluous pamphlets printed . * semioticall part of physicke handleth the signes of diseases , as well diagnosticke as prognosticke . ¶ therapeuticall part of physicke , is that which is conversant about the cure of diseases . diet of the diseased hath been much neglected by physitians . a small errour in diet much preiudiceth the patient . erroneous practice of the vulgar , especially womē in feeding the sicke too much . c jmpura corpora quo magis nutris eo magis laedit , aph. . lib. d lib. . cap. . clinici , or bed-physitians , who attended on the sicke . emperickes and their kindes . what an emperick is . e duplex ignorantium medicorum genus : alterum corum qui sola experien●ia nituntur , aiuntque nullius rei naturam ● osse ratione inven●ri . alterum corum qui sibi nomen sapientiae vindicant , & licet parem habeant cum pr●oribus ignorantiam , opinione tamen scientiae sunt aucupati . sed corum inscitia inde habet initium quod in rationalibus scientiis ●inime fiat exercitati ; quae nos rite distinguere & secernere docet cas propositiones quae demonstrandi vim habent , altis quae probabilitatem qu●dem continent , nihil autem veri possunt demonstrare aut invenire , gal. . de diff . febr. mountebanks , quack salvers , fugitive physitians . historie of an impudent mountebanke . another of the same stamp . trauelling empericks . history of a runnagate quacksalver . f faciet hippocraticae est hujusmodi : nares acutae , ocu●i concavi , ●oliapsa tempora , auriculae frigidae & contractae , auriumque lobi inversi , quin cutis circa frontem dura , tum circumtenta , & arida , colorque totius faciei pallidus , aut e●t niger & tividus , & plumbeus , hippoci . prognost . lib. . aph. . emperickes abound with us here at home . surgeons commonly too saucy and bold in practising physicke . surgeons are onely deputed for the cure of externall infirmities . laudable custome of those places where the surgeon taketh no great cure of surgery upon him without the advice and assistance of the physitian . g anatomy of urines lib. . cap. . h ecclesiast . . issue and event is no good argument t● prove a sufficiency in the professiō of physicke . difference betwixt the empirick and the learned artist . an empiricke or ignorant physitian may sometimes casually and by chance hit upon som cure where a more sufficient and learned physitian may before have past his prognosticke to be past his recovery . i sam. . . ignorance of an unskilfull pilot is not discerned in a calme . greatod● betwixt the learned physitian and the empiricke . k quod ● eum trobe quidem curet medicus , merhi magnitudine superetur ager , haec medici culpa non est . sivero eum rite nos curet , neque morbum agnoscat , a morbo superetur , haec medici culpa est . hip. lib. de affect . the germanes in danger of death double the physitians fees . evill events may often befall a skilfull & learned physitian , and why . history of a woman who cured her sweet hart thinking to have killed him galen . de simpl . medic facul . another of a leper casually cured . ib. idem l schenck . observat . medic . lib. . pag. . ex bernch . dessen . cronemb . defen . vet . med . adversus paracel . ca. . m jdem obser . lib. de sudore angl. ex epist . simonis riquini de febre sudator , ad generof com. herma . de nucnare . history of a young fellow taking an indefinite quantity of sneezing powder for the ague . valour of those who so long held out in that last memorable siege of rochell . n see ioan de serres his french history in the reigne of charles the . objection . answere . the vulgar no competent iudges of the physitians errors . apothecaries here in the countrie take vpon them ordinarily to practise physicke , and what they doe in the city , physitians know best . women iniuriously usurpe upon the physitians calling . they often whisper about the patient , and suggest needelesse feares unto the sicke . women altogether unfurnished with skill requisite in a practitioner of physicke , and therfore unfit to practise . o nostrates sine analogismo , & experientia remedia observant : quia immò si legerimus aristot . plane videbimu● , illos non percipere quid significet experimentū . aristot . . post et cap vlt. et metaphys . vbi docet . quemodo sia● experimentum , habe● haec verba : ex sensu fi● memoria ; ex multi● mem●●●s fit experimētum : multae namque memorie numero experientia una est ; ex qua demde universale in anima fit . empirici , dum vident po●t exhibitunt medicamentum aegrum sublevari , illico putant de illo factum experimentum , quod ab experimenti definitione est omnino alienum : aperte nos docet philosophus , experimentū neque ab unica sensatione , neque a multis ; neque ab unica memoria , sed a multis , & iteratis memorijs fieri : quare tautum abest ut medicamentum post quod vident aegrum bis , vel t●r , sublevari , dicetur experimentum , ut neque memoria , neque sensati . bona de illo dici possit : et ratio est , quia ut plurimum empirici decipiuntur circa sensationem : putant enim sanationem ab hausto medicamento pendere , quando a natura , viribus optimis praedita , prodit . prima causa , cur experimentum , empiricorum sit fallax , est , quia putant ex re semel visa , colligi posse experimentum , quod aristoteli , ut diximus , adversatur . secunda , quia ●circa res sensibiles decipiuntur : causa erroris est quia in quolibet aegrotante variae sunt & . diversae conditiones , naturae , & affectuum idea , & quaelibet potest variare medendi medum : hasque varietates rerum , cum empiriet non consulant , nunquam ab experimentis s●iunt remedia haurire . quae ig●cur ●ausant varietates ; sunt natura aegrotantis , alas tempus , anni , regio , praesens constitutio , tobur , habitus , confuciudo . s●●letum exercitium , m●rbus , causa , locus , symptomata , morbi similes , mos , motus , repletio , figurae partium , pulsuum motus , onimi mores ▪ fuvantia & laedentia : fine distincto harum conditionum examine nanquam observabimus experimentum , illae enim variam , & d●versam naturam agentis & patientis patefaciunt . sanctorius sanctorius meth . vitand . errorum in analog . & experim perquir . lib. . cap. . history of a woman-physitian living here lately in northamptonshire . particular remedies must follow after generall , consumptions , especially already radicated not easily cured . p ioubert des erreurs populaires partie seconde cha . . du regine des seures . * aut te ardenter amat , aut te capitaliter ●dit . mantuan . * aut te ardenter amat , aut te capitaliter ●dit . mantuan . q l'afferme que la complexion des personnes quise changent promptement & soudain passene d'vne extremite al'autre , est simple , pure , & nette●●r se contra●●re 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 d'vne 〈◊〉 tant ●estice , 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 te●m●ign●e de 〈◊〉 mo●lisse , tendreur , b●aute & del●atesse ) qu●elles on t gra●●e promptitude , & excedent les hommes tant en ●oudaine apprehension , qu● ensuperlatiue affection parquoy elles ont mo●ns a'arre● en leurs propos & deliberations , raison de la mobilite , qui procede d'vne legerete saiuant la pare simplic●te , de laquelle ausse est a●u●le ci●l , par de●us ious les autros corps . auss●●a vitesse de l●ur entendement a comprendre toutes diss●●●tes , & 〈◊〉 resondre , est 〈◊〉 , que les hommes n●y pe●ent aduentr . et pour tant en mesprise leur response , si elle est praemediteet & dit-on qu●d sant prendre le premier conse it d'vne femme , auant qu'elle y ait pense , &c. et vn peu anparauant . car ces affections extremes ne procedent que d'vn esprit subti● penetrant & habile , nebasse dans vn corps mol , delicat , & bien purifie ' , &c. le mesme ioubert au lien preallegue ' . r plutarch . in eius vna history of womens contradiction and controlling the physitians prescriptions far out of purpose . ſ my lady farmer , widow to that noble knight , st. george farmer of cason by toceter in northampton-shire . t iob . . v. . , , &c. another sort of intruders upon the profession of physicke as dāgerous , if not more than the former . the difficulty of the practice of this profession might iustly deterre such as are engaged in another great calling from the practice thereof . the physitians presence ( if it can possibly be obtained ) with his patient were requisite . a exod. . , &c. levit. . , , &c. * tim. . , , , . z tim. . . * dr. downame b. of derry in a sermon preached at the consecration of the b. of bath and wells . a timoth. . . . b luk. . . c iohn . , &c. d cor. . , . e proverb . ● . f ierem . . g rom. . , . h thessal . . . i in what cases one may professe two callings at once . perkins in his treatise of callings . k luk. . . l acts . . m math. . . n isay ● . . o ephes . . . p religiosi professi exeunte● ad audiendas leges , vel physicam , nisi infra duos mense● ad claustrum redierint , excommunicati sint , & in nulla causa patrocinari possant ; & in choro , & capitu●o caet●ris erunt ultimi , & sine dispensatione papa non promoventur . chap. . non magnopere antiquus hostis invidia , &c. et infra . indenimirum est quod in angelum lucis se more so●to transfigurans , sub obtentu languentium fratrum consulend . corporibus , & ecclesiastica negotia fideliter pertractandi , regulares quosdam ad legendas leges & confectiones physicas ponderandas , de claustris suis educit . verum ne occasione scientiae spirituales viri mundanis rursus negotiis involvantur , statuimus ut nulli omnino post votum religiosum & post factā in loco aliquo religiosam professionem , ad physicae sive mundanas leges legendas permittantur exire . sin verò exierint , & infra duorum mensium spacium non redierint , sicut excōmunicati ab ominibꝰ vitentur ; & in nulla causa , si patrotinium prastare volunt , audiantur , ut supra q can. . quod non oportet episc . &c. r gratian. decres . distinct . . ſ idem ex concil . carthag . can. . t cui portio deus est nibil curare debet nisi deum : jdem caus . . quaest . . ex ambrose . de fugasaculi . u jbidem . * a mollitiis , & saecularibus rebus laqueisque alligari non debent , qui spiritualibus alligati sunt , nec ad terrenes seculares actus vacare , &c. x episcopi , & a●tecessores nostri consuerunt , nequis decedent ad tutelam vel curam clericum nominet . at fiquis hoc fecisset , non offervetur pro eo , nec sacrifitium pro dormitio●e eju● celebraretur , nec onim ante altare dei merentur nominari in sacerd●tum praece , qui ab alteri saterdotes & ministres volunt avocare . idem caus . . quaest . & concil . carthag . . can. . & . . . . y . , , . * numb . . . z levit. . . * calvin in his commentaries upon this place . * idem ibid. a numb . . , . b acutorum morborum non omnino sunt certa praedictiones vitae aut mertis . aph. . lib. . whether s. luk. were both an evangelist and a physitian . c in his cōmentaries upon this place . d e●ton in his commentaries upon this place . e timoth. . . f philem. g rom. . . learned and able physitians are not so frequent nor in that number as ignorant , and why ? the physitians paines far exceed the paines of other professions . the divines prerogative . physitians study of a far larger extent then either of the divine or the lawyer . large extent of the physitians study . physitians practicall paines do far exceed other professions . h poscentes vario multum diversa palato , horat. physitians have much adoe to please their patients palats . and many troubles they must undergoe . physitians best actions often mis-costrued , and they wrongfully traduced . i plutarch in ejus vita . ignorant and undeserving people often rob the physitian of his deserved praise and commendation . history . divines freed from many incombrances whereunto the physitian is subiect . and likewise the lawyer . physitians paines often worse required than of other professions . physitians hardiier dealt with than other professions . physitians have many snarers with them , which iniuriously rob them of their right . k ingrati vit um a●imi cum deo tunc hominibꝰ admodum est odio●um ; imo vitii● , haud in●uria tātū existim ●tur , ut qui ingratii di●it , ●nsigni & absoluto quem pia maledicto figa●●● orro vittū hoc ia mortalibus , erga medicos adeo tritum est & cōmunt , ut persaepe demi●er quemp●ā animo praeditum generoso medicum esse velle ; quum ejus professio a●●ide calumn●is impense sit opportuna . eae vero mentis ingratae vit●o cognatae sint & germanae . caeterū amicos habemus , hominesque rationi morem gerentes , hon●stos atque grates , qui fastidiū hoc , molestiā hanc depellū , nobisque faciunt animos ad artem hanc exercendā alij lic●t permu●t●in nos nimio opere sint ingrati . siquidem aliqutam human● deprehenduntur , qui publice , nec semel se vitam tenere post deum ab illis & illu medicu ingenue fate . buntur ; & agnita remuneratione pro sua facultate , medici industria & labore , ad statum ejus tuendum , nihilominus liberaliter confitentur se non posse eum integris suis facultatibus compensare ; quemadmodum re ipsa verum existit . etenim si adjumento medici vitam debent , vita autem pluris est omnibꝰ eorum fortunis , ipsis in manu non est hoc debitam solvere , quamquam omnes suas faculiates clargirentur . at compensationis caput gratia est , quam medico habent , arentes se vitae nomine ipsi obstrictos esse . atque hoc perinde est , ac si quispiam ferrum eius o manibus extor sisset qui neci te dedere paratus esset , aut fanem ei , qui te suffocare conaretur : n●quid vitae gru●a illi fores obligatus . omnes tuae facultates poterūt eū remunerari ? post modū aiunt perbene medico meo solvi , atque adeo supra id quod debebam , tanto indus ipsi donato , 〈…〉 probe 〈…〉 compensatu . ab ●om● mi●er ! ai quod medico donatur exiguae est agnitionis ins●●r accepti beneficij , au ●tiijque ma●o tuo allati . quippe par pa●●●eserre , aut labo●is ●●us fructu remunera●e , si te ex fati fau●ibus er●pa●t ( ut equidem divini favoris asflatus aura potest ) in manu tua nonest , nisi pro covitam , profandas , etiam si sua ad te pro●ibendū a morte nequ●quam ●●●fuderit . ita semper obnoxtus ipsi manes : ac ●portet animo id ipsunt a quo advertas , ingenue tesalens , obstrictu , &c. et paulo post , ●orro deterius quidem agunt , pos●ca quam nimirum bon● fidelisque auxilij opera convatuerunt , sese obno●ios medico pati non queum , atque parum a●est quin odium suum in eum effundant , qui ipsos ia vita servavit . o summum ingrati animi crimen ! hippocrates in epistola ad da●ag●tem ●●a loquentem inducit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . multi medico magna faciunt , & amp●a promissa vehementia mali vigente montes aureos & admirabilia pollicente● : eum t●tum factu●i sunt aureum , gēmeumque bene magna eaque anniversaria pensio est ipsi anumeranda . jn summa ipsis in animo est , illum beneficiis cumulare . caterum cum quispiam est sanatus , in opinionem venitur medicumparum effecisse , vel citra ejus operam potuiste curationem expleri . nuncupatum votum esse in causa curationis aut bonum & accuratum , eorum quiad stiterunt obsequium , honas s●r●itiones , aut pharmocopaum , qui totum vendicare successum sibi volet , aut probam validamque laborantis constitutionem aut fortuttum abquem casum , &c. in summa medicus perexiguam aut nullam honoris , gratiae , remunerationis partem ba●ebit . ioubertus de e●●or . vulgi lib. . cap. . l eccles . . . m the papists haue recourse to many hee and shee saints for the cure of divers diseases : as also for their cattell , and other ocasions ; as may from hence appeare : to st sith for my purse , st loy save my horse , for my teeth to st apol●ine , st iob for the poxe , st luke save mine oxe , st anthony save my swine , to mr john shorne , that blessed man borne , for the ague , to him we apply . he iuggleth with a knot , i be shrew his heart root that trust him if it be i. see the beginning of acts and monuments the first impression . * mr. george coles of northampton gentlman . causes mouing the author to undertake this businesse . n iob . . difficulty of this worke , and the reasons . none of this iland hath ever written the diet of the diseased . hippoc. de vita acut● brudus lusitanus di vita febricit . lib. . reasons why the diet of healthfull people is also here handled . sum and subiect of this whole subsequent discourse together with the order and method thereof . the sicke often much wronged by reason of the neglect or want of good directions for diet. better and more laudable to set downe the right use of remedies , than to prescribe new recei●ts which may cause the ignorant to erre . remedies can never be rightly applied to particular indidividuall persons , but by the learned artist , howsoever people are commonly caried a quite contrary way . the publike must be preferred before any private person . notes for div a -e health best earthly happinesse , as sickenesse the greatest sorrow . divers significations of this word diet. and as physitians commonly us it . a lib. ad thrasib . b lib. . cap. . * eam vero corporis constitutionem , in qua nec doloribus cruci●mur , nec in vitae actionibus impedimur sanitatem appellamus . sanitas una optima est , & ut sic dicā consummata , atque s●mma ; quaedam vero , seu deficiens ab hac , nec plano absoluta perfectave , atque hac etiam latitudinem habet non parvam . quare etiam sanitates multae variaequon ipsa cōmuni omniū forma unde dictae sanitates sunt , sed mai●ris minorisque ratione inter se dissidentes . gal. de sanit tuenda lib. . ¶ qua propter si eorum quae natura humidiores calidioresque sunt mutare temperamentum ad frigidìorē siccioremque speciem libe● , contrariam his victus rationem instituas oportet , sin id custodire placet , similem . idem lib. . de tuenda sanit . § vide lib de sanit . ad thrasibulum . a good and laudable diet is not only to be observed of the sicke , but even of such as are in health also . plures gala , quam glaedio periere . the sword hath killed his thousands , but gluttony his ten thousands , herodicus his strict diet . asclepiades his confidence of the use of diet . c lib. . cap. . d valer. maximus l. , cap. . e q. curtius in vita calani . a theophrast . moriens naturā accusavit , quod vitam longiorem brutis animantibus dedit , hominibus vero tam brevem & malignam , ut aequa lance vitam & mortem pensitando , dubites an vita an mors sit ●ptabilior . quinetiam aestimatione nocturnae quietis , quisque dimidio vita suae spatio vivit , & pars aequa morti simi●is iransigitur : ne reputantur infantiae anni sine sensu , nec senectae in poenam vivaces ; tot periculorum genera , tot morbi , tot casus , tot curae , toties invocata morte , ut nullum frequentius votum , &c. reolanus junior in privatis praelect . what life is . b de vitae definitione variaesunt philosoph●rū sententia & definitiones . arist . tamen ut & medici omnes ejus essentiam in calido & humido collocant . vide arist . de longitud . & brev . vitae cap. . iohan. magirum physiol li. . cap. , &c. c galen lib. de marasimo & lib. . salut . reasons seeming to prove that death may be avoided . d lib. . de civit . dei. why the patriarches lives were so long . e naturales causae fatalis interitus tres sunt , naturalis ficcita● , perenne triplicis substantiae ef●●uvium , & copia excrementorum . idem gal. loco nupet citat . hebr. . . f thomas philologus de vita ad . amos producenda . et nuper claudius deodatus de eodem argumento . reasons why the life cannot be perpetuated for ever from the materiall ; and from the efficient cause . * duo diversi sunt in c●●o m●tu● ; 〈◊〉 nempe ab ortu in occasum , qui dicitur m●●u● deci●●● coeli , & quo metu 〈◊〉 inferiores coeli , atque adeo omnes planeta spatio diei & noctis ab ortu in occasum circuner ●piuntur : alter vero motus est proprius inferioribus coelis , & imprimis spharis planetarum , quae motui isti decimi 〈◊〉 veluti obnitentes , contr amoventur ab occasu in ortum , qui quid●m motus lo●ge est tardior quam motus ille primus decimi coeli , &c. kee●erm . system . astron . lib. . cap. . ordinary period of mans life , not reckoned above or yeeres . g quanquam & ipse paracelsistae & qui corum medicinis utuntur brevis sint vitae , & morbis vexentur ; tamen ia●●ant suum universale . novimus aliquos qui metalla per lapidē tinxerunt , sed qui nec se , nec alios a morte & morbis praeservare potuerint . de potentia arti● multus est rogerius , nec est ullus paracelsicus quin ad oftentationem usque profusus fit promissionibus . argumenta proferuntur a quibusdam longaevis sine regimine , quod impossibile est esse perfectum sine medicinis , ●t al. antimony , auro potabili , lapide philosophorum , &c. quid multis ? deficis ar● in ipsis p●ofessoribus ; si obijciaes hoc illis , pratendunt terminum naturae , defectum medicinae talis , & alia frivola crollius ridicule paracelsum ad vitam longam pervenire potuisse negat , quia veneno sit sublatus . at si promissa chy●ica sunt vera , debuit & contravenena fuisse munitus : ut mithridates , &c. andr. libav . analys confess . fratrum de rosea cruce medit . . memorabile hoc evenit quod adamus a bodenstein paracelsicae sectae coryphaem , cum libello edito se pestem pracavere , & curare posse sua theriaca , quam excbymicis concinnebat , divulgaret : peste correptus , nemine tunc in ea platea ag●otante , peste penitus fere in ●rbe cessante , interierit . plat. observat . medicin . lib pag. . pestil . accidit tunc quoque hoc memoria dignum , quod impostor quidam pseudomedicus circumforanem , globo quadam ex stibio , uti ex operatione illius potuiconjicere , composito , vinoque immerso , unicum illud exhibendo , omnes se curare posse peste infectos gloriatus est , peste primum uxore eius correpta , ipseque mox eadem perierit , poenasque audacia sic ambo dederint . idem ibid. h prateros vixerunt multi vitam alienam , idque iuxta praescriptum deltica naturae , inter quos fuit syrus , qui cum de vita laboravit , robusti cuiusdam edolesecutis , qui tum forte adsistebat , vim atque naturam attraxisse dicitur ; idque per imaginationem sic est consecutus , ut sensus , cogitationes , demique , animus ipse in alium transferretur . per talem imaginationem archafas uniuscuiusque eruditi , atque prudentis hominis scientia●s atque prudentiam attraxiss● dicitur . parac . de vita longa lib. . cap. . est tertia velut quadam magica , qua quis vitam producit suam adminicule alienae . modus antem attractionis tam vitae alienae a syro , quam intellectus , seu prudentiae ab archasa , seu archel●o consisit in imaginatione , de qua multa baco in hoc eodem argumento . attractionem hanc , si vera est , seq●itur necessario transcorporatio animarum , quam iohannes picus perhibet omnes sapientes credidisse , indorum , persarum , aegyptiorum & chaldcorum , leo suavius scholio , ad idem cap. i non minus coarguitu● ex plinio longinquitas vita in bachone & paracelso , quam in anacreonte aut xenophonte , qui quidem impetrim mululcaciorum insulae regem annis vixisse scribit , & s●til●●ius . qua omnia existi●nat inscitia temporis scripta esse , quod alii annū astate vnum determinabāt , & alterū hyeme , &c. id. ib. k quantum autem ad longavitatem attinet , scite lunares populi ex phedone platonis introducuntur in altissimo terrae fastigio supra nubes habitantes , qui ob diuturnitatem aevi non tam mortales homines , quam immortales daemones habeantur . puschre etiam a ficino arabes astrologi producuntur qui ultra lineam aequixoctialem ad meridiem subtilissimos montes narrant , incolas , daemones quosdam , qui neque oriri , neque mori videantur : sicut scribit paracelsus de hildevio , &c. idem leo suavius scholia ad cap. . lib. . parac . de vita longa . qui● enim credet ad annum posse pervenir● ? adde inquit & mathusalem exemplum propono . et ex parte sub●ecti natura●em vigorem , de quo in mose . lib. . derude medicinā praestantem . tertio locum eum corpors convenientem ; locum inquam in aere seu esse quinto , vel nubibus , ubi nulla est corporatitas , atque ubi habitant qui dicuntur somno sepulti , &c. idē ibid. l human vitae spatium longe aliter est coercendum , licet ( inusitato miraculo ) artephius dicatur a bachone ope sapientiae suae ● annos vixisse , quemadmodum aliē quidem primo mundi seculo . m copernicus docuit solem esse viciniorem terrae quam tempore ptolomaei fuerat per miliaria germanica vicies sexies mille sexconta , & sexaginta . phil. melanchton in physicis ipse queque statuit solem ess● viciniorem terrae , & ait , deum veluti solem terram versus retraxisse , quo natura effoeta egeat majori calore & fermento . alii autem astronomi , & physici istam mutatam solis vicinitatem penitus repudiant , inter quos est imprin is magnus ille scaliger qui exercit . sect . . violenter copernicum nostrum insectatur . disputat autem de ista solis eccentricitate clariss . mathem , origanus cap. . prog . ad annum . & docet esse quidem revera solis eccentricitatem mutatam , sed non esse tantam quantam ste. florus ex sententia copernici posuerat , sed vix dimidio tanta , ila ut in eo congruat cum sententia melanchtonis ; qui ia physica , ubi de sole tractat , dicit solem propiorem terrae esse factum quam fuerit tempore ptolomei milliaribus germanicis novies mille nongentis . keckerm . systemat . astron . lib. . cap. . n richard hacluyt o anacreonti poeta de iis qui annos expleverint damiatos astipulatur memora●s pictorium pracipuum corpore viribusque . etiam alexander & cornelius dandonem quendam in illyrico dicunt vixisse . leo suavius in cap. . lib. . parac . de vita longa . p the sobrietie of the floridens doeth lengthen their dates in such sort , that one of their kings told me ( saith morques ) that hee was yeeres old , his father which he there shew'd mee alive , was yeeres elder than himselfe ; when i saw him , mee thoght i saw nothing but bones covered with skin . his sinews , veines and arteries ( saith landoniere , in descriptiō of the same man ) his bones and other parts appeared so clearely thorow his skinne , that one might easily tell them and discerne tho one from the other ; hee could not see , nor yet speake without great paine . they shewed mee their off-spring to the fifth generation , and yet it was told them by the other indians , that the eldest of them both might by the course of nature live , or yeeres more . purchas his pilgrim . lib. . cap. . americus vesputius saith , the brasilians live yeeres , and that they have alwaies an easterly wind , which tempereth their aire . idem lib. . cap. . q macrobii in africa , saith herodot . lib. . live ordinarily yeeres ; their meat was boil'd flesh , their drinke , milk . idem l. . cap. . r deuteron . . . sam. . , &c. chron. . . switzers tall and lusly men , especially in the canton zurith . ſ platerus observat . medicin . lib. . pag. . the inundation of the whole world by the deluge , was not the cause of the abbreviation of the life of man. t genes . . . u genes . . . x . , y man is ordinarily longer lived than the woman . and why , arisi . lib. de longitud . & brevit . vita cap. . what complexion longest lived . in what climat . z purchas li. . c. . a prov. . . . b . . . c eccles . . . d psalme . . e psalme . . . f verse . g proverbs . . h . . what is meant by climactericall yeeres . a censorinus lib. de saeculis . b lib. . de republ. c sunt autem duo ānorum numeri , septimus & non●o qui pterumque rerum vitaeque●us , imrautationem , ac gravia pericula invebunt . quo fit us sexagesimus tert●us , qui utriusque nameri multiplicatā , atque invicem sibi connexam summam continet non sine periculorum a●●rvo ingruat ; nov es namque septem , & septies novem , sexa●inta ere 's constituunt , atque ob id climactericus is annus appellatur ; quia a septimo orsus , vitam hominis , velut per gradus quosdam peragat . itaque omnes qui per , aut annos consurgunt , decretorii dicuntur in quibꝰ magnam mutationem subeunt homines : nam vel calumnus ●mpeti●olent , vel gravissimus morbis divexari , vel pe●iculis objici , velaenique aliquod perpeti detrimentum ac ●actaram , velfacultatum , vel vale●uainis . ●os ergo annoram decursus , ac volum . na in omnibus etiam aetatibus observare soleo , sic ut impubere● , &c. levinus lemnius de occul● . naturae mirac . l. . ca. . d in lib hippoc. de septimestri ●ariu . e at vero multeribus foetuum conceptiones & abortiones & partiones , eodem tempore judicaniur , quo & morbi & sanitas sed istorum omnium , alia quidem diebus , alia menssbus , alia dierum quad● agenariis , alia annuo spatio de se signifi●ationem prabent . et paulo post . eteni●● medicum qui de aegroriā salute recte consectare volet , animadvertere opertet , ut omnes dies in contemplationem adhibeat ; ex paribus quidem , &c. hippoc. lib. de septim . partu . f epidem . sect . . g averroes cap. . . collect . h gen. . . . . i king. . . k lib. de carn seu principius , ubi multa de hos numero septenario . infantia , & pueritia . pubertas . adolescentia , iuventus , fluens & consistens . virilia & proprie consistens aetas . senectus . cruda viridisque senectus , seu primum seni●m . aetas decrepita , seusenium secundum astrologicall reason of these climactericall yeeres . l ranzenius in genethliace . vide de his annis eundem lib de sanit . tuend . cap . m claudius deodacus panth hygiast . lib. . cap. . ubi , & bi versus de hominis aetate reperiuntur . infans septenos postquam compleveris annos , producti dentermurus & oris erunt post si septem alios deus huic cō●ess●rit annos ● it pubes , nato semine , nomen habens . est invenis cum septem altos compleverit annos , et lanugo genas barbaque prima tegie . his addas septe virtutis nomine clarus est vir , & haec aetas optima robur habet . a di●cias alios septem , vo●e● esse maritus , er memor utique posteritatu erit his alias ●ugas septe , prudētia pectu● ornabit , studium non levitatis erit . annumeres septem gravitas erit inclyta ●●ngua . septem alios , linguae ●ōgruit ingenium . additur his nonus cum septenarius ipse est , perfectus , vires sed nimis interimit . scitices his ānis multi periere duobus , quorū laus celebrū mar te togaque suit . hi quoque nunc variis fortuna casibus anni , subiiciunt multos , exitiumque parant . accedunt a●●i septem , mors dura vocabit , a●d tamulum fessos , decrepitosque senes . n qua autem rat one per illus annorum circuitus morbi pler●mque incrudescant , a neminc hactenus explicatū est . ego ideo evenire conjicio , quod certis an●orum periodis co●tu● humanum magnam bumorum collectionem , ac redundantiam congesserit , quorum motu , atque excitatione morbi excitantur . cum enim natura ad immodicam repletionem devenerit , conceptacula humorum plenitudinem perserre nequeant , in morbum erumperere necesse est . quāobrem omne fludiū omnemque operam conserre expetit , ne materia exuperant●a evacua●ionem , quam semper vere & autumno , vel incisione venae vel purgante medicamento molundū est . idem lev. l●mn● . loco prius citat . de bis annis climactscripserunt etiam antonius guevarra , petrus messias , ioseph roscius , franciscus iunius , franciscus pet●archa , marsilius ficinus , ferdinandus mena , iohannes lalamanizus , federicus bonaventura , baptist , godroachus , &c. res naturales sunt , elementa , temperamentum , humores , membra vel partes , virtutes seu facultates , operationes vel actiones , spiritus . res non naturales , aer , cibus & potus ; repletio & vacuation ; exercitiun seu motus , & quies ; somnus & vigilia ; accidentia , seu animi pathemata . quality of the aire . the aire doth not a little affect both the body and the minde . a iu academo , unde academici . ficinus in vitae platonis . what is meant by a pure aire . a temperate aire . aire naturally unhealthfull cannot be corrected . alteration of the aire by meanes of the seasons of the yeere . advertisement for undertakers of new plantations . errour committed in the fitst plantation of virginia . b acosta hist . ind. l. , cap. . election of aire according to the severall constitutions of bodies . best aire according to the time of the day . night aire pernitious on most parts of the coast of africa . a kings . . winds are of great force . b de legibus . c asper ab axe ruit boreas , fugit eurus ab ortu : auster amat medium solem , zephyrusque cadentem . hos inter binae mediis e partibus aurae , expirant similes mutato nomine flatus . manilius lib. . d tetrub . . sermone . cap. sect . . e lib. . cap. . f agricola rei metall . lib . properties of winds according to severall countries . g lib. de pest . south-wind best of al others to africa . the west-wind most terrible to gasconie . division of winds . division of land-winds . h comment . . in epidem . the south-wind for the most part our greatest adversary . the northerly wind our best friend . etesian , easterly , or anniversary winds . i jn libris epidem . k lib. . cap. . maritime , or winds blowing from the sea . l lib. de longitud . & brevit . vitae , cap. . m hicronym . rubeus in comment . in praedict . celsi locum . n galen . de semine . commendation of winds blowing from the sea . o gal. in aph . . l. . p lib. de tuenda . valetud . q lib. . cap. . r idem rubeus loco nuper citat . why the sea aire in italy is so bad . s probl. . t lib de longitud . & brevit . vitae . venetians are vigorous and long lived . u idem rubeus . ibid. confirmation of this opinion by experience . of winds blowing in america , lib. . cap. . south and southwest winds blow constantly in peru. northern winds noisome to some parts of peru. various qualities of the eastern wind according to severall countries . x lib. . cap. . y idem . acosta ibid● z idem ibid. cap. . a see purchas his pilgrimage , lib cap. . ex linch●t . l. . a genes . . . the naturall seasons of the yeere . b pracipue vero maxime anni temporum mutationes observandae sunt , ut neque medicamentum purgans lubenter exbibeau●us , neque partes circa ventrem uramus , aut secemus , antedies decem , aut etiam plures . maxime tamen sufficient decem , ac maximi periculi plena sunt ambo aequinoctia , maxime vero autumnale . periculosissima etiam sunt ambo solstitia , praecip●eque aestivum . syderum quoque ortus observandi , praecipueque caniculae , deinde arcturi , & vergiliarum occasus . his enim potissimū diebus morbi indicationem subeunt , & alii quidem perimunt , alii vero desinunt , aliique omnes in aliam formam & statum transeunt . lib de acre , aquis & locis . question cōcerning the temperature of the seasons , with the answer . the humours in the body of man , answer the foure seasons of the yeere , and the parts of our civil day . seasons of the yeere differ acording to climats and countries . situation of places altereth the seasons : see acost . in places alleged in the former chapter . historie of the difference of the season in the hills and vallies . c see purchas his pilgrimage lib. . cap. . d idem lib. . cap. . observations for undertakers of plantations . the high esteeme the antients had of water . antiquity . vtility . a quoniam aqua alterum est ex duobus elementis quibus constat bominum vita , altera vitae parte aegyptios spolians , optimo compendio usus est ad humiliandam eorum ferociam , nisi prorsus fuissent intractabiles . calvin . comment cap. . exo. vers . . b gen. . , , . &c c king. . . d in one place westward from florida & virginia it had not rained for the space of three yeeres ; and therefore was there great scant of food there . purchas lib. . cap. . in mexico in former times had bin a drought of . yeeres continuance , which forc'd the inhabitants to forsake the country , idem ibid. cap. . e lib. de aqua . division of water . temperature of water . properties of the best waters . f jmprimis itaque illa aqua ad potandum optima censetur , quae clara , pellucida , tenuis , pura , frusti lorum & saporum omnium expers , levisque reperitur : necnon quae igni admota citò califit , remota vero ocyssime frigescit , gustu iucundo : quae denque celeriter praecordia pertransit , & fine ulla ventriculi molestia labitur & secedit . &c matthiol in lib. . dioscor . cap. . de aqua . hippocr . fusius de bi● omnibus aquu agit . lib. de aere , aquis & locis . gal. . de salut . . aph. lib. . avic . fen . . primi doct . . cap. & . & alii multi , ut lang. 〈…〉 . epist . ● . division of 〈◊〉 water . raine-water . g meteor . cap. . h loco prius citato . best raine-water according to the time of the yeare . i rufus apud oribafi , columella , plinius . what parts of the day are best . the manner of the falling . snow-water nothing worth . k aph. lib. . hurt by drinking of snow-water . cisterne water . correction of cistern waters . quaity of cisterne water . a vulgar error . consideration of springs and spring-water . best springs . laso prius citat● de aere , ●quis , &c. obiection . answere . in the situation of springs what to bee considered . the soile or place from whence they spring . situation in regard of the heavens . the ground or soile thorow which they runne . the manner of running . whether water carried thorow pipes of lead may bee safely used . m aqua quae per plumheas solenas deducitur fugienda est , sordes namque et limus plumbi ●i● adharent , ob id qui illius subsi●entiam bibunt dyfenterci fiunt . gal. lib. . de medicam . loco affect . appropr . verum est ae omni metallo quod propter sulphuream substantiam oliquid habeat accuitatis ; quamvis in flanno & plumbo saper id minime indicat : probatur tamen per illud , quod aqua quaedam currit vel stat in fistulis plumbei● , aut stanneis , efficitur in testinorum sive viscerum exceriatio albe●t . magn lib . de . metal . tract . . cap. aqua per plumbum ducta ideo videtur vi●iosa , quod ex cerusa fit & nascitur . vit. lib. . pallad . lib. cap. &c. indeque lang. epist medicin . loco nuper citat . confutation of this opinion . river-water . what river-water is best . waters of lakes and ponds . well-water . pump-water . pond-water worst of all others . a quicquid substantiam nostri corporis auget & conservat , vel ut alii ; alimentum est quod vitales vires custodire natum existit , per refectionem triplicis substantiae , spirituosae , humidae & carnosae ; quae in nobis quotidie perit , & vires imminuit . mercatus tom . lib. . quaest . . class . . properties required in nourishment . quod sapit , nutrit . b lib. de carnibus . c . meteor . cap. . d lib. de caus . plant . e quatuor ex purit vitamducunt elementis chameleon , talpa , maris halec , & salamandra . halec unda fovet , &c. f arist . lib . de nat . animal cap . & pliny lib. ● . cap. . & li. . cap. . theoph. lib de igne , &c. g lib. . cap. . h a man living only upon the sunne and aire : olimpioderus , citante riolano ficio in praelect . i lib. . cap. . men without mouths k athen. lib. . diog. laertius in eius vita . l jn epistolis . the chameleon , rhin . tax , manu●odiata , avis paradisi . m lib. de sensu , & sensib . confutation of these former assertions . many lies left us by antiquity and travellers . chameleon liveth not on the aire . nor the bird of paradise . notable imposture . whether the bare element of earth can nourish or no. answer . n de temporum . the iewes in their solemne feasts absteine from water , as did the egyptians of old . o lib. de anima . p comment . in lib hippoc . de aere , aquis & locis . q comen . aph. lib. . & cap. . lib . de usu part . r meteor . how long one may live without food . a lib. de carnibus ▪ b lib. . cap. . c lib. . observat medicin . cap. de asili● , d consili● adversus famem . e idem schenck . ex bartholomaei anull ficta poest circa finem . history of a fellow living seven daie● under the earth upon his owne urine only . f vide marcellum donatum de historia medic . admirab . claudum deodatū panth. hygiast . lib. . cap. . lang epist medic . li. . epist . . aliosque . g iulius firmicus maternus . lib. . ridiculous reason of this strange abstinence . another more plausible . h laurent ioubert . decad . . parad. . i vlysses aldreandus . lib. de exa●g . k loco supra citat . in antient authour● no mention made of any such strange abstinences . none can long continue without sustenance . l aelianus in varia historia . m iovius pontanus . notable imposture of a cozning counterfit hermite . a lib. de legib . intemperance not only hurts our selves , but propagates hereditary diseases to posteritie . things to be considered in all manner of nourishment . substance . aliments of grosse substance . of a slender substance . of a meane substance . qualitie of aliments . quantity variable according to sundry circumstances . allowance of foode for one naturall day in old times . b budans lib. . de asse . northern people , and living in cold climate are allowed a more liberall use of diet , than such as dwell in hot countries . c see sir william vaughan his newlander cure , part . . sect . . preparation various . order of ingestion . the time . the structure of the intestinall parts of ravenous beasts differ frō that observed in man , and why . fittest time for refection in naturall reason . a interrogatus diogenes quando sumendum esset alimentum ? h●benti inquit , quando ●surit : si non habeat cum habere poterit . diogenes laert. in cius vita . b tu nunquam comedas stomachum ni noveris esse pureatum vacuumque cibo quem sumpseris ante . shola salernit . c lib. . contin . d de diaera acut . e lib. . cap. . cause of the weaknes of gluttons and belly-gods stomackes . f mercur. vari . lection . lib. . cap. . foure names of repasts among the antient greeks . athenaeus lib. . citant . stuckio . antiquit . conviv . lib. . cap. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vocarunt veteres . no one man used all these foure repasts . g plutarch . in ejus vita . h lib. de sanit . tuenda . i . de loco affect ca. . k epist . . l de cyri institut . lib. . m lib. . n exod . , ▪ o sam. . . sam. . . vnseasonable use of possets in england . two meales most ordinary amongst most nations . fa●●es & mora bilem in nasum conciunt adagium . p refert appollonius in mirabilibus ex arist . eos qui semel in die vescuntur iracundiores esse quia per inediam exacerbantur humores , qui cibo & potu mitescunt . riolan filius in praelect . privatis . whether dinner or supper ought to bee more liberall . arguments for dinner . a ex magna coenâ stomacho fit maxima poena ut sis nocte levis sit tibi coena brevis . schola salernit . reasons for a more liberall supper . b meth. c zaph . lib. . & . ac . epidem . d dae vict . acut . e aph. . lib. . difference betwixt concoction and distribution . f plutarch . . sympos . probl . . supper ought to bee sparing , and yet may be more liberall than dinner . what cases are here to be excepted . of breakefasts , and whether they are to be used . g paucissima natura mane exigit , tantumque refocillari pauxillo alimento postulat , ne calor naturalis flaccescat . illorum itaque exemplum imitari par est , qui cum post aliquot horas luculentum ignem excitare meditantur elixandis , assandisque carnibus , prius nonnullo fonite , aridisque nutrimentis focum instruunt , ne ignis penitus sepiatur , qui cum sit opportunum , iustam ignem in cocturae usum e●citant : sic cum exiiguo fomento , ac velut succendiculo ventriculus paulo ante incaluit , in prandio avidius cibum appetit , ac di●atatis venis validius concoquit digeritque cum plaerisque qui in prandium vsque●eiuni persi lant , appetentia evanescat , calore vel flaccido , vel tantum non extincto . levin . lemnius de occult . naturae mirac . lib. . cap. . mans first food . division of corne. b plin. lib. . cap. . hordeum , quibusdant quasi nascituri cibi exordium . divers differences of bread difference from the meale whereof it is made . second difference from the preparation . c exod. . , , , &c. d lib. , de alim . lacul . bakers abuse the buyers by putting too much barme in their bread . third difference frō the age . e . de victu acut . f lib. . tract . . cap. . g mercur. varia● . lection . lib. . cap. . the excellency of bread above all other food . inconveniences of feeding more on fish and flesh than bread . bread to be used with sommer fruits . barley bread . oaten bread. it yeeldeth good nourishment . rie bread . bread of rice , m● panicke , &c. bread of maiz. divers sorts of physicall bread . h lib. de euch . et cacoch . of pulse and bread made thereof . bread of pease and beanes . greene pease and beanes to be sparingly used . other sorts of pulse more used for physicke than for food . i and in many places they make a bread of dried fish , ordinary among the jchthyophagi or fish eaters plin. lib. . cap. . sic aeg●ptii pastores e loti semine , milio simili maxime lacte , aut aquae subacto , panem conficiunt , quo pane negatur quicquam aut solubrius aut lantius dum calet . idem lib. . cap. ● . of the turnep . a pliny lib. . cap. . b de aliment . fac . c lib. . cap. . of the reddish . d lib. . cap. . e lib. . de alim . facult . f simeon . sith . aloisius . mundalla etiam epist . . g poncetus lib. de venenis . h loco supra citat . wilde-reddish , or horse-reddish . the parsnep . the carrot . of skirret roots . i plin. lib. . cap. . of potato roots . artichoake of ierusalem . iringo-roots . of bulbous roots . of garlike . vertues of garlicke . k mulier astuta cum desperata● videret artis defensionem , per unum ex familiaribus imperatoris auro corruptum , pharmacum ei propinavit , quo ille hausto , statim profundo sopitus somne , ad diem xertium usque stertivisse scribitur et paulo post . sed quod venenivehemen●●a tetum insecerat corpus , pu●●efactione incurabili , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etiam accessis . ita mortuus est , erumpentibus toto corpore vermibus , tertio calend december &c. ch●onic . carion . a peucero expositi & aucti , l page . edition . . in . apud crispinium . l incussere deos inflantes pectora , si non predilium ●er mane caput gustaveris alli . pe●si . m mirum est , allio delectari homines quod fugit leopardus : nā sicubi par●etes litu infeceris exibit protinus , nec resi●● et ciuus odorem venenata fera non patitur ; nos interuis visceribus infund●mus ambros . lib. . hexameri . n promittit . l●nius all●um omni odore carere fi dum luna est subterra seratur , dum est in co●tu colligatur . lib. ● . cap . o of onions . simpl. medic . of skallions and chiballs . of cives . of leekes . of mushroms or toad-stooles . caution for travellers . p lib. de historia stirp●um . of puffes , or truffes , tubera terra . of lettice . a suetonius in eius vita plin. l. . cap. . b claudere lactuca caenas solebat averum : ●ic mibi cur nostrat inchoat illa dapes ? martialis . c flavius vopiscus in eius vita . whether lettice hurteth the eye-sight . answer . it may safely be eaten as it is ordinarily used . of endive and succorie . a way to whiten succorie . of spinage . of beets . d vt sapiant fatuae fabrorum prandia betae : o quam sape petit vina piperque coquus . martialis . of blites , or bleets . orach . pricke . madame . of purslaine . vertues of purslaine . of sorrell . to sorrell may also bee referred bloodwort and souredock , called oxalis acuta . vertues of sorrell . sorrell du bois . of borrage and buglosse . of mallowes . hither wee may also referre the marsh-mallow , call'd althaea , or bismalva . of groundsell . of mercury . d matthiol . in libr. . dloscor . cap. . e mercuriali● est eam mas quam foemina , dioscoridi linozostis dicitur . idem matth. in lib. . dioscor . cap. . of strawberry leaves . of cing-foile . of violet-leaves and violets . vertues of violets . of roses . sirup of rose● . rose-water . the muske rose . conserve of red-roses . the wilde rose , and conserve made thereof . f de simpl . medic . facult lib. . matthiol . li. . diosorid . cap. . of cabbage and coole-wort . g lib. . simpl . medic . h matthiol . in libr. . diosc ca. . ubi multa de brassicae viribus . i claudius deodatus panth. hygiast . lib . cap. . ex hippolito guarinovio . k iulius alexandrinus medic . caesareu● . of marigold . the flowrs and their vertues . of columbines called aquilegia or aquilina . of sperage . a aspice quam magno distendat , pectore lancem , quae fertur domino scilla , & quibus undique septa , asparagis . iuven. avens cariophyllata . of persley . of alysander or alexander . of clary . sela●ea . of penniroyall . vertues of penniroyall . pot-marioram . of mints . the vertues . b hener . meth. ad praxim . lib. . cap. . ex arist . probl . . of rosemarie . of marioram . strong hot smells of fend hot braines . of sage . cur moritur homo cui-saluiacrescit in borto ? contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis . sage very good and usefull taken as tobacco . of bawme . bawme-water . of be tonie . vertues . of tarragon . of hyssop . of time. of savory . of artichokes . c de alim . facul . of the gourds . of cucumer . * authoritatem eis dedic tibetius caesar qus nullo non die eos ( te●te plin ) mandebat . d nos ●ic gravitate medica decernimu● , a cucum●●um pepo●umque esu abstinendum : quoniam in venire corrupti succum pariunt proximam ei , qui a laeta●ibus medicamentis proficiscitur . et eodem capite , galenus cibis hominum perpe●uo abdicandos censuit , ut caetera ●i aria in●qu●oris su●c● vivunt , autore 〈◊〉 , in stomacho in po●●erum diem , nec persici qu●ani . quod si ●i●cantur a v●●tricuto ( id enim p●ssunt qui●am peculiari quadam naturá ) nibilominus longiori tempore in eo durant , atque si immodice haurtantur , gel . dum simul ac crassum in venas diffunaunt suc●ū ; quem po●ea venae sua oncoquendi facultate vix in probum sanguinum valent commutare . compertum est eos qui eu diut●us liberalinsque vescuntur , morosis febribus , morbisque alijs difficiboribus opportuniores fieri . audio venetos in perniciales pe●titentesque ob ij● cib●s aegritudi●es ●ncidere : forenles in gallia , propter esum frequentiorem cucumerum , obnoxios fieri f●bribus non est dubitanaum . si quis valctud ni consuluere velit , neque seret neque edet , cum lantum fit in eorum e●ca periculi . bru●er . de re ciba●ia lib . cap. . o● mu●k-melons . . de simplic . medicfacultat . ●lutt by them procure● to the body . caution for travellers . how to discerne the best . fruits rare and deare in antient times . division of fruits . nourishmēt of fruits . whether good to eat bread with fruits or no ? a aleisius mundella epist . . of strawberries . vertues of strawberries . straw berries with creame not to be ordinarily of every one used . of raspes or framboeses . of mulberries . b ovid. . metam . c jlle salubres aestates peraget , qui nigris prandia moris finierit . horat. serm . . sat . . d iohan. bruyer de re cibaria lib. . ex p●thernio apud athenaeum . e mercur. variar . lect . libr. . cap. . the blamble-berry . the goose-berrie . greene goose-berries . ripe goose-berries . ribes , commonly , but falsly called currants . of barberries . f lib . cap. of whotts & whortle-berries . bilberries , or blea-berries . of cherries . the best cherries . caution concerning preserved fruits . the blacke cherry . dried cherries . cherries , and other such fruits , when to be eaten . of plummes . the best plummes . prunes , or dried plummes sent us from other countries . of peaches and abricocks . peaches of divers sor●● . f ronsard . whether wine be to be used after peaches . the kernell within the peach stone . the abricocke . the kernells of abricockes and peaches kill wormes . of grapes . a bruyerm . de re cibaria libr. . cap. . ex plutarch . probl. . best grapes . their use . the best way of use . of raisins . raisins of the sunne . of currants . a great excesse in the use of currants , and other sweete meats . of figges . the vertue of fig. b jn libiis de morbi● mulierum pasiim & alibi . of dates . of fruites used after meales . of apples . differances and varietie of apples . in regard of the substance . in regard of the taste . their faculties or vertues . insipid apples . sweet apples . apples of a mixt taste betwixt sweete and sowre . sowre apples . the best way of use . quodled apples . when best to be eaten raw . o● peares . faculties of peares . the warden the best c bruyerm . de re 〈◊〉 ●rial● . i● . ex athe● . 〈◊〉 dried peares . of quinces . of medlars , services and corneille● . of orange● , difference of oranges acording to the taste . of lemmons and citrons . the rind of these fruits . of the pomegranat . of three sorts . of nuts . of walnuts . * claudius deodatus panth gia● . lib. . cap. . ● . d lib , . ca● . ● . of hasell-nuts and filberts . of almonds . vertues of almonds . the use of almond● oile of ● sweet almonds . of the pine-apple or nut. fisticke-nut . of chestnuts . bread of chestnuts . division and differences of flesh . differences according to severall circumstances . too fat meat is not good . difference according to the preparation . baked meat . salted meat . of hogges flesh , bo●es flesh or brawn . of pigges . of beefe . ● de alim facul . lib. . this assertion of galens must bee understood of leane old beefe . of veale very yong veale is not to be used . english beeves surpasse others . of goats . of kids . lambs flesh . very young sucking lambs are hurtfull to health . of mutton . weather mutton . ewes mutton . rammes mutton . * fuge pabula lata . virgilius in georg. of venison . fallow & red decre . young fallow deer a reasonable wholesome dish . baked venison . red-dee●e 〈◊〉 to the former . erroneous opinion . of hares flesh . a inter quadrupedes gloria prima lepus martial . leverets . the rabbet or cony wild swines flesh . hedge-hogge . of the parts of beasts fat of all sorts braines . preparation of brains the eyes . the m●r●ow the 〈◊〉 , cheekes . eares , snowt , feet . the belly or tripes . the heart the lungs . liver . milt the kidnies . the vdder . stones . blood of beast . of milke and what it is . best milke . in milke a triple substance observable . whey . butter , cheese . best cheese . fowle best for use according to its usage . of capon● . hens . of chickens . when best for use . of cockes . turkies . caution concerning cramming of tame fowle . the peacocke . a macrob. saturn . libr. . . b de civit . dei. lib. ● . cap . of pigeons . the stock-dove . the turtle . ● goose . wilde-goose . solan goose . the manner of the eating of the solan-goose . the pheas●n . the partridge . wilde-fowle commōly drier than tame . the quaile . the powt . the moore-cocke , or heath-cocke . the larke , the thrush . * jnter aves turdus ▪ siquis me iudice certet . jnter quadrupedes gloria prima lepu● . ma●●ial●s . sparrowes . linnet . black-bird . the ster●ine . the snite , or snipe . frid-fare , the raile . the plove● . the lapwing . fowle living in and about waters . swanne . duckes , wilde and tame . heron , stork , crane , bustard , bittour . teale . moore-hen , or fenducke . of the parts of fowle , daintiest , and in most request . the wing . the legge . pulpous flesh about the brest . the braine . the maw or gussord the live● the goose liver in great esteeme among the antient romans . the stones . the egges . a purchas his pilgrimage lib. . cap. . b idem cap. . c jdem libr. . cap. . d lib. . cap. . e lib. . cap. . of rats . f lib. . cap. . & lib. . cap. . horses , dogges and cats flesh . mules and asses . cats flesh no uncoth food . g pars quaedam locustis tantum vivit , fumo & sale duratis in annua alimenta . ii quadragesimum vita annum non excedunt , plin. lib. . cap. . & libr. cap. . lib. . cap. . diod. sicul. libr. . cap. . leo african . descript . afr. lib. cap. , &c. h michcaell taxates & leonabardus thurnheyleus , in onoma●tio suo super theoph● parac . de mellescribentem . vide sturbrium antiq . conv●● l●b . . cap. ● . i epiphanius contra ebienaeos . ibid. k nam quae innoxia sum , & sapore & odore tetro care●t , sola opinione constant . idem ibid. l alranarum quoque & coch●earum esum pervenit hominis audaci● , quosi vero tam inops fuerit natura , ut non opulentissimos ad vivendum thesauros , quovis in loco , ubi vita peragenda foret , disposuisset . ars enim inventa est teste libav . lib. . batrach . cap. . non quo pacto gallinas , aves , oves , juvencos , brassicam , ●etam , frumen●●a & cyprinos recte mensis imponeremus , sed prodigiosa andacia portentosoq , ingenio undarum limo vesceremur , ranis ; & telluris sordibus , cochleis ; silvarumque scabie , fungis , & stagnorum putredine , ostreis , ut aterna sapientiae arcem & domiciliun● eo praecipitaremus ma●is , quam ista sunt in perniciem procliviora . ●●os artifices mittere oportuit ad indorum gymnosophistas , ut discerent stercoraceis cibis utent●● homines ad speratam vitae diuturnitatem pervenire hand posse . et tamen dum haec facimus , summi potius quam imi , ferream nobis aetatem , & multos vita annos audaciter promittimus . claud. deod . panth. hygiast . lib. . cap. . ex andr. libav-barrach . lib. . cap. . m cochlearum vivaria instituit fulvius hi●pinus in parquiniensi , paulo ante civile bellum quod ●●um pompe●o magno actum est : distinctis quidem generibus earum ; separatim ut essent : albae quae in reatino agro nescuntur : separatim illyricae , quibus magnitudo praecipua : africanae , quibus facunditas : solitanae quibus nobilitas . quin & saginam earum commentatus est sapa & ●arre , alijsque generibus ; ut c●chleae quoque altiles ganeam implerent . cujus artis gloria in eam magnitudinem producta sit , ut octoginta quadcantes caperent singularum calices , auctor est marcus varro . plin. lib. . cap. verum hoc raninae escae inventum potius surd●scenti libidinibus palato , semper aliquid novi , tanquam per certamen exigenti tribuendum est , quo sopita vis , delitiarum multitudine revocari possi● . relinquantur ergo ista del●tiae vel extremae necessitati , vel de●iti●sis italis , gallis & hispanis quibus & ●●maces ( quas gregatim destina is ad id hortis , et nutrint & impinguans ) delica●●ssimus & gratissimus est cibus , quae in delitijs , & mensarum ●uarum la●titijs , ra●arum cl●nes , seu coxas , modo frixas , cum origani & menthemodico assumunt , modo elixas , & cum o● phacio aut agresta conditas mensis apponunt , nulla necssitate , sed gulae libidine impulsi . idem deod . ibid. * etjam fi●entis involvamus , viscidum ●entum , tenacem , ac glutinosum limacum mucorem , artis spagyricae beneficio , eo perduci , ut levissimo negotio in levissimum lapidem conge●etur : quo vel solo argumento omnes ab ca●●m alii 〈…〉 . l●berent , qui & ve●tr●cul● 〈…〉 , & 〈…〉 osis , po●agr●ci●● , ●o o●ibus & vi● crum 〈◊〉 ●nibus obn● 〈◊〉 . idē ibid. anthr●●o● 〈◊〉 men● , eaters . p beyond the countrey of loango are the anziges , the cruellest caniballs which the sun seeketh upon , &c. they keepe o●●en shambls of men● flesh . &c. pureb . lib. cap. . division of fishes . division of sea-fishes best sea-fish . nourishment of fish inferior to tha● of flesh . sturgeon . conger or conger-fele . turbot . plaice . flounder . sole . cod-fish . haddocke . whitings . smelt . gournard . hallibut . mackrell . mullet . scat & thornbacke . cuttle fish . wolfe-fish . vast and great fish . herings . pilchards and sprats ▪ red-hering . anchoves . rochet . shell-fish division of shell-fish oisters . cockels , mushells , &c pranes & shrimps . crabs . lobster . tortoise . fresh-water-fish . salmon salmon trout , or salmon-peale . salt-salmon . river-trout . perch . pyke and pyckerell . gudgeon . roch. allowes . barbell . a barbonoa antimonii vitrificati instar totum corpus perturbant , alvum vomitumque horrende , non sine vitae discimine ci●nt , ideoque a● eorum esu sedule cavendum d●o● . pant●-hygiast . libr . cap . lib . epist . famil . ad attitum . the carpe . brame . tench . lamprey . ecles . reasons for the use of sauces . vertues of salt . sa●t , and the excellency , vtility and necessary use thereof . cautions in the use of salt . to what bodies most hurtfull . history . severall sorts of salt . sal ammoniacus . sal gemmae . salt of salt wells . sea-salt naturall , of bai-salt . salt of sea-water by boiling . best salt . salt of simples , vegetables and mineralls dangers by immoderate use of salt-meats . of honie . hony for whom most hurtfull , or helpfull . a gal . de san t●uend . b plin lib. . cap , . boiled hony best fo● use . notes of best hony . clarifying of hony . vertues of hony . c mercur. variar . lect . libr. . cap. . metheglin . d butler his booke of bees and hony . metheglin , how it is made . of sugar . e gal. . meth & . ●mpl . drosc . lib . cap. ● . plin. lib. . cap &c. solm . cap. . sugar , for what dis . ca●es most ●it . the immoderate 〈◊〉 of sugar and sw●●●● meates breed i●●y disenses in the 〈◊〉 . f ●accharum in 〈◊〉 , s●ee●s , ●ob 〈…〉 ●il●m abit , ideeque ab f●cque●t●ore , illius p●tiss●mum . quod cal●● vivae laxavio , & condidius , & si ●um magis red i●tu● , usa arcendi invenes , quibus nocentissimum [ history ] e●t sa●charum : dum enim freque●ter & saccharo , & sacchara●● cōsectionibu● utuntur , p●ssima scal●●●t , italorua , hispanorum & gallorum , ( ad●● anglorum imprimu ) consuctuaine mes●at● , perpetua siti v●●antur , sa●gainem contrabunt re●orridam , u● & 〈◊〉 , cachex●am , cum refraxa●● vis●●rum internorum 〈◊〉 , & con●● 〈…〉 rh●● matism● , 〈◊〉 p●●lore , etiam anhel●tus f●etore , & dentium nigrad●ae sere vexantar . g nam etsi candido illo colore , & dulc●●●s suavitate m●au os decipiat ; fi tamen interior c●us anatomia ob o●ulos ponatur sub ilia albedne deterrimam nigredinem sub eoque dulcore , acerrimos , acutissimorque spiritus , vel eum aquis seygi●s , seu fortibus certantes partibus vitalibu● & respirationi dicatis infenfissimos , is facile repererit qui in ossi - [ vineger . ] cina chymica sese exercuerit , &c. claud. deodat . panth. hygiast . lib. . cap. . vertitur in bilem praesertim in aestate , & in naturis biliosioribus . quin & obstructionibus viscerae ●nplicare creditum , quanquam vi● obtineat obstersoriam . caterum dentibus , siquid aliud inimicissimam : affert enim & nigredinem , & rubiginem , & mobilitatem , quare ab ejus usu os collui diligenter prudentiores docent . nos medica severitate pronuntiamus usui● saccari mensis nostrae aetatis plus justo familiarem : prastantissimos enim escas putamas , quae suapte natura placent . nec audiendi sunt qui sapares ciborum dulcedine sacebari fucari praecipiunt . millia gentium sine s●ccharo , eleganter , ac falicter vivunt , bruyerm●ere ●ere cibar . lib. . cap. . wine-vineger is the best & most forcible . ver●uice . oile . vse of oile very antient . oile of two sorts . oile omphacine . oile of walnuts very wholesome . pickled olives . mustard . capers . broom● b●ds , ashkeies . sampei● . clove-gilliflowers . cowslip-flowers . of spices in most request and use . pepper . sorts of pepper , and the most in use with us . caution in the use of pepper . whether pepper heateth lesse than other spices , and how . ginger . vertues in ginger , and for whom best . greene ginger preserved in the iudies . ginger here preserved for inferio● 〈◊〉 that which is brought us from iudies . historie . cloves . nutmegge . indian nut . cinamon . vertu●s of cinamon . cinamon water . saffron . h mirandum interim quod nost●● germani , relictis muitis egregi●s plantis , patrio & coelo & solo natis , atque insigni facultate aromati a p●aed●●s ; ad exo●icas plantas , aromati● o●que tum f●uctus , tum semina , cortises atque eodices , non ●olum peregrino & exotico tum coelo tum climate ; acre ac solo productas ; sed etiam ob locorum distantiam , vectura difficultatem , & mercatorum incuriam , dolum , fraude●●que marcidas , putrescentesve ac verminosas confugiant ; cum tamen 〈◊〉 : germania non 〈◊〉 aromaticas planta● condiendis cibis & oppo●tu ●●ssimas , & salunerrimas , tam e●dome●● 〈…〉 , quam sylv●sis , monto●●●●a campestrious locis indies subministrent ; quales sunt amaracus , rosmarinus , sal●ia , lavendula , sp●ca , co●us . nardus , da●●us , ●asilicum , mentha hortensis , palegium , origanum , serpillum , thymus , na●●urtium , piperina , 〈◊〉 lep●dium ; pip●r item germanicum seu hispanicum , ceresolium , aaronis item , imperat levistici , ac angelicae radices , & aliae sexcentae , quae insigni suo ardore , mordicatione , & acrimonis , ita saep●●os , linguamque & palotum vellicant , feriunique , ut cum quovis zinzibere , pipere , cardamomo , macere , aut cinamomo , &c : certare videantur . deodatus panth , hygiast . lib. . cap. . a inter epulandum ( inquit epictetus ) memineris te duos conviva● excipere , amniam & corpus , utru●que crapula & inpulvia ob●ut , non re●reari . riolanus fitius in privatis praelect . stuck antiq . convir . lib. . cap. . b proverb . . . diseases procured by gluttony . harmes procured to the soule and minde ▪ c haec fuit origo humanae miseria , hoc malorum omnium seminarium , hinc mortis mitiū natum est , quae crudeli dominatu omnes postea homines oppressit . stuck antiq . conviv . lib. . cap. . excesse and riot of our times . d eccles . . . e ecclesiasticus . f ezek. . . g luk. . , . h idem stuckius ex livio & aulo gellio . gluttons and belly-gods among the romans . i 〈◊〉 ●ummum esse bonum , vox mihi pecudum 〈◊〉 , non homi●um , &c cicero in parodoxis . k herat. lib. . serm . 〈◊〉 . l pers . sat . m iuven. sat . . n ovid metam●rph . o alexander in persarum regia prandium regis legebat , & coenam in aerea columna inscr●ptam , in qua caetera quoque leges inerant , quas cyrus scripserat : de triticea farina pura quadringentae artabae . artaba autem medica modium atticum conficit . de secundaria po●tea farina post puram artabae . & de tertia aliae deinde artabae . de omni triticea farina artabae ad coenam mille . grani avenarij artabae ducentae pol●inis in polentam admixtae , pro offis artabae decem . de berdeacea farina purissima ducentae artabae ; desecunda posteam atque etidem de tertia . nasturtij incisi signatique tenuis ptisanae artabae : de semine sinapi tertia pars unius artabae . oves masculi quadringenti , hoves centum , equi triginta , anseres saginati quadringenti , turtures trecentae , aviculae omnis generis sexcentae , agni trecenti , pulli anserini , damae . lactis recentis decem maries . maris autem decem valet choas atticas . oxygalactis dulcorati decem marios , alli● talentum , caeparum semitalentum . de asperiorum genere , folij artaba liquioris silphi ) duae minae , cucumeris artaba , silphij talentum ponderatum . favi ex cucumere facti quarta pars artabae grana panici tria talenta pondere , melanthii tertia pars artabae . musti ex vino quinque maries . aethiopici cucumeris sex capetes . capetis autem est che●nix attica . anethum arid uin triginta minerum pondere , de apis semine capetes . oleisesamini decem maries , olei lactei quinque maries , olei terchutini quinque maries , olei acanthi quinque maries , olei de amygdalis dulcibus tres maries , amygdalarum aridarum dulcium tres artabae . vini qumgemae maries ( quod si babilone aut susis caenam faciant , dimidium vinum de palmis praebet ) ●ignorum ducenti currus . mellis fluentis centum paluthae quadrangulae , quae circiter decem minas capiebant . cum in media haec praestat , semen cuici ad tres artabas , crocum duas minas excedentem pondere . haec in coenam & prandium . consumit autem largiendo triticeae farinae purae quingenas artabas , hordeaceae farinae purae mille artabas , sitiginis quingencas artabas , chondri ex farre quingentas maries . hordeum pro iumentis vicies mille artabas , siliginis quingentas artabas , patearum decies mille currus . olei sesamini ducentas maries . nasturtis incisi tenuis artabas trigenta . haec omnia dispertit copiis quae sunt enumerata . rex autem cum tantum in hunc apparatum quotidie insuna , reliqui macedones haec legentes , tanquam beatum admirabantur : alexander tanquam miserum & infoelicem deridebat , atque multis negotiis impeditum . itaque columnam etiam in qua haec scripta extabant , convellere iussit , diceus ad amicos ; nequaquam utile esse regibus tam intemperanter & prodige caenare discere . necesse enim est , ut magnum luxum ac prodigalitatem eximia timiditas atque mollities consequatur . videtis autem eis qui tantis coenis impleri solent , in pugnis etiam celeriter hostibus victoriam dare . polyaenus stratag . lib. . ex interpret latina iusti vulteii hermanni patris . p 〈…〉 priu●quam 〈…〉 ●et , dix 〈…〉 commodo● fe●um du●re , nemp● m●tuti●● la●ore ad condiendum pr●ndium , ad 〈◊〉 vero prandu 〈◊〉 , cra●on 〈…〉 . q 〈…〉 que● 〈◊〉 eibum su●●ersussit ● ebriosos capuali ●upplicio mut●avit . ●uchan , rerum scotiae . lib. . pag. . r david . 〈◊〉 rex , luxuriam lat u● proserpentem patris exemplo coere●●t : art . sices & inventores 〈◊〉 illecebrarum quae galam ●eritant regno esceit . idem lib. pag . ſ longum f●at si c●●merare velim quod instrumenta gulae inter illos vel ingenio cogitata sunt vel studio consecta . et hae nimirum causae fuerunt propter quas tot numero leges de coenis & sumptibus ad populum ferebantur● & imperari c●pit , ut patentibus jan●is pra●sitaretur & caenitaretur : sic oculis civium testibus factis luxuriae modus si ●et . prima autem omnium de coenis lex ad populum orchia pervenit , quam tulit c. orchius tribunus plebis de senatus sententia , tertio anno quam cato censer fuerat : cujus verba quia prolixa sunt , praetereo : summa autem ejus praescribebat numerum convivarum . post annum vicesi●●um secundum legis orchiae , fannia lex lata est , anno post romam conditam , secundum gell●i opinionem quingentesimo ●●luagesimo octavo ; de hac lege sammonicus serenus ita re fert . le● fannia augusti ingenti omnium ordinum consensa pervenit ad populum , neque eam praetores aut tribuni , ut ploerasque alias , sed ex omni bonorum consilio & sententia ipsi consules tulerunt , cum respublica ex luxuria conviviorum majora quam credi potest deirimenta pateretur . siquidem eo res redierat , ut gula illecti plaerique ingenui pueri pudicitiam & libertatem suam venditarent : plaerique ex plebe romana vino madidi in comitium venirent , & ebrii de salute reipublicae consulerent . haec sammonicus . fanniae autem legis severitas in eo superabat orchiam legem , quod in superiore numerus tantummodo coenantium cohibebatur , licebatque secundum eam unicuique bona sua inter paucos consumere fannia autem etiam sumptibus modum fecit assibus centum . vnde a lucilio poeta , festivitatis suae more centussis votatur fanniam legem post annos decem & octo lex didia consecuta est : ejus fere●da duplex causa fuit ; prima & potissima , ut universa italia non sola urbs lege sumptuaria teneretur , italicis aestimantibus fanniam legem non in se , sed in solos urbanos ci●es esse conscriptam . deinde , ut non soli qui prandia coenasve majore sumptu fecissent , sed etiam qui ad ea● vocati essent , atque omnino interfuissent poenis legis tenerentur . post didiam licinia lex lata est a p. licino crasso divite : cujus ferundae pro●andaeque tantum studium ab optimatibus impensum est , ut consulto senatus juberetur , ut ea tantummodo promulgata priusquam trinundino confirmaretur , ab omnibus observaretur , quasi iam populi sententia comprobata . lex vero haec paucis mutatis in plarisque cum fannia co●gruit : in ea enim ferenda quaesita novae legis auctoritas , exolesente motu legis antiquioris , &c. sed legis liciniae summa ut kalendis , nonis , nundinis romanis , cuique in dies singulos triginta duntaxat asses edunaì causa consumere liceret : caeteris vere diebus , qui excepti non essent , ●e amplius appo●eretur quam carnis aridae pondo tria , & salsamentorum po●do libra , & quod ex ●erra , vite , arboreve sit natum . macrob. saturnal . lib. . ex tito . livi. & aulo gellio . t stuck . antiquit . conviv . libr. . cap. . ex thoma aquin. in libr. quaest . disput . quaest . . idem ibid. ex gregor . meral . . u proverb . . . x e de citra cruditatem : bibe citra ebrietatem : nec praesentibus delitiis inhaerebis , nec desiderabis absentes . victus tibi ex facili sit , nec ad voluptatem , sed ad cibum accede . palatū tum fames excites , non sepores . desideria tua parve redime qui hoc tantū curare debent , ut desinant . atque ad exemplar quasi compositus divinum , a corpore ad spiritum quantum potes te fastina redimere . idem stuck , ibid ex s. martin duminensis episcopi libello ad mironem gallia regem . y omnes homines qui sebudent prae●tare cae●eri● animantibus , ●●mma ope n●ti decet ne vitam silentio transigant veluti pecora , quae natura prima & ventri obedientia f●uxit . salus●-de bello sug . z ovid metamorph. * idem salust . de bello iugurth . a merito diogenes cynicus eos ●rridere solitus est , qui pro bona valetudine dus rem atvinam facerent , & deiude cibo potuque con●●a sanitatem se ingurgitarent : afferens insanum esse ea a dus petere , quae in nostra sunt potestate . diog. laert. in erus vita . b socrates suadere solitus erat illes eibos potusve esse vitan●●os qui ultra sit●m famemve●●dandam preaucant appetentiā , macrob. saturnal . libr. . c in secretis secretorum aristotelis ad alexādium legitur de quibusdam philosophis a quodam rege congregatis , ut de sanitatis conversatione saniorem & meliorem proferrent sententiam . pluribus vero sententiam intellectam proserentibus , unus suam pro●ulit , dicens , quod melius conservare non potest quam si digestus comedatu . tales enim qui seipsos pejoris non faciunt conditionis , quam falcones , ve● accipitres suos facerent , qui cibum non darent nisi digestis . qui etiam seipsos non minus quam animaliae sua diligunt , sententiam sequuntur sapientis q●i dicit , non vivo ut comedam , sed comedo ut vivum : et paucis intercedentibus lineis . desiderium ergo talium ( epulonum ) simile ea desiderio daemonum , seu inserni : quia sicut infernus multos devorando cōsumit , desiderium tamen semper manet insatiabile , doletque quod plures ●evorare non potest . et ideo vias , & modos inferni ministri excogitant , quibus plares devorare po●●unt ; ita gutosi licet multa devorent , desiderium tamen non satara●ur , quibus , dicitur , agg. comedistis , & non e●i●s faturati ; scilicet quo ad desiderium quo dolent , quia plu●a devo●are non possunt ; & ideo vias & modos diversos exquirunt in cibariis & potationibus colores , & sapores , & serculorum diversitatem , ut sapor , odor●tus , color , & diversitas visa appetitū provotēt ut ad plura devorandum provocentur . jnde est secundum bernardum apologia , quod grandia carnium sercula duplicantur , quibus ro●aliter intenti modum nesciunt in edendo , nēpe ●is prioribus fuerint sac●ati si secundos attigerint , videbi●tur nec dum a●tigisse cibo● ; fitque ut nec prima impediant novissima , nec sa●ietas minuac appetitum : palatum quippe dum novellis seducit condimentis , pautatim disfuescere cognita ad cibos exiraneos , velut adhuc ●e●unum revocatur in desideria , venter quidem oneratur , sed varietas tollit fastidium . sic insuper ut dum gula variis provocatur coloribus , suavibusque d●lectatur odoribus , transitur nimium meta necessitatu . et paulo postea . qui vero omnibus praedictis non retrabuntur tribulationibus , & persuasionibus , saltem mortis cogitatione , quales videlicet erunt post mortem , retrabuntur timore : mortem namque gulosi & omnes percatores timere solent , quam gula , nisi evitetur , velociter introducit . ex iohannis bromiardi summa praedicantium , cap . num. r. par. . pag. . de gula . plura de hac re ibidem , & in agrippa de vanit , scient , cap. de arte coquinaria . macrob , saturnal lib. . gregor . moral . thom. aquin. in lib. disput . quaest , disput●● . stuck . antiqu . conviv . lib. . cap. . & alios . veility and benefit of drinke . a schenck . observat . medicin . lib. . pag ● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aphor . lib. . definition of drinke . certaine rules in the use of drinke to 〈◊〉 observed . c . epidem . historie . d observat . medicin . lib loco prius citat . historie quantity of drinke . e ter bibe vel to●●ers ter●o● sic mystica lex est . autonius . 〈◊〉 ordinary measures of drink among the romans . f ●ere re●●ica whether it be good to ●rink in a morning fasting : g lib. . cap . h comment ad d●i . lib . strong drinke i● no● to be drunke 〈◊〉 nor small drinke . best to eate before one drinke in a 〈◊〉 . whether it be good to beginne our meale with a draught ? i vt vites paenam , a potibus incipe coenam ▪ schol. salern . answer . best to beginne the meale with solid food caution in the use of drinke and liquid or moist meats . drinking of sacke at the entry of the table is not ordinarily of every one to be used . whether it be better to finish our meale with meat or with drinke . * scal●g . de emendat . tempor . lib. . citante stuckio . k luk. . . l in a dagijs . m erant enim tres crateres ; primus lovis olympij , seu olympiorum ac coelestium ; secundus heroum , tertius lovis servatoris perfecti , a ternario numero , in quo sit principium , medium & finis . alij sanitatis sive valetudinis poculum nominant . dictum est item poculum boni daemonis , quod ab initio coenae , & in extremo convivio antequam surgerent asportarenturve mensae a convivis usurparetur . moris enim erat , ut omnes in conviv●is mensae post ultimam i●lam daemonis potationem removerentur , vel ex impio & sacrilego dionysij tyranni facmore videre est . is enim cum syracusis in aesculapij famo aurea ante simulacbrum mensa reposita esset patera mero repleta , propino , inquit , tibi , aesculapi boni daemonis calicem , & cum dicto auream statim mensam auferre ●us●it . stuck . antiquit . com iv , lib. . cap. . ex polluce & athenzo . who are allowe to drinke last at their meales . whether wee are to drinke going to bed . answer . not good to drinke betwixt meales . water the most common , and most antient drinke of all others . a aquam quidem sua natura frigidam dixerunt ocellus , hippocrates , empedocles , aristoceles , & potior medicorum pars : imo strato philosophus , omnium frigidorum primum esse venit . at bernardius telesius , franciscus patritius , franciscus mutus , & veterum recentiorumque non pauci , ab inditu a natura principiis , lumine , calore , stuore , mobilitate , etus essentiam , constituentibꝰ , a viribꝰ , itē astionibus , generandi multiplici potestate , a perspicuitate , raritate , sapore , item tam dulci , tamamaro & salso , &c. audeater , & confidenter , omnes aquas , ipsum scilicet mare , seu oceanum , quod & loci magnitudine , & aquarum copia , & molis immensstate primatum obtinet ; omnes item lacus , stagna , flumma , sontes , puteos , tum & ipsas subterraneas aquas , platonis tartarum , aliosque ingentes speluncas & cavernas adimplentes , ut & fluvios subterreneos a metallorum fossoribus , alijsque curiosis hominibus tum auditos , tum visos , &c. sua natura calidos , eosque tum salsos secundum magis & minus , tum & dulces esse astruxerunt . omnis erum aqua , tam subterraneae quam superterranea ( de aquis enim supercoelestibus hic nobis non est sermo ) vel amara & salsa est ; uti maria ; vel dulcis , uti flumina , fontes , lacus , &c. nisi per accidens alieno s●pore , aliarum rerum accessione tingantur . at cum omnes aquae , fontes & flumina , ab uno oceano , seu aquarum universitate , & abysso oriantur : neque enim ullos habet fontes , sed ipsum fons est & scaturigo reliquarum omnium aquarum teste moyse ; lussit enim conditor omnes aquas quae sub coelo erant in unum locum congregari , quam postea congregationem mare ; & abyssam vocavit maria autem aquae sunt amarae , ita ut omnes aquae a primordio fuerint amarae , ac salsae , quas post modum qualitates , aquae terrarum anfractus subeundo , & fontes constituendo , amiserunt , &c. claud. deod . panth. hygiast . lib. . cap. . correcting of bad watersfirst by boiling . by distillation . . by straining . . by boiling with sand . . by corall beaten to powder . by wheaten floure or meale . b kings . . by carrying some of the earth of the place . invention to coole water . c lib. de cibis boni & mali succi . sixe waies of cooling water . by the aire . d epidem ▪ comment . . e arist met e●r . cap. . way , letting it downe into a deepe well . way , by salt peter . way , by ice or snow f lib. . g bellon . observat medicin . lib . cap . . way , by deepe cellers . . way by motion & agitation . divers differences of wines from the age . mustum or new wine . a gal. lib de cibis bor● , & mali succi . b qui properant noua musta bibant , mihi fundat avitum , consulibus priscis condita testa merum . ovid . de amore . very old wine . difference from the substance . difference from the colour . difference from the taste . difference from the smell . difference from 〈◊〉 soile & naturall temper of the aire . difference from the faculties : thicke red wines . strong sweet wines of a yellow colour . french wines of divers sorts . small wines . or 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 wine is dry in the second quantity . ou● wines differ much from the wines of the antients . ● caeterorum vinorum tanta cura fuit medicaminu , ut ciner● apud quosdam , fe● gypso al●b● quibus diximus modu instaurentur , &c. qui & marinam aquā ejusdem rei gratia ex alto peti ●ubent , &c. pix in italia ad vasa v●●o condienda maxime probatur brytia , &c tot benefici●s piacere cogitur ; & miramur noxia esse in vitium inclinantes . plin. lib. . cap. . co●● diseases produced b● the use of wine accidentally . vertues of wine moderately used . d psalme . iu●g . ecclesiast . , &c. e politic. lib. de salubri diata . g de sanit . tuenda . what person it be●● befitteth . ●am vero 〈◊〉 larvitr● si ultius quam 〈◊〉 ca●oris au e●d gratia , vinum abundanter , meracum praecipue indulgere quanto enim vinum calidius est per se , tanto ma●ore ven●ris ac viscerum omuium c●● ore opusest ut superetur : aliaqui a mino●i acessic , crudamque succum auget , unde & calorem naturalem suffocat , & morbos innumeros ●arit , ac mortem properat . quare vinum esse lac senum non valde proho● censeo , potius senibus sensim esse dandum aiturius , usque dum in extremo senio constitutis toto vino detracto de ur pro eo mul●a , aut dec●ct : aqua : satius enim est p●rmittere catori n●turali sensim venire au na●ura●em interi●um , quam vine obruere , & ●enectam facere mis rabi●torem , & breviorem . va●●● . de sacr● philos . cap. . wine either drunk● pure of it selfe or mingled with water . g mercur. variar lect . libr. . how we use to dilute or mingle our wine . of the use of sugar with wine . h arnoldus de villa nova tractatu de vinis . ingredients of our beere . a the antient egyptians made drinke of corne . herod . in euterpe . b lib. . cap. . & . c lib. . simpl . m●lic . our drinke made of corne , differeth from that of the antients , and is a very wholesome drinke . divers differences in our drinke to be observed : first , from the adding or withdrawing of hoppe . secondly , from the corne it is made of . third difference frō the age . fourth from the strength . fifth from the substance . sixth from the taste . seventh difference from the quantity of the hoppe . eighth the colour . ninth frō the goodnesse of the malt . from the water wherewith it is ma●e , and the fewell wherewith it is boiled . hop and the vertues thereof . vertues of beere . of ale. a valeriola loco communi . * eibro de cerevisis . of cider . for whom it is best , vertues . of perry . divers other sorts of drinkes in divers countries . drunkenne● no new sinne . nations of old taxed with drunkennesse . what drunkennesse is . a isaiah . , . . habac. . . amos . . prov. . , &c. b clemens . alexand. paedag lib. cap. . a large definition of drunkennesse . c ebrius , & ebriosus a se invicem differunt ut amator & anians ebriofit as proprie est affectatio , cum quis biben●er , cito , saepe , & facile fit ebrius : ebrietas vero est ebriosi status , eum scilicet quis actu est ebrius : sic ira differt ab iracundia , invidia ab invidentia , cicero . tuscal . quest d prov. . ● e . f . ▪ verse . , , ▪ , , . g proverbs . : h ecclesiast . . . verse . . i stuck . antiquit . conviv . libr. . cap . a drunkard breaketh all the commandements . k ebrietatis vitium fugiendum est , primo prop●er damnum , & ●e ●ulum , quod affert ipsi in mae , ipsam insatuando , prodendo & spoliando . ● quia multa peccata secum ducit . quia famam aufert . quia poenam promerein● tempo-alem . quia ad penam ducit eteruam . quia in rebus exterioribus depauperat . quia corp●u● damnificat , &c. d●x●t diabo . us cuidam quem saepe ad poccandum tentaverat ; elige consentire uni extribus peccatis ( nimirum ebrietati , adulterio & himi●●iaio ) & nunquam te tentabo ; qui elegit potius inebriars . et postea ad utrumque , adulterium , videlicet , & homicidium adjecit vinum : quia virum cum cujus uxore ebrius peccavit , supervenientem occidit . quando vero de ebrietate reprebandatur , quidam cor●m se excusant per societatem & amicorum instantiam , sed in hoc defectum proprium potius ostendunt , quam se excusant , minus scientes in hoc fa●●o se offendunt quam irrationabilia animalia , quae od nullius regatum ultra potum necessarium s●mu●t . vnde fertur quod quam quidam paterfamilias habuit quendam cervum demesticum in domo sua , qui ad prandium cervisiam de sciphis solebat hibere , & quada●● vice tantum bibit , quod inebriatus erat , & saliens in curia inter ligna crus suum graviter laesit , nunquam postea cervisiam , re●●al quid praeter aquam bibere voluit . ex iohan. bromardi summa praedicantium , cap. . nu. . pag. . de ebrietate . ebrietas flag●● orum mater , cu●parum materio , radix criminum , vitiorum omnium erigo , homines ad dei imaginem fictos & formatos non modo b●lluis , atque feris , sed imman ssimae furiosissimaeque illi bestiae infernali , hoc est diabolo quam simillimos reddit , sicuti quotidiana experientia ●atis su●erque testatur . august . lib. ad sacras virgin . cap . ubi multa alia de hac re fusius explicantur . epistol . libr. . epist . . . de legibus ●lorat . ode libr. . & libr. de arte poet . mischiefes following upon drunkennes in the mind and understanding . loathsome diseases procured to the body by meanes of drunkennesse . dangers from with out attending a drunken man ; often preventing repentance , and so overthrowing the soule . drunkennesse overthroweth a mans temporall estate . l timoth. . . m propert. cel . . lib. : n lucretius . o inven. sat . . p sueton in ejus vita q q. curtius . r alexander magnus schypho herculano victus est antea invictus . seneca lib , . epist . . ſ athen. lib. . cap. . wime forbiddē youth t plato . de leg . clem. alexand. paedeg . lib. . cap. . gal. . de sanit . tuend v leont cap. . . athen lib. . cap. . valer. max. lib. . &c. x valer. maxim. lib. cap. . drunkennes unseemly in a churchmen ▪ y math. . . z isaiah . ● ▪ * tim. ▪ ▪ tit. . ● e concil . agathens . 〈◊〉 di●●inct . ●em ex conc●● . nanneten●i . di●● . act . &c. f so●om . lib. . cap. s●crat lib . cap. . tripart . hist . lib . cap. sic in can . decret . distinct . jt●m can . apost . . citante stuck . antiquit conviv . lib. . cap . g lib. advers jovinianum . h volater . lib. . cap. . alexander ab alex . lib. . cap. . i de antiquit . iu●aic . & libro peculiari de eorum vita . citante stuckio . ibid. k luke . . l cato . m petrus raven . graviter sane vercque hac de re ita dissent . eb●ietas , inquil , in la●●o crimen est , in sacerdote sacrilegiam , quo alter animä suam praesecat , alter se prop●anat , & spiritum sanctitatis extinguit . ebrietas enim mater est litium , suroris genetrix petulantiae magistra . huic qui obnoxiu● est , homo non est , hac qui laborat non modo peccatum facit , sed ipse est peccatum . haec enim est rabies voluntatis , invitatus bostis , pernicies honestatis , & pudoris injuria . vbi enim regnat , ebrietas , ratio exu●at , intellectus obtunditur , consilia deviant , & udicia subvertuntur . ●●dem stuck . ibid. § matth. . . luke . . n ezek. . ● o matth. . : p idem stuck . ibid. & nuper claud. deod . panth. hygiast . lib. . cap. . q thess . ● . . drunkennesse doth much derogate from the dignity of gentility . such as are betrusted with matters of iustice ought to be free from this fault . g cor. . . philip. . . laudable constitution of the towne of northampton . w. prin. in his book called . health● sickenesse . notes for div a -e diet of the diseased hath beene hitherto much neglected . a hippocrates first beganne this subject . b brudus lusitanus scripsit de victu febricit . lib. . strictnesse of the locrians in the diet of the diseased . c q curtius . among the aegyptians . d lib. de theriaca ad pisonem . e meth. med . lib. . f meth. the office of the physitian among the antients divided into three parts , and consequently there were sorts of physicians , clinici . architectonici . pepaedeumeni . aristot . polit . the care of assisting the sicke most commonly committed to women . h ex his intelligi potest ab uno medico multor ●non posse curari , eumque ( si artifex est ) idoneum esse qui non multum ab aegro recedit et iterum paulo post . ille assideat necesse est , qui quod solum opus est visurus est , quādo minus imbecillis futurus sit nisi cibum acciperit , cels . libr. . cap. . the aire considered in a double respect . in chronicall diseases the aire is to be exchanged for a better if it may be , but seldome in acute . i epidem . k math med . custome with us to send the sick into another aire . qualities of the aire whither one is to retire himselfe . inconvenience in burying of dead bodies in the church-yard . against policy to bury in churches . * curet etiam ut loca sepultu●arum & monumentorum sint extra frequentem coetum hominum , eo nempe loco , quo vivis non possint nocere . expostio . nempeid vult canon , lo●●a sepulturarum debere esse extra urbes ; in o & extra templa , in quibus homines frequente● conve nunt , id quod probatur ex perpetua consuetudine popu●i dei qui mortuos suos sepel●t , non in urbibus & templis , sed in campis ; sicut videre est in historia patriarcharum , qui omnes in campis sepeliri voluerunt , & imprimis manifeste testatur evangelista lucas . cap. . vbi narrat filium vidua habitantus in u●be naum , cum mortuus esset , deportatum fuisse extra urb●m adse ulturam ▪ ●d qu●m lo●um vide quae an●otet ●octi interpretes , qui id omnes uno ore profitentur , non tantum iudaeorum , sed etiam gent●●m 〈◊〉 remfuisse , ut mortuos suos esserrent extra urbes . vide etiam ●●martyr loco commuclall . . loco de s● pu●t . ratio aucitur ex charitate proximi , cu● plane aduersatur iste mos sepeliendorum mortuorum in urbibus & templis , dum nempe valetu●●ni & vitae vivorum nocetur , per haelitus qui exc●daveribus mortuorum in urbibus & temp●s tanto copiosiores exhilant , quanto locus est conclasi●r , & ob hominum frequentiam tepidior ; quos quidem balitus , praesertim ex eorum cadave●●bus , qui peste e●●●●cts sunt evaporantes , venenatos ac contagiosos medici testantur : inter quos le●in . lemn . . de mirac nat cap ● . vt non dicam hoc loco de 〈…〉 & terr●● in qui 〈…〉 plura 〈…〉 ; quam 〈…〉 ea ●o a 〈…〉 nata quasi quam materiam 〈…〉 m●nument●● 〈…〉 istud mov . a● & effo●●tur ratio e● a caus● 〈◊〉 & or●gine estius consu●tud●nu sepeliendorum ma●tu●rum in templ●● ; quam originem 〈…〉 , vel id testimoniam est , quod nempe mon●●m , & prae●itim ●●a● c●●cani . ac praeser●m 〈◊〉 a●●untes ex ist● 〈◊〉 ra mor●u●rum quae in temp in temp i● fiant , non nisi lucrain● qu●lium quaesiverint tur●●●mum . & quidem ita suae si● erint , ut n●●●xpe●●●rint templa 〈◊〉 quae aqua 〈…〉 c●●at 〈◊〉 ac con●amin●ri , cum deut ipse di●●rte in 〈…〉 ●andum ea 〈…〉 & pu● 〈…〉 ai 〈…〉 summo altare viciniora . acce 〈◊〉 , & aliud argumentum ex testimo●io ●uris ci●ilu , de quo● ure pl●●●t annotare verba : francisci ripae extracta de peste , cap. ante citato , ubi iuquit , ad removencum ●oe●or●●m ex cadaveribus provenientem a maioribus nostris inventa sunt sepulchra non defunctorum causa , sed viventium gratia instituta : nam quia sepulchra ut plurimum foetent , staruit d. adrianus poenam ● . aureorum in eos qui in civitate sepulchrum ●ociunt locumq publicati iussit , & corpus inde transferri , eadem magistratibus patientibus imminente . . § divus adria●us f. de sepulchrorum violatoribus huc accidit & lex . tabularum , quae jussit humari corpora extra urbem ●●verbis : mo●tu●m hominem in urbe ne sepelito . quam legem citans franciscus patricius & ipse homo pontificius lib. . de institutione reipubl . tit . . in●●r alia haec etiam addit verba : nullum genus sepulturae megis laudandum puto , quam hum●●ones sub di● , 〈◊〉 flores & herbae na●cuntur ; tam id in sepulchris vetustissimis inscriptum sit sparge rosas lector , vel can●id a lilia pone stem manibus date lilia plenis , item purpureos spargam flores . et addit patricius pulchrius est & optabilius germinatiti teriae ●●●di hoc corpus , cum ex tali terra factum sit , & ut aequum est , ut f●lius in gremium matris revertatur . denique etiam a edit hodierna consuetudo laudatissimarum rerum publicarum , argentinensis norib●●ensis , lipsensis , in quibus vel rara , v●l nulla etiam mortaliorum cadavera in templis urbanis humantur . de spartanis m●ror , quod permiforint mortuos in urbe sepel●i : de quo ●m consuetudine , vide era●um libr. . pag. . interim tamen vetuerunt ne monumenta in templis fierent , sed ●uxta , vide i●id ante annos cir●iter . haec execrabilis consuetudo coepit , cum ante haec tempora . etiam martyrum cadavera extra urbes sepulta 〈…〉 . franciscani enim & dominicani cum viderent numerum fraterculorum angeri , nec tantos sumplus ipses su p●●ere , 〈◊〉 em●ugendae pecuuia artem invenerunt , ut homines in cucullis monacborum , & prope altare sepeliri deber , 〈…〉 duent , ita ut recte quis dicat , nullam artem acquitendae pecuniae esse probatiorem quam mortuorum , vide ibedem plu●● ca● . . ●●●●ectiō o● 〈…〉 〈◊〉 to coole the aire in sommer . warming of the cold aire in winter . the fewell whereof the fire is made . sea coale and pit-coale ●re naught . 〈…〉 ●●ndled in a close ●●ome dange●ou● . history 〈…〉 sweet wood i● th● best . good fewell 〈…〉 worse fewell . n de conservanda valetud . cap. . heath or ling wholsome fewell . 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 wa●e● . hot and 〈◊〉 woods 〈…〉 whom 〈…〉 consideration of the particular aire about the sicke . 〈◊〉 situation of the 〈…〉 station . the next best situation the worst . low ●oomes in what diseases best . great and spatious roomes . narrow and close rooms in contagious and pestilentiall diseases are not good . close roomes when best . stones and hot-houses not wholesome . o locoprius citato . of light , and how it maybe used about the sicke . § alium enim lux , alium tenebrae magis turbant , reperiunturque nullum discrimen deprehendi , vel hoc , vel illo modo possit . optimum itaque est utrumque experiri , & habere eum qui tenebras horret in luce , eum qui lucem ut tenebris . at ubi nullum tale discrimen est , aeger si vires habet , loco lucido , si non habet , obscuro continendus est . cels . lib. . cap. . & hippoc . lib. de medico . the colour of the walles . hangings of the roome . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aph. . lib. . p liv. ut anima 〈…〉 . q 〈…〉 cap . r in quaestion romanis ſ 〈◊〉 cap. . country aire in generally an● 〈◊〉 the most part to bee prefer●●d . great diversitie in countri● 〈◊〉 . diversitie in the aire of seve●all townes and cities . good and wholesom aire of the towne of northampton . situation of this towne . 〈…〉 . river of ●●ne , and good 〈…〉 breeding ●●erin . ●●stures and 〈◊〉 about 〈…〉 . decay of 〈…〉 this , com● 〈◊〉 many other con●●●●●tions of this kingdom 〈◊〉 wood of nor●hamp●o● shire . good water for dying . this towne commodious for enterta●nment for great meetings . clothing wold make this corporation flourish . master iohn denbigh , one of the aldermen of northampton hath begun to set up clothing . the river of nine made navigable wold prove beneficial both for towne and countrie . a lib. de intern . affe●● . b lib. . cap. . c cornel gemm● lib. . cosmo●●●t . when to cover the sicke ▪ more clothes to be used in the night than in the day . d galen comment in eam par li● . . in epid evidenter vigilans calic●or e●tertus , &c. best form of beds for the sicke to lie in . bed he lieth on , and whether feather beds be best . wood-beds and mat●●●ces . beds of straw and c●affe . bed filled with water . with 〈◊〉 . hanging beds . erroneous custome of too much covering the ●ead . difference of clothes according to the seasons . downe and feather-beds hurtfull for hot livers , kidnies , and the stone . parents much to bee blamed for the toe too nice and tender education of their children . qualitie of the clothes about the sicke , that they bee sweet and cleane . e lib. de medico . the sicke ought to be often shifted . f eib. . de sanit , tuend . obiections of the vulgar . answere . three concoctions in the body of man , with their severall excrement● ▪ inconveniences and harmes by not shifting the sicke . g laurent . loubert . des erreurs populaires partie cap. . whether the ●ed ●ee to be warmed . an●w●●e wh●● or it ●e fit for healthfu●● people . answere . whether in sickenes the haire is to be ●ut . answer● . effoeminate custom● of our age . disguising of the head with perwigs . h cor. ● . i fra●ca●● grand●u , cure de l' 〈◊〉 degrate de 〈◊〉 s. ioan ●aptistee a●gers an liure da de ●ruition de ● orgued ●oada●● , &c. k m. prin. of love-locks l i 〈…〉 pilorum aff●●●u , 〈◊〉 aliud est a●●m 〈◊〉 o vel 〈…〉 def●●xiou● ad a●●a● nartes 〈◊〉 gravissime tar queri . maximam partem foeminas invadit . eos etiam qui porriginem capitis , quam vulgus tineam vo●a● , medicamentis repe●●utientibus represserunt . praeterea foeminas quae menstruis temporibus non satis purgantur . quis non novum , mirab●●e , & horridum putei , capillos ex propria naturâ planos , demissos ac simplices , sponte sua , sub coelo admodum frigido inc●●spari , paulo post erigi , involvi , atque indissolubiliter conjungi , varias recipere figuras , quandoque maximi cuiusdam anguis , aliquaudo plu●●um & minorum serpentum , u●dique vermes , spurcitiem , foetoremque redolere : quodque omnium maximum est , & a seculo in ●●ditum , ac● perpu●ctos , vel transfixos sangumem effundere . hercules saxonia praxeos suae lib. . cap. . horridum quoddam , i●●pexum , adeoque intricatum capitis atque barbae capillit●um , apud nostros haud infrequens , caeterum veteribus cuiuscunque aetatis medic● incognitum o●servare li●et : quo affecti praelongas capillorum tricas & cincinnos mirifice intricatos , digitisaepe crassitiae , ex re● 〈◊〉 capi●● & barbae capillitio , ad bumeros , pectus , & aliquando ad umbilicum usque demissos , propendere videas , aspectu plane mon●●●ico , & gorganeum caput praeserente . quos illi magna religione incultos , nec ferro praescindere , nec pectine explicare sustinent . persuasi omnino , gravissima capitis morborum fomenta , velut apoplexiae , paralyscos , maniae , & comprimis cephalalgiae pertinaces , consimiliumque ma●eriam i●sdem alen●is absumi . qua sine superstitione , sine multa hominum observatione ducts , quidvis petius , quam corundem culturam , aut perfectionem , velut prorsus infaustam & lethalem admittunt . factisque de experimento & historia perteulis , sententiam suam mordicus tuentur . ioana . georg. schenckius , schenck . e. hagenones . medicus observat . m●dic lib. . observ . de tricis i●cuborum . abstinence fourefold naturall . in health . in sickenesse ; a nausea a navibus & navigatione , quod navigantibus praesertim in marinausea oberiri soleat . voluntary abstinence fourefold . physicall politicall or civill abstinence . b sam. . . our lent fast a politicall , not religious nor superstitious fast . c . q elizab. . religious fast and is either moral or ceremoniall . morall , ordinary or extraordinary . ordinary . extraordinary . extraordinary religious t●st publike or private . ceremoniall abstinence . d matth. . . acts . . colost . . . timoth. . &c. superstitious abstinence or fast . e lib. . de civit . dei. cap . & lib. . cap. . plutarch . sympos . probl . . f lib. . advers . jovin . g lib. bello de jfide & osyride . h caesar . comm . a● bello gall. lib. ● . i joseph . de bello judo . lib . cap. . philo. lib. peculiari de eorum vita . k epiphanius tom . . lib. . l tertul. in catalog . haeres . m idem lib de ●eiunia adversus psychos , & lib. de cultu foeminar . n lib. . contra faustin . cap. . & lib. . cap. . & lib. de haeres . o idem contra faustin . lib. . cap. . p bernard . sermon . in cantica . q synod ancyrana circa annum domin . . can . . total . can . eraccarensi prima celebrata in hispania anno . can . . & . gangrensi . can . . damnara fuit . r sigismund . baro in comment , rerum muscovit . voluntary , miraculous abstinence . involuntary or forced abstinence . true abstinence , and the excellency of the same . abstinence from certaine k●nds of meates by scripture condemned . ſ tim. . , , . popish abstinence or fast as they use it a meere mocking of god. popish fasting , diet as nourishing as ours and iuciceth as much to lust as ours , if not more . wine nourisheth & cherisheth more suddenly and speedily than any flesh . great gluttony and disorders among the romanists at shrovetide . insolency in rome it selfe ; ●qualling o● exceedin● the heathenish ba●c●●na●●a . t and although jtaly be the country of al christendome nearest to the romane church , yet is it most certaine that in ●t there is of all others least religion and piety to be found , and that by reason this holy court doth nothing else but sow distention , and breed all manner of disorders . and if any make a doubt of it , and that he may assure himselfe that all this mischiefe proceedeth from the church of rome , let him but transport for a certaine time the papall chair into the country of the switzers , an honest and peaceable people , and in a shore time thou shouldst see them as bad as any of their neighbours . machiavell in his booke of the prince , part . . maxime . intituled . that the church of rome is the cause of all the calamities that have befalne jtaly , a comment . in lib. hip. de victu acut . three sorts of diet. absolute thinne and spare diet . thin and slender diet hippocriticall diet too rigid and strict for our climat , b mercur. variar . lect . lib. . a full and liberal die● c comment . ad partic . lib. . de vict . acut . whether a thinne & slender , or a full and liberal diet be better ? d flavius vopiscus in eius vita . e aph. . & lib. . f lib. de victu acut . g comment . in eundem lib. & alibi . answer to the former question . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apo. lib. . rules or lawes from whēce the diet of the diseased is desumed , reduced to two principall heads . in the diseased , what things to be observ'd . rule , or iudication from the strength . a vnum illud & semper , & ubique servendum est , ut aegri vtres subtude assidens in al●us inspiciat , & quair diu sapererunt , abstinentia pugnet : si imbecillitatem vereri coeperit , cibo subveniat , cels . l●br . . cap. . the temperature of the body . the structure of the body , habitus . the are . who best indureth abstinence . custome , b lib. jdiosyncrasia , or an individuall property and condition . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hippoc. aph. . lib. . the season of the yeere . ● . d aph. . libr. . the region wherein one liveth . the calling , or course of life . rules , or indication desumed from the disease it selfe . all diseases , either acute or chronicall . the diet to be accommodated according to the continuance of the diseased . diet to be a ministred according to the times of the disease . the time general and particular . e lib. cap . f aph lib. . diet in acute disease● how to be ●●pen●ed . in continuall fevers . in intermitting fever● . g . meth. & sequenti de diata aegrorum agit . h iob ● . properties of nourishment fit for the use of the sicke . a lib. de victu acut . & alibi passim . b probl. . sect . . c lib. de veteri medicina . d epid. e dimidiata chaenice contentus erat . lib. de victu acut . f hippoc. aph . . lib. . & . epid. g lib. ad thrasib . de dèaeta , cap. a double time of feeding the sicke ; of election and necessity . h lib. cap. . i des erreurs populaires , part . cap. . preposterous custom of feeding the sicke in the night . k hippoc. lib. de vict● acut . what time of the day fittest for feeding the sicke , and when hee may feed freeliest , at dinner or supper . the order of the sickes diet . whether variety may be allowed to the sick l cibus homini simplex : acervatio saporum pestifera , & condimenia perniciosiora , libr. . cap. . preparation of the diet varieth much . preparation in the sicke in himselfe required . the sicke should sit up to eat . best bread for the use of the sicke . a meth ▪ med . two sorts of bread . simple bread . prepared bread . crummes . crust . b merc. variar . lect . l. c lib. de diaeta acut . cold bread best , and not too stale . preparation of bread for the sicke . d elb. . cap. . how the antients washed their bread . our manner . bread soked in wine . in flesh broth . e lib. de affection . biscuits and the like . march-panes . vnleavened bread unwholesome . herbs usefull in the diet of the diseased . a lib. de facult . natur . b comment . ad eam partic . lib. . epidem . imbecilliora cibaria breviorem vitam habent , c lib. de sanit tuend . those who live on herbes and fruits live not longer than such as live on flesh . whether fruits may be admitted into the diet of the diseased . answere . what fruits best . d lib. . e lib. de abusu med . how the antients rosted their fruits . f lib. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & initio lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g epist . . preserving of fruits . sparingly to bee used in fevers . flesh fittest for strōg nourishment . what foure-footed beasts are best for the use of the sicke . what fowle . antient physitians dieted their sick with flesh , uncouth to us . whether flesh may be used of the sicke . h lib. de carn . answer . ewes flesh used by the antients . flesh of gelded creatures better than of others . veale seldome used in antient times . i lib. de ratione victus . k lib. . collect . l lib. . ad glancon . m lib. de diaeta acut . & gal. in comment . hogges flesh , as also pigges to bee eaten without the skin of fowle , and what nourishment they afford . o . de alim . facult . p de diaeta . among all fowle , pullaine most familiar for the use of the sicke . capons unknown to the antients . pullets best for the sicke . q lib. . ad glauc . old cocks how used of old . whether capons ingender the gout . r vide crat. consil . me●icin . consil . . , &c. answere . turkies . phesants . pigeons whether safe to be used of the sick . temperature of pigeons . ſ arist . de hist avium . lib. . cap. . pigeons good against the plague . pigeons to be rosted without their heads . t lib. ● history . u lib. de euch●m . thrushes . x plutarch . in vitae pompe●● . larkes . a lib. . cap. . e●●es whether good for sicke folke ? b alois . mundella epist . . latinus henricus in quaest . medictnal . c lib. . ad glanc . d method . e li. de ras , vict in aecut . egges permitted b● hippocrates . egges may safely be used even in fever or any acute disea● f diosc●n . 〈◊〉 . . cap . the white of the eg●e co●leth . to nourish much in a smal quanti●y is a singular good property . hens egges best . of a hen troden with a cocke a●e best . preparation of egges . boiled without the shell , called p●●ched egges . boiled with the shell . rosted egges . fried egges tansies . markes of good eg● . * regula presbyteri jubet hoc pro lege teneri , ut bona sint ova , candida longa nova . of the iuice of flesh of severall sorts . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hippoc. aph. . lib. . b lib. de aliment . c lib. de affection . in the preparation of these liquid substances made of flesh , care must be had of the cleanlinesse of the persons , and the like care of the vessells they are made in . earthen and iron vessells best , brasse the worst . broth made after divers manners . broth made of an old cocke in pecto●all diseases . china broth in consumptions and great weaknesses . it may also be made with veale , or other meate , howbeit in weake and sicke people , a chicken is commonly best lik'd of . expression of the iuice of rosted meat , called expressum . colice called cousuptum . gelee . gelee of harts horn . restorative distillations of capon or other flesh . d lib. de mercur . cap. . e rondlet . lib. de fabric . cap. de causo . a lib. de victus rations in morb . a●utis , &c. b lib. de sanit . tuend● c lib. d mercur. v●●iar lect . libr. . cap. . e pellonius observat . libr. . f lib. de affection . different nourishment which fish affoord . what fish best for the use of the sicke . g lib. de euch . & cach . h lib. . cap. . what river-fish best . preparation of fish in antient times . preparation in our times . mushell broth made with the yolke of an egge . 〈…〉 . a decendus est aeger , 〈…〉 in potione 〈…〉 ●bo indugere , 〈…〉 cap. . most opportu●e time for drinke . b lib . cap. . sitis mendosa . a fal●e thirst . water the most antient and common drinke . water very frequent among the antients . c lib. de diaeta acut . d gal. in commen e augerius ferrerius in castigat . pract . f mercur. variar . lect . lib. . g trallianus . how water is to bee exhibited without hurt . what things in the use thereof to bee considered . h lib. de acre , aquis & tocis . i lib. meth , &c. k meth med . l meth. m lib. de victa in acut . comment . . n erastus antipara● . part. . o amat . lusit . centur . . curat . . centur . . curat . . p lib. cap. ● . q lib. . epid . in aegrot● . qui suit meton . r libr. . cap. . ſ . epidem . how water is to be prepared for the use of the sicke . in the exhibiting of cold water , what things to be considered t meth & commen . lib de victu acut . u rhas . libr. . divis . ca. . averih . collect . lib. . cap. . the generall time . * meth. particular time . x lib. de diaeta acut . y ioubert des erreurs populaires partic . . cap. . contre ceux qui ne permetient aux f●bricitans de boire durant , leur acces , &c. the quantity . z proct. . sect . . obiect . answere . a de d●●ta acut . cels . lib. . cap. . b lib. . epid . accommodation to our owne countrie 〈◊〉 climat . small beere with i● in stead of water allowed the sick , and so to be used . how water may safe liest of us be used . what thirst is : hot drinkes have bin in use of old . a dio 〈◊〉 . thermopolia in rome , place● where hot drinkes were sold . fiberius cal●ius mero . b quando vocatus adest calid● frigidaque minister . luven . caldam poscis aquam sed nondum frigidalenit : alget adhuc nudo clausa culina soco , mat. c in vers . in trinummo , rudente , in pseudolo . d stu●k anntiqu con●●● . libr. ● . cap. . ex 〈…〉 . iud. * 〈…〉 ex 〈◊〉 , tem ex athen. di●noso● . f mercur. ●ariar . lect . 〈◊〉 . . frigida non d●crit , non decrit 〈…〉 . idem stuck . ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . h lambi● . & turne● . in praed . plauti loc . referente eodem stuckio ibid. cold drinke is best and most usefull . burning of wine whether better for use than other wi●e ▪ whether warm drink be useful for the sicke i cels . lib. . cap● . k trallianus & paulus aegineta . warme drinke in use with us also . boiled water . distillation 〈◊〉 us in frequent use , to the antients unknowne . distilled waters to be preferred before others . needlesse feare of som conceived in the use of distilled waters . a androcide●s sapientia claruo ad alexandrum magnum scripsit intemperantiam eius ●ohibendam sic scripsit . vtinam potaturus rex , memento te bibere sanguinem t●rrae . situti venenum est hominicicuta , ita & vinum . quibus praecep is si ille obtemperavisset , profecto am●cos in temutentia non interemisset plin lib. . cap. . b in vita alexandri magni . c de victu in a●utu . d in comment & alibi wine may safely somtimes be exhibited the sicke . e vide gal. sub finem lib. de euch & cacoch circumstances considerable in exhibiting wine to the sicke . f quod ad febrium aegritudines attinet , certum est non dandum in febre , nisi veteribu● aegris vinum , nec nisid ● clinante morbo . in acutis vero periculis nullis nisi qui manifestas remissiones habeant , & bas noctu potius . d●midia enim pars periculi est noctu : hoc est spesomai bibentibus , nec a partu abortuve : nec a libidine aegrotantibus , nec in capitis doloribus , nec quorum accessiones cum frigore extremitatum fiant : nec in febri tussientibus , &c. et paulo post , dari utique non nisi in cibo debet , nec a somno , nec praecedente alio potu : hoc est utique sitienti , nec nisi in desperatione summa , &c. plin. lib. cap. . wine called couleur du pesche . accommodation to our climat . vvhat wine with us fittest . beere better for our sicke than wine . in acute diseases the smaller the better . erroneous opinion of the vulgar , esteeming strong drinke a panacea or catholick medicine against all diseases . artificiall wine . diet drinkes made of ale or beere . scurvy grasse ale . scurvy-grasse is good a●ainst obstructions of the spleene , and accidentally cleareth the blood , and i● therefore good against the scurvy . of aquavitae , and other strong sublimated waters . g savonatola tractati● de aqua vitae . historie . another . aurum potabile produceth but few witnesses of its efficacy . srongwaters sparingly & warily to be used . for whom most usefull . spirit of ale or beere . ordinary aquavitae pernicious to the health of man. the right spirit of wine how to be discerned . great variety of strōg waters . great danger in the too frequent use of these sublimate waters , especially in the yonger sort . three sorts of drinks made of hone in use among the antients . b mercur. variar . lect . lib. . c plin. lib. . cap. . d sympos . pro●●● . e piacotonius lib. de cerevisia & mulsa . hydromel , and divers compositions thereof . f libr. g loco nuper citat . apomell . h de san . tuend . how hydromel or mulsa was made among the arabian physitians . i lib. de victu acut . two sorts of it among the greekes . melicratum aquosum , & sincerum . to know when it is boiled enough . k lib. . cap . oxymel , or sirup made of vineger . l lib. de diaeta acut . gal. in commen & . meth & . m●th . m augerius ferrer●us in castigat . pract . n thaddeus dunus in epist . medicinal . o de san●t . tuenda . divers composition of oxymel . p iohann . renod. institut . pharmaceut . lib. . cap. . q val. cordus ex me● antidoterio . choice to be made of the ingredients of this drinke . divers compounded oxymels are made of hony . great error in the ordinary use of oximel , and other expectorant medicines , temperature of barly . a simplic . medica . de alim . lib. de in victu a●ut . b lib de victu in acut . & alibi . ptisan what in old time , & what with us . c rond . instit . pharmaceut lib. . cap. . pti●a● made of divers graines . d problem . . sect . . whether ptisan made of barly or wheat be better ? answere . d gal lib de ptisana . how the antient greeke physitians prepared this ptisan or creame of bar●y . manner of preparation with us . how to prepare our owne barly to make this and other drinks made of barly . orgemond , and what it is . barly-water . e lib. de diaeta acut . gal. in comm . f collectan lib. barly-water of two sorts . of prepared barly two sorts . g cap de pleurit . preparation . caveat concerning the use of barly water our barly-water . barly water for the poorer sorts . another drinks to be used in any fever . of emulsions or almond milke . in what cases most usefull . the quantity of the almonds must be according as it is made thicke or thin , howbeit the vulgar make it cōmonly too thick and fulsome , the manner of preparation . addition of certaīne seeds , and how to be used . cautions to bee observed in emulsion . they must not be too fulsome not too frequent . some use to make the emulsions or almond milks with the decoction of flesh ; but if the partie bee weake stomacked , it may make him loath both that and all other food . divers sorts of emulsions in time of need may be prepared . several sorts of milk . asses and camels milke in use for some diseases . mares milke in great request among the tartars . a leo africanus ▪ b sympos . lib. . probl . . c bruyer in lib. . de re cibar cap. ● . d forest . schol ad observat . . lib. . womans milke best and most temperate . ewes milke . goats milke . cowes milke . vse of asses milke in ulcers of the lungs . cowes milke with us most ordinary and familiar . commendation of asses milke . historie . the beast from whence the milke is milked . the colour . the food on which it feedeth . in what time of the yeere best . the place where the beast feedeth . the age of the milke . best m●l●e how to be discerned . for whom it most sit . ●ac non propinand●m flatulentis , aut vent●●s ●arboruginis laborantibus , non siticulosis , n●c febriculosis , nec eruda & nidorosa rubiantibus aut ventriculi debilitate & impuritate donatis , hippoc. aph . lib. diolcor . lib . cap. . gal. lib. . simpl . h●rmes proceeding frō the too frequ●nt use of milke . how , and with what preparat●on to be vsed . after the use there● what to be done . to know whether the patient reape any benefit thereby . whether the patient may sleep after milke womans milke 〈◊〉 to be used . milke how to be corrected before the use . how the antients ●sed it . the quantity or measure to be taken at a time . e meth. med . lib. . f lib de intern . affect . & epid & a●bi exhibet interdum ad . beminas , interdum sesquicongium quandoque etiam duos congios lactis alinini . g lib. de ponder . & mensuris . water boiled with milke . whey , and the use thereof . the faculties of whey best whey . whey of goats milk , in what diseases most usefull . h mesue lib. . distinct . . cap. . gal. de simpl . medicin . facult , &c. i dioscor . li. . ca. . separation called compound . qualities acquired by preparation . the quantity or measure . cautions to be observed in the use . clarified whey . of posset-drinke . severall waies of preparing posset drinke for the sicke . lēmon posset drinke . caution . so●rel posset-drinke . posset-drinke in contagious and pestilentiall fevers . white wine posset-drinke . plaine ordinary posset drinke . the curd . eating possets used most for wantonnes . best posset-drinke in in health . butter , and the best use thereof . whether it be usefull for the sicke , and how to be used . of cheese . whether the sicke may safely use cheese . answer . cheese sparingly to be used . k baptista pieria . caution in making of cheeses : sowre milke . whigge , or whegge . butter milke . butter milke . posset drinke . when milke is to be eaten . of white meats . for whom unfit . of frumenty . 〈…〉 , or 〈…〉 . dum 〈◊〉 , or pottage , o● wh●te meat made 〈◊〉 . when to be eaten . crustards . necessity and ut●it , of exercise . a exercitatione tria cōmoda ●r●mum adveniunt . ● . ea membrorum namque alli tu illorum dar●tic● : tum vero spiritus fit con●●tatiore , calo●que innatus u●etur . galen de ●anit . tuenda . b qui comodit nisi etiam la●oribus vtatus , sanus esse non potest de vict . rat . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . idem hippoc. epid sect . ● * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 idem ibi● . sect . . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d sanitatis tutula a labore est incipenda , gal. de sanit . tuenda . e ad sanitatis tutelam mirum in modum praestat moderata corporis exercitatio at contra quies & diuturnum otinmu● aximo est nocumēto gal lib. de eucb. & cacoch . g ignavia corpus habetat , stimat labor : illa naturam senectutem , hic longam adoloscentiam reddit , cels . l. c. & . h in timeo . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hippoc. ● . epid . sect . . k quem interdiu vel d●mestica , ve● civilia officia tenuerunt , huic tempus aliquod servandum curationi lu● corporis est : prima autem e●us cura est exercitatio , quae semper antecedere cilium debet , &c. cels . lib. . cap. . l lib. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . m hetodor . * stadia . n labor in venatu , sudor , cursus ab eurota , sam●s , sitis : hisce enim epulis ●acedaemoniorum condiuntur epul● , cice●o ● . iuscul o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , epid. sect . . violent exercise immediatly after meals hurtfull . of the place where exercise is to be u●ed . p mer●atus tam. 〈◊〉 lib. 〈…〉 . the persons to be exercise● the quality of exercise . the quantity or time of duration . q hippoc. de diaeta . r hippoc. . . epid. sect . . order of exercise . ſ de sanit . tuenda differences of exercise . difference , some exercise the body , some the mind , some both . difference , some exercise the whole body , and som a part . according to the end . according to the quality . strong and violent exercises sparingly to be used . hunting a●d 〈◊〉 modera●y to be 〈◊〉 . t exod ● . . difference , from the principall agent . one and the selfe-same exercise differreth sometimes from it selfe by reason of circumstances . hard trotting horse for whom hurtfull . sailing , and the difference thereof . carrying on 〈◊〉 shoulders . u de insu parvae pilae . tennice-play a good exercise . exercises of some particular parts , crying , reading loud speaking in what diseases helpefull or hurtfull . crying aloud , singing and playing upon instruments . mixt particular exercise . commendation of walking observation of exercises according to the trade of life . what are the exercises of the mind . caution for schollers whether at meales we may discourse of of any serious marter or discusse any serious affaires . answer . a iliad . . & athen in dip●●soph . b 〈◊〉 . probl . . ● saturnal . lib. . ●imitation of conviv●a●l speeches . faule of the fox and the crane . d idem plutarch . ib. e lib. . cap . f po●ra si retores illi philosophi ve●ae philosophiae sapientieque ignari ie imperiti , non in cholis tantum , sed etiam in 〈…〉 de ●ebus ●ravibas atque se●●s ad in ac beateque vivendum lissere●e fuerunt 〈◊〉 ti , quant magis nos christianos vere solidaque sapientin cognitione imbutos decet in nostris symposijs sermones inter nos conferre ●rave● honestos , ●uios , re●ig●osos , 〈◊〉 ad aedificationem , ut apostolus paulus loquitur , hoc est , partim ad dei gloriam , partim ad mu●●● si 〈…〉 confirmationem spectent . et ●amen sunt nonnulli qui omnem sermonem de deo , de religione , de rebus divinis atque 〈◊〉 , de christiani hominis officio in convivio valde indecorum , eique minime convenientem esse existiment itaque ut 〈◊〉 nonnutti phi●osophie illi huminae : sic hodie plurimi christianorum divinae illi nostra atque coelesti philosophiae , hoc est , theolo●●● i● convivus nullum volunt locum esse relinquendum . sales tantum , jocos atque dicteria non modolevia , n●getoria atque ridicula , ● erumelu●m blasphema in deum , atque contumeliosa in proximum in convivijs voluni locum babere . verum longe alia fuit summi illius 〈◊〉 sapient●●●●sque magistri atque domini nostri jesu christi meus , sententia ac consuetudo : is namque teste evangelica historia , non modo : ●●●mplo , in scholis sive sinagogis , alusque in locis ; verumetiam in tri●linijs , in ipsa mensa non dubitavit , tum hujusce vitae pi●●●visi 〈◊〉 transigendae , tum aeternae illius adipiscendae optima saluberrimaque tradero , ut luc. . . & alibi passim 〈◊〉 ●est . idem . 〈…〉 . g ita fabulantur ut qui sciunt dominum audire , hoc e● , sermones inter se conferunt , ●astos , pudicos , pro● , religio●o● , quorum noverunt se a●ritum havere testem ipsum oeum ●●ncta videntem atque audientem . facit ibidem mentionem centionum atque pr●cationum , quae agapas illas antecedere atque consequi solebant . idem e● tertul apolog cap. . vtinam in tabernis vinariis , in comessationibus & balneis ; imo & ubique de gehénna disputaretur : non enim sinet in gehennam incidere gehennae meminisse . propter hoc ipsum quispe illam & paravit & minatus est ne in ipsam incidamus , timore ipsius meliores sacti , idem ex chrysost . homil. . in epist ad roman . ab hujusmodi eùm christi tum christianorum primogeniae ecclesie sermonibus convivialibus quantum discrepent nostri sermones conviviales quotidiana experientia satis testatur . erant illi graves , modesti , casti , pudici , pii , religiosi , nostri contrasunt leves , nugatorij , mendaces , scurriles , ●urpes , obscani , blasphemi , contumeliosi , quibus dem patiter atque homines gravissime offenduntur . sancte profecto veteres hebraeorum sapientes dixerunt , eos qui in conviviis sermonem de rebus divinis non habent perinde se habere , ac si de sacrificiis mortuorum comederent . contra vero , qui dei verbum , legem & divinae sapientiae opera celebrant , super hos quiescere divinitetem , & non secus eos habere , atque si de mensa ipsius dei comederent . contra hodie plerique christianorum sacrum sermonem plane 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conviviu maxime existimant , quem siquis inferat , illum seu hominem incivilem , rusticum & agrestem exp●odunt atque●ubsannant . tamei si proh dotor ! tanta est hodie nostrorum convivierum luxuria atque intemperantia , ut fiquis sacrúm aliquem & a●vi●um sermonem tis inferat , ille tanquam margaritas canibus atque porcit objiciens reprehensione digum esse videatur . idem ibidem , ubietia● plura de hac materia fusuis scripta videre est , ex antiqui● scriptoribus & patribus , ut ex plinia iuniore , cicerone , iulio capitolino , seneca , clemente alexandr . august , chrysost , &c. excerpta . accommodation of that which hath been said of exercises to the sicke . in the exercise of the sicke two things to be observed . what kind 〈…〉 diseases 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 some chronicall ●●●eases admit not 〈◊〉 ●●ercise● . hanging 〈◊〉 usefu● for the sicke . frictions in frequent use among the ●●●●ents . ligatures of extremities . in time of health every one ought to prepare for death . h robert polton preacher of gods word at brougton in northampton shire cessation and rest from exercise . i ● . epid. sect . . k de 〈◊〉 ●●venda . hot and dry constitutions are not to use ●o viol●nt exercise as others . notes for div a -e excreta & retenta . a hippocrates libr. de flitibus . repletion , and 〈◊〉 ingendred . emunctories and passages in the body of man whereby superfluities are evacuated . plethora , or repletion in generall . cacochymia , and of what humours . profitable excremēts evacuations do sometimes too much abound . what evacuation is . what things before evacuation to be considered . the strēgth diligently to be consid●red , especially of the vitall parts . the plight and temperature of the body . habitus & constitutio corporis custome . the quantity ▪ the time . cum indicans turget vel urget . conv●nient 〈◊〉 passag●● . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . apo. 〈◊〉 . convenient wor●● of eva●ua●●●● . the nature of 〈◊〉 part to be cons●●e●ed the sympathy o● consent o● the par●s 〈◊〉 considered . the sense and 〈◊〉 of the pa●●s to 〈◊〉 considered . evacuatio● must not be by the part affected . c loco nuper citat . epid . sect . . d aph. lib. . e aph. . lib. . many diseases proceed from the abundance of blood . evacuations are naturall or art●ficiall . artificial evacuations two told generall evacuation , what it is . definition of phlebotomy . difference betw●xt phlebotomy and purgation . in phlebotomic five things to be considered . plethora or repletion twofold . plethora quo ad vase ; what it is . quo ad vi●es , what ▪ repletion in regard of the humors twofold . single plethory twofold . plethora or repletion in regard of the body affected twofold , 〈◊〉 plethorie , actuall or potentiall . indication of phlebotomie . the use and end of phlebotomy two-fold . phlebotomie threefold . phlebotomia evacuant , revellem , & derivans . evacuating phlobo●●●y whom and when to be used . a hippoc. aph . . lib. revulsio , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken two waies . b gal. . epid . sect . . comm . & meth contrariety and wh●● is thereby meant . the use of revulsion and in what cases to be used . c gal . epid , comm . sect . . derivation what . difference of this from other evacuations . in what cases to bee used . signes of repletion quo ad visa . of repletion quo ad vires . phlebotomy in what infirmities is fitt est to be used . a saluberrimum aut 〈◊〉 ut praed ● mus ●st in febri●u● venam ●ne●●ere , non continu● 〈◊〉 se , verum ●am omn●●us qua● pu●●● cens ●um●a 〈…〉 nec a●a● , 〈…〉 ●ohinent levata 〈◊〉 qua orpus nost●● 〈◊〉 ●git naturá e●o● 〈…〉 eo quo 〈…〉 pr●mitu● , 〈…〉 quod reliquum e● , vincet . gal. . meth . answere . this hath alwaies bi● the opinion and practise of the lea●ned ●hysitians ●rac● ib ca●sil medic . tractatu d●p●●ss● 〈◊〉 h●ller . li●e ●d p●ste horest obser medic . lib. ob●er . ex aetio , cass &c. mali●ne fever and the nature of it . how it is contagious names . whether phlebotomy be here of u●e . vulgar fearefull of phlebotomy , especially in this fever . answere . 〈◊〉 o● the patient , the 〈◊〉 , or the 〈◊〉 physitian , 〈◊〉 many times the 〈◊〉 of the miscarying of the patient . phlebotomy by an unanimous consent allowed of 〈◊〉 this d●sease . c co●sil●or med●cin . lib. consi●●● . d ●iercat tom . cap. . 〈◊〉 de ●ebrib . incurat . f●br . maligna rutand de morbe vngar & alij 〈◊〉 phlebotomy not alwaies 〈◊〉 ab●olute necessity in this fever . e raro aut nunquaem eisdem ac● 〈◊〉 & co●●i●onibus in 〈◊〉 appare , hu●u mea● febris sed pro varietate ●orpore● apparatus , & a●●raum r●rum quib●● corpus umanum muta●ri habent , variant 〈◊〉 inde ipsum 〈…〉 ●dem mer●at● loco nuper citat crato etiam loco nuper 〈◊〉 . obiections against phlebotomy in this disease . answere . histori●● many poore people although they recover of their disease , yet often endure much misery , and are long a recovering . whether phlebotomy may bee used in small pox. e tempestive igtur detrahemius langui● est ex intern●● achii . verum u●i iam maium invests inhabitum corporis periculo●a est ph●●botomia . ●olle● de ●orb , intern libr. ● . tract de exanthern . historie . f citerum perpet●●● non 〈…〉 ●o●omia cum iam ●●pulae in ●uperfi ie 〈…〉 extite●●nt etenim fit ●liquando prae●op●● viti , ●t & 〈◊〉 rel●quum fit 〈…〉 , vt ●eat v●●●ementer diffic●ltas s●●●andi , gra●is fi●●e ris ● quo tem●o●●● si ni●●l repugnat vena s●cunda est ●lioqui san●u● sagis utendum erit idem ibid. whether in the iau●dise we may use phlebotomy . g vide hac de re mercatum tom. . libr . cap. . de intern . morb . curat . holler . de morb . intern . lib. . cap. . de liter . h anatomy of urines , libr. . cap. . history . two great ans●●● vern●s in 〈◊〉 . veines opened for d●vers ends . veins usually opened in the arme . cephalica , or humeraria may be opened with least danger . small veines sometimes ope●ed . cephalica upon what occasion to be opened . basilica , orliver-veine mediana . salvatella . the veine betwixt the formest finger and the thumb . divers veines in the head opened upon severall occasions . veines opened in the foot . ischiadica seu vena poplitis . saphena . de his fusius galenus lib , de ven● sect . in phlebotomy a rectitude to bee observed . the manner of the section . a smaller orifice . in diseases 〈◊〉 are not alwaies to use the remedy by them indicated . strength weakened two waies . oppression of the streng●h . stren●th prostrated or overthrowne . strength is to be considered according to the triple faculty , animall , vitall and naturall . what constitutions of body admit of a large and plentifull evacuation ; and what constitutions admit no● of it . what age fittest for phlebotomy , and what not . the sexe . custome to be considered . things contrary to nature doe inhibite evacuation . whether a woman 〈…〉 blood or no● a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aph . ●ib ● . answere . phlebotomy not so frequent in the time of hip●ocrates as in this our age . b si sit in trimis mersibus , si adhu● ie dicoti●nes mutendi ● ag●●n h●c , po●est ●uto mini eo tempore per sect●onem v●narum orachio●●m , &c mercur●d● 〈◊〉 orb . muliebr lib ca● nec adeo uti vet●res fecerunt , i● grev●dis ple●bo●cis ●hlebo mia metuenda , cum exod us usu aliquas abortivisse mi●i non constet etiamsi● ambis terve repetier●nt ● vi●ean usque mustas , etsi vulu●ratae aliterve laesae , plurimum sanguinis profuderint , tamen foetus minime nocuisse . ● lat . praxeos sua tract . tertio cap. . reasons proving this asser●ion . it may safely be used if discretion be not wanting . in the authors owne experience safe . this remedy not rashly to be attempted . c praestat ancep● adhihere anxiliū quam nullum cels . lib. . cap. . a carefull consideration must be had what physitian one useth . whether phlebotom● may be used to accelerate and further the birth . answere . whether the age doeth ●ndicate phlebotomy d lice● grae●● i● puer●usque ad annum a venae sect , abstinerent a rabes ( ut a●●●s ix●mus lib . schel ad observat . ●● ) e●iam in pueris eam a●iqua do non reliquerant , it nos in puerts c●annorum pteur ●ide laborantibus v●●am ●e●uimas et●am ● quo●am ann●●ageate , quida 〈◊〉 us 〈…〉 ensis fael●ci success● qu●●●o anno venom ●●cuit a●naeius ven●m ●●cuit 〈◊〉 puero 〈◊〉 sangu n●o . ● a●no 〈…〉 i● pueris tomen 〈◊〉 ●culis ( 〈◊〉 c●ae angustiores sunt ) angu●●●● utuntu● , 〈…〉 ●●rum ●aud● for●e● 〈◊〉 serv●e 〈◊〉 . libr. . sc●ol ad observ ●● e ergo si ●uvenis i●b●cillus e●t , aut si●m 〈◊〉 quae grav●da non est parum val●t , mali san●●is mi●t●●ur . at firmus puer & robustus sene● , & gravida mul er valens , tuto curantur , libr. . cap. . history . no certaine rule concerning the quantity can be set downe . how to finde it out . a triple quantity observed . the strength threefold . when to use a liberall and plentifull evacuation , and when a lesser . reiteration when to be used . in chronicall disease● how to determine of the quantity . in prevention the quantity . swounding no certaine signe of the quantity . the changing of the colour of the blood is no certaine rule to discerne the true quantity . as little certainty by the change of the face and eyes . the best rule of finding out the true quantity . the antients very lavish in this kind of evacuation . a gal. de venae sect b bo●all . de venae sect . reiteration very usefull . c lib de 〈◊〉 per ●ang m●ffi●n . erroneous opinion o●●he vulgar . confu●ation of this folly . whether fit to bleed constantly once of 〈…〉 answere . many c●untrie peop●e much 〈…〉 covetous surgeons much 〈◊〉 the people another grosse and erroneous 〈◊〉 of the ●ulgar . d langius epist . medic lib. . ep●st . a eccles . . . time generall and particular . best time of the yeer . the particular time . best time of the day . time of election and coaction or necessity . in prevention . in sicknesse . in chronicall diseases in acute diseases . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aphor. lib . in acute diseases admitting of intermission or remission the fittest time . inflammation and great paines without a fever . c method . med . lib. . revulsion when to be used . derivation . whether phlebotomy may be used during the dog-daies . the vulgar shy of bleeding during the dog-daies . d aphor. . lib. . answere . in hot countries this season often very hot no particular nor 〈◊〉 call influence p●●ceeding from the ●og-starre doth any ●hit at this time at● 〈◊〉 bodies . phlebotomy not ab●●lutely 〈◊〉 ●●dden by the antient physi●●ans , but compara●●vely . in time of necessity we may freely use this of any other remedy during the dog-daies . as no time of the yere is free from sickn●sse ; so in no time 〈…〉 a misse to use t●e meanes . d laurence ioubert a ●●●r●urs p●pu●artes 〈◊〉 ●econd● chap . * about ● miles to the south 〈…〉 england . e en este on doit mavulir le bec et anon le membre sec . ibid. tous les mois qui n●ort pont de r●●aiffe la femme et prennos le verre . ibid. history another of an old man. another concerning the author himselfe . great difference betwixt this our cold climat and other hot countries , lying further to the south . history canis non mordet anglia . dogge-daies in the yeere cooler than any other pa●● of sōmer preceding . the ambient aire chiefely to be taken notice of . the heavens and celestiall bodies not freed from imposture . of phlebotomy , the moo●e being in the signe , erroniously supposed to have predominance over that part . superstitious and erronious ignorance of the vulgar in this particular . a i● centi oq ●io . confutation of the former opinion humidity doth not inhibite , but rather indicate phlebotomy , and so doth the heat concurring . * languis epist med●● lib. epist . & d● his agit cop esi●● we reiect the observation of the moone in some cases . m lib. . & . de dieh . ●iti● . ●riticall daies depend more upon the ●ateriall cause of the ●isease , than by the starres . c passim in aphor . prog . nost . & epidem . c de morb. the moone of a swift motion , and abideth not long in a signe . ●●m●nantit signa . a weake stomacke especially clogged with corrupt humors will scarce reteine any physicke whatsoever . sottish and idle opinion of ruminant signes , being but a mere fansie . heathenish & superstitious to account some good and some bad daies . the sunne and his con●unct●on , with other p●anets 〈◊〉 neglect● efficacy and p●●net of this king of planet ▪ sol et homo ge●e●an● hominem . intolerable cold of these northerne climats . the sunne abideth a compleat moneth in one signe , & yet there is no mention made of the sunne in the signe . e claudius deodatus panth . hygiast . libr. . cap . f pertinax ista mu●torum chir●rgorum consuetudo , nullis rationibus firmata , nulla expe●●entia stabilita , nullis veterum , nec recentiorum medicorum authoritatibus munita , eo usque pedem extuli● ut non solum conjunctiones , oppositiones , aspectu● insaustos , & pestilentissimos in omni vene sectione , aut purgatione pertimescendos proclament , quasi venae sectio aliquo illorum diorum adhibita certa pernicie hominem sit emedio sublatura . interim huius perniciosae opinionis , alios , vel authores , vel fautores non h●bent , quam ani●ulas , veneficos , zingalos , ineptos empiricos , astrologos , & ephemeridum calcularo●es , &c. et paulo post unde gal. . method . has lunae ●bservationes adeo nihili fecit , ut etiam magnopere saudet medicum , qui quinquagenarius in cephalalgia noctu sibi venam inciderit , jdem deodatus ibidem . g vide duncani liddelii aberdinensis scoti art . medic . libr. . de febrib . curat . libros . . h cum igitur illae planetarum conjunctiones , oppositiones , quadraturae , & catera signa illis mendaciorum tabulis affixa , non sint vera & legitima vel venae sectionis , vel purgationis , aut scerificationis indicatoria , non ita scrupulose observanda veniunt , sed multis nominibus irridenda , expungendaque . primum enim illorum varietas , diversitas , & descrepantia , argumento est , nihil omnino , vel ad venae sectionem , vel ad catera● vacuationes conferre , cum in uno diario bona , in alio mala ; in his multa , in illis vel nul●a , vel exigna depingatur : idem ex pernicissimo lunae per signa zodiaci rotatu colligiur : licet enim in calendarii tabula luna duabus , vel tribus in scorpionis signo viis excurrere doceatur , tanta tamen id pernicitate fit , ut citi●● lo●o signum illud percurrat quam signi vires exeri , & animadverti possint . idem deodatus loco priu● citate . i at bone deus a●●antum praestaret ut 〈◊〉 cipes & urb●um ●●●ore● , has st●ol● 〈◊〉 ●n ephe●ne● 〈…〉 , versum 〈◊〉 & ●ore ve●e●●m , 〈◊〉 d●●rum 〈…〉 ●r●nt qu●r●m 〈◊〉 & sacrorum 〈…〉 ●bus diebus 〈…〉 ratione sa●ra deorum m●●eria 〈◊〉 de●e re●t , & 〈…〉 ●●dicabat &c et pau●e post , hu●usmodi ●ane ephen●er●●es , quae s●derum ortus & o●●asus , ac te● pestates , d●●que mysteriorum fastos ei ne ●●stos nobis ind●carent nobu satis forent : quas nugigerulum astrologorum vulgus su●● ex imaginar●●● lunae & pla●etarum aliorumque a pectuum i●sortu●●is , exaltationibus atque triplicationibu● , dierum ●lectionibus defoedavit● ▪ qui ut imperitus s●ytotomus ex uno calopodio omnibus solularia conficit : sic illi astrologi ex eadem anni constitutione hominibus etiam sub diversissimo coeli themate natis , qua di●● s●●are venam , c●rpus pha●maco purgare , cucurbitulis aut hirudinibus sanguinem emungere , pueros ablactare , mercari , peregre proficisci , novat induere vestes , caput & barbam radere , resecare ungue● faustum sit , indiscriminatim omnibus praescribunt . taceo quod bella , principum mortes , annona caritatem , ●erfricta fr●nte praedicere non erubeseant . querum●nugis moderatores urbium confifi , nec eorum prudentia & ratione habenas reipublicae moder●ri , nec medici aegros recte curare possunt . at id reipublicae parum interesse censes ? nequaquam : digniores certe essent in quos omnes anu● scommata jacerent , quam thales fuerit milesius , qui primus solis praedixit ectipsim , & stellas ursae minoris monstravit ; hic enim egressus domum ut astra contemplaretur , inque sub●ectam decidens foveam , irrisus ab anu fertur , quod ea quae in coelis essent scrutari vellet , quum quae pedibus essent subjecta non videat . si●aec anu● nostri seculi deliramenta vidiss●t quid eam dicturam arbitraris ? annon exclamaret : o vanitas vanitatum , & super omnia astrologorum vanitas , &c. picus mirandulae ●omes & angelus politianus contra astrologiam iudiciariam scripserunt . item august . lib. . supra genesim , lib. . de doctr christi & lib. de civit dei copiose contra astrologos genethl . porphyrius etiam teste iamblicho candem resutavit testatur etiam langius mars●l . ficinum qui in libro de vita caelitus comparanda conscripto hanc astrologorum curanai morbos methodum docuit & approbavit : eundem tamen tandem , palinodiam angelo politiano & pico mirand●lano canentem , ingenue sateri ha● astrologorum observationes ut quomodo libet ad vita conservationem profuturas se congessisse , non ut eas probaret , sed potiu● cum plotino gravissimo platonis interprete derideret , & ambobus congratulatur , quod astrologica vanitatum & superstitionum portenta tam argute quam sancte confutaverint , & quod contra astrologos qui iovi coelum frustra ●eripere more gigantum moliuntur , hic ut palladis alumnus , ille ut alter hercules egregie decertaverint . haec ex ma●sil . ficin . lib. . epistol porphyrius , teste iamblico totius eorum artificij fundamentum his verbis evertit & abnegavit , dum ait : si quu cognosceret figuram nativitatis , dominumque figurae , inveniret quoque damonem suum , & solveretur per ipsum a fato nativitatis sed subdit , illam scire , & hunc invenire esse impossibile : & regu●as astrologorum esse incertas & incomprehensibiles , auctore chaeremone . nam certe quis in ta●● praecipiti fiderum nocturna & diurna vertigine , quum minima momenta ingentes parturiant mutationes , quae vix quisquam cognitione assequi possit , qui●inquam exacte nativitatis thema assequi possit , non video . adde , quod observationiis astrorum motus organa , raro fint ad amussim facta , sed plurimum manca . haec & alia multa hanc materiam concernentia congessit iohannes langius medicus doctissimus & celeberrimus lib. . epist . medic . epist . . & , ex macrob. saturn , lib. . suida , heschio , ovid. . fast . gell lib. . cap. . diog. laert. lib. . euseb . de praepar . evangel . lib. , &c. preparation to be used before phlebotomy . crudities . expulsion of the fecall ordure . imbecillity of the orifice of the stomack . situation of the patient to be let blood . what to be observed in the bleeding . swounding . after how to be o●dered . particular phlebotomy by leaches . election of leaches . preparation of leaches . in what cases most usefull . application . to make them fal off to stop the bleeding o● scarification . in what cases to be used . c●pp●r● commonly used with scarification the matter & forme of these cups . in what bodies most usefull . manner of application . the time . dry cups without scarification in that ●●ses to be used . burning or searing of some parts . what it is . vtility and profit of this remedy . fonticulu● . setaceum . v●ficatorium . the place where wee are to make this issue with what cautions . with what instrumēt it is made . potentiall cauteries . the particular place . vesicatories or blistering remedies . setum what . a guilielm . f●bricius hild. observat , chirug . observat . . & . triple evacuation in the body of man. purgation what it is . a purgatio est evacuatio humoris qualitate peccan●is , facta à natura , ope & efficaciae pharmaci catharctici , administratia me●io in eum finem , ut sanitas praesens conservetur ▪ aut amissa restituatur . comment . in aph . . dunc . liddel . art . med lib . cap. . purging medicines of two sort● in purgation three things considerable . a specificall quality in purging medicines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , seu superpurgatio . in purging medicines things to bee considered . purging medicines differ both in strēgth and by reason of the part to purge . compoūd medicines their divers and various formes . externall formes of purgations perfect & imperfect purgations . minor a●● purgation . purgatio per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the manner or method of purgation . five things therei● to be con●●dered . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hippoc . aph . ● lib , gal , in comment . needlesse and frivolous feare of the ignorant people . tobacco as strong a poison as the strongest purging medicine that is used . threefold constitution of bodies . ●or●us ueutrum , seu valetudinarium . when to purge and when not . triple indication of purg●ng . the quality of the disease to be considered . the matter . continuance of the disease . idiosynarasia , or individuall propriety . vrging accidents . strength how indicated . aptest age . children how 〈◊〉 purge . the sex to be considered . whether women with child may be purged , answere . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aphor. . lib. . women with child may safely be purged with our gentle medic●●● womens bodies are many times more strained upon many outward occasiōs than by gentle purgations . c ioubert des erreu● . populair●● , lib. cap. . the child often after smarteth for this defect . history of a woman with child , using both phlebotomy and purgation with good successe . another . another of a woman with ch●ld enduring much by naturall vom●● . coughing and purging , and yet recovering . great caution to be used in a●ministring physicke to women with child . the temperature and constitution of the body to be purged . what bodie 's fittest , and what unfittest to be purged . idiosyneras●● . custome . other circumstances . situation of the part affected . divisions of the humors to be purged . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aph . lib. . what humors are fittest to be purged , and what not . concoction what . humors capable of concoction . vncapable of concoction . difficultie of conc●ction proceedeth 〈◊〉 three causes . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . apho● . . lib , ● . when the physitian is to use meanes to further concoction , d lib. de hu●n●ri● a double preparation . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aphor. . lib. . different preparation according to the different manner of evacuation upwards or downewards f lib. de salubr , victu● ratione . indication of the quantity of the medicine . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aph. . lib. . the quantity of the medicine to bee intended or remitted according to several circumstances . safer to erre in the defect than in the excesse . purgatio per epi●r●●● , or ●en●●e 〈◊〉 purgat●●n . the m●●b●●●cke matte● contented in divers parts , o● the bod● , and there●●●● t● be pu●ged by severa●l sorts of physicke . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aph. , lib , . condition of the part affected varieth the maner of evacuation . a vomitio cum facili● & moderata obtigerit sa●uberrima & vacuationum omnium praestantissima , noxios quippe humores ex ipsis f●ncibus sinceros elicit , & vacuat omnem quae in ventriculo continetur , ejusve tuni is eluviem . im●rimu autem expurgat e praecordiori● membra●is , & cavis iecoris ac li●nis et ex pancrea ommis generis supervacuos humores ●nc●ros elicit , quos plerumque nec hiera , nec aliua vehementissimum in alvum de●urba●e potest opitulatur item affectibus qui a praecord●orum impuritati or●um habent , lang●enti apperen●iae , nauscae , cibi fastid●o ▪ vomitioni crebrae , ventriculo pr●cordijsve distentu , ictero , cachexiae , febrib intermittent , hemicraniae , vertigini , epilepsiae , suffusions , omnibusque capitis affectibus qui sympathia praecordi●rū contracti sunt , & quos a praecordiit in reliquum corpus effusa impuritas protulit . gal. de usu partium . preparation before vomits . outward preparation inward preparation . what parts by vomit are to be purged . b aph. . lib. . empericks erre much in the rash administration of vomits . in what cases dangerous . c herod . in enterp . glisters used for divers ends . and used in many infirmities . the quantity various according to circumstances . retention of glisters . in great weakenesse . suppos●tories . caution in infirmities of the fundamēt . 〈◊〉 divers reme●●e● are to bee used , 〈◊〉 first and what ●ext is to be done . wee are alwaies to beginne with that which presseth and urg●th most . time twofold . a aegyptios noluisse quicquam in aegrotis non nisi quarta p●ractae die : alioqui medici suo periculo id ag●bant . arist . . polit . cap. . b de diae●a acut . com . ment . . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ap●o● . lib. . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aph. . lib. . in maligne and venemous fevers wee are not to deferre purgation . e 〈◊〉 ●ctu acut . in what other cases wee are to purge in the beginning . f in febribus continuis , qui paribus se●e non criticis pharmaco usi ●unt nunquam nimium purgati fuerunt : qui vero aiebus imp●ribus forti medicamento usi sunt nimium purgati fuerunt , multique ex his perierunt hipp. . de morbis . when we may safely purge the humour on the day of the sit . the best time of the yeere . the fittest day . the fittest time of the day . pills , when to be exhibited . strong purgations when to be taken . whether physick may be administred during the dog-daies , answer . whether the signe , severall aspects & coniunction of the planets are to be observed . answer . e lib de acre aquis & locis . the way and passage by which wee are to purge , how indicated . in the waies and passages foure things considerable . wee are to purge by most convenient waies and passages . when the matter is in fluxe . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aphor. . lib. . the forme of the medicine . ordering of the pat●ent , in and after the taking of physicke . to prevent casting of it up . pills how to be taken electuaries . potions how to be taken , and how to keep them downe . how long at least we are to keepe the medicine . whether wee may sleepe after physicke answere . b ioubert des erreurs populaires partic . . chap. . in vomits what to be done . ●rative what time ● bee given . 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 when pills are taken over night . keeping of the chamber cum custodia and the reason . the ambient aire how to be ordered . sine custodia what , and when it may be used . signes of compleat purgation . c aph. . lib. . defective purgation . causes of defective purgation . history . if physick worke not . if too violently . gripings in the belly . three concoctions in the body . sweat an excrement of the third concoction . what sweat is . a sudoris materiam ab internis visceribus succo naturali madenti●us emanare contendis , fernel . lib. de feb 〈◊〉 . cap. desudere . sweating in acute diseases . sweat naturall , or artificiall . naturall againe criticall or symptomaticall . symptomatical what . diaphoreticall sweat . sweat how to be provoked . hydrotick simples , or provokers of sweat . strong hydrotickes . hydroticke minerals . compounded sudorifickes . cautions in the use of hydrotickes . preparation . when to be neglected . frictions . fomentations . sudorifickes in chronicall diseases . how to use these sudorificke medicines . the continuance o● time of endurance . in what cases hurtful . of teares . b mercur. de excrem . lib. . cap. . de lachrymis . differences of teare● vse of this moisture . c lib. . de cris . cap. ▪ why some can so easily weepe , and some not at all . naturall involuntary teares , what they signifie . accidentall teares . involuntary teares in acute diseases . voluntary teares . cold and hot teares . thick and thin tears . divers sorts of ablutions or washings in use among the antients . bathing and anointing the body before meales . a epist . . lib. . bathing in germany very frequent . vsed there promi●●●ously without any previous preparation with cupping and scatification . preposterous custom of washing the body in rivers with a full stomacke . b mundificat palmas & lumina reddit acuta . schola salern . & arnald . villa nov . in com . whether the head ought to be washt or no● answere . how and when it it to be washed . embrocations ▪ washing of the feet . of artificiall baths . the matter . their use threefold . c . method . d qui ex tennibus crassiores volūt evadere , lavabunt bis , &c. id. lib. . de sympto . cap. . & lib. de salub . diaeta comment . . vertues of a temperate bathe . of a hot bath . e andernacus de veteri & nov . medic . comment . . dial . . circa finem . the use in divers diseases . in what cases hurtfull . bathing in cold water for whom hurtfull in sicknesse & in health . latonicum , and what it is . of two sorts . ●●micapium cinsessus . the time , both generall and particular . the time of the day . preparation of the 〈◊〉 . in bathing how to be ordered . the continuance in the bath . how to be used in hecticke fevers . after bathing . dangers arising from the inordinate use of bathing . minerall waters usefull for the health of man. thermae , seu aqua ther●ales . a homerum c●lidorum fen●i●m mentionem non fecisse miror , cum aelioqui lavari cali sa frequenter indicarit : videlicet , quia medicina tanc haec non erat quae a ●uarum perfugio utatur , plin. lib. . cap . b lib. de aere aqu●● & locis . the later physitians made 〈◊〉 these minerall waters . how their vertues are to be discerned . sulphu●o●us and ●itum●nous waters . waters participating o● divers metalls and m●neralls . whether leap-yeere doth alter or annihi●●● the vertues of ●inerall waters . originall of leap-yeere . iulian , or sosigenian yeere . alteration of the yee● by pope gregory . amputation of tenne daies from the former yeeres . gregorian yeere and account beyond the seas . * there wants yet about daies , in all we want of that wee should have . answer . c ovid , fastor lib. ¶ trojan . c see calvins treatise of reliques , where he proves many bodies of their saints to be monsters . no alteration in the leap-yeere more than any other . e claudius deodatus panth . hygiast . libr. , cap. . minerall waters used after a double manner . the time . preparation of the body before the use of minerall waters . the time of the day for use . the manner . no cetaaine nor precise time for the continuance of the use of these waters can bee determined . hot baths , and where they most abound . english baths . divers minerall waters in germany . gold and silver communicate no vertue to such waters . a doctor venner in his treatise of baths of bathe : and since the collecting of this tractat , i saw a learned tractat of baths , published by dr. iorden , residing there . acid or sowre waters . they abound in high germany . their vertues . in what infirmities helpfull . in what hurtfull . the time for use . § and yet they are ordinarily brought to francksort mart in march and september . continuance or duration in drinking them they lose much vertue by carriage . observation in the use of these waters . of the well of spa. for what infirmities most beneficiall . water of s. vincent● rocke by bristoll . b d. venner in the aforenamed treatise . a neere and antient towne in yorke-shire , called by the name of knare●brough . wellenborow wel in northampton shire . observation in the use of such waters to be carefull of the stomacke . history . tunbridge water , water in mauborn● hils in worcestershire . newname wells in warwick-shire . the spa by aberdene in scotland . saint catherins well , called now the o●ly well neer edenburgh in scotland . this iland abounds in minerall waters . de urinarum praesagiis i● aegretis agit hippocrat . in locis praen●t . in prorihet . & libr. de indication . * see our arraignement and anatomy of urines . vncertaine and generall iudgement for the most part afforded us by urine . best urine . best colour . red coloured urines . blacke urines , cleare transparent urin without cōtents . in diseases various . quantity of urine in excesse . criticall excretion of urine . in the defect . difficulyy of divers causes . suppression of urine from divers causes a de his omibus fusius mercatus de intern . morb . curat . tom . . lib. . cap. . b incoacis aph . . & prorrbet . . all these infirmities to bee cu●ed according to their severall causes . diureticke remedies , and their right use . preparation . diureticks properly so called . another kind of diureticks . of two sorts . diureticks improperly so called . erroneous opinion concerning the breaking of the stone by diureticks . safest diureticke simples , and best for use . medicines accidentally good . by occult quality . many medicines used against the stone , but few answere expectation . dangers in the use of hot diureticke medicines . advertisment . the presence of the physitian is able to discover more in the disease than a many water . a mercur. de facibut alvi . the fecall excrements diligently to be considered . b vide hippoc. in prognost . prochet . & coac . motionib . aphoc . etiaem . lib. . c lib. . cap. ● . what this fecall ordure is . best excrements . excrements declining from the former laudable conditions . divers some of bad excrements . wormes in the excrements , and what they presage . divers causes of thin and liquid excremēts divers causes of soft excrements . d mercu. ibid ex gal. epid . comment . . & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hard egestions and their causes . quest●on concerning the 〈…〉 egestion , and how ●●ten . answ . in time of health . and in sicknesse . the quantity cannot be determined . in sicknesse care must be had of loosening the belly . divers sorts of fluxes be not too busy with astringents . e fernel . history : vse of spittle . a mercur. de excrem . ex variis gal locis . meth . . de sem , &c. best spittle in condition . exceeding in quality . in quantity . the colours . the taste . exceeding in quantity how to be purged . severall medicines usefull for this purpose . saliva●●on . tabacco . consideration of tabacco , and the use thereof . narcoticke quality . violent purgation . abuse of tobacco , as it is ordinarily taken . indifferently used of all sorts of persons without respect of any circumstāce whatsoever . opiat medicines often condemned without iust cause . obiect . answere . it purgeth away the good with the bad . the remedy often worse than the disease . sage soveraine good to corroborate the braine and animall parts . colts foot an efficacious simple in pectorall infirmities . tabacco-shope di● ale houses . another obiection ; answ . not good to further digestion by tabacco moderate exercise and good diet better than tabacco . most tabacco sophisticate . divers circumstances in the use of ta●acco to be considered . for whom most hurtfull . time of the yeere the age . what profession or ●inde of life it best b●fitteth what places . correctives to be used with it . 〈◊〉 the braine . in dise●●es of the lungs . quod differtur non aufertur . tabacco the cause of divers diseases , and many dismall accidents . the dangerous use of salivation by mercuriall medicines in some disea●e● 〈…〉 a mercur. libr. de excrem . cap. . de mucit . ex gal. idem mercur. ex variis hippocrat . & gal. locis . divers significations of this excrement . medicines to expell this excrement . of rheume descending downe upon the pectorall parts . b comment . in aph . . lib. . citant . me●cur . jdem ibid. rheume twofold . without a fever . with a fever . rheume of divert sorts . and divers colours . most observable in pleuresies . rheume commonly accompanied with a cough . great errour in the ordinary use of expectorant medicines . preparation before expectoration . divers preparations . the forme . error of the vulgar . caveat concerning sweet things . acid and tart things . in pectorall diseases that which is spit up , is especially to bee considered . c de crisib . &c. divers significations and presages of expultion or spitting up we are not then to judge of all diseases by the bare inspection of the urine only . seed of generation what it is . the use . the moderately and orderly use many waies profitable . inconvenience of the immoderate use . a proverbs . . ● history . the fittest age . inconveniences by marrying young children & yong people . duty of parents in this case . diligent care ought to be had in the education of children . what persons are thereby most offended . what constitutions . sick persons must absteine . in what diseases most hurtfull . the certaine number of yeeres when to marry cannot be determined . the fittest time of the yeere . the particular time . b levit. ● . abstinence frō marriage what inconveniences it breedeth in some bodies . in women . let young gallants 〈◊〉 beed * cartwright in his c●●●ch 〈◊〉 , in the expre●●ion of the commandements . c lib . cap ● . divine pu●●tion of uncleane persons . d tim. . . god never prohibited any sort or degree the use of marriage . e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 . apod● 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 , a chrep●●e 〈◊〉 ●ene●●●●nus , 〈…〉 , in sodom●● 〈…〉 di●ne , 〈…〉 vit , 〈…〉 divi●●m 〈…〉 ●●●mavit 〈…〉 iulius . innocent 〈◊〉 qu●nd●m 〈…〉 pr●tes ● 〈◊〉 h●bu●rat 〈…〉 ●ononi● legetur i● cardina●ium 〈◊〉 ●rum quam 〈◊〉 riliqu●●l factum 〈…〉 , es● in come●●●am con●uctud●nem rur●us ●am fit , rom●●an ●an a erat & libellis que ● pe●●er●ptur● suit iove garit●●edem fo●ers , licet desormem . 〈◊〉 vero ali●r●● scriptores 〈…〉 bla●phem●as e● 〈◊〉 renda sce●era stilo in 〈◊〉 , ●●rnavit 〈◊〉 s●dim tan ●●o●on●mum vniel . ●et , qui haec editis libr. tum etur , atque defenderet , ad quod ip●e d●pl●matibus suis approb●t e● . sixtus . roma nobile a●modum lupanar extru●●t , atque vent ●i assignavit , meretr●● eum cohertes aluit , amicisque & servis exhibuit , non nihil etiam em●lumenti ex meritric●o quaestu aerario suo atcumulavit : romana enim scorta in singul●s hebdomadas nummum adhuc pendent pontifici , qui census annuits nonnunquam quadra , irta ducatorum mill●a ex●edit : idceque eccle●●● procerum id munus est , ut vna cum ecclesiarum proventibus etiam lenociniorum num erent mercedem . refert we●l●lius k●oningens●● in tractatu de indulgentiis papalibus : quod ad petri rueri● quem pro cinaedo habebat sixtus , & hieronymi fratris sui postulationes , domestice familiae toti cardinalis de lucia , in tribus anni mensibus calidioribus , junio , iulio & augusto ( horrendum dictu ) masculino coitu uti permiserit , addens hanc clausulam : fiat quod petitur . iohannes accusatur in constantrensi●uca ●uca fit ●o domita , adulter , scertator , &c. de clement . . in quodam comment super●articulis magistrorum parisiensium ligitur , quod suer●t ●●●thus , venesicus . homicida , leno , simoniacus , sodomita , periurus , geomanticus , stuptator , rapto● , sacrilegus , 〈◊〉 ●●elerum artifex . tales fuere benedictus , & . paulus . paulus . sororem suam luliam farnesiam stuprandam trac●●d t●ut cardinali● & epi●copus hostiensis fieret . alteram deinde sororem suam cum quarem habuerat , vi●iens quod alios ar●●utius quam ipsum a●●aret , toxico interemit . hunc nicolaus quercaeus congredientem cum laura farnesia uxore sua , sed ne●te●e u● , 〈◊〉 , ac●t le e● vninupugione incussit , ut ejus eicatrix ad mortem usque cum eo maneret , sed & aliam neptem le●tissimam , no● 〈◊〉 usv●ginalipa●ore quam ●erma praestantem hircosus senex ad incestum & nefandum stuprum sollicitavit . vt vero filia sua constantia●um ●um qua sa pissime rem habuerat , potiri liberius posset , maritum ejus bosinum s●ortiam veneno necavit . in tabellis habebat numerata . meretri●um mill●● ex quarum fernicatione singulis mensibus censum exegit . hae a papa in summo h●nore l●●i ●ntur ●ae ●a●a pedes osculantur , hae papam samitrarissime alloquuntur , hae cum papa die nocteque consuetudinem habent . landonis . . sergii . iohannis . 〈◊〉 . ioh●●n● . alexandri . christophoci primi f●edas libidines lubens praeterco . et de papissa iohanne prius gilbertad 〈◊〉 , 〈…〉 elog●u● , lippis & tonsoribus ut aiunt notum , apud me altum erit silentium . haec & plura stephanus s●●gedinus po●●●nius 〈◊〉 speculo ●o●tificio in titulo , septimum membrum , ubi qualis quisque fuerit describi●● , situlus hic 〈◊〉 lenone●●●ortatores , a●ulteri 〈◊〉 so ●mitae . the menstruous flux 〈◊〉 f●●xe s●opt cau●e of many disease● menstruous fluxe exceeding in quantity to bee stopt , yet not rashly not suddenly . a aristot . lib. de so●●●● & vigilia . b lib. de symptoms causis cap 〈◊〉 . c verum scaligeri effugium aristot . defendentis admitti non potest , quia non tantum secundum virtutem , verum etiam propter originem instrumentorum , quasi nervi & venae ex corde oriantur , cor facit principtum sentiendi : & quoniam haec instrumenta obstruuntur , cor suo munere fungi non posse opinetur itaque si quis maxime 〈◊〉 scaligero sentire , & cordi principium sentiendi ex causā efficiente tribuere velit , quateum ex corde spiritus oriuntur , qui nervis vim sentiendi suopeditant : ratione tamen instrumenterum & causae materialis , principium sentiendi in corde non erit , & ita nondum aristotelis opinio qui hoc sentit , confirmata erit . magirus comment . in physiolog . suae lib. . cap. . benefits of moderate sleep . d . epid. . e de sympt . causa . . de motu muscul . f virgil. what sleep is . in sleepe there is not a totall cessation of the influxe of the animall spirits in the organs of senses . the fittest time for sleepe . whether sleep in the day time be to be admitted ? g sic brevis aut nullu● tibi somnus meridianus febre , pigrities , capitis dolor atque catarrhus , hae● tibi proveniunt ex somno meridian● ▪ schola salern . answ . morning sleepe , sicke persons cannot alwaies be strictly ti●● to this rule . h pythagorae symbolum de conturband● veste stragula , vide plutarch . sympol . lib. probl . . good to walk a little after supper . i plutarch . in ejus vita . k sueton in ejus vitae . best situation of our body in sleepe . lying on the belly . on the backe . duration or continuance of sleepe . ordinary allowance for sleepe . history 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 〈…〉 crit●●all ▪ ●●eepe ●●●●●old . good criticall sleepe . c●●●●call s●ee●e accompanied with evill accidents . ●●eep carefull some●i●es 〈◊〉 procured . 〈◊〉 of hypnotick me●●●ines inward and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 one his iudgement 〈◊〉 the vulgar concerning hypnoti●●●s and other medi●●ne . whether the excesse of sleeping or waking be more dangerous . answere . excessive sleepe to be preferred before excessive waking whether it be good to sleepe with open mouth . answer . to s●eepe with open eyes , and when t●●le●●●le , dreames what . cause of dreames . supernaturall or divine dreames . naturall dreames . a hippo●●atis liber de 〈◊〉 . d●eame● 〈…〉 . d●eame● 〈…〉 〈…〉 one and the same ●reame may have ● divers g●●●i●ation in sickne●●● and hea●●● dreame● many times dem●nstrate the humour● abounding ●n the body . oppression of the stomack will produce both unquiet sleepe and troublesome dreames . dreames often follow the constitution of the body . caterum quando ex causaram somni medioeritate placidus obrepic somnus , discernendi tamen facultas adhuc vaporum ●ulegine obfuscetur ● effectrix tamen visorum facultas libera nullis irretita vmculis si●● constat : cum ex rebus quas vigilans sensit , gessi , cogitavit & operata est , plurima somniorum spectra esfingit , quae tanquam vera dormientes amplectantur , unde tandem solutis a calore accidentario sensuum , spirituumque meatuum vinculu & motus compedibus , vigilantium opera exercent , tecta in subtime conscendunt , per trabes & lacunaria in adibus oberrant , lectos allorum adeunt , omnia intrepide audent , nec quicquam fi●i timent : quoniam vis illa discernendi sensus communis adhuc vaporum caligine consopita sacet , nec pericula nisi lamore experrecta agnoscit . casus enim eu abrupto , scribit albertus , ijs qui excelsa conscendnat , tunc maxime accidere solet , qaum pericula agnoverint , & formidare coeperint : eoque virtutes raboris ad cor formidolosum confluunt : lacertos , nervos , musculosque virtutis motivae organa destituunt . dormienies igitur secur●ores so●t : acclamationibus experrecti , saepe praecipites cadunt . iohan. lang. epist . medicin . lib. . epist . ex christophoro marcello . de anima cap. . & alberto magno lib. . & . de anima . quae ab ijs ( noctambulis ) fieri persuasum habeo ex sanguine turgido ●ospumanti , tum estuoso fervidoque spiritu , quae in mentis sedem delata , animae vim atque facultatem , qua functiones suas perfi●it , partesque instrumentarias ad actiones impellit , agitant , atque ad huiusmodi motu● effectusque concirant . quo fit ut corpus spiritus animalis impulsu , qui nervorum ac musculorum robur , h●e sentie●di movendique mu●us in cerebro continet ac tuctur , in sublime feratur , eiusque v●etiem per som●um ad tales actiones incitetur . sunt autem istiusmodi constitutionis homines raro laxoque corporis contextu , &c. lovin . lemnius de occultis naturae miraculis , lib. . cap. . quemadmodum ape●l●s celeberimus o●im pictor , eum pulcherrimam illam atque admirabilem veneris imaginem depingeret clavum fixit , quo amoto tota simul imago dissolveretur : in ejus vero clavi summa parte ●uam depenxit imaginem : ita deus ille o●timus maximus cum elegantissimum hoc miidi opificium fabricasses , tanquam coronidem & colophonem conjecit hominem , in quo suam collocavit imaginem , ex cujus inspectione ipse er●fex agnosceretur , ut si vere dicere sas sit humanus animus deus quidē parvo corpusculo conclusus videatur . cum itaque res plurimum i●ter se pugnantes atque contrarias homo complectatur , recte illi scripsisse videntur , qui hominem vinculum esse , quo aeterna caducis necterentur asseverarunt , &c. claud. deodatus panth. hygiast lib. . c. . actus concupiscibilis sex numerantur affectiones : ni●●irum , amor , odium , desiderium , fuga , delectatio , & tristitia . irascibilis quinque elicit actus : & sunt spes , desperatio , audacia , rimor , ira . mercatus tom. . libr. . part . class . quest . . ex thom aquin. gaudium . lae●itia . in●ultatio . malevolentia , sea ●●litiae anger . aerumum . afflictio . sollicitudo . desperatio . maeror . luctus . misericordia . livor . vindicta , spes . cupidita● , cupidia . libido . ambitio . avariti● , excandiscentia , edi●● . immicitia . timer . formid● ; terror , pivor● consternatio , exanimatio , pigritia , verecund●● . the chiefe passions of the minde , and on which all the rest depend , foure . great harms droceed by lustfull love to the whole man. a cadmus milesius de amore . definiton of love . b de amore , & aliis affection , unde gal. lib. . . & . de placitis hippocrat . & platon . c in tunao . d de opificio dei lib. . e odyss . . f proverb . . g ovid de amore . this passiō the cause of great mischiefe . h observation , mi●it . lib. . p. . i deodatus panth . by giast . lib. . cap. . idlenesse a great furtherer of unlawfull lust . k ovid de ● medi● amoris . l lucret in fine lib. . things to be considered in matching . better sometimes to yeeld to an inconvenience than to a mischiefe . m gal. lib. . prognos● . history . n iulius capitolinus , in vita antonin● philosophi . history . o plin. lib. . cornel , cels lib. . cap. . * affinit isti artificio & persuasioni fortitudinis ( de aqua martia & balsamo magnanimitatis sermo ei prius fuerat ) est lampas vitae , quam concinnant nōnulli tanquam fatale quoddam lumen , in quo hominic fortuna , affectus , morbi , & tandem mors possint observari . arbitror excogitandi ansam praebuisse magiam illam , seu observationem popularem , qua arbor , vel herba depacto aut sata in nomine cuiusdam , tamdiu durat , & late crescit , quamdiu ipse bene habet & floret . cum aegrotat , arbor quoque aliqua indicia morbi habet ; cum instat hora mortis , marcescit . ita scribit c. suetonius in galba : cum in liviae gremium aquila gallinam albam ramum lauri'r ostro tenentem demisisset , nutriri alitem pangique ramulum placuit ( plin. lib. . cap. ult . ) inde lauretum factum tale ut triumphaturi caesares inde laureas decerperent , fuitque mos triumphantibus alias confestim eodum loco pangere ; et observatum est sub cuinsque obirum arborem ab ipso institutā elanguisse ▪ ergo novissimo neronis anno & sylva omnis exaruit radicitus , &c. tanti est in nomine elicujus quicquam fieri admurmuratis proculdubio aliquibus verbis , & adjurationibus , quibus postea magorun sententia est corroborata , aliquam vim habere verba , intentiones , imaginationes , & similia , qua persuasione fabricant signa cerea , quorum passiones flant , in his quibus fint dicata , &c. et paulo post , videntur baec ex sympathia & magnetismorum familiaritate tracta esse , ut & unguentum sympathetitum paracelsi , de quo item narant hominem affici eo modo quo telum , itae ut cum lubet possi● ei dolorem excitare . vulgaris persuasionis est , magos multa posse , si sanguinem nancisci queant . quocirca qui fibi metuunt , in profluentem jubent sanguinem ex vena effundere , aut cloacam . quid chymici ex sanguine eliciant , quoque modomumiam & lapidem catbunculi instar fulgentem ad omnium morborum depulsionem ex eo faciant , &c. andreas libavius defens . syntagen . arcan . cthym . contra hening . schernem . act . cap. . p tertul. in apolog cap . whether one may dy ●f love or no ▪ q observat . medic . lib. ● pag ●● . 〈…〉 * in 〈…〉 lauda 〈…〉 nullum pram●●m ▪ aut mu●as 〈…〉 accipiat : sea illud non perinde probatur , si mo●c●um interfe●●rit . vin●●sta enim 〈◊〉 , & magistratu●a 〈◊〉 , figna●o permit 〈…〉 excipiat , 〈◊〉 ●iviles in pler●● rebus ▪ [ history ] 〈◊〉 hac ma●ito permit●ere : respondee , illud parum commode indulgeri . nam difficile est homini , praesertim iraecundo , vel potius furen●● , accep●a huiusmodi 〈◊〉 , modum in vindicta tenere , deinde praecipiti hac & confusarei interfectione , via & aditus resipi●centiae praecluditur . thom. cartwright in proverb . cap. vers . . plat. observ . medic . lib . pag. , &c. 〈…〉 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 quam 〈…〉 esse de 〈…〉 ingeu● 〈…〉 siqua ●●num malum dicat , dulce am●●um , sa erum profanum , & contr●● 〈◊〉 & illud etiam corruptum & depra●atum e●t si quis in 〈…〉 non assignat●●●● aut 〈…〉 legim●es , ● . , 〈…〉 ●ominibus illius saeculi in quo 〈◊〉 salomon ; 〈…〉 nium enim 〈…〉 ●●urem enim omnes 〈◊〉 , & com iti● 〈◊〉 sunt , si ●g●i●id●m ( anglicae gallowes-●lapper , newgate-bird , &c. ) apellantes : una mensa cum illo vivere renitunt , uno peculo bibere , usque adeo ut ve●●sea ejus fere abhorreant ; denique carceri & morti tradunt . contra vero in adulterio nihil hujusmodi , non modo non exprobrant , sed nec abstinent ab ejus con●ortio . quis unquam de furto suo se jactabit . atqui sepe inventi sunt qui de suis adulteries , cum pulchra or e●ertim aut nabili faemina gloriantur . ●anto autem magis , haec judicij perversitas apud nos locum habet , quanto scelas adult● 〈…〉 ●mni immunius est ; cum tamen furtum seuerissime vindicetur . interim tamen deus sententiam suam non mutabit , suo minu● adulteros deteriores iudicet , & suppliciis exquisitioribus puniat , utcunque homines statuant . thom. cartwright comment in vers , . , ▪ , , , , . cap. . proverb . salom. ubi etiam de hac re plara in medium efferu●tur , mention made of love potions among antient authors . whether any simple be endued with a property to procure love . some simples may procure lust , but none force to love . some of these love-medicines are venomous . a 〈…〉 these ●ast are not 〈…〉 such 〈◊〉 history . history ¶ ●ean wier de l'un post deidiate , lib. . cap. . * mais aristote au liure huiectisme de la nature des animaux , chapitre . escrit que tout ●e que lon croid de l'hippomanes n'est que fable de vicilles et invention de ce ux qui sont profession d'enchanterie . il escrit aussi ausecond liure des grandei morales , qu'vne femme bailla vn brunage amoureuxa vn bomme , lequel en mourut subitement . aussi est il escrit par hippolire marsil , que la mort est souventes fois advancee par ces boissons , in d. l. eiusdem adiectio . d. de fica . la on il est parle au texte du venin amoureux : comme il est aussi parle du brunagè amoureux en la loy , si quic aliud § qui abortiuis . d. de poenis . et encore qu'il semble que constantine premier des empereurs chrestiens ait pense que c●amour s'acquerois par art magique en la ●oy qu'il sect ● . de molef . l. eorum : &c. idem ibid. y idem . ibid. z idem ibidem ex plutarch . a lang. epist . m●dicin lib. . epist . . b sunt & huīus goe●ia plures adhuc species , nempe epatosco●ia , hydromantia , geomantia , haruspicina , & reliqua id genus divinationum artificia , &c. idem ibid. of fascination or bewitching . c est fascinatio , vaporis ●irulentia corpore noxio , natura ab aliis dissidente 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . id est , de stu●ium , quo aliorum corporis habitus & spiritus per visum , contactum , invidiam , ob vocis , & maledicae linguae virulentiā , ●er vaporis halitum conspurcati , corpora tabescere cogunt : quae continuo halitu disflari et ob id alimento refici oportere . galenus . n●li●ro de salubrib . re●te do●uit . lang. epist , med . lib . epist . . d sueton in e●us vita . e idem sueton in ejus v●ta . f ●ellius scribit in ultima terra , cur al●aniae nomen est incolas in puer●tia ●●nef●ere , & noctu a●utius quam interdiu cernere , falgore , scilicet , teneram vis●m ac●●m obtundente ●dem lang. ibidem . g 〈…〉 . pro●● . . 〈◊〉 . lib. ● . cap. ● . h ●igona● scriptis 〈◊〉 testatum reliquit , esse in triballis & illeria quas●am ess●scina●●ium famil●as , quae v●su quos irat●● or ae●ipue o●ulis asp●v●rint ) interimans , e●●que gemina in ocul●● pupula esse cognobiles 〈◊〉 iusque ma●i conta , 〈◊〉 impuberes sa●i●us 〈◊〉 &c. idem ibid i ex hac historiae ●aerietate ac inconstantia facile adducor , ut eredam plerosque●●●toriam 〈◊〉 , ut fabularem discripsi 〈◊〉 . id quod etiam 〈◊〉 diosco●●des 〈…〉 atque adeo 〈…〉 videtur . siquidem is ac cum a 〈…〉 etur , ●●a●is●ratum●●avit ●●avit , aut●er●mque 〈…〉 secit . 〈…〉 cap. ● . 〈…〉 * socrates recte dixisse fertur incantationes esse verba animas decipientia humanas , quae ne quidem assis faci● cam nullum realem effectum naturaliter producere , nec ob id sanitatem in aegritudinem commutave possint , nisi divin● censurae ma●estas annuat : aut nisi quis sorsa● ex confidentia in medicum pharmacis plus energiae , sic ex fide verbis incantationum aliquid virium accrescere non temere suspicetur . ●an . epist medic . lib. . c. . exilis inflicted upon man or beast are not the works of any man or woman , howsoever falsely so supposed . sathan often the agent . old women often accused for witches and why . the cure used against fascination of old . k plin. lib. . cap. . l probl. ● . sect . ● . spels and other trash of that nature have no power or efficacy to doe good or evill . m iean wiet de l'impost . des diables libr. . chap. . history . all honest physitians ought to shunne all unlawfull and unwarranted waies of curing . people ought not to seeke to witches and wizards . n kings . . history of a parson using amulers , and other such trash . o proinde his periaptis & amu●c●●s , quae ratione nituntur natura●● fidem non derogamus : de quorum substantia , vapori●s defluvia inspirata , vires corporis reficere , internamque morhi causam alterare possunt . nam contacta tridente torp●dine trarina piscatoris manus obstupescere , & echeneida pisciculum quomvis velocē , navis procella ventoris agitatae cursu si tere videmus . sir quoque melanthii semen , catarrho : radicem paeoniae alhe , quae altera est nostri dictamu : species , epilepsiae : & stercus lupi alligatum co●●cis mederi experimur , non ut pāphilu , med●cus , incātationis viribus , sed quod ab illorum substantia vopores quidam velut a o●n , de fluerent , qui inspirati cerebrum si carent , morbique causam suis viribus alteratent . vnde galenus experientia horum edoctus : periaptis ( inqua ) confidere oportet , ut substantia illorū , & non incantationis magorum verba , invet . cui theoph●astus libro de historia p●antarum nono ita lu●scribit : potius inqu●e , a●surda ilia putentur , quae alligata , & v●a●fic●o●um adversantia va●antur , & tum corporibus , tum domibus uni●e o●●tulari credantur● quae ●ommenta ho●● 〈◊〉 esse plane vident●r , qu●fuas artes magn●ficare , ce●ebrar●que eu●erent unde non temere antoninus caracalla imperator , teste aetio spartiam , gestan●es amuleta cōtra tertianam damnavit . jdem lang. ibid. p phantasia est sensus interior , species a sensu communi perceptas , vel a se formatas diutius retinens , & diligentius examinans , magir-physiol . caep . . lib. . ex arist . . de anima . q ferunt alterari corpora nostra imperio animae propriae , & etiam animae alterius corporis , tanquam a praestantiori & superio●● agente , cui obedire tenentur inferiora naturalia-et sic imaginationi tribuunt multa opera quae nullus sanae mentis concedet . hanc enum statuerunt arabes in corpore cui inest , & extra se , posse aliquas formas producere ; eo quod anima sit proxima supirau intelligentus , & ea ratione diversas habere potestates & vires , inter quas est , imperare inferioribus naturis . veram quam sit iniqua hujusmodi positio adeo est evidens , ut multis opus non fit , siquidem intelligentia superiores anima humana , operantur naturaliū agentium interventu , pluvias , germinationes & serenitates . praterquam quod si imaginatione vehementī aliquid possit fieri extra corpus , maniaci qui vehementer imaginantur , prascantius & evidentius aliquid efficerēt . adde quod si homo aliquod objectum distans posset alterare citrae cōtactum , in infinitumageret , quia nihil est , quod in quavis distantia impediret agere . mercar . tom. . lib. . class . . quaest . . praeterca si animae esset ea vis viri sapientia & virtute praestantissimi ea praeficerent : secus autem res se habet , & hi impostores censent hos alexicacos , imperitos , nebulenes , e●rios , & incontinentes , quorum anima nulta aut virtutis , aut sapientiae dote illustratur , id posse efficere . idem ibidem . * figmentum est imaginatione forti posse aegrotum ex astante sano & rebusto sanitalem & vires inse trabere , cum potius valens ex aegroto contagiū eliceret . sympathetica quoque , ut persicaria , unguentum armarium & similia nullam habene scientiam . siquid sit , fortuna fit , seu ex accidente , fallitque saepissime . libav . lib. de art . med . hippocr . & hermet . typo . ſ infligi credit crollius maiorem noxam vimque inferri sortiorem si is qui nocere cupit , si cogitationem fortem , desiderium , & intentionem habeat ad nocendū : quia cogitatione diriguntur spiritus , quomodo leprosus possit inficere alium magis , si simul intendat cogitationem natura●● virtute in membris , obediente cogitationibus & desideriis , idque ut in malo , its & in bono , praesertim si anima munda sit a peccatis , si modo mundus inveniri possit inter immundes . hincque concludetur per verba & operationes cōcurrentibus dictis caussis posso magna fieri : quod verba fint cum balitu , calore , & spiritu , & dirigantur cogitatione , seu imaginatione & appetitu sorti , &c. t haec autem cum particularia sint , & nih●l valcant , nisi patiens quoque sit dispositum ad recipiendam impressionem ; tamen paracelsiei transferunt ad omnia , indeque fingunt mirabilia etiam per immanes distantias idem lib quomodo magi biblica scripta depravent , exemplis ex crollio productis . cum autem homo ex astru strinamd●ti suum sidereum corpus accipiāt , & hominis imaginatio tota ab astris firmamenti pendeat , ima eadem sit , & una maneat cum ipsis , necesse est quoque firmamentum habere imaginationem , sed sine ratione , stenti homo proles mundicum ratione . ibidem in margine . coelum totum nihil aliud est quam imaginatio : operatur in homines pestes , febres , sine instrumento corporeo . he paulo post , imaginatio in homine operatur inflar solis : ut enim sol corpereus sine instrumento operatur , redigendo illud in carbones , ci●eres ; ita hominis cogitatio in corpore● tantum spiritu , seu inf●eumento invisibili operatur in corpus subiectum : quod corpus visibile facit , id facit etiam corpus invisibile , seu homo sider●us , alteri damnum inferendo . jmaginatio bominis est magnes , ettrabens ultra mille milliaria : imo quicquid vult in exaltatione sun , ex quatuor elementis ad se attraebit . et paulo ante , praeterea cum ●omo fit m●j●ris mundi quentum esse , sequitur illam hominem non solum imitari posse coelum , sed illud quoque regere suo nutu , atque eidem dominari si vult . omnes res ha●●ut naturalem obedientiam ad animam , & de a cessitate habent motum , & efficacione ad id quod dêfiderat anima forti desiderio , & omnes virtutes operationesque rerum naturalium obediunt illi , quando fertur in magnum excessum sui desiderij : uniuersas mu●di virtutes in nostrum ministerium cogit , attracta virtute ab ipso arche●ypo operum nostrotum virtute ad quem cum ascendimus , necesse est omnem creatur●m nobis obe●●iie , totusque nos sequitur coelestium chorus . per fideus naturalem ingenitam qua ipsis spiritibus pacificamur , omnes magicae operationes atque omnia mirab●lia effi●iuntur imaginatione accidente . ex paulo post . hinc verus magus seu sapiens , astrorum operationem attrabere potest in imaginem , lapides , metalla , ut eandem cum astris exercea●● vim atque potentiam : exemplum sic speculum incensorium , per quod radij solis cum calore ad nos derivantur . quicquid oculis videmus in majori mundo , boc idem imaginatio quoque potest producere : sic omnes herbae , omniae crescentia , omnia metalla , per imaginationem , & ve●am gabaliam possunt produci , &c. oswaldus crollius in praefut . admon●t . ad basilicam suam chymicam . page , , & . no partiall respo & moved the author to meddle with this subiect . paracelsus was at least the man that spread abroad the use of the weapon-salve . a in basilica chymica , pag. . the names . b jdem crollius ib. c andreas libavius de impostoria vulnerum per unguentam armarium curatione paracel . usitata commendateque . the devil may often do things apparently good , as cure diseases and the like . d cor. . . e pari ratione negari non potest daemones humidum radicale restaurando , nimiam senectutis ariditatem temperādo , succum meliorem calidioremque supponendo , reliqua requisita ad tempus supplendo , posse efficere , ut defecta atate viri , vires nitoremque juvenilem ac crasin recuperant canos , &c. rodulph . gocl . synarth ▪ magnet part . . f num. . , . &c. witches convented before king james . anna sampson a good witch , as they termed her . richard grahame ● notorious wizard . hob thrush faries , & the like spi●ies frequent here when poperie was openly professed . g iob . h king. . . i rom. . . k wisdome . . l psalm . . . the new spirit of paracelsus with great reason we reject . the various waies of preparing this ointment argueth the nullity and vanity thereof . m andreas libavius lib. de impostoria vulnerum per unguentum armarium fanatione . blood by s●o●●ius omitted in the composition of this ointment . n gen. . . levit. . . o see calvi● on that place of genetic . p idem libav . ibidem . all blood have not alike efficacious spirits . a lampe of mans blood , and the spirit of wine . the fat aswell as the blood forbidden to be eaten , and yet never man heard it cry , &c. there can be no such sympathy betwixt the living and the dead as is pretended . q kings . . r ezech. . . &c. this ointment effecteth iust nothing . sympatheticall and why . in sympathies the things sympathising are not farre remote one from another . magneticall and why . ſ quoniam igitur nulla actio fieri porest , nisi per contactum ( ut in naturalibus demonstratur ) similia autem haec non sese tangunt , nec per naturam moventur unum ad aliud , necesse est si applicari invicem debent , demitti aliquid ab uno ad aliud necesse est , demitti aliquid ab uno ad aliud quod proxime tangat , & ejus applicationis principium sit . et paulo post . nos enim praesentibus multis e nostris medicis experientiam multorum ( magnetum ) fecimus perpendiculo bene & concinne aptato , quaele est in navigatoria pyxide maniseste vidimus magnetem trabere magnetem , ferrum ferrum , tum magnetem trahere ferrum , ferrum magnetem : porro electrum , parva electri frustula rapere , argentum trabere argentum , & quod valde mirati sumus , magnetem vidimus argentum trahere , &c. vidimus quoque idem frustum magnetis per unam faciem magnetem trahere non ferrum , per aliam ferrum non magnetem , per aliam utrumque , quod indicium est una parte plus esse magnetis , in alia plus ferri , in alia utrumque aequaliter , unde fiat diversitas attractionis . quare nemini esse dubium debet similia omnia per se , se invicem trahere , nisi per accidens impediantur . et paulo post . constat praeterea perpendiculum illud declinare a linea quo ad polos spectat , i nostro quidem himispherio , quod est a fortunatis insulu ad carygaram declinare dextrorsum per gradus circiter . jn alio autem hem spherio ultra insulas fortunatas declinare finistrorsum , & modo plus , modo minus : observant enim qui ad novum orbem navige●● quom perventum est ad meridianum quod per alores vocatas insulat transit , mutari perpendiculum , & quum in nostro mari dextream ●ectat a polo , illic sinistrorsum verti &c. hieron . fracast . lib. de sympath . & ani● path . cap. . fire warmeth not at any indefinite distāce in all these there is still a physicall contact , which is not in the weapon-salve . in sweet smells there is a sensible emanation or exhalation frō the subiect to the olfactorie organes . the blood used in the weapon-salve is takē●rom any man. this neer sympathy , if any , ceaseth , the blood being once separated from the body . blood now separated from the body , hath not such active spirits as before , neither yet hath it that potential energy as a graine of corne . the bleeding of the dead corps is not a certain and undoubted signe whereby to discover the murtherer . many things may hinder or further this bleeding . this oyntment receiveth no such particular vertue from the starres . whether the moone be the cause of the ebbing and stowing of the sea . it ebbeth & floweth there seven times in , houres . starts make not some bodies stiptick and others prone to fluxes . eccles . . . , &c. t psalm . . . a ephes . . . interpreters understand this of troublesome & sharpe times . x ioh . , , &c. the curing by the weapon salve accounted miraculous , and sometimes misticall . moses and aaron , although indued with the gift of miracles , could not doe what they listed . y iohn . , , &c. z tob. . . chap. . , tobias guide call● himselfe azarias , &c. and againe , chap. . . hee calls himselfe raphael , one of the seven angells , &c. a math. . , b kings . it cannot be proved that the poole of bethesda had in it any healing power . c iohn . . d coloss . . . heathenish philosophy is not to be abolished , but the abuse to be shunned . e thes . . revel . . f acts . . paracelsus was addictted to diabolicall magicke , and therefore we justly suspect his mystical and miraculous cures . g possuntne paracelsici magiam suam divinarū literarum authoritate & philosophia physicaeque nomine defendere . autor . andr. libav . &c. h lib. . cap. . the ambient air● much hindereth or furthereth the cure of wounds . the like may be said concerning drops of blood on the weapon when the patient trāgresses in diet. lying with menstruous women . historie . the mystery of this cure new ascribed to the secret or invisible spirit in the blood , and not to the salve . the salve then is of no efficacie . marke well . history of st. walter raleigh stanching any fluxe of blood a slender argument . some of the examples alleaged are two like cacomagicall cures . strange manner of the cure of withered members . skin , haire and nailes as efficacious as the blood . starre but made a stalking horse to hide a great deale of co●en●ge i bodin . daemon . lib. . ex hect. boet. histor ▪ scot. lib. . history of the bewitching a scottish king by a picture of wax . witches practises . operation of the rose of the sun. something may bee concealed , and somthing not truely related . history of cure of the iaundize at the distance of almost a miles . a ball for the cure of the iaundize at such a distance . note , here , there is no use of the stars and celestiall bodies , which are sometimes so efficacious . these balles are said to cure any iaundize indefinitely without any respect had to cause , continuance , age sexe , &c. k icterus in universum triplex est , felleus , hepaticus & criticus ; qui sane omnes in multo plures species subsecantur juxta diversitatem causae . felleus quidem fit vel . ab immodica plenitudine vesiculae fellis , vel parvitate eius , aut ab imbetillitate facultatis attractricis eiusdem , aut a meatuum obstructione ; sive eorum sit per quos allicitur bilis , sive eorum per quos pellitu● ad intestina , quo regurgitat ad venas bilis , & praedictum gignit effectum . hepaticus autem efficitur icterus ab hepatis obstructione , scirrbo , inflammatione , aut calida distemperie : ad quod etiam membrum reducitur venarum caliditas exurens , & totius etiamcorporis ; quippe evidentissimum est praedictis rationibus , & ob infirmatatem secoris icterum fieri , na●● multitudo bilis crassae ob scirrbosum tumorem , & infirmitatem jecoris expultricis tendens per ve●as , in cum effectum fere semper commigrat : sic ab eiusdem partis inflammatione , & quia plus bilis generatur : & p●ri ratione obstructo hepate , quo minus itura bilis in vesicam conscendat : sed evidenti etiam eventu cum ●ecur calidum efficitur , quo tempore plus justo flava bilis generatur , quam vesicula fellis expurgare potest ; quo fit ut venas irruens pradictus color oriatur : quem quoque affectum fieri conspicimus venoso genere male affecto , nimirumcorrupto aut exhausto in venis , & in universo corpore sanguine , ob earum intemperamentum circa hepaein affectum , aut a veneno assumpio , vel ei aculato a fera , vel a cathareticis non purgantibus , quae , ut quibusdam placet , vel humorem purgandum alunt , vel deleteria inficiunt qualitate . vltima autem icteri sors est cum crititus efficitor , qui duplex existit : salutaris unus , qui cursus fit , dum copia bilis sano existente homine molestatur natura , aut in morborum indicationibus , quae septimo die , aut post . diebus criticis incidit , antegressis coctionis signis , &c. ludo. mercat . tom. . lib. . de intern . morb . circui● cap. . de icteri omnibus speciebus . history . see then how much the learned artist is often injured . history of an italian noble man recovering twice a new nose this makes nothing for the confirmation of the matter in hand this artificiall nose might rot off about the same time the slave died , casually , or yet by reason of a like radicall temperature of the part with the whole . there might be a satanical operation . l quod si integer nasus velnasi portio penitus excisa fucrit , non sperabilis re●●itutio . ambr. par. lib. . ca. m isaiah . . n aut exercetur magia tacite sive conspicuis signis , aut per instrumenta aspectabilia . vtrumque cum peragat diabolus decept●s magis fraudulente● , ●uanqu●m ●iqui hene sciant se aut c●●●nerc●●●●iabo ●●amen p●aetendunt lumen natu 〈◊〉 lumen natura & precipere spiritibus imm●●●● a● a●s●at ad mi● 〈◊〉 lumen naturae est temp●state●●tere , sata ●●an●ser●c , 〈◊〉 mont●●per fidem naturalem : capita demire hominibus , iterumque imponere : subito momento coenas exhibere magicas : essiagere cornua : bibere cribro : sisterepridem defunctos ; tribus jaculis ex a●cu , aut globulu ex bombera● emissis omne quicquid 〈◊〉 , etiam non visum consodere : in speculis videre omnia praeterita , praesentia , futura , facta , scripta , dicta , cogitata : sanare per maximas distantias : colioqui cum co qui est in persia , cum tu si● in hispania : in disco lunae legere scripta ab eo qui mille milliar●a abest : in homine destinato & absente & ignorante ea perficere , quae in homine cerco , vel alia imagine qua iste repraesentatur : ligatu●a● physicas inducere , & iterum demere : inimicitias & favores concil●are , affect●sque hominum mutare ad libitum : detrahere uni vires & in alterum inferre : victorias transserre : ingentes exercitus voce , fistula , vel imaginations in fugam vertere ; mures & muscas congregare ut & sagas : characterihus , sigillis , pentaculls & alijs ab omni injuriāse immunem reddere : armaturas , gladios , ●●lypeosque martios facere , quibus saltem visis fundantur bosliles exercitus ; adjurare bo●bardas ne explodantur : equos ita afficere ut summa celeritate etiam per praecipitia serantur & ex hostibus salvum reportent sessorem ; canes habere gamabaas per quos mira effi●ias ; & ita parhedros , suc●ubos , succubas , cervas , aves sacere , facere tintinnabula quibus meretrices discernas : mutare humanam figuram in leoninam , ursinam , lupinam , osininam , &c. sic ludere posse tuesseris , chartis , & alijs ut numquam succumbas , avium votes intestigere , novacula cutem dissecare , baculos in serpentes mutare , & alia inen●●rabilia patrare , qualia facta meminerunt ●i●toriae mundana ; estque vix alius in tota seu antiquitate , seu nostro saeculo magus quem paracelsus & paracelsistae non commendent , admireatur , 〈◊〉 aedicent . paracels . mahumetum nominat , archeum hippocr . quendam ; sarellum , archasium , techellum , virgilium & al●o● plures , &c. andr. libav . lib. quomodo magi isiblica scripta depravent exemplis ex crollio product●s o proverb ● . , p thess . . a geniso . . b lib. . cap. . c rem comperi pulchram & suavcolentem , sepore quideus insipido : & ideo cur cam mulier tantoper concupiverit ignorare m● fateor , nisi propter raritatem , & odoris j●cunditatem . lib. cap. . conti● faustum . lib. . cap. . d lambert ●anaehus phys . christ . part . . tract . . cap. . e lib. de simpl . medic . f matthiol in praedic . dioscorid locum . 〈◊〉 history of the impostorious cheating with counterfeit mandrakes . g there have beene many ridiculous tales brought up of this plant , whether of old wives or some runnagate surgeons or physicke-mongers , i know not , but sure some one or moe that sought to make themselves famous and skillfull above others were the first brochers of that error . they adde further , that it is never or very seldome to bee found growing naturally , but under a gallowes , where the matter that hath falne from a dead body hath given it the shape of a man ; and the matter of a woman , the substance of a female plant , with many other such dotish dreames . g there have beene many ridiculous tales brought up of this plant , whether of old wives or some runnagate surgeons or physicke-mongers , i know not , but sure some one or moe that sought to make themselves famous and skillfull above others were the first brochers of that error . they adde further , that it is never or very seldome to bee found growing naturally , but under a gallowes , where the matter that hath falne from a dead body hath given it the shape of a man ; and the matter of a woman , the substance of a female plant , with many other such dotish dreames . gerard in history of plants , booke . chap. . h de bello judaico cap . i stuck . an tiquit . convic . lib. . cap. . bed and dudaim have divers significations . it is a generall word , as appeareth by the translation of junius , and tremellius himselfe being a iew. l ingrari illi cotulae , sambuci , & camphora odores , satis arguunt , putido quidem ac narcotico , sed quod & mitigativo sulphure scateāt . cu●us generis ●ulphur , mitigando , extinguendo que , tanto fulminis ardori , in cerebri nostri coelo , surenti , & insulius hos epilepsiae , fulgureos jaculanti aptissimum ac congruentissimum est ; quod satis testatur aure a illa nostra nepenthes compositio , quae promptissimum ac singulare huic morbo ( epilepsiae ) ad s●rt subsidium . atque ut particula●●us causam audiatis , quae nos ad scobem ligni buxei alioqui admodum foetentis , & caput serientis addendam impulit : sciatis in eo vim quandam narcoticam & suporiferum sulphur abunde contineri , unde foetore contrabit , quema●modum cicuta , ruta , mandragora omniaque papaverum genera , quae ingratum odorem spirat , quod narcotica sint , hoc est , narcotico sulphure uimium ●incta & insecta . ioseph quercet . in tetrade cap. . st pharmaco● , dogma● . restit . lib. . cap. . m loceo prius citate . n magi efferunt aethiopide herba amnes & stagna f●●cari coniectu , tactu cla●sa omnia aperiri . achemenide coniectae in aciem bostium , trepidare agmina , ac ●ergae ver●ere . labacen deri solitam a persarum rege legatis , ut quocunque venissent , omnium rerum copia abundarent , ac multa fimilia . vbinam ista fuere , cum cimbri teutonique terribili marte alularent , aut cum lucullus tot reges magorum paucis legionibus sterneret● curve romani duces primam semper in bellis rationem commerciorum habuere ? cur hercules caesaris miles in pharsalia samem sensit , si abundantia omnis contingere unius herbae faelicitate poterat ? non satius fuit aemilianum scipionem carthaginis portas herba patefacere , quam machinis claustra per tot annos quatere ? siccentur aethiopide pontinae paludes , tantumque agri suburbanae reddatur italiae . namque apud eumdem democritum legitur compositio medicamenti , quo pulchri bonique & formati giguantur liberi . plin. lib. . cap. . a animi affectus & 〈◊〉 turbatiunes a deo hominib● utiliter da●●●unt , & rerum praecture g●rendarum admi●i●uia , & subsidia afferunt , modo d●i timore tanquam freno in medio●ratate contintantur , neque pro naturae nostrae vitiositate modum tranfire sina●●r . quamobrem i●a non vitio datur , sed si quis sit ad iram proclivis , ac levi momento accendi se patiatur , ut tanquam somes ignem facile con●ipiat , et instar ollae notius quam aheni , quae ex parvo igne subjecto calescit . hoc e●t quod christus damnas , matth. . atque hi fere tunt de quibus proverbium di●itur , dielum colap●o rependitur . cujus egregium exemplum vide in lamecho , gen. . cartwright comment . in vers . . cap. . proverb . b sundem quippe inter se ordinem h●ben● ratio et iracūd●a , quem eques & equus , quem venator & can●● . iustius quidem est , & convenientius , ut quod natura nobilius meliusque est dominetur , aques videli et equo , cani venator , ir acund●ae ratio . sed incidit ●uo non semper naturae sex in hoc consugatarum rerum ordine ad nin●strādo servetur ; equus enim ferox & inordin●tus interdum sine ullo modo excurrens , sessorem quoque vel virium imbecillitate . vel equestris artis imperit a succumbentem secum rap●c . ita et am●ra noununquam vehemen●atque ad jumeudas intempesti●e ●oenas pauloviblentius exci●ata , infirmam & in●octem rationem subigit , & secum trahit . quod si & eques , & ratio tam viribus quā scientia praediti fuerint , proculdubio & ille equam , & ●eac iracundiam cohebebit , ac vincet : sin vel u●eque vel horum alterocaruerint , periculū imminet , he quod superius nobiliusque natura est , inferiori , ac vilion sese tradat ac summittat . hoc scythis & gallis , mutu●que alus barbaris nationibus , atque ex nostris , vel pueris , vel ineruditis hominibus usu venit ut iracundiam ratione habeant potentiorem . in quod homerus cum vellet ostenders , hectorem & achillem , & quosdam alios hic●usmodi invines iracundiae succumbentes indutit : vlyssem vero , polydamantem , & nestorem , illi dominantes gal. de plac. hippocr . & plat. libr. . c proverbes . . d vers . e chap. . . f chap. . . g chap. . . h verse . i chap. ●● . . k verse . l chap. . . m . . n . . o eccles . . . p psal . , ● . q ephes . . r colos . . ● . ſ ephes ● . . give place unto wrath , rom . . t plato philoso●●us ●apunt●● auditores a●● onebat , ut●r●tos 〈◊〉 tu specu●o contemp arent●● nam ●tim facum ●●am suribundam per oma●a phre● 〈◊〉 si malem cernerent , eo d●●ecore terri●● , in posterum ab ●racurdi● sacil si●t t●mperatu●os 〈◊〉 in a●●ath 〈◊〉 sic ●racundia , ex ●u●● lib. cap. u idem ibid. ex dio● . laer● lib . anton. in me●●ssa par . ●er . v●ler max. lib. . cap. . * arist . dic●bat , perinde atque umus oculo . comov●t , & aspectu ita conturbat , ut neque nobis ca v●denai potestas fiat quae sunt ante pedes : ita oborta ira ration● ca●go suffunditur , ut se celinquere nulla cogitatione deprehendere possit , idē ibid ex stob. ser . ▪ x aristoteles , alexandrū ira excandescentem placare volens , & sedare summom indignationem haec ad cum scripsit : excandescentia & ira non in pare●●ed in me●iores ex●tere solet . tibi vere nemo par est , idem ibid. ex . elian var. hist . l. . y drog laert. in eu●o vita . z chilon docebat vincendam iram , quod ie affectus sitcaeteris potentior : quam superare fortius est , qua ho●t●m armatum dei●cere , nec min●s exitu mortali●us sit ab ira quam ab hoste . idem laert in 〈◊〉 vitae . a diogen● de n●● irascendo accurate d●●ere ut , ado esce●s quidam protervus ve●u●i periculum fac● 〈…〉 praestaret ea 〈◊〉 ●bat , ●nspu●t 〈…〉 ●em . tuli● hoc 〈…〉 sapien●er : no● 〈…〉 inqui● , rasem● 〈…〉 to tamen ●a 〈…〉 ●teat , idem lae●● 〈◊〉 eiu● vitae . b democritus ad lacedaemonium flagris sevien●em in servum : desine , inquit , te servo tuo simielm ostendere . servus ea●m e●● , qui suis cupidita●ibus imperare non potest . licost . loco supra citato ex eras●● apophth . lib. . c idem ex cicer. tuscul . quaest . lib. . &c. d demonax cum a quodam cui imperator exercitum commiserat , interrogaretur , quonam pacto delegatam provinciam quam optime gerere posset ? si , inquit , iracundia vacaris . ●ram sensit ver prudentissimus , ad omnem functionem inu●ilem esse . idem suadebat , non facile irascendum esse hominibus si delinquerent : sed potius corrigenda esse vitia , medicorum exemplo , qui non ind●gnantur aegrotis , sed morbum sanans , idem lycosth . ex era●m● apophth . lib. . e patet quod ira facit cōmitte●e ●aba , ae quibus solet posihac multum dele●e , sicut p●tet per decretum , in quo factum sheodosi●●mpera●oris ●mpera●oris recitatur , quom●do lecit in ira quadam multos occidi in thessalonica , de quo postmodum multum doml●ns o●dinavit , quod nulla talis ●rincipum sententra effectai● ab executor●bus acmand●retur ante triginta dies p●st sententiam ●atam ( sicut patet ● . q. . cum apud thessalonicam ) ut ●aterim impleri possit , quod jubes apost●lus , dicens , date locum irae , rom. . ne sibi , vel alteri iterum contingat , quod prius contigit in thessalonica , videlicet quando per iram homicidij fraternitas de p●riu . sapiene . in quo patet , quod ira viri justitiam dei non operatur jaco no c●● . iohan bromiardi summa praed . cap. nu. p. pag . f rapuerat auriga , gubernator l●dorum circensiam , adolescentem ad stuprum , hunc aurigam praefectus , vir honestus , incluse●●i carceri . quia vero populus hujus aurigae industria delecta atur , poscit , ut impunitus dimi●tatur ; quod cum denegaret praefectus , per seditionem occisus est : tria igitur magna scelera co●●●rruc● quod noluerum 〈◊〉 ●au umsrelus aurigae ; quod seditionem in caussa turpissima moveru●● : quod praesectum , & alios v●ros nobiles trucidaver●ni : propter ●as tantas caussas cum princeps , justo dolore exarserit , no● exissimetur deliquisse more tyrannorum , qui propter nullas , aut leves caussas , magnam saevitiam exercent , e●si excessi● modum . sed in mag●i● viris nemesis valde inflammatur . hanc ex●usationem theodosii addid● , quia multi caussa errant . chion . carion . à phil. melancth , aucti , lib : : in theodos . whether anger be useful in any diseases ? answ . in what diseases and constitutions most usefull . g lib. . cap. de differ . febr. & lib. de causae mor● . h adhibenda diligentia est , ut praeceps acerbaque iracundia inducatur , cum coloris reficiendi , tum etiam succorum in corporis habitum effundendorum gratia . epid. sect . . whether one may dy of anger . i o● timorem nonnulli subitaria morte perierunt , prae gaudio etiam nonuulli , &c at ex ●ratu nemo mortuus est , ut pote quibus , neque ca or refrigeratur , neque robur dissolvitur . de sympt . caus . lib. . k plat. oservat . medicin . lib. . pag. . l jdem . ibid. page . history . several sorts of fear● and griefe . a proverb● . . b . . c democritus iunios , or burton of melancholie . hurts procured by griefe and sorrow . an evill custom to affright yong children . dangerous , especially for women with childe . d schenck . observat . med . libr. . obs . ● . ex had. junii li. de coma . history of one whose haire turned white in one night . e idem ex levini lemni● de complex . li. . c. . another . these passions excite and stirre up melancholy . what sort of people are least hurt therby . f arnold villa nov . com in c. . schol. saler . faul. aegin lib. . c. . aetius cap. . rhas . lib. . ca. . ad almans . g aph. . lib. . care and circumspection to bee used whom wee suffer to come about the sicke . h proverbs . . * robert bolton , preacher of gods word at broughton in northampton shire . whether one may dy of sorrow or griefe . i itaque etiam ob ●●●morem , & immentum moerorem ●●nnulli repeniana merte ●interie unt , quod sci●icet imbecilla suaple natura animula eorum sub valido affectu oppr●ssa confertim extincta & suffocata sit . de causa symptom lib. k sam. ● . . l sam. . . m ioseph . antiquit . judaic . lib. . cap. . n platerus observat . medic . lib. . pag . history . o idem ibid. pag. . another . p idem ibid. history of a young gentlewoman recovering of a dangerous fright and convulsions . a est letitia animi motus ad extimas corporis partes , cum libidine amplexandi gratum : in qua adeo fit sanguinis & spirituum motus vehemens , ut pusillanimes exanimato corpore reliquerit , ex nimiá ipso●rum prosuslone . mer. tom . . lib. . class , , quaest . ● , b animi & corporis tame●si sua substantia & materia lo●●e maximu discrimen si● tamen tam arcto illa vencuio deus colligavit , ut mutua sit utriusque in se invicem compassio , seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nam corpore afflicto dolor ad animum redit : & contra , animo exulcerato corpus concutitur . sed maior tamen corporis quassario cum malum ab animo initium capit , quam cum contra fit . sametsi vero malum per totum corpus se diffundat , tamen quia eius mali indicium primum in●vu tu aspicitur , ideo salomon vultus praecipuam mentionem facit ; & docet a●imum latum & hilarem n●n tantum sanum corpus efficere sed porro reddere vultum aspectabilem & amabuem , ut si●ut corpus sanum est , sic etiam sanum & macre apparet . vnde sit ut cum cor laetum sit , oculus sit vividus , versabilis , & ad videndum acutus , genae sint rabicundae , sanguis purus & purgatus , cutis pulcbra & spectabilis : contra vero cum animus afflictus est . hoc quanti sit ad omnes vitae partes , non facile est explicatu . num in cultu divino operae pretium est , ut animo laeto ac alacri fiat . hince est quod isaacus ad filiorum suorum propheticam benedictionem se acci●gens , priu● mandat ferinam sibi comparari & vinum , quibus exbilaratus liberius posset manus propheticum obire . gen. . elizeus contristatus aspectu impij regis ●orami , antequam quid conatu● sit , quo . reges siti laborantes reficerentur , ●ussit sibi peritum musices adduci , cuim arte , & in pulsando perit●a ra●●ror●m pelleret . quod si prophetae qui per inspirationem locuti sunt hoc laetitiae animi adminiculo opus habent ad culium dei pro dignitate exercendum ; reg. . . nedumalij , &c. apud homines etiam officia quae a ir●stibus & maestis praestantur ingrata sunt , ut in mardocheo & nehemia liquido constat . esth . . nehem. . , . animum vero laetum vultum jucundum reddere apparet exemplo esau● , munere a lacobo exhilaratus , vultu tam se amabilem & jucundum exhibuit , ut lacobus in eo , visus sit fac●em ●ei benignam intueri . gen. . . sed in pijs hoc magis illustre est , qui pace conscientiae ●ecreati vultum habent & aspectum 〈◊〉 lem vide naz●●eos , qui cum vinum non biberent , tamen , &c. vide porro exemplum danielis & sociorum , qui tametsi leguminibus & aqua pascerentur , tamen , &c. haec igitur animi laetitia , quae consistit in reconciliatione cum deo , vnde nascitur bona conscientia , omnibus fucis & pigme itis , quae moltes & delicatae foeminae ●udiose ad se infucandum & ●pingendum conquirunt , potior & praestabilior est ; praestabilior omni ●taeta & delectu ciborum , in quo tamen plurimi multum ponunt , vel omnia potius , 〈◊〉 ad valitudinem & colorem tuendum pertinent . cartwright ad vers . cap. . proverb . c iames . . d ephes . . . e kings . . isaiah . . f sam. . . g amos . . sicke folkes chiefely to be cheered up , and who have greatest need . whether any may dy of mirth and ioy . h praegaudio autem nonnulli supra modum pusillanimes mortui sunt , haud aliter quam timentes , de symptom . caus . lib. . i gaudio praeter chilonem de quo diximus , sophocles , dionysius siciliae tyrannus uterque accepto tragicae victoriae nuncio . mater pugna ila caennensi filio incolumi viso contra falsum nuncium , plin. lib. . cap. . k purch . lib. . cap. . many things in this discourse to be considered . if it transcend the skil of the ignorant physitian , to prescribe good and wholesome diet for the diseased , how shal they be able to prescribe physicke fit for the state of the sicke bodies . a cor. . ● . charity is not sufficient to warrant any with the neglect of his owne calling to meddle with another calling , wherein is as much , if not more difficulty than in the former , and no lesse danger then of life in the errors committed therein . b ioseph . de billo iudaic . lib. . cap. . c matth. . . d men●erates celebris ep●lepsiae medicus nunquam sine in publicum , nifi suis quos curaverat , rabitu ●eorum vestius st●●●o●us , & ipse vero purpura vell● tus , aurea orona deco ratus , sceptrum demque●n ma●ibus velat alter iupiter gest●nt , prodire solitus est lang epist . medic . lib ● . epist ex athen dipn. lib . e the reverend bishop of etero●riow in a sermo pirached at northampton this same yeere ● a little before midsommer , out of this text , gen . . what is you● trade or occupation taught that a minist● 〈◊〉 trade , and should have but that on : the question being quid operu in the singu●ar number . that ministers therefore are not to meddle with other callings . they are not then ( saith hee ) to meddle with galen & hippocrates , which he there proved ●oth learnedly and religiously , by the weightinesse of the calling , and paines there●n to be im lo●ed . and as there was there a great deale of good counsell for the clergis , ●o i hope he will have a care to be all faults and abuses of armed . f as it is unlawfull for a physitian to preacher administer the sacraments : so i thinke it unlawfull for a minister to be a professed practicer of ph●sicke . parre on the 〈◊〉 to the romanes g theslal●s quum ostendit se in hippocratica disciplina nequaquam institutum , nec eius opera sub prae●eptore leg●sse , tamen non veretur talis quum sit , palmam sibi ipsi eri● u●e gal. meth . med . lib. . h acts . . & . . cor. . . thessal . . . thessal . . i for this same practice there were canons in former times set downe . clericus quantum libet verbo dei eruditus , artificiolo victum quaerat . et postea . clericus qunntum libet verbo dei eruditus artificiolo , vel agricultura absque officij sui detrimēto victum praeparet . lib. concil . concil . carthag . . can . , & . k luk. , . consider the diversity of these two cases . l history of the councell of trent . objection taken frō the affinitie of the soule and the bodie , idle , and to small purpose . m si quis astrologia , vel mathesi existimat esse credendum anathemafit . toletan . . con . . n in the prefacé to the arraignment of urines . o sam. . , . sordìde and base obiection in the defence of empiricks . answ . emperickes can neither finde out the disease , nor apply right remedies . p iob. . q doctor venner , in his advertisement of the ●reat utility that commeth to mans body , by taking of physicke in the spring . history . * wee may say as much in these parts we live in , if the matter might be narrowly looked into . history of a bold empericke , disgraced by that matchless prince king iames , of happy memory . a speech well befitting such a prince . the good house-wife made a doctor, or, health's choice and sure friend being a plain way of nature's own prescribing to prevent and cure most diseases incident to men, women, and children by diet and kitchin-physick only : with some remarks on the practice of physick and chymistry / by thomas tryon. tryon, thomas, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing t estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the good house-wife made a doctor, or, health's choice and sure friend being a plain way of nature's own prescribing to prevent and cure most diseases incident to men, women, and children by diet and kitchin-physick only : with some remarks on the practice of physick and chymistry / by thomas tryon. tryon, thomas, - . the second edition [ ], p. printed for h.n. and t.s. and are to be sold by randal taylor, london : . reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng diet -- early works to . diet in disease. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - rina kor sampled and proofread - rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the good house-wife made a doctor , or , health's choice and 〈◊〉 friend being a plain way of nature's own prescribing , to prevent and cure most diseases incident to men , women and children , by diet and kitchin-physick only . with some remarks on the practice of physick and chymistry . by thomas tryon , student in physick ; and author of the way to health , long life and happiness . country-mans companion . the new art of brewing , &c. the second edition . to which is added some observations on the tedious methods of unskilful chyrurgions ; with cheep and easie remedies . by the same author . london , printed for h. n. and t. s. and are to be sold by randal taylor , near stationers-hall , . the preface to the reader . health is the greatest temporal blessing we can enjoy in this mortal state : without it the choicest beauty vanishes in a moment , like a withered flower ; the stoutest strength dwindles into a childish weakness , scarce able to support the tottering carkass ; riches become insignificant lumber ; honour an empty bubble , or extrinsick shadow , yielding no delight ; nay wit and parts grow vseless , and life it self but an unwelcome load and continual torture . for how often may we see lords and aldermen , the rich and the great , swell'd with dropsies , or wasted with consumptions , or rack't with the stone , or laid up with the gout , or crippled with sciatica's , and the like , heartily envying those jolley swains , who feed only ▪ with bread and cheese , and trotting up to the knees in dirt , do yet with lusty limbs , and vigorous stomachs , and merry hearts , and undisturbed heads , whistle out more sollid joys than the others , with all their wealth and state can purchase . so that 't is undeniably one of the most important businesses of this life , to preserve our selves in health . and this all people , when they are actually groaning under the smart of sickness , will readily acknowledge . oh! then they would give all they have in the world for ease and remedy , though it be but an ague , or a fit of the tooth-ach ! but as soon as the pain is over , and whilst nature is yet pretty sturdy , and as long as ever she can bear up , they care not how they use her , and seem to value this precious iewel [ health ] no more than the silly indians of old did their wealth , when they contentedly parted with gold and pearl , for toys , and baubles , and knives , and beaugles , and looking-glasses . most men will moil and toil like horses , and rise early and lie down late , and eat the bread of carefulness , to get money and land , though they neither make good use thereof themselves whilst they live , nor know who shall enjoy it after they are dead ▪ and how diligent are others by fawning and flattering , and courting those whom in their hearts they hate and scorn , and by servile offices and irksome attendances , and a thousand other pittiful arts , to acquire a rattle to their name , and get a title of honour , or some place of preferment that may give them an opportunity ▪ to domineer over their inferiors , but there is scarce one man or woman of a thousand that does in earnest consider and pursue the means of preserving their health , but either lives at random , or at least takes up with the pernicious notions of custom , tradition and blind guides , whose prescriptions of diet are most improper and prejudicial , their medicines nauseates to nature , and their physick a close confederate with the inva●ing disease . nay , so prodigal are the generality of this in●steeamble blessing , that they use it not only with neglect , but contempt , as if they exposed it to sale by i●ch of candle , and he that bid least should have it . rather than ●ot gratifie a liquorish palate , the stomach shall be overcharg'd ; and rather than break up a foolish lewd company , or refuse to comply with a wicked drunken custom , the brain shall be set a-float , and reason turn'd a-drift , and nature exposed to a general inundation of violent strong liquor , and left to shift for her self , without either pilot or rudder . i am confident most people are more careful to provide wholsom proper food for their cattel , and gentle●en are more curious in ordering and dieting their race-horses ( though therein too they are generally mistaken , as i have demonstrated in a little treat●se , entituled , the country-man's companion ) than in the food which they take themselves , or about the course of their own eating , drinking and exercises , whereon not only their own health and lives , but the strength and vigour of their posterity , does in so great a measure depend . the meats and drinks commonly used are for the most part improper , and detrimental in their nature and composition , more in their unskilful ways of preparation , and most of all by the heterogenious mixtures , and excessive quantities . and this more especially to those that are already sick and languishing . having therefore in this small treatise resolved to detect those errors in all three respects , and the reasons thereof : and on the other si●e , to shew the true method of diet fit for the prevention or cure of most diseases , intermixing therewith several most useful and necessary remarques touching the nature , and right ways of preparing of divers sorts of the most beneficial foods , i shall begin with those that best serve for the assisting and restoring of decay'd nature , because i have therein observed both the most common and the most dangerous and irretreivable errors to be committed ; as also because from what we shall deliver on that subject , every one that has the wit to know by a penny how a shilling is coyned , may learn what diet is proper to b● used both for the preventing and curing of most other distempers . for nature , like truth , is always intire , uniform and agreeable to its self , so that whoeve● has the right key , may therewith unlock her whole cabinet ; whereas the blind paths of tradition , ignorance , custo● and error , are not only various and interferring , but many times opposite and contradictory to each other . the contents . chap. i. of the several causes of consumptions , page , , , . the absurd course of diet usually oraer●d in those cases , p. , , . and the proper remedies for prevention and cure of those decays of nature , p. , . other preposterous courses prescribed by learned doctors , chymists , &c. for cure of consumptions , p. , , . chap. ii. the nature of milk , and the best ways of preparing and cooking it , p. . how milk ought to be eaten entire , p. , . an excellent way of prep●ring milk with wheat-flower , p. . another way of preparing milk with water , oatmeal and eggs , p. , . of furmety , p. . of boniclapper , its nature and operation , p. . chap. iii. of water-gruel , p. , . what it is that causes butter made in winter to have a bitter taste , p. , . another excellent healthy food for all sorts of people , p. , . chap. iv. of flesh broths , p. . chap. v. of f●umery . p. . chap. vi. of the sev●●al sorts of bread , and which is best , especially for sickly people , p. . chap. vii . of butter , its nature , and how best to be eaten , p. . chap. viii . of cheese , p. . chap. ix . of the best sort of puddens , and the contrary , p. . chap. x. of eggs , their nature , and the best way of dressing and eating them , p. . chap. xi . of pyes , &c. p. . chap. xii . of rai●ins of the sun , p. . chap. xiii . of currants , p. . chap. xiv . of spices , viz. cloves , mace , nutmegs , cinnamon , ginger , pomento , &c. their nature and operation , p. . chap. xv. of oyl , and its nature , p. . chap. xvi . of honey , its nature and operation , with some notes on the practice of chymistry , p. . chap. xvii . of sugar sugar-candy and pan-sugar , their nature and operation , p. . to prevent and cure colds certainly , p. . chap. xviii . of the four principal tastes , or th● bitter , the saltish , the sour , and the sweet qualities , and their respective natures , p. . chap. xix . of drinks , and first of canary , p. . chap. xx. of sherry , p. . chap. xxi . of white-wine , p. . chap. xxii . of rhe●is●-wine , p. . chap. xxiii . of claret , p. . chap. xxiv . of cyder , its nature and operation ; and several new ways prescribed how 〈◊〉 make good syder , p. . chap. xxv . of mum , its nature , p. . chap. xxvi . of coffee , p. . chap. xxvii . of tea , p. . chap. xxviii . of herbs and sallads , both boyled and raw , p. . what herbs may properly be mixed in a salad , as also how to season and eat them to best advantage , p. . sallads for the winter , p. . of the most proper times for eating of sallads , p. ▪ ●ow to supply the want of oyl in sallads where persons do not love it , or can't have it , p. . chap xxix . the best way to make herb-pottage , not only in the spring , but also at all times of the year , p. . chap. xxx . the best way to make diet-drink with herbs , grains , seeds , &c. or the proper methods of infusion of herbs in beer , ale , or other drinks , p. . chap. xxxi . of salt , its nature and vperation , p. : chap. xxxii . of the scurvey , and its generation , p. . rules and derections to prevent th● scurvey , p. . an excellent poul●●●● which cures burns , scalded limbs , boyls , fellons , tumors , &c. p. . another , &c. ibid ▪ another , &c. p. . another , &c. ibid. another , &c. ibid. another , &c. ibid. observations on the tedious ●ethods of unskilful chyrurgions , &c. p. . the co●clusion . every good house-wife made a doctor , &c. chap. i. of the several causes of consumptions : the absurd course of diet usually ordered in those c●ses . together with the proper re●●dies for prevention and cure thereof . of all diseases , cons●mptions , and the like wasting dist●mp●rs , are those which hitherto ●ave been most attempted to be cured by diet , but after such an u●natural and preposterous method , that those very rich and chargeable foods which generally are by the learned prescribed in such cases , are apt , instead of bringing relief , to encrease the disease , more impare the powers of nature , and hasten on death , rather than a cure : this , i doubt not , will appear to every considerate reader , from the following discourse , wherein i shall first give an account of the common causes ( or occasions ) of those diseases , and in the next place inform my country-people of the proper remedies for the same , by foods fitly prepared and adapted for the supply and assistance of nature in all such languishments ; withal , shewing how improper and mischievous those things are which be commonly used and prescribed for that purpose . those diseases called consumptions are decays of the radical moisture or essential oyl , whereby the natural heat of the stomach is so weakned that it cannot make any perfect or due separation of the meats and drinks received , from whence arises abundance of evil juices and phlegm , so that no good nourishment is bred , though the food be never so rich , and the drinks never so cordial , as most that are afflicted in this kind , may find by experience . but though this be th● general nature of these diseases , yet they proceed from various causes and intemperances ; as , . in some complexions , from overcharging of nature with rich food , and too great quantities ; or in others , by much drinking of wine , brandy and strong-drinks , which weaken the natural heat , and wash ( as it were ) nature away by destroying the action of the stomach . . in others , these general decay● and weaknesses are caused by a sedentary and idle course of life , for want of proper labour and exercises , over-warm clothings , soft f●ather-beds and excessive lying in bed , which always proves pernicious to the health both of body and mind . . there are others that contract these consuming diseases by their too much dalliance , and frequenting the shades of venus , and that not only by eating and drinking such things as irritate and provoke nature , but also by their heightned lusts and depraved imaginations , force her beyond her power and ability , who oft times corrupts her in her very radi● : many are caught in this snare , as well young-marriea p●ople , as the more lewd and lascivious , which prostitute themselves to common mixtures ; and many of these 〈◊〉 incureable . . others fall into these diseases by surfeits of o●er-lab●ur , exc●ssive heats or colds , and the like accidents . . some by great feavers and long fits of sickness , which frequently leave behind them such seeds of diseases as are not without great difficulty overcome or rooted out . . to some they happen through grief or trouble of mind , a melancholly disposition , ( one of the worst companions of life ) violent passions , as of love , hatred and envy , or a disp●ir of gods divine all-sufficient and always liberal and indulgent hand of providence ; and these by pining and fretting , waste their spirits , and thence the natural heat being weakned , is unable to generate a new supply ; and so having first disorder'd their minds , the body is destroy'd by concomitancy● ▪ for these two mutually operate upon , and enfluence each other , and you can hardly preserve either of them in its due state , unless you take care of both . lastly , in not a few a consumptive constitution is hered●tary , and derived from one or both their parents ; and th●● of all other is the most hard to remedy . now let us see what are the common methods whereby not only the vulgar , but also the learned many times , do think to help these decays , and what are the usual things prescribed for the sick party in this case , to restore him to health and strength ? and that is , when any one is in such a weak languishing state of body , every one , doctor , apothecary , nurse and all , cry out , you must take nourishing meats and drinks , sup goo● sack , old malago , tent , or the like , with yolks of eggs in i● ; and get you good rich broths , and jellies , and pottages made of knucles of veal , and the flesh of an old cock beat , and bruised , and battered , and boyled all to pieces ; for you must boyl your flesh till it fall off the bones , that all the goodness and virtue may diffuse it self into the broth ; and be sure you boyl it in but little water , that it may be the heartier ; and keep your vessel or pot close cover'd , that the virtue may not evaporate , but your broth may be thick , and good , and strong ; for you want strength ( poor creature ! ) and nourishment , and this will cherish you bravely ; together with a rich cordial of alchermes that i 'll send you : but forget not to keep your self warm with a flannel shirt , and a wastcoat , doublet , coat and campaign , a gown over all lin'd , and a quilted stomacher for your breast ; and have a care of cold a nights , but bathe your tender nerves in a down or soft feather-bed , and get a quilted cap and a napkin over it for your head , and draw your curtains before your windows and round your bed , and there lie as long as you can ; so sleep is a great refresher and nourisher : and against you rise let there be a rouzing fire in your chamber , and a quart of new-milk boyl'd above half away , with snails in it , and well sweetned with sugar , and then three or four hours after take a mess , as much as you can get down , of the aforesaid cock or jelly-broth , with good spice in it ; and after that you may eat a good chicken , or some other nourishing flesh tenderly boyled ; and when you have done , take a good piece of fat toasted cheese for concoction , and wash all down with three or four glasses of racy canary or stout old malago , wherein there is stee●ed a quantity of raisons of the son stoned , and a lettle saffron to cheer the heart ; but if you do not so well like snails , then take only milk hot from the cow , or strokings , and swee●ten it with sugar or sugar of roses . and be sure continue this course constantly , and though you are now weak as water and have no more spirits than a dish●● clout , you shall shortly be as strong as sampson , and as lusty as hercules , who ( they say ) got fifty children in one night . — probatum est . this is the sum and substance of many a learned lerry , and passes with the crowd for most orthodox doctor croft , though in truth the whole is altogether ignorant tattle , contrary to nature , reason and experience . but lest i should seem ( like those i oppose ) to assert things without proof or demonstration , i desire the reader would with me , impartially consider the unproperness and contrariety of these prescriptions , to the end intended : first , in their natur● and composition ; and next , in respect of the undue prepara●i●ns . . when nature languishes , and is already weak and decay●d then they cry , you must tak n●urish●ng things ; when ●tis probable most times ▪ that the first occasion of the disease was 〈◊〉 and up●rst●●ty in meats and drinks , that did over charge nature with two much nou●ish●●●nt . but how●ver , 〈…〉 be what it will , natu●e is no● we●k and indisposed , the 〈◊〉 dull'd , the stomach●s natural 〈◊〉 and digestive faculty decay'd , so that they cannot bear either with great quantity , nor foods that are of a strong quality which ought in the first place to be considered ; for overcha●ging , either in quantity or quality , is generally very prejudicial to those that are in competent health , but much more to such as are sick ; this being a most certain aphorism , that nature ought at all times to be stronger than the food , and not the food too strong for nature , as in these cases is general , but very absurdly practised ; for if there be not a proportionable agreement between the food and the stomach , in vain do you expect relief , but rather thereby nature is yet further oppressed , and her whole concord and tranquility disordered and destroyed . for when-ever the natural heat is weak and impotent , the food ought to be suitable : and to do otherwise , is just as if in very cold weather , when your fire is almost quite out , and not above a spark or two left upon the hearth , you should cry out , throw 〈◊〉 an huge ●imber-log , or bring a b●sh●● or two of larg● round coles , for 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 best fewel ●hat can be to make 〈…〉 fire ; which is very true ; but yet , in this case , instead of encreasing your fire , it will , by its weight and unsuitableness quite put it out ; whereas if you had fed it at first with a little small-cole , shavings or chips , you might have nursed it up into a competent flame , and then , and not before , it would be able to deal with your coles and your timber , and turn them into aliments for its self . the application is easie , nothing does more hurt the health than disproportion , and to heap together superf●uity of meats and drinks , beyond the power of the digestive faculty , especially when they are made strong and fulsom by bad preparations ; and this respect the usual prescriptions to consumptive persons are very much to be blamed . for , . broths and pottages made with any kind of flesh , be it what it will , where 't is boyled in small quantities of water , and the vessel or ●ot kept close cover'd , and boyled so long till it becomes soft and a meer mash , so that it falls from the bones ; such broths , i say , will become thick , and of a blackish colour , or a stron● unpleasing scent or smell , and of a fulsom nauseating taste , hard of concoction , and apt to cloy the stomach ; for the much , or over-boyling of any sort of food ( especially fl●sh , which is of its own nature th● grossest of all food , and most subject to putrifaction ) does destroy all the good virtues , and so much the more speedily and certainly when it shall be boyled in small quantities of water , and the vessel kept cover'd ; for thereby the pure volatile spirit is suffocated , and then presently the sweet oyl of such food turns strong and ●our for want of the egress and regress of the air , which is the true life and preserver of the essential spirit , as the spirit is the life and preserver of the sweet body in every thing , and in whatsoever the spirit suffers violence , the balsa●ick body and oyl is turned into a strong fulsom substance as is manifested by all fermented liquors , which if exposed to the open air , the spirits will evaporate , and then the sweetness thereof turns sower , and becomes of an heavy dull nature and operation . but in the preparation o● a● gross phlegmy bodies , especially flesh , the vessel being open , and having good water ▪ with the free influences of the air , keeps the spirits living , till such bodies be digested , and the spirits set at liberty ; and then such thing is said to be enough , or rightly prepared : for if such preparations or digestions be afterwards continued , the spirituous parts and brisk lively tinctures become either suffocated or evaporated , let the thing be of what nature it will ; as is manifest in all preparations , especially in making of hay , for there , when once the gross phlegmatick body of the grass is sufficiently digested or exhaled by the virtue and power of the sun and elements , if the hay be afterwards continued open abroad , the sun and air would quickly exhale and destroy the essential virtues and good properties also ; the very same is to be understood in the preparation of all sorts of food furthermore , if the vessel in which your food is prepared ▪ be close covered whilst it is boyling , such food is thereby made yet worse ; for then those ●●ery sulphurous fumes ▪ and vapours which are raised by the fire , and would freely pass away , as you see in a mighty continual reek or steem , if the vessel were uncovered , are stopt and forced back into the meat , and being of a fiery sharp nature , and full of gross humidity , by this repr●cussion or con●inement , they become gradually more intense and raging , because of the want of the free influence of the air , and so sinking down again upon the meat , do wound the pure volatile spirits , and not only destroy the natural colour , smell and taste , but also make the food lumpish , close , heavy , dull and gross on the palate , hard of digestion in the stomach , generating thick blood and unwholsom nourishment ; from whence proceed dull indispositions , and noxious fumes flying up into the head. for all cooks and h●usewives ought to note and understand , that the digestive faculty and true virtue of all food does consist in the pure spirituous parts , and if any violence be offered or done unto them in the preparation , ●hen such food becomes dull , and as it were half dead of taste ; for the fumes or vapours which pots and vessel , surrounded with the heat of the fire , do send forth , are of a poysonous pernicious nature , and contrary to the genuine heat of the food ; as you may perceive , if you take up any sort of food , when boyled , and presently whilst it is hot , cover it close , which will force those fiery sharp fumes back , and cause them to re-enter the food , which will thereby presently become pall'd , and lose its natural briskness of taste , smell and colour , because the pure spirits are suffocated , and so such foods will not only be heavy , and have a dull gross taste and smell , but shall be unpleasing both to the pallate and stomach , and harder of concoction . therefore nothing is more unnatural than for people to eat or drink any kind of food , whilst those fiery steams and fumes are in it , especially such as are weakly consumptive people ; for they swell the body , and generate wind in abundance , send fumes and vapours into the he●d , infect the ●hole mass of blood with hot sharp itching scorbutick humors : and indeed no sort of food or liquors ought to be eaten or drank hotter than the blood in cold weather , but in hot seasons most sorts are best cold , which a little use will make very easie and familiar to every one , let their stomachs be never so much depraved by custom , as i have more at large demonstrated in my way to health , long life & happiness , &c. what hath been said of thick strong over-prepared pottag●s and broths made of flesh , the very same ill effects have all or most iellies ; for by their improper mixtures and over preparing they became loathsome , and nauseates to nature , even as sick as the languishing patient that takes them : and the like also may be understood of snails and milk boyled till it becomes of a iellous substance , and then lustily sweetned with sugar or sugar of roses ( which is ten times worse than common sugar ) being burthensom to the sick patients pallate and stomach , very heavy and hard of concoction , and therefore the use thereof does generally prove of evil consequence ; for undoubtedly if hea●thy people should confine themselves to such t●●ngs , they would in a little time bring disorders upon them , and how profitable they can be then to the sick and weak , or rather how very destructive they must needs prove , may easily be judged . but here some will say , many have been known to recover by or after the eating and drinking of such things . — to which i answer , that it can never be proved , but is absurd to reason , that they recover'd by such things , but that some may have recovered after them , may be true ; for tho' i know them to be improper and dangerous , yet i do not say they are mortal to all that take them ; and if an hundred people be at one time sick of the same disease , if they had neither d●ctor's advice nor physick , there would ( no doubt ) many of them recover ▪ but amongst the ignorant , when any one happens to escape they attribute the glory to the doctor and his i●●scriptions , never considering the divine hand of the lord , nor the secret working power of his hand maid ●atu●e , but cry with open mouth such or such a doctor cured me , or e●se i had been i● my 〈◊〉 ; or such a pottage or ●ehy is a rar● thi●g , it cured me when all hopes of life were past ; when in truth neither the doctor 's prattle , nor the nauseous slip-slop contributed any more to the cure , than the chattering of a magpye , or the roe of a red herring . but if the people will be cheated , let ●●em ; only give me leave to whisper a litter better advice to the sons and daughters of wisdom , who will be so thankful to truth , so obedient to reason , and so kind to thems●lves as to hearken unto it ; and that is thus , when any person shall find him or her self indisposed , their stomacks to grow weak , with a general disorder through the whole body , and a decay of strength , then first of all they ought to look back and consider what manner or course of life they have drove , as to temper●nce or int●mpe●ance in meats or drinks , and that both in respect of the quantity and quali●y as also their ex●rcises , and all other extreams they have inured themselves unto , which none can so well know , or be able to judge of as themselves ; and likewise ●o consider the air he hath lived in ▪ where the disease was bred . and by this reflection , if it be impartial , serious and considerate , every man will be enabled to guess much more rightly at the cause and nature of his distemper , than any docter can by the supposed magick of the vrinal , thumbing the uncertain pulse , or any other of their whimsical oracles . having well considered the past causes , that gave birth to his present distemperature , he ought then ( gradually ) to alt●r for the better the whole course of his life , not only in the nature and quality of meats and drinks , but in their quantity ; as also his exercises , and the air , as far as the condition of his life will admit thereof . for if the same intemperances , bad airs and ill regulated exercises , which were the first original of the disease , ( or rather worse , as most do make it , by such strong and fulsom preparations and contrary mixtures , under the notion of helps and remedies , as aforesaid ) be continued , then there can be no rational hope of cure , either by medicine or any other way ; but change of food , exercises and airs do work wonders , especially when people betakes themselves to meer simple meats and drinks that are easier of concoction , and generate a finer and firmer substance ; for there is less danger in declining strong foods and drinks , and using meaner , than in going from mean and simple to rich and strong ▪ for this alteration of food , drinks and exercises , has power to alter , and does actually change the whole humour and constitution , according to the nature and simpathy of the food , for the better or worse : and this not only manifest in the humane nature , but also in beasts ; for if the food , drinks , air and exercises be innocent and natural ▪ then good blood is generated , whence proceed pure fine spirits , and the sweet oyl or radical moisture burns clear and bright , and consequently the whole disposition is airy , brisk and pleasant . and if this good state of body happen in beasts , as often it does , then such are of lively dispositions , and their flesh proves tender sweet and delicate , and full of brisk spirits , by reason of the plenty of which it will take salt greedily : but on the contrary , if any sort of cattel be fed plentifully with flesh ( as some creatures will eat it , as swine ▪ and the like ) or with other strong food , and kept close up that they cannot exercise their bodys in the open air , as swine in sties , and ho●ses in their close hot stables , then their blood becomes very thick and waterish and the whole humours of their bodies are gross tending towards ●utrifaction , their flesh rank , and more fulsom than such as divert themselves in open airy places ▪ neither will such flesh take salt so well , nor keep so long from 〈◊〉 . these things ought to be considered by all people , but more especially by such whose ●ea●th is already wounded by any of the aforesaid accidents , but are too seldom thought of , either by the learned or the common people ; but presently when they find themselves , or their friends , or patients disordered , as aforesaid , they muster up all the richest sorts of food , and most cordial d●inks they can think of ; and to mend the matter , or rather to compleat their own tragady , they take the general advice of some lip-learned doctors , together with the no lese infallible counsel of the good dame and sage mistriss nu●se , what sorts of meats and drinks are most suitable to recover them out of their wasting condition ; and then ( as every body is either a fool or a physi●ian ) one adviseth ●●llies that are compounded of several ingredients of disagreeing natures , and to be boyled stewed or baked so and so abundantly ; a●other directs a●●s milk , which perhaps may prove a cure by ●●mpath ; the third will have cows mink , ( but for all loves , let it be a red ones , though you go to high-ga●e for it ) and snales boyled in it ; but be sure wash them well with salt for you know man was made of the slime ( for so i am told the word in h●brew signifies , rather than dust ) of the earth ; and if they should not be well scour'd , they might happen to be too like him , and do him too much good , and so spoil the doctor 's practice ) and when you have carefully rinsed away all that 's good of them , yet still to prevent any suspition of vertue from them , boyl them stoutly to a tough thick substance , and sweeten them with sugar till they are able to cloy the stomach of an horse ; and if this will not recover the co ●sumptive creature bespeak the sex on and the flannel-shroud ; for there 's no withstanding of death . but upon this , up starts a politick paty man-le●ch , who always farts in plush , and never strokes his beard without an aphorisme of hippocrates , and he cries out , ho●d a blow my master ! stop the kn●ll ; there 's life in a muscle : let me tell you what you shall do , you see the poor soul wants flesh and good heartning things , therefore get me a dozen or two of cock-sparrows , a brace of turtle-doves , taken just as they are billing , and a parcel of eringo-roots , and boyl them in a gallon of alicant , till it is wasted to a quart , and then let him sup up meat and broth with a boon courage , and it shall make him as lusty as old father aeson , when he came out of the life-renewing balneo . — you prate like an old gallientical cockscomb ( says a young spruce gallant that stood by , and affected the title of vertuoso i 'll have a lusty ram sent for , and first let the sick patient have a vein open'd , and at the same instant broach the sheep on the right shoulder , and by transfusion of his blood into the man , you shall presently see him restored , and g●ow as hail a●d s●u●d as a trout ▪ — but then a chymist interposes , and tells them , none of these dull stale gallenical devices are sufficie●t , 't is only philosophy by fire must do the feat ; therefore ( quoth he ) reach me my crucible , and an ounce of aurum potabile dissolv'd in the yolk of a new-laid phaenixes egge , with a dram of quicksilver , and a little of the tincture of the sun ; let this be distilled seven days in balneo mariae , when jupiter beholds venus with a friendly aspect , and whilst the moon is in leo , let the patient take three drops every four hours ; and then i 'll venture fourteen years purchase upon his life , though he were already as much stricken in years as old father parr , that out-liv'd six couple of ravens . the serious reader , i hope , will pardon this mirth ; for in earnest , 't is but the effect of those extravagances which some pretenders to science daily impose upon the credulous vulgar ; an hundred such ridiculous whimsies being advanced , as the products of famous skill , though they carry neither reason , sense nor possib●lity with them , but are meer ignorant fraudulent fancies , the authors knowing nothing ( as they ought to do ) of god nature or themselves ; and by their talk , poor silly people bei●g perswaded , that they want nour●shment , heap up all the rich costly things they can get or think of , with which and the unnatural preparations thereof they overload and oppress the weak heats and stomachs of the sick so that they do not only continue the diseases , but encrease them , forgetting that sure and stable rule of health and temperance , that weak heats and lang●ishing natures o●ght to have simple innocent meats and drinks , of a nat●re proportionable . these mischievous opinions , abominable customs and irregular courses have much grieved me , when i have considered and consulted the innocent ways of god in nature , which hath moved and stirred me up to set down for a general benefit and service , food , drinks and preparati●ns more natural and agreeable to the stomachs of sick and languishing persons ; and since milk , and its product and compounds , is one of the most excellent things i● that kind , when rightly ordered , therefore i shall begin with that . chap. ii. the nature of milk , and the best ways of preparing and cooking it . milk in its own nature is of a brave mild friendly nature and operation ; for in this sublime liquor , or rather nectar , the qualities of nature seems to stand in equality , and therefore it may justly be called concord , or a thing which god and his hand-maid nature hath befriended with all the good vertues of the animal kingdom , having no manifest quality that does too violently predominate , but is as well in its inward nature , as its outward colour , the emblem of innocence , deriving that aimable and pleasant candor from a glea●● of the divine light ; and therefore 't is said , the holy land did flow with milk and honey . t is certainly an incomparable food , and being joyned or mixt with bread or the flower of wheat , hath the first place of all victuals , and is a foundation to all good nourishment , there being so great an agreement in nature between the flower of wheat and milk , that when they are incorporated together , there is hardly any food of equal excellency , or that will gratifie nature to that degree ; for it does not only afford a brave friendly nourishment , but also of a strong firm substance , standing nearest the centre of vnity , ( whence is derived all perfection ) of any sort of food , except bread ; and for this cause it is so much desired by children , and the young ones of most other creatures . how milk ought to be eaten as it is entire . the best way for weak sickly consumptive people to eat milk raw , as they call it , or not altered , is after this manner , take a pint ( or what quantity you please ) of new-milk from the cow , let it stand open to the air two hours , and then skim the thick or creamy my substance off the top thereof , and put it by , but the rest of the thin milk that remains , eat with well bak'd bread ; but remember you neither toast your bread nor warm your milk , except the season be cold , and then you may warm your milk as hot as your blood , but do not then toast your bread , for it does it much harm ; or if you please , you may eat bisquet with your milk , but be sure you do not eat too great aquantity at once ; and sometimes it will do well to mix a little water with your milk , and then you may sweeten it with good white sugar ; if you make this your whole food , you may eat thereof three times a day ; for 't is a brave sort of diet , and will gallantly support nature , and recover lost strength , but then you ought to continue it for , , or months , or else you cannot prove it ; for diseases that have been several months or years a generating , and have crept on by degrees , cannot be recovered in a moment , as some vainly and ignorantly imagin , but will require the like graduation in the cure. an excellent way of preparing milk with wheat-flower . take two thirds of new-milk , after it has stood six or seven hours from the time 't is milkt , and add th●reto one third part of river or spring-water , set it on a quick clear fire , then take some good wheat-flower and temper it with either milk or water into a batter , and when you see your milk ready to boyl , but before it does actually boyl , put in your thickning , and stir it a litttle while , and when it is again just ready to boyl take it off , and add bread and salt to it , as much as you please , and remember to let it stand in the dish or platter you put it out into , a while to cool , but do not lade it with your spoon , as the manner is , but let it cool of it self , without any such motion , which will make it much sweeter than it will do when it is cooled with a spoon . a good spoonful of flower is sufficient to thicken a full pint of milk and water , and so proportionably , but you may make it either thicker or thinner , as you like it , but it is best about the thickness of ordinary milk-pottage , and will eat sweetest , and be easiest of concoction . this sort of food affords a nourishment of a firm substance , does neither bind nor loosen the body , but keeps it in good order , and breeds good blood and fine spirits , whence brisk and lively dispositions proceed ; this way of preparation being much more friendly to nature than the common way of boyling , and the continual eating thereof will have better success , and never tire or cloy the stomach . another good way of ordering milk. take two thirds of milk and one of water , add what quantity of oa●meal you please , or as you would have it in thickness , but inclining to thin is best , set it in your sawce-pan on a fire that is quick and clear , and when it begins to rise or make a shew of boyling , take it off , and brew it in two vessels or juggs for that purpose eight or ten times to and fro , which will cause the fine flower of the oatmeal to give it self forth , and incorporate with the milk ; then put it again into your sawce-pan , and set it on the fire , and as soon as it is again ready to boyl up , take it off , and let it stand a little , if you would have it fine ( for the husky or branny part of the oatmeal will sink to the bottom ) then add bread and salt , and let it stand in your platter or pottinger till it be blood-warm , without causing any motion to cool it . this is an excellent sort of pottage , very friendly and agreeable to weak natures ▪ affording a good firm nourishment , and easie of concoction . but if you are not satisfied that this will afford sufficient nourishment , then you may between whiles , both in this pottage , and also in the before-mentioned flower'd milk when you are minded to regale your self with a rich dish , add one new-laid egg to a pint , or a pint and half , after this manner , viz. when your milk and water is ready to boyl , have your thickning ready , with the egg or ●ggs beaten in it , and put it in , as aforesaid . so when you would add eggs to milk-pottage , first put your milk and water into your sawce-pan , then take one spoonful of good oatmeal newly make or grown'd , and beat it up with your egg or eggs , with either a little water or milk , and when it is ready to boyl , stir it in , as you did in flower'd-milk , and then you will have no occasion to brew it , as aforesaid . this is also a brave substantial friendly food , and the composition agreeable , there being no variation made by the ingredients , but they imbrace and incorporate themselves mutually as one entire body . however , in all the aforesaid milk-meats you ought to add some well baked bread , and a little salt , but do not by any means put sugar in any of these pottages ; for sugar is apt to obstruct the stomach , hinder concoction , fur the passages , and dull the edge of the appetite ; it also heats the blood , and causeth a sharp itching humour to possess it ; for this cause the frequent eating of it in our common food , doth prove of evil consequence to our nor●hern bodies , but more especially to children and sickly weak people ; the ●ame is to be understood of spanish fruits , and the spices that come from the east-indies , they all growing in countries as different from ours as summer is to winter ; and therefore ●hose that do indulge themselves with such things may daily find the evil effects thereof , as i have more particularly demonstrated in the way to health , &c. but when there shall be occasion or reason for the sweetning of any kind of food or drinks , let it be done with good white sugar , and not with syrups as the custom of most is . milk boyled intire or by it self , is nothing so commendable as when it is mixed with water , flower , oatmeal , as aforesaid , being not so easie of concoction , nor of so cleansing a quality . note also , that milk is best the first half year after the cow hath calved , but not so good after taking bull or conception , nor so wholsom either for the ●ickly or the healthy ; consider womens milk after they conceive again with child , is it so good as before ? none will pretend it : therefore those that have a mind to prove the vertues of a milk-diet , let them begin in the spring , viz. march or april , take their milk from cows newly calved , not from through-milch'd cows , though this last sort is the thickest , but i advise none to esteem of milk for that property . there is yet another preparation of milk , called furmety , viz. milk and wheat , which are in themselves two excellent things whilst they remain entire , but when mixed and made into furmety , according to custom , with spanish fruit , sugar and spice , it is no commendable preparation of food ; for first , the long boyling of the wheat destroyes not only the brisk spirituous vertues , but also the firm binding substantial essence , so that thereby it becomes weak , feeble and insipid : 't is true , being mixed with flower and ●orreign ingredients , it may be made a pretty pleasing grateful food , but the common frequent eating thereof will quickly tire and glut the stomach , by reason of the improper preparation and mixtures ; therefore 't is nothing so good as plain flower , milk and water , the same is to be understood of wheat ●utier'd and suga●r'd . of boniclapper , its nature & operation . among the various sorts of milk-meat ▪ i thought good to mention this , which though last spoken of deserves the first place , for its excellent use and vertue . boniclapper is nothing else but milk that has stood till it was sower , and become of a thick slippy substance , which will be in twenty four hours after it is milked , or thereabouts , if the weather be very hot , not else ; but if it be put into vessels in which milk use to be sowred , it will be done sooner ; and being of a pleasant sowrish taste , and thick slippy substance , it must be eaten only with bread , especially by consumptive people ; it is a brave noble food both for healthy and unhealthy , especially for all that are troubled or subject to any kind of stoppages ; for it it powerfully openeth the breast and passages , its easie of concoction , and helps to digest all hard or sweeter foods , and makes them easie ; it also cools and cleanseth the whole body , and renders it brisk and lively , quenc●eth thirst to admiration ; and we know no sort of milk-meat or other spoon-meat , that is so proper and beneficial for consumptive and languishing people , as this ; for tho' nature be much debilitated , and the natural heat wasted and the spirit dull'd , yet this sort of food will be light and easie on the stomach , and be easily separated , and consequently digested , when new sweet creamy milk cannot ; for there is a ferment awakned in milk by standing , viz. out of its own body , which does tend to separation , and indeed is a high degree of digestion , which hath a near simile with the ferment and separative quality of the stomach ; for in this time of standing , the milk , by vertue of its own ferment , hath done that which is left for the stomach to do , when milk is eaten sweet and new ; and indeed if the stomachs of those that eat new sweet creamy milk , be not in good habit and case , it cannot possibly make so gentle , mild or friendly fermentation or digestion , as this sort of milk does by vertue of its own ●erment ; for most distempered peoples stomachs are so much depraved , through ill habits , that they are too sowr , with a keen sharp matter , which doth in a moments time so violently coagulate and turn the creamy part into a thick curd or hard substnace , and the wheyie parts into a sharp keen liquor , both which are very hurtful to nature ; others stomachs are dull and flat , the ferment , separative and digestive faculties have ( as it were ) lost their brisk liveliness and power , so that it cannot make any true separation or digestion , but the creamy and thick parts of the milk and other food , doth not only fur and obstruct the passages , but they naturally generate crude ●lumors , evil juices , dull heavy spirits , and bad blood ; for this cause those people are dull , heavy and indisposed , full of disorders and pain , apt to be oppressed at the stomach , ●specially after eating ▪ indeed they are not well full nor fasting ; wherefore we have advised such people , if they betake themselves to a mild-diet , to let their mild stand three or four hours , or more , and then take off the ●op , which doth contain the thick or creamy substance , by which means the milk becomes more easily digested and separated . but here ●ome will be ready to say , that this sowred milk will not agree with the stomach , nor be pleasant to the palate . this may be true at first ; for nature seems to dislike with all changes , though it be for the better , but a little custom and use will salve this sore , and make it not only familiar , but most pleasant to the stomach and palate ; and he or she that have neither patienc● nor wisdom to admit of a little inconveniency , shall never have opportunity to know the true intrinsick vertue of any thing , nor its nature or operation . we know no reason in nature why people should dislike with this sowred food , seeing most desire it in one degree or other , more especially such as have disordered stomachs and weak heats ? for the help whereof viniger , verjuice , the juice of lemmones , oringes , and many the like sharp keen juices have been invented & mixed with food , and no doubt to good advantage , if order be observed therein because all such things have some affinity with the ferment 〈◊〉 stomach , or rather with the separative property ▪ therefore food , eaten , in which a proper quantity of such juices are mixed will be easier , and digest sooner than a like quantity of food will do , in which there is none . but still , this sowred milk hath a far nearer affinity both to the ferment , separative and digestive faculties of the stomach , than any of the sharp juices last mentioned ; for in this milk , as is said before , there is a real ferment and separative quality arises and proceeds out of its own body , and from the animal spirits therein contain'd , which hath much agreement with the stomach , and above half the work is done to natures hand . and before people do envigh against this innocent simple food , they should consider , that the stomach and natural heat cannot make any separation or digestion of any food before there is a sowring or fermentation ? this is most manifest in all chymical operations and preparations ▪ the spirituous parts will not separate from the gross body until such menstrums are fermented , and become somewhat keen or sower , but then it must not be too keen or sharp , for the the spirit will suffer , and receive hurt ; the same in some degree is to be observed in all sowred food ▪ it most not be too keen or sharp , for then it will heat the blood and irritate the original or sleeping poysons in the body ? but when this sower quality is moderate in any thing , or properly mixed , it s a gleam of the life , and the true delight of the spirit , it opposeth the fierceness of the bi●ter and a●●ringent properties , and quickens and enlivens the sweet , and is the quickning power in every thing , all things are heavy , dull and flat when this quality is impotent . chap. iii. of water-gruel . another thing very proper for weak consumptive natures , is water-gruel , and that is best which is made after this manner , viz. take a quart of river or spring-water , add to it one spoonful and an half of good oatmeal newly made or grown'd , being stirred well together , set it on a clear fire , when it is rising , or just ready to boyl , take it off , and brew it out of one thing into another , and so back again , as you do butter'd ale , then set it on the fire again till it be ready to boyl , but before it do so , take it off , and let it stand a while in the swacepan ▪ that the course husks of the oatmeal may sink to the bottom , and then putting it out , add bread and salt , or if you please , bread , salt and butter , stirring it about well until your butter be melted , that it may not turn to oyl , and then let it stand without any further stirring till it be but blood-warm ; for much stirring or motion to cool it , does oft-times offer some violence to the pure spirits ; for all gruels , pottages and milk-m●ats , if they are let stand after they are prepared and put into the dish or platter , do naturally , as it were , skin over , which does retain and keep in the pure b●lsamick v●rtues , but will not confine the fierce furious fires of saturn and mars , which being aliens to the good vertues of such food , will not continue in it any longer than forced by the continual heat of the fire , wherefore of their own accord they hastily fly away . besides , it is to be noted , that continual motion in all liquid bodies destroys and causes to evaporate the essential spirits and good vertues thereof . an example of this we have in that milk women carry about two or three miles in their pails , shaking and measuring of it out by degrees , causing thereby , as it were , a continual motion , which makes the volatile spirits to evaporate , and then presently the sweet body and oyly quality is thereby wounded , and the milk becomes thin and wheyish , and it will not afford half the quantity of cream , as milk will do that is set to cream as soon as 't is milk't ; for that skinny substance that all milk covers it self with , does keep in the pure essential spirits , whereby the sweet oyly body is preserved in its full vertue and strength ; for the volatile spirit is the true life of the balsamick b●dy , and the oyly body or sweet quality in all things is the house or habitation of the volatile spirits ; therefore if one be destroy'd the other cannot subsist , but immediately dyeth . likewise all violent heat and cold doth the same ; for which cause in cold frosty weather the like quantity of cream will no● make above two thirds of the butter as it will do in warm moderate seasons , and it will be much longer 〈◊〉 coming : the like in some degree is to be understood when the season is extream hot ; for hot weather too v●olently evaporates the volatile spirits , and causes the sweet body to sower , as the cold condenses the spirituous parts , whereby they become less volatile , which hinders separation , so that the oyly fat quality in the milk cannot rise to the top in such quantity as in warm moderate seasons . for this cause all dairy-women ought to have such milk-houses as are warm in the winter and cold in the summer ; for in cold weather most women are forced to let their milk stand a long time , viz. several days , or else they will have a very small quantity of cream ; which long standing of milk to get the more cream , does awaken the original fires , viz. the astringent and bitter qualities ; for which reason most of the butter made in the winter has a kind of sower bitter taste , which does not proceed from the hay or grass , as some suppose , but from the long standing of the milk , as aforesaid . for butter made in winter , if the milk stand no longer than in summer , will be very good and sweet : and if the hay had any such nature to cause a sower bitter taste , how comes it to pase , that the flesh of all beasts fatted in the stall in the winter with hay , is not only more firm , but also far sweeter , and fuller of brisk lively spirits than in summer , and therefore will take salt much better , and afford a firmer nourishment , and also continue sound and good much longer . note also , that boyl'd milk is nothing so good as either raw or scalded ; for the boyling it does not only fix it , and thereby render it more stopping and harder of concoction , but also the violent motion of boyling does , as it were totally destroy the volatile spirit , so that if boyled never so little , it will not afterwards afford any cream but only a thin skin ; for the volatile spirit is so pure and subtle that it will not endure any harsh or violent motion , and so soon as that delicate spirit is wounded , the sweet quality of fa● oyl loosing its power and vertue , passeth away in an invisible vapour or●fume , ●nsensible to the preparers ; and this is the true cause why boyled milk will not cream ; whereas if you take milk and scald it ( but it must be done to a point , not too hot ) and then take it off the fire and let it stand in the same vessel , and there will arise a brave thick clouted cream , which way many use in the west parts of england , and therewith make very good butter ; but if you let your milk be too hot , it will not cream to such advantage as otherwise . and this i hope may be a sufficient demonstration to the good dame and provident housewife , that the boyling of milk entire , or by it self , is not proper , esp●●ially for weak consumptive persons , or children , but that it is much better for health , and to prevent windy diseases , and breed good blood and nourishment , to eat it raw , or altered with flower , as above directed . and if women were so wise and kind to themselves and their children , as to eat such foods as are proper both in quality and quantity , properly mixt and duely prepared , and to give their children no other , we should quickly have a healthier generation , and not be so strangely afflicted with such variety of torturing diseases , nor have such great numbers snatcht away with immature deaths . and for their benefit herein , if they are not too follish to learn , and too froward to be taught , i will here add , a very excellent healthy food for all sorts of ages , but more especially for children and sickly people . take a quart of good water , two full spoonfuls of wheat flower , and two or three eggs , beat the eggs and flower together with some water , and when the water is ready to boyl , but before it quite boyl , stir in your batter or thickning , and keep stirring it till it be ready to boyl , by which time it will be sufficiently thick ; then take it off , and add to it only salt and bread , and let it stand and cool without your help , till it become about as warm as milk from the cow , and so eat it . if you wnat eggs , you may instead thereof add but●er after the water and flower is so prepared with bread and salt , but eggs are best . this is a curious clean sweet food , affords a brave sound nourishment , opens all the passages , breeds good blood and pure brisk spirits , is pleasant unto the palate , grateful to the stomach , and easie of concoction ; the common use thereof sweetens the blood , and all the humours , prevents windy distempers , and griping pains , both of the stomach and bowels , having no manifest quality that does too violently predominate , all the ingredients bearing a simile with each other , so that it may justly challenge the first place of all spoon-meats or pap , and is the next food to breast-milk for children , and indeed often-times much better , by reason of the many diseases and improper foods many women are subject to , or use . 't is also a special diet for consump●ive ●eople , if they will keep constant to it for one half year or a twelve month , eating nothing else , and drinking every day two or three glasses of clear well brew'd ale , with gentle exercise , and sweet clean hard beds , and moderate clothing . but remember that you do not add any other ingredients to this sort of food , as sugar , spices , fruits , or the like , for then it will become of another nature and operation , and that for the worse , as i have demonstrated in the chapter of mixtures of foods , in my book intituled , the way to health , long life and happiness , &c. it is further to be noted , that this sort of spoon-meat , and also all others , ought to be made rather thin than thick ; for in such foods the liquid element ought to predominate , whether it be milk or water , else the pure spirituous parts being in a degree suffocated , they will become dull on the palate and heavy on the stomach ; therefore all pottages and spoon-meats that are made thin , and quick prepared , are sweeter and brisker on the palate , and easier of digestion , as being more spirituous than those that are thick and long a doing . and as all foods that are properly mixt , and a due order observed in the preparation , will have no manifest taste or strong hugo , as all others have , but on the contrary , will yield a pleasant friendly taste , and smell most grateful ; so you may observe of all meats and drinks , whose taste and smell are innocent and fine , they never cause any loathing in nature , because there is no manifest quality that does too violently predominate , but all the properties or tastes seem to be united , or stand in equal weight and measure ; for where any doth bear sway , it will quickly awaken its likeness , whence discord , and an unequal motion ariseth , and thence a loathing follows ; for in sickness , all such meats and drinks as were the original of the disease , the very sight and smell thereof is offensive , and for that reason english people eating much flesh and strong drink in health , do for the most part perfectly loath and abominate such things in sickness , desiring water and more simple foods , wherein wise nature indicates and points out the proper diet in such cases , if men would but hearken unto her . chap. iv. of flesh broths . if sick languishing people must eat flesh , which in my opinion is nothing so proper to recover lost health and strength , as more simple innocent foods , for several reasons ; as , st . because it is that which most , both young and old at all other times make their chief food , and consequently from thence their distempers mostly proceed . dly , 't is of a gross phlegmatick nature and operation , of a moist oily quality , therefore harder of concoction than many other sorts of food , whereby it generates gross humours and thick blood. dly , the beasts are often distempered , sometimes for want of care and skill in their keepers , at other times by hot weather and much driving they are surfeited , and yet killed before they have recovered those disorders . thly , by being killed in improper seasons , viz. in the declining part of the year , as august , september and october , at which time the central heat in all things decays , and the flesh of all beasts becomes more gross , their fat soft , greasy and full of phlegm and corrupt juices ; and therefore flesh will not take salt nor keep so well then as at other times , and also , 't is then their time of generation and uncleanness , which renders it still more dangerous and pernicious . however , the common eating of almost all sorts of flesh , both clean and unclean , hath gotten such a dominion in man , that all that i can say is little likely to abate those furious inclinations ; therefore if the sick will still follow custom , aud gratifie his humour , and must needs have his flesh-pots and flesh-broths , we shall give some directions for the best ordering thereof , which is done after this manner , viz. let your flesh be fresh killed , and otherways good , whether fowls , beef or mutton ; first , make your water boyl , then have your flesh ready to put in , and encrease your fire that it may not lie long in the water before it boyls again ; and let your pot or vessel be large that it may hold a sufficient quantity of water , that the flesh may swim freely ; and when it boyls take your pot-lid off , that the sulpherous fiery fumes may pass freely away , and the air have its free influences upon it ; for that element is the true life of the spirit , and by having plenty of water , the flesh is cleansed from its gross impurities , which the best of flesh is subject to ; likewise you ought to keep a brisk clear fire , that there be no intermission in the boyling , which would deaden or flatten the spirituous parts , so that the meat will become dull and of an heavy operation , and grosser nourishment ; nor ought you to let it boyl too long ; for flesh over-prepared is of an heavy dull nature , and ungrateful to the palate and stomach . all broths made of flesh ought to be thin , brisk and full of spirits , which render them easie of concoction , and breed thin pure blood. many people imagine flesh not only the most nourishing , but also the substantialst food ; but this must be numbered amongst vulgar errors , it is indeed endued with abundance of gross phlegmatic● and corrupt juices , and therefore those that make it their chief victuals are most obnoxious to gross scorbuti● humours in their blood , whence proceed very impure spirits , and bur-thensome unactive dispositions , whic● by degrees occasion and increase man diseases ; for all flesh is of a moi● phlegmy nature , subject to putrifacti●on ; and therefore such as make i● their common food are forc'd to dri●● much either with or after it , or 〈◊〉 least they accustom themselves so 〈◊〉 do , which much increases the aforesaid inconveniences and distempers but on the contrary , many sorts o● fruits , grains , herbs and seeds are for the most part endued with a far mor● firm , dry and cleaner nourishment free from corruption , and yieldi●● more sublime spirits . and there as much difference between them a●● flesh as there is between grass and cor● for true it is , grass generates mor● humours , viz. flesh and fat , and in shorter time in all cattel , but then suc● flesh is more soft , greasie , phlegmatic● and subject to putrifaction , than that which is fed with hay and corn. for this cause , the flesh of all beasts is much better in winter than in summer ; and also all grains and fruits when the sun and elements have dryed up and exhaled the gross cold phlegmy parts , are thereby made substantial , warming , and full of brisk lively spirits , and will keep good several years without the help of art ; for the gross humidity being purged away , their own innate salt and spirituous vertues preserve them ; but flesh cannot be kept without salt , nor with it but for a little season . so that most men , as well the ignorant as the learned , are deceived , when they fancy f●esh to be a more substantial warming food than fruits , grains , milk , herbs , &c. for experience will tell us that bread , bu●ter , cheese , flower'd milk and water , raw herbs in their seasons made into salads , mixt with oyl , salt and vinegar , and the like , are not only cleaner foods , but more substantial , affording a more chearing and warming nourishment , and all that have ever lived on them for any competent time , do find themselves not so subject to coldness and qualms at their stomachs , as those that frequertly eat flesh ; for all sorts of foods that are in their own nature clean , dry , and free from gross phlegmatick juices , will not only keep longer from purifaction without the body , but they afford a cleaner and more solid nourishment , in the body , warming , chearing , exhilirating and encreasing the spirits , whence proceeds an healthy vigorous constitution of body , strong and active limbs , good stomach and free digestion ; for always the more you imitate nature in the choice and preparation of food , the more useful it will be to you : for many distempers , especially that general one , ( the wind , ) which few that out-live youth are free from , are chefly caused through bad preparations and improper mixtures , or excess in quantity or quality of food ; which defects are not to be remedied without great wisdom and temperance . but those that have not the knowledge and measure of their own natures and complexions , nor have seriously considered the intrinsick qualities of what they eat o● drink , 't is no wonder if their thoughts or imaginations are wrong ( for blind men will stumble ) so that what they think is best and most profitable for the health of their bodies and minds , proves the contrary . an example we have in peoples eating of food hot from the fire , or out of the pot or oven , they cry out , the meat will grow cold and be spoil'd , and there is little or no vertue in it if the fiery heat be g●ne ; others are for boyling their food and pottages very much , untill they become unpleasant for sight , taste and smell , and grow thick , gross and dull ; others there be that think themselves brave doctors or cooks , when they mix ten or twenty rich things together , crying , the more and the richer , the better , as if they were to make mithridate in their bellies . all which , and many other the like preposterous conceits and unnatural ways , serve only to wound their healths still more and more , as first to contract , and afterwards to continue and encrease great numbers of diseases . chhp. v. of flumery , its nature and operation . flumery is the ancient gruel the brittains used to eat , and the use of it is still continued amongst the welch ; it is made after this manner ; take two or three spoonfuls of oatmeal , more of less , and put into it a convenient quantity of water , and let it stand until it begin to be sowrish , th●● ta●e this water and oatmeal and put it into a vessel ▪ stirring it , and make it boyling hot with a quick fire , and when it begins to rise , brew it to and fro with your ladle , to keep it from boyling , this do about five or six minut●s , and th●n take it off the fire , for it is prepared to the highest degree . the br●●●ains and those that now eat this 〈◊〉 of gruel , had and have various ●●ys of eating it , viz. to mix al● am●●gst it , and so eat it with bread , o●hers milk , cream , and the like , which mixtures are not much amiss ; but in my judgment those that have regard to their healths , strength , and brisk lively dispositions , or such as eat it to open , cleanse , and help the digestive faculty , and to remove offensive matter from the stomach , ought to eat this sort of sower gruel only with bread ; for thereby it more powerfully removes the obstructions of the breast , helps the natural heat , strengthens the stomach , cools th● whole body , openeth the passages , and makes the body lightsome and airy . this is a most commendable gruel to be eaten for a breakfast in all hot seasons and clymates ; for the sowerness , or the fermentation doth so aptly fit it to the stomach , and has , as it were , digested all tough or slimy matter , so that it becomes easily separated , and so passes away more quick and free , leaving no dregs behing it that doth either fur or obstruct 〈◊〉 passages , which most sweet foods are 〈◊〉 to , especially when any shall exceed in quantity . i commend this sort of gruel to all weak stomach't people , and to such whose breast and passages are fur'd and obstructed by sweet , tough or phlegmy matter . there is also another way of making this gruel , used chiefly among the wanton gentry , viz. they take water and oatme●l , as is before mentioned , and let it stand a day , more or less , as they think fit , then they pour off that water and put on fresh ; some will do this four , five , six , seven , eight or nine times one after another , letting each water remain on the oatmeal a certain time , then they take it and boyl it up , and mix it with milk , cream and the like : but this way is nothing so brisk , lightsome and lively as the former ; for oatmeal hath passed through , in its preparation , a certain fermentation or digestion , by which the gross body in the oats is opened , and the more internal or central vertues become thereby volatile , so that it readily gives forth its vertue when it is committed to the great menstrum , viz. water , even as malt doth , though not to that degree , because the digestion or fermentation is not so high ; but being washed with several wa●●r , it becomes thereby stupid and destitute of all its good qualities ; nay , the very air will exhale and draw forth the more spirituous parts of all flower , if exposed to it ; though the grain have never passed through any fermentation or digestion , as the flower of wheat , which is the strongest , and of the best substance of any others ; for this cause , flower that hath been grown'd five or six weeks , or more , though it be kept close in sacks , will not make so sweet nor so moist pleasant bread as that which is newly grown'd ; therefore all bread in london does eat drier and harsher than bread in the country that is made two or three days after the wheat is grown'd ; for so soon as any grain is bruised or broken into a powdery substance , the essential spirits become thereby , as it were , violated , and liable to evaporation ; for they are so subtle , quick and penetrating that nothing can hold or continue them , but of necessity they either evaporate or become suffocated , if inclosed by any thing : therefore all gruels ought to be made with new grown●d oatmeal , and bread with new-grown'd flower ; but this way does not please , neither is it so profitable for those that make a trade of selling meal ; for meal new grown'd will not so freely separate from the branny substance , nor yield so much flower ; but lying a while after it is grown'd , makes a kind of distillation , or giving way , that the branny parts , as is said before , are easier to be separated , and the ●lowry parts seem ●iner to the nice da●es , but the bread made of such meal is nothing so good and balsamick , or at least not so opening nor cleansing ; besides , or flower in a little time will from its own body generate worms , which comes to pass by reason of the essential spirits and pure volatile salt is wounded , suffocated or evaporated ; but all sorts of grain kept intire and not violated , will remain sound and good a long time ; and if the essential spirits and sweet vertues of any thing or creature could be preserved intire from evaporation or suffocation , then that thing would continue sound and good forever ; for the true life , pleasure , delight and joy of all bodies does consist in the essential spirits and balsamick vertues , therefore no vegetable , animal or mineral can be preserved any longer than the spirit remains intire and unviolated : this we would have all men consider , especially physitians and preparers of food ; and we must needs say , he that invented this last way of making flummery ; was no philosopher , his eyes were too dim to behold the true spirit and life of things . chap. vi. of the several sorts of bread , and which is best , especially for sickly people . one of the best sorts of bread for sickly people is made of wheat flower , the course or husky bran dressed out , but not fine dressed ; for then it will be dry and hus●y , apt to obstruct the stomach ; for the inward skin or branny parts of wheat do contain the moist quality , which is opening and easie of digestion , and in the fine flo●ery parts does consist the nutrimentive property , therefore they do best together , and ought not to be too curiously separated , as some nice people will do , who know no more of the nature of things than an horse , and observe less also it is to be noted , that leaven'● bread is to be preferred before that which is made of yeast ; for leaven was a philosophical invention , that sower quality therein being much more agreeable to the ferment of the stomach than yeast , and easier of digestion , and more cleansing ; so it opens the vessels and encreases the appetite ; and a little use will make it familiar and pleasant to the eater . but yeast has a contrary nature and operation , it being a meer frothy fume or nauseous excrement , which nature throws off , and spews out as her enemy , and when it is mixt with any thing it endues it not only with an ill taste ( which you will quickly perceive , if you are not accustomed to it ) but also is apt to send fumes into the head , and to foul the stomach , and therefore nothing so profitable and wholesom , as well made leavened bread ; which may more manifestly appear by most of the ale in london ; for that not being sufficiently wrought and cleansed from this yeasty matter , it is not only thick , but its taste gross and unpleasant , sending dulling fumes into the head , fouls the blood , destroys the appetite , and generates evil juices in the body . leaven'd bread is best when made after this manner ; take what quantity of flower you please , make an hole in the midst of it , then break your leaven in , and take so much water made as warm as your blood , as will wet half your flower , mix the le●ven and flower well together , then cover it with the remaining flower close , this do at night , and the next morning the whole lump will be well fermented or leaven'd ; then add so much warm water ( but remember it be no hotter than the blood ) as will suffice , and knead it up very stiff and firm , until it be smooth and pliable ; but the more pains you take in kneading it , the better and smoother the bread will cut , and eat much softer and pleasanter in the mouth , and be easier of digestion ; and when you have well kneaded it , let it lie warm by some fire about two hours , until your oven be ready , then make it into small loaves as you think convenient , and let them be baked ▪ with the ovens mouth not close stopt , that the air may have more or less egress and regress ; but the better way is to make it into thin cakes , like oat-cakes , and bake them on a stone , which many in the north of england use for that purpose , making a wood fire under it . this sort of bread is sweeter , of a more innocent taste , and far easier of concoction than any bread bak'd the common way in ovens . after the same manner you may make cakes of any sort of grain , viz. rye , oats , or barl●y , and you will find it a brave wholsome hearty bread , and every way more profitable to nature , than such as are made in the usual manner . note also , that the putting of salt into bread is injurious ; for salt is an unseparated body , in which the original qualities do too violently predominate , being of a keen tart hot nature and operation , and therefore if it be joyned with any body or thing that is not subject to putrifaction , or full of phlegmy gross humours , then it presently preys on the good vertues and essential spirits ; for this cause salt does cause all forts of bread to corrupt ; for in it ▪ it finds no manifest matter of putrifaction to work on , and therefore seizes the good vertues , and by its keen fierce hot property destroys and corrupts it . therefore such bread as is intended to be kept a considerable time , no salt is wont to be put into it , as biskets that are carried to sea , and the like : but for such as make flesh most of their food , salt is an excellent ingredient , and for some other sorts of food , that is for present eating , for salt naturally sharpens 〈◊〉 appetite , begets good digest●●n , being gratefull to the stomach , and resisting putrifaction , provided it be not used in too great a quantity , for then it spoils all or , when it hath lain in any flesh or fish too long , by which the good vertues are evaporated or distempered ; for then such flesh and fish proves very injurious to the health , and corrupts the blood , as is most manifest by such as feed on such over-kept salt meats at sea , for they are at the very next door to putrifaction . and as salt is endued with the firce original fire , so on the other side , it hath a most powerful lively spirituous quality , but the firce harsh fires do predominate ; therefore 't is fit to eat salt with all fresh flesh , or to have the flesh salted three or four weeks before you eat it ; but bacon of all other is best when longer salted and smoak't . likewise many innocent foods will admit of salt , but then they must be eaten presently , as pottages , salads , and the like ; so likewise in butter and cheese , salt preserves them a considerable time . by the way , i would have the house-wife take notice , that bread or cakes baked on sto●es in chimnies , or at the ovens mouth , will be much whiter than if the same were baked in an oven close stopt up ; for the former having the free influences of the air , the pure spirits are thereby kept living , and their pleasant white colour does not only shew its clean innocent nature , but it proceeds from and is a true gleam of light , arising from the tincture and volatile spirits , which are destroyed when the heat is intollerable , and the egress and regress of that friendly element , the air , obstructed . and therefore bread baked in close stopt ovens is of a duller dusky colour , more saturnine and martial , according to the degree of heat , and time of standing in the oven . the good house-wife may also remember , that bread is not of so strong a substance and nourishment as flower , when it is mixed with water or milk , for that potent glewy tough substance that naturally flower is endewed with , is lost and destroyed in bread by the intolerable heat of ovens , and some other circumstances that belong to the making of bread ; therefore it will not thicken either water , milk or any other liquid body , nor be so strong , tough and glewy ; and therefore all such foods as are made with flower are more strong and substantial than bread mixed with such things . also ●lower so eaten is white , innocent , soft to the touch of the palate though otherwise it is a brave food , proper to be eaten with flesh , butter , cheese , herbs , and many other things , in so much that for its frequent and excellent use it is not undeservedly called and accounted , the staff of life . chap. vii . of butter , its nature , aud how bes● to be eaten . bvtter consists of the fat or oyly parts of milk , and is a brave wholsome ingredient to be eaten moderately with bread , for few , and indeed scarce any of the other ways of eating and using it are proper or so agreeable to nature ; and that my asserting this may not startle the reader , i shall give him my reason for it , which is this , because butter having already in the making of it passed through due fermentation , the spirituous properties thereof , are thereby unbounded or set at liberty , and become volatile , the truth whereof you may perceive by this experiment , if butter be but exposed four or five days to the open common air , it will lose a great part of its pure smell and taste ; but much more if it be committed to the fire ; therefore all melted butter , and such foods wherein butter is mixt , that are baked or fiyed , are not profitable for health , but become heavy of concoction , and strong upon the pallate , and the common eating thereof doth generate evil juices , thick blood and dull heavy spirits , whence proceeds , scorbutick humours and various diseases in the blood , but butter in its own nature is an excellent thing , and very profitable , if mixed with proper food , as bread , herbs , roots , and the like ; but if not properly mixt and eaten , then it oyls and furs the vessels of the stomach and passages , hinders digestion , and generates evil juices and many diseases . the best butter for the stomach is that which is made from the beginning of may , to the last of iuly , or middle of august , or there-abouts ; for then grass is in its full strength and vertue . yet what is then potted or firkin'd up for winter will have somewhat a stronger taste , by reaso● of the length of time , and heat of weather , but still it is much finer and more wholsom , and free from phlegm , and easier of concoction than that which is made of rowings or leather-math ( as they call it ) though this latter sort is oft times much sweeter to the pallate at first eating , but it quickly cloyes , by greasing the stomach ; for it is endued with much gross phlegmy matter , like the grass at that season ; for hay made thereof is of little strength or vertue , as all husband-men do know . and as to bu●ter you may try it thus , melt a like quantity of the summer and after-math butter , in two several vessels , and let it stand a while , you will find the latter throw off and afford more phlegm a great deal than the former ; but as this is made near the winter , so it is new , and that is the cause why it seems some-what sweeter to the touch of the pallate , though the former be much better , and wholsomer , and will go further . all butter ought to be well seasoned with sa●t , for that quickens and makes all fat bodies brisk and easier of concoction ; for butter otherwise is but a dull heavy body , and ought by all people to be eaten sparingly , but more especially by those that are weakly . chap. viii . of cheese . cheese is an hard tough strong food , very nourishing and substantial , and excellent for healthy working people ; for being eaten with good store of bread , it endues those that commonly feed thereon with clean sound bodies , and brisk lively spirits , able to endure labour and travel , if good drink be not wanting ; and this so far beyond those that make flesh their food , that experience teaches us , that no men are able to hold out in hard labour with those that eat good wheaten-bread , and fat cheese , that is one or two years old , ( for both sorts are good according to the country they come from , and as the cheese is in thickness , or the contrary ) 't is true bread ; and cheese does not breed so much nourishment as flesh , but it is clean and of a stronger firmer substance , digesting and relishing drink to better advantage than the best fles● in the world can . and suppose four men were only to eat bread and goo● cheese , intermixt now and then with flower'd● milk , milk-●ottage , water-gruel and raw salads season'd with vinegar , salt and good o●l , and for their drink good sound well prepar'd beer or ale , not over-strong : and a like number of men , seeming of equal limbs and strength , were to live on variety of flesh , with br●ad , and the same liquor ; and let both companies be kept to the same hard labour : in one half years time the former , by virtue of their plain simple food will be able to out-do the latter , and tire them to admiration ; and the reason hereof i taught you before , viz. because flesh is gross and full of phlegmatick juices , which load the body with superfluous humours ; but bread , cheese , pottages and herbs are clean , and free from such impurities , and consequently breed better nourishment , fine blood , pure brisk sparkling spirits , which give great strength and vertue to the body . nevertheless , cheese in its own nature is somewhat hard of concoction where good strong natural heats are ▪ it proves a great strengthener to the stomach and all the vessels thereof , but all weak people ought to eat cheese sparingly , viz. a lit●le cheese and a great qu●ntity of bread , so that the cheese may serve only to relish it ; for as cheese is a pleasing food to the palate , so it is grateful to most dull flat stomachs , if it be eaten sparingly , and with discretion , and will comfort , chear and strengthen them . what we said of b●tter may be repeated of cheese , that the best is that which is made from the beginning of may , to about the beginng of august ; for after that season , the sun , which is the central heat and vivifying power of all things declines with winged speed , and all vegitations by sympathy do the same . chap. ix . of the best sort of puddens , and the contrary . this is a great sort of food in england , we are famous for it abroad , and there is no nation besides , that i know or have heard of , that practises it so much , and if we were not altogether so fond of them , especially as they are commonly made , 't were no matter ; for such puddens as are enricht with various sorts of spanish fruits and indian spices are for the most part very hurtful to health , because the variety of improper ingredients does destroy most of the good genuine vertues of our own country-simples , so that such things cannot properly be called food . 't is true , all sorts of spanish fruits , so long as they remain intire , and in their own simple nature , and for proper uses , are brave rich things , but if any sort of ●aisins be alter'd , by being mixed with several things , and then boyled , the true natural vertues are hurt , and they are rendred next door to putrifaction ; for the sun and elements had before already prepared them to the highest degree , and whatever else is done by way of preparation , proves injurious to them . in puddens it is usual to mix flower , eggs , milk , raisins or currants , and sometimes both spice , suet , the fat or marrow of flesh , and several other things ; whereas in truth any two of those things would far better have supplied nature with true and proper nourishment ; and if any healthy person should be confined to such puddens but for one week , he would be tired , and perfectly loath them : whereas he may well live many years upon ●lower and milk , or eggs and bread , or raisins and bread ; but when all these , &c. are jumbled together , they make a confused portion . there is another sort of pudden , called , bread-puddens , which are a sick fainty food ; for nothing can be good and proper , if twice prepared , if the first preparation be to the highest degree , as it is in bread ; also , to put some things prepared , as bread , with things unprepared , as f●ower , eggs , spices , and the like , is not only improper , but unnatural to the stomach : therefore such foods ought not to be eaten by any that love thei● health and strength . for common sense may suggest what a strange disorderly jumble and mishmash so many contrary ingredients must needs make , when boyled together in the stomach , and what heterogenious kind of juices or nourishment the same wil produce . ●o● experiment , be pleased to take f●ower , fat , spices , eggs , ●urrants and raisins , put them altogether in any vessel , and then take flower and milk and put into another pot or vessel , or eggs and flowers , or fruit and flower , or spice and flower , or bread and milk , and let both pots stand two or three days , then observe both , and smell and taste of the one and the other , and you will certainly find , that the simplest and where the fewest ingredients are , will smell and taste better , and be less offensive than that wherein they all are mixt ; for the first will stink , corrupt ●●d putrifie much sooner than the simple things will. but this is nothing — how many things more besides these confused puddens , do men eat at the same meal , cram down into their paunches , viz. various sorts of flesh , fish , butter , olives , capers , herbs , roots , mustard , tarts , raw fruits , cheese , &c. which when rightly consider'd cannot but appear a strange composition , and odd mess of stuff , able to corrupt the strongest and best of stomachs , only custom does make them some-what more friendly , and easier for nature to bear , than otherwise they would be ; for do but put all the before-mention'd dishes of one extravagant meal altogether in a lump into a pot , or if that be too little , into a caldron or furnance , and mix them all together , hicklede-pickledy , and let them lie a day or two so and ferment , and then smell to the heap , and if you do not conclude that the common use of such dinners or suppers is natures destruction , and the parent and nurse of a multitude of strange and complicated diseases , you are fitter to eat out of a trough with swine in a stye , than to be consulted with about diet for health . but since 't will be difficult wholly to wean people from their beloved puddens , the best way of making them is thus , take wheat-flower , eggs , milk and water , of each a convenient quantity , mix there-with a little salt , and beat them well together , put this batter into a bag , boyl it sufficiently in a good quantity of water , with your pot-lid off , and a quick clear fire , and let it boyl without intermission , till 't is enough , and then s●ice it , and butter it with good butter . this is a good sort of puddens for such as admire the● , which 〈…〉 〈…〉 baked , before the hot furious fumes are evaporated and dispersed , it will , the most of any food generate windy diseases , which you may prevent by letting it lie in the dish or on your trensher a while , and these sulpherous vapours will separate and fly away in a rapid motion . and in truth , a little use and custom will render this sort of pudden , or any others , more friendly to the stomach , and in all respects wholsomer , and freer from windiness , if eaten quite cold , which is for certain more commendable than any other way . i cannot perhaps by words make people either belive it , or be sensible of it , cu●tom , and the false prophet ●r●dition hath so blinded the eye of mankind , so that nothing but experience will be able to convince them : and if none will try nor follow the rules of r●asen , i shall yet be well satisfied , in that i have done my duty ; therefore let none be offended at , or despi●e the simplicity of what i recommend ; for all the wayes of god , and his hand-maid nature , are plain and familiar , and all needful furniture , both for the body and mind , are every where ready at hand , cheap and obvious : but the evil one hath taught subtil devices , and men have found out many inventions , equally chargeable and pernicious . chap. x. of eggs , their nature , and the best way of dressing and eating of them . eggs are an excellent sort of food , each of them compleatly containing all the true properties and seminal vertues of that creature whence they proceeded , therefore are one of the best sorts of things that is eaten , being of a fat oyly quality , but very friendly and innocent in operation , if well prepared , affording a strong substantial clean nourishment , easie of concoction , and such as breed good blood , but then they must not be eaten after the common way of dressing , that is to say , 〈◊〉 and after eaten with butter ; for eggs , i told you before , are of an oyly f●t nature , especially the yolks , and being eaten with butter whilst the sulpherous heat of the fire remains in them , that turns the butter to a kind of a gross oyl , which does not only tye or hold captive the sierce atomes of the fire , so that they cannnot seperate and fly away , but the melted butter does dull and flatten the brisk spirituous part of the egg , and makes it gross and heavy of concoction , as also cloys the stomach ; and for this cause many cannot eat hot buttered eggs , without having their stomach● much offended , and so many do not love nor eat eggs on this very score , but are insensible of the true cause thereof . but these very persons shall love them , and find them very agreeable , when prepared properly , as i have often known . therefore i shall here briefly set down several methods of preparing of eggs both proper and natural , and very agreeable to most stomachs , both of strong , and of weakly , or cons●mptive people . . boil eggs rere , or soft , then break the shells , and put them into a plate or pottinger , and let them stand till they are but blood-worm , then eat them only with bread and salt , or such whose stomachs are strong , and 〈◊〉 are great lovers of eggs , may eat them with bread and butter , but the butter not melted , but spread upon bread. . you may boyl them pretty hard , peel the shells off , and when cold , eat them with bread , vineger and salt. . poaching , or boiling them unshelled in water , is a commendable way , being eaten with salt and bread , or bread , salt and vineger . . take a pint of water , and one large spoonful of wheat fl●wer , made into batter with water , when your water is boiling hot , break one egg into this batter , and beat it together , and just as the water is ready to boil , stir in your batter a little while , until it be again ready to boil , then take it off , and it will be of a sufficient thickness , put thereunto a little bread and salt , and a small quantity of good butter , stirring of it about that the butter may not turn to an oyl , then ●●t it stand till blood-warm , and eat it . this is a brave clean food , easie of digestion , breeds good blood , and a firm nourishment , with brisk spi●●ts ▪ lastly , eggs are very wholsom raw , supp'd off in a morning , and bread eaten after them ; for they clear the stomach and free the passages from obstructions , and make the eaters thereof lively , and long breath'd , if frequently eaten . but let all people remember that they do never eat eggs boyled in the shells , whilst they are hot , for they often then prove pernicious to health . chap. xi . of pyes , how they ought to be made . apple and pear-pyes are a good wholsom healthy food , provided such fruit be thorow ripe , and no improper ingredients added , as too frequently people of late do , both amongst the apples and in the cr●s● , for most put a great deal of butter into the crust , and such dough or crust having no fer●ent , viz. leaven or yeast to make i●l●ght , thereby becomes of a close ●ea●y ●●b●tance , and the butter makes it still more heavy , close and ponderous , and being baked in the close strong sulpherous heats of ovens , they yet become more unwholsom , hence ●ye-crust does load the stomach , and disagrees with many ; and those that find it best are more beholding to use , which has familiariz'd it to their bodies : besides , most that have wherewithal do put too great quantities of sugar amongst their apples and pears , whereby it becomes more like a medicine than food ; therefore such pyes , if a man makes a meal of them , will not give his stomach that satisfaction as all proper foods will ; and also the eating of much sugar in our food does extraordinarily foul the stomach and fur the passages , is injurious to the natural heat , and breeds bad blood , and fills the body full of the scurvey , taking off the edge of appetite , and generates evil nourishment ; for this cause most people , and especially children and women , who eat much sugar and spices in their victuals , are so ●uling , and aff●icted with a number of diseases ; for much sweetness in food is as dangerous , and proves as great an evil to health , as the bitter , ●our or astringnt qualities do , when they shall ●●ceed in any food , and far more , because sweetness is more inticing to most sorts of people , especially to children and youth ; whereas the other quality is not so , but the contrary , and no person need so strongly to arm himself against those intemperances that his natural inclinations do not lead to , but the greatest danger of his being misled or overcome , is by those intemperances that are most agreeable to his temper , for by such evils he is overcome , as it were , insensibly : for sweetness is an inticing quality , and though in it self the best , yet proves of dangerous consequence where it exceeds in food , in which too much sugar is mixed ; for indeed every sort of proper food has sufficient quantity of sugar , i mean sweetness in its self , to moderate the other qualities , viz. the bitter , sour and astringent , so that when people mix such quantities of sugar in their common food , they destroy the equality and harmony of that thing , so that it becomes an extream , and causes the like disharmony in the elements of the body ; for the best quality in nature is as great an evil when it too violently predominates , if not greater than those we least esteem of , as the bitter , sour or astringent ; for these last carry their corrector with them , as having no inticing property . but these things are seldom consulted either by the learned or by good house-wives , but they go on in the road , and every day encrease hurtful extravagances , perswading themselves that the more cost they bestow , the more rich things they jumble together , the better and more nourishing their food must be ; and more nourshing indeed it is , but of diseases and evil juices ; whereas plain , course cheap , simple foods are much more fri●ndly to nature , and consequently more strengthning and restorative . and therefore in former ages , when sugar , spanish fruits , spices , sweet-meats , and the like , were not known in these northen climates , people were not o●ly healthier , but stronger , larger , and bigger bon'd than of late years , since the frequent eating and mixing those forreign ingredients with our more natural food , whi●h have and do daily prove of fatal consequence to the healths of many that immoderately use them . the best pyes , whether of apples or pears , are made thus . take good wheat flower , make it into a paste with a little leaven or yeast , as you do bread , with warm water , or milk and water , but no warmer than your blood ; let your apples and pears be full ripe , and you need not mix any other ingredients with them , except you please to put a few of our own country seeds , either carraway or fenn●l-se●ds , which are very good and agreeable to most stomachs : the best fashion to make these pyes in , is that of pasties , which in some countries they call ov●rstaps ; for crust or paste that is made after this manner will not stand or be raised according to the common custom and indeed if this wholsom food were in shion , and that esteem which it deserves , people need not be at that charge with their daughters to learn them to r●is● paste , which invention was more for state and pride than health . this last sort of apple and pear-pyes are the best , most natural and agreeable of all others ; for they afford a nourishment of a fine clean substance , open obstructions of the brest , cleanse the passages , and gently open the belly , and you may eat of it every day , without any kind of weariness , during the time such fruits are in their full strength and vertue : i wish the nice-cockered palated citizens would but try the difference for one year , and then many of them would hate that ignorance and vanity whereby they have contracted diseases on themselves , and entailed them on their posterity , which have no remedy , if they shall continue stubborn , and walk down hill to destruction in the path of blind tradition ; for no medicines have power to cure the distempers that are contrcted by improper preparations , mixtures and superfiuity , if the smae be still continued . this is evident from daily experience ; for do we not find every succeeding generation more infirm and diseased than the former ? . in the baking your pyes the o●●u . ought to stand open , or at least the ovenlid not so close but that some air may pass , for this element is the true life of the spirit : therefore all preparations in which the air has its free circulation the tincture and pure spirituous vertues are preserv'd from suffocation , and thereby the true natural colour , smell and taste preserv'd without violation , which other-wise cannot be done to that advantage . . when your pyes are sufficiently baked , draw them , and cut holes in the top of each , that the sulpherous atomes and fiery vapours may the better pass away , and separate themselves , which will make such pies sweet , and less windy , and much more wholsome . . you ought neither to eat them hot , nor put butter into them , as the custom of some is ; for that does but waste your butter , and render your pyes less wholsom than otherwise they would be . but if you let them stand , as aforesaid , till they are through cold , you may eat freely of them , for they are a brave wholsom food . also , ripe apples raw are ve●● good , being eaten alone , or with bread , not as a common food , but sometimes between whiles ; for they clear an● open obstructions of the stomach , an● gently loosen the belly ; the same 〈◊〉 most other fruits , as apricocks , p●ches , plumbs of all sorts , goose●●rr● currants , and the like , if eaten moderately on clean well-prepared stomachs , not after dinner , or in wantonness on full paunches , as is the custom of gluttons , and such as are 〈◊〉 much strangers to nature as to tem●rance as for pies made of ●iesh , with fruits , spices and butter in the crust , they are utter enemies to the stomach , and the natural heat thereof , they dull the edge of the palate , stop and cloy the orifice of the stomach , obstruct and fur the passages , breed evil juices , bad blood , and consequently , impure spirits , causing heavy lumpish dispositions to attend all those that frequently eat such improper food , and this so much the more if eaten piping-hot , as the common way is ; and rather than the ve●ison-pasty shall want store of poysonous sulpherous steams , my lady will have it put into the oven three of four days one after another , that it may forsooth ! ) come to the table r●eking-hot ; whereas if her madamship had but any acquaintance with dame nature , or the princess reason , or plain grammer experience , they would all tell her , that though her fine pasty , with as many towers o' th' top on 't as a fortifi'd city , presaging danger or destruction to those that shall attaque it , be at best but an untoward unnatural kind of food , yet 't were much better cold than hot at first , much more after the greasie cru●st and stifled flesh has so often been parboyled in the furious steams of a close sulpherous oven . the cause of which i have oft told you already , and fear i must do so again , before you will understand , and so regard it as to abandon your old silly mischievous customs ; but the reason is this , the pure volatile spirits and sweet balsamick vertues of all things are in a great measure destroy'd by the sierce saturnine and martial fires , and for want of the free egress and regress of the air , and therefore a less quantity of baked flesh , espe●cially hot , will cloy and dull the edge● the appetite , than either roasted o● boyl'd , which is a sure demonstration that the preparation is not so proper or natural . likewise , here by the way i cannot but advertise all that regard their health , that they ought to for bear the eating of hot bread ; for the same does plentifully contain the fierce fulpherous vapours and windy fumes which are very injurious to the health , of the body ; as also , that bread ought not to be eaten till 't is at least two days old ; for before , it is stopping , and apt to fur and obstruct the stomach , being harder of concoction than that which is two , three or four days old , because in such new bread , not only the fore mentioned sulpherous atomes of the fire lie lurking , but there is also a phlegmy humid part , which a little time does dissipate and dry away , and then the bread becomes much wholsomer , and also easier of concoction : 't is true , new bread is much desired and eaten in towns and cities , but it is not for its vertues , but meerly for wantonness and custom , and want of understanding chap. xii . of raisins of the sun. this is a forreign fruit , but of late years become of general use , and by some admired and esteemed , especially in diet for sick and weak people , as if it were as necessary as w●eat , which is much to be pitied , except people did know how to use them to better advantage than commonly they do . the truth is , raisins are a brave noble fruit , endued with an excellent vertue the aimable and friendly sweet quality is predominate in them , and therefore they afford a good strong lusty spirit , and are hot in operation , if not allayed by the mixture of some proper ingredients ; but they being unequal in their parts , the frequent eating them does naturally h●at and sharpen the blood , generate phleg●y humours , obstruct the passages . clog the stomach , dull the appetite , and consequently indispose the whole body ; and they are far more injurious to children than to mature age , though bad to both : 't is a sort of fruit that ought not by any means to be mixed with our common food , nor to be boyled or baked , as the usual custom of the english is ; for that destroys most of their pure vertues , and renders them unhealthy , as most people may find by experience . besides , our women , who are the chief promoters of such things , ought to consider that the fruits that grow in hot climates , are nothing so agreeable to our natures and constitutions as those of our own growth , especially such things in which any quality of nature is extream , as it is in this fruit , which the sun and elements have already prepared to the highest degree , and therefore they will not endure any other preparation without violence done to the good vertues , wh●ch renders them next door to putrifaction , and whatsoever food they shall be either boyled or baked in or with , such food will stink and putrifie so much the sooner ; and as they will keep good a year , if they remain intire , so being any wayes altered , then they will not keep three dayes good : therefore all that are wise will forbear using them in such manner and mixtures . yet it must be acknowledged , that raisins have their uses , though we might well be without them , and many others of the like nature ; for st . they are very good and wholsom being eaten with bread for a breakfast or a supper ; for the bread moderateth the inequality of the raisins , and makes them easie of digestion , cleansing the stomach , and gently loosening the belly ; and indeed this is the o●ly proper way of eating them as food . dly , they are better in physical operations then any other sweet thing , especially than sugar , because they are not altered from their first intire state , therefore their juices are far more cleansing than sugar , or any other sweets that have been prepared by the fire . chap. xiii . of currants , their nature , &c. cvrrants are much more injurious to the health of english constitutions than raisins ; for the latter may be properly used by eating them with bread ; but do what you will with currants , they will be no better than doctor butler's curiously prepared dish of cow●umbers , only most excellently fit to be thrown away to the dunghil : and indeed , the inconveniences of eating or mixing currants amongst common food , the natives of those countries whence they come teach us , if custom , and the common cry of the ignorant multitude did not blind people with strange prejudices against all the r●mon●rances of reason or expe●ience ; for they will rarely ever eat them , either alone or mixed amongst their food ; for they do not esteem them wholesome , nor hardly so proper as our hawthorn or elder-berries ; nay , these by a little custom would be much more proper for our healths to be eaten by themselves , or mixed with other things , than currants , which are of such an untoward nature , that those natives that work amongst them , and strew and pack them into the casks , have their feet , legs and hands made leporous and s●abby thereby , which proceeds from their hot v●n●mous qualities , and with these loat●som lepo●ous feet and legs they tread them into the casks , and then you ca● them for dainties . and though when eaten here these evil qualities , are mittigated by being mixed with our moderate and more friendly grains and fruits ; yet still , whatever they are put into , does thereby become the worse , and the more unwholsom . amongst other extravagances , it is a great fashion to boyl them in water-gruel , and after they are so boyled , this water-gruel cannot with any delight or pleasure be eaten with bu●ter and salt , as plain water-gruel can , the currants give it such an unpleasant flat nauseous relish , having no true natural sweetness , or lively briskness in it ; the very same is to be understood of raisins , when boyled ; therefore the good housewife is forced to add another ingredient viz sugar , to raise it to a more full and perfect taste and relish . now by these improper forreign ingredients the true genuine nature and operation of that friendly grain oatmeal is destroyed , as though there had been no such thing ; nor is the hurt less to many other sorts of food that are of greater consequence , which are daily spoiled by these improper mixtures , which render them hot , and subject to s●op and fur the passages , generating evil juices , gross blood and impure spirits . for which cause all people that eat frequently of such foods , more especially young children , are nothing so strong , brisk or lively as those who are constrained by pure necessity to feed and live on the most simple , and meanest of our own country fruits , grains and herbs . this all will confess , yet most that have wherewithall are so bewitch'd to foreign novel●ies , that they had rather be afflicted with an hundred diseases and miseries , and have their children weakly , ricketty and leprous , tha● not to gratifie a wanton desire . it is the common opinion that currants are cooling , therefore both the learned and your common nurses advise , that they should be boyled in water-gruel for sick people , and then bs●ter'd and sugar'd , which makes it not only very hot , but strong enough for an healthy ●low-man , whereby it overcomes weak stomachs , they always forgeting what ought always to be remembred , viz. tha weak h●ats must have proportionable foods , or else nature will come by the worst of it . and as for currants being to ●ing , 't is absolutely false , like most of the rest of the grounds they go upon ; for all fruits in which the sweet quality does carry the upper dominion , are hot i● operation , and if it were not so , such things would not affo●d the greatest spirits , and also the most in q●antity when the distiller takes them in hand . also , their heat will hereby appear , if you put such things into beer , ale , wine , nay , water it self , it will make such liquor to ferment , and render it much stronger than before ; for if you put sugar into str●ng beer , a less quantity will make a man drunk , than that which hath none in it . let a person eat a pint of 〈…〉 that is , only ●ater and 〈◊〉 with a little selt , bu●ter and bread in it , and at another time a pint made with cu●rarts , sugar , butter and b●●ad , as the ●s●al way is , and let him observe whi●h is hardest of concoction , and hottest of operation , and also which he is lightsomest after ; he shall certainly fi●d by expe●ience , that the plain gruel is not only coolest , but easiest of digestion , and he most airy and pleasant after it . the truth is , it men would but give themsel●es the leisure to try and observe things , they could not be such strangers to the method of well-living and to the knowledg of nature , who is the hand-maid of god. for the reasons afo●esaid , you may undoubtedly ●onclude , currants are not only hot , but may also learn , that they are of a naus●ous quality , and if much eaten or frequently mixed with food , they breed thick gross juices in the body , and infect the blood with a sharp salt itching quality or scorbutick humour , whence proceed general weaknesses in the joynts and limbs , and unnatural heats in the external parts , causing a lumpish indisposition both of body and mind . therefore we advise all that have any regard to their healths , to refrain all such hurtful things , and content themselves ( as their innocent lusty fore fathers did ) with the growth of our own country , which will abundantly furnish our tables , and contribute whatsoever is needfull for the maintenance of health and strength ; but especially , we caution children , young people , and such as are sickly , from the use of them , they being most hurtful to weak natures . chap. xiv . of spices , their nature and operation . all sorts of spices that come from the east or west-indies , are in nature and operation hot and dry , and therefore not agreeable to our northren con●●itutions , nor by any means fit to be mixed with our common food ; for they too violently heat the blood , and destroy the pure thin refreshing vapours and spirits , and awaken the central heat , which ought by no means to be stirred up ; for it presently sets nature into an unequal motion , making all the external parts in a flame . there is a vast difference between the regions and climates , both in respect of c●elestial influences , and by the nature of soil and constitution of air whence those spices come , and ours , that it amounts to almost a perfect opposition ; and what is poyson , but a violent antipathy or contrariety in nature ? and if the natives of those countries will so cautiously mix or use them , how sparingly ought we to meddle with them ? but our english have such an itching desire after novelties , and every ioan is so proud to be of my lady fidd●e-faddles humour , and long for things far-fetcht and dear-bought , that if we had ten times as many more brought over as we have , there be those amongst us would cry up the excellent vertues of them , tho' there is scarce any one thing so much destroys and hurts our health , both of body and mind , as the eating and drinking foreign ingredients with and amongst our common food ; and how absurdly are those things mixt together , whose vertues and vices are as contrary to each other as the climates are different ? what agreement or affinity is there between our fruits , grains , herbs and seeds , and those that come from the east and w●st-indies ? not so much as between the complexion of a fat-nosed lubber-lip'd blackamore , or swarthy bantame● , with a head like a sugar loaf , and our most florid beauties . in particular , what likeness or correspondence is there between cloves , mace , nutmegs , cinamon , ginger , or pomento , and the flower of wheat , or any other grain , or with apples , milk , bu●ter , herbs or flesh ? verily there is no simile between them , and the foolish painter , that to a mans head added a stags neek and a fishes body , did not limn a more deformed monster , than those prepare a monstrous unwholsom diet for either the well or sick , who jumble together ingredients so heterogenious , and as it were diametrically opposite . the compounding of these forreign ingredi●●ts with our domestick pr●ductions , that chiefly destroys the health of our people , and not so much the composition● of our own growth , though there are too often very improper mixt●res of them also , but those however are not pernicious to that degree as the others are : for example , is not s●gar the occasion of such great quantities of g●os●r●ies , and many other fruits are gathered and eaten whilst they are immature , and have no more goodness nor vertue in them than the leaves or sticks of the same trees ? also , what abundance of the like unripe fruits are pres●rv'd ( as the call it ( though more properly they might say , dest●●y'd ) and when yov have been at all that pains and charge , pray tell me what they are really good for , unless to please children and fools , and indulge wanton liquorish palates , who yet for the most part pay dear enough for those vanities , by losing all appetite to wholsom food , and bringing upon themselves variety of diseases , and then the wizard of a doctor must be sent for , to redress those mischiefs which the mother's fondness occasion●d ; but then he goes so awkwardly to work , that instead of remidying , he encreases the distempers , and at last the puling young heir , or the most beloved girl dyes , and then father and mother weep and wring their hand● , and are ready to be distracted ; and indeed they have more cause of grief than they commonly think of , for thousands of parents by their foolish indulgence , in giving their children rich costly improper food , become accessary to the shortning of their lives . many of our gentlewomen , who look upon themselves to be saints , do yet make no conscience of spoiling those good creatures and hopeful fruits which the providence of god sends into the world for the real use and benefit of mankind , whilst they turn them into wantonness , and waste and pervert them before ever they come to maturity , to quite contrary ends than that for which the great and good c●e●tor design●d them ; for he intended them to supply humane necessities , they abuse them to extravangance , and riot , ●●d ●iquorishness , he gave them vertues to add health and strength to such as should in their due season eat them , but they , by seizing upon them with an unnatural and untimely violence ( the same thing to vegetabl●s as mu●der or killing is to animals ) and using them absurdly and preposterously , make them the occasions of diseases and destruction ; and yet how many pounds do some women tris●le away in a year upon these harmful vanities and superfluities ? yea , and think themselves rare housewives too , for this prodigality , and are at pains or cost to bring up their daughters to these baneful mysteries of preserving , conserving , &c. all which , besides a most impetinent waste of their husbands money , and spoil of gods good creatures , tend likewise to the destruction of their own health , and that of their children ; for no sooner have they by gluttony , or eating of too great quantities of flesh , fish , or other rich f●ods or over●strong liquors brought ●●emselves out of order , but away they run or send iillian the chamber-maid ( who has already spoil'd her teeth with sweet-meats and kisses ) to the closet for some conserves , prese●ves , or other confectionary-ware ; and if that will not do ( as alas ! how should such sower abortive things , only embalm'd with nauseous sugar , do any good ? ) then fetch the bottle of black-cherry-brandy , the glass of aqua mirabilis , and after that take a dose of plague-water ; and she is no body that has not a room furnish'd plentifully with these pernicious confused slip stops and extravagancies . but tell me , my good dames ! what have you to say for these curi●sities ? what benesit , what advantage do you receive by them ? are you more sound , healthy or strong than the honest poor country-woman , that has none of them ? are you more free from suddain qualms or settled distempers ? have you better appetites than they ? have you more pleasure in eating your larks and pheasants , your dainty bi●s , with rich poinant sawces , and delicious costly wines , than they have in a mess of good milk , or a lusty piece of br●ad and ch●ese , and a cup of nutbrown-ale of their own brewing ? are your sleeps more sound on your down beds , double fortified with curtains of silk and sarcenet , than theirs on their wholsom s●raw-couches open to the air that whistles in between the wooden windows ? are you more free from colds with your ●lannel shifts , and your man-like drawers , and your quilted wastcoats , and petti●oats so many as makes you shew as big about the haunches as a dutch-woman , and would half set up a long-lane bro●er ? are you , i say , with all this furniture free from catching cold , any more than the rosie-complexion'd lass that courts the sweet kisses of the air in her smock sleeves , and trips over the dewy-plains in a winters ●rosly m●r●ing with but a brace of linsey-woolsey coats that are not long enough to conceal the shape of her well-proportioned l●gg ? or are your children born more lusty , or more free from dis●ases , as the kings-evil , lepr●sies , rickets , ioynt-aches , and other distempers ? or are they better complex●on'd , or strai●er-limb'd , or handsomer shap'd , or in any kind more active , sprightly or vigorours than theirs ? alas ! none of all this ; the advantages lie all on the other side : whilst you are continually complaining and sighing , they are merrily singing ; whilst you are weak , and lose your natural complexions , and have no app●tite , and can scarce relish the rarest dain●ies , and your sleeps are restless , and distempers are continually either actually seizing on you , or at least threatning you , so that you are always forced to keep a doctor or two in pension for your life-guard ; they are strong and lusty , and look as fresh as a may-morning , and have stomachs as sharp as a scyth , and all their meat seems n●ctar , and their drink ambrosia , and their sleeps are sweet as mariners after a tempest , their breath as fragrant as honey-suckles ; they never so much heard of half the diseases that you groan under , and look upon doctors as only bawbles for gentlefolks , and find an oatmeat cawdle or a cardus posset better physick than any the apoth●caries shop affords ; their children are in all respects lustier , founder , healthier , more active and strong , of better complexions and compleater proportions for the generality , than yours and why then will you still so indulge a sottish fond humour and wanton pa●ate , seeing it is so destructive to your well-being , and that of your dear posterity ! but waving this not unseasonable digression , and to return to spice , — it must be acknowledged , that god made nothing in vain ; cloves , mace , nutmegs , cinamon , pepper , ginger and pomento or iamaica pepper are brave noble fruits , and smell , as it were , of paradise , and the great and good creator is as much to be admired in them as any other vegetations , for though they are not so useful for common food , yet they have their excellent uses : their chief vertues reside in their most pleasant scent , which is very refreshing and chearing to the spirits ; also , they are endued with a warming quality , very profitable in physical operations , especially for some sort of melancholy and phlegmatick complexions . the same is to be understood in brandy , and other distilled spirits , which often prove profitable being taken when there is just occasion , in a physical way ; but of fatal consequence to such as accustom themselves to the drinking of it at every turn ; for then it quickly wounds the healt● by destroying the natural heat ; the like is to be understood of all extreams , in drinks and food , which are disharmonious in their parts . therefore it is no ways safe to mix unequal fruits with those that are equal ; for then the harmony of the whole will be violated . as to use our familiar example , take the flower of wheat , milk and water , mix them and heat them to a pap , these three things are equal and agreeable in their peculiar parts each with other , and make a brave wholsom food either for young or old , on which alone you may live healthy and contentedly for divers years ; but if you mix with them sugar and spice , or either of them , then the company of this stranger puts them out of tune , and breaks the consort , so that if any one should be confined to this last sort but for one month or two , their palates and stomachs will grow weary and loath it ; and so it is with cakes , in which eight or ten ingredients are mixed ; how long could those that love them best , eat them , and not be weary ? not sixteen days together : but take flower and water and make cakes thereof , and on them you may live several years and never be tired . in like manner flesh , bread and herbs harmonive , and a man may eat of them every day , but mixt spanish fruits , spices , and the like , with fat flesh and butter , and prepare them as well as you can , you shall not eat them every day for one month without loathing and weariness ; the very same is to be understood of all other foods and drinks , and if people would not prefer custom , and what is cried up by the multitude before the simple innocent ways of nature , it would be casie for every one to chuse and understand what is most proper and agreeable to the stomach . for if they would set gustom aside , then most would be led to meats and drinks that are natural and proper by meer instinct , as most of the inferiour creatures are , except some unclean savages , as swine , bears , lyons , and the like : and in truth the greater part of beasts have more understanding in meats and drinks than many men ; for man crys , what were those things made for ? as if god intended that all , right or wrong , must be cram'd into his paunch , and that there could be no other use for them , but for him to devour them ; as if to be ornaments to the universe , to set forth the power and the wisdom of god , in the making , and feeding , and preserving so many innumerable creatures , and invite man thereby to praise , magnifie and adore his maker , were not more noble ends than to eat them to his own prejudice . but so greatly precipitated is he into wrath , viol●nce and oppression , that he is not willing any thing should escape his luxurious throat , though the use of it be to the destruction both of his body and mind . for the source of all evils to man hath been his suffering his imaginations and unclean desires to wander after those things that are neither needful nor any way benificial ; for faslly imagining that all things were made meerly for his use , he entred with the power of his free depraved will , with a rapid motion , into all beastiality , and so deprived himself of the divine vision which he was made in and for , and not to live in the power of the dark magick and brutality , to domineer , and rend , and tear each other to pieces , far worse than the savages of the desart . for man was created in the image of god , and ordained to live under the government of the divine principle , and if he had continu'd under its dominion , then every sort of innocent food would have satisfied him , according to that commission , every green herb and tree bringing forth fruit shall be to thee for meat . nor was he clothed with the skins of beasts before his transgression , and they are still the spoils and reliques of violence ; for he was made naked , that is , in innocency , and his clothing himself with the excrements of beasts , does truly intimate his depraved state , especially when he becomes proud thereof ; than which there cannot be a greater vanity in the world. chap. xv. of oyl , and its nature . amongst all fruits or other things eatable , brought from beyond seas , oyl is one of the best , being of a brave nourishing clean nature , mild and friendly to most constitutions , far exceeding butter or the fat of ●lesh , and that it agrees not with some , is for want of use when they are young ; 't is endued with equality and concord , as being distilled by nature's choicest limbeck , and it would be much for the health of our english people if they did eat more of it , and less fruits and spices , though we have no necessity for either ; but since our desires do so itch after novelties , it were much more commendable for us to chuse those things that have the nearest affinity with our natures ; and of all sorts of fat things , oyl is the most innocent , as proceeding from the cleanest radix , and being the product of vegetation , and therefore is very proper and agreeable to humane nature , being joyn'd unto and eaten with h●rbs and fruits , they having the nearest a●finity in their basis or original , and therefore gyl being eaten with bread or herbs , is to an undepraved palate , not only more delightful , and to the stomach easier of concoction , affording a finer and cleaner nourishment , better blood and purer spirits , than either fat of flesh or butter , though the last of them is very wholsom , cream and butter being our oyl , and eaten with proper or cleaner things , as bread , herbs , and the like , does make a proper mixture , and consequently good food . the reason why oyl is with greatest commendation eaten with herbs and bread , is , because all mixtures of food are most agreeable to the human nature that bear the nearest affinity in their basis ; and as oyl is the true fat of vegetables , so it suits and agrees better with them , than with any sort of flesh , or other food proceeding from flesh ; but with fish it is very good and wholsom , especially sal●-fish , for by its balsamick quality it allayes the ●ierce keen property of the salt , and sweetens the lean body of the fish : and for these purposes it is far better than butter . but it is to be noted , that oyl ought not to come near the heat of the fire , for that will presently destroy the purer parts and vertues thereof , and then it will become strong and fulsom ; the same is to be understood if it be mixed with any foods whilst hot which ought always to be pretty cool before you mix your oyl : therefore to sted brend and oyl , though frequently used , is not so good as cold b●ked br●ad and oyl ; than which there is scarce a better breakfast or supper ; for it cleanseth the passages , is easie of concoction , breeds good blood and fine spirits , whence proceeds any airy lightsom disposition , and good habit both of body and mind . however , those that accustom themselves to the frequent eating thereof , ought to remember their best friend tem erance , that is , to eat it sparingly , and not in too great quantities . olives , or the fruit whence oyl proceeds , are nothing so good as the oyl it self ; for being gathered unripe , o● immature , and put into a pickle made for that purpose to keep them sound , they are apt , especially if frequently eaten , to obstruct the stomach and passages . the best way is to eat them with store of good bread , now and then between whiles , but most that are eaten in england are taken on full stomachs , in superfluity and wantonness , so that it would be no loss to is to be without them . chap. xvi . of honey , its nature and operation , with some notes on the practice of chymistry . the antients have attributed some hundreds of medicinal vertues to honey ; but in my opinion it will hardly perform half that which is said of it ; yet to give it its due , it must be acknowledged to be a brave noble and friendly thing to nature , of which , some is better , some worse , according to the nature of the herbs and flowers out of which this king of flies extracts it ; for cause , some honey is of a more unpleasing taste than other , as being harsh , and with a kind of bitterish farewell , apt to gripe the stomach and bowels when it is tinged with martia● and saturnine herbs , as when the bees gather it from the blossoms of furz , centaury , or other vegetables of like nature , that grow upon harsh , sower , poor commons and heaths ; yet for women and maids , who are afflicted with stoppages , and the disease call'd the green-sickness , medicines made with this sort of honey , are very powerful to remove those evils : but for general use that honey is best which is extracted or drawn from the most pleasant fragrant flowers that grow in meadows and sweet downs , where co●slips , and the like , delight to grow ; as also from the blossoms of corn , peaches and honey-suckles ; for the honey thereof made is smoother , finer and pleasanter than the other , and more agreeable to nature . but there is yet a more subtle and almost nnknown difference in honey , which ought to be noted ; for as honey being drawn from a vast variety of innocent delicate herbs , and most beautiful sweet smelling flowers , ( the bright stars of earth , as the planets and constellations are the flowers of heaven ) may justly , in its own nature be stil'd , the most transparent and richest iuice or liquor in the world , and the finest and most pleasant sweet of all others ; so the same is to be understood not so much of our vulgar honey , as in its original preparation and perfection , viz. if it could be procured whilst it remains intire , as it is extracted out of the herbs and flowers into a little bag or thin skin , which lies in the very center of the bee , as may be manifest to sense , if you can be so cruel , when you catch one of them , to sever it in two , for then , if you are quick , you may take out the bag intire , but if you are too long about it , then the bee will suck it up , or destroy it . this bag contains a most curious thin transparent liquor , of an excellent fine colour , and fine innocent and perfect taste , leaving behind in the mouth no hugo , or strong taste , as our vulgar honey does , when eaten alone . now this is the bees true elixir , the proper paradisical honey ; but when the bees ha●e d●gested it , which cannot be done without some violation to the pure volatile spirits , then they spue or vomit it up . a●ter which it becomes of another colour , smell and taste , and also of a diff●rent nature and operation ; for whilst it remains intire and undigested , its colour is clear and white , its taste an innocent sweet , with a grateful come-off on the palate , its small pure , ai●y and delightful , but after the bee hath digested or separated it , and spued it up with her winters provision or store , then i loseth its white colour , and its pure ta●●e , and its airy smell , and becomes more strong , dull and unpl●asant , and in no particular so gratefully as whilst it remai●'d in the bag intire . it is further to b●understood , that this spagyrical or c●ymical art of the bees do sc●i●fl consi●● in the poys●● us root or sting in nature ; for the attractive faculty stands in the wrathful poysons of saturn , which powerfully attracts all things unto it self , and the s●paratire proper●y consists in the bitter s●ing of mars and mercu●y , therefore the chymical furnace , the bees labo●●tory , or that tool whereby they and some other flies perform these wonderful things , and separate the pure essential spirit and balsamick body of what they gather from the grose phlegmy qualities , is their sting , which is of a poysonous nature , as it app●ars , when they in anger leave it behind them in any animal , for presently the part rages and swells ; but when they have thus lost or dispoiled themselves of this sting or poyson , then they cannot be labourers in this spagyrical art any longer , nor draw more honey out of the flowers , but pure necessity compels them to become thieves and robbers , and live on the spoil of others , and thenceforth are called drones . now so it is , that most sort of flies do love honey , and all sweet things , as sug●r and the like , to feed on , but only those that are naturally endued with a venom or sting , are able to extract it ; for 't is by that sting that they separate the vertue from the vice , which is a wonderful arcanum , and may afford a most curious philosophical speculation ; for indeed it surpasses all the spagyrical skill of men ; for they make a present separation , and are not obliged to serment or sower their liquor before they put it into their limbeck ; for if they should , they could obtain only the fierce fiery wrathful spirit , as happens in all distillations of balsamick liquors , as wine , and the like ; but the bees extract the more pure substance , viz. the volatile spirits , tinctures , and sweet balsamick body , which in all distillations is destroy'd , and only the firce original fiery spirit preserv'd , which when it loseth its friendly companion , i●s amiable sun of true light , and sweet pleasant vertue , then presently it becomes a high lofty untameable power , of a fierce fiery nature and operation , as is manifest in all such spirits as brandy , rum , &c. which all prey upon the natures of such as accustom themselves to those fiery liquors ; of which , if poor mortals were s●nsible , they would hate themselves for their labours in that ●i●d , and kings and other gover●ou●s would make laws , not only against the i ●inkers , but against the inven●ion too of such pernici●us arts. wherefore th●n do our earned spagyri●● men spread their ●●ums so large and lo●tily , and keep such a clutter and boasting of their art and chymical medicines , which in their highest preparations are not to be compared to the skill and product of a poor silly fl●e● 〈◊〉 bee ? let us survey the method taken by these fiery philos●phers , and let reas ●n●judge what vertues are to be extracted from such preparations . first , when they t●ke any herb , flower , seed , crain or 〈◊〉 to make a m●dicine of , they put it into some mers●ru●m as they call it or liquor , wherein it may lie and ferment or sour , which does presently ●urn and suffocate the odo●iferous smells , pure v●la●ile spiri●s and sweet body , in which consists the true vertue and healing q●●lity of all things , both in the animal , veger●ble and mineral ki●gdoms : after this , they put it into the furn●er or lambeck , and through the fierce heat of the fire there will run off a brandy , or hot sulpherous spirit , which does contain only the fierce original s●irits , void of the middle quality , and all the seminal and balsamick vertu●s ; therefore such their spirits are at the end of nature , and you may add what balsamick bodies or sweets you please , th●y cannot be made to work or ferment ; and although such fiery spirits are good in some medicines , being properly mixed with things of a balsamick nature , yet alone they are not , because they have lost the medicinal vertues in their preparation ; for the healing vertue in all things proceeds from and consists in the benign and friendly quality , which the fire dissipates and destroys ; and as long as it remains , so long the pure smell and sweet pleasant taste of that thing continues ; but in the hot sulpherous fierce original fires the evil smells and nauseous tastes ( which most of the vulgar things called , medicines , are subject unto ) do consist . there is a certain maxime , though ☞ little understood or regarded , that all preparations , either in food or physick , that do not conserve the essential vertues of those things pretended to be prepared ( that is , the pure volatile spirits and sweet body , whence the true colour , pure smell and delightful taste , and all other good quali●ies , both medicinal and nutrimental , do arise and proceed ) such food and medi●ines can never answer the ends of nature , being weak naus●●ous , improper , and deprived of those very vertues whi●h should do the business for which they were administred . the truth of what is here deliver'd may be confirmed from daily experience ; for do not all vegetations quickly putrifie and rot when there is any violence offered , to the subtle spi●its and sweet qualities , whether it be by improper preparations , or other accidents proceeding from the elements . therefore there is required greater understanding and skill in preparing medicines , than most are either endued with or imagine ; for the amiable healing quality in all things is of a very subtle tender nature , and the pure nutrimental and medicinal vertues , lie , as it were hid , or captivated in the crude phlegmy body both in veg●tables , animals and minerals ; and when the artist would make a medicine thereof , he must either by the help of the coelestial fire and elements , or by the common fire , or some proper menstruums digest and open the gross saturnire and harsh martial body , which in all things does in some degree captivate the essential vertues and paradisical properties , but so delicate is the friendy nature , that it will not endure any kind of violence without great prejudice ; for being ( by opening its poyson , the crude body ) set at liberty and becomes volatile , if such preparations be continued any longer than the proper point of time , the essential vertues being already upon the wing , will presently fly away ; and if the friendly element the air have not its free circulation , then they become suffocated ; for the air is the life of the true and living spirit in all things . is not this clear and manifest in herbage , as hay , which husbandmen preserve for their cattel ; and in corn , if it stand after it is full ripe , or when cut , if it lie too long in the open air , will not the pure essential vertues depart and evaporate ? and then , do not all such things lose their natural colour , pure mell and pleasant taste , and so become of no use nor true ve●●ue either for food or physick ? the very same comes to pass in all housewifery and prepa ations ; if it be under-prepared , it is gross , heavy and full of flatulent ●ui●es ; if over , then its pure vertues become evaporated , and it will afford no good nor firm nou●ishment , but is of a ●●ull taste , a duskie or else martial colour . for example , bread , whose predominant quality stands in the ventrial and i●vial natu●e , and therefore of a pure white ; but the ●aturnine and martial heats of the or●● , where the friendly element , the air , hath not its free egress and regress , it becomes of a duskish brown or yellowish colour , and a rough harsh taste ; whereas if the preparation were proper , it would be white , smooth , soft , and of a sweeter taste , and easier of digestion . from what hath been said , it appears , not to be an easie matter in physical preparations and separati●ns to preserve the friendly healing properties compleat and intire , and yet at the same time open , digest and destroy the gross phlegmatick body , since the former is so apt to be violated , if great prudence be not used ; and if once this benigne quality be wounded , such foods or medicines become fulsome , fierce and nauseous to nature , far worse and of more dangerous consequence than they were whilst they remain'd crude , as being hotter and more fierce , because the moderator is gone ; so that it would prove much safer if the diseased took the crude herbs , &c. for then they would have the innate vertues , as well as the vice ; but after the common preparations , which most physitians and apothecaries use , you must be contented with a meer nauseate or loathsome medicine , in which the pure essential vertues are all , or for the most part , destroyed ; for all vegetations and other things , in which the properties and qualities of nature are unequal , either by nature , or rendred so by artless art , will be strong , and of a fulsome taste , dull and heavy on the palate and stomach , &c. and whatsoever is said here of the improper preparation of vegetables , and the evils that come thereby , will in a more especial manner take place in the spagyrical or chymical art , when it drives into the mineral kingdom ; for all or most of the benigne vertues or good properties of minerals are lockt up and captivated in the harsh poysons and gross crude bodies of saturn and mars , and their birth and generation is in the deep bowels of the saturnine cold earth , where the sun and elements have not so free influences and circulation through them , as they have on all vegetations and fruits ; therefore they are far more harsh , hard and poysonous , than those things that grow in the open elements ; neither are they in any degree so friendly and familiar to our natures , as herbs , fruits , grains and seeds ; therefore mineral medicines are of much more dangerous and fatal consequence than the others , if they be not prepared as they ought to be , that is , so as that the good vertues be not destroy'd ; for in vegetable preparations there does at best remain only a dull gross flatulent body , which indeed has no power to cure , nor very much to hurt . but nothing is more dangerous and poysonous than ill prepared medicines of minerals : therefore in si●kness i had rather fall into the hands of an unskilful gallenist , than of a rash and ignorant chymist , the last being much more to be dreaded than the former , though both are bad . and it is common with some that think themselves great in the chymical art , to take antimony and other minerals , and prepare them , and make medicines , which are tenfold worse than when it was in its natural crude body , as appears by its fierce poysonous operation ; for before its preparation a man might take forty , sixty or an hundred grains without any manifest prejudice , but when it has passed the strong sulpherous fires and calcinings of the chymists , then ten or twelve grains will do the business , that is , purge and vomit , as if it would rend and tear nature to pieces ; and if any should take but half the quantity that might safely have been taken whilst it remained crude in all its parts , it would prove an infallible cure for all diseases , by putting a period to life . whereby i●undeniably appears , that the chymist has not , as many falsly boast , by his art digested or meliorated the terrible fierce wrath and strong poysons of saturn and mars , and preserved the blessed and most aimable properties of venus , iupiter and sol , which last endue all things , in which they carry the upper dominion , with a gentle mild friendly nature and operation ; but on the contrary , they render the poysonous qualities more violent and intense ; and the benign properties in most mineral preparations are destroyed , suffocated and wounded by their fierce and improper fires , and for want of understanding in the time , so that the venomous wrath becomes tenfold more fierce than it was before ; and the chiefest matter they can boast of , is , that with much art and industry they have destroyed the good healing balsamick vertues , and so enraged the poysonous wrathful nature , that a less quantity will do their business . but let them know , that all the healing and medicinal properties re●de in the friendly principle , and in whatsoever food or medicine the amiable vertue or balsamick oyl is wounded , that thing thenceforth becomes abominable , so far from deserving the name of an help or remedy , that it is a meer nauseat to nature . it is further to be noted , that all medicines that are fierce , wrathful , poysonous , and unequal , in which the benign properties are impotent , and the fierce original dark powers so predominate , that ten , twenty or thirty grains or a few drops will affright nature , and put her into an agonious fit , as for the most part destructive to the well-being and health both of the body and mind ; for they do incorporate with their similes , and excite the lurking poysons in the body , and put a further dismayment on the weak oyl and pure vertues , the strengthning of which would be the right cure. and it is a very great chance if any such rough churlish medicines do any cure , but altogether the contrary . 't is true , many perhaps may recover after such physick , but that is no argument of their excellency or safety . if a physitian should have at any time three hundred patients , one might safely pass ones words , that if not one of them took any of his medicines , yet two hundred and fifty of them would recover ; and ye should the physitian in this case have the glory of curing them all , when in truth they owe the benefit solely to the mercy of god , and goodness of his handmaid nature . it is also to be considered , that there are some chymical preparations , as powders , and the like , that have no purgative or vomiting quality , nor any other manifest way of working or altering of nature , being no more sensibly felt than a crum of bread after it is in the belly . and these have been and are much cry'd up for the wonders they do : and in truth they are much to be preferr'd before the former uncorrected poysons , which rend and tear the body to pieces ; for these , perhaps , do not hurt , and what do they do , i am not able to say ; but most certain it is , that as many as happen to be well after the taking them , do attribute their cure to these silent medicines . however , this i will be bold to tell you , that in chymical , and especially mineral preparations , it is a very difficult point , and i think , more than any mortal man can certainly undertake to perform , to correct , allay and destroy the venoms of saturn and mars , and at the same time preserve the more amiable and friendly vertues , which are in their own nature so very subtle , tender and fine , that every little inconveniency or violence wounds them ; and the difficulty is hereby further encreased , for that in what medicine soever the original fires of saturn and mars are destroyed or wholly annihillated , the benign properties can no longer subsist ; for where there is no fire there is no light ; for the fire is the father of the light , and all life and moveability stands in the poysonous root ; therefore the artist must not annihillate those poysonous principles in nature , for they are the very original of every life , but his work is to correct them , that the benign principle and healing quality may arise and tincture , or shine through them , that so their strife may cease , and all the properties incorporate and embrace each other , and so attain the vnity , and then such a medicine will have power and vertue to tune the discords of nature into an harmony , and allay the irritated poysons in the body , and so awaken and strengthen the dismay'd oyl and fading vertues , and so the cure will be soon effected . thus it appears , that to take a crude poysonous mineral or vegetable , and open its gross body , and correct the venoms , and awaken the good balsamick vertues , that so they may predominate and tinge the whole , is one of the highest and most difficult points in the spagyrical science : but on the contrary , 't is no great matter to make a devil , being half made already , that is , 't is easie to make a thing worse , but hard to render it better ; for its vertues cannot appear till the poysons be moderated , which must be done by the artists helping hand , which to do , requires as great understanding as to obtain that wonderful thing , so much talk't of , but rarely , if at all known or understood , viz. the grand elixir or philosophers stone ; whereas indeed neither this nor the other can be attained by any humane study , learning , or industry , but only by the divine bounty and favourable mercy of the god of peace and true love. but however , it often comes to pass , that though the medicines be not prepared in nature's own way , nor so as to them narurally p●ofitable and homogeneal , yet nevertheless the prayers of the administer , and the faith of the receiver , may and do often work wonders ; for faith is ab●e to remove mountains . therefore many medicines , though in themselves imp●oper , have wrought great cures , so great is the power of zeal and faith , and sincere calling on the name of the lord , which is the only univers●l and infallible medicine , and surest port of safety . chap. xvii . of sugar and sugar-candy , their nature and operation . sugar is of late years become of almost universal use with all that have where with to procure it , which proves of evil consequence to most of them , especially women and children , who are the chief eaters thereof ; 't is in truth an excellent and rich fruit , being indued with the king of all tastes ; for sweetness is the best and richest quality in n●ture , being the moderator and qualifier of the bitter , sour , astring●n● or sal●ish quality , both in animals , vegetables and minerals , and from this amiable quality doth arise all beau●iou● colours , smells and tastes in meats and drinks , and other things , the house or cabinet of the pure volatile and essential spirits , the appeaser and qualifier of the fierce ●rathful saturnine and martial fires ; therefore in whatsoever things that sweet quality is impotent , the same become fierce , wrathful and harsh ; if in animals they are ravenous and cruel , as bears , lyons , tygars , butchers , souldiers , wolves , dogs , crocadiles , pikes , cormorants , sharks , vultures , and many others both on earth , and in the air , and water , of monstrous shapes and hideous forms ; if in vegetables , as herbs and fruits , they are strong , rank & poysonous , and much more in minerals . nevertheless , if this sweet and so much desirable quality shall be too strong , so as it were totally to captivate all the other qualities , as happens in sugar , and many other fruits , then its good and amiable vertues are turned e●il , for such are all extreams of whatsoever kind in nature , and of bad consequence , if it be no● properly mixed or incorporated and eaten with other things , or by it self very sparingly ; for many times the best things prove as prejudicial to health as those of less value , nay , more harmful to health , because they are more inticing . thus the too frequent mixing of sugar with our common foods and drinks , obstr●cts the course of nature , heats the blood till it becomes thick and putrified , whence proceed stoppages of the nerves , hindring the passages of the spirits , so that they become heavy , dull and impure , because the blood cannot freely circulate ; and these evils do in an especial manner take place amongst children , women and young people , who chiefly maintain the confectioners , and are the great devourers of sweet-meats . few there be that are sensible , or indeed so long as they live intemperately , can be sensible of the mischiefs of improper mixtures ; and as it must be confessed that sugar in its own nature is one of the best vegetables , so it must be affirmed , that as it i●an ex●ream or a thing unequal in its parts and qualifications , so whatsoever foods and drinks 't is mixed withal , it inclines them to its own nature , viz. to inequality , if care and wisdom be not use● ; and therefore is not to be used with e●●able fruits and grains , as wheat , and the like , nor with milk , nor several sorts of gru●ls and pott●ges , for they are all endued with sufficiency of this balsamick or sweet quality already . besides , the art that is used to make the juice or thin liquor of the sug●r-canes into sugar , does so alter and change it from its simple original , that it becomes of another nature and operation , as is manifest from the different tastes of the one and the other ; for the juice of r●pe sugar-canes has a most delicate fine simple , and as one may say , innocent sweetness , leaving behind in the mouth no strong taste or ill relish , but every way perfect , and without offence to nature , and a man may without weariness eat more thereof than he can of sugar , especially of fine sugar ; but on the contrary sugar after the first or mou●hfuls , doth not only leave b●hind it a●n us●ous strong taste or hug● ▪ but also quickly tires the eaters thereof . and as the mixing of sugar with the before-m●n●ion●d b●●ign grains and fruits is improper , so ●●kewise is it in vain to add the same to mart●al ●atu●nine and unripe fruits that are harsh , sour and bitter ; for unripe fru●●s can no more be made prop●r by mixing mature fruits with t●em , t●an brandy can be made wholsom drink by mixing sugar or sweets with it ; this you may perceive in the case of stale harsh beer , you may mix sugar with it , viz. such a quantity as will allay and hide the roughness and hardness of the beer , as to the pallate , and make it go down some-what pleasantly , but when it comes into the stomach , ( natures laboratory ) ●here she makes separation , then t●●● ●aturnine and martial harshness will again appear in its own form , and he●t the whole body , and generate the grav●l or s●one , if it find suitable matter : the same is to be understood in foods ; what stom●ch will be satisfied after a whole meal only of goosebery-tarts made of young green gooseberries made pallatable with sugar ? and so of all other things that are either unripe or unequal in their parts , and the reason is at hand , viz. because two extreams , though never so cunningly joyned , cannot produce a thing of a middle nature or equal operation , and agreeable to nature . but here perhaps some will object , if these good things , sugar , spanish fruits , &c. most not be eaten , wherefore were they made ? to which i answer ; the creator made all things for his own honour and glory , and made man in his own image , and endued him with divine and humane wisdom , by which he might be able to chuse unto himself the better part ; but this eye of the understanding he hath ●●ut out , by suffering himself to be pre●●pitated into all evil , su●erfluity and intemperance ; but the all-wise creator did never command mankind to encrease and make vast quantities , viz. a thousand times as much more as is needful of any sort of eatable or drinkable things , and then oblige them to swallow them down their throats for fear ( forsooth ) they should be spilt , or be counted useless , as if there could be any greater spoil than that which spoils both the thing and the receiver , or as if it were not better to let a thing remain seemingly useless , than to abuse it to my own destruction ? the truth is , the original of most superfluous and pernicious inventions , and also of such a prodigious encrease of sugars , spanish fruits , wines and spices , have chiefly sprang from the hellish root of covetousness , being promoted for the sake of gain , and to raise great estates , and to live a rich easie superfluous life , and not for any private or publick good ; and as their ends were bad , so the effects prove no better . some also will say , we have need of them , and why should we debar our selves of those things ? and thus if there were an hundred toys and needless novelties brought into england more than there is , they would quickly find footing , and the people would quickly have as much need of them as they have of tobacco , bra●dy , sugar , spices , &c. and that we have no real deed of any of these things is undeniable , since our fore-fathers lived not only as well , but much better too , that is , were stronger , lu●●ier , longer-liv'd and freer from diseases , before the use of such things , than their posterity are since ; nay , many discases which we now-a-days groan under , were not then known . but yet for all this it must be acknowledged , as i said before , that suga● is a brave noble fruit , and has its uses , but chiefly as wine , it ought to be taken and used as a cordial , or in a physical way , and not at every turn to be mixed with our common food and drinks , as most do at this day , it being o●e of the richest juices in the world , and therefore the fitter for cordials , when natu●e wants such recruits : but the too common use thereof is of ev●l consequence , particularly all sweetned drinks and foods do much forward the generation of the gout , and other obstructions and diseases in the body , which sim●le innocent foods will prevent , if temperance be at any ●ate observed ; but if suga● be now and then a little used in milk-meats and pottages for old people , it will prove grateful and benefical ; for of all sorts of people sweetned foods are best for the aged , and are least hurtful to them . touching sugar-candy and pan-sugar , i shall first discribe to you how it is made , and then shall the more easily make it appear how improperly it is used commonly amongst us . sugar-candy is made thus , first it is boyled as high as other sugars , then they take this syrup out of the pans , and put it into an earthen pot , and set it in an hot stove , there to stand eight or ten days , in which time the fierceness of the sulpherous heat does candy or coagulate it into an hard tough substance , and then you take it out from the syrup , and put this candy , or the hard lumps into the stove again , but made two or three degrees hotter , where it must remain ten or twelve days longer , and then it is done . there are two sorts of it , white and brown , but they are both of one nature and operation , and the chief use that is made of either , besides spoiling of childrens teeth , is to several sorts of people as a medicine , when they are troubled with coughs , colds and inward stoppages of the breast . now sugar-candy , as to its nature and operation , is the same in the radix as sugar , from whence it is produced , only it is nothing so good , nor of so cleansing and opening a quality as common-sugar , though the contrary is generally believed , but any man that wears eyes in his head , may from the before cited method of its preparation easily perceive my opinion to be true , for by that tedious unnatural preparation , and being made stronger of the lime , that thereby it may more easily harden and coagulate . this candid sugar must needs become of an hotter nature , and tougher substance than the common sugar , and consequently not so wholsom especially for those people that are troubled with colds or stoppages , for being by that way of preparing dryed , hardened , and brought into an hard glewy tough substance , of a slimy ropy nature , when it comes to dissolve , it naturally heats and stops the passages , instead of opening them , causing drought , &c. there being nothing more contrary and burdensom to nature in such cases , than this very thing which is given almost as an universal medicine to both young and old ; and therefore ought by all wise people to be abandon'd ; for all things in which the sweet quality is extream ( in which respect sugar is chief ) do dull the palate , clog and obstruct the stomaeh , stop the passages , destroy concoction , spoil the natural heat , making it weak and feeble , heats the blood , and renders it thick , whence proceed dull and impure spirits . therefore all such things ought to be avoided by ●ound and healthy people , but much more by such as are already obstructed , except they intend to encrease their maladies , which is often done by such improper means , it being a custom too general when any such disorder is on people , to make most of their foods and drinks sweet , that ( forsooth ) they may rot away the cold , as they call it ; never considering the evil consequences of such things , which are as far from any property to help such infirmities , as i 〈◊〉 is from darkness , and only 〈◊〉 blindness and ●olly have been and are the original of all such customs and inventions ; for in truth , such as find themselves invaded with such distempers , the best food is thin brisk gruds and pottages made in the manner we have taught before in the chapter of gru●ls , &c. also good raw salads , with bread and oyl , but oyl sparingly ; likewise bread and butter and all sorts of lean food that are light of digestion : and for drinks toast and water , water and rhenish wine , or water and white-wine , two parts water and one wine , or clear small ale , with moderate clothing and exercise in open airy places , which will gradually cleanse the passages , open all obstructions , and s●on remove those evils . it is further to be noted , that all sorts of sweet fruits , as raisins , figgs , and the like , being frequently eaten by such people as are subject to stoppages and colds , does encrease those distempers , by heating the blood and weakning the digestive faculty and natural heat , and generating evil iuices , except such fruits are eaten sparingly and with bread , which with such fruits is to be preferred before any other things mixt or eaten with them whatsoever : likewise there are various sorts of drinks made by boiling fruits in beer , ale , wine , and the like , with various sorts of herbs , roots , seeds , and druggs of disagreeing natures , and stoutly sweetned with sugar or honey , such liquors for the most part prove of very evil consequence to health ; for no sweet fruits ought to be boyled , neither for food nor physick ; for boyling does naturally evaporate and destroy the pleasing friendly opening qualites , and sends packing the purer spirits , as appears both by the fruits after they are so boyled , and also the liquor that they are boyled in , and the nauseous unpleasing taste which remains in both , which is the reason that all that use this way of preparation , are forced to sweeten such drinks with sugar or honey , or else they will not be drinkable ; but if you take any of the before-mentioned fruits raw , and bruise or stone them , and then infuse them in any of the said liquors , especially in common water , it will become sweet and pleasant , and far more opening and cleansing , and every way wholsomer : the same advantage you have when you infuse herbs properly gathered , dryed and preserved , and also seeds , drugs and roots , and all such drinks will have a pleasant taste , and be welcome to the stomach ; but if the same be boyled , it will be altogether the contrary , as having lost their essential vertues by the violence of fire ; for the pure volatile spirits in all sweet lucious fruits , are not only very powerful , but stand , as it were external , and on the surface , and therefore will not endure the fierce motion of the fire , as flesh , and several sorts of martial and saturnine fruits , grains and seeds will ; for in them the pure sweet vertues and spirits , are ( as it were ) lockt up under the harsh forms and earthly properties of the original poysons , and therefore cannot be brought out to manifestation , but only by the heat of the external ●ire . these things ought to be consider'd and understood in all preparations , both in food and physick , or else there will be but sorry diet and worse medicines . as for coughs , colds and stop●ages , ( for which people commonly use sugar-candy and pan-sugar ) the same are generally procured by ill-living , and intemperance in mea●s , drinks , exercises and habits , and also by eating and drinking too much in quantity , and things of a contrary quality , or improperly prepared . these things are the original inlets of your colds ; nor do proceed so much from thin clothing , as most imagine ; for if the inside be sound and clean , then there is but little danger of outward inconveniences ; but the best way for such as are of weak tender spirits and sanguine natures , and indeed for all sorts of people to prevent outward colds , and the evils that happen through thin and thick clothing , and by heats , sweatings , and the like , is to use themselves to change their clothes often . as for example ; such as stay in the house in the morning to put on one sort of clothes , and when they go out to put off their coats and wastcoats to their shirt , and put on fresh cold clothes ; and then again in the after-noon or at night , when they stay at home , and have no occasion to go forth , to put off their clothes they went forth in , and put on the others ; which a little custom will make so easie , familiar and delightsome , and so refresh them , that such as use themselves to such change of habits , will not be satisfied if they omit it : and for others who are subject to sweat by their labours , if it be extream , and more than is usual , then let them at all such times put off all their clothes , shirts and all , and put on fresh shirts and cold clothing ; and for such as over-travel themselves , and are sweaty and weary , let them also put off all their cloathing , and put on fresh ; but let both one and the other observe to sit still a little while before they either eat or drink . also , when you change your clothes , as to put on thinner or thicker , or when you put on new-clothes , which generally are warmer than old , you ought not to wear the thick or the thin , the new nor the old constantly , but to wear the new one day , and then on the morrow to wear the old or thinner again , and so by degrees you may wear either without danger to your health ; for nature , especially when weak will not admit of suddain alterations or changes , either inwardly or outwardly , without injury . but some will be ready to say , that it is not only troublesom to change a mans clothes so often , but also the ready way to procure great hurts by putting on old clothes when they are hot . and 't is confest , this may at first seem very improper ; but if the matter be better considered , our directions will not appear either unreasonable or unwholsome ; for does not every one , even the most tenderest people , and such as do often sweat a nights , and lie , ten , twelve or fourteen hours soaking themselves as in an hot bath , yet every morning rise out of those close hot beds , and put on cold clothes , without any prejudice to nature or catching cold ? and if so , why then should putting on cold clothes , when they are up in the cold open air ( which is far more tolerable than the former ) do them any prejudice ? besides , the putting on cold clothes , provided they be not wetor damp ▪ is so far from being an injury , that it is altogether the contrary ; for this fresh cold clothing shuts and closes up the pores , and drives the natural heat more central , which is the greatest security that may be to nature , causing a lively briskness through the whole body , sharpens the appetite , and helps concoction , enabling the natural heat to withstand the attaques of outward inconveniences : is not this further manifested in swimming , wading , and the like ? do not such exercises wonderfully beget appetite ? which is for no other reason but by the coldness of the water , which shuts the pores , and forces the natural heat more inwardly , which does in a moments time digest crudities and cleanse the stomach from all slimy superfluous matter , which did dull and fur the passages and hinder concoction ; so that you see what you fear as your greatest enemy , is your chiefest friend . is is further to be noted , that ●iggs , pru●ns , and also several sorts of nuts , as almonds , and many other things of like nature , that are the productions of hot climates , are not 〈◊〉 agreeable to our northern cons●●●utions , and ought not to be frequently eaten , or indeed not at all , except only with common bread , or in a physical way in opening drinks . the mischiefs of eating such fruits alone , may appear by their effects , viz. the stoppages and obstructions , thick blood , weak ioynts and limbs , and troublesome unnatural heats , possessing all the outward parts , whilst the more central are cold , whence proceeds dulness of appetite , and many other inconveniences , especially to women and children , who are the chief eaters of such things , to the great imparing of their health . the like is to be understood of green and candid gingers , as also all sorts of conserves and preserves that many of the more curious dames stuff their own and their childrens paunches with ; not forgetting the great quantities of the confectinners hodge-podge , and the cakes , the buns , the ginger-bread , &c. all which do wonderfully fur and obstruct the passages , and generate crudities , and indispose the stomach , and prepare matter for the regiment of diseases . some may think or say , that i talk after a strange rate : but if they be so discreet and wise as to consider the natu●es , ingredients and operations of the beforementioned things , or consult either doctor reason , or their near neighbour doctor experience , they will be of my mind . for there are as great superfluities , intemperances and disorders committed in meats and drinks , as there are in cloathings , houses and furnitures , but the mischiefs arising from the former are worse than those from the latter ; for excess , bad preparations and improper mixtures in foods and drinks , do an hundred times more injury to health and tranquility of body and soul , than the highest extravagances in ornament and clothing ; the one being external , but the other inward ; one is seen , but the other lies hid , and is felt to the disquieting of the body and mind ; and as it is less ornamental , so is it less excuseable ; for what are monuments that gluttons leave behind them ? verily nothing but an ill name , as stinking as their carcasses , weakly and d●seased children to curse their intemperances and fat houses of-office . chap. xviii . of the four principal tastes , or the bitter , the saltish , the sour , and the sweet qualities , and their respective natures . having occasionally in the fore-going discourse several times mentioned the sweet quality i shall here take leave to inform the reader more particularly of the nature of the four principal tastes or qualities , since the knowledge thereof will be very useful to all discreet lovers of health . the bitter taste or quality is the radix or central fire in every life , whether in animals , vegetables or minerals , it hath the strong might of the fire , whence ariseth the attractive quality , which draweth together the water in the air , and again dissipateth it , by which it becomes separable , distilling it self in drops and showers . and if men or other a●imals be dignified with this quality , then have they strong attractive faculties and great heats , and consequently eat much , and are subject to wra●h and fierceness , especially if the male aspects and configurations of the stars and elements be awakened ; for then presently this bitter harsh furious fire breaks forth , whence follows thunder , lightnings and terrible fierce storms of hail , rain , wind , and the like ; and if it gets dominion in the hearts of men , then follows war , d●solation of countries , burning of cities , devastation of towns , &c. also , this quality being incorporated with the pure spirituous parts or vapours of the air , clothes all vegetables with a pleasant lovely green , but it does differ , some deeper , some more light , all according to the strength of the salnitral vertue in each herb or tree . if this bitter quality be temperate , and dwell meekly in either men , beasts , or other thing , then it is a most friendly chearing life thereunto ; for by its central and pleasant heat , it dissipateth all malignity and evil influences , is the cause of all ioy and the root of motion : therefore men and all other creatures in whom this bitter quality is strong , are brisk , lively , active and nimble ; so vegetatives wherein the same doth bear sway , are powerful openers of all obstructions in the body , of which the antients seems to have been sensible , by their attributing opening cleansing vertues and qualities to bitter martial herbs , s●eds , fruits and grains . it is most true , that this is a powerful quality , and when it is temperate in any creature , causeth a pleasant noise or emotion , which in men we call laughter , in other things an elevation of spirits ; and when the astringent , sour and sweet qualities do equally incorporate , gives the brisk lively taste to all food , which renders it not only pleasant and delightful to the palate and stomach , but affords a profitable nourishmennt that will never tire the eaters thereof , being soberly used ; for equality and concord maintain their like properties , both in the body and mind . but this bitter spirit or quality hath likewise in it another species , viz. a fierceness and wrath , which is a terrible furious spirit , and the house of death , a corruption of all good , and destruction of the life in body ; for if it be too much elevated in man or beast , then it presently enflames the central fires , whence proceed cruel burning feavers , and other accute mortal diseases ; for this quality is the principal mother and kindler of the hot poysonous fire in all elements ; and when it too violently predominates in any herb , fruit , grain or seed , they are strong , fulsom , hot and bitter , not fit for food , nor indeed for physick , without skilful correction ; but if a wise artist takes them in hand , that knows how to ally their fierce martial poysons and hot bitter fires , then they prove excellent medicines ; and if any shall mix such herbs with their drinks or foods , as some do unadvisedly , by infusing of wormwood , or the like , in beer or ale , letting it lie too long , till it becomes almost rotten , by which means the volatile spirits become suffocated , then such liquours will be apt to awaken the bitter hot fulsom qualities , and prove hot and unpleasant , and send dulling fumes and vapours into the head , prejudicing both the eyes and brain . nor can the wisest cook make proper and agreeable foods or drinks of any thing in which either of the four qualities are extream ; indeed they may by various mixtures palliate and hide the excess , and for the present render them pleasant to the palate , but when the natural heat of the stomach comes to separate them , there still remains a touch of the old relish , and they afford neither a firm nor good nourishment ; and should any person be confined but a month to live only on them , he would perfectly loath them , which is a demonstration that they are not natural and wholsom . the saitish or astringent quality is the very original matter of every creature in the four worlds , it attracteth or naileth all things together , 't is the vestment of the spirit , and the true cloathing of life in all things , whether animal , vegetable or mineral , an harsh drawing property , which encompasseth and encloseth the life , spirit and power of every material being , whence proceeds the shell or body ▪ which serves to preserve the more essential parts from being evaporated , suffocated , or otherwise violated : thus if the skin , shell or body of any thing be any ways hurt , then presently the most essential parts are disturbed , and the spirit of life suffers , and becomes wounded , it being the first and the last in all things ; and when this coagulating or saltish quality is temperate in any creature or vegetation , being equally incorporated or mixed with the bitter , sour and sweet properties , it renders it benign and pleasant , and operates in number , weight and measure ; for 't is this sharp quality that gives that delightful pleasurable taste in all meats and drinks . but if this astringent quality be too highly exalted , if it be in humane nature , it becomes a terrible fiercess , and inflames the bitter root or fire , whence are engendred in the body diseases of a tearing stoney wrathful nature , as the gravel , stone , gout , palsies , agues , &c. or if it happen to be inflamed in the water , then it engenders scabs , tedious sores , small pox , leprosies , dropsies , and the like ; but if it be violently enkindled in the 〈◊〉 quality , then follows consump●ions , general w●stings of the radical moisture , plague sores and great pox ; or if enflamed in the sour property , then the palate forfeits its taste and good relish , thence arises loss of appetite , stoppages , sour belchings and vapours , windy diseases , and cruel obstructions of the stomach and passages : and when this inequality happens in any sorts of foods or drinks , then they are astringent , harsh , sour , sharp and unpleasant both to the palate and stomach , binding the body , and generating the gravel and stone , and various other diseases , according as it finds matter in each constitution . and though cooks and others do by their divers ingredients and improper compositions hide or captivate this harsh saturnine fire , so that it cannot be felt , or very little tasted on the palate ; nevertheless when the natural heat of the stomach has made separation , then the aforesaid ill juices become manifested and exert their harmful operations and effects , as all may know , if they will but give themselves the leisure and heed to observe it . for example , take any kind of harsh astringent fruits , and allay them with sugar , spicies , spanish fruits , flower , butter , milk , or any other balsamick pleasant things , and make it up together for food , as in pyes , tarts , and the like , then make your whole meals thereof for several days together , and you shall certainly find an unpleasant sour keeking or qualmish gnawing or griping at your stomach , as if it were always unsatisfied . the sovr quality , when it is moderate , opposeth in any creature , or other thing , then it opposeth all extreams , both of the bitter , sweet and astringent properties , being of a cooling refreshing nature and operation , it makes an excellent temperature , giving a most pleasant taste to all sorts of food , causing them easily to ferment and digest , so that they become , as well the most pleasant as the wholsomest of foods , being a quick lively powerful quality , the true habitation and delight of the pure spirit ; but if this quality be too weak in any creature , then they are dull , sottish and heavy ; if in foods , unpleasant , and apt to cloy both stomach and palate ; but when it is too highly elevated , it engenders sadness or melancholy , causing a stink , or putrifaction and rankness in all animals ane vegetables . the sweet quality opposes the other three , being an amiable , blessed and pleasant property , comforting and refreshing every thing ; 't is an asswager of wrath and fierceness , a calmer of storms and tempests , and gives all things their pleasant and friendly look , affords the pure spirituous fragrant taste in vegetables , whose fair , yellow , white and ruddy colours do all from hence proceed ; 't is a glimps of the divine ray , a qualification of love and mercy , the sweet solace and ioy of every created being ; and when it is temperate and moderate in any thing , bearing a gentle sway over the martial and saturnine properties , then such creatures are sanguine , of friendly dispositions and temperatures , of tractable humane inclinations , and all meats and drinks in which it does a little predominate , are endued with concord and equality , as bread , milk , mild ale , beer well brew'd and fermented , cyder , wine sufficiently allay'd with water , &c. such foods and drinks do by consent administer a proportionable nourishment by equal portions to all parts of the body ; for this good quality does sweeten and allay the bitter hot fires of mars , and opens all the doors of the melancholy astringent chambers of saturn , by its friendly influences . but still this amiable property doth contain a fierce wrathful poyson , which is the root and very center of every beeing ; for if there were no harsh nor fierce wrathful fire , there could neither be any light or love , and when this lurking poyson is too violently kindled in the bitter quality in the element of water , then it engendereth many disorders , as botchy s●es and leprosics , which quickly corrupt the flesh ; but if it be kindled by the heats of mars , then it infecteth the element of air , and occasions a suddain and spreading plague , that corrupts all in a moment . so when this quality shall too violently bear sway in foods and drinks , they thereby become heavy and dull , apt to clog both the appetite and the stomach , hot in operation , making the blood thick and sharp , and consequently the spirits impure , the senses stupified , the understanding clouded , the joynts loaded with pernicious juices , &c. by all which it appears , that whensoever any one of the four qualities before-mentioned , does too violently predominate , or is inflamed , it presently kindles or awakens the hot bitter astringent poysons , whether it be in animals or vegitables , so that the central fires which lay hid or captivated in the sweet oyl begin to burn fierce , and appear in their own form. most people that enjoy riches and plenty may know this by their daily experience as when they have drank freely of wine or strong drink , doth it not first too violently burn up and waste the sweet oyl and pure volatile spirits ? it s either by evaporation or suffocation , and thence follows excessive heat , so that all the body burns with a burthensom and unnatural flame ; whereas before the intemperate drinking of such unequal liquors , all the body and members were cool , brisk , and full of life and pleasure ; yet the same fierce wrathful central fires were then as strong and powerful , only they lay hid or captivated in the sweet oyl , and pure spirituous parts , which is the moderator of those central fires , but when by inequality or disorder that sweet oyl or humor radicalis is wounded , then these original poysons appear , and manifest themselves in their fierce forms and natures , which so long as the good vertues were strong , they could not do ; for these four qualities are set in opposition to each other , that thereby the fierceness of each may be temper'd and mitigated , that so all creatures , animals , minerals and vegetables might be brought to a fit temperature , by the embracing and incorporating of the said qualities each with other ; for the sweet quality opposeth and moderateth the fierce elevation of the bitter , astringent and sour , and maketh an harmony , resulting from them all ; and the sour quality opposeth the fierceness of the bitter , sweet and astringent , being their cooling and refreshing life ; so again the saltish or astringent quality makes an excellent temperature in the b●tter , sweet and sour , as the bitter quality opposing the excess of the other three , reduces them to equality , making them more p●easant and gentle in their operation . therefore all sorts of food and drinks , in which any one of those qualities are too highly exalted , become unequal , and the predominate quality presently incorporates with its 〈◊〉 in the body , and thereby discompose it , destroying the health and harmony of the parts . but on the other side , all mean simple meats and drinks , in which the properties are near equality , and have no manifest taste that does too violently predominate , do by sympathy embrace and incorporate with their likenesses in the body , equally distributing proper nourishment to all parts and members , which makes the whole lightsome , full of joy and pleasure ; if this were understood , a little practice of temperance would make many loath themselves for their disorders , and their continual affronting of nature , causing her to lose that simple innocent way , wherein she delights to walk to health and felicity . chap. xix . of drinks , and particularly of canary . i now proceed to speak of the most usual drinks at this day used amongst us , especially such as are esteemed most cordial , and prescribed many times in a kind of physical way for diet , or in order to the preventing or remidying of diseases ; and because the richest of our drinks is canary , i shall begin with that . canary ( commonly call'd sack ) is a brave noble juice or cordial , one of the most excellent drinks in the world , far transcending any cordials prepared by the apothecaries , or any juice which the best of flesh affords ; the same being enriched with the choicest vertues of nature , being too rich for common drink , but nothing more cherishing and reviving , if taken on special occasions , when nature doth require a recruit ; and indeed the intent of those that first brought it into england , was for no other use : and therefore the first ingrossers and buyers thereof were apothecaries , who sold it again to their patients in small quantities , as by the advice of physitians , which then was of good use for the comforting and chearing sick weak decay●d people , it being endued with a brave balsamick body , yielding abundance of pure subtle spirits ; its predominant quality stands in the sweet body , therefore ought not to be frequently drank in times of health , its vertues being too great for common use ; for that which is extraordinary good in season , may prove of ill consequence when used unseasonably ; for the common use thereof dulls the edge of the appetite , weaknes the natural heat of the stomach , and spoils the concoction , and for that reason a very little will satisfie those that drink much of this cordial liquor ; besides , it replenishes the whole body with superfluous humours and evil juices ; for all sorts of wine are extreams , especially sack , and though it e●ceed in the best property of nature , yet the frequent use of such high graduated drinks may prove as prejudicial to the health and strength both of the body and spirits , as things of meaner vertu●s , nay , much more harmful ; for all extreams , or things in which any property of nature is too highly advanced , ought to be taken very sparingly , and as physick rather than food . 't is a dangerous error to imagin ( as most people do ) that the sweeter and richer drinks and foods are , whether simple or compound , so much the better or stronger nourishment they shall ●fford . whereas the clean contrary is true ; for nothing can maintain the body and spirits in good health and tranquility but such meats and drinks as are simple , and nearest the equality . for drinks wherein the spirit is predominant , if not taken very seldom and sparingly , are apt to destroy the action of the stomach , and to incorporate with their similes , viz. with the pure natural spirits , and balsamick vertues in the body , causing them to burn too violently , so that an evaporation or suffocation of them follows ; therefore although whilst such spirituous drinks are in operation , all the spirits of him that hath drank , are in an hot rage or tumult , and he forgets all sorrow , modesty and temperance , and by the awakening an unequal motion of the spirit , skips like a wild asses colt , and sings and rants , and becomes brisk and jolley , and in his own floating imagination as great as a king ; yet when a little sleep has quell'd this tumult and dissolv'd these fumes , you shall find the poor creature with much fewer spirits and less oyl in his vital lamp , than he had before the merry carrouze , and he is weak , and faint , and feav●rish , and goes trembling , and looks as dejected as a conquer'd city ; which shews what spoil and waste , what hav●ck and desolation the strong spirituous liquor has made upon his natural spirits ; and this is a sure demonstration , which all t●ue topers cannot but subscribe to and confirm from their own wretched experience . moreover , all rich sweet wines and cordial liquors , if frequently drank , though not the degree of disturbing the brain , do yet heat the blood , and put it into a kind of disorderly ferment , and set the gate of venus open , and makes men too effemenate and women too s●lacious , being not at all agreeable to our northen constitutions ; therefore if healthy people will drink wine , they ought to allay it with water , and then it makes a drink more equal and more wholesom , viz. two thirds water and one wine . and for such as are weak , sick and fainty , if they would have stronger cordials than our own country affords , let them drink some wine , which is the choicest of cordials , and higher graduated in nature than any other liquor that can be made by art ; but if men and women addict themselves in health to guzzle down the richest wines daily , as many thousands do now a days , what must they have for cordials in their sickness ? for their bodies being so habituated to wine , that will have no operation to help them . shall they take brandy and rectified spirit of wine ? alas ! this too they have already made their common drink , and wine is long since become too cold for their destroy'd stomachs , even when they are in the best health they are capable of ; and b●andy , rum and vsquebath are scarce able to furnish out so much warmth and activity to the natural heat , as to digest a small dinner : now when such people come to be sick , ( and to be sure long they cannot continue well ) what cordial shall be prescribed for them ? i believe the learnedst doctor in europe cannot tell , unless he should make them swallow two or three ladles full of scalding lead , boyling pitch or flaming brimstone : they are at the end of nature , and therefore cannot arrive any higher ; for those that drink strong ale and beer in childhood , their nature shall require wine in their middle years , and brandy in old age ; for nature as it grows old , becomes weaker and colder , and so requires more hot spirituous drinks ; and therefore wine and such strong liquors are drank with most advantage by the aged . and if children and young people be used commonly to drink water ( which will be most for their healths ) then small or middle beer or ale will be as cordial to them , and warm and comfort them as much in their middle age , as wine will , that drank strong ale or beer in youth . and to speak truth , no sort of drink does maintain the spirits and natural heat in such vigour and strength as mean liquors , viz. such as are of the middle nature , or nearest the temperature , viz. good water , or well-brew'd ale or beer of a middling strength , or wine allay'd with water , as aforesaid . but now , most are grown to that degree of blindness , excess and folly , that nothing will give their ●oracious desires and greedy ●aunches satisfaction , but such drinks as are strong , hot and unequal in their parts , which indeed is like themselves ; for ever since man hath suffered his desiers to enter into discord , he cannot but desire such disagreeing meats and drinks , for every like desires its likeness , and is its highest joy ; inequality begets discord , and concords peace . therefore all plain simple meats and drinks , are for certain of the greatest strength and vertue , and the only maintainers and continuers of heal●h and long life . and english people have need of no other or better drinks and cordials than may be made of our own seeds , grains and fruits , as ale , beer and cyder , which may be made to what degree of strength and goodness you please ; and being well prepared , are far more agreeable to the constitutious of english people , than the liquors that come from other counties . but all thick strong ale and harsh , bitter , or stale , strong beer , is very injurious to the health , as also double beer , which is now a fashion , but never invented by philosophers . the common drinking of such drinks does strike at the very sinews of health , being much worse than wine , especia●ly than wine and water , which is 〈◊〉 commendable clean healthy drink , that beg●ts app●tite , cleanseth the stomach , purgeth●y vrine , and is endued with many excellent faculties , and if it were the growth of our own country i would commend the use of it to my country-men , but being a dear drink , and therefore not come-at-able by the middle or meaner sort of people , i shall forbear to speak any thing more of its vertues , only i advise the physitians and apothecaries to use and prefer wine , especially right rich racy cana●y as their best and general cordial in times of disorder and sickness ; and do commend all people in general , to that brave mild friendly drink , viz. ale , made and brew'd according to our directions in the book , entituled , the way to health , long life and happiness , &c. there also you will find an account of the vertues and vices of beer and common ale , and which is most agreeable to nature and best to preserve health . chap. xx. of sherry . sherry ( by many here in england call'd bristol-milk ) is a fine cordial wine , as good for common drinking as cana●y , but nothing so rich ; being mixt with wa●er it begets appetite , helps concoction , cleanseth the passages , and purges more by vrine than canary , neither is it so apt to weaken the natural heat , nor lead the lovers thereof into consumptions ; but as it is a strong wine , and heady , discretion and temperance ought to regulate the use of it ; for being too frequently drank , or in too great quantity , it may prove of ill consequence : to which purpose , most of those observations we have made upon canary , may also conveniently be referr'd unto this sort of wine . and though i am forced to use repetitions sometimes for the readers sake , i take no delight therein for my own. chap. xxi . of white-wine . white-wine is a brave clean brisk drink , if moderately taken ; it begets appetite and purgeth by vrine ; yet it contains two qualities that are not friendly to nature , especially if frequently drank , viz. heat and a keen sharpness , whereby if temperance be wanting in the drinkers thereof , it will quickly kindle and irritate the central fires of mars and saturn , which will not only indispose the body and spirits , by putting them into an unnatural flame ; but in some complexions generates an hard gritty matter or substance both in the reins and bladder : therefore this , as well as the other wines , ought to be well allay'd with water , which will bravely moderate , cool and sweeten the hot sharp properties thereof , and bring them near the equality ; and then , viz. 〈◊〉 th●s sort of wine is thus allay'd , two thirds of water to one of wine , it is one of the best stomach-drinks that i know ; for it powerfully helps concoction , washes and cleanses all the passages and vessels , and ●egets appettite , and gallantly purges by vrine . but if too frequently drank alone , as the custom of most is , then it heats the blood and fumes into the head , and after a little custom of drinking , is so far from being a whet , ( as our tavern-haunters , to excuse their morning-debauches , call it ) that it dulls the edge of appetite , and hinders concoction , and breeds the stone or gravel by its sharpness and heat , and yet at the same time purges powerfully by urine , by reason of its pure thin spirituous and balsamick vertues , but notwithstanding that torrent of urine , it leaves behind it an hot harsh or gretty substance , which in some natures or complexions doth generate an hard stoney substance ; and indeed all sorts of drinks or foods in which either hear or sharpness doth predominate , are not proper nor healthy to be frequently drank or eaten ; for all such things do by degrees awaken and strengthen their like properties in the body , stealing on them , as it were , insensibly , till such matter hath gotten strength , then presently they put nature into an unequal motion ; for which cause all old wines , ( which some so much love and commend ) are injurious ; for the longer any wines are kept after they are fit to drink , the clearer , sharper , brisker and hotter they become ; for length of time does , as it were , digest or waste the sweet balsamick vertues , by which they become more sharp , harder and nearer to the strong original spirit : therefore all old wines and stale drinks do more heat the body , and sooner irritate and awake the natural heat , than new ; it being a grand error for any to imagine that new wine or ale is not so good or wholsome , or does not afford so proper a nourishment as old wine and stale beer ; for indeed the former is far to be preferr'd before the latter ; for the milder , sweet and friendly any drink is , the more true nourishment it affords both to the body and the spirit ; and the reason why such liquors do not so soon and so much heat the body and irritate the spirits , is because new mild or sweet liquor contains more of the balsamick body , which does qualifie , and as it were captivate the fierce original spirit , so that it can hardly be tasted or perceived . not but that in all new or balsamick drinks , whether wine or ale , there is contained a far greater quantity of spirits than in old wine or stale beer ; for the more gentle and the sweeter any liquor is , the more spirits it contains , as all that are versed in distillations well know ; for such as make spirits of mault-drink do always distil ale , not stale beer . and so in boyling strong sweet wort , it shall waste more in quantity in one hour , than small wort will in three ; and wherefore is this ? only because the strong sweet wort has a greater body , mild , friendly and balsamick , containing a larger quantity of pure spirits , that will not endure the violence of boyling without evaporation . likewise , the older any sort of drink is , the leaner it becomes ; for as the sweetness digests by length of time , so the original hot fierce spirits seem not only to be more in quantity ; but stronger too , but it is not so , only the sweet pure body or friendly quality is weakned or digested by long keeping , which was the allayer or moderator of this hot spirit ; for a quart of new ale contains more spirit than a quart of stale beer that was originally of like strength and sweetness ; the same is to be understood of new and old wine , and other drinks . for which reasons we conclude new wine is far more wholsome , healthy and agreeable to nature than old ; and ale , when well-brew'd , and according to the rules set down in our way to h●alth , &c. is to be preferred before much boyled or stale beer , and so of other drinks , especially by all such people as are subject to the stone or gravel , who must observe to drink mild gentle friendly liquors , that are neither sharp , keen nor hot in operation , as middle ale , water and wine , and water . the same rule they ought to follow in their food ; for some sort of victuals are altogether as apt to generate the stone and gravel as any sorts of drinks , if not more ; therefore all such foods and drinks as are of a middle nature , and nearest the simp●icity , are always safest , as to health , and for preventing all kinds of diseases . chap. xxii . of rhenish-wine , its nature and operation . this sort of wine is a kin to white-wine , but more substance , a brave noble juice , an excellent cleanser of the stomach , whereby it begets appetite and helps concoction . nevertheless it is endued with an hot sharp quality , which when the same is too plentifully drank , heats the whole body , and is apt to precipitate the drinkers thereof into feavers ; and as for such as by their complexions are any thing subject to the stone , it will help forward the generation thereof ; for though this wine doth naturally purge by vrine , yet there is in it an hot or harsh quality , that heats the blood and congeals the humours with a saturnine or gretty substance ; for all sorts of drinks and foods in which the hot sharp quality does predominate , are friends to the generation of the stone and gravel : but as every thing has in it a latent poyson , and yet carries always above it its own antidote , if wisely handled ; so if this sort of wine be discreetly mixed with water , and drank only with food , or when nature require , then it will prove one of the best sorts of drink , not only to beget appetite , help concoction , and cleanse the stomach , but also prevent the generation of the stone and gravel ; for this drink does purge by vrine , as much , if not more than any other . the truth is , all sorts of wine drank in health , ought to be allay'd with water , or otherwise taken very sparingly ; for there must be a sympathetical agreement between the meats or drinks and nature , both in number , weight and measure , or as near as may be , or else the tranquility and health of the body and mind cannot be continued ; but such as are ill or faintish may drink now ▪ and then a glass of intire to great advantage of their health , being the best of cordia●s , if used with discretion . as for old hock , a sort of rhenish , of which some will now and then boast , that it is twenty or thirty years old , i will only say , that then it has been kept seventeen or twenty five years too long . the keeping of wine to that age was only to gratifie conceit , vanity , ostentation and a drunken humour , and to offer the greater violence to nature ; for how improper all such very stale supernatural wines are , we have mentioned in the last chapter . and if people would be but so kind to themselves to observe the distempers of their bodies , and what feaverish heats they labour under after the drinking of such stale liquors , they would certainly for the future forbear them . chap. xxiii . of claret , its nature and operation . claret is a good stomach-wine , of a brisk chearing operation , the moderate use thereof helps concoction , and begets appetite , but it purgeth not so much by urine as white-wine , being of a rough or harsher nature , but of the two more agreeable to english-men's stomachs ; if healthy strong people drink frequently of this wine , 't is apt to make them fat , phlegmatick , especially such as therewith use little exercise , as gentlemen , citizens , and the like ; for no creature , man or beast , will be fat , except they be given up to idleness and superfluity ; 't is true , some people , and some beasts will with the same meats and drinks be more full and fleshier than others , but not fat : others that use exercises , and but ordinary food , seem to be fat , but for the most part the same is a distemper , as watry dropsical humors , which in some puff up the ●embers and swell the body ; but the chief reason claret-wine makes gentlemen , citizens , and the like , fat , is for want of exercise , and by its agreeableness with the stomach , which sharpens the appetite , and opens the vessels by its rough harsh quality , whereby they are inticed to eat great quantities of fat rich foods and so passing their time without due labour , they become over-grown with fat , like cram'd capons ( their beloved dish ) or swine in a stye . yet it must be acknowledgeded , that claret is the best of wines , for those that eat abundance of fat flesh and succulent foods , for by its rough keen quality , it digests and separates such oyly foods , as many of our english epicures too frequen●ly gormandize , which milder sweeter liquors cannot do , as canary , ale , or the like ; for this cause many that eat such fat foods and sawces made with butter , do so m●ch desire brisk spirituous drinks , finding that such liquors do best digest them . but yet they are to know , that the frequent use of such drinks will weaken the natural heat , so that by degrees the appetite of such people grows dull , and the vessells of the stomach are contracted , and then their stomachs will desire still more and greater quanties , and to drink them oftner , till at length health is utterly subverted , and nature debilitated ; for ( i cannot say it too oft ) the frequent use of all spirituous strong liquors , being unequal in their parts , do in a little time beget the like inequality in the elements of the body , and instead of preserving health destroy it ; for there cannot be a better thing than a glass of claret , or a dram of brandy , or the like , now and then when people have eat too much in quantity , or foods too fat or gross in quality ; but i know no necessity for those spurs and helps , except to such as lead idle gluttonous lives , but for others who feed on plain simple foods and middle drinks , and use proper exercises , and keep within the ●ounds of moderation , they shall have no need to drink a glass of claret before dinner as a preparative , nor a dram of brandy after for a restorative of their natural heat , to help it concoct their simple natural foods ; for such innocent natural diet will maintain the natural heat in great vigour , especially if the friendship and advice of temperance be observed ; but if temperance be wanting , then the necessity which men do thereby bring upon themselves by drinking of claret , does sufficiently revenge it self upon their bodies as well as purses ; for it heats the blood , sends fumes up into the crown , destroys the vigour of the natural heat , awakens the central fires , makes the stomach ( by its continual use ) flat and dull ; by which means , drinkers of this wine can fast long , neither can they eat heartily with appetite , except they do fast a considerable time , which gives a further occasion to a phlegmy fatness , which many of its common drinkers are subject unto ; for those persons that are of the phlegmatick-melancholly , phlegmatick-sanguine , or phlegmatick-chollerick complexion , if once they get the habit of drinking this sort of wine , though they do not well love it , yet their nature will seem to require it , so that if their purse be but strong enough , they must have a glass or two or three before dinner , to clear their stomachs of that gross slimy matter which their over-nights d●bauches , or superfluous evening draughts have occasion'd and left behind and four or five glasses at dinner , as a spur to force it down , and five or six more after dinner , with a file of pipes o● toba●co to help concoction . this is the trade which some gentlemen , and too many ci●izens drive , which not only wastes their esta●es , and destroys their health ( which is the greatest enjoyment in this world ) but also beclouds their intellectuals , stupifies their senses , destroys that true natural pleasure of eating and drinking , which is one of the greatest where health is , and a well-prepared appetite , joyn'd with a clean stomach , free from obstructions ; for he that has a full-spread table every day of various sorts of rich compounded foods , with strong drinks and wine , is a thousand times more weary and glutted with it , and hath nothing of that pleasure which the poor man ( who eats his bread and cheese in the sweat of his brows under an hedge ) enjoys . nothing so much ●loys and oppresses the appetite and stomach as always to have varieties of flesh and fish , compounded sawces , pudd●ns , pyes , broths , bisques , oglio's , and the like extravagant ●ur●iture of gluttony , enricht with east and west-india● ingr●dients , and follow'd with heaps of sweet-meats and lucious fruits , and other kickshaws . this all that use such intemperance , may know by their own woful experience , and by the great number of diseases , they do through wantonness contract , and yet ( their brains being sunk into their bellies , and their vnderstandings buried in the ordure of their swelling paunches ) they have not the wit to consider it , but finding their stomachs dull , weary , and apt to loathing , never thinking of the true cause thereof , will needs go about to mend this defect of appetite by invented new dishes , and more poin●nt saw●es , and greater variety of compositions foollishly imagining thereby to cure all , as if they would quench fire with pouring on oyl ; for too much of this was indeed the original cause of their grievance . therefore let all men , that prize the health either of their bodies or minds , fly such excesses , and the pomp of glut●ony as they would do the pestilence ; and for such as have a desire to drink of this charming ruddy wi●e , they ought to allay and mix it with water , two thirds water and one wine , but if you drink it commonly or frequently , then three fourths water and one wine , will be enough , which will be an excellent drink to beget appetite and cleanse the stomach ; it also purges powerfully by vrine , cools the body , makes the blood thin and fine , whence proceed brisk lively natural spirits , senses , intellectuals , dispositions and inclinations . chap. xxiv . of cyder , its nature and operation . cyder , if well made and fermented , is a fine brisk or quick drink , and that is best which is made of good sound and proper apples , of which there are various sorts , as redstr●aks , p●ppins , pearmains , iillyflowers , golden-p●ppins , and many others well known to the makers of cyder , and therefore needless here to enumerate . but this ought to be noted , that the apples you intend for cyder , be they of what sort soever ▪ ought to be ripe before they are gathered , and afterwards to lie in an open airy room for two , three or four weeks , in which time , by the apples sweating the phlegmatick raw quality will in some degree be digested , which will ●●nder your cyder sweeter , of a better b●dy , and more balsamick than that whi●● is made of apples either unripe ▪ or made into cyder as soon as they are gathered . note further , that those that would have a sweeter , st●onger and better bodied cyder than ordinary , ought in some degree to observe the rules as are usual in brewing , viz. not to press your apples too hard , as commonly is done , but to half press them , and then put them by for a smaller cyder ; for the first that runs off , when you do but gently squeze your apples , ( as flowing almost of its own accord ) is much sweeter ▪ and more balsamick than that which is pressed forth with violence from the harsh centre of the fruit , and consequently is stronger and more spirituous , as from the mault , that liquor or wort which runs off first is many degrees better than the latter ; for though it must be confessed , the case is not altogether the same , because the mault has passed through several digestions , which have open'd the closset of saturn , and set the sweet spirituous quality at liberty , just upon the wing , by which it readily gives forth its good vertues , yet the analogy holds in apples and other fruits ( for nature's operations are unifo●m , he that rightly understands one link , will easily compr●hend the whole chain ) for if you observe , you shall find , that any sort of fruits will , when any violence is offered to them , first give forth their more sweet vertues and pure spirituous qualities , as if you bite a piece of apple , will not the sweeter and more pleasant juices be extracted first ? and so by degrees yield that which is harsher and more unpleasant ? the astringent properties of saturn and the hot bitter harsh qualities of mars are the first and last in all vegetations : the same we find in the stomach ( nature's laboratory ) does not she separate and extract all the balsamick and good vertues first , to the supply of nutriment for all parts of the body ? as you may perceive if you give your stomach any occasion of casting , if it be within an hour or two after you received your food or drink , then it will be somewhat sweet , very tollerable , and come up easie , but if this puking happen long after , as sever , eight or ten hours , then it will be very nauseous , bitter , sour , and of various colours , as yellow , green , and the like , whereby 't is evident that the bitter parts are drawn away first . so if apples be pressed hard , there is forced out an hard , harsh , astringent , ●our property , which may cause such cyder to ripen sooner , and be thereby fit to drink in a shorter time , but it will also cause it to fret , or become of a keen sharp nature , and often causes it to sour , more especially if such cyder shall be put on a fresh ferment by carriage ; either by land or sea. now to know when you have drawn enough from your first gentle pressing , the best way will be to taste your juice as it comes from the press , and when it begins to taste any thing harsh , unpleasant or bitterish , then hold your hand as to that , and keep the juice of the latter pressing by it self , as brewers and housewives do their latter wort. if this course be duly observed , your first running from the press will make a noble balsamick cyder , altogether as good as white-wi●● or claret , and perhaps better than either of them for our english bodies , if drank temperately . and as it will be thus much better than your common cyder , so it will keep longer from being sour , sharp or eager , and consequently continues more friendly to nature . another , or new way to make cyder . take the first or second juice you press out of your apples , and put it into a kettle or copper , and make it ready to boyl , or boyling-hot , but not boyl , then put it into coolers for that purpose , as you do in brewing ale or beer , and when it is at the degree of coolness , as is usual for wort , when set a working , then put a convenient quantity of yeast of barm to it , and let it work , observing the very same method as is done in working and tunning up beer and ale , and when it hath done working stop it close up . this will be a brave full-bodied wholesom cyder , keep very well , and drink pleasant and mellow ; for this heating and fermentation does digest that crude phlegmy quality which makes cyder drink lean and sharp , from which also it often gets a sour quality . but if you would have your cyder to keep long , or draw as beer and ale does , and not grow flat for a month , two or three , then when you have heat your juice or liquor , as aforesaid , so that it begins to be hot , put in what quantity of good hops you think fit , and let them infuse a full half hour , but let it not boyl , and then strain it as you do wort , and put it into your coolers , and when cool set it a working , as before directed ; but therein observe two things , . that you do not let it stand too thick in your coolers , . nor put it in to working before it be sufficiently cold ; for if either of those accidents happen , it will cause the irritation or awakening of the saturnal and martial poysons , which will destroy the balsamick vertues or s●eet quality , by causing it to ferment too fiercely , which is cal●ed fr●●ting , and causeth all sorts of drink to grow hard and stale in a short time . this last sort of cyder will not only drink pleasant , with a good body , but will also keep a long time , and draw or ●run good as long as beer or ale , and not flatten , as is usual for cyder ; so that you will not be obliged to the trouble of bottling it , which for families , and the common use of an house , is tedious and chargeable , and not so wholesom , as i have demonstrated in my way to health , in the chapter of beer and ale. note , that you may boyl your cyder , either small or strong , and use the same order as common brewers do in making of beer and ale , and some people of late years do manage their cyder accordingly ; but in my opinion it is not so good as that which is made either without boyling or heating at all , or that which is only heat , without boyling , as is before mentioned ; not but that which is boyled may be made very good ▪ and to drink , full and satisfactory to the stomach , but still the former is to be preferred before it . no sort of cyder ought to be kept above one year , i● th● drinkers thereof regard their healths though it may be kept several years in bottles , and drink pleasing to the palate of many people , especially such as have dull flat crasie cold stomachs , but as i have told you already , no stale drinks , whether wine , cyder , beer or ale , are so homogeneal and profitable to nature as those that are newer , provided they be first sufficiently fermented ; for the longer any fermented liquors are kept after they have obtain'd to proper ripeness and clearness , the harder , keener and sharper they grow ; and therefore are not so agreeable and friendly to nature as milder , fatter , or full-bodied drinks ; for every thing being come to its mature age , does by degrees tend towards the centre , and decline ; for there is no standing still in the operations of nature . thus in all drinks the keeping them a proper time after they are made does digest a gross phlegmy quality , which would make it drink fulsom or nauseous to the palate and stomach , which a little age consumes , even as it comes to pass in all herbage , as hay , which when new cut down is sweet and faintish in comparison of what it will be when it has lain half a year or more in the rick or mow , but if such hay lie too long , viz. three , four or seven years , then it becomes dry , harsh , and of less vertue and substance , and in no respect so good , as in its proper time : so when fermented drinks have reached to a proper degree of age , or digestion of the more unpleasing and phlegmatick juices , then if it be continued much longer , it goes as fast backwards towards its original , and the sweet body or balsamick vertues are by degrees wasted , and as it were , eaten up by the fierce hungers and eager properties of the dark original forms , viz. of the saturnine and martial natures , which are greedy devourers of the amiable sweet balsamick body ; for the harsh astringent bitter fierce qualities of nature are always and in every thing the first and the last ; are not your curious delicate well-tasted apples in the beginning of their generating , or whilst they are young and green , harsh , astringent , bitter , sour , and very unpleasing both to the palate and stomach , affording a juice or nourishment altogether as ungrateful to nature ? but through the sweet influences of the coelestials and elements , the solar , iovia● and venerial qualities are awakened and strengthned to that degree that by their benigne particles they moderate , allay and qualify both the astringent , bitter and sour harsh properties , so that each of them does with an hearty and corteous friendliness incorporate and imbrace each other , whence does proceed that lovely pleasant taste , smell and colour , which being once become full ripe , if they be kept much longer they will decay and fall into putrifaction , and neither be pleasant nor wholesom , and just so it is with the liquor that comes from them after its kind ; if it be kept too old or stale , it proves injurious to health , being of a hot tart keen nature and operation , which heats the blood , irritates the pure spirits , causing weariness and hot i●dispositions to possess the whole body and generating various diseases , according to the nature of each constitution and complexion , it being ig●orance , vanity and custom that have and do make so many 〈◊〉 and use such over-stale liquors , not that ever any found any real benefit thereby ; for 't is a never-failing truth , that all sorts of drinks are best whilst the p●re vola●ile spirits are strong , a●d the balsamick body potent ; and that the same is not only the wholsomest of all others , but the most pleasant too to the palate and stomach , and in every respect more agreeable to the needs and operations of nature . chap. xxv . of mum , its nature and operation . mum is a brave balsamick liquor , very wholsome for melancholy phlegmatick complexion'd people , if they observe the rules of temperance , viz. to drink it sparingly , as also for those whose food is dry , hard and lean , as course bread , ordinary cheese , flower'd milk , herbs , and lean pot●ages . but this sort of drink 〈◊〉 another species or property , viz. it is of an hot strong nature ; it dulls the appetite , sends fumes into the head , and is nothing so good , healthy and wholsome as clear well brew'd ale ; for being much being much boyled with the martial ingredients , they do not only suffocate , evaporate and destroy the pure thin su●tle spirituous parts , but it thereby becomes of a thick gross tough substance , and consequently harder of concoction , so that the natural heat cannot so easily separate and digest it , as other clearer finer drinks , as ale , cyder , wine and water , and the like : for this cause , it is not good for such as live at ease , and eat fat rich compounded strong food ; for it naturally heats the blood , and makes it thick , generates heavy dull spirits , whence proceeds hot unpleasant dispositions ; for it being unequal begets the like inequality , both in body and spirits , so that the common use of it lays foundations for diseases , more especially in cholerick and sanguine complexions , and all children and young people . chap. xxvi . of coffee , its nature and operation . coffee is a new liquor , invented by the turks and heathens ; for being by their alchoran or law prohi●●ted all wine , they wanted something to spend their time in , and be a companion to their tobacco , of which in late years they take great quantities , and therefore gratified their appetites with this liquor , which in few years is grown into much esteem and practice amongst the english , more because it is a new far-fetcht drink , than for its vertue , though it must be acknowledged to be one of the most innocent and harmless drinks that is used in publick houses , and brings the least inconveniency to the drinkers thereof , only it wastes precious time and occasions many discourses which were better let alone . this sort of drink ought not to be used , but in a physical way , by such as are troubled with fumes and d●lling vapours that fly up into the head , and thereby stupifie the senses ; also it is profitable for such as have brought upon themselves such distempers by too large drinking of wine and strong drink , or by weariness , labour or fasting , and for such as are troubled with the head-ach . but for others that are well , and not troubled with any of the aforesaid inconveniences , they ought not to addict themselves to the frequent sipping of this black broth , though there is not so much mischief to be apprehended from it , as from strong spirituous drinks . yet it is not without its inconveniencies ; for nature does not effect any kind of inequality . now coffee is a saturnine and martial d●ink , it derives it sooty colour and naus●ous taste from saturn , and its bitterness from mars ; for the iovial solar , and venereal prop●rties are destroyed in the preparation , or making it into ●owder , that is to say , the ●ure subtl● or volatile spirits and oyly balsamick vertues are suffocated , consumed or evaporated , by the harsh fire , by which it becomes fixt in the properties of saturn and mars , and for that cause prevents funes from flying up into the crown , or at least it sends none ; for all things in which the pure flying spirits , sweet oyly vertues and natural colo●r are destroyed by preparations , are of a dull heavy nature and operation , and of no good smell , colour not taste . therefore this liquor dulls the appetite , and if frequently drank , obstructs the stomach , and generates evil juices . one of the chiefest reasons why the turks at first invented and made coffee a common drink , was to allay the fumes and stupifying poysonous vapours , caused by the common eating of opium , which ill custom most of them art subject unto . now opium is apt to disorder the eaters thereof by awakning the natural spirits , and then stupifying and besetting them , even as the superfluous drinking of our wine and strong drin●s does ; for those mahumetans being forbidden the intoxicating iuice of the vine , had an itching desire to disorder their brains some other way , so fond is d●praved humane nature to make it self mad ( as we see by the indians , when once they have tasted rum or brandy , how passionately they will beg for more , crying , a little more , and then to s●ep ) so at last they found out this way to debauch themselves with eating of opium , whose poyson by custom and frequent use they have rendred easie and familiar to them , as also they and most of our people have done tobacco , whose predominant quality does likewise stand in the same poysonous root ; but to allay the stupifying fumes and vapours , which opium and tobacco send up into the head , they frequently drink coffee ; for the invention of this liquor was not for any pleasure , as most other drinks have been , as wine , ale , beer , cyder , and many others , which do not only exhilerate the spirits , but are of a most pleasant taste ; whereas coffee altogether on the contrary , is very distateful to the palate . would men but be so kind and friendly to themselves as to observe the rules of temperance and cleanness , a very little coffee would serve , though it hath it uses in a physical way , as is before mentioned , and no otherwise , it being an improper and unequal drink , therefore not good for common use or at every turn daily , or two or three times a day , as now a days many thousands amongst us , especially in london and great towns do . it is further to be noted , that several of our own grains will make not only as good coffee , but in every particular like this sort , both in smell , colour and operation , if it have the same preparation ; for the species of coffee before it is prepared is of a white flowery substance , as our grains are , and if you take wheat , barley , ry● or oats , and prepare it in every respec● 〈…〉 coffee , it will have a like taste , 〈◊〉 ●mell , colour and operation ; for there will only remain or lie hid in a saturnine powder , the fixed salt , which no fire can destroy , and this too will stop or repress ●umes and vapours as well as the other , but whoever uses either of them frequently and wantonly , the physical vertues thereof to him or her will cease , and have little or no effect , and therefore were it palpable that men in general are set upon conceits , and wedded to humours and custo●s , and mad after things new and forreign , it would be a wonder to see such swarms of people so fond of this nauseous exotick liquor , which always carries its own brand along with it ; do but consider its taste , colour and smell , and compare the same with proper and agreeable drinks , as water , al , beer , cy●er and the like , how vast is the difference ? has not water ( that u●iversal mother of all drinks ) a pleasant friendly mild or meekly taste , and to underbauched palates , the most grateful of all liquors , of a clear whitish colour and aiery smell , and agreeable to all creatures , because the four qualties there stand and have their operati●● 〈…〉 equality ? is not ale pleasant , sweet , brisk , spirituous or ba●samick taste , its colo●r solar and iovial , with a comfortable smell ? the same is to be understood of all other proper drinks , whereof the moderate use does ●hear , and refresh the spirits , and maintain health and strength . but c●ffe● has none of these inviting properties , for its natural vertues are burnt up and totally destroyed in the preparation ; it s love●y white and yellow c●lour , which proceed from venus and sol are turned into a saturnine bla●k , and its sweet spirituous taste into a naus●ous fu●so●e bitter , with a sm●ll unpleasant . and therefore the drinkers thereof are forced to drink it very hot , to hide the ungrateful taste ; whereas heat destroys the pleasant taste of proper and natural drinks . and for this reason coffee is dull on the palate and stomach , very apt to obst●uct the ●assages and ●inder digesti●n , and ought not to be drunk but in the way of medicine ; for there is as much and more reason for any person to burn wood , herbs or ●rains to ashes , and then take those ashes and infuse them in hot water , and when 't is settled or clear , to drink it ; ●or such sorts of ●rinks are ●edici●es proper for several diseases , but by no means to be drank as common drinks . in a word , coffee is the drunkards settle-brain , the ●ool● p●ss-time , who admire● it for being the production of asia , and is ravisht with delight when he hears the berries grow in the desarts of arabia , but would not give a farthing for an hogshead of it , if it were to be had on hampstead-heath or banstead-downs ; 't is the sawce for news , the busie-mans recreation , and the idle mans business , the lazy prattlers colourable pretence to spend his money and more pretious minutes vainly , and whilst he is censuring his superiors , and new-vamp●ing the government , his wife wants shoes , and his children cry for bread. but since the indiscretion of the age has rendred sipping and tippling almost necessary to bargains and business , and that men , especially in cities and great towns , many times cannot so conveniently transact their negotiations , nor discourse their private affairs , as in such places where there is liquor sold , a dish of coffee now and then to be drank by an healthy person , will not hurt him , nor make any variation , the quantity is so small ; but drinking of it frequently , and smoking tobacco therewith , is injurious to health ; yet strong sound bodies may drink or eat improper things , for continual custom will thereby render them less hurtful , especially if they be but small quantities at a time . however , the best and surest way for every one , is to let such forreign curiosities alone , and to take such meats and drinks only as are proper in quality , and therewith not to over-charge nature in quantity . chap. xxvii . of tea , its nature and operation . tea is another forregn drink , the use whereof hath not been long known in engla●d , the best that can be said of it is , that 't is a pretty innocent harmless liquor , it hath an opening quality , and purgeth by vri●e , but not so much as many of our own coun●ry-herb● , and its great esteem is not from the more than ordinary vertues that it is endued withal , but chiefly for novelty-sake , and because 't is o●tland●sh , and dear , and far-fetcht , and therefore admired by the multitude of ignorant people , who always have the greatest esteem for those things they know not . the truth is , our herb called dandelion ( that is in english , lyons tooth , because of the similitude of its leaf ) being gathered according to our directions in the way to health , &c. and infused in boyling hot water about half an hour , and then the liquor poured from the herbs , and sweetned with fine white sugar , is a far better drink than tea , though the latter costs sixteen or twenty shillings a pound , whereas the former may plentifully be had by most people for gathering , and is of far more use and vertue ; for it cleanseth the stomach , and powerfully purg th by vrine ; its natural taste is a moderate bitter , which being allay'd by sugar , becomes as grateful , if not more than the best tea . there are several other of our common herbs that will perform the like , which i shall not trouble the reader with in this place , only this i must tell you , that sage , pen●y-royal , mint , mother of thime , and garden th●me being gathered and dryed in their proper seasons , and preserv'd in baggs , will make more suitable drinks for our constitutions , and answer the end of nature's wants to a greater advantage than tea . chap. xxiii . of herbs and sillads , both boyled and raw. there are various s●rts of herbs and fragrant 〈◊〉 that are endued with most excellent vertues , many of which are so ravishing and sublime , that with the favour of a metaphor they may be called , the good food of angels ; and therefore they were the only food for man in the beginning , when he remained in his angelical state ; for till he defaced the image of god wherein he was created , every green herb and seed was his meat , and should have been to this day , if he had continued in that heavenly condition he was created in and to ; but so soon as he suffered his desires to wander after vanity , then immediately the original wrath got mastery , and the divine moderator became weak and impotent , whence arose that desire after blood and fl●sh , in which that outward life stands , and has birth from that strong might of wrath ; for the original of all life stands in poyson ; therefore when man ent●ed into the wrathful nature and un●qual ●peration of the original forms , which does cause such greedy inclinations , not only to eat fl●sh a●d 〈◊〉 , but also to fighting , killing and opp●●ss●o●s ▪ both of those of his own kind , and all the inferior graduates ; for according to what principle and quality doth carry the upper dominion in man's heart , whether love or ang●r , such food , drinks , exercises , and all other things he desiers , nature being always best gratified with that which has the nearest affinity to its self ; whence it appears that mens coveting flesh and blood , is a true sign and testimony of their miserable fall , and that they live under the power of the dark fierce wrath. — but i have discoursed more of this in my general treatise , entituled , the way to health , long life and happiness , as also i have there shewed at large the excellency of herbs , grains and seeds for food , whereunto i refer the reader ; and shall here only tell you in particular how to make the best and wholsomest salads , which if practised , may much conduce towards the praservation of your bodies in health . . take spinnage , pars●ey , sorrel , lettice , and a few onions , then add oyl , vi●gar and salt , a good quantity of each to make it of an high taste and relish , but let the salt a little predominate or exceed both the other ingredients , and eat nothing with it but bread , which is sufficient ▪ and will be much more grateful to the alate than if you eat bread and bu●ter , or brea● and cheese , or bread and meat , though all those things may be admitted , when you season your sallad only with salt and vinegar ; but it is not proper to eat butter , cheese or flesh with such things or sallads wherein oyl is mixed , there being but little affinity in the radix of oyl and butter or cheese , and the natural heat of the ●tomach doth not ●ike that food in which there are several sorts of fat things intermixed , of disagreeing natures ; besides , ●at is always heavy of digestion . another sort of good sallade . . take lettice , spinnage-top● , penny-royal , sorr●l , a few on●ons and pers●●y , and season it as before mentioned , with oyl , salt and vinegar . another . . take lettic● , sorrel , pepper-grass , spinnage tops of mint , and onions , and season'd as before . another . . take spinnage , lettice , tarragan , and pars●●y , with some leaves of balm . or , sorrel , tarragan , spinnage , letticee onions and parsley . or tops of penny-royal , mint , lettice , spinnage , sorrel and parsle . or lettice , s●innage , onions , penny-royal , balm and sor●el . or sage , lettice , spinnage , sorrel , oni●ns . and parsley , and seasoned as before . ano●her . . take sage , penny-royal , mint , balm , a few lettice , and some sorrel , and season it with oyl , salt and vinegar , as is before mentioned . this is a brave noble warming sallad , as indeed they all are , but this in a more especial manner . another . . take lettice , sorrel , endife , celery , spinnage and onions , seasoned as before . another . . take young green buds of colwo●ts , or young colow ●s , or colwort-plants , or a hollow c●lworty cabbage , with some onions . this is a good sallad , season●d in the same manner . some there be that will make sallads of hard cabbage , but they are but very indifferent ones . nor do i know any way of preparation that can make an hard white cabbage wholsome : many people admire it for its whiteness ; but though the pure white colour in some things is of excellent vertues , it is not so in this , because it is not natural for it to be so , but it comes to pass by accident , that is , because the friendly element , the air , hath not its free circulation and influence in and through it which causeth it to be so white ; whereas its natural genuine colour is green. and therefore , if you please to observe it , all white hard cabbages are more fulsome , and of a stronger nature and operation , either raw or boyled , than your open hollow greenish cabbages , and harder of concoction , and the liquor in which they are boyled is more nauseous , and will sooner putrifie and stink than that in which co●worts are boyled . therefore young green colworts and cabbage-colwots , are the wholsomest , more cleansing and easier of concoction . another warming chearing sallad . . take the green fresh leaves of colworts or cabbage plants , l●ttice , sorrel and parsley , tarragan , ne●tle-tops , penny-royal and mint , let the quantity of each be according to your palate , being season'd with oyl , salt and vi●egar , it is a brave warming or exhilirating sallade , if seasoned to the highest degree . sallads for the winter . take colwort-plants , sorrel , lettice , endife , celery , parsley , old onion●s , ( which are far better to be cut and eaten with sallads in the winter , than young ) and season them well with salt , oyl & venegr . this is of a warming chearing nature , and gives briskness to the spirits , opening and keeping the passages from obstructions and furring , which in winter they are most subject unto ; for then , nature having , as it were , lockt up all her gates , the central heat is driven more inward , which causeth great appetite of hard , strong , fat and succulent foods , and strong drinks , which where discretion , order and temperance are wanting , sows the seeds and lays the foundation for diseases , that commonly manifest themselves in the summer following , which the common and frequent eating of herbs and sallads in the winter , will in a great measure prevent . and though herbs have not so much life and vigour , nor are so much opening and cleansing in the winter as in the spring , yet all such herbs as do grow and continue fresh and green , do also retain their true natural vertues and qualities , and being eaten in sallads , and season'd as they ought , have in a degree the same operation as at other seasons of the year . this few people do understand or consider , but cry out , herbs in winter ! who will or can eat them then ? they are cold , and very hurtful — and this foolish false doctrine they receive by tradition from one to another , without any experience or tryal ; whereas a sallad well seasoned and ordered in december or ianuary , if the season prove open and mild , is as chearing , and ( being eaten only with good well made bread ) will warm the stomach as much as two or three glasses of wine , and is for more pleasant and natural ; ●or there is a greater excellency in all green herbs in the winter , than most imagine , especially for old people , and such as are subject to stoppages or shortness of breath , who instead of onions may use a clove of garlick in their sallads , which is one of the best ways of eating it , and it will bravely open , chear and warm the stomach . or you may make it thus : take l●ttice , spinnage , endiff , celery , and cut half an head of garlick amongst it , and then season it well with oyl , vinegar and salt. this is a brave warming sallet , and very wholsom . of the most proper times for eating of sallads sallads are not improper to be eaten at all times and seasons of the year , but more especially from the beginning of february to the middle or last of iune , for then they are more brisk , lively and powerful then at other seasons , and better able to cleanse , purge , open obstructions , sweeten and purifie the blood , and make pure fine spirits ; for the frequent eating of herbs do prevent that pernicious and almost general disease , the scurvey , and all windy humors that does offend the stomach . then again from the middle of september till december , and indeed all the winter , if the weather be mild and open , all green herbs are wellcome to the stomach , and very whol●om , because most people do then live 〈◊〉 hard strong substantial food ; and 〈◊〉 that can get them , on hot strong spi●i●uous drinks , which are apt to disorder nature , if temperance and some cleansing foods be not eaten between whiles . in the spring , nettle-tops , spinnage , corn-sallet , the young buds of cabbage and colworts that grow on stalks , and others of the like nature , being boiled ; for though when you eat herbs alone , as food , you ought not to boyl them , yet when you use them only as sawce , or a co●rective to flesh-meats , you may boyl such of them as are proper ) make a good sawce for such as eat flesh , they loosen the belly , help concoction , and consequently open obstructions , which the long winter may have occasion'd ; but later in the spring , as april , may or iune , there are several other excellent herbs , as lettice , soweed , spinnage , parsley , mint-tops , penny-royal , borrage , endiffe , succory , beets white and red , and many others in gardens , besides divers that grow common in the fields , as the red-dock , dandelion , comfory , and the like , which being boyled in plenty of good river or spring water , with a brisk fire ( and one of wood prepares any food best ) and the lid or cover of the vessel taken off as soon as they begin to boyl , till they are quite boyled , ( which will be in a very little time ) and then butter melted with water into a thick substnace , being put to them , and some salt , and then eaten with bread , or bread and flesh , makes a brave wholsom food — touching the nature of all green pulses , and that the frequent eating of them does generate crude windy humours , and thick gross blood , and are the occasion of several diseases ; see our before-cited treatise , viz. the way to health , long life and happiness , &c. how to supply the want of oyl in sallets , where persons do not love it , or cannot have it . for seasoning all sorts of green sallads i have mentioned oyl as a principal ingredient , and deservedly ; for nothing is more excellent for that purpose , it being called sallet-oyl from that very use . but whereas some people for want of use , ( or by i know not what secret antipathy ) do not love oyl ; and others many times cannot procure it , especially here in england , i shall here acquaint them how they may furnish themselves to supply the want of it : you must know then , that butter is our english oyl , the nearest thing we have in affinity to the nature of oyl , and designed no doubt by nature to serve our turn instead of it ; for no country yields all things , and yet such is the gracious providence of god , that every region affords all things necessary to the inhabitants ; if therefore you melt good butter thick , and pour it upon your sallad , it will relish and suit with it excellently well , and serve very conveniently instead of oyl , being so like it amongst the herbs , both in shew and taste , that an ordinary lover of oyl will not doubt but he has it ; and he that does not love o●l , may be sure he has it not , and both enjoy ( upon the matter ) as much vertue , for nourishment and wholsomeness as if they had eat the purest salad-oyl that is brought from beyond the seas . a curious secret , not commonly practised , and which i am confident many people will have reason to thank me for . chap. xxix . the best way to make herb pottage , not only in the spring , but also at all times of the year . take elder-buds , nettle tops , clivers , and watercresses or smallage , and what quantity of water you please preportionable to your quantity of herbs , add oatmeal according as you would have it in thickness , and when your water and oatmeal is just ready to boyl put your herbs into it , cut or uncut , as you like best , and then when it is again ready to boyl , take a ladle and lade it so that you keep it from boyling and when you have done thus near half a quarter of an hour , take it off the fire , and let it stand a little while , then you may either eat it with the herbs or strain it , adding a little butter , salt and bread , the best way will be not to eat it till it is somewhat cooled , and not past as hot as milk from the cow , and you are to remember not to let it boyl at all . this is a brave wholsom cleansing sort of pottege , far beyond what is commonly made . another sort of herb-pottage , take water and oatmeal , make it boyling hot on a quick fire , then take spinnage , corn-sallet , tops of penny-royal and mint , cut them and put a good quantity into it , let it stand on the fire till it be ready to boyl , and then lade it to and fro five or six minuits , then take it off , and let it stand a while , that the oatmeal may sink to the bottom , then strain it , adding butter , salt and bread , and when it is about blood warm , eat it . this is a gallant sublime pottage , pleasant to the palate and stomach , cleansing the passages by opening obstructions ; it also chears and comforts the spirits , breeds good blood , and makes the whole body lightsom . the same method you ought to follow in making all sorts of gruels and herb-pottages , be the herbs of what nature they will ; for the boyling of herbs , not only in pottage , but for any other use of food , was not invented by wise seers into the arcana of nature ; for it does , as it were , totally destroy the pure volatile spirits and balsamick vertues , as also the strong warming properties thereof . for this cause , raw herbs are much better , affording a firmer nourishment , better blood and purer spirits , and feel more warming in the stomach than boyled ; nor are they so apt to loosen the bowels . but if any shall make boyled herbs their food , though they prepare them by dressing them with butter , and the like , they will prove phlegmatick , cold and windy , with other evil properties , and not afford half so good a nourishment as if they were raw ; nor are raw herbs more windy than boyled , as some people , not for want of ignorance , suppose , but rather the contrary ; for the common eating of raw herbs does naturally resist all crude windy matter and gross juices , by assisting the natural heat and helping concoction ; they give life to the stomach , by opening the mouth of the appetite , and sharpen it , as appears by such as have dull flat appetites ; for when such shall come to a good salle● , it does ( as it were ) create or revive a stomach and good taste , whereas before they could relish nothing : also , they help to digest and carry off all heavy fat or gross food , and make it less hurtful , insomuch that some have been thereby cured of windy phlegmatick humours that offended the stomach , and consequently sent fumes up to the head , causing it to ake . therefore this was the way the wise healthy long-lived antients prepared their herbs , who made them one of their principal foods ; but now-a● days people do scarce eat them but as sawce . and as boyling of herbs does destroy the purer vertues and firmer substance of them , so that they become phlegmy , cold and windy ; the same is to be understood in all sorts of herb-pottage , whether for food or physick ; for boyling any sorts of herbs does in a moments time either suffocate or evaporate the volatile spirits of them , and then all the sweet pleasant opening cleansing vertues are gone , and they become like beer , ale or wine , that has lost its pure spirits , which is further evidenced by that strong nauseous or fulsom taste , ill smell and dull colour , all such boyled pottages have , so that very few care for eating them , unless they are forced to it , as they are to physick that is against their stomachs . for the pure sweet pleasant taste and lively briskness of all things resides in the power of the spirits ; which all housewives and preparers of food ought to consider ▪ and understand , as also the degrees of the fire , the quantity of water , and that the water be in sufficient quantity , and that the air have its free circulation , and to give it true time , or else none can prepare any kind of food without prejudice ; for in the sweet and spirituous properties stand the healing nourishing vertues , which will not endure any violent heat or unequal motion . to make garlick or onion pottage . take water and oatmeal , stir it together , and when it is ready to boyl , bruise as much ga●lick as you please , to make it either strong or weak , put this bruised garlick into your boyling hot gruel , and brew it to and fro with your ladle , that it may not boyl for five or six minutes , then take it off , and let it stand a little , then add butter , salt and bread , and eat it as warm as your blood. t is a brave warming cleansing and opening gruel , nothing so strong and nauseous as that which is boyled ; for this way you do extract the finer and purer parts of the garlick , and leaves the strong nauseous qualities behind ; but on the contrary , much boyling or boyling according to custom , does destroy the good opening cleansing vertues , and awaken the evil. chap. xxx . the best way to make diet-drink with herbs , grains , seeds , &c. or the proper method of ●nfusion of herbs in beer , ale , or other drinks . the best , proper and most natural way to make all sorts of herb-drinks , is thus , first , gather your herbs in their proper times and seasons , as we have taught in our ●ay to health , &c. then dry them in the sun , and put them into close paper-baggs ; and when you would use them , take such a quantity as you think fit , and put them into a linnen bag , and hang the same in your bear or ale when it is a working or fermenting , for two , three , four , five , six , seven or eight hours , and then take it out . ( but if you would make wormwood-drink , then you ought not to let it lie so long , for of that or hours will be sufficient . ) and thus if your herbs be rightly gathered and ordered as a●foresaid , all their good , pure and balsamick vertues will as easily and readily give themselves forth into the beer , ale , wine , or other liquor , whatever it be , as the pure sweet spirituous quality in mault does into the warm liquor when you brew , which is performed in one hour to admiration . but as in this example , if after you have put in your mault you should let the water or liquor remain six , eight or ten hours before you draw it off , then the pure sweet spirituous quality will become suffocated , and such over long continuance thereof will awake or irritate the phlegmy gross nauseous properties , which would , as it were , totally destroy all the good virtues , as every one that can but brew a peck of mault , may know by experience . so the very same is to be understood in infusing any sort of well prepared herbs ; for in such dryed fermented bodies or things , the purer vertues do stand as it were external , and when they are put or infused in any proper menstruum or liquor , they give themselves forth , first with all readiness , because the essential vertues of every thing consists in the volatile spirit , and balsamick or sweet body , which is an hidden flying vertue , whence the true colour , smell and taste do proceed : and therefore great care ought to be taken in all preparations , that this benign vertue be neither evaporated nor suffocated ; for then the thing will presently tend to putrefaction , and become a nauseate and loathing to nature . the learned are men of tongues , and so they may talk at their pleasure , but i do assure all the humble enquirers after wisdom's footsteps , that the long lying or infusion of any sorts of dry or gr●en he●bs , does destroy their good properties , as a candle by being held downwards is extinguisht by that which before fed it , and also do irritate the gross fulsom qualities thereof , as is plain by the ill tastes and smells of all such drinks , more especially if it be wormwo●d ; for then they become harsh , strong , bitter , and very ungrateful to nature , and no less unwholsom ; for the common wormwood-●●ink that is sold in al●-houses , is of a string , bitter , hot , fuisom natur● and operation , and the frequent drinking thereof does wound and destroy the natural heat , and by degrees spoil digestion , so that the drinkers thereof cannot be well without morning-draughts of their nauseous purt● ; such fort of drink especially if any shall drink much of it , being of kin to spirits and brandy ; those that are once much used to them , cannot without great difficulty leave them . the long lying of wormwood in the drink does totally destroy the subtle spirits and pure fragrant vertues , awakens the strong bitter poysonous quality , which not only checks and debilitates the natural heat , but heats the blood , making it thick and gross , causing the spirits to become heavy and dull , and sends up stupifying fames to the brain , which falling upon the optick nerves , do oft times extreamly prejudice the eye sight ; but if worm●ood rightly gathered and preserved be infused but for two or three hours when your drink is working , and then taken out , you will have all its good qualities , and a most delightful odoriferous drink , and unattended with any of those ill consequences ; if you love it very strong of the wormwood , then add a greater quantity , and not infuse it longer , as is usual with some . another way of making wormwood-ale or beer . take what quantity you please , more or less , as you would have your liquor strong or weak of the herb , infuse it for half an hour in your boyling hot wort , then strain it out , and put your wort a cooling , the very same way as i have taught in the way to health , of brewing , and infusing hops , which does far exceed all the common ways for goodness and vertue . wormwood-drinks thus prepared , either this or the former way , are brave noble liquors , gentle , warming , helpful to concoction , they fine the blood , send no gross fumes to the head , and therefore hurt not the eyes , as the common sort generally does . the same method ought to be follow'd in making all sorts of drinks in which any strong bitter herbs are infused ; and whereas the usual way of making such drinks does not only render them unpleasant but destroys all the medicinable vertues of the herbs . this new method which we recommend , makes them pleasant and grateful to both palate and stomach , and moreover preserves all the physical vertues ; for most bitter herbs do naturally and powerfully open obstructions , if they be wisely ordered , but otherwise they prove pernicious ; for every thing has two ●a●dles , and fire that is good to warm you , will also bu●n you , ●f you do not mannage it with discretion . chap. xxxi . of salt , its nature and operation . all common salt is of an high sharp penetrating fierce hot wrathful nature and operation , an unseparated body , wherein the poysonous fierce original fumes or qualities of saturn and mars are predominant , and therefore 't is unequal in its operation , except it be allay'd or moderated by some other thing whose nature is more equal . the sea or sa●-water is as it were , the original or fountain of the essential salts in each particular thing , whence does proceed the brisk sharpness and distinguishing matter in all tastes , and in what creature or other thing this essential salt is strong and powerful , that creature is brisk , lively , of good complex on , strong appetite and perfect palate ; if in vegetabl●s , then such herb● , seeds , grams , or fruits are vigorous , and of good colour smell and taste . this is that salt which the wise man saith , savours all things , and not that pillar of salt that lots wife was precipitated into , which was the strong original properties , where each form has its operation in strife and inequality , where there is nothing but sharpness , rending , tea●ing , bitterness and a poysonous fierce operation , of which the c●mmon salt is a true figure ; therefore it must be moderated with some mild or meeker body , to render it fit for humane use . hence if in any sort of food there be too great a quantity of salt , the same is very apt to heat the whole body , and consume the radical moisture , causing drought and uneasiness , and filling the body full of wind : it also heats and frets the blood with an it●hy or mangie humour ; and indeed common salt destroys all sorts of inanimate foods , as herbs , seeds , fruit● , or grains , if the same be not presently eaten ; for it preys upon the spirituous parts , and by its fierce hunger destroys the whole ; for there is no sort of food can be long preserved but only by its 〈◊〉 salt , as appears by intermixing salt with bread ; for that bread into which you put salt , will sooner decay than that which has none ; therefore bread that is provi●ed for the sea , where it must be kept very long , is always made without salt. and all b●kers and house-wives bread would be be much better , if they put none in , it being nothing but custom that makes mens palates expect or desire salt in their bread , and the less salt any shall eat , the less they will covet it ; for the mixing of common salt with sundry sorts of vegetable 〈◊〉 , does hide or e●lipse the fragrancy and pleasant taste of the essential salt , that it cannot be felt by the palate ; for as this inna●e salt is the preserver and keeper of each thing from putrefaction , not only in inanimate things , but also in all animals , and therefore a very little of our common sa●● will serve such as feed on veg●tatives ; for the less salt is put into those things , the milder , cooler pleasanter and easier they are of digestion ; for much sal● in food makes them not only hard of concoction , but heats and dries the body , and by simily stirs up and awakens the central heat , thereby endangering health . yet still , our common salt is a brave noble thing and of mighty use , as the world goes , for those that eat flesh and fish ; for it contains several qualities , especially two , viz. one strong fie●ce hot poysonous . another , sweet friendly pleasant , sharp and lively , but the first exceeds and therefore all sorts of flesh and fish that do lie or are kept long after salted , do prove pernicious to such as eat them ; for by length of time the corrupt parts of such flesh does with a greedy hunger eat up and destroy both the pure brisk sweet spiri●uous particles of the salt , and also of the flesh , and then such flesh or fish cannot be call'd back or recovered by a fresh salting , or any other art , to its former state ; and the reason is , because in such corrupt flesh there is no simile for the second salting to incorporate withal , therefore it will proceed to putrifaction in de●iance of all art. for this cause all flesh and fish that has been lo●g salted is injurions to health ; for it dries , heats and frets the body and blood , and is one great cause of the scurvey ; it also spoils and loosens the teeth and eats away the gums : but ●●ill , salt is very proper and wholsom to be eaten with fresh flesh and fish , and some sorts of flesh ( as b●ef ) may be salted two , three or four weeks , and if smoaked , it will continue good longer , and therefore the order used in bacon is very proper ; for salt , where it is moderate in food , doth quicken the appetite , and makes the stomach brisk and lively , especially for those who by some disorders or intemperances have wounded their health and hurt the essential salts , which makes the palate dull , and the stomach flat and unrelishing , and then people cry , — my stomach goes against both food and drinks ; more especially they are averse to all such meats or drinks as are compounded or made by art : but others , as for example , fair water , they can best take , it being more simple . the like is to be understood of foods ; but there is hardly any food so simple in all particulars as water ; indeed bread is a brave , mild , simple , friendly food , but the mixtures in making , and the manner of common baking does alter the case , and make it nothing so simple as water ; therefore water in all states , both health and sickness is pleasant and delightful to the palate , stomach and all the senses . for it is observable , that if you eat sweet things water is grateful after them , or any other foods of extream tastes , but other compounded or fermented drinks are not ; which does commend water to be the cleanest and compleatest drink of all others , and that people may and can drink it with delight in sickness , and when the essential saits have lost their savour , and also shews that the disease did not proceed from any of its qualities ; for when such loathing and distempers proceed from meats or drinks , as most commonly it does , then the stomach and palate do perfectly abominate all such things . thus in all or most sicknesses people chuse water before beer , ale , cyder or wine , and for foods had rather eat bread , fruits , and the like , than flesh , butter , cheese , puddens , &c. and most had rather eat fish than flesh , the reason is , because in health they seldom eat fish , and so the disease did not proceed from thence . likewise salt is a brave addition to butter and cheese , to preserve and keep it from putrifaction for a convenient season , but all sorts of vegetations are highly to be esteemed , for that they have in themselves the essential salt , sufficient to preserve them a long time from falling into corruption ; but that which is most to be admired is oyl , which tho' it be of an unctious fat nature , is yet so pure , and void of offensive matter , that it may be kept good several years , nor can the best salting preserve butter half so long . here you are to understand , that all sorts of food that quickly tend and turn to putrifaction are not to be counted so good as those that by their innate vertue and essent●al salt , will continue good a considerable time , as all sorts of grains , whe●t , barley , rye , peas● , beans , fruits , &c. since they are far more strong , firm and spirituous , than any sort of flesh or fish. not but that there is the same essential and pure s●lt in these , as in grains , or rather greater , but the gross phlegmatick body overcomes it , and as soon as the sensitive life is destroyed , the good vertues are in a moments time dissipated and tend to corruption , and though it be sal●ed , yet the salt doth not , nor hath any power to extinguish or purge forth this gross body of corruption , but the spirituous parts of the salt do incorporate and joyn with the essential parts of the flesh , and captivate the gross body for a season , that it cannot proceed to putrifaction , but in length of time , viz ▪ two , three , four , five , six , seven or eight months , the gross body continuing so powerful , and the more pure parts or essensial salts both in the flesh and salt do by degrees waste , suffocate or evaporate , and then the original fierce poysonous forms of saturn and mars grow strong and powerful , and with a greedy hunger quickly destroy all the remaining good vertues , and then all falls into corruption , from which there is no recovery . and indeed so powerful in flesh and fish is the gross phlegmy corruptive part , that there is no way found that can continue it very long from putrifaction ; the best course to preserve it sweet , sound and wholsome is to dry fish very well , and the same may be done with flesh , but with more difficulty , and this is far the healthiest way . but i know no reason why people should be so fond of this sort of morose food , or sustain any such difficulty to preserve it so extraordinary long , since the lord our bountiful creator has in a superabundant manner supplied and furnisht us with varieties of brave , noble , friendly and most fragrant sorts of sound healthy foods , easily providable , and which may in all particulars gratifie all the ends and necessities of nature . to conclude this matter — salt moderately used especially with flesh , fish , butter and cheese does prove of excellent use and benefit ; for it naturally warms , cheers , comforts and settles weak or disordered stomachs , prevents b●lching , vomitings , and other inconveni●n●ies o● t●at nat●re ; but if 〈◊〉 be immodera●ely used or eaten , then it hath the contrary operations . and in many countries where salt is scarce , people li●e very healt●y without it to great ages . for as he that drinks all water will never want any other drink , so custom makes every thing not only a second nature , but causes great s●eming wants to be where there is no real or natural cause for it ; and so salt is very unpleasant to such as have never or very seldom eat any . but some may say , how can fat foods or things be eaten without salt ? 't is true , if you have accustomed your self to eat plenty of salt with such foods , then your palate and stomach will not without trouble , and some reluctancy , receive them without salt ; but if you had never eaten any salt with them , then you would have counted them much sweeter without ; though all fat foods that proceed from beasts do really want salt , by reason of the abundance of gross humidity , but all f●t or unctious things that proceed from the vegetable kingdom , do not need any salt , they being so sweet and clean in their radi●●s , that if you incorporate salt with them , ( unl●ss it be just when you eat them ) i● will destroy their natural vertues ; which does further shew the purity and excellency of the one , and the evil or grossness of the other . and this let all men know , and that of a truth ; that there are no iuices , oyls , fat 's , or any thing of that nature , whic● depraved man makes food of , that a●e so rich , clean , simple , wholsome and grateful to nature , as the oyls , fat 's , &c. of grains , and other things that proceed from the vegetative kingdom . what production of animals is for food fit to be rankt in equal esteem with the oyl either of olives or nuts ? the former is enricht with such an essential salt in it self , as can for several years preserve it soun● and good ; whereas the animal fat is so gross and corrupt , that it will presently turn to putrefaction , if you have not the assistance of the grand pillar of salt , the fierce original or unseparated body . is flesh to be valued equal to bread , which is deservedly enti●ul●d , the staff of life , and under which we are taught by our lord to comprehend all things necessary to our subsistence here below , in that petition , give us this d●y●o●r da●ly b●ead ? is flesh , i say , ( ●hic● is gross humid● subject to putre●action in the hig●est degree , always attended with dying groans and dolorous cryes , rage , violence a●d oppression , and in it self bo●h not healthy , and also unpleasant to the palate and senses , if once enlightned , and not debauched by custom ) fit to be comp●●ed with bread , a brave , noble , f●●m , innocent , substantial , healthy food , and proper for angelical me ? nay , the fruits that proceed from the animal kingdom , viz. milk the most noble and useful of them all , cannot we use and dignifie with the most delicious juices that flow from the vegetative regions , as the various sorts of excellent wines , cyder , ale , b●er , &c. which if temperately used supply the wants of man , and gratifie nature to the highest , and by their ow● i●nate alt preserve their own bodies , without being beholding to the grand original pillar of salt ? what have you in your animal ●ore that can match the vast var●eties of noble fragrant herbs , seeds , grains , and fruits , whose number is beyond any humane capacity to coun● ? the one smells sweet , and fills the air with most plea●ant odoriferous scents , ravishing the senses of man , and serving ●im both for food and physick , vse and ●e sure ; whereas the other stinks , and fi●ls the ear●h with ordure , and sends up fumes alike unpleasant and unhealt●y , and by no art can long be preserved from putrefaction and rot●enness . and as in these , so in many other respects , the vegetative productio●s so far transcend the animal , as to food , that whether you respect innoce●cy or w●olsomness , d●light or cleanliness , there is no comparison to be made between them . chap. xxxii . of the scurvey , and its generation . the scurvey is of late years become an epidemical , or almost gener●l disease amongst english people , the principal causes of which are intemperance , and want of care in some of the following particulars : . by eating too much in quantity , beyond the power of the digestive faculty , so tha● the natural heat cannot make any perfect separation , whence crudities and noxious juices are generated , which do replenish the joynts and members , and not only cause the blood to be thick , but infect it with a sharp keen fretting quality , which discolours the flesh and skin , and makes the limbs and members ake with pain . . the frequent eating of foods that are of a contrary quality to the constitution , which do secretly wound the pure spirits , and put nature out of her natural way . . improper preparations of food , which do render them burthensom to nature , generating evil nourishment , bad blood , and i● pure spirits . . the frequent eating of moist phlegmatick food , which naturally dull , stupifie and drown the senses , and makes the sweet oyl burn dim , which causes indisposition and unpleasant humors . . the common eating of flesh , without di●●inction , or regard had to the season of the year , healthfulness or unhealthfulness of the creatures , which do as it were corrupt the very radix of nature , from whom proceed various diseases , as pthycks , stoppages of the breast , phlegm , and phlegmatick humors , which makes the spirits dull and impure , whence do arise heavy , lumpish dispositions , with ravenous fierce inclinations and cruel passions , which cause many of them to use such evil words , demonstra●ing that the dark center of wrath is awakened , and does predominate ; for all evil words are generated from the fierce wrathful or devilish nature . this every one ought to consider , as in those two common passions ; when the poysonous and fierce fury of saturn and mars is stirred up , are not most then apt to belch forth vain , wicked and hel●ish speeches as swearing , cursing , and not only impiously prophaning the holy name of god , but even challenging , and as it were daring his tremendous majesty , ( whose wrath is a consuming fire ) to damn and confound them , and calling their fellow creatures , dogs , whelps , sons of whores , devils , and a hundred of the like evil names . now consider o man ! from what root such word : do take their birth ? and so on the contrary , do not all good men , and ot●e●s , when pleased or in good humours , breathe forth am●cable loving words or discou●ses , there being more , either good or evil , in words than most imagin , for they declare what kingdom has the upper dominion in them ; nor is it unobservable , that the word scurvey denotes well and evil affection of mind , and a cross way-ward peevish ill conditioned d●sposition , as well as a disordered habit of body , and not without cause , since they both proceed from the same occasion or radical cause of mans precipi●ating himself into the dark ab●sse or cruelty , preying upon and devouring his fellow creatures . . the much eating of flesh and fish does generate in some complexions cloded blood , king's-evil , plurisies , scabs , leprosi●s , and many other mangie diseases ; or dropsies , heaviness of the spirit , and in some it causeth feavers , swellings of the members , also the gout , stone , and many other unnatural di●●empers ; which at last having reduced the body into a general discrasie or unnatural ferment , terminates in the scurvey , as so many stinking puddles into one common-shore ; for indeed the scurvey is a complication of several diseases and disorders , as appears by the various and very different symptoms , appearing on such as are afflicted therewith . . by eating most sorts of food , whilst the fiery heat is in it , not suffering the sulpherous vapours and ●erce , fumes to seperate , after 't is prepared , which causes a scorbutick itch to possess the blood , and swells the body with win●y humors . . by eating too often , that is , before the former meal be concocted , which does not only dull , and indispose the whole body , but also it generates crudi●ies and evil juices , which cause stoppages , and shortness o● breath . . by drinking too much in quantity of rich cordial-d●ink , which irritates and awakens the cen●ral spirits , and by degrees destroys the digestive faculty and natural heat , and hurts the blood. . the drinking small beer that is brewed after ale and strong beer , which is nothing but the washing of the grains , viz. a sour nauseous quality ; nothing breeds worse blood than the frequent drinking of such liquor . . the drinking of ale not well fermented , or such as has the barm or yest beaten into it , as is usual for brewers to do in london , to make it seem strong , sweet and full in the mouth , such drin●● is very offensive to nature , it generates phlegm 〈◊〉 th● stomach , dulls the edge of the appetit● , furs the passages , sends dulling fumes and vapours into the head , and breeds bad blood ; likewise new small beer and ale is pernicious . . by drinking stale strong beer , which is boyled a long time with hops , this sort of drink is pernicious , it heats the blood , swells the whole body , generates in some complexions a hard gretty substance in the reins and bladder . . by drinking various sorts of wine , when need and nature doth not require it , which do irritate the spirits , heat the blood , destroy the appetite , and indisposes the whole body . . by accustoming themselves to close houses , warm clothings , soft feather-beds , and lying long in bed , which does soften and weaken nature that she becomes impotent , and hinders the free circulation of the blood. . idleness , and want of proper exercise in open airy places , destroys the health and weakens the whole body . . by visiting the shades of venus too often , and forcing nature beyond her inclinations and power , which does corrupt her in the very radix ; and this is frequently done by ●●imulating nature with gluttonous provocations , high compounded foods , and rich cordial drinks , viz. such as need no teeth to chew them , nor stomach to digest them , that being done already in the preparation . by carking cares and perturbations of mind , passions of love and hatred , superstition , envy , and the like . these are some of the intemperances that have destroy'd the health b●th of the body and mind , even in the very radix ; and indeed when i consider the various disorders that mankind daily commits , i cannot admire at the great number of cruel diseases they are afflicted with ; but rather i am apt sometimes to wonder that there are any that escape , or that so many do out-live childhood ; but it must be said , that through the custom of ill usage and disorders , great numbers do croud through many inconveniences ; as in the most fatal 〈◊〉 some escape . rules and directions for su●h as are wise and well minded , and would prevent the scurvey , and other diseases . . meats and drinks ought not to be taken ●hat are too strong for nature , but rather she ought always to be stronger than the food , and so the stomach and the natural heat will be able to digest and make perfect separation , whence will be generated good blood and pure brisk spirits , and they always make the body light lights●me and agile . . meats or drinks ought not to be taken that are of a contrary nature or quality to the constitution ; but such as are simple in their kind , agreeable to the ●omplexion , and as near as may be , equal in the●r parts , which will breed good ●lood , and encrease the spirits , and keep the passages free from obstructions , and give strength to all the members of the body . . neither ought any to eat to dullness ; for if healthy people feel themselves oppressed after meals , they ought to make abatement in the quantity . do not most people before eatting and drinking find themselves qui●k , brisk and lightsom , provided they have not , either by over-labour or fasting too long , evaporated or wasted their spirits ? but after their eating a●d d●inking , because they do it immoderately , they are sensible of a cloging heaviness & dull indisposition , which is a certain sign that the necessity and conveniency of nature is exceeded ; for the intention of food is to refresh , not to oppress or incommode her . . the pleasure of the palate in eating a●d d●inking is prolonged many degrees beyond the necessity of the stomach , especially where foods or drinks are made by art and compulsition , enticing , and many p●ople thereby over-charge themsel●es , before they are aware , whence crudities , noxious juices , and many cruel diseases are generated , and in the end death it self ; therefore let all persons watch over themselves in this respect , and take the wise mans advice , to set a knife to th●ir● throat ; that is , to take up a resolution of temperance whenever they find their appe●ites tempted , and like to be inveigled , and drawn in to excess . . your meats and drinks ought in every respect to b● properly prepared ; for food ill dressed does destroy health in a secret , yet powerful manner . s●me will but ha●f do it , others over-do it , both are great and dangerous errors , so that the s●omach cannot draw any good nourishment from it for the body , and so the blood is thickned , the spi●its wounded , and many diseases are multiplied . . all sorts of flesh , and other gross foods that are boy●●d , o●ght to be boyled in plenty of water , with brisk quick fires , without intermission , and as soon as they begin to boyl , the vessel should be uncover●d until it be done ; which will pres●rve the pure balsamick vertues and spirits , whence the pure delightful taste , smell and colour do proceed . . forbear to eat flesh without distinction , more especially in iu●y , august , september and oct●ber ; for then the flesh of all sorts of cat●el is more subject to putrifaction than at an● other season , not only from the heat of the weather , but because the sun is then declining , which causes all other things to do so too ; and the grass on which they feed is weak , fainty and phl●gmatick , which is the reason why their fat is then so soft and greasie that it will not duly take salt , and more especially if hard d●iven , as most cattel kill'd about lond●n , and other great cities , has been ; therefore in the foremention'd months the griping of the bowels and p●●nicio●s f●av●rs do reign more than at any other time of the year . . forbear the freq●ent eating of fish wit●out regard had to the season , or to their cleanness or uncleanness , or their being killed after they are taken , that is , by a wound , which would cause the free evacuation of the original properties of saturn and mars , which is seldom done by the ignorant fisher-men , but they let them dye , that is , strangle or suffocate themselves , whereby the pure spirits and sweet vertues ( by the agony of the creature at the departure of life ) are fixt or overcome ; for the original venoms , in which all life consists , are then so terribly stirred up and aggitated , that they immediately suffocate the pure spirits and sweet oyl , if there be not a wound made , whereby those raging poysons may freely pass away in the vehicle of the blood. for this reason experience , that all flesh , as of fowls , or the like that a●e strangled , will not eat so sweet and pleasant as others that have a wound made and bleed plentifully , but hath a stronger and grosser taste and smell , nor will it breed so good blood or nourishment as the other . . remember that you eat not before the former foods be digested ; nothing is a greater preserver of health than proper fasting , it cleanseth the stomach , keeps the passages from being furr'd , prevents stoppages , colds and shortness of breath , and makes people aiery , strong , and of good clean complexions . . drink moderate and simple drinks , not exceeding either in quantity or quality , for fear you waste and destroy your health ; and be sure let your drink be well fermented , clear and free from that yeasty quality , which most of your ale in london is subject unto ; nor such small-beer as is there commonly put off by chandlers , which the brewers make after the brewing of their ale and strong beer , being little better than the washing of their vessels and contains a sour nauseo●s property , that heats the blood and hurts the body . . let your ordinary drinks be mild and friendly to nature , not stale , hard , sour , nor too new ; for all these are prejudicial . . let your habit or day-clothing be moderate , rather thin than thick , whereby the pleasant vapours of the air may freely court nature , and be suckt in at the pores as by spunges on all parts , which will continually cheer , comfort and refresh the spirits and whole body , and makes your limbs strong , nimble and lively , preventing drought , unnatural heat , and the like indispositions . . let your houses be aiery ; your windows large , and often set open , your beds hard , clean and sweet , for which purpose straw or flock-beds , with quilts on them , will be much better than feather-beds , and will not only prevent the generation of vermin , but make you more healthful , and enable all the limbs to discharge their respective functions with ●ase and pleasure , as i have at large demonstrared , and given the reasons thereof in my way to health , &c. . forget not to use proper exercises and labour in open airy places , which will prevent many occasions of weaknesses and obstructions ; and such as cannot or will not labour , let them take good walks every day by river-sides , or on downs and plains . . observe the rules of chastity , provoke not nature , nor turn her out of her simple and innocent way , but use such meats , drinks , and exercises , as will replenish her with brisk lively spirits and vertues ; neither ought you to give way to loose imaginations , but to abhor unlawful lusts , and to make use of the remedy he hath permitted with moderation , and only for the ends for which the same was ordained . . avoid as much as may be , compounded foods , especially ●uch as have been invented to intice nature beyond her proper inclinations , but content your selves with simple meats and drinks , which you will find to be the sinews of health and strength , so that your stomach and natural heat shall continue good and vigorous all your appointed time . . let not carking cares , nor perturbations afflict your minds about such things as are out of your power to help or remedy , nor abandon your selves too much to any passion , be it love , hate , revenge , or the like ; avoid envy , strife , violence and oppression either to man or beast ; stillness and complacency of mind are two main props to support our adamical building ; a cheerful heart causeth the countenance to shine ; a good conscience is a continual feast , and content is nectar to the spirits , and marrow to the bones . therefore study to be satisfied with your portion , and thank and bless god for his bounties which you enjoy , and use his creatures for the end they were given thee ; and above all , consider , that thou art made in the image of god , and in thee is truly contained the properties of all elements , therefore thou art obliged to imitate thy creator , and so to conduct thy ways that thou mayst attract the benign influences of the coelestials and terrestrials , and the favourable irradiations of the superior and inferior worlds ; and on the other side , not to awaken the dragon , that is always lurking about the golden fruit in the fair● garden of the internal hesperides , nor irritate the original poysons , nor raise combustions within , by falling into disorders without ; but managing all things in temperance and simplicity , and hearkening to the voice of wisdom , and the dictates of reason and nature , thou shalt transact the days of thy pilgrimage here in peace and tranquility , and be prepared for the fruition of more compleat and undisturbed , as well as endless felicity . observing the tedious methods of some unskilful chyrurgeons , together with their improper compositions and unnatural applycations , which do not only ruin and vndo many poor necessitous people , but to the losing of their limbs , and sometimes their lives too ; therefore i think it no worthless service to recommend unto the world , especially to the poor , the use of the following remedies , which are not only cheap and easily come-at-able , but certain in their opperation , far beyond any things hitherto known or published , viz. an excellent poultice . which does cure burns , scalded-limbs , boyls , fellons , tumers , proceeding either from choller , phlegm , or melancholly : also cures all infla●ations , contusions or bruizes , either with or without a wound , vlcers , old wounds , or running sores ; also an excellent remedy against all sorts and kinds of the gout , ( and inflamations of the eyes , let them proceed from what cause soever . ) by asswaging the swelled part , and easeth the torturing pains thereof , as it were in a moments time ; also it is admirable against sore breasts , and bites of dogs , or any other hurt of what kind or nature soever it be . take one quart of good water , viz. river , spring , or rain-water , the last being the best , and as much small or ground oatmeale as will make it thick , fit for a poultice , unto which add two ounces of good sugar , and a handful of ●andelion cut small , then put it over ●he fire in an open convenient vessel , keep it stirring all the time till it be ●eady to boyl , or boyling hot , the●● it is done . another . take one quart of water , and as much good well baked household-bread as will make it thick , then add three ounces of beaten raisins of the sun , and one ounce of sugar , and a glass of good new ale , stir all your ingedients together , and make it boyling hot over a clear quick fire , and then it is done . another . take one quart of good ale , three ounces of raisins of the sun beaten , two ounces of good sugar with some mallow leaves , cut them small , put them over the fire till boyling hot , or ready to boyl , then it is done . another . take one quart of water , as much bread as will make it thick , fit for a poultice , five ounces of raisins of the sun , and one ounce of coriander-se●● beaten with a glass of ale , make 〈◊〉 boyling hot , and then it is done . another . take one quart of water , as much bread as will make it thick , two ounces of sugar , and a glass of good sack or other wine , make it boyling hot , and then it is done . apply the forementioned remedies to the part grieved , viz. — spread your poultice indifferent thick , on a linnen cloth , that will cover the whol● part , somewhat warmer then milk from the cow , but not so hot as is usual , for all extreams prove prejudicial to wounds , sores , and b●uises , except it be on some particular occations . these poultices you must apply every hour , or every two hours , ( at least ) in the day , and three or four times in the night , if your hurt or wound be dangerous , if not twelve or fourteen times in the day and night may do , viz. when your poultice has lain on one hour , or an hour and a half , or two at the most , put it away off your cloth , and put fresh on , and so keep a constant repetition of it for , , , , , , , , or ten days if occasion be , but it will heal and cure most of the forementioned evils much sooner , if you observe this method , — but remember to wash your wounds or sores between whiles with sugar and water , and sometimes with fresh butter and water beaten together , to keep it clean and plya●t . these are noble poultices , and all the ingredients do cast a friendly aspect to each other , being of a cleansing mild balsamick nature and opperation , and therefore they do by their active penetrating power , strengthen and raise up the dismayed oyl or wounded spirits by meliorating and asswaging the irritated or awakened fierce poysonous humors , by which this doth as far exceed the common and usual methods and practices of chyrurgeons , and other practitioners , as that light doth darkness . but here i shall meet with a swinging objection , viz. why do you leave out of your poultices the great l●gredie●t , viz. the fulso● grease of swine and other fat 's ? which all skilled in the art of curing , have for the most part advised , and for no other reason as i know , then that their poultices should not offend the patient by sticking to the sore or wounded part , for their long lying on the grieved part , if there were not some fat 's or oyles , the poultices would occasion them to become ha●d and stiff , and so stick to the sore , which we prevent by our often repetition for the spirituous vertues and qualities of fat 's , are so hid and lockt up in the oyly body , that nature cannot separate nor draw forth their fine sweet sp●rituous vertues to that degree , as she can from vegetations , as all men skilled in nature and chymistry do know , they being of a heavy dull flat nature and operation , very offensive to the tender spirits and blood , by which they impede and hinder the cure , therefore those poultices wherein fat 's are mixed , the fine spirits and vertues thereof do not so easily nor powerfully penetrate the wound as rich vegetations , whose spirits and lively vertues are as it were on the wing , and therefore poultices aptly compounded thereof , their vertues do in a moments time pe●etrate to the center , and incorporate with their similes , by which they strengthen and raise up the wounded spirits , and at the same time do qualify the fierce raging poysons , more especially if our method be observed , and ●o effect the cure , not only in a shorter time , but much safer , and with greater ease to the patient . for by this phylosophi●al operation , of repeating 〈…〉 doth mig●tily advance and forward the cure : an● note , that every fresh application of this homogenial-●oultice to the grieved part , do add n●w and fresh supplies of vertue , for in all operations of this natur● , the fine healing spirituous qualities thereof , do first impart and give themselves forth , which by a secret simpathetical power , do penetrate the whole , and incorporate with their similes , administring their sweet vertues , which gives a new life to the wounded spirits , and dismayed oyles , and do at the same time withstand and allay the fierce raging awakned or irritated poysonous humours ; it being the way of nature for all homogenial bodies , that have passed through any preparation ; digestion or fermentation , when aptly applied or joyned to any proper subject or thing . for the fine cleansing healing qualities and good ve●tues , do give themselves forth and joyn or incorporate with their similies ; even as the fine sweet spirituous qualities of maul●●o imbibe or give themselves forth and incorporate with the hot water in your mash-tub , in the method of brewing ; therefore every applycation do add new su●plies of vertue and strength to the wounded spirits , and draws forth and consumes the gross humidity , and exalts the essential life of that part and are as refreshing to the wounded spirits , as the pleasant influences and salutiferous breezes of wind in a hot season : for note , that the spirits and fine qualities of each thing , are light , volatile , ready , quick and powerful in operation , that in a moments time they penetrate even to the center ; for eve●y particular quality in nature , has a key in it self to open the gate of its own principl● ; what man in the world would believe the attractive inclination which the load-stone has upon iron , if it did not appear to his sight ; the very same simpathetical power have all other things , though in some it is more occult . and for this cause , one body works upon another , by a certain natural attraction and simpathetic●l inclination . thus the wise and wonderful creator , has endued every thing with an attractive and influential vertue ; it is not therefore the gross body of your poultice , that will do your business , that is full of corrupt and poysonous humours , which are awakned by the long continuation thereof , for these reasons , the long lying of poultices and plaisters , on wounds and sores , have no better effects , then the long continuation or standing of the liquor on the mault in your mash-tub , which if it continue more then two , three or four hours , it will spoil and corrupt the whole , for first , ( as i said before ) the fine sweet volatile spirituous vertues , imbibes or incorporates themselves with the hot liquor , and then if there be not a separation made in two , three or four hours , by drawing it off , but the applycation continued , then there will soon awaken another quality of a gross harsh sour keen nature , which with a rapid motion , tinges or transmutes all the fine sweet healing vertues into their own qualities , which all brewers and good house-wifes are sensible of ; the like is to be understood in the applycations of poultices and plaisters , do not their long lying of them on the wounded or sore part , cause them to smell sour and stink , when they have been continued on for twelve or twenty four hours , which do not only indanger the part , and prolongs the cure , but it puts the patient to great pain and torment , and often the limb is cut off , and sometimes the life too , which by this forementioned method might have been prevented ; for if physitians and chyrurgeons do not understand nature , then there can be no certainty in their operations or cures . also note , that during the time your poultices , plaisters , ointments , or salves , are making on the fire , that you keep them stirring , by which you keep the fine spirits and qualities living , for by this stirring , the friendly powers and thin spirits of the air do penitrate the whole mass or body , which incorporate and assist the spirits and good vertues , and keep them from being stagnated or suffocated , the air being the life of all things , and where its friendly influences and circulations are prevented , the life and spirits becomes heavy , dull and gross ; for these reasons , all spoon-meats made thin , are sweeter and of a more quick penetrating operation and digestion , then those made thick , therefore despise not our method , nor our plain home-bred poultices , i could produce many living testimonies of its success , but it is needless , since every man's experience that tries it , will soon confirm the truth of what is here delivered , nor i am not much solicitous whether i am credited or not ; it is the consideration of the publick good it may do to many poor people , prompts me to publish it , whether you will follow the forementioned rules or not , i have done my duty in offering it , and therefore am satisfyed . the conclusion . thus have i presented thee ( honest reader ) with some observations ; nor shall i trouble my self to make apologies for them t● any , who having their eyes blinded with the dust of custom and tradition , may be apt to condemn or slight these advices , as heterodox-paradoxes , or needless chymaerea's ; but let such capers say what they please , i am certain what i have deliver'd is agreeable to undisguised nature , and whoever shall act accordingly , will certainly find very great benefits accrewing in respect of health both of body and mind ; but without practice all precepts are vain , or at least fruitless , unless it be only to remain as monuments to reproach those fools that despise and neglect them . i thought once to have proceeded further in this treatise , to have discovered the ways of making up or preparing most of the medicines that are now a-days cry'd up ; but on second thoughts i desisted , not as envying my country-men any thing that might tend to their general good , but for such reasons as these : . there are very few of the common medicines that deserve that credit , which by knaves vapouring and fools credulity they have obtained ; and to speak truth , i humbly conceive the people had e'en as good be without them as have them ; and therefore i was very well content that the learned doctors and their labourers , the apothecaries , should enjoy to themselves their pharmacentick mysteries , or way of making of medicines ; and when they have done , let them alone , take and use them too if they please . . those that shall observe the rules herein laid down , of temperance , choice of diet , due manner of pr●paration , &c. will ( i am very confident ) have little or no need of that which is commonly called physick . and for others , if i had set down never so many excellent receipts for the cure of diseases , 't is like they would have regarded them no more than these directions for avoiding the same . he that scorns to prevent a mischief fore-told , scarce deserves a remedy when he is fallen into it . but , . the discreet reader will here find such things recommended to his use , both in health and sickness , which though they are more plain , pleasant , easie to be had , and cheaper , are not less effectual both to preserve and restore health than those administred by the learned ; and in vain he goes about , that may go to rights ; or gapes for a remedy to be brought him by another from the indies , when he may make himself as good an one ( and better ) at home . what i have here candidly , and in a plain familiar manner delivered , i leave to god's blessing , and the practice of all prudent lovers of their health , and humble followers of nature , in her easie and innocent methods . farwell . finis . healths improvement: or, rules comprizing and discovering the nature, method, and manner of preparing all sorts of food used in this nation. written by that ever famous thomas muffett, doctor in physick: corrected and enlarged by christopher bennet, doctor in physick, and fellow of the colledg of physitians in london. moffett, thomas, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing m thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) healths improvement: or, rules comprizing and discovering the nature, method, and manner of preparing all sorts of food used in this nation. written by that ever famous thomas muffett, doctor in physick: corrected and enlarged by christopher bennet, doctor in physick, and fellow of the colledg of physitians in london. moffett, thomas, - . bennet, christopher, - . [ ], p. printed by tho: newcomb for samuel thomson, at the sign of the white horse in pauls churchyard, london, : . with a preliminary imprimatur leaf. annotation on thomason copy: "may. .". reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng diet -- early works to . food -- early works to . nutrition -- england -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion healths improvement : or , rules comprizing and discovering the nature , method , and manner of preparing all sorts of food used in this nation . written by that ever famous thomas mvffett , doctor in physick : corrected and enlarged by christopher bennet , doctor in physick , and fellow of the colledg of physitians in london . london , printed by tho : newcomb for samuel thomson , at the sign of the white horse in pauls churchyard , . imprimatur , francis prujean , president . balduinus hamey , george ent . edmund wilson . christoph . bennet censors . the table . chap. i. . what diet is . . who were the authors of it . . what good it bringeth . chap. . how many sorts of diet there be . . wherein diet consisteth materially . . wherein diet consisteth formally . chap. . and . of aire . . how it is to be chosen . . how it is to be prepared . . how it is to be used . chap. . of meat , and the differcnces thereof , in kind , substance , temperature and taste . chap. of meats . how they differ in preparation , age and sex. chap. . how many sorts of flesh there be . . whether flesh or fish were first eaten of , and whether of them is the purest and best nourishment . chap. . of the flesh of tame beasts . chap. . of the flesh of wild beasts , or venison : chap. . of the flesh of tame birds . chap. . of the flesh of wild foul , abiding and feeding chiefly upon the land. chap. . of the flesh of wild foul , abiding and feeding chiefly upon the waters . chap. . of the inwards and outwards both of beasts and birds . chap. . of milk. chap. . of butter , cream , curds , cheese and whey . chap. . of egs and blood. chap. . of fish generally , and the difference thereof . chap. . of sea-fish . chap. . of fresh-water fish . chap. . of such living creatures and meats , as be neither flesh nor fish , and yet give good nourishment to the body . chap. . of fruit and the differences thereof . chap. . of all orchard fruit. chap. . of such fruits of the garden , as are nourishing . chap. . of such fruits of the field , as are nourishing . chap. . of the variety , excellency , making and true use of bread. chap. . of salt , sugar and spice . chap. . of the necessary use and abuse of sawces , and whereon they consist . chap. . of variety of meats , that it is necessary and convenient . chap. . of the quantity of meats . chap. . of the quality of meats . chap. . of the time , order and manner of eating . to the reader t is not an itch to be in print , but my profession to keep men alive , and when gone to recover and revive them , that hath induced me to this undertaking ▪ blame me not therefore for using means to raise our author out of the dust , and long oblivion , wherein he was buried : t is true , his own relations and their interests much sollicited my help ; but the merits of the man were my greatest motives , and his old fame most quickned me to restore him ▪ seriously , upon perusal , i found so much life and pulse in his dead works , that it had not been charity in me to let him dye outright , specially when t is for the worlds good and your ( healths improvement . ) this is all , only if it may be any advantage to have my judgement , t is a piece for my palate , not likely to dis-relish any , where so much pleasure is interlarded with our profit ▪ i may safely say , upon this subject i know none that hath done better ; and were platina , apicius , or alexandrinus , with all the rest of dietetick writers now alive , they would certainly own , and highly value this discourse . accept then kindly his endevors , that strives to do you good both in publick and private . farewell . chr. bennet . chap. i. . what diet is . . who were the authors of it . . what good it bringeth . diet is defined by very learned scholars , an exact order in labour , meat , drink , sleep , and venery . for they are thought to be pythagoras his pentangle or five squar'd figure , wherein ( as hipocrates saith of mans body ) there be several confluences and concurrences ; yet but one general sympathy through all nevertheless labor was appointed for most to invite meat and drink : they to draw on sleep , for the ease of our labours : and all four , to perfit generation ; which is not onely essendi sed semper essendi causa ; not onely the cause of being but of ever being : for indeed after we are dead in our selves , we recover in our posterity another life . but in this treatise i define diet more particularly ( as it is usually taken both by the vulgar and also the best physitians ) to be an orderly and due course observed in the use of bodily nourishments , for the preservation recovery or continuance of the health of mankind . which how and when it was first invented and by whom collected , neither cardan , nor scaliger , nor virgil , nor montuus , nor biesius , nor jason pratensis , nor psellus , nor any ( in my judgement ) have more truely declared , then hippocrates himself ; avouching that necessity was the mother , and reason the father of diet. for when sickness crept into the world , and men gave the same meats to sick folks which they did to the healthful , they perceived them to be so far from recovery , that they rather wax'd worse and worse . hereupon being enforced to alter either the kind or the preparation , or the quantity , or the quality and order of nourishments : they knew by diligent observation what was fittest for every disease , for every sexe , age , and complexion , and accordingly committed them to memory , or set them down in writing . plutarch thinks that we first learned this knowledg of brute beasts . for pigeons and cocks before they fight , will eate store ( if they can get it ) of cummin seed to lengthen their breath : and nightingales eate spiders to prevent stoppings ; and lions having surfeited on flesh , abstaine from all meat til it be digested . so the marlin taught tender persons first to keep warm their feet , the storkes to remedy costiveness of body by the use of glisters , the hedghog to avoid walking in windy seasons , the little birds to bathe in summer , the flies and bees to keep home in winter . for there is no doubt but the natures of men were in former ages so strong , that they did eate and digest every thing as it grew . neither were mills , boulters , ovens , and artificial preparations from the beginning ; but as sickness of the body encreased , so the mind devised remedies , teaching men how to thrash and grind corne , to make bread , to boil , roast , and bake meat , to give thinne and liquid meats to weak stomacks , and grosser cates to them that be strong , after the example of every bird ; who first softneth and boileth the meat in their mawes , before they give it to their young ones , neither should we marvail hereat ; for as ignorant sailers ( whose errours and imperfections no man could perceive in a calm sea ) in a tempest do follow every mans advise : so the examples of birds and beasts did teach sick men wisdome , when through self-ignorance they lost the light of nature , and knew not what was good for themselves . but leave we plutarchs conceit , and let us fetch the invention of diet from a more worthy teacher , yea from the worthiest of all other , god himself . for can we imagine that he taught our forefathers ( having sinned ) how to cloath their bodies , and not how , and when , and wherewith to feed them ? he that taught abel how to diet sheep , would he leave him unskilful how to diet himself ? or had cain the art of tilling the ground , and not the knowledge how to use the grain thereof ? knew physicians in iacobs time how to conserve dead bodies , and wanted they knowledge to preserve the living ? wherefore how foolishly soever some ascribe the invention of diet to apollo , aesculapius , and that many-eide osiris , or to hippocrates , galen , or asclepiades : yet let this rest immoveable , that it springeth from an elder time , then that any heathenish chronicle is able to record the author thereof . for if the multitude of burials be an argument of ill diet , and contrariwise long life an argument of good ; it must needs follow , that before the universal floud this noble knowledge of diet was not hid from the first patriarcks , but as perfitly perceived as it was practised . for till after the floud , men usually lived to eight hundred years , some to nine , many to seven , and none ( for ought we have heard or read ) dyed a natural death before five . now if any man shall object , that the very name of diet is not mentioned before the floud , and that therefore the thing it self was not in use : i can shape him no better answer then from the mouth of hippocrates : names are the daughters of men , but things the sons of nature . so that assoon as men began to feed , no doubt they were inspired with wisdome how much , how often , and of what to feed . for we must not imagine , though they had as it were ostriches stomacks , and giants strength , ( insomuch that lamech in his wound could crush into peices the mightiest champion of our age ) that therefore they neglected preparation or proportion in the use of nourishments ; nay reason it self will conclude , that as one shooe did not fit every mans foot , nor children and young men fed alike in those dayes , so every man knew or was taught his peculiar diet , most proper healthful and convenient for his owne estate . wherefore as many disseases are recovered with our physicians , but none without physick : so albeit there lived no dietary physitians before the floud ( if i should grant so much ) yet no man can deny , that through feeding or fasting , drinking or thirsting , taking this thing or refusingthat , they preserved their life-oile ( as i may term it ) for many ages , which in this surfeiting and riotous age is commonly consumed in less then one . but some men will further object against me . what sir ? may diet prolong a mans life ? why then through diet we may prove immortal , or at the least live as long as adam did . whereunto i answer , that albeit immortality is denied upon the earth to mortal men , yet so much life is prolonged by a good diet , by how much disseases thereby are eschewed . for as solomon saith , to whom is pain of the belly , and gripings , and redness of eyes , and want of health ? even to those that keep no measure , but greedily hunt after wine , and rise up earely to drink strong drinke . some in hippocrates time , seeing precise observers of physick to dye assoon as they which used no physick , conceived presently no otherwise of physicians , them as of kings in a stage play ; carrying golden crownes , and scepters , and swords , commanding for the time whole empires , but indeed void of in-borne majesty in them selves , and of outward abillity fit for so high a caling . so now in our daies the name of diet seems but a scare-crow to the unwiser sort , who think it best diet , to keep no diet at all , saying ( as will. sommers said to sir john rainsford ) drink wine and have the gout , drink no wine and have it too . which in effect what is it else , then with the sicilians to erect a temple to riot : or with the barbarians to praise surfeiting ? or with ulisses drunken companions to open aeolus his bottle all at once ? whereby their ship was so far from proceeding , that all art and prayers , yea and all the gods ( in a manner ) were not able to keep it above the waters . let me laugh ( said democritus ) at mens follies , who diet their horses , sheep , cattel , yea their capons , and geese , and yet themselves keep no diet . they foresee by porking of raven , flying of kites , croking of frogs , and bathing of ducks , when it will raine ; yet surfeiting dayly they cannot foresee their own ruine . to the like purpose singeth a french poet. si tu veux viure sainement aye pour toy tel pensement : que de ton cheval falcon on chien , quand autre chose leur vint que bien . if sickness thou wilt long award , have of thy self that due regard , which to their falcons , steeds , or hounds men bear , when sickness them surrounds . and truely well might the one laugh , and the other sing at such follies . for albeit an exquisire thin diet ( called of ioubertus the inch-diet , wherein we eat by drams , and drink by spoonfuls ) more perplexeth the mind then cureth the body , engendring a jealousie over every meat , suspition on every quantity , dread , fear , and terrour over every proportion ( bereaving the head of quietness , the heart of security , and the stomack consequently of good concoction ) yet the full diet as it is more usual , so is it in effect no less dangerous . would you see the discommodities of excess ? why then imagine you saw verres rouling before break of day in his own vomits , dyonisius belching up a soure and unpleasant breath , polyphemus stript of wit and memory , cleomenes king of lacedemonia playing after his drunkenness at cherrypit with children , elpenor ( ulisses his companion ) breaking his neck downe the staires , ennius racked with the sciatica ▪ riglus the wrestler dead of an apoplexie , anacreon so unable to swallow any more drink that he was strangled with a grapes kernel , vibius crispus dying at the stool , an old english knight dying at the chamberpot . on the otherside will it please you to mark the commodities of diet , and moderate nourishing ? then behold timotheus , who being continually sick through dayly surfetting , came once to platoes table , where he fed ( as the company did ) and drank moderately . the next morning he cryed out with this admiration : ▪ o sweet plato , sweet plato ; how truely sweet are thy suppers , which make us to sleep and awake so sweetly ? how able am i now to all exercises , being erst so unable to the least labour ? no marvel timothy : for as the sun cannot warm us when clouds be between : so excess either fetters or divides the minds , faculties . how careful is the mind alwaies to preserve life ? yet many a drunkard sinks under water , because reason cannot teach him the art of swiming , the inward sences being choaked with abundance of clammy vapours . divine hippocrate ( whom i can never sufficiently name nor honour ) compareth diet most fitly to a potters wheele , going neither forward nor backward , but ( as the world it self moveth ) equally round : moistning that which is too dry , drying up that which is too moist , restoring true flesh if it be decaid , abating proud flesh ( by abstinence ) if it be too much , neither drawing too much upward nor downward ( as peevish sawyers do : ) neither clapping on too much nor too little sail ( like unskilfull mariners ) but giving ( like a wise steward ) every part his allowance by geometrical proportion , that the whole household and family may be kept in health such a steward was asclepiades , who cured by onely diet infinite diseases . such an one was galen , that famous physitian , who being three or four times sick before he was twenty eight years old , looked afterwards more strictly to his diet ; in such sort that a hundred years following he was never sick but once , and died onely through want of radical moisture . such an one finally was hippocrates , who lived till he was a hundred and nine years old ( or at the least till he was fourscore and five ) without any memorable sickness , and yet he had by nature but a weak head , insomuch that he ever wore a night cap. wherefore let us neither with the impudent , call diet a frivolous knowledge , or a curious science with the imprudent : but embrace it as the leader to perfit health , ( which as the wise man saith ) is above gold , and a sound body above all riches . the romans once banished physitians out of rome , under pretence that physick druggs weakened the peoples stomacks : and cooks , for corrupting and enforcing appetites with strange sawces and seasonings : and perfumers , and anointers , and bathe-masters , because they did rather mollifie and effeminante the romans mindes , then any whit profit or help their bodies . yet they retained cato , the chief dietist of that time , and all them that were able ( without physick ) to prevent or cure diseases : esteeming diet ( as it is indeed ) to be so honest , pleasant , and profitable a science , that even malice it self cannot but commend it , and her enemies are forced to retaine it . thus much or rather too much , in the commendation of diet ; for which some spartane censor would severely punish me , as antalaides did the orator that prais'd hercules , whom no wiseman ever discommended . for howsoever idle heads have made these addle proverbs . . dieted bodies are but bridges to physicians mindes . . we shall live till we dye in despight of diet . . every dissease will have his course . . more rubarb and less diet , &c. yet the wisest man and king of all others , hath established it upon such grounds , as neither can nor shall ever be shaken with all their malice . chap. ii. . how many sorts of diet there be . . wherein diet consisteth materially . . wherein diet consisteth formally ▪ . there be especially three sorts of diets ; a full diet , a moderate diet , and a thin diet. the first increaseth flesh , spirits , and humors , the second repaireth onely them that were lost , and the third lesseneth them all for a time , to preserve life . full diet is proper unto them which be young , growing , strong , lusty , and able through their good constitution to endure much exercise . moderate diet is fittest for persons of a middle health , whose estate of body is neither perfectly strong nor over-weak . thin diets are never to be used , especially in the strictest kind , but where violent diseases ( caused either of fulness or corruption ) have the preheminence : wherein how much the body wanteth sufficient food , so much the sickness wanteth his tyrannical vigour . . the matter of diet , is neither iron nor steel , nor silver , nor coral , nor pearl , no nor gold it self ; from which worthy simples , albeit most rare and effectual sustenances be drawn ( as our own countryman of all other , most learnedly proveth ) to strengthen our body , and to thicken our radical moisture , which is soon consumed ( like a fine spirit of wine ) when it is too thin and subtile : yet neither have they , neither can they have a nourishing power , because our natural heat will be tired before it can convert their oyle into our oyle , their substance into our substance , be it never so cunningly and finely exalted . furthermore , if it be true ( which hippocrates and reason telleth us ) that as contraries are expelled by contraries , so like is sustained by his like : how should the liquors of gold , pearl , and precious stones ( which the chymists have named immortal essences ) nourish or augment our mortal substance ? nay doth not that soonest restore decayed flesh ( as milk , gellie , strong broaths , and young lamb , which soonest corrupteth , if it be not presently eaten ? is not a young snite more nourishing ( yet it keeps not long sweet ) then a peacock that will not corrupt nor putrifie in a whole year , no not in thirty years ( saith kiranides ) though it be buried in the ground ? yet as a candles end of an inch long being set in cold water , burneth twice as long as another out of water ; not because water nourisheth the flame , which by nature it quencheth , nor because it encreaseth the tallow , which admits no water , but by moistning the circumfluent aire , and thickning the tallow , whereby the flame is neither so light nor lively as it would be otherwise : in like sort , the substances , powders , and liquors of the things aforesaid , may perhaps hinder the speedy spending of natural heat , by outward cooling of fiery spirits , inward thickning of too liquid moistures , hardning or condensating of flaggy parts ; but their durableness and immortality ( if they be immortal ) are sufficient proofs that they are no nourishments for corruptible men . but they are pure essences , and therefore suitable to our radical moisture , which the best physicians derive from a starr-like substance . alas , pure fools ! what doe you vaunt and brag of purity , when the purest things do least nourish ? for had not the aire , water , and earth , certain impurities , how should men , beasts , birds , fishs , and plants continue ? for the finer the aire , the less it nourishes , the clearer the water , the less it fatneth , the simpler the ground , the less it succoureth : yea were we in an air ( such as the element of aire it self is defined to be ) void of invisible seeds , and those impalpable substances or resekens that are sometimes descried by the sun-beams , our spirits should find no more sustenance by it , then a dry man drink in an empty hogshead . and though we see pikes to live a great while in cisterns with clear water alone , yet were that water so pure as the element it self , they would clean consume for want of nourishment . the like may be said of plants growing in a dry , crumbling , sapless and unmingled earth , wherein we should see them quickly so far from sprouting , that for want of their restorrative moisture they would come ▪ to withering . wherefore i conclude , neither oriental stones for their clearness , nor pearls for their goodliness , nor coral for his temperating of bloud , nor gold for his firmness , nor liquor of gold for his purity , nor the quintessences of them all for their immortality , are to be counted nourishments , or the matters of diet. object not the ostrich his consuming of stone and mettals , to prove that therefore they may nourish man ; no more then the duck , nightingale , or stork , to prove that toads , adders and spiders are nourishing meats : for our nourishment ( properly taken ) is that nature or substance , which encreaseth or fostereth our body , by being converted into our substance . now for as much as our bodies ( like the bodies of all sensible and living creatures else ) consist of a treble substance , namely , aerial spirits , liquid humors , and confirmed parts : it is therefore necessary it should have a treble nourishment answerable to the same ; which hippocrates truly affirmeth to be air , meat , and liquors . meat is a more gross and corporeal substance , taken either from vegetables in the earth , or creatures living upon the earth , or living ever or sometimes in the water , whereby the grosser part of our body is preserved-liquors are thin and liquid nourishment , serving as a sled to convey meat to every member , and converted most easily into humors . now whereas pliny nameth some which never eat meat , and apollonius and athenaeus , other which never drank ; they are but few and particular persons ( yea perhaps the sons of devils ) ▪ which cannot overthrow the general rule and course of nature . it is possible to god ( as the devil truly objected ) to make stones as nourishing as bread ; to feed men with locusts ) a most fretting , burning , and scalding vermin ) as he did john baptist : to give us stones instead of bread , and to give us scorpions when we ask eggs : yet usually he doth not transgress the course of nature , by which , as by his bayliff , he rules the world : so that when any man lived without meat or drink ( as moses and elias did forty daies ) it is rather to be counted a miraculous working , then to be imputed to the strength of nature . chap. iii. of aire . . how it is to be chosen . . as hippocrates said of meats , like food , like flesh : so may i justly say of the aire , like aire , like spirits ; for hence cometh it that in pure , clear , and temperate aire , our spirits are as jocund , pleasant , active , and ready as butterflies in summer ; but in thick , dark , cloudy , and unseasonable weather , they are dul , drowsie , idle , and as heavy as lead , working neither perfectly what they ought , nor chearfully what they would . witty cardan supposeth a like resemblance to be betwixt our bodies , and the aire , as there is betwixt the soul and heaven : so that as they encline the soul , so the aire altereth the body every way ; let the aire be cloudy , how can the body be warm ? let it be hot , how can that be cold ? let it be chilled with frost or snow , our skin ( yea our inwards themselves ) begin to shiver ? how staggers the head , and how presently finks the heart , at the smel of a damp , or the insensible sense of deadly and subtile spirits , carried from the ugh-trees of thasus , or the hole of a cokatrice , or the breathing of aspes , or the dens of dragons , or the carcases of dead serpents , wherewith the aire is not so soon infected , as the hearts and brains of men , whereunto it is carried . galen saith , that the inhabitants of the palestine lake are ever sickly , their cattle unsound , and their countrey barren , through the brimstone and pitchy vapor ascending from thence over all the countrey , in such sort that birds flying over it , or beasts drinking of it , do suddenly die ; and verily no bird hateth that lake , nor the lakes of avernum , lucrine , or padua , like unto it ; no frogs and serpents can less live in ireland , foxes in crete , staggs in africa , hares in ithaca , and fishes in warm water , then the heart of man can abide impure smels , or live long in health with infected airs ; which if they do not alwaies corrupt men , yet they shew their force , and exercise their power over cattle , hearbs , grass , corn , fruits , and waters , a great while after ▪ poysoning us ( as it were ) at a second draught , whilst we feed of infected things , and ( as eclipses are wont to do ) spitting out their venom when they are almost forgotten . sicil is recorded to be seldom void of the plague : and the dwellers of sardinia quitted their country oftentimes for the same cause . but how could it be otherwise , when the wind blows there most commonly out of africa , the mother of all venomous and filthy beasts ? is not middleborough , roterdam , delf , and divers other cities in zealand and holland , stinched every dry autumn with infinite swarms of dead frogs , putrifying the aire worse then carrion ? rome also was greatly annoyed with agues and pestilence , till by asclepiades his councel their common sewers were monthly cleansed , their privy-vaults yearly emptied , and their soil and offal daily carried forth into the fields ; whereby receiving the benefit of sweet aire and health both at once , no marvel ( as mr. ajax his father hath well noted ) though the skavenger and gun-farmer , that is , stercutius and cloacina were honoured as gods. and verily had that worthy author lived amongst those romans , as he liveth in this unthankful and wicked age , wherein ( to speak with hippocrates ) admirantur fatui , calumniantur plerique , intelligunt pauci : ) no doubt ere this he had been very highly exalted , and stood in some solemn capitol , betwixt stercutius and cloacina , as king ludd doth upon ludd-gate betwixt his two sons : for i assure you ( and let us not but give the devil his right ) he hath truely , plainly , and perfectly set down such an art of privy-making , that if we would put it in practice , many a house should be thought in london to have never a privy , which now smels all over of nothing else : neither is the aire only infected with venemous winds and vapours , sinks , sewers , kennels , charnel houses , moors , or common lestals ( as in great camps and cities ) nor only with privy vaults ; but also biesius maketh mention , that a house in spain seated among many elder trees ( wherewithall the grounds were headged ) cast every man out of it ( like sejus horse ) either dead or diseased , till such time as he caused them to be rooted up , and so made it both wholsome and habitable to the dwellers . furthermore it is recorded , that as the aire in cyprus cureth any ulcers of the lungs , so the air of sardinia makes and enlargeth them : and as the aire of anticyra helpeth madness , so contrariwise the aire of thasus ( especially in a hot and dry summer ) brought almost all the inhabitants into a lunacy , which no doubt hapned upon these causes , that cyprus aboundeth in cypres and firr-trees , sardinia in alom and copper mines , anticyra is replenished with true hellebors , and thasus is full of deadly ughes , which either kill a man , or make him mad , when the savor infects him fully , as it doth in such hot and dry countries . the aire may be also infected with the smoak of charcole newly kindled , whereof quintus catulus died : or with the smel of new morter , which killed jovinianus the emperor in his bed : or with the snuf of a candle , wherewith many have been strangled ; or with the aire of a pan of coles throughly kindled , by which as aemylius victor studied in the city of parma , he suddenly fell down dead . by the smell of a snuf of a candle , many become leprous , and women miscarry of children . what light is best to study by , of oyle , wax , dears suet , and tallows ; the very smel of roses cureth headach , and of some flowres drunkenness . the smel of a wantlowse may kil a child in the mothers womb : the very smel of physick cureth many . first therefore in the election or choice of aire , observe this , that it be pure and void of infection : for pure aire is to the heart , as balm to the sinews , yea it is both meat , drink , exercise , and physick to the whole body . meat , whilst it is easily converted into spirits : drink , whilst it allayeth the thirst of the lungs and heart , which no drink can so well quench ; exercise , whilst it moveth humors immoveable otherwise of their own nature ; medicine or physick , whilst it helpeth to thrust forth excrements , which would else harden or putrifie within our bodies , the vapors whereof would so shake the bulwark of life , and defile the rivers of blood issuing from the liver , that we should not live long in health , if happily we lived at all . next to purity of aire , we must chuse that also which is temperate . for natural heat is not preserved , saith galen , but of aire moderately cold : and aristotle saith , that countries and cities , and houses , which by interposition of hils on the north side be seldom cooled , are subject to mortality , and many diseases . yet must it not be so hot as to dissolve spirits , procure thirst , and abundant sweat , to the hindring of urine , and decaying of strength and appetite : but ( as i said before ) of a middle temper , because as nature is the mother , so mediocrity is the preserver of every thing . who sees not a dry summer peeleth , and a dry winter riveleth the skin ? and that contrariwise , an over-moist aire puffeth it up with humors , and engendreth rheumes in the whole body ? thirdly , that aire is best which is most seasonable : namely , warm and moist in the spring , hot and dry in summer , cooling and dry in autumn , cold and moist in winter : which seasons falling out contrarily , as sometimes they doe ( especially in islands ) infinite and unavoidable diseases ensue thereupon . for if the spring-aire be cold and dry through abundance of northeast winds , dry inflammations of the eys , hot urines , fluxes of bloud by nose and bowels , and most dangerous catarrhs to old persons , follow upon it . if summer be cold and dry through the like winds , look for all kinds of agues , headaches , coughs , and consumptions : contrariwise if it be too hot and dry , suppression of urine , and womens courses , together with exceeding bleeding at the nose is to be feared . if autumn be full of southern and warm blasts , the next winter attend all rheumatick and moist diseases . if winter on the contrary be cold and dry , which naturally should be cold and moist , long agues , humoral aches , coughs and plurisies are to be expected , unless the next spring be of a moist disposition . again , consider also , how any house or city is situated , for the aire is qualified accordingly . namely , if they be placed southeast , south , and southwest , and be hindred from all northern blasts by opposition of hils , they have neither sweet water , nor wholsome aire ; but there women are subject to fluxes and miscarriages , children to convulsions and shortness of breath , men to bloudy fluxes , scourings , and hemorrhoids , and such like . but cities , countries , or houses situated clean contrary , towards the north-west , north , and north-east , and defended from all southern gusts and blasts , albeit the people there are commonly more strong and dry , yet are they subject through suppression of excrements , unto headaches , sharp plurisies , coughs , exulceration of the lungs , phlegmatick collections , rupture of inward veins , and red eyes . likewise in those countries , young boyes are subject to swelling of the codds , young girls to the navel-rupture ; men to the diseases above named : women to want and scarcity of their natural terms , to hard labours , ruptures and convulsions , and to consumptions after childbearth ▪ easterly towns ( especially inclining to the south ) and houses are more wholesome then the westerly for many causes : first because the aire is there more temperately hot and cold . secondly because all waters and springs running that way , are most clear fragrant pleasant and wholesome , resembling as it were a dainty spring ; and verily women there conceive quickly and bring forth easily : children prove large , well coloured and lively : men healthful strong and able to any exercise , but western cities and houses , barren , clean , of eastern gusts , have ever both troubled waters and unwholesome winds , which mingled with the waters obscure their clearness , and maketh the inhabitants weak , heavy , and ill coloured , hoarce-voiced , dull witted , and wanting ( as if they were entring the house of death ) quickness and vigour . but avicen of all others declares this most at large , who shewing the boldness and goodness of aire by the situation , describes them in these words . houses having their chief or full seat eastward , are very wholsome for three causes . first , because the sun rising upon them , purgeth the aire very timely , secondly , because it stayes not there long to dissolve spirits , but turneth westward after noon , thirdly , because cold winds are commonly as ushers to the sun rising , by which all corruption is killed , that either was in the aire or lay on the ground . westerne places are worst situated : first , because the sun bestowes not his maiden head and kingly heat upon them , but a hot and scorching flame , neither attenuating nor drying their aire , but filling it full of fogs and mists whereupon it falls out , that the inhabitants are much troubled with hoarseness , rheumes , measils , pocks , and pestilence . southern seats are commonly subject to catarhs , fluxes of the belly , heaviness , want of appetite , haemoroids , inflamation of eyes ; and their women conceive hardly and miscarry easily , abounding in menstrual and mighty pollutions , their old men are subject to palsies , trembling apoplexies and all humoral diseases , their children to cramps and the falling evil : their young men to continual putrified agues , and all kind of rebellious fevours . in nothren countryes through the driness , coldness , and sharpness of the wind ; women do hardly conceive , and dangerously bring forth : or if they be well delivered , yet commonly through want of milk they are not able to nurse their children . their young men die of consumptions , their old men and children of cruel cramps . they which dwell upon the tops of hills ( where every wind blows from under the sun ) are for the most part sound , strong , nimble , long-lived and fit for labour . contrariwise the valley people ( so seated that no wind blows upon them ) are ever heavy spirited , dull and sickly : for as a fire of green wood dieth unles the flame be scattered with continual blowing ; and as a standing water corrupteth in a little space : so an idle aire rouled about with no winds soon putrifieth ; because his dissimilar parts be not separated by winowing , as the chaffe is from the wheat . but the best situation of a house or city , is upon the slaunt of a southwest hill ( like to this of ludlow , wherein we sojourne for a time ) neither fully barred of the east , north , and southern winds , clear , and free from the mists of bogs and fens , purified from the stinck of common sinks , vaults and lestals , as also from the unwholesome breathings of caves , colepits , & copper , or brimstone-mines : not so cold as to stupifie members , not so hot as to burn the skin , not so moist as to swell us with rheumes , nor so dry as to parch up our natural moisture : not to much nor to variable ( as upon the top of hills ) not so little , nor too standing , as in low vallies : neither smelling of nothing , as in barren countries , nor smelling of bad things , as in the fens : but fragrant without a discerning of smell , and sweetest of all in an unknown sweetness for howsoever some men dream , that the smell of the spice-trees in arabia felix make the neighbour inhabitants both healthfull of body and sound of mind ( which i will not deny , if you compare them with the borderers of the palestine lake . ) nevertheless as tully saith of women , they smell best which smell of nothing ; so verily the aire that smells of nothing is best to nourish us in health , though otherwise in some sickness a perfumed aire is best , and also to expel a loathsome stinck , or ( like to the neighing of apolloes horses ) to rouse up dull and sleepy senses . in which respect i am of aristotles opinion , that sweet smels were appointed to be in flowers , fruits , barks , roots , fields , and meddowes , not onely for delight , but also for medicin . nevertheless as the tastles water makes the best broath , so the smelling aire gives the purest ( i will not say the strongest ) nourishment to our spirits . in plutarchs time men were grown to this wantoness , that every morning and night they perfumed not only their apparrel and gloves , but also their bodies with sweet ointments , made of most costly spices : buying with great charges , what shall i say ? an idle , a needless , a womanly pleasure ? nay verily an unnatural and more then bruitish . for every beast loveth his own mate only for her own smel ( whatsoever it be ) but some men love not their meat , nor drink , nor the aire , nor their wifes , nor themselves , unless they smel , or rather stinck of sweet costly and forreine fumes : which being taken without cause , do the head more hurt then being taken upon cause they do it good . wherefore if thy brain be temperate , and not too moist , cold , or dull , eschew a strong smelling aire ( such as comes from walflowers , stock-gillyflowers , pincks , roses , hiacynths , mead sweet , hony suckles , jasimin , narcissus , musk , amber civet , and such like ) contenting thy self with the simplest aire , which for sound complexions is simply best . or if for recreation and pleasuresake thou desirest it some time , let it not be of a full or strong sent : but mingled with sweet and soure ( as violets with time ) and breathing rather a sharpe then a fulsome sweetness . and thus much of the choice of aires ; now come we to the preparation and use of them . chap. iiii. of aire . . how it is to be prepared . . how it is to be used . satyrus ( that goat-bearded god ) the first time that ever he saw fire , would needs kiss it and embrace it in his armes , notwithstanding that prometheus forewarn'd him of coming too nigh : for he knew well enough the nature of fire to be such , that as in certain distances , times , and quantities it may be well endured , so in others it is harmful and exceeding dangerous . the like may i say of heat , cold , moisture , and driness of the aire : which in the first or second step towards them may and do preserve life , but the nearer you come to their extremities , the nearer are you to death : so that either you will be burnt with satyrus , or frozen to death with philostratus , or dryed up for lack of moisture with darius souldiers when they could get no water , or dye as the inhabitants of the lakes in egypt do with too much moisture . wherefore let every one consider his owne strength and constitution of body ; for some like to new wax , are dissolved with the least heat , and frozen with the least cold : others with salamanders think nothing hot enough , others like to silk worms can abide no cold ; others with smiths and woodcocks can abide those frosts which even the fishes themselves can hardly tolerate . so likewise dry constitutions laugh and sing with the thrush when rain approacheth : when others of the contrary complexion do mourn and lament with the plouver , because it is so wet . which being so , i shall no doubt deserve well of every man in teaching him so to prepare the aire , that sometimes abroad , but alwayes at home it may be tempered ( according as he most needeth ) and purified from all infection . concerning the tempering of aire in our houses : is it too hot and dry ? then coul it by sprinkling of vinegar and rose water , by strewing the floure with green flags , rushes , newly gathered , reed leaves , water-lilly leaves , violet leaves and such like ; stick also fresh boughes of willow , sallow , poplar , and ashe ( for they are the best of all ) in every corner . is it too cold and moist ? amend it by fires of clear and dry wood ; and strew the room and windows with herbs of a strong smell , as mints , penniroial cammomil , balm , nep , rue , rosemary and sage . is it too thick and misty ? then attenuate and clear it in your chamber first by burning of pine-rosin ( as the egyptians were wont to do ) then presently by burning in a hot fire-shovel some strong white-wine vinegar . but their chiefest perfume of all other called kuphi : the great temper , was made of sixteen simples : namely , wine , hony , raisins of the sun , cipres , pine-rosin , mirrhe , the sweet rush , calamus aromaticus , spike-nard , cinamon , berries of the great and little juniper , lignumaloes , saffron , figtree buds , and cardamoms : to which composition in galens time democrates added bdellium and the seed of agnus castus , and the physicians in plutarchs time the roots of calamint . it were needless to write how wonderfully apollo , i mean our new apollo francis alexander of vercelles ( for so like a proud italian he calleth his owne work ) commend the same in his third beam ; or how plutarch and avicen extol it above all others , in that it not onely bringeth any aire to a good temper ; but also cleanseth the same of unclean spirits , openeth it when it is clowdy , attenuateth it when it is too thick , refineth it when it is full of dreggy mixtures , and consequently dispelleth melancholy from the head , fear and ill vapours from the heart , procuring natural and quiet sleep , and therefore not unworthily consecrated to the gods. now as the egyptians burnt rosin in the morning , and their kuphi towards noon , so albeit the sun set , when many heavy vapours lye in the aire , the ancients were not to burn mirrhe and juniper : which disperse those heavy vapours , leaving in the house a rectified aire , quickning the senses , and correcting those melancholick fumes that pervert judgement . wherefore the egyptians call mirrhe , bal , and juniper dolech the purifiers of the aire , and curers of madness . whereat let no man wonder , sith the very noise of bells , guns , and trumpets , breaketh the clouds , and cleanseth the aire : yea musick it self , cureth the brain of madness , and the heart of melancholy , as many learned and credible authors have affirmed . much more then may it be tempered , and altered to the good or hurt of our inward parts by smells and perfumes , whereby not onely a meer aire ( as in sounds ) is carried to the inward parts , but also invisible seeds and substances qualified with variety of divers things . for who knoweth not that the smell of opium bringeth on sleep , drowsiness , and sinking of the spirits ? contrariwise the the smell of wine , and strong vinegar out of a narrow mouth'd glass , awaketh the heaviest headied man , if possibly he can be awaked . furthermore because stincking smells ( unless one by little and little be accustomed to them , as our dungfarmers , and kennel rakers are in london ; and as a wench did eat napellus , a most cruel poyson , ordinarily as a meat ) are both noysom to the head , and hurtful to the lungs , heart , and stomack ; in such sort , that they which live in a stinking house , are seldom healthy : it shall be good , where the cause cannot wholly be removed , to correct the accident in this sort , with sweet waters , sweet perfumes , sweet pomanders , and smelling unto sweet fragrant things . isabella cortesa , that dainty lady of italy , comb'd her hair , and sprinkled her gown every morning with this sweet water following , whereby the aire circumfluent was so perfumed , that wheresoever she stood , no stinch could be discerned . take of orenge flower water , water of violets , water of the musk-geranium , and the musk rose , water of red and damask roses , of each a pint ; powder of excellent sweet orris , two ownces ; powder of storax calamite , benjoine , and indian wood of roses , of each half an ounce ; civet a dram and a half . mingle all together , and let them stand in balneo three daies . then after the water is throughly cold , filtre it out with a fine filtre , and keep it to your use in a glass very close stopt . marinellus maketh another not much inferior unto this , whereof this is the description . take a pottle of damask-rose-water , benjoin , storax calamite , cloves , and wood of aloes , of each a● ounce ; ambre-grice and civet of each a scruple : boil them together in balneo in a glass very well stopt , for hours space ; filtre it out when it is cold , and having hang'd fifteen grains of musk in it tied in a close cloth , set it five daies in the sun , and keep it to your use . these waters are costly , but verily exceeding good ; nevertheless sith men of mean fortune are likewise to be preserved , i appoint for them these perfumed cakes , and for the poorer sort , a less costly perfume . take of benjoin six drams , wood of aloes four drams , storax calamite four drams , sweet orris two drams , musk a scruple , white sugar candy three ounces , beat them into fine powder , and with red-rose water , work them into a stiff paste , whereon make a sort of little cakes no bigger nor thicker then a threepence ; dry them in a cold shadowy place , and then put them up very close into a glass , and take out one or two , or as many as you please , and burn them upon quick coles . the poorer sort may make them fire-cloves , far better then you shall find any at the apothecaries , after this receit . take of good olbanum halfe a pound , storax calamite an ounce and a halfe , ladanum halfe an ounce , coles of iuniper wood drams , make all into fine powder , and then with drams of gum tragacanth mingled with rose water , and macerated three daies together , and an ounce of storax liquida , form the paste like great cloves , or sugar-loves , or birds , or in what form you list , and dry them in an oven when the bread hath been drawn ; kindle one of these at the top , and set it in any room , and it will make it exceeding sweet . but forasmuch as no aire is so dangerous as that which is infected with pestilent influences , let us consider how , and in what sort that of all other is to be corrected . hippocrates ( for ought we read of ) when his own countrey , and the city of athens were grievously surprised of the plague , used no other remedies to cure or preserve the rest , then by making of great fires in each street , and in every house , especially in the night time , to purifie the aire ; whereby the citizens or athens being delivered from so dangerous an enemy , erected to hippocrates an image of beaten gold , and honoured him alive as if he had been a god. and verily , as running water , like a broome , cleanseth the earth , so fire like a lion , eateth up the pollutions of the aire , no less then it consumeth the drossie mettals . so that cleanliness and good fires ▪ cannot but either extinguish or lessen any infection : whereunto if we also add the use of other outward correctors and perfumers of the aire , no doubt it will be much , if not wholly amended . the pestilence ( as i have noted to my grief in mine own house ) taketh some first with a great chilness and shaking , others with a hot sweat and often fainting : in some place it raineth most in winter , others it never annoyeth but in summer . the first sort are to correct the air about them with good fires , and burning of lignum aloes , ebony , cinamon bark , sassaphras , and juniper , which ( as matthiolus recordeth in his herbal ) retaineth his sent and substance a hundred years . burn also the pils of oringes , citrons , and lemons , and myrrh and rosen ; and the poorer sort may perfume their chambers with baies , rosemary , and broom it self . make also a vaporous perfume in this sort ; take of mastick and frankincense , of each an ounce , citron pils , calamint roots , herb-grass dried , and cloves , of each three drams ; make all into a gross powder , and boil it gently in a perfuming pot with spike-water and white wine . the second sort ( i mean such as are sick of the plague in summer , or are the first taken with a dissolving heat ) should rather burn sweet cipres , lignum rhodium , sanders , sprigs of tamarisk , gum tragacanth , elemi , cherri-tree gum , and a little camphire . likewise their vaporing perfumes should be of red-rose-leaves , lignum rhodium , and sanders , with rose-water and vinegar boil'd together . so that according to the kind of taking , and the season of the year , is the air to be corrected in the time of pestilence , and not alike at all times with one perfume , which marsilius ficinus so diligently observeth , that he blameth many physicians for their general preferring of this or that masticatory : some extolling the chewing of sage as one goes abroad , others the chewing of setwall roots , others of elecampana , cloves , angelica , or citron pils ; which indeed are best in a cold season ; but in the hot time of the year and a hot plague , the chewing of coriander seeds prepared , grains , sanders , and the pulpe of oringes , lemons , citrons , or pearmains , is far to be preferred before them . the like may be said of sweet pomanders strong of musk , civet , ambre , and storax ; which are no doubt good correctors of the pestilent aire ; but yet in hot seasons and pestilences , nothing so good as the smel of a lemon stickt with lignum rhodium instead of cloves , and inwardly stuffed with a sponge throughly soaked in vinegar of red-roses and violets . but here a great question ariseth , whether sweet smels correct the pestilent aire , or rather be as a guide to bring it the sooner into our hearts ? to determin which question , i call all the dwellers in bucklers berry in london to give their sentence : which only street ( by reason that it is wholly replenished with physick , drugs , and spicery , and was daily perfumed in the time of the plague with pounding of spices , melting of gums , and making perfumes for others ) escaped that great plague brought from newhaven , whereof there died so many , that scarce any house was left unvisited . of variety and change of aire . hitherto of the correcting and tempering of distempered and infected aire ; which being clean and purified , may yet through ignorance of wilfulness be abused : for as satyrus would needs kiss the glowing cole , and children delight to put their fingers in the candle , so some know not how to use this general nourishment , which is not given ( as all other nourisments be ) unto one particular man or country , but equally and universally unto all . now there be two sorts of aire , as every man knoweth ; the one open and wide unto all men , the other private , shut within the compass of a house or chamber : that permitted to any man which is in health ; this proper to very many and sickly persons , who receiving but the least blast of the outward aire upon a suddain , fall into great extremities , and make the recidival sickness to be worse then the former . many , and amongst them , my lord rich his brother , can justifie this , who almost recovered of the small pox , looked but out of a casement , and presently was striken with death . so likewise one harwood of suffolk , a rich clothier , coming suddenly in an extream frost from a very hot fire into the cold aire , his blood was presently so corrupted , that he became a leaper ; which is an ordinary cause of the same disease in high germany , as paracelsus and many other writers have truely noted . again , some men tie themselves so to one aire , that if they go but a mile from home ( like to fresh-water soldiers ) they are presently sick : others are so delighted with variety , that no one aire or country can contain them : of which humor was agesilaus , phocion , diogenes , cato , yea and socrates himself , who sometimes lay abroad in the fields , sometimes at home , sometimes travailed one country , and sometimes another , that being accustomed to all airs , they might ( if necessity served ) the better abide all . furthermore in long diseases , it is not the worst , but the best physick to change airs ; which few can endure that are tied in conceit or by custom only to one , and therefore that ( of both fantastical humors ) is the most dangerous . besides this , the time of going abroad in the open aire is to be considered ; for some go out early before the dew be off , and the sun up , which is very unwholsom ; others also walk at night after the dew falling , which is as perilous : for the dew to mans body is as rust unto iron , in so much that it blasteth the face and maketh it scabby ( especially in some months ) if a man do wash himself with it . furthermore some men delight to travel in tempests and winds , which the very hedghog reproveth , and the beasts of the field eschue by seeking coverture : for strong and violent winds , be ( as cardan cals them ) the whales of the aire , rowling clouds and meteors where and whether they list , beating down trees , houses , and castles , yea shaking otherwhiles the earths foundation . now as some goe abroad too much , so others with over-fearfulness take the open aire too little , sitting at home like cramb'd capons in a close room , and not daring in a manner to behold the light ; better it were by degrees to go abroad , then with such certainty of danger to stay at home ; yet so that a calm , mild , and temperate day be chosen , lest we make more haste outward then good speed , and bewail the alteration of aire through decrease of health . for as contrariety of meats make tumults and rebellions in our stomacks , so contrary changes of aire upon the sudden , maketh dangerous combats in our bodies : yea though a fenny aire be thick and loathsome , yet suddenly to go dwel upon the high mountains in a clear aire , is a posting to death rather then a course to life , and albeit a southern country be pregnant of corruption ( for all trees lose their leaves first on the southside , and on the southside houses decay soonest , and the southside of corn is soonest blasted , and malt lying in the southside of a garner , is first tainted with weevels ) yet suddenly to depart to a northern soil , where the north wind chiefly bloweth , is to leave the sea to be forzen in ice , and bringeth imminent peril , if not hasty death to the patient , yea to them that are otherwise sound of body : wherefore use the open aire in his due time , season , quantity , and order ; else shalt thou be offended with that nourishment , which simply of all other is most necessary : for as this invisible milk ( for so severinus cals the aire ) in time , season , and quantity , nourisheth these lower , and perhaps the upper bodies : so being taken out of time , and longer , and lesser then we should , it is both the child , the mother , and the nurse of infinite mischiefs . chap. v. . of meat , and the differences thereof , in kind , substance , temperature , and taste . purposing now to treat of meats , i will keep this method . first i will shew their differences : then the particular natures of every one of them : last of all in what variety , quantity , and order they are to be eaten . their differences be especially seaven in number ; kind , substance , temperature , taste , preparation , age and sex. . concerning the first , it is either of vegitable things only by ordination , or of sensible creatures by permission . for whilst adam and his wife were in paradise , he had commission to eat only of the fruit of the garden ; being cast thence , he was enjoyned to till the ground , and fed in the sweat of his brows upon worts , corn , pulse and roots ; but as for flesh , howbeit many beasts were slain for sacrifices and apparrel , yet none was eaten of men . years after the creation ; even till god himself permitted noah and his family to feed of every sensible thing that moved and lived , as well as of fruits and green hearbs . nay the indian philosophers , called brachmanes , did never a great while after the floud taste of any sensible creature : and though nimrod the great hunter slew many beasts , yet flesh was even then untasted of the babilonians ( and many hundred years after ) saith herodotus . and verily till god would have it so , who dared to touch with his lips the remnant of a dead carcass ? or to set the pray of a wolfe , and the meat of a falcon upon his table ? who i say durst feed upon those members which lately did see , go , bleat , lowe , feel , and move ? nay tell me , can civil and humane eyes yet abide the slaughter of an innocent beast , the cutting of his throat , the mauling him on the head , the flaying of his skin , the quartring and dismembring of his joints , the sprinkling of blood , the ripping up of his veins , the enduring of ill savours , the hearing of heavy sighs , sobs , and grones , the passionate strugling and panting for life , which only hard-hearted butchers can endure to see ? is not the earth sufficient to give us meat , but that we must also rend up the bowels of beasts , birds , and fishes ? yes truly there is enough in the earth to give us meat , yea verily and choise of meats , needing either none or no great preparation , which we may take without fear , and cut down without trembling , which also we may mingle a hundred waies to delight our taste , and feed on safely to fill our bellies . nevertheless we must not imagine , that god either idely or rashly permitted flesh and fish to be eaten of mankind , but that either he did it for causes known to himself , or for special favours shewed to us . plutarch writeth that hens eggs in egypt do hatch themselves in the warm sun , and that wilde connies breed every month : so that albeit by their rites of religion the egyptians were forbidden to eat eggs , or to kill for meat any living creature , yet necessity caused them to eat both , lest their corn should be devoured both in seed and blade , or they forced to do nothing else but to bury young rabbets and to squash eggs ; perhaps upon foresight of the like inconvenience , god appointed men to eat flesh and fish : least happily overflowing the earth by dayly increase , there would scarce be any food left for man , and man should not be able to rule his subjects . but the chiefest thing which he aimed at in the permission , was ( in my judgement ) the health and preservation of our lives : for as before the floud men were of stronger constitution , and vegitable fruits grew void of superfluous moisture : so by the floud these were endued with weaker nourishment , and men made more subject to violent diseases and infirmities . whereupon it was requisite or rather necessary , such meat to be appointed for humane nourishment , as was in substance and essence most like our own , and might with lest loss and labour of natural heat be converted and transubstantiated into our flesh . and truely whosoever shall with the adamites refuse that diet , which god and nature hath appointed ; either because they think they should not , or because they would not feed upon living creatures : i dare boldly avouch they are religious without knowledge , and timerous without occasion ; yea ( unless naturally they abhor fish and flesh , as some men may ) they shorten their owne lives and do violence to nature . how meats differ in substances . . touching the difference of meats in substance : some are of thin and light substance , engendring pure thin and fine blood , fit for fine complexions , idle citizens , tender persons , and such as are upon recovery out of some great sickness : as chiken peepers , rabbet suckers , young pheasants , partridge , heath-poulse , godwits , all small birds being young , all little fishes of the river , the wings and livers of hens , cockchickens and patridges , eggs warm out of the hens belly , &c. others are more gross , tough , and hard , agreeing chiefly to country persons and hard labourers : but secondarily to all that be strong of nature , given by trade or use to much exercise , and accustomed to feed upon them : as poudred beife , bacon , goose , swan , salt-fish , ling , tunnis , salt samon , cucumbers , turneps , beans , hard peaze , hard cheese , brown and rye bread , &c. but meats of a middle substance are generally the best , & most properly to be called meats ; engendring neither too fine nor too gross blood , agreeing in a manner with all ages , times , and complexions , neither binding nor loosning the body , neither strengthening nor weakning the stomack , neither procuring nor hindring urine or sweat , causing no alteration in coldness , heat , dryness , or moisture ; finally neither adding to the body by overnourishing , nor detracting from it by extenuating , but preserving it in such estate as they found it , restoring dayly as much as dayly decayed , and nothing or very little more . of which sort may be reckoned young beife , mutton , veal , kid , lamb , pig , hen , capon , turkye , house-doves , conny , sodden lettice , skirrets , almonds , raysins , &c. how meats differ in temperature and distemperature . . as there is a certain temperature and distemperature of our bodies , so likewise is there in meats ; that temperate bodies should feed of their likes , and distempered of their contraries . wherefore god hath appointed some meats hot onely in the first degree , &c. hot meats . lamb , pork , pig , gosling , partridge , quail , thrush , sturgian , mullet , base , oisters , cockles : cream , butter , figs , suger , raisins , sweet apples , ripe pomegranates , new hasselnuts , new almonds , asparagus , borrage , bur-rootes , skirrit-roots , white thistle roots , hop buds , parseneps , wheat and rice . others hot in the second degree , as hare , roe-buck , turky , peacok , pigeon , duck , turtle , pickled oisters , anchoves , honny , ripe mulberies , new walnuts , pickled olives , preserved capars , pisticks , dates , chestnuts , artichokes , carots ▪ potadoes , persly , and radish roots , eryngo roots , nutmegs and saffron . some hot in the third degree , as scallops , mints , taragon , onions , leeks , alisanders , ●ld walnuts , cinamon , ginger , cloves , and pepper . some are hot in the fourth degree , as skallions , garlick , and ramsies . now whereas all meats hot further then the second degree , are reckoned by physitians to be rather medicin then meat : i allow their judgement , for the most sort of men ; but not generally in all . for in scythia & some parts of persia , as also in scotland & wales , many mens bodies and stomachs are so full of cold and raw fleagme , that leeks , onyons , watercresses , and garlick is made a nourishment unto them , which would gripe , fret , & blister temperate stomacks . the like reason may be given , why adders are commonly eaten of the people called ophiophagi , and venemous spiders of many in egypt . yea , my self have known a young maide , of an exceeding moist and cold complexion , whose meat for two years was chiefly pepper , wherewith another would have been consumed , though she was nourished : for it is hot in the third , and dry in the fourth degree . cold meats . of cold meats , god hath likewise appointed some of the first degree , as cow-flesh , steer-flesh , conny , rabbet , young hedghogs ; eeles , lumps , olafes , fresh tunny , fresh sprats , fresh herrings , curds , and all sorts of pompions , millions , cherries , strawberries , peaches , some apples , pears , quinces , medlars , cervices : spinache , succory , sorrel , gooseberries , cabbage , colewoorts , peaze and beans . others cold in the second degree , as tench , pike , shrimps , crabs , crevisses , new cheese , prunes , damsins , apricots , and most sorts of plums , lettice , endiff , citrons , oringes , lemmons , gourds , and cucumbers . whatsoever exceedeth this degree in coldness can never be turned into our nourishment , howsoever some one body by a proper sympathy or long usage ( as docter randal did ) may digest and nourish himself with poppy medicins . moist meats . meats moist in the first degree , are these and such like : wild bore ; lamprey , barble , cramb , shrimps , crevisse , pine-apple-kernels , new filbirds , sweet allmonds , dates , asparagus , spinache , borrage , hop buds , carrots , turneps ▪ and french peaze . meats moist in the second degree : hedgebuck , turky , young pigeon , young ducks , young quailes ; fresh sturgeon , lump , olaffe , tunny , tench , eele , fresh oisters , ruen-cheese . meats moist in the third degree are onely fresh pork , and young pigs . dry meats . neither hath nature omitted to provide dry meats for them , who by nature or sickness are overmoistned : whereof some are dry onely in the first degree , as peacock , heathcock , the dorry , and all fresh fish lightly poudred : strawberries , soure fruit , medlers , fennel , artichokes , colewoorts , raddish , saffron , and cheese curds throughly pressed . others in the second in degree , as oxe-beife , venison , hare , conny , partridge , turtle , thrush , black-birds ; mullets , crabs , perwinckles , cockles , honny , cinamon , nutmegs , ginger ; galanga , peares , quinces , soure-pomegranats , pickled olives , pisticks , chessnuts , succory , sorrel , persty , onyons , leeks , lemons , citrons , beans and rice . others in the third degree , as flesh and fish long salted , stock fish , old cheese , poudred capers , cervisses , mints , garlick , ramsies , scallions , water-cresses , cloves and cinamon . others in the fourth degree , as pepper , and all things by miscookery over-peppered . temperate meats . temperate meats are such , as hardly can be discerned to be either hot , cold , dry , or moist , or if they can yet do , they never exceed , yea scarsly attain the first degree . of which sort , a young pullet , a crowing cockrel , a grown capon , soles and perches , fine wheat , new laid eggs ( eate white and all ) being potcht , and all small birds being young , are to be accounted . how meats differ in taste . . being now come to the fourth difference of meats , which consisteth in taste , it is necessary to shew how many kinds of tasts be found in nourishments ; whereof some be abominable to certain persons , though good and pleasant in nature ; others contrarily desired and liked , though naturally not appointed for meat ; which if you call a sympathetical and antipathetical taste , or an in borne tasting or distasting , it will not be amiss : for though the words seem strange and hard at the first , yet time and wearing will make them easy and common . what is more unpleasant to most mens natures , then the taste of humane flesh ? yet not onely some women with child have longed for it , but also the whole nation of canibals account it the sweetest meat of all others . it is also recorded that neroes , great gourdman , thought no meat pleasant but raw flesh ▪ fermius saleucius loved the sea horses so exceedingly , that he dayly dived for them amongst the crocodiles of nilus , ventring his life to save his longing . plato thought that olives had the best taste . mecaenas coveted the fish of asses foals , whereby the whole race of asses had been extinguished , but that he died in a good hour . the germans once ( and now the tartars ) reckon horseflesh for the sweetest and best meats , even as our welshmen esteem of cheese , lancashire men of egg pies , and devonshire men of a brown whitepot . what need i write of achilles , who in his nonage living with chiron , desired most to feed upon lions livers ? or of the vandales , who long after foxes ; or the zygantes in africa , that covet monkies and apes , no less then the carmanians love tortesses , the west africans lisards , the egyptians grasshoppers , the candneans serpents , the corsicans and maltanists young whelps , the romans and phrygians timber-worms , the allmans mites and magots of cheese , and such filthy meats . yea ( if herodotus an sabellicus write a truth ) the budanes desire to feed on lice , which a muscovite abhors to kill ; least unnaturally or unwittingly he might slay his own flesh and blood . it were strange to believe ( yet fernelius writes it for a truth ) how a noble man of france found a greater sweetnes in quick-lime , then in any meat beside , refreshing his stomack and hurting no inward part with the continual use thereof . others feed greedily upon rags of woollen cloth and wall-morter : and anatus lusitanus remembreth a certain young maid of twelve years of age , who did eate usually stones , earth ▪ sand , chalke , wooll , cotten and flox ; esteeming their taste and substance better then of the finest and tendrest partridge . marcellus donatus saw a girle so longing after lisards and neauts , that she would hunt after the one in gardens , and after the other in houses with a bough in her hand , as a cat would hunt a mouse , and eat them without hurt ▪ albertus magnus ( as caelius reporteth ) saw another wench in collen but three years old , hunting as diligently after all sorts of spiders , with which meat she was not only much delighted , but also exceedingly nourished . yea doctor oethaeus telleth a story of a certain farmer in the county of hirsberg , that feedeth chiefly upon potsheards finely beaten , batling no less with them then marriners do with eating bisket . and joachimus camerarius ( my dear and learned friend ) reporteth that a certain girl of norimberg did eat up her own hair , and as much as elsewhere she could get ; neither conld she be perswaded by parents or friends , to think it an unpleasant or an unwholsom meat . contrariwise petrus aponensis loathed milk : the inhabitants of the new fishing land abhor oyle ; many men cannot abide the taste of cheese , others of flesh , others of fish , others of all sorts of fruit , and that bartimew marnta his father was almost dead of hares flesh in a gallimawfery , it is not unknown to physicians . nay some are naturally ( or by imagination ) so perverted , that they cannot abide the sight of many meats , and muchless the last . what souldier knoweth not that a roasted pigg will affright captain swan more then the sight of twenty spaniards ? what lawyer hath not heard of mr. tanfiels conceit , who is feared as much with a dead duck , as philip of spain was with a living drake ? i will not tell what physician abhorreth the sight of lampres , and the taste of hot venison , though he love cold ; nor remember a gentleman who cannot abide the taste of a rab bet , since he was once ( by a train ) beguiled with a young cat . nay ( which was more ) all meat was of an abominable taste to heliogabulus , if it were not far fetcht and very dearly bought ; even as some liquorish mouthes cannot drink without sugar , nor sinardus hot stomack could break wine without snow ; which dainty and foolish conceit , though it picks a quarrel with god and reason ( after the nice fineness of courtly dames , that abhor the best meat which is brought in an earthen dish ) and maketh ulcers as it were in sound stomacks ; yet that there is a natural liking and disliking of meats , and consequently of the tastes of meats , both the examples of men and women forenamed do justly prove , and even spaniels and hounds themselves ( i mean of the truer kind ) by refusing of venison and wild-fowl in the cold bloud , can sufficiently demonstrate . meats of ordinary tastes . now let us come to the ordinary tastes of meats , which are especially seven in number ; sweet , bitter , sharp , sowre , fatty , salt , and flash . sweet meats . sweet meats agree well with nature , for they are of a temperate heat , and therefore fittest for nourishment ; they delight the stomack and liver , fatten the body , encrease natural heat , fill the veins , digest easily , soften that which is too hard , and thicken that which is too liquid ; but if they be over-sweet and gluttish , they soon turn into choler , stop the liver , puff up lungs and spleen , swell the stomack , and cause oftentimes most sharp and cruel fevers . bitter meats . if any thing be very bitter ( as asparagus , hop-sprouts , and broom-buds ) they cannot much nourish either man or beast , unless they have first been boiled or infused in many waters : for otherwise they may engender ( as they do ) some cholerick humors , burning bloud , killing worms , opening obstructions , and mundifying unclean passages of the body ; but their nourishment they give is either little or nothing , and that only derived to some special part . sharp meats . sharp meats ( as onions , skallions , leeks , garlick , radish , mustardseed , cresses , and hot spices ) dry the body exceedingly , being also hurtful to the eyes and liver , drawing down humors , sending up vapors , inflaming the bloud , fretting the guts , and extenuating the whole body : wherefore we must either taste them as they are , or not feed upon them till their sharpness be delaid with washings , infusions , oilings , and intermixtions of sweet things . soure meats . soure meats ( as sorrel , lemons , oringes , citrons , soure fruit , and all things strong of vinegar and verjuice ) albeit naturally they offend sinewy parts , weaken concoction , cool natural heat , make the body lean , and hasten old age ; yet they pleasure and profit us many waies , in cutting phlegm , opening obstructions , cleansing impurities , bridling choler , resisting putrifaction , extinguishing superfluous heat , staying loathsomness of stomack , and procuring appetite : but if they be soure without sharpness ( as a rosted quince , a warden , cervises , medlars , and such like ) then they furthermore strengthen the stomack , bind and corroborate the liver , stay fluxes , heal ulcers , and give an indifferent nourishment to them that eat them . salt meats . saltishness is thought to be an unnatural taste , because it is found in no living thing . for the very fishes are fresh ; so likewise is all flesh , and every fruit , and all herbs which grow not where the sea may wash upon them . wherefore howsoever salt hath the term of divinity in homer , and plato calleth it jupiters minion , and the athenians have built one temple to neptune and ceres ( because even the finest cakes be unwholsom and unpleasant if they be not seasoned with salt ) yet i hold it to be true , that salt meats ( in that they are salt ) nourish little or nothing ; but rather accidentally in procuring appetite , strengthening the stomack , and giving it a touch of extraordinary heat , as i will more perfectly prove when i treat of sawces . for salt meats ( especially if they be hot of salt ) engender cholor , dry up natural moistures , enflame blood , stop the veins , gather together viscous and crude humors , harden the stone , make sharpness of urine , and cause leanness ; which i speak of the accidental salt wherewith we eat all meats , and not of that inborn salt which is in all things . fat meats . fattiness is sensibly found not only in flesh and fish , of every sort , but also in olives , coco's , almonds , nuts , pisticks , and infinite fruits and herbs that give nourishment : yea in serpents , snails , frogs , and timber-worms it is to be found ; as though nature had implanted it in every thing which is or may be eaten of mankind . and verily as too much fattiness of meats glutteth the stomack , decayeth appetite , causeth belchings , loathings , vomitings , and scourings , choaketh the pores , digesteth hardly , and nourisheth sparingly ; so if it be too lean and dry on the contrary side ( for a mean is best of all ) it is far worse , and nourisheth the body no more then a piece of unbuttered stockfish . unsavory or unrelished meats . flashiness or insippidity ( which some call a maukish or senseless taste ) tasting just of nothing ( as in water , the white of an egg , mellons , pumpions , and pears , apples , berries , and plums of no relish ) is of no taste , but a deprivation or want of all other tastes besides ; which be it found in any thing that is dry ( as in spices ) or in things naturally moist ( as in fish , flesh , or fruit ) it alwaies argueth an ordinary weakness in nourishment , howsoever extraordinarily ( i will not say unnaturally ) it may strongly nourish some . avicen saith truly in his canons , quod sapit , nutrit : that which relisheth , nourisheth : yet not so , but that unsavory things nourish likewise , though not abundantly nor speedily : for what is more unsavory then fresh water , wherewith many fishes are only nourished ? what so void of relish as the white of an egg ? yet is it to aguish persons more nourishing then the yeolk ; yea and stockfish will engender as good humors in a rheumatick person , as the best pigg or veal that can be brought him . chap. vi. of meats . how they differ in preparation , age and sex . the preparation of meats is threefold , one before the killing or dressing of them , another in the killing or dressing , and the third after both . of which art timochides rhodius wrote eleven books in verse , and numenius heracletus ( scholler to dieuches that learned physician ) and pitaneus parodus and hegemon thasius compiled also divers treatises of that argument ; which either the teeth of time , or stomack of envy having consumed , i must write of this argument according to mine own knowledg and collections . whether an iron ladle hinders peas and rice from seething ? whether roast meat be best , and best tasted , larded , barded , scorch'd or basted ? beasts killed at one blow are tenderest and most wholsom . why all broath is best hot , all drink best cold . some fish , flesh , and fruits never good but cold ; some never good when they are cold ; and yet we have all but one instrument of tasting . of fatting of meats . lean meat as it is unwholsom , so it seemed also unsavory in ancient times ; in so much that q. curtius being sewer at caesars table , seeing a dish of lean birds to be set at the table , was not afraid to hurl them out at the window . also the priests of israel , yea the heathen priests also of rome and egypt touched no lean flesh , because it is imperfect till it be fat , fitter to feed hawks and vultures , then either to be eaten of men , or consumed in sacrifice to holy uses . hereupon came a trial how to fatten flesh and fish ( yea snails and tortesses , as macrobius writeth ) by feeding them with filling and forced meats ; casting not only livers and garbage into fishponds , but also their slaves to feed their pikes ( as did vidius pollio ) and to make them more fat and sweet then ordinary . hence also came it that swine were fatned with whey and figgs , and that servilius rullus devised how to make brawn , and that the aegyptians invented the fatting of geese , because it was ever one di●h at their kings table . amongst the romans it was a question , who first taught the art of fatning geese ; some imputing it to scipio metellus , others to marcus sestius ; but without contradiction , marcus aufidius lucro taught first how to cram and fatten peacocks , gaining by it threescore thousand sesterties , which amounteth to l. of our mony . cranes and swans were fatted in rome with ox-bloud , milk , oatmeal , barley , curds and chaulk mingled ( to use plutarch's phrase ) into a monstrous meat , wherewithall they were cram'd in dark places ▪ or else their eyes were stitched up , by which means their flesh proved both tenderer , sweeter , whiter , and also ( as it is supposed ) far wholsomer . hens , capons , and cockrels , and tinches were fatned by them of delia , with bread steep'd in milk , and feeding in a dark and narrow place , that want of scope and light , might cause them to sleep and sit much , which of it self procureth fatness . in varro's time men did not only fatten conies in clappers , but also hares , and made them ( of a melancholick ) a most white and pleasant meat , according to that of martial , inter aves princeps pinguis ( me judice ) turdus , inter quadrupedes gloria prima lepus . amongst the feathered knights , fat thrushes do excel , amongst four-footed squires , the hare deserves the bel , but here a question may be moved , whether this penning up of birds , and want of exercise , and depriving them of light , and cramming them so often with strange meat , makes not their flesh as unwholsom to us as wel as fat ? to which i answer , that to cramb capons , or any bird , and to deprive them of all light , is ill for them and us too : for though their body be puffed up , yet their flesh is not natural and wholsom ; witness their small discoloured and rotten livers ; whereas hens and capons feeding themselves in an open and clean place with good corn , have large , ruddy and firm livers . so great is the diversitie betwixt a cramm'd , i may say a strangled , and captive capon , and betwixt a gentleman capon feeding himself fat without art . wherefore the best fatning of all fowl , is first to feed them with good meat ( for like food , like flesh . ) secondly , to give it them not continually as crammers do , forcing one gobbet after another till they be fully gorg'd , but as often as they themselves desire it , that nature be not urged above her strength ; not in a coope or close roome , for then the aire and themselves will smell of their own dung , but in a cleane house spacious enough for their little exercise ; not in a dark place , or stitching up their eyes , for that will cause them to be timerous , or ever sleepy ; both which are enemies to their bodies , and consequently to ours : for every man knows that fear marreth concoction , and sleepiness bereaving us of exercise , hindreth digestion . yea young pigeons whilst they are in the nest ( be they never so fat ) are reckoned but an unwholsom meat ; but when they follow and fly a little after the dam , then are they of great and good nourishment . the like may be said of the fatting of beasts , for they are not to be stied or stalled so close that they cannot stirr , but to have sufficient room for to walk in , as well as to feed in , that they may be wholsom as well as fat , and not corrupt our bodies with their own corruption . so likewise fish kept in great ponds where they may rove at pleasure , are better then such as be mewed in a narrow and shallow ditch ; which not only we shall find by inward digestion , but also by outward tasting ; yea look what difference there is betwixt tame and wild conies , betwixt deer fed by hand , and deer fatning themselves in the chase and copses , the like shall you perceive betwixt forced fatness , and fatness gotten by natural and good diet . another thing also is to be observed before the killing of any beast or bird ; namely , how to make it tenderer if it be too old , and how to make it of the best rellish : patrocles affirmed , that a lion being shewed to a strong bull three or four hours before he be killed ; causeth his flesh to be as tender as the flesh of a steer : fear dissolving his hardest parts and making his very heart to become pulpy . perhaps upon the like reason we use to bait our bulls before we kill them : for their blood is otherwise so hard , that none can digest it in the flesh , but afterwards it is so far from being poisonable , that it becometh tender and nourishing food . perhaps also for this cause old cocks are coursed with little wands from one another , or else forced to fight with their betters before they are killed . perhaps also for these causes , so much filthy dung is brought from common lestals into great gardens ; namely to cause roots and herbs to be fatter and tenderer then they would be : which intent i do not disallow , onely i wish that no other soil were used , then what proceeded from the earth or from brute beasts . concerning the manner of killing , it is divers in divers countries . the grecians strangled their swine , and did eat them with their blood . the romans thrust them through the body with a spit red hot , whereby death ensuing without cooling and voiding of blood , the flesh seemed far more sweet and tender . but if a sow were ready to farrow , they trampled upon her belly , bruising her pigs , and the kernells of her dugs with the milk and blood ot once , eating them for the most delicate meat , as some delight in the bruse or pudding of the deer . plutarch also avoucheth , that sheep kill'd by wolves , birds by hawkes , geese by foxes , hares or deer by greyhounds , eate much sweeter , kindlier , and tenderer , then if they be killed suddainly by sleight or violence . yea i have heard of a lady in england , that let a score of partridges be brought unto her , some killed by the hawkes , others at the foot of dogs , others by men , she will discern that which the hawke killed at sowce from all the rest , having tasted but one morsel . furthermore as there is a reason of cutting down wood for timber ( namely in the prime of the moon , or about the last quarter ) and a special good season of moulding bread , and laying of leavens ( this before the full of the moon , that in the full it self ) so there is likewise a season to kill beasts birds and fishes , and to eate the fruits of gardens and orchards . for experience teacheth that hens are best in january , eggs in february , lamb , kid , pigeons and veal in march , herbs in april , cockles in may , bucks and salmon in june , july , and august , gurnards in september ; oisters in all months in whose name an r. is found , pork , bacon , and cabbage in frosty weather , &c. nay further it 's to be considered , whether a deer be stricken stone dead at a blow , though he be in season , or suffered to dye languishing upon his hurt ; for his skin be it never so well drest , will soon shed his haire and wax worm-eaten if it languish , whereas as otherwise it will hardly corrupt at all in a long season : wherefore no other reason can be given , then that by the one way natural heat is inwardly restrained , and by the other way of killing outwardly expired . so likewise there are seasons for gathering of fruit , herbs , floures , seeds , and roots , which whosoever observed not carefully and diligently , he may seeth bones for flesh and ( to speake more properly ) stalks for lettice . for all things have their several times , and there is a season for each purpose under heaven . a time to plant , and a time to pluck up ; a time to kill , and a time to preserve . the last preparation is after the killing of sensible creatures , or the gathering of the which are onely vegetable : all which preparations are divided into five principal actions , garbelling , boiling , rosting , baking , and frying . garbelling is a taking away of all things from any creatures , which are counted either hurtful or unnecessary : as the flaying of beasts , pulling , and scaling of fouls , garbaging of all things that have corruption in their bellies , voiding of piths , cores , rinds , and stones in roots , apples , and plums , &c. for albeit the first cooks were so unskilful , that they roasted oxen skin and all , yet reason after taught them to reject the outwards , as they had upon just cause emptied the inwards . the other four preparations are so necessary , as that all things in a manner are subject to them . what is raw flesh till it be prepared , but an imperfect lump ? for it is neither the beast it was , nor the meat it should be , till boiling , roasting , bakeing , or broiling , hath made it fit to be eaten of men . diocles being asked whether were the best fish , a pike or a conger : that saith he , if it be sodden ; this if it be broild ; but none better then another if they were raw : onely oisters of all fish are good raw ( yet he was no coward that first ventered on them ) being called of athenaeus the prologue of feast , because ever ( as we use them ) they were eaten formost . other fish being eaten raw , is harder of digestion then raw beife : for diogenes died with eating of raw fish , and wolmer ( our english pandereus ) digesting iron glass and oister shells , by eating a raw eele was overmastered . nay the icthyophagi themselves feeding only on fish , do first either roast them in the sun , or prepare them with fire before they eat them ; having stomacks far hotter then ours , and consequently more proper to digest them . as for raw flesh ( besides butchers , cooks , poulterers , slaughter men , and canibals ) who dare almost touch it with their fingers ? much less dare any grind it with their teeth , no not that egyptian , who was neroes gourman . now as galen saith of chesnuts , that being roasted in embers , they are sweet and drying , being sodden in broth they are sweet and moistning ; being roasted with their husk they eate delicately , being roasted without their husk they eate ranck and sourish , being sodden without their huske they prove unsavoury : so may i say of all other meats whatsoever , that according to the kind of preparation , they either keep relinquish or alter their propriety . if hereupon you aske me what meats is best boild , and what roasted i answer that flashy meats & naturally moist should be drest with a dry heat ( as in baking , broiling , frying , and rosting ) and meats naturally exceeding in driness and firmness should ever be boyled . temperate meats may be used any way , so they be not abused by miscookery , which even diocles knew many years ago , saying ( as before i noted out of athenaeus ) that a pike is best when he is boild , and a conger when he is broild ; because that is a firm and solid fish , this of a moist soft and eely substance . but forasmuch as in my particular discourses of severall meats , i purpose to touch their best preparing , i will surcease to speak any more generally of the dressing of meats , either before they are bereaved of life , or in or after their death : onely this i conclude , that who seeth not a great difference betwixt meats kill'd in season , and out of season , betwixt raw meat and parboild , betwixt fri'd meats and bak't meats , spiced and unspiced , salt and fresh ; betwixt asparagus once washt and twice washt , betwixt cabbages once and twice sod , &c. is in my judgement deprived of his wits , or else over-wedded to his will. for who is ignorant that cabbages once sod loosen the belly , but twice sod ( i mean in several waters ) procure most dangerous and great costiveness ? who knoweth not ( as galen affirmeth ) that asparagus often washed is a good nourishment , but otherwise so bitter that it wholly purgeth ? what stomack of any such dulness , that being overmoist it confesses not amendment after the use of spiced , salted , baked , and dry rosted meats ; and contrariwise complaineth of hurt by fresh liquid sodden and unsavory meats ? the difference of meats in age and sex . last of all meats differ in age and sex , for the flesh of sucklings is moistest , most slippery excremental and viscous ; the flesh of old beasts are tough , lean , hard , dry , and melancholick : wainelings less , hard , and dry then the one , and withall more firm , temperate , and nourishing then the other . but generally they are best for most complexions , when they are almost come to their full growth both in height , length , and bigness : for then as their temper is best so likewise their substance is most proportionable to our natural moisture , which is neither so hard that it is unchangeable , nor so thin and liquid that it is over easily disolved . concerning the difference of meats in sex , the males of beasts , fish , and foul are more strong , dry , and heavy of digestion , the females sweeter , moister , and and easier to be concocted : but gelt beasts , kerned foules , and barren fish , are counted of a middle and better nature then them ; as an oxe amongst beasts , a capon amongst birds , & a pike wounded in the belly can well testifie ; who therefore being unable to conceive again , fatten abundantly , ( as experience dayly sheweth in our london fishponds ) and becometh a most delicate meat . now are we come to the particular natures of every meat , and first to them which are called by the name of flesh . chap. vii . . how many sorts of flesh there be . . whether flesh or fish were first eaten of , and whether of them is the purest and bestnourishment . it will seem strange perhaps unto some , that they begin first to treat of flesh , which was one of the last foods appointed unto mankind by the voice of god. for ( as before i touched ) till years after the floud , we read of no flesh eaten or permitted to be eaten of any man. neither indeed was it needful whilst hearbs , fruits , and grain , were void of that putrifying moisture , whereto ever since the floud they are subject , and whilst mens stomacks were so strong and perfit , that in a manner no meat could overthrow them : aud verily were the sun of such power with us , as it is in southern countries towards the aequator , to ripen our fruits throughly , and to take them as it were upon the tree ; no doubt being freed from their crudities and superfluous moisture , they would give as good nourishment unto us ( and perhaps far better ) then any flesh . but now our complexions waxing weaker and weaker through abundance of sin and riot , and our climate being unapt for wholesome and much nourishing fruits , let us give god thangs for storing us with flesh above all other nations , making our shambles the wonder of europe , yea verily rather of the whole world . now all the flesh we have is taken either from beasts , or birds , or things creeping upon the ground . the difference of flesh . of the first sort some are tame , as the bull , cow , oxe , and calfe ; thc ram , ewe , weather , and lamb , the he-goat , she-goat ▪ geled goat , and kid , the bore , sowe , hog , and pig : others wild , as venison , red and fallow , wild bore , roebucks , hares , connies , hedg-hogs , and squirrels . amongst tame birds these are most familiar unto us : cock , hen , capon , chicken , turky , peacock , goose , guiny-hens , duck , and pigeon : amongst wild foul some keep and feed chiefly upon the land , as bystard , crane , heronshaws , byttors , stork , pbeasant , heathcock , partridge , plover , lapwing , cuckoe , pye , crows , woodcocks , rails , red shanks , gluts , woodsnites , godwits , smirings turtles , stockdoves , rock-doves , ringdoves , jayes , wood peckers , stonechatters , thrushes , mavis , feldefares , blackbirds , stares , quailes , and all sorts of little birds ; as sparrows , reed sparrows , larks , bulfinches , goldfinches , thistlefinches , citron-finches , bramblings , linnets , nightingales , buntings , wagtailes , robin-redbreasts , wrens , witrolles , siskins , oxeys , creepers , titmise , titlings , swallow , and martlets . others live in or upon the water , , as swan , bergander , barnicle , wildgeese , wild-duck , teal , widgin , fly-duck , shovelars , cormorant , curtues , gulls , black-gulls , seamewes , cootes , water railes , sea-pies , pufins , pivers , shell drakes , moor-cocks , and moorehens , dobchicks , water crows kingsfishers , water-snits . of creeping things i know none but the snail in our country , which some esteem not only for a meat , but also for a meat very restorative . and thus much of the kinds of flesh . now let us come ( for recreations sake ) to the comparison betwixt flesh and fish ; which of them is the more ancient , pure , and wholesome meat for mans body ; whereat perhaps both butchers and fish mongers will be much pleased , and perhaps no less of fended : but i will write what i have read , and leave the determination to others that can better judge . whether flesh or fish be the more ancient , pure , and wholsom meat . the charter-monks to the preferring of fish before flesh , use especially these arguments : first , that christ did feed most upon it ; for we never read but once that he did eat flesh ; but that he did often eat fish it is proved by many places , namely , mat. . luc. . . mar. . . john . furthermore he restrained by name no kind of fish from the israelites , but divers kinds of flesh ; which sheweth that fish is the cleaner , purer , and more holy meat : for the action of christ should be our instruction , and his works our imitation . thus much said baldwin arch-bishop of canterbury , of whom rainulphres writeth this story . when baldwin was chosen arch-bishop of canterbury , he sware that from the time of his enstallment , to his dying day , he would never eat flesh : whereby his body so decayed , that he fell into a consumption : an old woman meeting him on the way as he was carried in an open horselitter , called him liar to his face : whereof being reproved by some of his followers , why ( said she ) do you rebuke me ? doth he not lie , for saying that he never ate flesh since his enstallment , when his face sheweth that he surpassed the savages in eating his own flesh ? for indeed by superstitious observing of his vow , he became an anatomie , and lived as a cypher amongst men . but to answer the carthusians arguments , i say this ; that christ in the places of scripture cited before , asked his disciples what meat they had ? and they answered , none but a few loaves and a few fishes ; wherewith he satisfied himself and his disciples , and above five thousand persons at one time : neither is it to be doubted if they had had flesh , but he would have fed the people with that : for it was his property ( which every man ought to follow ) to eat with thanksgiving of that which was set before him , were it flesh or fish ; as no doubt he did at the marriage in canan , in lazarus his house , and the house of zacheus , and at the feast of the passeover , which albeit ( for ought we read ) he did but once celebrate , yet reason and religion teacheth us , that according to the commandment of god , he did every year celebrate it before , since the time of his childhood ; else the jews would have accused him as a transgresser of the law , and by justice have cut him off from amongst the people : but as he submitted himself to circumcision ( being then one of the sacraments of the church ) so questionless after the years of discretion , he did yearly eat of the pascal lamb ( for he came not to break any law given by moses , but to fulfill it ) which cannot be fewer then five or six and twenty times at the least . as for the other argument taken from the restraining of certain beasts and birds by name , and that no fish by name is there forbidden : saving baldwin his graces reverence , it is a very lie : for when god generally forbiddeth the israelites to eat of any fish , that wanteth either fins ( as the poulpe , periwinkles , lobsters , and crabs ) or scales ( as the eele , lamprey , plaise , turbot , and conger , &c. ) doth he not expresly forbid them to eat of poulps , periwinkles , lobsters , crabs , eeles , lampres , plaise , turbot , and conger , and a hundred fish more wanting either scales or fins ? fish is therefore no purer meat then flesh , neither can a carthusian eat a sole ( being a meat forbidden the israelites ) with a sounder conscience then a piece of bief or swines flesh . finally , where he saith that the actions of christ should be our instruction , and his works our imitation : why do not those fishy friars eat flesh every maundy thursday , sith christ himself did so , whom we ought to imitate ? but let these alone to the conformity of their church injunction , remembring also with st. paul , to abstain from no meats which god hath created for our life and health . it is recorded by st. jerom in his epistles , that seneca upon a foolish conceit abstained so long from flesh , and fed only upon fruit and fish ( infected perhaps with the leaven of the egyptian priests ) that when upon neroes commandment he was to bleed to death , there did not spring from him a drop of bloud . the like is written of st. genovese , the holy maid of paris , who ( like the egyptian prophetess ) abstained wholly from flesh , because it is the mother of lust : she would eat no milk , because it is white bloud ; she would eat no eggs , because they are nothing but liquid flesh : thus pining and consuming her body both against nature and godliness , she lived in a foolish error , thinking flesh more ready to inflame lust , then fruit or fish , the contrary whereof is proved by the islanders , groenlanders , orites , and other nations ; who feeding upon nothing but fish ( for no beast nor fruit can live there for cold ) yea having no other bread then is made of dried stockfish grinded into powder , are nevertheless both exceeding lecherous , and also their women very fruitfull . yea venus the mother of lust and lechery is said to have sprung from the fome of fish , and to have been born in the sea , because nothing is more availeable to engender ust , then the eating of certain fishes and sea-plants , which i had rather in this lascivious age to conceal from posterity , then to specifie them unto my countrymen , as the grecians and arabians have done to theirs . what nation more lascivious then the fenny egyptians , and the poeonians ? yet their meat was only fish , yea they fed their horses with them , as herodotus writeth . also in the isle of rhodes , the mother-seat of a strong and warlike nation , the people heretofore fed chiefly of fish , abhorring with such a kind of detestation from flesh , that they called the eaters of it savages and bellies . and verily if a strong , lusty , and warlike nation sprang from the eaters of fish alone , why should we deny , that fish is as much provoking to venery , as any flesh . so then , i having fully proved that flesh is as lawfull , as pure , and as holy a meat as fish ; now let us try which of them is the more ancient and best nourishment did we but mark ( saith plutarch ) the greasie fowlness of butchers , the bloudy fingers of cooks , and the smell of every beasts puddings and offal : we must needs confess , that first every thing was eaten before flesh , which even still we naturally abhor to see whilst it is in killing , and few touch without loathing when it is killed . the indian philosophers . called brachmanes , being at length induced to feed upon living creatures , killed fish for their sustenance , but abhorred from flesh . and though the babylonians delighted much after nimrods example , in hunting and killing of wild beasts , yet ( as herodotus reporteth ) they abstained from flesh , and lived wholly upon fruit and fish . for answer of which objections , i oppose to the babylonians , abraham and the holy scriptures ; which making mention of a calf drest and eaten in abrahams house , before ever any mention is made of eating of fish ; it is very probable that flesh was foremost , after the general permission to eat both . to the indian sophisters i oppose pythagoras and his schollars , who being perswaded at the length to eat of certain beasts and birds , utterly yet abstained from eating of flesh , perhaps upon these causes . first because it is a cruel and unmanlike thing , to kill those creatures which cannot possibly hurt the inhabitants of the earth . secondly , what necessity is there to use them , nature having replenished the earth with fruit , herbs , grain , beasts also , and birds of all sorts ? thirdly , had fish been eaten first , no doubt it had been first eaten of the islanders and sea-borderers ; but neither the inhabitants of hellespont , nor the islanders of phoeacum , nor the wooers of penelope ( bringing all manner of dainties to their feasts ) are ever read in homer to have brought or eaten fish . no nor ulysses his companions are recorded to have made their sea-provision of fish , but of flesh , fruit , salt , and meal ; neither used they any hook to catch fish withall , till they were almost famished for want of victual ( as you may read at large in homer his ulysses ) which is a manifest argument , that fish was not used ( or at the least not eaten of ) till men were unfurnished of other meats . last of all , whereas plutarch objecteth how loathsom a thing it is to see butchers and cooks sprinkled with bloud in killing and dressing flesh . i answer him , that the sight is not so loathsom to nature , but to niceness and conceit . for what god permits to be eaten , nature permits to dress and kill ; neither rebelleth she more at the death of an ox , then at the cutting down of hay or corn . nay furthermore , sith all was made for mans use , and man for god , she giveth us liberty to kill all things that may make for the maintenance of our life , or preservation and restoring of our health . hippocrates most wittily having shewed , that some men are deceitful by nature , and that therefore nature taught them the art of making dice ( the instruments of deceit ) he sheweth consequently , that because nature is provident for mens health , therefore she hath likewise invented the arts of building , plaistering , weavin g and tillage : wherefore ( to imitate and urge hippocrates argument ) if nature have provided flesh and fish ( that a substantial , this a more light nourishment for our bodies ) how squemish soever we are to see them killed , yet it is no unnatural thing to see it , no not to do it our selves . concerning the last question whether flesh or fish be the better nourishment ; i cannot answer better then as galen did , being asked the like question of wine and water . for as wine is best for one man , and water for another ; so likewise flesh is most nourishing to some constitutions , and fish to others . timothie was young , but yet sickly and weak stomacked , his youth required water , but his sickness wine ; wherefore paul , like a good physician ; advised him to drink no longer water , but a little wine for his stomacks sake , and his often infirmities . so likewise severus the emperor being sick at york , of a hot gout , his physicians forbad him all flesh , especially of the stronger sort ; but he refusing their councel , nourished his disease with forbidden meats , and soon died . contrariwise seneca was forbidden by serenus the physician to eat any more of fish , being too too watrish a nourishment for his weak body ; which whilst he refused to do and forbare to eat flesh , his bloud was all turned to a gellied water . so then in respect of particular persons , neither flesh nor fish be of better nourishment , but both alike : yet generally flesh engendreth the better , purer , and more perfect bloud ( as the very colour and face of men which use either of them apart , doth perfectly declare ; ) and consequently for sound men , it is and ought to be accounted the best sustenance . chap. viii . . of the flesh of tame beasts . veal . calves flesh is of a temperate constitution , agreeing with all ages , times , and temperatures . calves are either sucklings or wainlings : the first are of easier digestion , making good bloud , and driving choler from the heart : so likewise is the wainlings , but somewhat harder ; either of them agree with hot and dry persons , howsoever it is drest ; but to flaggy and moist stomacks , veal is unwholsom unless it be dry roasted ; for roasted meats give drie nourishment , and boil'd meats moist , as galen writeth . the italians are so in love with veal , that they call veal vitellam , that is to say , their little life : as though it gave not only nourishment , but also life to their dry bodies : which albeit i confess to be true , by reason neither their calves flesh , nor their own bodies , be so moist as ours ; yet in our country it falls out otherwise through abundance of moisture ; so that howsoever sound bodies do well digest it , yet languishing and weak stomacks find it too slimy , and can hardly overcome it : did we not kill them so soon as commonly we do , namely , before they be fully a month old , they would give the more sound and wholsome nourishment ; for till they be five or six weeks old , their flesh is but a gelly hardened ; afterwards it is firm flesh , void of superfluous moisture , and most temperate of constitution . likewise in the choice of veal , the bull calf is thought the sweeter and better flesh , whereas in all other beasts ( for the most part ) the female is preferred . beef . ox-beef , the older it is after his full growth , the worse it is , engendring ( as galen dreamed of all beef ) quartane agues , leprosies , scabs , cankers , dropsies , stoppings of the spleen and liver , &c. but whilst it is young , or growing forwards in flesh and fatness , it is of all meats by nature , complexion , and custome , most nourishing unto english bodies ; which may easily appear in the diffecence of their strength , and clean making , which feed chiefly upon it , and betwixt them that are accustomed to finer meats . chuse we therefore the youngest , fattest , and best grown ox , having awhile first been exercised in wain or plough to dispel his foggie moisture ; and i dare undertake , that for sound men , and those that labour or use exercise , there is not a better meat under the sun for an english man ; so that it be also corned with salt before it be roasted , or well and sufficiently poudred before it be sod : for so is it cleansed from much impurity , and made also more savory to the stomach : but if it be over salted , poudred , or dried ( as commonly it happeneth in ship provision and rich farmers houses , that keep beefe a whole twelve-month till they eat it ) it is tough , hard , heavy , and of ill nourishment , requiring rather the stomach of another hercules who is said to have fed chiefly of bulls flesh ) then of any ordinary and common ploughman . wherefore howsoever we may taste of it to bring on appetite , let it be but a touch and go : for being eaten much and often , it will heat and corrupt our blood , dry up our bodies , choke the mesaraical veins , and bring forth many dangerous inward and outward griefs . the romans when they first ventured to dress an oxe ( fearing belike what event might follow the eating of an unknown meat ) roasted the oxe all at once , and stuft his belly with all sorts of sweet hearbs , and good flesh that the season yeelded , making no small pudding in his belly , which the people called equm trojanum , the trojan horse : because it contained no fewer kinds of meats then that did soldiers ; but had they known the wholesomness of the meat , and our manner of dressing , they needed not to have mingled so many antidotes , and to have corrupted rather then corrected so good a nourishment . cow biefe . cowbiefe is supposed by the irish people , and also by the normans in france to be best of all : neither do they account so much of oxen ; either because they think the unperfit creatures , or rather ( as i take it ) because they know not how to use and diet them in the gelding . but were they as skilful in that point , as also in the killing and dressing of oxen , as was prometheus ; no doubt they would make higher estimation of one oxe , then of all the fat cowes in ceres stall . nevertheless i deny not , yea i affirm with galen that a fat and young heifer , kept up a while with dry meat , will prove a convenient temperate and good nourishment , especially if it be kil'd after the french fashion , as i saw the norman butchers kill them in our camp , whilst i lay there in camp with that flower of chivalry the earl of essex . when the cow is strook down with the axe , presently they lay her upon her back , and make a hole about the navel , as big as to receive a swans quill , through which the butcher blowes wind so long , till the whole skin swell round about like a bladder , in such sort that the beast seems of a double bigness ; then whilst one holdeth the quill close and bloweth continually , two or three others beat the cow as hard as they can with cudgils round about : which beating never bruseth the flesh ( for wind is ever betwixt it and the skin ) but maketh both the hide to prove better leather , and the flesh to eat better and tenderer then otherwise it would . bull beife . bull beife , unless it be very young , is utterly unwholesome and hard of digestion , yea almost invincible . of how hard and binding a nature bulls blood is , may appear by the place where they are killed : for it glaseth the ground and maketh it of a stony hardness . to prevent which mischief either bulls in old time were torne by lions , or hunted by men , or baited to death by dogs as we use them : to the intent that violent heat and motion might attenuate their blood , resolve their hardness , and make their flesh softer in digestion . bulls flesh being thus prepared , strong stomachs may receive some good thereby , though to weak , yea to temperate stomachs it will prove hurtful . lambs flesh . galen , halyabbas , and isaac , condemn lambs flesh for an over phlegmatick and moist meat : breeding ill nourishment , and through excessive watrishness slipping out of the stomach before it be half concocted , in cold stomacks it turns all to slime , in a hot stomack it corrupts into choler , in aged persons , it turns to froth and flegm , in a young person and temperate , it turns to no wholesome nourishment ; because it is of so flashy and moist a nature : all which i will confess to be true in sucking lambs who the nearer they are killed to their birth day the worse they are : but when they are once weaned , and have fed half a year upon short and tender grass , i think that of all other flesh it is simply the best , as i will prove by divine and humane reason . for as in the new testament , the lords supper materially consisteth of two such things , as there cannot be any drink or meat devised more comfortable nor more strenthening to the nature of man , namely bread and wine : so likewise the blessed sacrament of the old testament , could not conveniently be so well expressed as in the eating of that , which was the purest , most temperate , and most nourishing of all meats : and what flesh is that i pray you ? veal ? pig ? or goats flesh ? or the flesh of wild beasts ? or the flesh of birds ? no , but the flesh of a sound weaned lamb , of a year old , whose flesh is neither too cold and moist , as is a sucklings ; nor too dry , and hot ▪ as when it hath strength to know the ewe : but of a most temperate constitution , fittest to resemble the thing signified , who is of all other our best nourishment . philochorus is recorded to have made a law that the athenians should eat no more lambs flesh : not because they thought it too tender a meat for mens stomacks ( as some foolishly have conceived ) but because the people found it so wholesome , pleasant , and nourishing , that every man desired it above all meats : in such sort that had not the eating of them been restrained by a severe law , the whole race of sheep would have decayed amongst them . upon the like reason valens the emperour made a law that no veal should be eaten ; which was counted in old time a princely meat ( for alwaies it was one dish at the kings table in egypt , though they never had but two ) howsoever through god his singular blessing it is an ordinary meat amongst us in mean households . the best way to prepare lambs flesh is sufficient roasting ; for boyling makes it too fleshy and phlegmatick , and by over-rosting the sweetness thereof is soon dried up . yea all mutton ( contrary to the nature of pork , pig ▪ and veal ) should rather be too raw then too much roasted ; according as the french men find by experience , who slash and cut a giggot of mutton upon the spit , and with the bloody juice thereof ( tempered with crums of bread and a little salt ) recover weak stomacks and persons consumed . wherefore howsoever some naturally abhor it ( as my honest friend signor romano ) and strong stomacks prove better with harder meat ; yet without all question , a lamb chosen and drest in manner aforesaid , is for most men a very temperate nourishing and wholesome meat , agreeing with all ages , times , regions and complexions . arnoldus freitagius in his natural history , saith that the hinder quarters of a lamb being drawn with rosemary and garlick first steept in milk , and moderately rosted at the fire , is a meat most acceptable to the taste , and also profitable to moist stomacks , for which it is else commonly thought to be hurtful . also he assureth , that lambs flesh being well beaten with a cudgel before it is roasted , eateth much better and is far wholesomer : which i leave to be judged by the cooks experience . mutton . mutton is so generally commended of all physicians , if it be not too old , that itis forbidden to no persons , be they sick or sound . the best mutton is not above four years old , or rather not much above three ; that which is taken from a short hilly and dry feeding , is more sweet short and wholesome , then that which is either fed in ranck grounds , or with pease-straw ( as we perceive by the taste ) great fat and ranck fed sheep , such as somerset shire and linconshire sendeth up to london , are nothing so short nor pleasant in eating , as the norfolk , wiltshire , and welsh mutton ; which being very young are best rosted , the elder sort are not ill being sodden with bugloss , borrage , and persly roots . now if some shall here object , that gelding and spading be unnatural actions ; and that eunuchs are subject to more diseases then perfect men : inferring thereupon a reason or likelihood , that the like may be also in all gelded ware ( and consequently in muttons ) contrary to that which galen hath affirmed ; i will deny all their positions upon good grounds . for even nature hath deprived some things of that which gelders cut away ; and that eunuchs are freed from many diseases ( as gouts , baldness , leprosies ) whereunto other men are subject , experience in all ages truely avoucheth . last of all , it is generally confessed of all skilful shepherds , ( and namely by charles steven and john liebault ) that ewes and rams are subject to far more maladies then muttons ; requiring greater cost , care , skill , and providence to maintain them in health . rams flesh and ewes flesh . as for rams flesh and ewes flesh ( that being too hot and dry , this too excremental and soon corrupted ) i commend neither of them , especially in this country of ours , where there is ( god bethanked ) such choice of wholesome wethers . kid and goat . as lambs flesh is lighter and moister then other mutton , so is kid more light and moist then goats flesh : because ( as hippocrates reasoneth ) it is less bloody , and the blood which it hath is very moist , liquid , and fine . the black and red kids are better then the white : and the younger they are ( so they be above a fortnight old ) the more wholesome and nourishing they are esteemed . their flesh is soon and quickly digested , of excellent nourishment , and restorative after a great sickness : especially for young persons and hot stomacks , but naught for them which are old & phlegmatick . it is better rosted then sod , and the hinder parts are to be prefered because they are dryer and less excremental . they are temperately hot and moist , whilst they are under six weeks age : for afterwards they grow to such heat and lasciviousness , that ( before they are wained ) they will after they have suckt , cover their own dam ; after they are once wained , their flesh may be fit for strong labouring men , which would not so well brook a tender suckling ; but for the most part of men it is unwholesome and of bad juice . the old he-goat is suitable to an old ram , save that it is more tough , hard , and unpleasant ; his flesh is not to be eaten , till he hath been baited like a bull to death , and when he is dead you must beat the flesh in the skin , after the french fashion of beating a cow. the she-goat being young , is less hurtful ; but an old she-goat is worse and of a more sharp and corrupt juice : rather provoking venery and sharpness of seed ( as also the male doth ) then nourishing the body . a gelded goat was unknown unto ancient physicians , but questionless it is the best next to sucking kid ; for it is more moist through abundance of fat , and also of more temperate heat because it wanteth stones ; in which i certainly believe a more violent heat to be placed , then in any part beside : yea whereas the liver draweth onely from the stomack and guts by the meseraical veines , and the heart only from the lungs and liver , and the brain from all three ; the stones have a heat which draweth seed from the whole body , yea from the bones and gristles , as hippocrates writeth and reason collecteth . furthermore the tollerable smell which a gelded goat hath , sheweth that his flesh is far sweeter : but he-goats and she-goats are so ranck , that a fencer of thebes feeding much of them , no man could endure his sweat . also the chief priest of rome did never so much as touch them saith plutarch , because they are subject to the falling sickness , letcherous in life , and odious in smell . pigg , sowe , bore , and hogg . piggs flesh by long and a bad custome is so generally desired and commended , that it is credibly ( though falsly ) esteemed for a nourishing and excellent good meat : indeed it is sweet , luscious , and pleasant to wantons , and earnestly desired of distempered stomacks : but it is the mother of many mischiefs , and was the bane of mine own mother . a sucking piggs flesh is the moistest flesh simply of all other ; engendring crudities , palsies , agues , gowts , apoplexies and the stone : weakning the memory ( for it is moist in the third degree ) procuring fluxes of the belly , and engendring most viscous , flashy and corrupt humours . their flesh is hardly digested of a weak stomack , and their leather-coat not easily of a strong . the younger they are , the worse they are : yet some venture upon them ( yea covet them ) ere they be eight days old ; yea the romans delicacy was such , that they thought them dainty meat being taken blood and all out of the sowes belly ere she was ready to farrow , eating them after a little bruising in the blood , no less greedily then some do the pudding of a bruised deer . we do well in roasting our piggs at a blazing fire , sprinkling them with salt on the outside : but if we stuft their bellies with a good deal of salt as well as sage , and did eat them with new sage , and vinegar and salt , they would be less offensive . the danes i remember ( when i was at elsenore ) draw them with garlick as the french men do with lard : which is no ill correcter of their sliminess and viscous humour . the bore-pig is not preferred before the sow-pig : because it is strong and ranck . bores flesh ( i mean of the tame bore ) is never good but 〈◊〉 it is brawn'd ; which though pliny avoucheth to be first invented by servillus rullus , yet by plautus it seemeth to be a more ancient meat . the best way of brawning a bore is this of all other , which i learned first of sir thomas george , and saw practised afterwards to good purpose . shut up a young bore ( of a year and a half old ) in a little room about harvest time , feeding him with nothing but sweet whey , and giving him every morning clean straw to lye upon , but lay it not thick . so before christmas he will be sufficiently brawned with continual lying , and prove exceeding fat , wholesome and sweet ; as for the common way of brawning bores , by stying them up in so close a room that they cannot turn themselves round about , and whereby they are forced alwaies to lye on their bellies , it is not worthy the imitation : for they feed in pain , lye in paine , and sleep in pain : neither shall you ever find their flesh so red , their fat so white , nor their liver so sound , as being brawned otherwise accordingly , as is before rehersed . after he is brawned for your turn , thrust a knife into one of his flanks , and let him run with it till he dye : others gently bait him with muzled doggs . the roman cooks thrust a hot iron into his side , and then run him to death ; thinking thereby that his flesh waxed tenderer and his brawn firmer . sows flesh is reckoned of isaac , to engender good blood , to nourish plentifully , yea to be restorative if it be young . but an old sow breedeth ill juice , is hardly concocted , and begetteth most viscous humors . the heliopolitanes abstained from sows flesh of all others : first , because ( contrary to the nature and course of all other beasts ) she admits the bore not in the full , but in the wane of the moon . secondly they demand , how can her flesh be wholsom , whose milk being drunk , filleth our bodies full of leprosie ▪ scurf , tetters and scabs ? yea a sow is one of the most filthy creatures in the world ; her belly is never void of scurf , her throat of kernely imposthumes , her brain so heavy and moist , that she cannot look up to heaven ; or rather she dare not , being the rooter up , and so bad an inhabitant of the earth . nevertheless i am of isaacs mind , that a young sow kept long from the bore , sweetly dieted with roots , corn , and whey , and kept from filthy feeding and wallowing , may be made good and tolerable meat for strong stomacks , after it hath been powdered and well rosted . pork and bacon . now concerning pork and hogs flesh , made of a spaded sow , or a hogg gelded , verily let us say thereof ( as theon said of all sorts of swine ) if it be not good for meat , wherefore is it good ? his cry is most odious and harsh , his smel loathsom , his very shape detested : at home he is ravening , in the field rooting , and every where filthy , foul , unhappy , and unprofitable . all which hurts he recompenceth in this only one , that of all other beasts ( if galen be not deceived ) he most nourisheth : especially if he feed abroad upon sweet grass , good mast and roots ; for that which is penn'd up and fed at home with taps drappings , kitchin offal , soure grains , and all manner of draffe , cannot be wholsom . in plinies time they were so far from fatting them with such refuse , that ( considering they were to be eaten of themselves ) men usually fatted their hogs with milk and figgs . but sith that course is more chargeable then necessary for englishmen ; either let their hoggs feed themselves fat abroad with grass and mast , or at home with only sweet whey , and a little grounded corn , then which they cannot have a more sweet meat . furthermore , to use galens encomium or phrase of a hogg ( whereby you may swear he was no jew , nor lopus no good physician ) howsoever nothing less resembleth a man , then a hogg in his outwards , yet inwardly no creature resembleth him more : for the colour and substance of his flesh , the shape , figure , connexion , suspension , proportion , and situation of his entrails , differ little or nothing from mans body : and besides that ( when he is of a just grouth ) his temper is also most like to ours . thus much out of galen for the praise of pork ; whom albeit rea●dus columbus , and vesalius do oppugne in their anatomies concerning the likelihood of a mans and a hoggs entrails ; yet none hitherto denyed pork to be a a temperate meat , being corned and rosted , or sodden after it hath been well powdered . nevertheless , ( to yield mine own opinion ) i esteem it ( by galens leave ) a very queasie meat , howsoever it be prepared , and to have in it self alwaies , flatuosum chacochynicum & febrile quid . for if you eat it fresh , it is as dangerous as fresh sprats to an aguish stomack : if you eat it corned , yet is it of gross juice , and speedy corruption , unless by mustard and sorrel sawce it be corrected : if it be sodden and powdered ▪ green-sawce made of sorrel , is to be eaten with it , both to cool the fiery nature of the salt , and also to qualifie the malignity of the flesh it self : if it be salted and made into bacon , how hard is it to be digested in most mens stomacks , either boiled or fryed ? yea the caretanes of spain ( whom strabo ▪ writeth to be the best makers of sawsages and salt meats in the whole world ) and the normans in france ( whose bacon flitches and jambons varro extolleth ) could never so dry bacon , or make pork into such wholsom sawsages , seasoned with pepper , salt , and sage , but that it needed a draught of wine more then ordinary to macerate and digest it in the stomack . it is recorded that leo the tenth , pope of rome , loved pork so exceedinglv , that he bestowed above two thousand crowns a year in sawsages , mingling the brawnes of peacocks , with porks flesh , pepper , and other spices , which were afterwards called leonis incisia , leo his sawsages . but when hadrian the sixth his successor perused the accounts , and found above ten thousand ducats spent by his predecessor in that one meat , he detested him ( saith jovius ) as much dead , as he honoured him whilst he was alive . finally , no brawn , pork or bacon , should be eaten without wine , according to that old verse made in salern school ( which some no less account of then the heathen did of apollo his oracles ) est caro porcina sine vin● pejor ovina ; si tribuis vina , tune est cibus & medicina . as mutton tough , pork without wine is not esteem'd so good : but if that wine be drunk thereon , 't is physick both and food . or if wine be scarce , drink after such meats , a good draught of your strongest beer well spic'd with ginger , and then labour it out ( as ploughmen do ) for ease after gross meats is very dangerous ; but strong labour overcometh all things . as for the entrails of hoggs , and especially the harsenet ( which publius syrus preferred before all meats ) i find them to be stopping , and of bad nourishment ; yet the livers of piggs are counted nourishing , but their lungs are watrish and very phlegmatick . chap. ix . of the flesh of wild beasts , or venison . wild bore , and wild sow . of all venison , hippocrates most commendeth the flesh of a wild sow , because it is not only an excellent nourishing and strengthening meat , but also medicinable to keep us from costiffness . reason teacheth us that it is farr above tame pork or swines flesh : first , because it feeds more purely ; secondly , because it hath not meat brought to hand , but gets it by travail , and hath choice of diet to feed whereon it listeth . thirdly , it is not penn'd up ( as commonly our swine be ) in a little close and stinking stie , but enjoyeth the benefit of a clear aire , which clarifieth bloud , as much as any meat can augment it . it is a rare meat in england , and found only ( as i have been enformed ) in my lord latimers woods , who took great pleasure in hunting them , and made also wild buls of tame ones , as our fore-fathers ( more wisely ) made tame of wild . if they be young , fat , fully grown , and taken in chaso , in the winter time ( presently after mast is fallen ) they are unfit for few mens stomacks , being thus prepared as i have seen them drest in high - germany . first , after the flesh is throughly cold , parboil it in rhenish wine , wherein ripe juniper berries were sodden : then having taken it out and sliced it , season every slice or cut thereof with pepper , salt , cloves , mace , ginger , and nutmegs , of each a sufficient quantity , last of all make it in paste , with good store of sweet butter and it will prove a most excellent meat to be eaten cold . wild calves are common in wales upon the mountains : whence one was brought this last christmas to ludlow castle , where i did eat of it rosted and bak'd ; and by taste i find it more firm and dry , and by the effects of digestion , more wholsom and passable then our ordinary veal . red and fallow deer . now concerning deers flesh , which isaac in his old age so much longed for ; some imagin it to be the worst meat of all others , and some conceive it to be the best . galen numbreth it amongst hard , meclancholique , and gross meats , comparing , yea almost preferring asses flesh before it ; ascribing also unto it ill concoction , ill nourishment , stoppings , and quartane feavers . roger bacon thinks it one of the best meats , if it be so young that we can digest it : for , saith he ( quod diu sem tipsum , alios illud diu conservare potest ) that which long liveth by its own nature , maketh also others to live long . but by his leave , we may then feed better upon ravens then capons , for these never live above seaven yeares , and a raven liveth to nine hundred yeares , if virgil be not deceived . plutarch thinketh deer an unwholsom meat , because it is of a cold and melancholick constitution . and how proveth he that ? forsooth . because he is fearful : secondly because if he were of a hot complexion ( as the wilde bore is ) his teares would be sweet , as his be ; but the teares of a deere ( and especially of a stagg ) are salt : ergo , he is of a cold and dry constitution . but empedocles was of sounder opinion , who ascribeth all teares to the working of heat : for as milke yieldeth whey by stirring , churning and pressing , so any violent passion ( be it joy or greife , anger or pitty ) churneth the blood , stirreth the humors , and presseth the brain , wherupon teares ( the wheyish part of them all ) must needs ensue . furthermore they are thought to be unwholsom , because bucks and staggs feed much upon snakes : yea as an ass is to a lions mouth , or hony to bears , or bees to martlets , so are serpents to them a most desired meat ; whereupon the grecians call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , serpent catchers . might i be a sufficient arbitrator between two so learned men , i would determine the truth to be on either side : for indeed young venison , whilst it is sucking , is very restorative ; neither do i think old isaac in his declining age to have delighted more in it in respect of taste , then in respect of wholsomness and goodness . also a gelded deer is neither too dry , nor too cold , but of a temperate constitution , and so void of superfluous or excrementitious humors , that his horns never grow again after he is gelt , which aristotle , and all philosophers impute to superfluity of heat and moisture . nay young bucks and does , hinds and staggs ( whilst they are in season ) are a wholsom and delicate meat , breeding no bad juice of themselves , yet bearing often the faults of bad cooks ( which know not how to dress nor use them aright ) but more often the deserved reproaches of greedy gourmands , that cannot moderately use the good creatures of god ; either eating venison when they should not , or more liberally and usually then they should . the italians also have this opinion of venison , that eaten in the morning , it prolongeth life , but eaten towards night , it hasteneth death . contrariwise old venison indeed is dry , and perhaps too cold likewise ; full of gross , clammy , and incorrigible humors : so that the same meat may be wholsom at some age , in some times , and for some certain complexions , which otherwise in contrary circumstances is unwholsom : yet is it never so pretious as that a man should venture his life to get it by stealth , as many doe , and have done in noble mens parks , yea perhaps in their princes forrests and chief chases . cardan affirmeth that bucks and does have no galls in their bodies , which is rather a signe of good temperature and lightness , then of any dull , dry , or heavy meat . this one thing only i will add , that keepers of parks , or at the least their servants and young children , have , upon my knowledge , fed all the year long of little meat else , and yet remained as strong , healthfull , and active , as any persons could be . finally , admit deer be dry ; doth not butter amend them ? suppose they be cold ; doth not pepper and salt , and baking , give them sufficient heat ? thus , howsoever it falleth out , they are either by preparation ( which none can deny ) or by nature ( as i verily believe ) a good nourishment , so that they be chosen in their due season , just age , and moderately fed upon : neither have we any reason from their unwholsomness to dispark our parks , or to c●t down forrests provided for their succour ; nay rather we ought to cherish them for the maintenance of hunting , whereunto if young gentlemen were addicted , as their fathers were heretofore ( they would be more ready ( whereof hunting is a resemblance ) to warlike purposes and exploits . roebuck and capreol . but of all venison roebuck and capreol bareth away the bell ; for whereas the forenamed beasts are discredited for their grosness of blood , the capreol his blood is exceeding fine , through his swift running , and continual frisking and leaping from place to place , whereby his pores are ever opened , and all bad humours consumed by exercise , so that the very smell of his flesh is not heavy nor fulsome ( as in other deer ) but fragrant , quick and delightful ; neither hath his flesh the ordinary taste of venison , but a peculiar and more pleasant taste : neither lyeth it heavy upon any stomack , but is digested as soon as kid ; curing also ( as isaac writeth ) the falling sickness , colick , dropsie , and abundance of fleam collected in any part . it is permitted to all indifferent stomacks , and forbidden onely to children , colerick constitutions , lean and consumed bodies , shrunck sinews , and burning agues . the alpes are full of them in high germany , and some of our mountains of wales are not without them . they are good roasted , sodden , or baked as red deer ; but you need not to pepper or salt them half so much , for their flesh ( even when they are old ) is easily digested , and scarce needeth a cup of wine ( which other venison necessarily requireth ) to hasten their concoction . furthermore , where all kinds of other venison are not good but at certain seasons , yet the capreol is never out of season : being alike wholesome in sommer and winter , and alike toothsome , as the borderers of the alpes do best know , and our owne country men might perceive if they made trial . hares . hares or leverets ( the beloved meat of alexander severus ) taken in hunting , roasted with fresh lard , and eaten with venison sawce , cannot offend a reasonable stomack . galen saith that the flesh of a hare prevents fatness , causeth sleep , and cleanseth the blood : how be it in another place he saith , that it breedeth gross blood and melancholick humours : which unless he understand only of old , lean , and unseasonable hares , experience it self will overthrow him ; for take a young leveret , and let it blood as you do a pigeon , the flesh of it will be very white , tender , and well rellishing ; yea little inferiour to a midso●mer rabbet . yet i deny not ( with hippocrates ) that it dryeth more then ordinary meats : for it provoketh much urine , and so accidentally moistneth little , though it be moist enough of its own nature . pissanellus writeh ( and the italians generally believe it ) that eating of much hares flesh maketh a man fair and merry seven dayes after ; for which purpose perhaps they were so much in request amongst the romans , who fatned young hares in clappers , as we do connies , finding them so dieted to be a delicate and wholesome meat : tame hares so prepared are good at all times but wild hares are best and fattest in the hardest time of winter . certain it is , that much eating of hares flesh procureth leanness ; because it is very diuretical , and common sence teacheth , that a man pissing much cannot be fat , because the wheyish part of blood ( called of hippocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sled of nourishment ) is sooner expelled then that it can carry nourishment throughout the body . the neither germans hang their hares six or seven daies in the cold and shadowy aire before they flay or dress them : whereby they prove exceeding tender , though a night or two nights hanging were sufficient . we do usually boil the foreparts in broth , and rost only the hinder parts : and not without reason ; for as in kid and lamb the hinder parts are driest ; and therefore we seeth them , the fore-parts over-moist and therefore we roast them : so contrawise a hare is driest before , and moistest behind . now concerning such medicins , as matthiolus avoucheth to be taken from a hares harsenet , from his skin , gall , kidneys , bones , stones , haire , blood , and dung ; i think it impertinent to the treatise of diet , which sheweth not how to give medicines but to use nourishments . connies . it is not to be thought strange that hippocrates and galen , and all the grecians wrote so little of connies , which with us , above all other nations is so common a meat . for as ithaca never bred , nor fostered them , so in all grece they hardly lived . here ( thanks be to god ) they are plentiful , in such sort that alborne chase affordeth above a hundred thousand couple a year , to the benefit of good house-keeping , and the poors maintenance . rabbet suckers are best in march , agreeing as well with old melancholick dry , and weak stomacks , as disagreeing with strong and moist complexions . a midsomer rabbets flesh is less moist and more nourishing ; but a michaelmas or winter rabbet is of firm , wholesome , temperate , and most laudable flesh : best roasted , because their nourishing juice is soon soked out with the least seething , making good broth and bad meat . chuse the female before the male , the fat before the lean , and both from out a chalky ground and a sweet laire . hedghoggs . when i considered how cleanly the hedghogg feedeth , namely upon cows milk ( if he can come by it ) or upon fruit and mast ; i saw no reason to discontinue this meat any longer upon some fantastical dislike ; sith books , nature and experience hath commended it unto us . for as martial made hares flesh the daintiest dish of the romans , so in hippocrates time the hedghogg was not of least account among the grecians ; which he commendeth for an excellent nourishment , were it not something too moist and diuretical . nay ( as some affirm ) it nourisheth plentifully , procureth appetite and sleep , strengthneth travailers , preserveth women with child from miscarrying , dissolveth knots and kernelly tumours , helps the lepry , consumption , palsy , dropsie , stone , and convulsion ; onely it is forbidden unto melancholick and flegmatick persons , and such as are vexed with piles or hemorhoids . squirrels . squirrels are much troubled with two diseases , choler and the falling-sickness ; yet their hinder parts are indifferent good , whilst they are young , fried with parsly and butter : but being no usual nor warrantable good meat , let me skip with them and over them to another tree ; for it is time to write of the winged nation , which promise us a second course of more dainty , i will not say of more wholesome meats . neither shall any discourse of asses flesh ( which maecenas so highly loved , that all italy was too little to find him asses enough ) nor of horse flesh ( for longing after which gregory the third excommunicated the germans ) nor of foxes flesh ( which the vandales eat for restorative ) nor of lions flesh ( wherewith achilles was dieted in his pupillage ) nor of beares flesh ( which the moscovite calls his great venison ) nor of apes flesh though it most resembleth a man ( which the zygantes in africa highly esteam & eat of in their solemn feasts ) nor of lysards , tortesses , or any other four-footed beasts : nor of mans flesh , albeit the canibals praise it above all other ( as osorius writeth ) and cambletes king of lydia having eaten of his own wife , said he was sorry to have been ignorant so long of so good a dish . as for the flesh also of young puppies ( commended of hippocrates & afterwards of galen ) howsoever in the isles of corsica & alalta they are still esteemed as good meat , yet cardan saith in his divers history , that they made the people like to doggs , that is to say , cruel , stout , rash , bould , and nimble . wherefore leaping over these insolent and bad meats , which neither use nor reason hath confirmed . i now to come treat of birds and fowl , and then of fish , and the fruits of the earth , and waters according to my first division . chap. . of the flesh of tame birds . that the flesh of tame foul nourisheth more then wild foul , isaac the physitian proveth by three arguments . first , because they are more usually eaten of , and so by custom ( a second nature ) made more agreeable to our stomacks . secondly , where al other birds fly from us , and are not gotten without cost and travel : nature hath caused tame birds to converse with us , and to offer themselves ( as it were ) to be killed at our pleasure : which verily she would never have done , had they been of a small or a bad nourishment . thirdly , wild foul ( for the most part ) especially such as flye far for a little meat , and trust more to their wings then their feet , though they are more light in digestion , because they are of a more spirituous & aiery substance ; yet they are not of so abundant nourishment as tame houshold birds , which feed not at randome of what they can get , but of good corne , such as men themselves eate , and therefore most fit to nourish man. now of all kind of fowl , remember that the youngest is tenderest and lightest ; old birds flesh is heaviest , but they which are proceeding to their full growth are most nourishing ; for ungrown birds ( and much more nestlers ) give but a weak thin and gelly-like substance , old birds are tough and dry ; those which are almost fully grown are of a more fleshy and firm nature . furthermore all birds feeding themselves abroad fat with wholesome meat , are of better nourishment then such as be cram'd in a coop or little house : for as prisoners smell of the gaol , so do they of their own dung . and thus much generally of birds : now let us come to every particular . pulli gallenacei . chickens ( saith avicen ) are so pure and fine a meat , that they engender no excrements in our bodies , having in themselves no illaudable substance : wherefore caius famius being sick of a burning feaver which had almost consumed all his flesh , was advised by his physicians to eat of no other meat then chickens : whereby he recovered his consumption ; and the eleventh year after the second carthaginian wars , made a law , that nothing but chickens or young pullets fed in the camp should be brought to him at his meals . the young cockrels are counted the best in this kind , being of all flesh the most commendable , nourishing strongly , augmenting seed , and stirring up lust : for which purpose boleslaus duke of silesia did eat thirteen cock-chickens at a meal ; whereof he died without having his purpose fulfilled , because he knew not how to use so wholsom a creature . we doe not amiss in england to eat sodden chickens and bacon together , for if they were eaten first , and bacon after , they would oversoon be digested , and if they were eaten after bacon , they would be corrupted : but they are best being rosted , because they are a moist meat ; and if they be sawced with sorrel and sugar , or with a little butter and grape-verjuice , they are a most temperate meat for weak stomacks ( as platina and bucinus set down ) for no man i think is so foolish as to commend them to ploughmen and besomers . white chickens are found by experience to be hardest of digeston , as gilbert our countryman writ a great while since : yet griunerius preferreth them for hectick persons , because they are coldest and moistest of complexion . they are all best in summer , as contrariwise pullets and hens be best in winter . cock-chickens are best before they crow lowd , hen-chickens before the cock offereth to tread them . galli . cocks flesh , the more old it is , the less it nourisheth ; but if they be young , and kept from their hens , and dieted with white bread and milk , or wheat steept in milk , they recover men out of consumptions , and hectick fevers : and then their stones , livers , and loyns , are of excellent good nourishment : being sodden they are nothing worth , for their goodness is all in the broth : as for their flesh , it is good for nothing but to dry and bind the stomack . galen saith , that as the broth of a hen bindeth the body , and the flesh loosneth the same ; so contrariwise the broth of a cock loosneth , and the flesh bindeth . they of the game are esteemed most wholsom ; called of the romans , medici galli , cocks of physick , because the physicians most commended them : amongst which , if i should prefer the kentish kind for bigness and sweetness , i suppose no injury to be done to any shire of england . chuse the youngest ( as i said ) for nourishment : for if once he be two years old , his flesh waxeth brackish , tough , and hard of digestion , fitter to be sodden in broth for the loosning of the belly , then any way to be dressed for encrease of nourishment . gallinae . hens are best before they have ever laid , and yet are full of eggs ; they also are best in january , and cold months , because long rest and sleep in the long nights makes them then fattest . their flesh is very temperate ( whilst they are young ) of good juice , and large nourishment , strengthening natural heat , engendring good blood , sharpning a dull appetite , quickning the eysight , nourishing the brain and seed , and agreeing with all ages and complexions ; for they are neither so hot as to turn into choler , nor so cold as to turn into fleagm , nor so dry as to be converted into melancholie ( and yet rhasis imagineth them to have a secret property of breeding the gout and hemorrhoids ) but turn wholly , or for the most part into blood , making a lively colour in the face , and quickning both the eyesight and every sense . pullets flesh ( saith avicen ) helpeth the wit , cleareth the voice , and encreaseth the seed , which is a manifest argument that it nourisheth greatly ; which also gallen confirmeth by many other arguments ; but that argument of encreasing seed is the chiefest of all , seed being the superfluity or abundance of nourishment . hens flesh is sweetest , when they are not too much fed , but dig out their meat with their heels in a clean flour ; for exercise consumeth the superfluous moisture , which else cannot but make them more unpleasant . nevertheless the delians used to fat them with bread steept in milk , and platina , apicius , and stendelius shew many waies to fatten them ; but the best way is to let them fat themselves with pure corne cast amongst chaff , that by exercise of their legs in shuffl●ng and scraping they may make their flesh to eat better , and prove more wholesome ; and yet by your leave ( mr. poulter ) the fattest hen or capon is not wholesomest , but that which is of a middle fatness ; for as in a man too much fatness is both a cause of diseases , and a disease it self , so falleth it out in their bodies ; which how can they be wholesome meat unto others , when they are diseased in themselves ? of a black hen the broath is whitest , and of a black goat the milk is purest ; the most part of hens and hares are scurvy and leprous . capi . capons of seven or eight months age , fatned in an open air , on a clean flour with pure meat , are preferred by all physitians ( old or modern , greeks or latins ) before all meats . and to say the truth , what dish can any cooks-shop afford , that can be compared with a boild or rosted capon ? which helpeth appetite , openeth the brest , cleareth the voice , fatneth lean men , nourisheth all men , restoreth sickmen , hurteth none but the idle , tasteth pleasantly , digesteth easily ; which is also more solid then the flesh of pullets , more tender then cocks , more familiar to our nature then phesants or partridges ; not so dry as a cock to be slowly digested , not so moist as a chicken , to be soon corrupted ; but equally affected and tempered in all qualities , engendring much blood and yet unoffensive , engendring much seed without unnatural sharpness or heat : finally the flesh of capons is so mild , temperate , and nourishing , that faventinus fears not to make it the ground of his restorative electuary ; yea aloisius mundella thinketh him to be desperately consumed , whom capon-gellies and cullises cannot recover . concerning the preparation of them , i commend them roasted for moist stomacks ; but beeing boild with sweet marrow in white broth , they are of speedier , though not of stronger nourishment . now if a capon be so wholesome a meat , why should we not also by stitching up some veins , or searing them in the loins , try whether we may not likewise make hen-capenets ? which the italians practise to good purpose , and make them exceeding fat ; but yet in pisanels judgment they eat too moist . one word more of the etymology of a capon ; which some derive from the english by an irony , capon ; because he hath not his cap on : others from the italian , capone , that is to say , qua pone , set it hither , because it is an excellent dish ; but i like fritagius his etimologie best of all , caponem dicimus quasi caput omnium : we call it a capon saith he in th● latin , because it is caput omnium , the head or chief of all other meats . and thus much of a capon , whose excellencies had the heralds known when dr. capon bought his arms of them , i see no reason why they should have preferred into his scutchions three cocks , all being nothing equivalent to one capon . galli africani . meleagrides . turkies , though they be very hardly brought up , and require great cost for their feeding , yet their flesh is most dainty and worthy a princes table . they were first brought from numidia into turky and thence to europe , whereupon they were called turkies . there are some which lately brought hither certain checkred hens and cocks out of new guiny , spoted white and black like a barbers apron ; whose flesh is like to the flesh of turkies , & both of them like the flesh of our hens & cockchickens , but that they be two parts hotter and moister then ours . the youngest , fatted in the fields or at the barn door , killed also in winter rather then in sommer , and hanged a day and night before they be drest , are wholesomest to be eaten and of best nourishment . their flesh recovereth strength , nourisheth plentifully , kindleth lust , agreeth with every person and complexion , saving such as be of too hot a temper , or enclined to rhumes or gouts ; it must be throughly roasted , and if it be sticked full of cloves in the roasting , or when it is to be baked ( which are the two best waies to cook a turky ) it will soke up the watrishness , and make it of speedier digestion . pavones . peacocks are ( as poets fain ) the beloved birds of juno : which none durst kill in old time , for fear of that jealous and revengeful goddesses displeasure . among the romans quintus hortensius was the first that ever brought them to the table ; whose commendation made them so desired , that within a while a peacocks egg was sold for ten pieces of silver , and his kacrsas for twenty times as much . afterwards marcus lurco seeing that old and lean peacocks grew to such a rate , he began to cram them fat whilst they were young , and gained thereby in a short time six thousand sesterties . leo the tenth ( that noble epicurean pope ) made their brawnes into sausages , allowing therefore every year many hundred ducats . it is strange that s. austin writes of peacocks flesh , namely that in a twelve month it corrupteth not after it is drest : nay kiranides avoucheth , that a peacocks flesh will not putrifie in thirty years , but remaineth then as sound and sweet as if it had been new killed ; which whether it proceed of the toughness and sinewy constitution , or the feeding upon serpents ( as some imagine ) i will not now determin : this i onely observe , that being once above a year old , their flesh is very hard , tough , and melancholick , requiring a strong stomack , much wine , and afterwards great exercise to overcome it . it is very ill for them that are molested with the hemorrhoids , and such as live slothfully . concerning their preparation , galen appointeth them to hang upon a hook fifteen daies , but haliabbas twise fifteen before they are drest . the italians after they are drawn , stuff their bodies full of nettles ( which softneth the hardest cheese being laid amongst them , and then they either bury it in sand , or hang it in a cold dry place , with a great weight at his heels ; and so within a fornight it becomes very tender . plutarch reports out of his countriments experiments , that an old cock , or an old peacock , or any hard flesh , hanging but one night on a fig-tree , waxeth very tender by morning : others ascribe as much to the hanging of them upon a brasen hook , which i permit to trial ; and wish both as true in effect , as the reasons why they should be so are learnedly disputed . as for young peacocks , fed at home , with wholesome and pure meat ( as bread corn and curds ) no doubt they are very good meat , yeelding not onely a taste extraordinarily strange and pleasant , but also giving good nourishment : the older sort is best roasted with lard ; the younger without lard , both should be well sowced in pure wine ; for without it they are unwholesome . anseres . galen commendeth nothing in a goose beside the giblets , stomack , and liver , sodden in broth : which whether scipio metellus , or marcus sestius first noted , pisanellus durst not decide ; but had he been as conversant in pliny , as he might have been , he should have read , that a question was moved in rome , who did first fatten geese : some imputing it to scipio and some to sestius . but messalinus cotta without all controversie was the first , that ever taught how to dress and use their giblets . nevertheless sith the kings of egypt feed usually but on two dishes , geese and veal ; either custome hath made them a harmless meat , or else they are not so hard , hot , aguish , and melancholick a meat as some suppose them . jason pratensis saith , that the jews have so hard a flesh , so foul a skin , so loathsome a savour , and so crooked conditions , because they eat so many geese . indeed their exceeding watchfulness , moody disposition , and blackness of flesh , argue a melancholick constitution ; yet being taken whilst they are young , green feathered , and well fatted with wholesome meat , and eaten with sorrel sawce to correct their malignity ( if any malignity can remain after such dieting ) no doubt their flesh is as nourishing as it is pleasant and sweet . but of all other a young stuble goose feeding it self fat in wheaten fields , is the best of all ; being neither of too moist nor too dry a flesh , but a middle constitution . if any goose be eaten above four months old , it is badly digested without garlick sauce , exercise , and strong drink . fritagius , in his creophagia , having set down that young geese are over-moist , and old geese very aguish , appointeh them to be both corrected in this sort . before they be killed make them to receive the smoke of borax down into their bodies three or four times together ; then stuff them with spices and sweet hearbs , and rost them throughly ; which is a very good way to correct their superfluous moisture ; but nothing available for their aguishness . savanarola maketh geese of a very hot constitution , albertus maketh them very cold ; their flesh is hard to digest , and yet more moist ( saith galen ) then of any water-foul besides : but their natural feeding shews them to be hot and dry , as savanarola writeth ; for they drink infinitely often , delight to be in the coldest waters , and feed most gladly upon lettice , endiff , purcelane , trifoil , ducks meat and sowthistle . they are so tame and obsequious to them that usually feed and dieted them , that ( if pliny saith truth ) they were driven ( like sheep ) from brabant and picardy to rome on foot ; but i fear me whilst he did so excessively commend their obedience , he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , play the very goose himself . cygni . swans flesh was forbidden the jewes , because by them the hieroglyphical sages did describe hypocrisie ; for as swans have the whitest feathers and the blackest flesh of all birds , so the heart of hypocrites is contrary to their outward appearance . so that not for the badness of their flesh , but for resembling of wicked mens minds they were forbidden : for being young they are not the worst of meats ; nay if they be kept in a little pound and well fed with corn , their flesh will not onely alter the blackness , but also be freed of the unwholesomness ; being thus used , they are appointed to be the first dish at the emperour of moscovie his table , and also much esteemed in east-friezland . nevertheless i deny not but that naturally they are unwholesome , for their flesh is hard and black ; and all flesh the blacker it is , the heavier it is , the whiter the lighter ; and the more red the more enclining to heaviness , the less red the more enclining to lightness and easiness of digestion : which being once written for a general rule , needs not ( i hope ) hereafter to be repeated . anates . tame ducks feed filthly , upon froggs , toades , mud , waterspiders , and all manner of venemous and foul things : wherefore it is not untruly said of gesner , that the best part of a duck are his feathers ; for his flesh is hotter then of any tame fowl , and withall toomoist , hard , gross , of slow digestion , and very excremental ; yea furthermore , so aguish , that once or twice it brought galen himself into a fever , while he desired to try the operation of it . nevertheless young ducklings fed with grinded malt and cheese curds , drinking nothing but milk ( or chalkwater ) wax both white , fat , and soft in flesh , giving much good nourishment , clearing the colour of ones face , amending hoarsness of throats , encreasing seed , and dispelling wind : wherein we may see , that art and diet can make that wholsome , which nature of it self hath made hurtful . pipiones . columbae . tame pigeons are of two sorts , the one great and very tame , breeding monthly , kept and fed continually at home : the other fed never at home but in cadlock time and the dead of winter , when they can get no meat abroad , breeding onely but twice a year , namely at the first and later seed-time . they are of a very hot complexion , and dry when they are old ; but whilst they are young they are hot and moist ; the wilder sort is most wholesome , being killed after it hath flown a while up and down the dove-house , for then they give a purer juice , by reason that their foggy moisture is lessened by exercise ; also they must be let blood to death under the wing , which though dr. hector assumed to himself as his own invention , yet it is of no less antiquity then plinies writings . being thus newly killed and forthwith rosted at a blasing fire , their flesh engendreth great store of blood , recalling heat unto weak persons , clensing the kidneys , quickly restoring decayed spirits , especially in phlegmatick and aged persons , for whom they are most proper . in galens time ( saith rhasis ) they onely pluckt off their heads and cast them away ; but bleeding under the wing is far better , and maketh their flesh more cold and whiter ; in so much that galen is not afraid , to commend them to persons sick of agues . nay the italians do as usually give them in agues , as we do chickens . pigeons of the first flight are counted better , because the latter flight is after they have eaten cadlocks , which maketh them neither to eat so sweet , nor to prove so white and wholesome : when they cannot be had , home pigeons ( i mean of the greater sort ) are to be taken , and to be used in the like manner . chap. xi . of the flesh of wild fowl , ahiding and feeding chiefly upon the land. there is no small difference of land fowl , according to the meat they feed on , and the place they live in ; for the purer their meat , the better meat they are themselves ; they that feed upon flesh or garbage , are not so wholesome as they that feed upon good corn , bents , or wholesome seeds ; less wholesome are they which feed upon worms and fish on the sea shore , or rivers banks ; but worst of all other , they that feed upon serpents , spiders and venemous beasts : which no doubt may prove very medicinable to cure diseases , but they cannot prove nourishing ( keeping their natural diet ) to restore flesh . concerning the place wherein they live and feed , it is certain that high and dry countries have the wholesomest birds : for they which sit in low and moist places , are of no sweet nor wholesome complexion . furthermore , their manner of taking alters their flesh ; for a partridge taken in flight , or a larke dared with a hawke , is worth ten taken with nets , springes , and trammels ; the reason whereof is already set down in my chapter of preparation . finally look what bird is whitest flesht , that bird is easiest to be digested : what bird is reddest of flesh , is strongest of nourishment : whatsoever is black of flesh , is heavy to be digested and of slow nourishment ; yea so much the heavier and slower , by how much his skin and flesh appeareth blacker . this shall suffice to be generally spoken of land fowl , yea of all fowl : now let us descend to their particulars , beginning with birds of greater volume . tardae . bistards or bustards ( so called for their slow pace and heavy flying ) or as the scots term them , gusestards , that is to say , slow geese , feed upon flesh , livers , and young lambs out of sowing-time , and in harvest time , then they feed upon pure corn : in the summer towards the ripening of corn , i have seen half a dozen of them lie in a wheat-field fatting themselves ( as a deer will doe ) with ease and eating ; whereupon they grow sometimes to such a bigness , that one of them weigheth almost fourteen pounds . now as they are of an extraordinary bulk , so likewise are they of rare nourishment to indifferent strong stomacks , rellishing finely , restoring bloud and seed , offending no part of the body , but strengthening all . chuse the youngest and fattest about allhalontide ( for then are they best ) and diet him a day or two with a little white bread , or rather keep him altogether fasting that he may scour away his ordure ; then let him bleed to death in the neck-veins , and having hanged three or four daies in a cool place our of the moon-shine , either rost it or bake it as you do a turkie , and it will prove both a dainty and wholsome meat . grues . cranes breed ( as old dr. turner writ unto gesner ) not only in the northern countrys amongst the nation of dwarfs , but also in our english fens . pliny saith , that in italy they feed much upon grapes ; but with us they feed chiefly upon corn , and fenny seeds , or bents , theodosius esteemeth them of a cold temperature ; but all the arabians judge them to be hot and dry : certain it is that they are of themselves hard , tough , gross , sinewy , and engendring melancholique bloud , unfit for sound mens tables ( usually to be eaten of ) and much more unmeet for them that be sick ; yet being young , killed with a goshawk , and hanged two or three daies by the heels , eaten with hot galentine , and drowned in sack , it is permitted unto indifferent stomacks . in plutarch's time cranes were counted a dainty and good meat , fatted after this manner : first , they stitched up their eyes , and fed them in the dark with wholsom mixtures of corn , milk , and seeds to make them white , tender , and pleasant of taste : a day before they were killed , they tempered their meat with the juice of that herb , or with a good quantity of that seed whereof they would have their flesh especially to relish ; were it mints , basil , time , rosemary , commin , coriander , fennel-seed , or annis-seed : which course if we likewise observed in the cramming of capons , and fatning of our houshold birds , without question they would taste far more delicately . ciconiae , asteriae , ardeolae . storks , bittors , and herons , neither do breed , nor can breed any good nourishment , feeding chiefly upon little fishes , frogs , and worms : yea the stork delighteth in newts , water-snakes , adders , and sloeworms ; but ( except it be almost famished ) it will not venture upon a toad , as casparus heldelinus writeth . it was my chance in my first travel into germany , to meet one godfrey achtius ( chief physitian of aquisgrane ) at francfort mart , whose triacle was there sold , and esteemed better then the triacle of venice , whereinto he put not the flesh nor the salt of adders ; but the flesh of a heronshaw , fed a long time with nothing but such adders as galen wisheth us to chuse . verily his conceit was not ill ; and if we practised the like in england , it cannot be amiss , considering that the subtilest part of the adder is ( no doubt ) as it were sublimed and imbibed into the storks body and flesh : wherefore howsoever we use such birds for physick , yet let us not feed upon them as upon meats , lest we take poyson instead of nourishment . nay even all the heronshaws , ( namely the black , white , criel-heronshaw , and the miredromble ) though feeding somewhat better then the byttor or stork , are but of a fishy and strong savour , unless they be very young , and scarce able to fly ; yea they are not dangerless being green rosted , but procure the piles and smarting hemerrhoids ; of all of them , chuse the youngest and fatest , for they may be eaten , so with much spice , salt , or onions , and being throughly steept in a draught of old wine . furthermore , if they be drest without their skins , they rellish far better , according to the french and the best fashion , who also stuff them full of sweet herbs , and draw them with fine and small lard . phasiana . phesants are of so excellent a constitution , as well for substance as temperature , that from them as from a centre , physicians do judge the complexion of every foul , being of a middle constitution betwixt a brown hen and a partridg ( or as pisanellus will have it , betwixt a capon and a partridg ) neither so moist as the first , nor so dry as the second , but exceeding both in taste , temperature and goodness . galen , rhasis , avicen , averrhois , arnaldus de villa nova , trallian , and all writers do prefer a phesant for the soundest and best meat of all other ; and the frenchmen think a phesant to be called fai-san , because it maketh a sound man. nevertheless savanarola willeth men not to eat them often in health , that when sickness cometh they may do them the more good . they are best in winter , and the young ones are fittest for weak stomacks ; the old ones are to hang three or four daies by the heels , and then being drest , they will eat tender . in hectick fevers , and upon recoveries from a long or violent sickness , no meat so wholsom as phesant-pouts ; but to strong stomacks it is inconvenientest , especially to ploughmen and sabourers ▪ who eating of phesants , fall suddenly into sickness , and shortness of breath , as pisanellus hath wittily ( and perhaps truely ) noted . attagenes myricae . heath-cocks whilst they are young , are little inferior to a phesant , very well relishing , and being of good digestion ; when they wax old , all their flesh proves black , saving the brawn next their brest-bone , which is ever white , tender , firm , and wholsome . perdices . partridges have a temperate heat ; but encline to driness in the second degree ; they feed upon snails , chickweed , tops of leeks , and all manner of good and wholsome corn ; they are never subject to pips , nor any rhumatick diseases , which maketh them to live till they be almost twenty years old : but beware of old partridges , for they are as dangerous as old beef ; being young and tender , they agree exceeding well with cold , weak , watrish , and pale bodies , drying up a moist stomack , strengthening the retentive power , easily turning into pure bloud , fatning the body , and encreasing lust . they must not be eaten ( saith galen ) being newly killed , but hang a while in the cold aire : and the wings and brest of a partridg ( as also of all birds , save a woodcock , trusting to their flight ) are better then the legs and thighs : nay the legs and thighs of partridges are thought by sethi , to have an extraordinary weakness in them , causing them to go as if their back or ridg-bone were parted in sunder , whereupon perhaps they had their name , and were called part-ridges . chuse them that are young and fat , killed with the hawk at sowce , or else at foot after a long flight . their broath is good for a weak stomack , for the jaundies , and a tainted liver . if you seeth them in capon-broth with marrow , eggs , and bread , a panado made of that broth is exceeding nourishing , being eaten next ones heart . but if you would have a strengthening broth indeed , then seeth them in broth wherein chines of mutton have first boiled : rosted partridg is best for most stomacks , if it be not too dry rosted ; for then it is rather physick to stay a loosness , then fit meat to nourish or restore flesh . they are best at the end of harvest , before they have either troad or laid . rallae terrestres . railes of the land ( for there is also a water-rail , which the venetians esteem so highly ) deserve to be placed next the partridg , for their flesh is as sweet as their feeding good , and they are not without cause preferred to noble mens tables . gallinagines & rusticulae . woodcocks and snites are so light of digestion , and so good in temperature , that they agree with most mens stomacks , especially at their first coming in , or rather a moneth after when they have rested themselves after their long flight from beyond the seas , and are fat through ease and good feeding upon fat worms , and snails , lying in trees . avicen and albertus dreamed that woodcocks and snites fed upon seeds ; whereas indeed no bird with a long piked , crooked , and narrow bill can pick them up : but where they perceive a worms hole ( as i have seen snites to do ) there they thrust in their bill as far as they can , and if the worm lie deep , they blow in such a breath or blast of wind , that the worms come out for fear as in an earthquake . if worms fail , then they pick snails out of their shels , and likewise devour them . towards their going out , either of them wax drier and worse rellishing . woodcocks require the stronger stomack , snites the weaker ; both are of laudable nourishment , but chiefly the snite . there is a kind of wood-snite in devonshire , greater then the common snite , which never comes into shallows nor springs of water : and in holland i remember snites never living out of springs , as great almost as our woodcocks , called herren-schnepfs , because they are in comparison the lords or chief of snites , or that they are onely fit for lords tables , which gesner therefore also termeth by the name of rusticula regalis . columbae petricolae liviae palumbes turtures . wild-doves be especially four in number , rock-doves , stock-doves , ring-doves , and turtledoves . rock-doves breed upon rocks by the sea-side , but never far from corny downs , whether in seed and harvest-time they fly for meat , living all the year besides upon mast and ivy-berries . the other three sorts of doves feed also upon corn , mast , hawes , juniper-berries , ivy-berries , hurtle-berries , and holly-berries when they are ripe . marcus cato fatted young ring-doves with bean-meal made into paste with new milk ; and didynius , turtledoves with bread steept in wine ; which way they are made of excellent taste and nourishment , though also undieted they are good , being under half a years age . avicen ( contrary almost to the opinions of all other writers ) commendeth the flesh of turtles above all other , as being of a good nourishment , easily digested , quickning wit and memory , encreasing seed , and strengthening both stomack and guts exceeding well . but isaac reproveth that opinion , unless it be understood only of young turtles , or such as have been fed and fatted in the house by art , with moist and cooling nourishments : for otherwise ( as he truly avoucheth ) all manner of wild-doves are so hot , hard , and dry , that they cannot prove of any indifferent nourishment . coturnices . quails have gotten an ill name ever since pliny accused them for eating of hemlocks and bear-foot ; by reason whereof they breed cramps , trembling of the heart and sinews ; yea though hercules loved them above all other meats , in so much that iolaus fetcht him out of a swound when he was cruelly wounded by typhon , with the smell of a quail ; yet with much eating of them he fell into the falling-evil , which ever since hath been termed hercules's sickness . avicen thinketh that they bring cramps not onely by feeding on helleborus and hemlocks , but also from a natural inborn property . monardus writeth thus of them ; i allow not the flesh of quails neither in the spring nor winter , not because the ancient fathers of physick do condemn them ; but because reason is against them . for in the spring and summer time they are too dry , engendring rather melancholy then bloud : in autumn and winter they are too moist ; yea though they be fat , yet are they of small nourishment , causing loathing of stomack , and corruption of meat . baptista fiera , amatus lusitanus , yea avicen , rhasis , isaac and galen are of the same judgement ; only arnoldus de villa nova in his commentary upon the salern school , affirmeth them in some countries to be of fine substance , good juice , and easie digestion : nay , kiranides saith that their broth clenseth the kidneys , and their flesh nourisheth indifferently well . were i here to give my censure , i would be of either side , and yet defend the truth likewise ; for i nothing doubt but quails flesh is bad ( as ducks flesh is ) of its own nature , and heavy to be digested ; nevertheless being taken young before they have eaten of unwholsome weeds , and fatted with pure wheat , hemp-seed , coriander ▪ seed and milk ( or chalk-water instead of milk ) i make no question that their flesh is laudable , and may be counted a good and dainty meat . and here by the way let us marvel at one thing , that qualis are generally forbidden because their flesh engendreth the falling evil , and yet galen commendeth their brains ( the principal seat of that great evil ) as an antidote against the same . what need i write that when the israelites loathed manna , quails were sent them as the best and daintiest meat of all other ? and if some curious paraphrast would therefore say it was the worst , because whilst the flesh was in their mouthes , many thousands of them fell in the wilderness ! we answer , that it was not through the badness of the food , but the naughtiness of their lusting and tempting god. pluviales . plovers feed upon no solid meat , and therefore being new , have no need of drawing ; their meat is chiefly the scom or excrements of worms lying about their holes , or of worms themselves ; yet are they of a very sweet , delicate , and fine flesh , being taken when they are fat in winter-time ; and the gray plover is so highly esteemed , that this proverb is raised of a curious and malecontented stomack ; a gray plover cannot please him . yet to some the green plover seemeth more nourishing , and to others the lapwing , which indeed is savory and light of digestion , but nothing comparable to plovers . cuculi . cuckoes flesh , whilst it is a nestler , is by perot highly extolled ; but when once it comes to feed it self , it is ill rellishing , hot , and leprous . gesner asketh , how any man dare be so foolish or venturous as to eat of a cuckoe , whose much spitting argueth a corrupt and excremental flesh ; yet by experience we find the young ones to be good meat , yea pliny and aristotle preferre them for sweetness above most birds : and albeit the old ones feed filthily upon dorrs , beetels , and venomous spiders , yet the young one are fed by the titling , ( their foster-dam ) with gnats , flies , and red-worms , having no venomous nor bad quality . fedoae . godwits are known to be a fenny fowl , living with worms about rivers banks , and nothing sweet or wholsom , till they have been fatted at home with pure corn ; but a fat godwit is so fine and light a meat , that noblemen ( yea and merchants too by your leave ) stick not to buy them at four nobles a dozen . lincolnshire affordeth great plenty of them , elsewhere they are rare in england wheresoever i have travailed . erythopodes & glottides . redshanks also and gluts feed in the fens upon redseeds , bents , and worms , and are of no bad taste , nor evil nourishment . ochropodes . smirings live in watrish copses with worms , and are a fine and delicate meat . pici. pyes or haggisses feed upon flesh , eggs , worms and ants ; their flesh is very hard and loathsome , unless they be very young , and then are they only the meat of poverty . graculi . jayes feed upon akorns , beech-mast and worms , and never came into the number of good nourishments , because they have themselves , and procure unto others the falling-evil . pici martii . wood-peckers are suspected of the like malignity , though they feed upon timber-worms , the most dainty dish , and most highly esteemed amongst the romans and phrygians . orioli . witwols are of excellent good nourishment , feeding upon bees , flies , snails , cherries , plums , and all manner of good fruit . arquatulae terrestres . stonechatters feed as they do , and are of a very good taste and juice . ispida . the kings-fisher feedeth most upon water-worms , and little fishes , and is of a bad rellish , and worse nourishment . coccothraustes . the clotbird ( called sometimes a smatch , or an arling ) is as big almost as a thrush , feeding chiefly upon cherries , and cherry-kernels . nucifraga . the nope feedeth upon mast , nuts , and cherreis . sitta . so also doth the little pyot , which we call a nutjobber . upupa . houpes were not thought by dr. torner to be found in england , yet i saw mr. serjeant goodrons kill of them in charingdon park , when he did very skilfully and happily cure my lord of pembroke at ivychurch ; they feed upon hurtle-berries , and worms , but delight to feed most upon graves , and mans dung , and stinking soile ; wherefore they deserve to be counted very unwholsom . turdi & turdelae anglicanae . thrushes and navisses feed most upon hawes , sloes , misle-berries , and privot-berries ; which being lean , deserve ( as quintus curtius used them at caesars table ) to be flung out at the windows ; but being young , fat , and in season , and by cunning drawing rid of their gall , they deserve the nourishing in lucullus cages , and to be commended by physicians to pompey's table for a most wholsom meat . turdi exotici . feldefares are of the like feed , and give ( almost ) as good nourishment , yea better , when juniper-berries be ripe , for then all their flesh is perfumed with the scent thereof . merulae . blackbirds are preferred by baptist fiera farre before thrushes , throstels or feldefares , as being nothing so strong , hot , nor bitter ; trallianus commendeth all alike . their feed is on little grashoppers , worms , hurtle-berries , juniper-berries , ivy-berries , bay-berries , and hawes ; they are suspected to be a melancholick meat , because they be never found but alone and solitary , whereupon the latines call them merulas , that is to say , solitarians . sturni . stares-flesh is dry and sanery , and good against all poyson , if kiranides be not mistaken . galen in one place compares them for goodness , with partridg , thrush and blackbirds ; in another place he dispraiseth them as much for their ill juce , hard digestion , and bad nourishment ; which nevertheless are both true , that being understood of young stares , fed with wholesom meat , this of old stares , who delight to feed of unwholesom meat as well as wholesome , namely hemlocks , dwale , and such llke . amongst this treatise of the greater sort of land-birds , i had almost forgotten owles , rookes , crowes , and cadesses . noctuae . concerning owles , when they be once old , they feed upon mice , frogs , grashoppers and all kind of flesh . rabbi moses in his aphorisms saith , that the flesh of young owles is dainty and good , strengthening the mind and diverting melancholie and madness : yea i have heard certain noble men and gentlemen avouch , that no young cuckoe or partridge is a finer meat . corvi leguminales . rooks cannot be ill meat when they are young , for they feed chiefly upon pure corn ; but their skin is tough , black , and bitter . corvus . the carrion crow is generally condemned , and worthily despised of all men : as also the cadesse or jacdaw , which is not more unhappy in conditions , then bad of nourishment . now we are come to treat of small birds of the land , which we will divide according to the order of the alphabet : having first admonished you , that no small birds must be overmuch sodden , or dry roasted : for then their nourishing moisture is soon taken out ; neither are they to be given to strong stomacks , lest they be converted into choler , whenelse they would wholly turn into good blood . finally , young birds must not hang long before they be dressed ; for they are of an airy substance which will soon be evapourated . but let us consider every one particularly in his place . montifringillae . bramblings are a kind of small birds , feeding chiefly upon seeds , sloes , and hawthorne kernels . rubetrae . buntings feed chiefly upon little worms . pyrrhacia . bulfinches feed not onely upon little worms , but also upon hempseed , and the blossoms of peare-plums and apple-trees . citrinellae . citrinels or straw-coloured finges , be very small birds , feeding chiefly of white and black poppy seed , but especially of the wild-poppy called red-weed . certhiae . creepers seem to be a kind of titmise , living upon the worms which engender in and betwixt the barks of trees . fringillae . finches for the most part live upon seeds , especially the goldfinch , which refuseth to eat of any thing else . acanthis atlantica . so also doth the canarie finch or siskin ; yet the bullfinch in hunger feeds upon small worms ; and the greenfinch upon horsedung , and nuts in frosty weather . alandae . larkes are of three sorts : field larks , wood larks , and heath larks . the first sort feeds upon corn seeds and worms . the second chiefly upon worms . the third upon worms and heath seed . some of each sort are high crested like a lapwing , others uncrested which are counted the more wholesom . their temperament is hot and dry in the second degree , unless they be young and fat , and then they scarce exceed the first degree . galen and rhasis write , that as their broth looseneth , so their flesh bindeth the belly . linariae . linnets feed chiefly upon flax seed : but for a need they eat also the seed of hemp and thistles . apodes . martinets are either smooth or hairy legg'd : for neither of them have perfect feet , but stumps instead of feet . baptista fiera in his treatise of birds exclaimeth against them , and calleth them beggers meat : engendring most hot and feverous blood , fitter to be eaten as a medicin to quicken eyesight and memory , then as a wholesome or nourishing meat ; but being taken when they are new fledg'd , experience warranteth them a dainty and good meat , except they be over roasted . luseiniae . nightingales as martial said , are nothing worth when their breath is departed ; for as they feed filthily in the fields upon spiders and ants , so their flesh is unwholesome at the table . pari majores . oxeys or great titmise , feed ( as ordinary titmise do ) upon caterpillers , blossoms of trees , bark worms and flies ; but their flesh is unwholesome . rubeculae . robin-red-brests feed upon bees , flies , gnats , walnuts , nuts , and crums of bread ; and are esteemed a light and good meat . passeres . sparrows of the house , feed commonly on the best corn. they are hot and dry almost in the third degree : engendring hot and aguish blood . the best are the youngest , fattest , and wildest . trallianus commends leane sparrows only to such as are sick of the tympanie : and young cock-sparrows flesh ( as well as their stones and brains ) to such as be cold of nature , and unable to venus sports . haly abbas willeth such men to mince young cock-sparrows with egs and onions , and to eat them in a gally-mawfry : which perhaps you may find a better medicin , then dr. iulius his bottle , that is said to have cost twenty pound a pint ; but the red and hedg sparrows feed ill , and are both unwholesome . hirundines . swallows ( be they either house swallows or banck swallows ) are of the nature and operation of martlets , but that they are esteemed the hotter of both . curruca . the titling , cucknel , or unfortunate nurse ( for the cuckoe ever lays his egg in the titlings nest ) feeds upon gnats , flies , and worms ; it is a very hot bird , coming in and going out with the nightingale , but of a delicate taste pari. titmise are of divers shapes with us in england ; some be long , others ▪ be very short taild : some have black heads , some blew , some green , some plain , and some copped : all of them feed but ill , and nourish worse . motacillae . wagtailes live upon flies , worms , and fat earth , being no bad meat whilst they are young , unless some because their tail is ever trembling , shall therefore divine that they are ill for the shaking palsey . reguli . wrens feed finely , & sometimes fill themselvs so full of little flies , that their bellies are like to burst . their flesh being salted cureth strangullions and the stone not confirmed ; but no man ever wrote that they give good nourishment . galguli . yellow hammers feed ( as the most part of titmise ) of seeds and grain ; namely the seeds of white and red roses , poppy , burs , thistles , succory and endiff , &c. in the winter time being fat , they are counted wholesome : at other times they are lean and also bitter . chap. xii . of the flesh of wild fowl , abiding and feeding chiefly upon the waters . cygni sylvestres . of all water fowl , the wild swan is the biggest and fairest in outward shew : but ( as i said of tame swans ) it resembleth a hypocrite , for his flesh is black , melancholick , and hard of digestion , though not so hard as the tame , by reason of his much flying . anseres sylvestres . wild geese are for the same reason better then tame , for their high and long flight breedeth tenderness of body , and expelleth many gross and heavy vapors ; but of all other the bergander is the best and lightest . anates ferae . wild ducks feed chiefly upon a green narrow-leaved grass ( called therefore ducks grass by crescentius ) which lieth upon the waters in moors , ponds , and plashes all winter long : but they eat likewise the leaves , seeds , and roots of other waterplants , and also worms , spawns of fishes and frogs , young sedge , fat mud , waterspiders , and all venemous and foul things ; they are no less lecherous then cock-sparrows , who as by often treading , they kill themselves and live not till they be two years old , so wild drakes by often treading kill their hens . anates muscariae . but there is a kind of wilde duck , called anas muscaria because it eats nothing but flies : which is of as wholsome and good nourishment , as the other is bad and heavy of digestion . brantae . barnicles both breed unnaturally by corruption , and taste very unsavoury . poor men eat them , rich men hate them , and wise men reject them when they have other meat . querquedulae . teales● and widgins feed alike upon worms , herbs , roots and seeds ; commonly they are very fat and sweet of taste ; much to be esteemed above wild-ducks or geese , yet suspected of ill juice by many authors . totani . pool-snites live wholly upon fish , and therefore have a strong and uncouth rellish . merganseres . shell-drakes , or the ducks of italy , are of most pleasant taste , feeding purely themselves , and us as strongly ; sometimes the● wax so fat , that their feathers being pul'd off , their body hath weighed twelve pound weight . urinatrices . divers feed most upon reeds and reed roots , and caddis-worms breeding in them . scarboides . such likewise is the dobchicks food ; but it is of a strong smell , and fatter and tenderer then the most part of fowls that be clove-footed . fulicae . coots feed upon reeds , mud , grass , little snails , and small fishes , they are of a strong and muddy savour , best in autumne , but never wholesome . nigritae . moor-cocks and moor-hens , as also pocards , be of the like nature with coots ; save that a fat pocard is counted a dainty , though not a wholesome meat . pici marini . sea-pies as dr. cajus writeth , resemble other pies in colour , but they have whole feet like water fowl ; they feed upon spawn , frogs , and frie of fish , and are but of a bad taste . mergi . cormorants , be they gray or black , feed most of fish and frogs , but especially of eels ; and rellish badly . arquatae . curlnes feed wholesomly upon cockles , creuisses , muscles , and perwinkles ; which maketh them to have no ill taste , and to be counted restorative amongst the french , if they be fat . gulones albi & cinerei . white gulls , gray-gulls , and black-gulls ( commonly termed by the name of plungers and water-crows ) are rejected of every man as a fishy meat ; nevertheless being fed at home with new curds and good corn till they be fat , you shall seldome taste of a lighter or better meat . pufina britannica . puffins being birds and no birds , that is to say birds in shew and fish in substance , or ( as one may justly call them ) feathered fishes , are of ill taste and worse digestion ; how dainty so ever they seem to strange appetites , and are permitted by popes to be eaten in lent. erythropodes . redlings or water-redshancks feed as water-railes do , and be of the like nourishment . rallae aquaticae . water-rails are preferred in italy before thrushes or quails , they feed upon water-snails and water-flies , and the worms breeding in the roots of reeds : they be very sweet and pleasant of taste , giving also a fine and wholesome nourishment . lari . sea-mews and sea-cobs feed upon garbage and fish , thought therefore an unclean and bad meat ; but being fatted ( as gulls use to be ) they alter their ill nature , and become good . plateae . shovelars feed most commonly upon the sea coast upon cockles and shell-fish , being taken home and dieted with new garbage and good meat , they are nothing inferiour to fatted gulls . chap. xiii . of the inwards and outwards both of beasts and birds . having hitherto spoken of the flesh of beasts and fowls , it remaineth now to speak of those parts which are not properly flesh , but either of another , or a mingled nature : namely , their fat , marrow , brains , lungs , livers , tripes , stomacks , &c. together with their eyes , ears , noses , feet , pinions , tails , rumps , udders , stones , and skins : whereof i will write in order . fat. fat of beasts , as it was forbidden the israelites by god himself , for some cause unto himself best known ; so there be many reasons to perswade us not to eat of the same : for it takes away appetite , gluts the stomack , hardly digesteth , turneth wholly to excrements , and decayeth the retentive powers , especially if it be the fat of greater beasts , or the greater sort of birds : for the fat of rabet-suckers , and little birds , and small chickens , is not discommendable , because it is soon and lightly overcome of an indifferent stomack . of fat beasts and birds notwithstanding , the lean is sweetest ( so they be not exceeding fat through cramming , but upon their own feeding ) by reason that it is basted and suppled with the oyliness thereof , and made both tender and of good relish . wherefore let some commend lard and fat bruis never so much , and slap it up as greedily as they list , yet they will reward us in the end with many diseases , unless their stomacks be exceeding strong and good . marrow . marrow is the finest part or ( as it were ) the sweat of fat , secretly conveyed into bones : sweet , unctuous , and pleasant of taste , nourishing them whose bodies be dry , and stomacks able to digest it . it is sod usually with capons , cockrels , and hens in a nourishing white broth , and also dainty pies be made thereof : but i have known many men to have surfeited of them , and therefore i dare not generally allow of marrow . of all marrows , i find the marrow of a deer easiest to digest ; next of a young mutton , and beef marrow to be the heaviest . the marrow of a goat is very offensive , and the marrow of lambs or calves are not good , because they are crude , bloudy , and imperfect for want of age . brains . the egyptians thought it a capital offence to eat the head of any thing , for the brains-sake , wherein they thought the soul of every living thing to be chiefly placed . and plutarch saith , that many things were thought delicate in his time , which no man before desired or dared to taste ; as the brains of birds and beasts . how abject a thing brains were in old time , it appeareth in ulysses scoffing of agamemnon , comparing him with a calves brain , as with a most abject and vile thing , which all men cast away . and verily brains for the most part are exceeding phlegmatick , of gross juice , hard passage , slow concoction , great heaviness , and so offensive to the stomack , that being eaten last , or with any fat meat , they trouble the same exceedingly , and procure vomit : wherefore we doe well to eat the brains of calves , lambs , kids , and pigs , at the beginning of dinner or supper , for were they eaten last ( through their unctuous and superfluous moisture ) we should bring up all . likewise i commend the tosting of piggs brains at the fire ( being the moistest of all other ) the thorough rosting of hares brains and rabbets brains ; and the mingling of sage , salt , pepper , and vinegar with calves brains . concerning the brains of birds , none are absolutely commendable , but of such fowl as be of a temperate constitution , as cocks , chickens , capons , pullets , partridg and phesant . also the brains of rosted woodcocks , and snites , and blackbirds , and all small birds are counted wholsom ; but the brains of great birds , and water-fowl , and pigeons , and all sorts of wild-doves , are counted by the old and learned arabians very dangerous : only quails brains are commended by galen , against the falling sickness , and cranes brains against the hemorrhoids . tongues . the tongues of beasts seem to be wholly of a fleshy substance : which if we deny not because it is full of muscles , yet verily the flesh thereof is more spongy and oily then of any flesh besides . aesop and thales called tongues the best and the worst part of the body ; but as an asses bones make the sweetest regal-pipes of all others , though the living asse be least musical ; so let the living tongues of any beasts be never so bad , yet they are without comparison the sweetest meat of all others , when they are dead and drest : for the tongues of beasts are soft , temperate , light , moist and spongy , never faulty of themselves , but marred oftentimes by miscookery . as for birds tongues , they are generally exceeding dry , hard , and gristly ( parots tongues excepted ) neither could i ever find any cause ( but because a curious and sumptuous fool would have it so ) why heliogabulus should have pies made of nightingales tongues . chine-marrow . pith. marrow , running all along from the hinder brain ( whereof no doubt it is a portion ) to the end of the back-bone or chine of beasts , is no doubt much harder and drier then the brain it self , especially towards the further end of the back ; which driness makes it less loathsom to the stomack then brains are ; yea furthermore it strengtheneth that body which is able to concoct it . many are of opinion that cawdles made strong with the pith of a steer , and yolks of new-laid eggs , do by a secret property restore nature , and recover the weakness of loyns caused by venery . montagnana maketh a singular confection of divers marrows to that purpose , which i will not set down in english , lest wantons be too bold to follow their follies . hearts . hearts of all living creatures , whilst life endureth , are most active and effectual to many purposes ; but after death there is no part of less use , nor less nourishment . yea they are harder of digestion then any entrail , concocted with no small difficulty , though chosen from the youngest and tenderest sort of fowls or beasts : yet if any do overcome them , they give no weak nor bad nourishment . lungs . lungs of beasts are softer then the heart , liver , kidneys and spleens ; easier therefore of concoction , though of a more phlegmatick and froathy substancer . tacuinus commendeth them greatly to young men sick of hot agues , because they both temper their hot and dry disposition , as also for that they be light , and soon concocted . but he saith , that therefore they are ill for strong and labouring men , whom so light a meat cannot sufficiently nourish , but is more likely to putrifie in their stomacks . the lungs of foxes are no wholsome meat , but rather medicin to sore lungs . livers . livers of all beasts give but gross nourishment , and are hardly concocted , and of slow passage ; unless it be of sucklings , or of young swine fed with pure meat . the livers of tame fowl , as hens , capons , chickens , ducklings and geese , fatted with wholsom and white meat , please the taste , clear the eye-sight , agree with the stomack , and encrease bloud . cranes livers sod in the broth of cicers asswage the pain of the back and kidneys , but they are of a small and bad nourishment . the livers of larks and snites are very sweet and restorative , as also of a woodcock , which hath of all other birds ( for proportion of his body ) the greatest liver . tripes . stomacks , paunches , and guts of beasts , are far harder in substance then their flesh , requiring much time ere they can be concocted , deserving scarce the name of meat , because they give so little nourishment , and so much excrement . yea all tripes and chitterlings made of elder beasts ( be they oxen , swine , or deer ) though accidentally through sowcing they procure appetite , yet naturally they are foul and unwholsom meat , engendring scabs , itches , and leprosies , and other filthy diseases like themselves . yet the taste of tripes did seem so delicate to the romans , that they often killed oxen for the tripes sake , not caring what became of the flesh ; till such time as their licentious appetite was bridled by banishment if any should attempt the like again . but the maws or gyzards of hens , capons , chickens , and geese especially , are both tender and pulpy , and are supposed extraordinarily to corroborate the stomack . so likewise the guts of larks , woodcocks , and snites , give no bad nourishment , being presently roasted assoon as the birds be taken . milts . spleens of beasts give an unpleasant taste and a worse nourishment : and no marvel , for if livers , being the fountains of blood , be of hard and unwholesom juice , how can spleens ( the sinks and spounges of the liver ) prove wholesome meat ? onely such a hoggs spleen is commended , which hath fed long upon tamarisk , wherby all gross , soure , and melancholick humours have been consumed in it . paracelsus is the first that ever commended an oxes spleen , as available to hasten the courses of women . kidneys of beasts ( for birds have none , the bat excepted , which also hath brests and giveth milk ) be of a middle temper betwixt flesh and kernels , of hard concoction and ill juice , especially in the greater sorts of beasts ; alwaies keeping a smack of that which passeth through them , and being too strong for most stomacks ; the kidneys of sucking lambs , calves , piggs , and kids , are the tenderest and the best , but when they have left sucking they are all too ranck . kernels and sweet-breads kernels of beasts , especially such as lye about the throat and breast of sucking calves , kids and lambs , are a very good meat being well digested , drawing neer to the nourishment of flesh ; but if they be not well digested , they breed raw and flegmatick humours . our countrymen do well first to roast and then to boil the sweet-bread of beasts ; for thereby all superfluous moisture is consumed . kernels of fowls lye chiefly about the rump on either side thereof , and are ( as many take it ) very restorative . the matrix . the matrix of beasts , yea of a barren doe so highly esteemed , is but a sinewy and hard substance , slow of digestion and little nourishment . eyes . eyes of young beasts and young birds are not unwholesome , being separated from their skins , fat , balls , and humours ; for then nothing remaineth but a sweet tender and musculous flesh , which is very easie of digestion . ears , snouts and lips. the ears , snouts and lips of beasts being bloudless and of a sinewy nature , are more watrish , viscous , and flegmatick , then that they may be commended for any good or indifferent nourishment . pinions and feet . the pinions of birds , and the feet of beasts are of like disposition ; yet the pinions of geese , hens , capons , and chickens are of good nourishment : and so are the feet of young hogs , pigs , lambs and calves ; yea also a tender cow-heel is counted restorative ; and heliogabalus the emperour amongst his most dainty and lustful dishes made pies of cocks-combs , cock-stones , nightingales tongues , and camels heels , as lampridius writeth . galen also for men sick of agues boil'd piggs-pettitoes in barly water , whereby each was bettered by the other : the ptisan making them the more tender , & they makeing the ptisan more nourishing and agreeable to the stomack . that sodden geese feet were restorative , messalinus cotta by trial found out , if pliny may be credited . the tails or rumps of beasts are counted by certain unskilful physitians , yea of dr. isaac himself , to be hard of digestion . first , because they are so far distant from the fountain of heat . secondly because they are most of a sinewy constitution ; to which if a third had been added , that they are but covers of a close-stool , perhaps is arguments would have been of some indifferent weight : for indeed the farther any part is from the heart , it is fed and nourished with the more fine and temperate blood ; also the extremities or ends of sinews are of strong wholesome and good nourishment ; but as for the tails and rumps of beasts , it is indifferently mingled of flesh , sinews and fat ; so that the very anatomy of them shews them to be a meat agreeable to all stomacks ; and verily whosoever hath eaten of a pye made onely of mutton rumps , cannot but confess it a light wholesom and good nourishment . the rumps of birds are correspondent , having kernels instead of flesh ; but when they are too fat , they overclog and cloy the stomack . udders . the udders of milch beasts ( as kine , ewes , does , and she-goats ) are a laudable taste , and better then tripes , because they are of a more fleshy nature . lean udders must be sod tender in fat broth ; fat udders may be sod alone ; each of them need first a little corning with salt , being naturally of a flegmatick and moist substance . stones . the stones of a bore work marvails ( saith pissanellus ) in decayed bodies , stirring up lust through abundance of seed , gathered by superfluous and ranck nourishment . indeed when bucks and stags are ready for the rut , their stones and pisels are taken for the like purpose : as for the stones of young cocks , pheasants , drakes , partridges , and sparrows , it were a world to write how highly they are esteemed . averrhois thinks that the stones of a young cock , being kept long in good feeding and separated from his hens , do every day add so much flesh unto our bodies , as the stones themselves are in weight . avicen as much esteemeth cock-sparrowes stones , or rather more . but the paduan doctors ( but especially doctor calves-head ) giveth that faculty to the stones of pheasants and partridges above all others . skin . the skins of beasts , yea of a roasted pig is so far from nourishing , that it can hardly be well digested of a strong stomack . some birds are sodden or roasted without their skins , because they are black and bitter ( as rooks , dawes , cootes , and moor-hens ) and howsoever others are spared , yet the skin of no bird turneth to nourishment , but rather to ill humours or filthy excrements . nay the very skin of an egg , of a nut , an almond , a prune , a raisen , or a corrin , and generally of all fruit , is so far from nourishing , that it cometh out of the strongest mans body ( either whole or broken ) as it went in . chap. xiiii . of milk. forasmuch as childrens stomacks , and old mens bodies , and consumed mens natures be so weak , that not onely all flesh and fish , but also the fruits of the earth are burdensome to their tender and weak bowels : god tendring the growing of the one , the preservation of the other , and the restoring of the third , hath therefore appointed milk ; which the youngest child , the weariest old man , and such as sickness hath consumed may easily digest . if we would define or describe what milk is , it seemeth to be nothing but white blood , orrather the abundant part of blood , whited in the breasts of such creatures as are ordained by nature to give suck ; appointed properly for children and sucking little ones , but accidentally for all men , sick either of consuming diseases or old age . that womens milk is fittest for young children , it may easily be proved by the course of nature , which converteth the superfluity of blood in a woman bearing her child within her to the brests , for no other purpose , then that she should nourish her own babe . for truly nothing is so unperfect , defectuous , naked , deformed , and filthy as a man , when he is newly born into the world through a straite and outstreatched passage ; defiled with blood , replenished with corruption , more like to a slain then a living creature , whom no body would vouchsafe to take up and look on , much less to wash , kiss , and embrace it , had not nature inspired an inward love in the mother towards her own , and in such as be the mothers friends . hence it cometh that mothers yet hot & sweating with travail , trembling still for their many and extream throws , forget not their new-born babes , but smile upon them in their greatest weakness , heaping labour upon labour , changing the nights trouble with the dayes unquietness ; suffering it to taste no other milk , then that wherewith in their bellies it was maintained . this doth a kind and natural mother ( if she be of a sound and indifferent strong constitution ) for her child ; and thus did eve , sara , rebecca , and rachel ; yea all women which truely loved their children , and were both able and willing to feed their own . there be many reasons why mothers should be afraid to commit their children to starnge women . first because no milk can be so natural unto them as their own . secondly because it is to be feared , lest their children may draw ill qualities from their nurses both of body and mind , as it fell out in iupiter , whom whilst his mother committed to aega ( olens daughter and pans wife ) to be nursed by her , the country woman living only upon goats milk , could not but be of a strong lascivious nature , which left such an impression in the child , that growing once to the age of a stripling , he was in love with every fair wench , lay with his own sister , forced his own neices , left no fair woman unassaulted , if either bygold , or entreaty , or craft , and transforming himself he could obtain her love . nay when he was full of womens company , he loved boys and abused himself unnaturally in companying with beasts . the like also is recorded of aegysthus , who being fed in a shepheards cottage only with goats milk , waxed thereupon so goatish and lecherous , that he defiled not onely agamemnons bed , but also neighed ( in a manner ) at every mans wife . nevertheless if the mothers weakness be such that she cannot , or her frowardness such , that she will not nurse her own child ; then another must be taken sutable to the childs constitution : for a fine and dainty child requireth a nurse like to it self ; and the child of strong and clownish parents , must have a nurse of a strong and clownish diet. for as lambs sucking , she-goats bear course wool , and kids sucking ewes bear soft hair , so fine children degenerate by gross womans milk , losing or lesning that excellency of nature , wit , and complexion , which from their parents they first obtained . neither is womens milk best onely for young and tender infants , but also for men and women of riper years , fallen by age or by sickness into compositions . best i mean in the way of nourishment , for otherwise asses milk is best , for some cowes , milk and for others goats milk ; because the one cleanses , the other loosens , and the third strengtheneth more then the rest . goatsmilk is also better for weak stomacks , because they feed on boughs more then grass . sheeps-milk is sweeter , thicker and more nourishing , yet less agreeable to the stomack , because it is fatter . cows-milk is most medicinable , because with us it looseneth the body , though in arcadia it stayeth the belly , and cureth consumptions better then any other milk . finally the milk ofany beast chewing the cud ( as goats , sheep , and kine ) is very ill for rhumes , murs , coughes , fevers , headache , stoppings and inflamations of any inward part ; for sore eyes also , and shaking of sinews . avicen saith , that their milk is hurtfull to young men , because they are cholerick ; to sore eyes , headaches , agues , and rhumes , because it is full of vapors : to convulsions and cramps , by reason of repletion : to resolution or palsies , by over moistning ; to the stone and obstructions , because the cheesy part of it is very gross . of beasts not chewing the cud camels milk is the sweetest and thinest of all other ; mares milk the next , and asses milk of a middle temper : not so thin , but that it nourisheth much ; nor so thick , as that easily it will curdle . all milk is thinnest in the spring , and thickest in sommer , because then the wheyish part is resolved by sweat ; and all meats then obtain a dryer faculty . signes of the best milk. there be four wayes in women and beasts to know the most nourishing and substantial milk : namely by the colour , smell , consistence , and taste . for the best milk is of a pearl-colour , neither blue , transparent , nor gray , but white clear and confused ; the consistence of it is neither thin nor thick , hanging like a row of pearls upon ones nail ( if it be milked on it ) not overhastily running of . in taste it is not soure , bitter , salt , sweet , sharp , nor strong , but sweet yet not in excess , and pleasant after an extraordinary kind of pleasantness : yet galen affirmeth , that if milk could be tasted when it is first concocted in the veins and breasts , it would seem sweeter then hony it self . the smell likewise of it is pure and fragrant , though proper to it self , and void of loathsomness . causes of good milk. also it is much material to the goodness of milk , to have speciall regard to the diet of those creatures whose milk we use , or chuse for our children . galen reporteth that a friends child of his , having lost his good nurse by an untimely death , was put out to another : who in time of dearth being forced to feed chiefly upon fruit , and roots , and acorne bread , infected her child ( as she her self was infected ) with much grevious and filthy scabs . and i pray you what else is the cause , that many children nursed in the country are so subject to frets , sharpness of urine and the stone ; but that their nurses for the most part eat rye bread strong of the leaven , and hard cheese , and drink nothing but muddy and new ale ? it is also recorded , that a young man sick of a consumption , used the milk of a goat to his great good , so long as it fed in his own field ; but afterward feeding in another field where store of scammony grew , and some wild spourge , he fell into a deadly scowring and felt no nourishment . furthermore care is to be taken of their health , that give us milk ; for as an unclean and pocky nurse ( which woful experience dayly proveth ) infecteth most sound and lively children ; so likewise a clean sound and healthful nurse recovereth a sickly and impotent child . nay ( which is more ) no man can justly doubt , that a childs mind is answerable to his nurses milk and manners ; for what made iupiter and aegystus so lecherous , but that they were chiefly fed with goats milk ? what made romulus and polyphemus so cruel , but that they were nursed by she-wolves ? what made pelias ( tyrus and neptunes son ) so bruitish , but that he was nursed by an unhappy mare ? is it any marvel also , that giles the abbot ( as the saint-register writeth ) continued so long the love of a solitary life in woods and deserts when three years together he suckt a doe ? what made dr. cajus in his last sickness so peevish and so full of frets at cambridge , when he suckt one woman ( whom i spare to name ) froward of conditions and of bad diet ; and contrariwise so quiet and well , when he suckt another of contrary disposition ? verily the diversity of their milks and conditions , which being contrary one to the other , wrought also in him that sucked them contrary effects . now having shewed what milk is best , and how to be chosen , let us consider how it is to be taken and used of us . first therefore if any naturally loath it ( as petrus aponensis did from the day of his birth ) it cannot possibly give him any good nourishment , but perhaps very much hurt in offending nature . if contrariwise any with philinus love nothing else , or with the poor bizonians can get no other meat , or with the tartarians and arabians feed most often and willingly on milk : let them all remember these three lessons . how milk is to be eaten and used , in time of health . first that they drink or eat the milk of no horned beast unsodden , for so will it not easily curdle nor engender wind : but womens milk , asses milk , and mares milk , need no other fire to prepare it , for it will never curdle into any hard substance . secondly to be sure that milk shall not curdle , season it with salt , suger , or hony , and neither drink any wine or soure thing upon it , nor mingle it with other meats , but eat it upon an empty stomack , and fast an hour after it . thirdly exercise not presently upon it , neither sleep upon any milk taken from beasts chewing the cud , and when you have eaten it wash your teeth clean , for there is no greater enemy unto them then milk it self , which therefore nature hath chiefly ordained for them , who never had or have lost their teeth . and truely ( as marcilius ficinus noteth ) milk is not to be used of young men , who have sound teeth given them for stronger meat , but of such as either have none at all , or very few and weak ones ; or though they have strong teeth , want ability and strength to set them a grinding as it falleth out in them that are fallen into fever hecticks . wherefore when poppaea wife to domitius nero carried she asses ( shod with gold ) continually about with her , to bath her body in their milk once a week , and to drink of it every day , to make her skin clear and smooth without wrinckles : she left it rather a monument of her pride , then a memorial of her wisdome ; for nature taught her a better meat , though art could not appoint her a finer bath . if she had taken it ( as the arcadians do cow-milk ) in the spring time onely , for a month or six weeks together once in the morning , to cleanse and purge the body of bad humours , it had been good and warrantable by physick : but to use it continually in health could not less corrupt her , then goats milk did my lady penruddock , of whose cruel and terrible end , caused by the lest worms of all other , perpetually engendred betwixt the skin and the flesh , through superfluity of nourishment arising from the long continuance of goats milk ; i will not here reherse , it being fresh enough in their memories that best knew her & most loved her . the like may i say of cow milk so generally used of us , that being now and then taken of sound men ( not subject nor distempered with hot diseases ) it nourisheth plentifully , encreaseth the brain , fatneth the body , restoreth flesh , asswageth sharpness of urine , giveth the face a lively and good colour , encreaseth lust , keepeth the body soluble , ceaseth extream coughing , and openeth the brest ; as for children and old men they may use it dayly without offence , yea rather for their good and great benefit . what milk is best in sickness and consumptions . concerning them that be sick , there are few diseases to which milk is not offensive being inwardly taken , except the consumptions of the solid parts called marasmus , the consumption of flesh , called atrophia , and the consumption of the lungs and breathing parts called phthisis . for recovery of the first , cammels milk is preferred before all others , because it is most moist and thin . the second sort is best recovered by sucking milk from a womans brest , as most familiar to our livers and blood , needing no preparation ( for it is onely blood discoloured ) but onely application unto the flesh . the chusing of a good nurse . the nurse must be young , clear of skin , of a kindly smell , pure complexion , good temperature , wholesom and moderat diet , much sleep , little anger , neither too idle nor too toiling , no wine bibber , no eater of hot spices , no ordinary wanton , and void of all diseases ; such a nurse is sooner wished for then found ; yet such a one is to be chosen either for sound children or sick persons , lest drawing corruption in so fine a meat as milk is , our consumptions be encreased so much the more , by how much poison given with drink is more dangerous . asses milk . the third sort of consumptions , wherein the flesh accidentally decayeth through exulceration of the lungs and breathing parts , is especially to be cured by asses milk ; for which cammels milk is unfit , because it is too thin and moist ; as also womans milk , because it wholly nourisheth and nothing cleanseth ; whereas asses milk is both meat and medicin , cleansing and nourishing alike , not so thin as to hinder expectoration , not so thick as to cause condensation of the matter putrified , but being of a middle temper and consistence , and consequently most proper for that disease . neither are all asses of alike goodness ; for a young asses milk is of the thinnest , an old asses milk is too thick and dry , but one of a middle age is best for that purpose . having gotten such a one , every morning ( four or five hours before you use her milk ) shut her from her foal , and curry her well and clean , lest her skin growing scurvy and foul ill vapours be augmented inwardly for want of expiration : then feed her with grinded malt , straw-dryed , mingled with a little sweet fennel seed , aniseed , or carraway seed , which she will eat with great pleasure , and digest into a sweet and wholesome blood : an hour after that , milk her as neer the patient as conveniently you can , that he may drink her milk ere the air hath altered it , for if it be once cold it is never wholesome ; this is to be done twise a day , morning and evening upon an empty stomach , neither eating nor drinking ought after it for two hours ; you may sweeten it also with sugar-candy , sugar of roses , or fine maiden hony , and it will be the more effectual . assoon as the ass is milked , turn her and her foal into fine leaze , wherein store of cowslaps , trifoil , cinqfoil , elecampana , burnet filipendula , meadtansy , horsetail , plantain , lambs-tongue , seabiouse , and lung-wort groweth . in winter feed her with the sweetest hay growing in the finest and best meddows if asses milk cannot be conveniently obtained for the lung-consumption , nor womens milk for the liver-consumption before specified , use the milk of a meetly young reddish and sound cow , feeding in the like leaze or upon the sweetest hay : but beware ( as commonly fools do not ) that you feed them not with new and much less with soure grains ; for it maketh their milk strong , windy , and unwholesome , especially for such as be weak and much consumed ; likewise remember to rub and stroke down your cow every morning , and her milk will be both sweeter and more nourishing . thus much of milk , what it is , how it is made ; for whom and for what diseases it is convenient , how it is to be prepared and used , how many kinds thereof are wholesome for mans body , what milk is fittest for sound men , and what for them that be sick : so there resteth no more but to wonder at plinies credulity , who as constantly ( upon hear-say ) avoucheth , mares feeding neer the river astaces in pontus to give all black milk ; as cardan reporteth blew snows to be common near the straits of magellane . chap. xv. of butter , cream , curds , cheess , and whey . the milks of horned beasts ( as cows , ewes and goats ) do consist of three substances ; cream , curds and whey . of cream . the first ( being compared to the rest ) is hot and unctuous ; the second flegmatick and viscous ; the third of a middle nature . again there be two sorts of cream ; one natural called the flour of raw milk , gathered of the milk without fire , after it hath stood in a cold place : the other called the flour or cream of sodden milk , or clouted cream ; gathered from it after it hath been thickned upon a soft fire . raw cream how sweet soever it seemeth to wanton stomacks , yet it weakneth concoction , hindereth retention , and is more hard of digestion then any milk . sodden and boild cream ( such as we use in tarts , fools and custards ) is less offensive to the stomach , and of better nourishment ; yet we do ill in eating it last , when the lightness and unctuosity of it sheweth that it ought to be eaten first . butter . butter ( not undeservedly termed the flemmins triacle ) is by labouring and churming made of both sorts of cream ; so that as milk is nothing but blood twise concocted , so butter is nothing but cream twice laboured . pliny sheweth the true making of it , which i need not to repeat , because it nothing , or very little differeth from ours : only i wonder with him , that africa , and other barbarous countreys esteem it a gentlemans dish , when here and in holland , and in all the northern regions , it is the chief food of the poorer sort . for go from the elevation of to ● of the north pole , you shall every where find such store of good butter , as no where the like , no not in parma nor placentia , nor holland it self , whence so much butter and cheese is dispersed through the whole world . in iceland they make such a quantity , that having neither earthen vessels nor cask enough to keep it in , they make chests of firr , thirty or forty foot long , and five foot square , filling them yearly with salt butter , which they bury in the ground till they have occasion to use it . butter is hot and moist , of gross nourishment , softning rather then corroborating the stomack , hastning meat into the belly before it be concocted , rhumatick , and easily converted into oily fumes , which greatly annoy both throat and head . it is ill for the stomackrhume ▪ and all fluxes either of bloud-humors or seed ; and in truth it is rather to be used as sawce and physick , then as meat to feed upon . it is best at breakfast , tollerable in the beginning of dinner ; but at supper no way good , because it hindreth sleep , and sendeth up unpleasant vapours to anoy the brain , according to the old proverb , butter is gold in the morning , silver at noon , and lead at night . it is also best for children whilst they are growing , and for old men when they are declining ; but very unwholsom betwixt those two ages , because through the heat of young stomacks , it is forthwith converted into choler . weak stomacks are to eschue all fat , oily , and buttered meats , especially when they swim in butter ; for naturally butter swimeth aloft , and consequently hindreth the stomacks closing , whereby concoction is foreslowed , and many ill accidents produced to the whole body . the dutchmen have a by-verse amongst them to this effect : eat butter first , and eat it last , and live till a hundred years be past . and paracelsus in his book de tartaro , thinketh the netherlanders to be more free of the stone then other nations , because their chiefest food is butter ; wherein the silly alchymist was not a little mistaken , for no people in the world are more subject to that disease , as the number and excellency of stone-cutters in that country may plainly prove . and if butter be less offensive , and more nourishing to them then better meat , it is to be imputed either to a natural affection unto it , infused ( as it were ) with their parents seed , or else to a long custom , which is ( as before i noted ) another nature . and verily their natural love unto that meat of all others , appeareth in this : for that as english people , when the bride comes from church , are wont to cast wheat upon her head , and the grecians to anoint the doore posts with fat la●d ; so when their brides and bridegrooms return homeward from church , one presents them ( as presaging plenty and abundance of all good things ) with a pot of butter , which they esteem the foundation ( though a slippery foundation ) of their lives . the fattest butter is made of sheeps milk , the strongest of goats milk , but the best and most of cows milk , which caused it of the grecians to be called butyros . it were tedious and impertinent to shew how many and necessary uses it hath in surgery and physick , considering that here we are only to describe ( as we have done ) what nourishment it giveth , not what it worketh against diseases . of curds and cheese . as there hath mention been made of two sorts of cream , so now also i must write of two sorts of curds , the one fresh , without salt or runnet , the other mingled with the one or both : now if the butter be at market when the curds or cheese is prest at home , then are they both utterly unwholsom , clamming the stomack , stopping the veins and passages , speedily breeding the stone , and many mischiefs ; but if they be equally mingled with the butterish part , then the cheese made thereof is wholsom , unless age or ill-housewifery hath made it bad : for new , sweet , and fresh cheese , nourisheth plentifully ; middle-aged cheese nourisheth strongly , but old and dry cheese hurteth dangerously : for it stayeth siege , stoppeth the liver , engendereth choler , melancholy , and the stone , lieth long in the stomack undigested , procureth thirst , maketh a stinking breath , and a scurvy skin : whereupon galen and isaac have very well noted , that as we may feed liberally of ruin cheese , and more liberally of fresh cheese , so we are not to taste any further of old and hard cheese , then to close up the mouth of our stomacks after meat . concerning the differences of cheese in substance : good cheese is neither too soft nor too hard , too close , nor yet spongy , too clammy , nor yet crumbling , too salt , nor yet unsavory , too dry , nor yet weeping , pleasantly , not strongly smelling , easily melting in the mouth , and never burning as it is tosted at the fire . likewise cheese made of ews milk is soonest digested , that of cowes milk is more nourishing , but cheese made of goats milk is most nourishing of all , being eaten whilst it is new and soft , for it quickly waxeth dry , earthly , and crumbling . the western goths , to prevent the dryness of cheese , make them so big , that two strong men with leavers can scarce move one of them ; which also causeth the parmisans to be so big , and also them of placentia , which bernardinus scaccus in his annals of trent , preferreth before the parmisans : but was not that a great cheese think you , wherewith zoroaster lived in the wilderness twenty years together , without any other meat ? or rather was it not most cunningly made or preserved , when at twenty years end it did eat as soft as at the first day ? which though some do think impossible , yet the parmisan of italy will prove it true , by age waxing mellower and softer , and more pleasant of taste , digesting whatsoever went before it , yet it self not heavy of digestion . our essex cheese being well handled , would in my judgement come next unto it , especially if goats were as plentifull there as sheep , that there might be a proportion betwixt the three milks , without which it is folly to attempt the like . now whereas the placentians and parmians add asses milk , and mares milk , and also camels milk ( when they can get it ) to the making of their cheese , it is not for the curds sake ( because they yield no hard curd ) but for the butterish part that is taken out of them : for indeed the butter made of them is most thin , liquid , moist and penetrating , whereby such a suppleing is procured , that their cheeses do rather ripen then dry with long lying . the irish men , like to plinies barbarians , have not yet so much wit as to make cheese of milk ; and our welshmen want cunnning to make it well . french cheese in plinies time tasted like a medicine ; but now the angelots of normandy are counted restorative ; which many of our gentlewomen ( and especially a niece of mine own ) have so well counterfeited , that they excell their first pattern . spain hath forgotten the art of cheese making ; and portugal makes them but indifferently well , though sometimes the best in the world were made at cuna , near to cape vincent , where they also made cheeses of l. weight apiece . as for our country cheeses , banbury and cheshire yields the most , and are best ; to which the holland cheeses might be justly compared , if their makers could but soberly put in salt . as for butter milk and whey , i leave them to my treatise of drinks , because they are of a thinner substance , than that conveniently and properly they may be numbred and accounted amongst meats . now a word or two of eggs , and then to our variable and no less profitable discourse of fishes . chap. xvi . of eggs and blovd . as the oonians live only of eggs and oatmeal , so the aegyptians for a great while durst not eat eggs , because they are unperfect or liquid flesh ; neither did they eat a long time any milk , because it is but discoloured bloud : certain grecians abstained from them , because they resemble a little world ; for the shell of them is like the earth , cold and dry ; the white is like to water , cold and moist ; the fome or froth in the white , resembleth aire , which is warm and moist ; the yolk agreeth with the fire , which is hot and dry . but to omit such frivolous reasons , let us not doubt but an egg is a lawfull and wholsom meat , tempered so excellently well by nature it self , that it must needs be accounted one of the best nourishments , being eaten white and all ; for they which eat only the yolk ( as many do in a conceit to nourish more plentifully ) fall into many hot and dangerous diseases , unless they have a very cold liver , and watrish bloud . contrariwise the whites of eggs are so cold , that spongy wood being thoroughly overlaid with them , will hardly , or not at all be burnt in a glowing fire . both being taken together , do so qualifie one another , that generally they agree with all stomacks , or at the least offend none , if we chuse them that be best , and prepare them well after they be chosen . now all eggs being potential creatures , no doubt but they are of like substance and temper with that which in time they shall be made . wherefore as the flesh of pheasants , partridges , and hens be of best juice , temper , quality , nourishment and digestion , so likewise their eggs are wholsomest of all others . contrariwise , as the greek proverb saith , like crow , like egg. neither can we imagine how any egg should be wholsom , proceeding from an unwholsom or distempered creature . wherefore we condemn ( in the way of comparison ) all eggs of turkies , peacocks , geese , ducks , and all water-fowl , preferring hens eggs before all other , because they are a most usual , familiar , and temperate meat . what kind of eggs be best . in the choice of good eggs observe these lessons , first , that they be rather pullets eggs then laid by an old hen. secondly , that they be not self-begotten , but gotten by the cock upon the hen. thirdly , that they be new , white , and long : for such eggs nourish plentifully and quickly , clear the voice and breast , strengthen the stomack , recover men out of consumptions , and encrease nature so much , that in continuance of time they make us wantons . they nourish quickly , because they are nothing but liquid flesh : they nourish much , because their heat and moisture is proportionable unto ours : they are wholsomest in the morning , because they are then newest . they are best in winter , because hens are then fattest , strongest , and best relished ; they are worst in summer , because hens feed then upon flies , snails , cadlocks , and many ill weeds , which rather scoures then nourishes their bodies : they are best being eaten alone , because being mingled with orher meat , they corrupt in the stomack , filling many mens faces full of pimples , morphues , and freckles . they are ill for young children ( especially being often eaten ) for that their hot bodies turn them into over-hot nourishment , whence itch , scabs , inflammations , and corruptions do arise . they are also as bad for old men , because they are hardly digested of a cold stomack ; fittest they are for temperate young persons , and such as are consumed without any notable fever . concerning the nature of other birds eggs , besides hens . epenaetus extolleth peacocks eggs before all other , and then the eggs of berganders , and lastly of phesants , partridges , and turkies , whose judgement i would have throughly confuted , had not daily experience , and antonius gazius his arguments done it already . and verily whosoever will taste other eggs then which daily we use , shall find none void of a strong savour and bad relish , saving the eggs of phesants , partridges , berganders , ostriches , turkies , ducks and geese , though the three last named be bad enough . yet if ducks eggs be hatched under a hen , they eat more sweetly , and goose eggs also hatched under them , are thought by simeon sethi no unwholsom meat . pigeons eggs are exceeding hot , and of ill taste , hardly hardning by long seething . the eggs of sparrows encrease lust , strengthen the heart , and nourish abundantly : as for the eggs of other birds , great and small , howsoever they are eaten ( as rhasis saith ) in the way of medicine , yet they give either none or no good nourishment . but hens eggs are so temperate and nourishing , that galen himself in certain continual fevers , gave them usually to his patients to restore spirits , : and not without reason , being of so fine a substance , and freed in a manner from all hurtfulness ; for they moisten us in fever hecticks , they nourish us in consumptions , they strengthen us in fluxes , they bridle sharp humors when they gripe us , restore spirits in weakness of heart , they speedily pass from a clean stomack , neither are they forbidden in a strait and thin diet , did they not nourish oversoon . gesner sheweth a good reason , why new white and long eggs be the best of all other . first , because new eggs are ever full , but old eggs lose every day somewhat of their substance , and in the end waxing addle stink like urine , whereupon they were called of the latins ova urinae . secondly , the whitest eggs have the palest yolks , and most thin , fine , little bloody strings swiming upon them . thirdly , the longest eggs are commonly cock-eggs and therefore of better nourishment . some eggs are almost all yolk and no white , yea some have two yolks in them , others have in a manner no yolk at all , or ( at the most ) nothing proportionable : the former sort nourish most , the other are fittest for hot stomacks . the dressing of eggs. concerning the preparation of them , a rare egg any way drest is lightest of digestion , a hard egg is most rebellious , an egg betwixt both is of strongest nourishment . brassavola reporteth a monk to have been made so costiff with hard eggs , that no art was available to give him on stool . furthermore all hard eggs , especially hardened by frying , get from the fire a smoky and hot nature , and from the frying-pan and burnt butter a maligne quality , not onely as offenssive to the stomack as rotten eggs , but also sending up bad vapours to the brain and heart . eggs potcht into water or verjuce are fittest for hot complexions , or men distempered with agues ; sodden rare in the shell they are soonest converted into blood ; but being rare-roasted in embers they make thickest and strongest blood , and are fittest for weak , cold and watrish stomachs . thus much of birds eggs , which in a little quantity nourish much , and are called of ficinus , the quintescence of flesh ; because they yeild so speedy and fine nourishment . now it resteth to discourse something of tortesses eggs , which be not poisonable nor hurtful ( as the eggs of snakes , lizards , and chamaeleons ) but very fit to nourish men in hot agues , when all birds eggs may be suspected of inflaming the blood ; for they are of a more flegmatick nature , tempering hot humours , procuring sleep to the watchful , moisture to the dryed person , and inspiring as it were a second life , to such as seem desperately consumed of hot fevers ▪ sir wil. pelham ( that worthy & valiant knight ) kept them in his garden at the minories by the tower of london , where i wondred much at the beast and more at her eggs : for contrary to the nature of hens eggs , the most spotted were the best , and the hardest of shell the best likewise ; and they are worst when they are newest , best when they are three months old . last of all , as touching that question made by plutack , and disputed of him more wittily then wisely of either side , whether the hen or the egg be first in nature , i omit it as a foolish and superfluous doubt , sith common sence and reason telleth us , that the perfecter creatures were first made , and the whole is more ancient then that which is gotten of the whole . of blood. blood being the charet-man or coacher of life , was expresly forbidden the israelites , though it were but the blood of beasts , partly because they were naturally given to be revengeful and cruel hearted , partly also because no blood is much nourishing out of the body , albeit in the body it is the onely matter of true nourishment : nevertheless the laconians black broth , so highly commended of dionysius , was made of kidds blood sodden with water , vinegar and salt ; yea the bisalta of scythia make pottage of horses blood & milk , accounting it their best and strongest meat . also in aegira bulls blood is so far from being poisonable ( as it is in all other places ) that it is held both delicate and restorative ; so likewise is the blood of a mare that was never covered ; for if she once have taken horse her bloud is dangerous . drusus the tribune purposing to accuse quintus caepio of giving him poison , drank goats blood a good while before , whereby he waxed so pale and colourless , that many indeed suspected him to have been poisoned by caepio : whereby it is manifest , that bloud hath been a very ancient nourishment , and not lately devised by our country pudding writes , or curious sawce makers , as iason pratensis and other foolish dietists have imagined . nay ( which is more ) not onely the blood of beasts hath been given for meat , but also the blood of men and striplings hath been drunk for a restorative ; yea in rome ( the seat and nurse of all inhumanity ) physicians did prescribe their patients the blood of wrestlers , causing them to suck it warm breathing and spinning out of their veins , drawing into their corrupt bodies a sound mans life , and sucking that in with both lips , which a dogg is not suffered to lick with his tongue ; yea they were not ashamed to prescribe them a meat made of mans marrow and infants brains . the grecians afterwards were as bold and impious as the romans , tasting of every inward and outward part of mans body , not leaving the nails unprosecuted . but of all other i wonder most at marsilius ficinus , a most famous scholer and accounted for a good catholick , who hath thus written of the use of mans blood . no doubt ( saith he ) the milk of a young and sound woman is very restorative for old men , but the liquor of mans blood is far better ; which old women-witches knowing to be true , they get young children unto them , and prick or wound them , and suck their blood to preserve their own health and life . and why may not then old men ( i pray you ) for a need , suck likewise the blood of a young man or maid , which is merry , lusty , sound , and willing to spare some of his superfluous blood for another mans life ? wherefore i advise them to suck an ounce or two of blood , fasting , out of the veine of the left arm , at a little orifice , towards the full of the moon , drinking presently upon it some wine and sugar , &c. which though he protesteth himself to have uttered as a great secret ( though the prince of abohaly writ as much before in his old-mans diet ) and to be as lawful as it is helpful in physicks practise : yet by his leave i dare again protest and prove the contrary ; for it is unlawful to gaze upon a mans carcase , and is it lawful to eat or drink his blood ? what remedy call you that , which is more savage and abominable then the grief it self ? what law , what reason , nay what conjecture found out this canibals diet ? well , let it proceed from the americans and barbarians : nay , from the grecians , that were counted civil . let democritus dream and comment , that some diseases are best cured with anointing the blood of strangers and malefactors , others with the blood of our friends and kinsfolks ; let miletus cure sore eyes with mens galls ; artemon the falling sickness with dead mens sculls : antheus convulsions with pills made of dead mens brains ; apollonius bad gums with dead mens teeth ; but far be it from any humane or christian heart ( brag we of this foolish invention never so much ) to suck away one anothers life in the blood of young men , wherein charles the king of france being but outwardly bathed for his leprosie , died therefore and for other his cruel massacres a most bloody death : wherefore let us content our selves with the blood of geese ▪ swans , hoggs and sheep in our sawce and puddings , which yet are but a gross and fulsome nourishment , unless they meet with a strong and good stomack . chap. xvii . of fish generally , and the difference thereof . as amongst poets there is some called the coryphaeus , or captain-poet , so fareth it likewise amongst meats . some prefering fruit as being most ancient , cleanly , naturall , and needing either none or very little preparation . others extoll flesh , as most sutable to fleshy creatures , and giving most and best nourishment . but the finest feeders and dainty bellies did not delight in flesh with hercules , or in fruit with plato and arcesilaus , but with numa and philocrates in variety of fish ; which numa made a law , that no fish without scales nor without finns should be eaten of the people , whereupon i may justly collect and gather , that he was not ignorant of moses law . also ( according to the vain dream of gregory the great bishop of rome , and the author of the carthusian order ) he put more holines in fish then in flesh , falsly imagining flesh to be a greater motive to lust and lasciviousness , then the use of fish ; which frivolous conceit is before sufficiently confuted in the seventh chapter , and needeth not to be shaken again in this place . now i will not deny , that fish is a wholesome meat , if such fish could be alwaies gotten as may sufficiently nourish the body ; but now a daies it so falleth out through iniquity of times , or want of providence , or that our sea-coast and rivers are more barren of fish then heretofore ; that in the spring time , when we ought to feed on the purest and most wholesome nourishment , our blood is not cleansed but corrupted with filthy fish , i mean saltherrings , red-herrings , sprats , haberdin , and greenfish : which are not amiss for sailers and ploughmen , but yet most hurtful and dangerous for other persons . gatis queen of syria made a law , that no meal should pass through the year , without fish : which if it were as firmly made and executed in england , no doubt much flesh would be spared , and navigation and fisher men maintained through the land : neither should we need to imitate gregory the lent-maker , perswading men to eat only fish at that time , when it is most out of season , most hardly gotten , and most hurtfull to the bodies of most men . also in high germany there is both fish and flesh continually set upon the table , that every mans appetite , humour and complexion , may have that which is fittest for it : in which country though no lent be observed ( except of a few catholicks ) yet is there abundance of flesh , all the year long , restraint being onely made in spring time of killing that which is young . differences of fish in kind . concerning the kinds of fishes , pliny maketh a hundred threescore and seventeen several sorts of them , whereof some being never seen nor known of in our country , it were but folly to repeat them . as for them which we have and feed on in england , they are either scaled , as sturgian , salmon , grailings , shuins , carps , breams , base , mullet , barbel , pike , luce , perch , ruffs , herrings , sprats , pilchers , roch , shads , dorry , gudgin , and umbers ; or shell'd , as scallopes , oisters , mustles , cockles , periwinckles ; or crusted over , as crabs , lobsters , crevisses , shrimps ; or neither scalld , shell'd , nor crusted : as tunny , ling , cod , hake , haberdine , haddock , seal , conger , lampreyes , lamperns , eeles , plaise , turbut , flounder , skate , thorneback , maides , sole , curs , gildpoles , smelts , cuttles , sleeves , pouts , dogfish , poulps , yards , mackrels , troutes , tenches , cooks , whitings , gournards , and rochets : to which also we may add , sticklebacks and minoes , and spirlings , and anchovaes , because they are also neither scaled , crusted , nor defended with shells . as for the goodness or badness of fish , it is lessened or encreased upon three causes ; the place they live , in the meat they feed on , and their manner of dressing or preparation . concerning the first , some live in the sea , some in rivers , some in ponds , some in fenny creeks and meers . difference of fish in respect of place . sea-fish as it is of all other the sweetest , so likewise the least hurtfull ; for albeit they are of a thicker and more fleshy substance , yet their flesh is most light and easie of concoction , insomuch that zeno and crato ( two notable physians in plutarcks time ) commended them above all other to their sick patients , and not without desert ; for as the sea-aire is purest of all other , because it is most tossed and purified with winds , so the water thereof is most laboured , and nourisheth for us the wholesomest and lightest meat ; lightest , because continual exercise consumeth the sea-fishes superfluities ; wholesomest , because the salt water ( like to buck-lye ) washeth away their inward filth and uncleaness . of sea fish those are best , which live not in a calm and muddy sea , tossed neither with tides nor windes ; for there they wax nought for want of exercise ; but they which live in a working sea , whose next continent is clean , gravelly , sandy , or rocky , running towards the north-east wind , must needs be of a pure and wholesome nourishment , less moist and clammy then the others , easier also of concoction , sooner turn'd into blood , and every way fitter for mans body . this is the cause why the oritae and northern-people live as wel with fish alone , as we do here with such variety of flesh ; even i say the goodness , lightness , and wholesomness of their fish , which is not brought unto us till it be either so stincking or salt , that all their goodness is gone or dryed up . river-fish likewise are most wholesome and light , when they swim in rocky , sandy , or gravel'd rivers , runing northward or eastward , and the higher they swim up , the better they are : contrariwise , those which abide in slow , short , and muddy rivers , are not onely of an excremental and corrupt juice , but also of a bad smell and ill taste . pond-fish is soon fatted through abundance of meat and want of exercise ; but they are nothing so sweet as river-fish , unless they have been kept in some river to scoure themselves , especially when they live in little standing ponds , not fed with continual springs , nor refreshed from some river or sea with fresh water . fenny-fish of all other is most slimy , excremental , unsavory , last digested , and soonest corrupted ; having neither free aire , nor sweet water , nor good food to help or better themselves ; such are the fish of that lake in armenia , where all the fish be black and deadly : and albeit our english meers be not so bad , yet verily their fish is bad enough , especially to stomachs of other conntries , unacquainted with such muddy and unwholsome meats . differences of fish in respect of their feeding . concerning the meats which fishes feed on ; some feed upon salt and saltish mud ( as neer leptis in africa , and in eubaea , and about dyrrhachium ) which maketh their flesh as salt as brine , and altogether unwholesome for most stomacks : others upon bitter weeds and roots , which maketh them as bitter as gall , of which though we have none in our seas or rivers , yet in the island of of pene and clazomene they are very common : also ( if pliny may be credited ) about cephalenia , anipelos , paros and the delian rocks , fish are not only of a sweet taste , but also of an aromatical smell : whether it is by eating of sweet roots , or devouring of amber and ambre-grice . some also feed and fat themselves neer to the common-sewers , sincks , chanels and draughts of great cities ; whose chiefest meat is either carrion or dung ; whereas indeed the proper meat for fish , is either flies , frogs , grashoppers , young fry and spawne , and chiefly certain wholsom roots , herbs , and weeds , growing in the bottom or sides of seas and rivers . caesar , crasus , and curius fed them with livers and flesh ; so also did the hieropolitans in venus lake . in champagny they fed them with bread ; yea vidius pollio fed them with his condemned slaves , to make them the more fat and pleasant in taste . but neither they that are fed with men , nor with garbage or carrion nor with citty-filth , nor with any thing we can devise , are so truely sweet , wholsome , and pleasant , as they which in good seas and rivers feed themselves , enjoying both the benefit of fresh aire , agreeable water , and meat cor respondent to their own nature . difference of fish in respect of preparation . concerning their difference of goodness in preparation : i must needs agree with diocles , who being asked , whether were the better fish , a pike or a conger ; that ( said he ) sodden , and this broild ; shewing us thereby , that all flaggy , slimy , and moist fish , ( as eeles , congers , lampreys , oisters , cockles , mustles , and scallopes ) are best broild , rosted , or bakt ; but all other fish of a firm substance and drier constitution is rather to be sodden , as the most part of fish before named . last of all , we are to consider what fish we should chiefly choose ; namely the best grown , the fattest , and the newest . how to chuse the best fish . the best grown , sheweth that it is healthy and hath not been sick , which made philoxenus the poet at dionisius table , to request him to send for aesculapius priest to cure the little barbles that were served in at the lower mess , where he sat . if a fish be fat , it is ever young : if it be new it is ever sweet ; if it be fed in muddy or filthy water , keep it not till the next day , for it soon corrupteth ; but if it be taken out of clean feeding , it will keep the longer . rules to be observed in the eating of fish . sodden fish or broild fish , is presently to be eaten hot ; for being kept cold after it but one day ( unless it be covered with wine pickle or vinegar ) it is corrupted by the aire in such sort , that sometimes ( like to poison-full mushroms ) it strangleth the eaters : also fish coming out of a pan is not to be covered with a platter , lest the vapour congeled in the platter drop down again upon the fish ; whereby that fish which might else have nourished : will either cause vomiting or scouring , or else corrupt within the veins . finally , whosoever intendeth to eat a fish dinner , let him not heat his body first with exercise , least the juice of his meat ( being too soon drawn by the liver ) corrupt the whole mass of blood ; and let no fish be sodden or eaten without salt , pepper , wine , onions , or hot spices ; for all fish ( compared with flesh ) is cold and moist , of little nourishment , engendring watrish and thinn blood . and if any shall think that because crabs , skate , cockles , and oisters procure lust , therefore they are likewise of great nourishment . the argument is denied ; for though they blow up the body with wine , and make good store of sharp nature , which tickleth and inciteth us to venery ; yet that seed is unfruitful , and that lust wanteth sufficiency , because it cometh not from plenty of natural seed , but from an itching quality of that which is unnatural . thus much generally of fish , in the way of a preface ; now let us speak particularly of every fish eaten , or taken by us in this island . chap. xviii . of sea-fish . sea-fish , may be called that sort of fish , which chiefly liveth , feedeth , breedeth , and is taken in salt water ; of which i will write according to the letters of the alphabet , that every man may readily find out the fishes name , whose nature or goodness he desires to know of . encrasicholi . anchovaes are but the sea ▪ minoes of provence and sardinia ; which being poudred with salt , wine-vinegar and origanum , and so put up into little barrels , are carried into all greece , and there esteemed for a most dainty meat . it seemeth that the people of those hot countries are very often distempered and distasted of their meat ; wherefore to recover their appetite they feed upon anchovaes , or rather taste one or two of them ; whereby not onely to them , but also to us appetite is restored : i could wish that the old manner of barrelling them up with origanum , salt and and wine-vinegar were observed ; but now they taste onely of salt , and are nothing so pleasant as they were wont to be : they are fittest for stomachs oppressed with fleam , for they will cut , ripen , and digest it , and warm the stomack exceeding well ; they are of little nourishment , but light enough if they were not so over-salted ; they are best drest with oil , vinegar , pepper , and dryed origanum , and they must be freed from their outward skin & the ridge-bone & be washt in wine , before they be laid in the dish . variatae . alburni marini . bleaks of the sea , or sea-bleaks , called of dr cajus variatae , or sea-cameleons ( because they are never of one colour , but change with every light and object , like to changeable silk ) are as sound , firm and wholesome as any carp ; there be great plenty of them in our southern seas , betwixt rye and exceter , and they are best sodden , because they are so fine and so firm a meat . abramides marinae . breams of the sea , be of a white and solid substance , good juice , most easie digestion and good nourishment . piscis capellanus . asellus medius . cod-fish is a great sea-whiting , called also a keeling or melwel ; of a tender flesh but not fully so dry and firm as the whiting is : cods have a bladder in them full of eggs or spawne , which the northern men call the kelk , and esteem it a very dainty meat ; they have also a thick and gluish substance at the end of their stomach called a sowne , more pleasant in eating then good of nourishment ; for the toughest fish-glue is made of that . of all parts of the fresh cod , the head , lips , and palate is preferred , being a very light though a slimy meat pectines . pectunculi . cocks and cockles are commended by scribonius largus , for strengthening the stomack . pliny saith they encrease flesh , but certain it is that they encrease lust ; for they themselves are so hot of nature , that they leap and fly above water like an arrow , in the sommer nights to be cooled by the air , alexander benedictus reporteth , that some with eating too many cockles have become stark fools . their broth loosneth the body , but their flesh staies it . galen commends them for a good meat , but dangerous to them that are subject to the stone or falling sickness . the best cockles keep in sandy seas , which maketh the purbeck and selsey cockles so highly esteemed ; they are best in the month of may , for then are they fullest , lustiest , and cleanest of gravel . to avoid their gravel , keep them in salt water or brine a whole day before you eat them , and if you shift them into fresh water or brine when the tide is comming , they will open themselves , and spue out all their gravel and filthiness . chuse the greatest and the whitest of them , and of al shell fish , they are best broild in a frying pan , neither are they ill being sod in water with salt , pepper , parsly , dried mints , and cinamon , after the french fashion . conger . conger is nothing but a sea-eele of a white sweet and fatty flesh : little congers are taken in great plenty in the severn , betwixt glocester and tewkesbury , but the great ones keep onely in the salt seas , which are whiter-flesht , and more tender ; they feed ( as eels do ) upon fat waters at the mouths of rivers running into the sea : they are hard of digestion for most stomacks , engendring chollicks if they be eaten cold , & leprosies if they be eaten hot after their seething . philemon the comical poet seeing a conger seething in a cooks-shop for divers young gentlemen , that bespake it to dinner , suddenly snacht away the pan wherein it boiled , and ran away with it , the gentlemen followed and catcht at him like a number of chickens ; whom he had crossed , and turned , and mocked for a great while , till having sported himself enough , he flang down pan and all with these words : o humane folly ! how do fooles long for unwholsome meats ? for he thought conger to be bad enough of its owne nature , but far worse if it were eaten hot out of the pan . in england we do not amiss first to boil it tender in water with salt , time , parsly , baies , and hot herbs , then to lay it covered in vinegar , and then to broil it ; for so is it a meetly good nourishment in sommer , for hot stomachs . merula . the cook-fish , is so called of the seamen , because he so pleasantly tasteth when he is well sod , as though he had seasoned himself with salt and spices . they are very rare , but tender and light of nourishment ; and there is never seen of them past one at once , which caused the latins to call them merulas , that is to say the solitarians or hermits or blackbirds of the sea. cancri marini . crabs of the sea , be of divers sorts ; some smoothcrusted , and some rough-casted as it were , and full of prickles , called echinometrae : the first sort hath the two formost clawes very big and long , the other wanteth them ; wherefore as they go side wi●e , so these move not themselves but round about like a spiral line : the first sort are also very big , or never growing to be of any reasonable sise . the great ones are called paguri , whereof some weigh l. weight ; furthermore one sort of the great ones ( which is the best of all ) goeth so fast upon the shore , that the grecians have termed them hippeis , or light horsemen . the little sort of crabs is softer shelld ( called pinnotheres ) whose weakness is defended with abundance of wit ; for whilst he is little , he hides himself in a little oister , and when he groweth bigger ( yet is he never so bigg as our common crabb ) he conveyeth himself into a bigger oister ; of all sea-crabbs this is the lightest and wholesomest , next unto them are our ordinary crabs , but somewhat harder of digestion ; both of them nourish much , and are highly commended , in consumptions of lungs and spittings up of blood , not onely by dioscorides , pliny , and avicen , but also by all writers , especially if asses milk be drunk with them . as for their manner of preparation , their vents are first to be stopped with a sticks end , and then they are to be sodden in water for such as are costiff , or in wine for them which are loose bellied ; some seeth them in vinegar , water , and salt ; but galen saith that then they are best , when they are sod in that water out of which they were taken ; the fuller of eggs the better they are , for the female is preferred . our great sea-crabbs ( either of the smooth or rough kind ) full of a yellowish red and strong pulp , lushish in taste , and bought deerly , are of a very hard digestion , except they light upon a very strong stomach . they also over-heat and enflame the body , whereas contrariwise the lesser sort do cool and moisten it . the broth of all of them consume the stone , and cureth quartains being drunk every morning fasting they are best in season in the spring and fall , as also at the full of the moon . cuculi marini . currs are supposed by dr cajus to be all one with our gurnard ; but it somewhat differeth , being of a very firm , whitish , dry , sound , and wholesome flesh ; they are best sodden with salt , water , mace , nutmegs , parsly and vinegar . sepiae . vel lolligines calamariae . cuttles ( called also sleeves for their shape , and scribes for their incky humour wherewith they are replenished ) are commended by galen for great nourishers ; their skins be as smooth as any womans , but their flesh as brawny as any ploughmans , therefore i fear me galen rather commended them upon hear-say , then upon any just cause or true experience ; apicius , that great master-cook , makes sawsages of them with lard and other things ; which composition i would not have omitted , if it had been worth the penning . canis cetaceus . dog-fish is strong ▪ hard , and of grose and bad juice : albeit hippocrates commends it in pleuresies , and also in the skin-dropsie or anasarca . the dorry is very like to a sea-bream , of most excellent taste , constitution , and nourishment , being either backt , or sodden whilst it is alive in wine , water , salt , vinegar , and pennirial . mustelae . eele-powtes are best in april , may and september ; their spawne is counted very hurtful , but their flesh is white , firm , and of good nourishment , and their livers most sweet and delicate : seeth them as you do a dorry , and then broil them a little to make them easier of digestion , or else boil them as you do sturgian , and so eat them cold . rhombi marini . sea-flounders are very thick , firm , and yet light of digestion , they are exceeding good for aguish persons being well sod , and for some men , being fried in vinegar and butter . lucernae . gilt-heads or golden-poles , are very little unlike the gournard , save that it seems about the noddle of the head , as though it were all besprinkled with gold-filings , it is something harder of digestion , as galen writeth . cuculi majores . gurnards are of two sorts , swart or reddish ; either of them are within of a white , firm , dry , firm , and wholsome substance ; giving our bodies a competent nourishment , being sodden in white wine-vinegar , salt , mace , and onions , or else being sodden onely in wine and then sowced . asellus . islandicus . haberdine is nothing but an island cod , bigger somewhat then ours , and also firmer . asselluli . haddocks are little cods , of light substance , crumbling flesh , and good nourishment in the sommer time , especially whilst venison is in season . aselluli longi . hakes be of the same nature , resembling a cod in taste , but a ling in likeness . aquila marina . the sea-hawke is of hard flesh & slow digestion , as galen avoucheth from philotimus mouth ; smelling strong and heavily , not to be eaten without leeks , onions , and garlick haleces . herrings are an usual and common meat , coveted as much of the nobility for variety and wantoness , as used of poor men for want of other provision : it is one of the cardinal supporters of our holy lent , and therefore not to be ill spoken of : yet thomas cogan ( in his haven of health ) saith that by eating of fresh herring many fall into fevers , and that red-herring gives as good nourishment to the body , as resty bacon . and truely i dare avouch , that new bloat-herrings are little better ; and pickeld herrings far worse , though you correct them with never so much vinegar , salt , pepper and oil . as for salt herring well watred or qualified in warm milk , they taste not ill after they are broild , but yet they give none or a bad nourishment ; saving to ploughmen , sailers , souldiers , mariners , or labouring persons , to whom gross and heavy meats are most familiar and convenient . rhinocerotes . acus . horne-beaks are ever lean ( as some think ) because they are ever fighting ; yet are they good and tender , whether they be eaten fresh or poudred . highly be they commended of alexander benedictus in the plague time , because they breed no unwholesome or excremental humours . leucisci marini . javelings or sea-darts are plentiful in the venecian gulf and all the adriatique sea ; where having taken the young ones , they salt them and send them to constantinople in infinite number for anchovaes ; the greater sort they fry and boil at home , being of a very sweet and soft flesh . miluus marinus . keelings differ nothing but in name from cod. the sea-kite , called of pliny hirundo volans , the flying swallow , resembleth much the flying herrings so plentiful about the west-indies , which finding not proper meat within the waters , flieth after gnats and muskitoes like a swallow . sir francis drake ( whom thankful posterity will worthily esteem ) did first shew me one of them dead , and i think he was one of the first of our nation , that did ever eat them ; they are of a good taste , tender flesh , but somewhat aguish after the nature of fresh herrings . asellus . ling perhaps looks for great extolling , being counted the beefe of the sea , and standing every fish day ( as a cold supporter ) at my lord maiors table ; yet is it nothing but a long cod : whereof the greater sised is called organe ling , and the other codling , because it is no longer then a cod , and yet hath the taste of ling : whilst it is new it is called green-fish , when it is salted it is called ling , perhaps of lying , because the longer it lyeth ( being conveniently turned , and the peace-straw often shifted wherein it lyeth ) the better it is , waxing in the end as yellow as the gold noble , at which time they are worth a noble a piece . they are taken onely in the far nothern seas , where the sweetest and biggest live ; but codlings are taken in great plenty neer to bedwell in northumberland shire . locustae marinae . lobsters are of a strong and hard flesh , and hard of concoction ; the belly , clawes and upper parts are most tender , the tail parts tough ; when they are seething their mouth and lower vent should be stopped with towe , lest the liquor being bettered with their juice , they themselves prove flashy and unpleasant in taste . as the river lobster or crevisse seemeth ( as dorion said ) to be made onely for weak stomacks ; so i think these are ordained onely for the stronger sort : for i have known many weak persons venture on them to their great hurt , as contrariwise sound stomacks do well digest them ? pliny saith , that in the north-west indian seas there be lobsters taken of two yards length ; whereof we have none , or if we had , yet can they not be so wholesome , for the least is tendrest , and the middle sised is best flesht ; as for the great ones they be old and tough , & will cause sorrow enough before they be well concocted . they come into season with the buck , and go out of season when the doe comes in ; also in the wane of the moon they are little worth , and best towards and in the full : clove-vinegar and gilly flour-vinegar is their best sawce , and if you butter them after they are well sodden with store of vinegar and pepper , they will give a strong nourishment to an indifferent stomack ; when their spawne lies greatest in their head , then are they in prime ; but when all their spawn is out , then is their spawn good , and they wax bad . lucij . luces are properly called pikes of the sea ; so rare in spaine , that they are never seen . but our english seas , especially which wash the southern shore , have store of them which are large fat and good . mr huzzy of cookfield sent me once a luce out of sussex a yard and a half long , which being presented by me to the mirror of chivalry ( the lord willoughby of eresby ) was thought , and truly thought a most dainty fish ; for it eateth more sweet , tender , and crisper then our river pikes , and may be eaten of aguish persons , weak stomacks , and women in child-bed . their feed is chiefly upon young fry , and spawnes of fish : and by continual swimming ( whereunto they are forced by beating of the surges ) they become tenderer then our fresh water pikes , though not so fat . orbes . lumps are of two sorts , the one as round almost as a bowle , the other resembling the fillets of a calfe ; either of them is deformed , shapeless and ugly , so that my maides once at ipswich were afraid to touch it , being flayed they resemble a soft and gellied substance , whereupon the hollanders call them snot-fishes ; i liked not their substance , taste , nor qualities , for they were ( as they are written of ) a curde , raw , and fleagmatick meat , much like to a thorne-back half sodden , they are best being boiled and pickled like sturgian , and so eaten cold . scombri . mackrels were in old time in such request , that two gallons of their pickle ( called the pickle of good fellows ) was sold for a thousand pieces of silver ; but time and experience described them to be of a thick , clammy and suffocating substance , offensive to the brain , head , and brest , though pleasant in taste , and acceptable to the stomach : certain it is that they cause drousiness in the best stomacks , and apoplexies , or palsies , or lethargies , or dulness ( at the least ) of sense and sinews to them that be weak . tralianus rightly adviseth all persons sick of fleagmatick diseases , and of stoppings , to beware of mackrels as a most dangerous meat : albeit their liver helpeth the jaundies , being sod in vinegar , and their flesh sod in vinegar cureth the suffocation of the matrix : they are best being sod in wine-vinegar with mints , parsly , rosemary , and time , and if afterwards they be kept in pickle , made of rhennish wine , ginger , pepper , and dill , they prove a very dainty and no unwholesome meat ; they are worst of all buttered . the french men lay southernwood upon a gridiron , & them upon the southernwood , and so broil them both upon the fire , basting them well with wine and butter , and so serve them in with vinegar , pepper and butter , as hot as can be ; by which way no doubt their malignity is much lessened , and their goodness no less encreased . rajolae . maides are as little and tender skates , feeding chiefly upon flesh , livers , and spawne of fish ; whereas other fish bring forth eggs , which are in time converted into their parents shape ; onely maides skate and thorne-back bring forth their young ones without eggs , after the kind of propagation of beasts : they are very nourishing and of good juice , fit for weak stomacks , and such as have through wantoness spoiled themselves and robbed nature . boil them in wine water and salt , with a sprig of rosemary , and then eat them with vinegar , pepper , and sweet butter . mugiles marini . italice cephalo . sea-mullets differ little or nothing in shape from barbels , saving that they are very little or nothing bearded , and those that have beards , have them onely on the neither lip . there is store of them in the mouth of the river of usk , and perhaps as many as at lateran in province . they are so swift , that they often outswim the lightest ships ; which argueth them to be of a light and aeireal substance : it is strange what is written of this fish ; namely that it should hurt venus game ; yea that the very broth of it , or the wine wherein it is sodden should make a man unable to get , and a woman unable to conceive children . nay furthermore terpsides avoucheth , that a little of that broth being mingled with hens meat , maketh them barren though never so well trodden of the cock ; whereupon he saith , the poets have consecrated the sea-mullets to diana , as being the procurer and preserver of chastity ; which if it be true ( as i can hardly think it is ) then farewell paracelsus his cabalistical conclusion , or rather the follies of avicen and many arabians , which give the stones , brains , and combs , of most lascivious birds ( as cocks , phesants , partridges , drakes and sparrows ) to stir up lust and encrease seed : for the sea-mullet is so lascivious , that a thousand females swim after one male as soon as they have spawned , and the males likewise strive as much if they have not choice of females ; yea whereas in a manner all kind of fish , spawne but once a year ; they come ( like to swine among beasts ) thrice a year at the least ; yet are they ( as men say , and as many have written since ) abaters of courage , extinguishers of seed , and charmes as it were against conception : nevertheless sith their flesh is wholesome , white , sweet , and tender , and they feed clean and good , i dare boldly aver them to be much nourishing ; being first well sodden in wine , salt , and water , and then either sowced like a gurnard , or kept in gelly like a tench , or eaten hot with vinegar and pepper . of the eggs and blood of this fish mixed with salt ( which must not be omitted in this discourse ) is also made that which the italians call botargo , from the greek words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or salted eggs . mityli . chamae . mussels were never in credit , but amongst the poorer sort ; till lately the lilly white mussel was found out about romers-wall , as we sail betwixt flushing and bergen-●p-zon , where indeed in the heat of sommer , they are commonly and much eaten without any offence to the head , liver or stomach ; yea my self ( whom once twenty mussels had almost poisoned at cambridg , and who have seen sharp , filthy , and cruel diseases follow the eating of english mussels ) did fill my self with those mussels of the low country , being never a whit distempered with my bold adventure . dr wotton saith that the least mussels be ever best , because they are whitest softest , and soonest digested , but the great ones give a stronger and larger nourishment ; the red ones are very dangerous , yellow ones are suspected , but the white ones are wholesome and much commended , save unto hot and distempered stomacks : they are best sodden in the water out of which they were taken , which being not obtained , seeth them in water and salt , and a little strong ale and vinegar : broild mussels encrease heat and draught ; fryed mussels do easily corrupt in our bodies , and turn to a bad juice . if they be kept in the like pickle , as lately is devised by serjeant goodrons to keep oisters in ( made of sea water , wine , vinegar , bayleaves , mints , pepper , ginger , and cinamon ) i durst warrant them as wholesome , and questionless more pleasant then the oister . as for horse-mussels they deserve not the remembrance , sith neither experience , custome , nor reason approveth them a wholesome meat ; nay as pliny saith , salem virusque refipiunt ; they taste brackish and strong , having a hidden poison within their flesh ; yet have i seen them ordinarily sold in venice , which maketh me think that some sea and river may have wholesome ones of that kind , though ours be neither wholesome nor pleasant of taste . they are exceeding bigg in spaine and the west indies ; but the greatest that ever i read of , is that which juba recordeth in his volumes writen to cajus ( augustus son ) being as big in compass as three pecks . monachae . nunfishes were not seen in england till sir francis drake and mr caundish brought them ( no man knows out of what seas ) cleaving to the keels of their happy vessels . it is a kind of shell-fish , not winding like a periwinckle , nor opening his shell ( as oisters , mussels , and cockles do ) but creeping out of his craggy cabine , like a sea-snail , but that ( as i said ) his hole goeth strait inward and windeth not : the face of it is very white , the head is covered as it were with a black vail , like the nuns of saint bridgets order , whereof i suppose it took the name . it feedeth upon sweet mud sticking upon ships sides whilst they lye at anchor , and is as wholesome and delicate a meat as any periwinckle . ostreae . oisters do justly deserve a full treatice , being so common , and whithall so wholesome a meat ; they differ in colour , substance , and bigness ; but the best are thick , little and round sheld , not sli ppery nor flaggy through abundance of a gellied humour , but short , firm , and thick of flesh , riseing up round like a womans breast , being in a manner all belly , and no fins ; or at the most having very short fins , of a green colour , and listed about as with a purple haire , which will make them indeed to be justly called calliblephara , that is to say , the fair eye lidded oisters ; such are our walfleet and colchester oisters ; whose good rellish , substance , and wholesomeness , far exceedeth the oisters of vsk , pool , southampton , whitstable , rye , or any other port or haven in england . thus much concerning the body of oisters , now somewhat concerning their bigness ; alexander with his ( friends and physitians wondred to find oisters in the indian seas a foot long . and in plinies time they marvelled at an oister , which might be divided into three morsels , calling it therefore tridacnon by a peculiar name : but i dare and do truly affirm , that at my eldest brothers marriage , at aldham hall in essex , i did see a pelden oister divided into eight good morsels , whose shell was nothing less then that of alexanders ; but as the greek proverb saith , goodness is not tied to greatness , but greatness to goodness ; wherefore sith the little round oisters be commonly best rellished , and less fulsome , let them be of the greatest account , especially to be eaten raw , which of all other is thought to be the best way . galen saith that they are somewhat heavy of digestion , and engender fleagm ; but as he knew not the goodness of english beefe ( when he condemned the use of all ox-flesh ) so had he tryed the goodness of our oisters , which pliny maketh the second best of the world , no doubt he would have given oisters a better censure . that they are wholesome and to be desired of every man , this may be no small reason , that ( almost ) every man loves them , item whereas no flesh or other fish is or can be dangerless being eaten raw , raw oisters are never offensive to any indifferent stomack . nay furthermore they settle a wayward appetite and confirm a weak stomack , and give good nourishment to decayed members , either through their owne goodness , or that they are so much desired . finally if they were an ill and heavy meat , why were they appointed to be eaten first ? which is no new custome brought in by some late physitian : for one asking dromeas ( who lived long before athenaeus and macrobius time ) whether he liked best , the feast of athens or chalcis ? i like , said he , the athenians prologue better then the chalcidians , for they began their feasts with oisters , and these with hony ▪ cakes : which argueth them to have been ever held for a meat of light digestion , else had they not alwaies been eaten in the first place . it is great pitty of the loss of asellius the sabins book written dialogue-wise betwixt the fig-finch , the thrush and the oisters , wherein upon just grounds he so preferred them before the birds , that tiberius caesar rewarded him with a thousand pound sterling . the fattest oisters are taken in salt water at the mouth of rivers , but the wholesomest and lightest are in the main upon shelfs and rocks ; which also procure urine and stools , and are helps to cure the chollick and dropsy , if they be eaten raw , for sodden oisters bind the belly , stop urine , and encrease the collick . how dangerous it is to drink small drink upon oisters it appeareth by andronicus the elder , who having made a great dinner of oisters , drank cold water upon them , whereupon he died , being not able to overcome them . and truly as oisters do hardly corrupt of themselves ; so if cold drink follow them they concoct as hardly : wherefore ( especially having eaten many ) drink either wine or some strong and hot beer after them , for fear of a mischiefe . little oisters are best raw , great oisters should be stued with wine , onions , pepper , and butter , or roasted with vinegar , pepper , and butter , or bak't with onions , pepper , andbutter , or pickled with white-wine-vinegar , their owne water , bayes , mints , and hot spices ; for of all wayes they are worst sod , unless you seeth them in that sea water from whence they were brought . all oisters are dangeours whilst they be full of milk , which commonly is betwixt may and august . raw oisters are best in cold weather , when the stomach is hottest , namely from september to april : albeit the italians dare not venture on a raw oister at any time , but broil them in the shell with their water , the juice of an orenge , pepper , and oil ; which way i must needs confess it eates daintily . pickled oisters may be eaten at all times , and to my taste and judgement they are more commendable , chiefly to cold , weak , windy , distasted stomachs , then any way else prepared . i wonder whether it be true or no which i have heard of , and pliny seemeth also to affirm , that oisters may be kept all the year long covered in snow , and so be eaten in sommer as cold as can be ; which if it prove answerable to the likelihood i conceive of it , i will cry out with pliny in the same chapter , quanti quanti es ▪ luxuria , quae summa montium & maris ima commisces ? how great and powerful is riot , which maketh the highest covering of mountains , and the lowest creatures of the seas to meet together ? yet it is recorded that apicius the roman , kept oisters so long sweet ( were it in snow , pickle , or brine ) that he sent them from thence sweet and good to the emperour trajan , warring against the parthians . cochleae marinae . perwinckles or whelks , are nothing but sea-snails , feeding upon the finest mud of the shore and the best weeds ; they are very nourishing and restorative , being sod at the sea-side in their own sea water : the whitest flesht are ever best & tenderest , & they which are taken in clean creeks eat pleasant , but they which are gathered upon muddy shores eat very strongly and offend the eyesight . they are best in winter and in the spring : for a stomack and liver resolved as it were and disposessed of strength . apicius warneth us to pick away the covering of their holes , for it is a most unwholesome thing , being nothing but a collection of all their slime hardned with seething . the best way to prepare them for sound persons is to seeth them in their owne sea-water , or else in river water with salt and vinegar ; but for weak and consumed persons apicius willeth them ( in the book and chapter aforesaid ) to be thus drest ; take first the skin from their holes , and lay them for a day or two covered in salt and milk ; the third day lay them onely in new milk , then seeth them in milk till they be dead , or fry them in a pan with butter and salt . passeres . plaise ( called the sea-sparrows , because they are brown above and white beneath ) are of good , wholesome and fine nourishment . arnoldus de villa nova writeth thus of them . of all sea-fish rochets and gurnards are to be preferred ; for their flesh is firm , and their substance purest of all other . next unto them plaise and soles are to be numbred , being eaten in time ; for if either of them be once stale , there is no flesh more carrion-like nor more ●roublesome to the belly of man : the best plaise have blackest spots , as the best flounders reddest , & the thicker , is most commended , and such as are taken upon the eastern cost , as rye , sandwich , and dover ; could we have store at all times of such wholesome fish , at any reasonable rate , jackalent would be a cock-horse all the year long , and butchers meat would go a begging . alausae minores . pilchers differ not only in age ( as some dream ) but even in substance and form from herrings ; for their flesh is firmer and fuller , and their body rounder , neither are they of so aguish an operation ; they are best broild , having lien a day in salt , and eaten with butter salt , & pepper . porci marini . porpesses , tursions , or sea-hogs , are of the nature of swine , never good till they be fat , contrary to the disposion of tunnies , whose flesh is ever best when they are leanest ; it is an unsavory meat , engendring many superfluous humours , augmenting fleagm , and troubling no less an indifferent stomach , then they trouble the water against a tempest ; yet many ladies and gentlemen love it exceedingly , bak't like venison ; yea i knew a great gentle-woman ( in warwick lane ) once send for a pasty of it given from a courtier ) when the prisoners of newgate had refused the fellow of it out of the beggers basket . thus like lips like lettice , and that which is most mens bane , may be fittest to delight and nourish others . pol●pi . poulps are hard of digestion , naught howsoever they be drest , as platina thinketh . but sith hyppocrates commendeth them to women in childbed ▪ i dare not absolutely diswade the eating of them ; especially sith diphilus , paulus , aegineta , and aetius commend them likewise , saying that they nourish much , and excessively provoke lust . indeed if any would eat a live pulp , to anger others and to kill himself , as diogenes did ( though some say that he died of a raw cow-heel , others that he stiffeld himself in his cloke ) no doubt he shall find it a dangerous morsel ; but being well sodden in salt water and wine , and sweet herbs , it is as dainty and far more wholesomer then a mackrel . anates marini . puffins , whom i may call the feathered fishes , are accounted even by the holy fatherhood of cardinals to be no flesh but rather fish ; whose catholique censure i will not here oppugne , though i have just reason for it , because i will not encrease the popes coffers ; which no doubt would be filled , if every puffin eater bought a pardon , upon true and certain knowledge that a puffin were flesh : albeit perhaps if his holiness would say , that a shoulder of muton were fish ; they either would not or could not think it flesh . aranei marini . quawiners ( for so the scots and northen english term them ) are very subtile and crafty fishes , but utterly unwholesome for indifferent stomachs , though the poorer sort of the orcadians eat them for hunger . rubelliones . rochets ( or rather rougets , because they are so red ) differ from gurnards and curs , in that they are redder by a great deal , and also lesser ; they are of the like flesh and goodness yet better fryed with onions , butter , and vinegar , then sodden ; because they are so little , that seething would soke out their best nourishing substance . pectines veneris . scallopes are called venus cockles , either because she was borne in one of them , or because she loved them above all other meat . pliny extolleth the scallops of alexandria in egypt , but now the most and best be in spaine by compostella , whether many lecherous men and women resort , to eat scallops fot the kindling of lust and encrease of nature , under the name of a pilgrimage to saint james his shrine : the whitest are best , and least hot , all of them encrease lust , provoke much urine , and nourish strongly . selsey and purbeck have gotten them credit for them and for cockles , above all the costs of england ; they are best being broild with their owne water , vinegar , pepper , and butter , but sodden they are held to be unwholesome phocae . seales flesh is counted as hard of digestion , as it is gross of substance , especially being old ; wherefore i leave it to mariners and sailers , for whose stomachs it is fittest , and who know the best way how to prepare it triches . clupeae . shads have a tender and pleasant flesh , but in some months they are so full of bones , that the danger in eating them lessneth the pleasure ; they nourish plentifully , especially the severn shad , which in my judgement is void of that viscous humour , whereby other shads ( no less then mackrels ) enforce sleepiness to the eater . they are best in may , june , and july , for then they are full of flesh and freest of bones . squillae . shrimps are of two sorts ; the one crookbacked , the other straitbacked : the first sort is called of frenchmen caramots de la sante healthful shrimps ; because they recover ▪ sick and consumed persons ; of all other they are most nimble , witty , and skipping , and of best juice . shrimps were of great request amongst the romans , and brought in as a principal dish in venus feasts . the best way of preparing them for healthful persons , is to boil them in sea or salt water , with a little vinegar ; but for sick and consumed bodies dress them after this sort : first wash them clean in barly water , then unscale them whilst they are alive , and seeth them in chicken broth ; so are they as much ( or rather more ) restorative as the best crabs and crevisses most highly commended by physitians . futhermore they are unscaled , to vent the windiness which is in them , being sodden with their scales , whereof lust and disposition to venery might arise , but no better nor sounder nourishment . there is a great kind of shrimps , which are called prawnes in english , and crangones by rondeletius , highly prized in hectick fevers and consumptions ; but the crook-backt shrimp far suprasseth them for that purpose , as being of a sweeter taste and more temperate constitution . squatina . skate is skin'd like a file , of the same nature with a thorneback , but pleasanter , more tender , and more available to stir up letchery ; it is so neer a thorneback in shape , that they often couple and engender together . lingulacae soleae . soles or tongue fishes , are counted the partridges of the sea , and the fittest meat of all other for sick folks ; for they are of a good smell , a pleasant taste , neither of too hard nor too soft a flesh , engendring neither too thick nor too thin blood ; of easie concoction , leaving none or few excrements after they be digested . platina fried them ( as we do ) with persly , butter , and verjuce , and sawced them with butter and juce of orenges ; but for sick persons they are best sodden in water , butter , and verjuce with a little falt ; it is a fish impatient of winter , and therefore then it lurketh in deep holes , but in summer it sporteth it self abroad , and offereth it self to be seen when it is most seasonable . chalcides . sprats need no description , being one of jack-a-lents principle pages : they smell well being new and fresh , resembling therein the river-smelt ; but their flesh is quezy , corruptible , and aguish , especially if they light on a weak stomach ; they are worst being smoked or fried , indifferent sodden , and best broild . chalcides majores . spurlings are but broad sprats , taken chiefly upon our northern coast ; which being drest and pickled as anchovaes be in provence , rather surpass them then come behind them in taste and goodness . were english men as industrious as i could wish , we should sel them deerer to the french and italians , then their anchovaes are sold to us ; for i have seen some prepared by dr. turner , which far exceeded theirs : but strange things are ever best liked , according to that saying of galen , peregrina , quae ignorant , magis celebrant mortales , quàm quod nativum est , quodque esse praeclarum nôrunt . mortal men ( saith he ) do more extoll forreign things , albeit they know them not ; then home ▪ bred and familiar things , though they know them to be excellent . apuae infumatae . as for red sprats and spurlings , i vonchsafe them not the name of any wholesome nourishment , or rather of no nourishment at all ; commending them for nothing but that they are bawdes to enforce appetite , and serve well the poor mans turn to quench hunger . asellus aridus stockfish whilst is is unbeaten is called buckhorne , because it is so tough ; when it is beaten upon the stock , it is termed stockfish . rondelitius calleth the first merlucium , and stock-fish moluam , it may be salpa plinij , for that is a great fish , and made tender by age and beating . erasmus thinketh it to be called stockfish , because it nourisheth no more then a dryed stock : wherefore howsoever it be sod , buter'd , fried or baked , and made both toothsomer and delectable by good and chargeable cookery ; yet a stone will be a stone , and an ape an ape , howsoever the one be set up for a saint , and the other apparelled like a judge . the stilliard merchants lay it twenty four hours in strong lye , and then as long again in warm waters ; afterwards they boil it in abundance of butter , and so serve it in with pepper , and salt , which way ( if any way ) it is most nourishing , because it is made not onely tender , but also more moist and warm : now let us stay longer upon the sturgian , esteemed sometime the monarch of all sea-fish . acipenser . sturgian is thought of mr. cogan to be a fish of hard substance , not much better ( in his judgement ) then bacon or brawne , although for the rareness it be esteemed of great estates ; which i will not deny to be true in old and resty sturgian ; but young sturgian is so far of from being tough or unwholesome , that of all other fish it is and was ever most preferred : severus and his followers did so esteem it ( though trajan for an in borne hatred could not abide it ) that whensoever any great feast was kept , the chiefe gentleman of his court carried up the sturgian , all gilded over with gold , and attended with minstrelsy and carolling , as though a solemn pageant or saints shrine were to be carried about the city . galen likewise and tully affirm it to be of a sweet delicate and good nourishment . cordan compareth it with veal , but indeed it is far sweeter : sturgians livers are so exceeding sweet , that at hamborough they rub them over with the broken gall , lest the stomach should be cloyed with over swetness . the great and full grown sturgians are better then the less , and the male then the female ; and they which suck and lye at the mouths of rivers , are counted sweeter then they which are taken in the main sea ; it feeds not ( as other fish do ) upon flies , worms , fish-spawne or roots , but sucketh like a lamprey ( because it hath no teeth ) of such sweet morsels or offall as happily it findeth . one thing is admirable in this fish , that albeit clean contrary to other fishes the scales turn toward the head ; yet against the side and stream it swimeth fasteth ▪ physicians forbid all sturgian ( especially the head and fore-rand ) to aguish persons and such as be lately recovered of agues ; because they are so fat and oily , that their stomachs will convert them into choler . at danske and hamborough ( whence we have the best ) sometimes they are roasted , being stickt full of cloves ; but then the belly onely is toothsome , which eateth like veal , or rather better , if such sawce be made unto it as we use to roasted venison . otherwhiles they are broild and basted with oil and vinegar , having been first a little corned with salt ; but if sturgian be well sod , and then kept in convenient pickle , of all other preparations it is the chiefest , being eaten with vinegar and sweet fennel . they are first sod in two parts of water , one of white wine , and one of white wine vinegar , with sufficient salt , verveine and dill , as long as one would seeth a legg of veal ; then being cold , they are divided into jouls and rands , and put up into barrels or kegs , with store of rhenish wine , wine ▪ vinegar , and seawater ; wherein having lain half a year , they become a light , toothsome and singular good meat , to an indifferent and temperate stomach . as for cavialie , or their eggs being poudred , let turks , grecians , venetians , and spaniards , celebrate them never so much , yet the italian proverb will ever be true . chi mangia di caviale , mangia moschi merdi & salae . he that eateth of cavialies ▪ eateth falt , dung , and flies . i commend the flesh of sturgian chiefly to hot and distasted stomachs , to young men , and especially in sommer ; at which time ( eaten with gilly-flour vinegar ) it slaketh thirst , sharpneth appetite , setleth the stomach , delayeth heat , and giveth both a temperate and a sound nourishment . xiphij . sword-fishes are much whiter and pleasanter in taste then tunny ; but as hard of digestion , and therefore unworthy any longer discourse . raja . thornback , which charles chester merily and not unfitly calleth neptunes beard , was extolled by antiphanes in athenaeus history for a dainty fish ; indeed it is of a pleasant taste , but of a stronger smell then skate , over-moist to nourish much , but not so much as to hinder lust , which it mightily encreaseth . albertus thinks it as hard to be concocted as any beefe ; whose judgement i suspect , sith hippocrates permits it in long consumptions : assuredly if not the flesh , yet the liver is marvelous sweet and of great nourishment , which the very taste and consistence thereof will sufficiently demonstrate . thorneback is good sodden , especially the liver of it , though dorion the musitian said , that a sodden thornback is like a piece of sodden cloth ; but the flesh is best broiled after it hath been sodden ▪ to consume the watrishness . thynni . tunies are best when they are leanest ; namely , towards the fall and the dead of winter . when they are at the best , their flesh is unsavoury enough , cloying an indifferent stomach , and engendering most gross and superfluous moistures . as porpesses must be baked while they are new , so tunny is never good till it have been long pouldred with salt , vinegar , coriander , and hot spices . no tunny lives past two years , waxing so fat that their bellies break : at which time more gain is made of their fat , by making train-oyl for clothiers , then good by their flesh ; which is only good , ( if good at all ) for spanish and italian mariners . rhombi . turbuts , which some call the sea-pheasant , were in old time counted so good and delicate , that this proverb grew upon them , nihil ad rhombum ; that is to say , what is all this in comparison of a turbutt . verily , whilst they be young , ( at which time they are called butts ) their flesh is moist , tender , white , and pleasant ; afterwards they are harder to be digested , though more crumbling to feel to : and as their prickles wax longer , so their flesh waxeth tougher . they are best being sodden as you seeth thornback ; or rather as you seeth a grown plaise . balaenae . whales flesh is the hardest of all other , and unusuall to be eaten of our countrymen , no not when they are very young and tenderest ; yet the livers of whales , sturgians , and dolphins smell like violets , taste most pleasantly being salted , and give competent nourishment as cardan writeth . onisci . albulae . molliculae . whitings had never staid so long in the court of england ( where they are never wanting upon a fish day ) unless they had done some notable service , and still deserved their entertainment ; the best whitings are taken in tweede , called merlings , of like shape and vertue with ours , but far bigger ; all physitians allow them for a light , wholesome and good meat , not denying them to sick persons , and highly commending them to such as be in health ; they are good sodden with salt and time , and their livers are very restorative , yea more then of other fishes : they are also good broild , and dried after the manner of stockfish into little buckhorne ; but then they are fitter ( as stockfish is ) to dry up moistures in a rhumatick stomach , then to nourish the body . colybdaenae . yards or shamefishes ( so called because they resemble the yard of a man ) are by galens judgement as agreeable to weak stomachs , as crabs , shrimps , & crevisses . gesner in his book of fishes , saith that the french men call this fish the asses-prick , and dr wotton termeth it grosly the pintle fish . how shameful a name so ever it beareth , it needs not be ashamed of his vertues ; for it nourisheth much , is light of concoction , and encreaseth nature . yellow heads or giltpoles are before spoken of , next before gurnards . and thus much of sea fish ; now fresh water fish challenge their due remembrance , of which we will treat in the next chapter . chap. xix . of fresh water fish . apium . alderlings are a kind of fish betwixt a trout and a grayling , scaled ( as the trout is not ) but not so great scaled as the grailing is ; it lyeth ever in a deep water , under some old and great alder , his flesh being sod smelleth like to wild parsly , whereupon i guess it had his latin name , and is of indifferent good nourishment , and provoketh urine . barbellio . barbels are counted nothing but bearded-mullets ; it is most likely that this is the fish dedicated to diana the goddess of chastity ; for it is a very cold , moist and gellied fish , hurting the sinews , quenching lust , and greatly troubling both head and belly , if it be usually and much eaten of ; some eat it hot after it is sodden in wine vinegar , time , and savory ( which is a good way to correct it ) others eat it cold laid in gelly , which onely agreeth with hot and aguish stomachs in summer time ; assuredly the eggs or spawne of barbels is very sharp , griping and corrosive , driving many into bloody fluxes that have eaten them fasting . abramides . breams seem no other then flat carps ; yet whiter of flesh , and finer nourishment . there is a kind of bream called scarus ruminas , which we call a cudbream , because his lips are ever wagging like a cow chawing the cud : this of all other is the lightest , sweetest , and best fish of the river , fitter for weak and sick persons then such as be in health , because it is so fine . a very good way how to dress most part of scaled fishes . prepare it after this sort , set on a good quantity of white strong vinegar ▪ and stale ale , with a cursey of salt , a little mints , origanum , parsly and rosemary ; and when your liquor boileth fast upon the fire , stop the mouth of your bream with a nutmeg thrust downe into his throat , and cast him in skipping into the liquor keeping him downe till he be thorow dead and perfectly sodden : dress pikes , roches , carps , grailings , mullets , and all great fish of the river in the like sort ; for it will make them to eat pleasant , crisp , brittle , and firm , not watrish and flaggy , as most fish do , because we know not how to use and order them . alburni . bleyes or bleaks are soft flesht , but never fat ; fitter to feed pikes then to nourish men ; in the heat of sommer they are troubled with a worme in their stomach , which makes them so mad and frantick , that rowing upon the thames you shall have three or four in an evening leap into your boat : a waterman once opened one , and found a little worm in it , not unlike to them which grow in oxens skins ( wherewith they are often enraged ) but far less ; they are counted a tender , but never any wholesome meat ; because they are so subject to frensy and giddiness . cyprini . carpiones . carps are of a sweet taste , and much good nourishment , in which respects they were dedicated to venus , discommended for nothing , but that they will not last long ; wherefore they are forthwith to be drest , because ( through lightness of their substance ) they will soon corrupt . the portugals suppose that carps feed upon gold , because nothing almost is found in their bellies , but a yellow glistering sand ; which opinion is also encreased , in that they lye onely at the bottome of waters : the river carp is most wholesome ; if the ground of that river be gravel or clean sand ; otherwise take them out of gravelly ponds fed with springs , and fatted with convenient meat ; where they will not onely encrease mightily in number and bigness , but also get a very pleasant taste and a wholesome nature : the middle sised carp is ever best , agreeing with all times , ages and complexions . the tongue is the most nourishing part of all , but the spawne is heavy and unwholesome howsoever it be drest . the head of a carp , the tail of a pike , and the belly of a bream are most esteemed , for their tenderness , shortness , and well rellishing . some bake a carp with spice , fruit , and butter ; but in my judgment being sodden like a bream , it is of as good a taste and better nourishment . a red cavialie is made of their spawne in italy ; much eaten and desired of the iewes , for that they dare not eat of the cavialie of sturgians , seales , and tunny , because they are onely to feed upon scaled fish , and such as carry fins : above all things see that your carps stink not of mud nor fenny filth ; for they cannot then be wholesome for mans body . locustellae . astaci . carabi . crevisses and shrimps were appointed by god saith dorion ( as athenaeus writeth ) for quezy stomachs , and give also a kind of exercise for such as be weak : for head and brest must first be divided from their bodies ; then each of them must be dis scaled , and clean picked with much pidling ; then the long gut lying along the back of the crevisse is to be voided . lastly , the small clawes are to be broken , wherein lyeth part of the best meat . crevisses feed upon fish , water-herbs , and sweet clay ; but most gladly upon the livers of young beasts ; before we are to use them , it were good to diet them in a cistern with crumbs of white bread for three or four dayes together , so will they be cleans`d of all impurities , and give a more strong and fine nourishment . they should be sodden in the water whence they were taken with a little salt ; and never kept above a day after , for they will soon smell and putrifie : we do foolishly to eat them last , being a fine temperate and nourishing meat . they are best from the spring until autumn , and at the full of the moon they are most commendable . the females likewise are better then the males , which a wise man will soon discern : for consumed persons they are first to be washed in barly water , and then to be sodden in milk ( being first dis-caled ) till they be tender ; according as before i wrote of shrimps . leucisci . daces , or darts , or dares be of a sweet taste , a soft flesh and good nourishment , either sod or broild ; or pickled like anchovaes after the italian manner . anguillae . eeles have so sweet a flesh , that they and lampreyes were dedicated to that filthy goddess gula or gluttony ; yet withall it is so unwholesome , that some zoilus or momus would have accused nature , for putting so sweet a taste into so dangerous a meat : for eeles ( as hippocrates writeth ) live most willingly in muddy places : and in his epidemiques he rehearseth many mischiefs to have happened to divers through eating of eeles ; they give much nourishment , but very corruptible : they loosen the belly , but bring fluxes , they open the wind-pipes , but stop the liver ; they clear the voice , but infect the lungs ; they encrease seed , but yet no good seed : finally they bring agues , hurt the stomach and kidneys , engender gravel , cause the strangury , sharpen the gout , and fill us full of many diseases ; they are worst in sommer , but never wholesom : the elder ones are least hurtful and if any be harmless it is the silver-bellied and the sandy eele . arnoldus de villa nova , saith that no eele is free from a venemous malignity and a kind of gluish suffocating juice . but jovius reporteth that some eeles are engendred in a little river by cremona , less a great deal , then our little griggs , hurtful in no disease , but of a pure wholesome and good nourishment ; which i will believe because so grave a chronicler reporteth it : otherwise i should think ill with hippocrates of all eeles , even of those little ones as well as the eeles in ganges , which are thirty foot long , as pliny writeth : verily when eeles only sink to the bottom , and all other fishes float after they are dead , it cannot but argue them to be of a muddy nature , little participating of that a●ereal substance which moveth and lightneth other fishes . again sith like an owle it never comes abroad to feed but in the night time ; it argueth a melancholick disposition in it self , and a likelihood to beget the like in us . great eeles are best roasted and broild , because their maligne humour lieth more next under the skin then in their flesh , which is corrected or evapourated by the fire . next of all they are best poudred and sowced , and baked with butter , salt , and pepper ; but worst being sodden in water , ale , and yeast , as commonly they are ; for the yeast addeth one maglinnity to another , and doth more hurt then i can express to the stomach , liver , and blood . rhombi fluviatiles . flounders if they be thick and well grown are a most wholesome and light meat , being sod with water and verjuice , or fried with vinegar and butter ; but the little flounders called dabs as they are little esteemed of , so their watrish and flaggy flesh doth justly deserve it . thymi . grailings called both of greeks and latins thymi , because their flesh smelleth like thime when they be in season , are a white , firm , and yet a tender meat , tasting no worse then it smels , and nourishing plentifully . seeth it in such sort , as was described in our treatise before of dressing breams , and you will find few fishes comparable unto it ; of all scaled fishes they only want a gall , which perhaps is the cause of their greater excellency . gobiones . gudgins are of two sorts , one whiter and very little , the other bigger and blackish ; both are as wholesome as a perch ; but if any be found yellowish , they are dry , lean and unseasonable . galen commendeth their flesh exceedingly , not onely because it is short and pleasant in taste , being fat and friable ; but also for that it is soon concocted , nourisheth much , and encreaseth good blood . they are best which lye about rocky and gravelly places , for fenny and lake gudgeons be not wholesome . paganelli . rondeletius in his book of fishes , mentioneth two sea gudgins called paganelli of a far greater length and bigness then ours are of , which our western fishermen call by the name of sea-cobs : they sometimes come up the river of vske , where they are taken and brought to exceter , and accounted ( as they are indeed ) a most sound , light , wholesom , and nourishing meat . capitones . gulls , guffs , pulches , chevins , and millers thombs are a kind of jolt-headed gudgins , very sweet , tender , and wholesome , especially when they be with spawne ; for their eggs are many and fat , giving good nourishment ; and though their flesh be hard in albertus judgment , yet it never putrifieth , and is well digested . funduli . groundlings are also a kind of gudgins never lying from the ground , freckled as it were on each side with seven or eight spots ; they are seasonable in march , april , and may : the best lye lowest , and feed finest , sucking upon gravel ; but they which lye neer to great cities , feed upon filth and delight in the dead carcasses of men and beasts , therefore called of the germans leijtessers . all sorts of gudgins be wholesom either sod or fried , agreeing with all constitutions of body , sicknesses and ages . pungitij . spinachiae . hackles or sticklebacks are supposed to come of the seed of fishes spilt or miscarrying in the water ; some think they engender of their own accord , from mud or rain putrified in ponds : howsoever it is they are nought and unwholesome , sufficient to quench poor mens hunger , but not to nourish either rich or poor . iacks or young pickrels shall be described hereafter , when we speak of the nature of pikes . kobs or sea-gudgins ( taken yet in fresh water ) are before spoken of in the discourse of gudgions . lampretae . muraenae . lampreys and lamprons , differ in bigness only and in goodness ; they are both a very sweet and nourishing meat , encreasing much lust through superfluous nourishment ; were they as wholesome as sweet , i would not much discommend lucius mutaena and the nobles of england for so much coveting after them : but how ill they are even for strong stomachs , and how easily a man may surfet on them ; not onely the death of king henry the first , but also of many brave men and captains may sufficiently demonstrate . pliny avoucheth that they engender with the land snake : but sith they engender and have eggs at all times of the year , i see no reason for it . aristotle saith , that another long fish like a lamprey called myrus is the sire ; which licinius macer oppugneth , affirming constantly that he hath found lampreys upon the land engendring with serpents , and that fisher-men counterfetting the serpents hiss , can call them out of the water and take them at pleasure . they are best ( if ever good ) in march and april ; for then are they so fat , that they have in a manner no back bone at all : towards summer they wax harder , and then have they a manifest bone , but their flesh is consumed : seeth or bake them thoroughly , for otherwise they are of hard and very dangerous digestion . old men , gowty men , and aguish persons , and whosoever is troubled in the sinews or sinewy parts , should shun the eating of them no less , then as if they were serpents indeed . the italians dress them after this sort ; first they beat them on the tail with a wand ( where their life is thought to lye ) till they be almost dead , then they gagg their mouth with a whole nutmeg , and stop every oilet-hole with a clove , afterwards they cast them into oil and malmsie boiling together , casting in after them some crumbs of bread , a few almonds blancht and minced ; whereby their malignity is corrected and their flesh bettered . cajus hercius was the first that ever hem'd them in ponds , where they multiplied and prospered in such sort , that at caesar the dictators triumphall suppers , he gave him six thousand lampreys for each supper ; he fed them with the liver , and blood of beasts : but vidius pollio ( a roman knight , and one of augustus minions ) fed his lampreys with his slaves carcasses ; not because beasts were not sufficient to feed them , but that he took a pleasure to see a thousand lampreys sucking altogether like horse-leeches upon one man. concerning our english preparation of them , a certain friend of mine gave me this receit of bakeing and dressing lampreys ; namely first to pouder them ( after parboiling ) with salt , time , origanum , then either to broil them as spitchcocks , or to bake them with wine ▪ pepper , nutmegs , mace , cloves , ginger and good store of butter . the little ones called lamprons are best broild , but the great ones called lampreys are best baked . of all our english lampreys , the severn-dweller is most worthily commended , for it is whiter , purer , sweeter , and fatter , and of less malignity then any other . lochae . loches , meat ( as the greek word importeth ) for women in child-bed , are very light and of excellent nourishment ; they have a flesh like liver , and a red spleen , which are most delicate in taste , and as wholesome in operation . apuae cobitae , gesneri . aliniatae caij . phoxini bellonij . minoes , so called either for their littleness , or ( as dr. cajus imagined ) because their fins be of so lively a red , as if they were died with the true cinnabre-lake called minium : they are less then loches , feeding upon nothing , but licking one another . gesner thinks them to engender of the wast seed of gudgins ; others that they engender of themselves out of unknown matter ; yet certain it is that they are ever full of spawn , which should argue a natural copulation of them with some littlefish or other : they are a most delicate and light meat ( their gall being warily voided without breaking ) either fried or sodden . mulli . mullets of the river be of like goodness with the sea-mullets , though not fully of so fine and pure substance . philoxenus the poet , supping at the lower mess in dionisius court ; took suddenly a little leane mullet out of the dish ▪ and set his ear to the mouth of it ; whereat dionysius laughing , and asking him what newes ? marry ( quoth he ) he tells me of some strange newes in the river , whereof none ( as he saith ) can more fully enform me then yonder great mullet in the upper dish : so for his pleasant jest he got the greater ; and withall gives us to note , that unless a mullet be large and fat , it is but a frivolous dish , making a great shew on the table , but little nourishing ; how they are best to be drest , is already specified when i wrote of breams . vetulae olaffes , or rather old wives ( because of their mumping and soure countenance ) are as dainty and wholesome of substance , as they are large in body ; it was my chance to buy one about putny , as i came from mr. secretary walsingham his house about ten years since : which i caused to be boild with salt , wine , and vinegar ; and a little thime ; and i protest that i never did eat a more white firm , dainty and wholesome fish . percae . perches are a most wholesome fish , firm , tender , white , and nourishing . ausonius calleth them delicias mensae the delight of feasts , preferring them before pikes , roches , mullets , and all other fish , eobanus hessus in his poetical dietary , termeth them the river-partridges . diocles the physitian writ a just volumn in the praise of perches , and hippocrates and galen most highly extoll them . they are ever in season , save in march and april , when they spawne . as the oldest and greatest eele is ever best , so contrariwise the middle perch and pike is ever most wholesome . seeth them in wine-vinegar , water , and salt ; and then either ▪ eat them hot , or cover them in wine-vinegar to be eaten cold : for so they both cool a distempered feverous stomach , and give also much nourishment to a weak body . lupi . pikes or river-wolves are greatly commended by gesner and divers learned authors for a wholesom meat , permitted , yea enjoined to sick persons and women in child bed ; yet verily to speak like a lawyer , i cannot perceive quo warranto ; for if fenney or muddy-rivered fishes be unwholesome , the pike is not so good as authors make him , living most naturally and willingly in such places where he may fat himself with froggs and filth . futhermore when a pike is big and full grown , is not his flesh rather to be counted hard , then firm ; indeed i will not deny but a pike of a middle sise , fed in gravelly ponds with fresh livers of beasts , sodden crisp in wine-vinegar and sweet-herbs , is of no bad nourishment for any man , but fittest for hot chollerick stomachs and young persons . macrobius writeth , that the best pike is taken in a clear river betwixt two bridges ; but i never saw them fat in any clear river , and therefore i suspect their goodness . certain it is that old great pikes are very hard , tough , and ill to digest : young ones ( called jacks ) are contrariwise to watrish and moist . chuse therefore one of a middle growth ▪ for it is most likely to nourish us best . the germans having split them along the back , thrust their tails into their mouths , and then fry them a little with sweet butter , then they take them out of the frying pan , and boil them ( as long as one would seeth an egg ) with wine , water , vinegar , and salt , gallopping on the fire , and last of all having sprinckled it over with the powder of cloves , cinamon and ginger , they serve it to the table . rutili . roches , or roch fishes ( called so of saint roch that legendary aesculapius and giver of health ) are esteemed and thought uncapable of any disease , according to the old proverb , as sound as a roch. hence have men collected , that the flesh of them is light , sound , and wholesome ; which verily is not to be denied , being sodden like a bream : they are full of bones , which maketh them the less regarded , though wisemen know well enough , that roses are roses , albeit their tree be dangerous and full of thornes . cernuae aspredines . ruffs or ruggels are not much unlike to perches , for the goodness of their flesh , though their skin be rougher : the best live in sandy places , where they wax exceeding fat and sweet ; dress them as you do perches : some take them for the base ; and verily by gesners description they disagree as much as nothing . salmones . salmons are of a fatty , tender , short , and sweet flesh , quickly filling the stomach and soon glutting . gesner commendeth them that go fardest up into fresh rivers , accounting them worst which are taken nearest the sea ; which i find to be true in the difference betwixt the salmons of upper severn ( betwixt shrewsbury and beaudly ) and the salmons taken betwixt glocester and bristowe . nevertheless if they go too high up the river , they wax leaner for want of sufficient nourishment , as manifestly appeareth ( which i my self have seen ) in the salmon of the rhine taken at ringfielden beyond basel , and at oppenheim above the city of ments . salmons come in and go out with the buck ; for towards winter they wax kipper , full of kernels under their throate like a measeld hogg , and lose both their redness of flesh , and also the pleasure of tast which else it giveth : they are to be sodden wholly in wine , or wholly in water ; for if they be sodden in both , they prove tough and unpleasant : it is best to seeth them in wine vinegar and salt , or else parboile them onely in water , being cut into certain pieces , and having stickt those pieces full of cloves , broil them upon a gridiron , and bast them with butter , and serve them in with sawce made of vinegar , cinamon and sugar . some have pickled salmon as sturgian is used , and find it to be as dainty , and no less wholesom ; but salt salmon loseth a double goodness , the one of a good taste , the other of a good nourishment . hot salmon is counted unwholesome in england , and suspected as a leprous meat , without all reason ; for if it be sodden in wine , and afterwards well spiced , there is no danger of any such accident . as for salmon peales ( which indeed are nothing but sea ▪ trouts ) howsoever they be highly commended of the western and welch people ; yet are they never enough commended , being a more light , wholesom , and well tasted meat then the salmon it self . salmunculi . shuins , seem unto me akind of salmon , whereof plenty is taken in the river running by cardiff castle : but it surpasseth the salmon as much in goodness , as it is surpassed by him in length and greatness ; boil it in wine vinegar salt , and sweet herbs , and you shall find it a delicate and wholesome fish . violaceae . epelani rondeletij . smellts are so called , because they smell so sweet ; yea if you draw them , and then dry them in a shadowy place , ( being seasonably taken ) they still retain a smell as it were of violets . their flesh is of the finest , lightest , softest , and best juce of all other fish ; their excellency is in winter , and whensoever they are full of spawne . western smelts have the greatest commendation for their greatness and goodness . void the gall cleanly , and then use the livers , guts , bellies , and fat for great restoratives . the best are taken by kew and brainford within eight miles of london , and at westchester . seeth them in hot boiling water and salt , and take them out as soon as they are sodden ; for lying long in the water they will wax flaggy : their sawce is butter and verjuce mingled with a little gross pepper ; but if you fry them in butter , eat them with the juice of civil-orenges ; for that is their best sawce . truttae . trouts are so great in northumberland , that they seem thicker then salmons , and are therefore called bull-trouts ; there are especially two sorts of them , red-trouts resembling little fresh-water salmons , and therefore termed salmon-trouts ; and gray-trouts or skurffs , which keep not in the chanel of bournes or rivers , but lurk like the alderlings under the roots of great alders ; they are both a very pleasant and good meat for sound persons : but they are fouly mistaken ▪ which prefer them in agues before perches , ( whose flesh is tender , friable , light , of good juice , and speedy concoction ) when they are in no one thing comparable unto them : they are best being sodden like a bream and eaten hot , for being eaten cold they lose much of their grace and more of their goodness . tincae . tenches are naturally such friends to pikes , that pitty it is they should be separated ; yet sith i have followed the order of the alphabet , i could not but divide them in name though they agree in nature . old writers hardly vouchsafe to mention them , because they were onely esteemed as beggers meat ; the very feeling and smell of them , shew , that a tench is but a muddy and slimy fish . albertus living years after christ , was the first that ever wrote of the nature of the tench . his flesh is stopping , slimy , viscous , and very unwholesome ; and ( as alexander benedictus writeth ) of a most unclean and damnable nourishment . antonius gazius saith , that a fried tench is a secret poison : and i remember that dr. cajus ( whose learning i reverence ) was wont to call tenches good plaisters , but bad nourishers . for indeed being outwardly laid to the soles of ones feet , they oftentimes draw away the ague ; but inwardly taken they engender palsies , stop the lungs , putrifie in the stomach , and bring a man that much eats them to infinite diseases ; they are very hard of digestion , burdensome to the stomach , encreasing slimy nourishment , and breeding palsies , and appoplexies in the head : from may to november they are very dangerous ; afterwards , hot cholerick and labouring men may be refreshed by them , but none else : they are worst being fried , best being kept in gelly , made strong of wine and spices . umbrae . umbers have a dry and whitish flesh , like the flesh of gray-trouts , being of the like substance , quality and goodness , and needing no other preparation . the belly of it is preferred before the other parts , and is wholesomest in the dog ▪ daies . pisanellus saith that it is called umbra in latin , because it swimmeth in the river like a shaddow ; and he commendeth it exceedingly for young and hot stomacks , as that also it is soon concocted and encreaseth seed . chap. xx. of such living creatures and meats , as be neither flesh nor fish , and yet give good nourishment to the body . cochelae terrestres . snails are little esteemed of us in england , but in barbarie , spaine , and italy they are eaten as a most dainty , wholesome , nourishing , and restoring meat . let us beware when , and in what sort , we use them ; for they are naught whilst they feed , but towards winter having scoured themselves from all excrements , and batled themselves fat with sleep , then are they wholesomest : also if they feed in woods or in gardens full of physick-hearbs , they are strong both of smell and taste and dangerous to eat of . they desire of all other herbs to feed of deffadills and asphodils ; but then they are not so good , as those that feed upon other herbs and fruits , but especially upon dew-berries . in cales and spain they feed chiefly upon orenge flouers , which makes them very pleasant in eating . in the islands of majorca and minorca , they never come out of their caves , but live by sucking one anothers shell , hanging together like a gluster of grapes ; which no doubt are of a purer substance then ours , that suck and feed upon all herbs . fulvius hilpinus not long before the civil war betwixt caesar and pompey , made in his garden several snail-parks ( as i may call them ) keeping every kind by themselves ; there might one find the white snails of reate , the gray and great snails of illyricum ; the fruitful snails of africa , and the solitan snails , most famous and excellent of all others : which he suffered not to feed upon what they listed , but made certain papp with sweet wine , hony , and flour , whereby they were fed so fat , and became so wholsome , sweet , and delicate , that they were highly esteemed , being sold every dishfull for fourscore quadrants . but sith no man is in hope to gain so much by that occupation , they which must needs use them , may chuse them in this sort : first , let them choose them of middle size , feeding all sommer time in hilly places upon wholesome herbs . secondly , let them not eat them till september be past , for by that time they are thoroughly purged of all excrements . also , they are unfit for weak , cold and moist complexions , because they themselves are cold in the first degree , and moist in the second . they are best for hot stomacks , cholerick constitutions , thirsty distemperatures , watchfull brains , and men troubled with ulcers of the lungs , and free from all stoppings and inflammations of the kidneys . pliny wills them to be first parboyl'd in warm water with sweet herbs , and then to be broyld upon the coles , and to be eaten ever in an odd number : but if you dress them as apicius appoints periwinckles to be drest ( which i before described in the treatise of periwinckles ) they will prove a light , wholsome and good nourishment . testudines . tortisses are likewise no usuall meat amongst us : yet because i see no reason but that riot may bring them in , and make them as familiar unto us as turkies are , i will write something of their choice , use , hurtfulness , correction and degrees of temperature . choose ever the greatest , fullest of eggs , liveliest eyed , and fatted at home with the best meat . their flesh nourishes plentifully , and recovers men out of consumptions . yet is it slowly digested of weak stomacks , engendering thick and phlegmatick blood , and making the eaters sleepy and sloathfull . wherefore seeth him thoroughly in many waters with sweet herbs and hot spices ; especially for that it is no less cold then snailes , and fully as moist , agreeing only at such times of the year , and for such kinde of persons as snails be thought convenient for . ramae . frogs are of hard concoction , troublesome to the stomack , breeding much phlegme , and giving no sound yea rather a bad juice : yet water frogs are best , of the bigger sort , and both bred and taken in a dry season . their hinder parts and livers ( which be two in each ) are the best to be eaten ; and being throughly sodd in oyle , salt-water and vinegar , and eaten with sawce made of sweet herbs , onions and scallions , they are no bad meat for cholerick young men , though for old and phlegmatick persons they be wholly unprofitable . they are moist in the first degree , and cold in the second , and therefore to be corrected with hot and drying simples . mel : honey and bread was a great meat with pythagoras and his scholars , and counted a sufficient food for a temperate life . for bread strengthens the body , and hony both nourishes much , and also cleanseth away superfluities , pollio romulus being asked by augustus the emperor , how he lived so long ! by nourishing ( saith he ) my inwards with honey , and my outward parts with oyle . the like answer likewise made democritus , being demanded the like question . furthermore , it is so generall a meat thorough all russia , that the children eat it on their bread every morning , as ours do butter to their breakfast : with whom , and with old men , it agreeth exceeding well , clensing their breasts , opening their pipes , warming their stomachs , resisting putrifaction , procuring solubleness and urine , and engendring sweet and commendable blood : but young men ( whose moisture is less then childrens through sharpness of heat , and whose stomachs are hotter then old mens ) by much eating of hony inflame their blood , encrease choler , bloody fluxes , wind , and obstructions , together with a continual loathing of meat and a disposition to vomit : hony-cakes were wont to be a great dish in old times at the end of bankets , as ginger-bread is with us ; which custome macrobius and gellius have justly reproved ; because sweet things being last eaten , open the mouth of the stomach , which after meat should be closed , and as it were sealed up to help concoction : wherefore pisanellus doth very well , in prescribing us to eat sugar-rosat or some soure fruits after hony , to prevent the engendring of choler in the stomach , and to help the same whilst it concocteth . raw hony is never good , therefore clarifie it throughly at the fire ; and chuse the whitest ▪ purest , clearest , most glistering and thickest , for they are notes of the best hony : also let it be hony that ran and was never pressed out of the combs , and of young bees rather then old , feeding upon thime , rosemary , flowers , and such sweet and wholesome herbs . then may you boldly give it as meat to young children , to cold and moist complexions , and to rhumatick old men , especially in northern countries , and cold climates , and in the winter season . chap. xxi . of fruit and the differences thereof . now we are come to the last course , which in ancient and more healthful ages was the first and onely , whilst mens hands were neither polluted with the blood of beasts , nor smelt of the most unwholesome sent of fish . this kind of meat is commended ( like the hebrew tongue ) for three principal reasons ; antiquity , purity , and sufficiency ; for it was more ancient then either flesh or fish by two thousand years ; it is so pure of it self that it never defiles the hand nor needeth any great dressing : and that it is sufficient to maintain us long in life , not onely the history of the first twelve patriarches , but also whole nations living at this day in india , africa , asia , and some parts of europe do sufficiently declare , feeding wholly or principally of fruit ; whereof i find three chief or especial kinds , namely orchard-fruit growing upon trees : garden-fruit growing upon shrubs , herbs and roots : and field-fruit concluded under the name of graine . chap. xxii . of all orchard fruit. pruna . armeniaca chrysomela . abricocks are plums dissembled under a peaches coat , good only and commendable for their tast and fragrant smell , their flesh quickly corrupting and degenerating into choler and wheyish excrements , engendring pestilent agues , stopping the liver and spleen , breeding ill juice , and giving either none or very weak nourishment ; yet are they medicinable and wholesome for some persons , for they provoke urine , quench thirst : and sirup made of the infusion of dried abricocks , qualifies the burning heat and rage of fevers : they are least hurtful to the stomach , and most comfortable to the brain and heart , which be sweet kerneld , big and fragrant , growing behind a kitchin-chimny ( as they do at barn-elms ) and so thoroughly ripened by the sun , that they will easily part from their stone . they are best before meat , and fittest for hot stomachs ; but let not women eat many of them and let them also remember to drown them well in sack or canary wine . galen preferreth abricocks before peaches , because they are not so soon corrupted : whereas common experience sheweth the contrary ; for as abricocks are soonest ripe , so of all other stone fruit they soonest corrupt in a mans stomach . amigdalae . almonds ( into whom fair phyllis was turned , as poets imagine ) are of two sorts , sweet and bitter . these are fittest for medicin , but the sweet ones for meat . the sweet almonds are sometimes eaten green of women with child to procure appetite ; and in summer of others , because then they are most pleasant : but they nourish most after the fall when they are fully ripe , being blanched into cold water ; they fatten the body , give plentiful nourishment , encrease flesh and seed , help the brain and eyesight , purge the brest by spitting , clear the voice , clense the kidneys , and provoke sleep ; eat them not when they are very old and wrinckled , for then they stay long in the stomach and breed headache : if they be eaten with sugar ( as they are in march-paens , or in cullices , mortises , rice ▪ porredge , or almond milks ) they are of greater nourishment and more easie digestion ; but then they are to be eaten alone , not in the middle ( and much less in the end ) of meals . mala. apples be so divers of form and substance , that it were infinite to describe them all ; some consist more of aire then water , as your puffs called mala pulmonea ; others more of water then wind , as your costards and pome-waters , called hydrotica : others being first graffed upon a mulbery stock wax thorough red , as our queen-apples , called by ruellius , rubelliana , and claudiana by pliny . roundlings are called mala sceptiana of sceptius ; and winter-goldlings , scandiana plinij ; pippins mala petisia ; peare-apples , melapia ; and pear-mains or peauxans no doubt be those applana mala , which appius graffed upon a quince , smelling sweetly , and tasting a little tart , continuing in his goodness a year or two . to be short , all apples may be sorted into three kinds , sweet , soure , and unsavory . sweet apples moisten the belly , open the brest , ripen rhumes , ease the cough , quench thirst , help spitting , cure melancholly , comfort the heart and head ( especially if they be fragrant and odoriferous ) and also give a laudable nourishment . soure appels stay the belly , hinder spitting straiten the brest , gripe and hurt the stomach , encrease phlegm , and weaken memory . unsavory apples are unfit for our eating , appointed rather to fat hoggs and swine , then to come into our stomachs . old apples are best ( if they be such as can bear age ) because by long lying they lose two ill quallities , watrishness and windiness , and have also a more perfect and pleasing taste . as nuts , figs , and mulberies be best towards the lowest boughes , so contrariwise plums , apples , and pears be best from the top of the tree , and hanging on the sunny side . sweet apples are to be eaten at the beginning of meat , but soure and tart apples at the latter end . all apples are worst raw , and best baked or preserved . none at all are good sodden besides the codlin ; which afterwards being made into tart stuff , and baked with rose-water and sugar , is no bad meat : their coldnese and watrishness is soon corrected , either in baking , roasting , or preserving with cinamon , ginger , orenge-pills , aniseed , caraway-seed , sweet fennel-seed , and sweet butter . now whereas the old proverb ( ab ovo ad mala ) sheweth that apples were ever the last dish set upon the board , you must understand it of tartish and soure apples , or else justly ( though newly ) find fault with an old custome . philip of macedonia and alexander his son ( from whom perhaps a curious and skilful herald may derive our lancashire men ) were called philomeli apple-lovers , because they were never without apples in their pockets ; yea all the macedonians his countrymen did so love them , that having neer babylon surprized a fruiterers hoy , they strived so for it that many were drowned ; which fight was therefore called by historiographers , melomachia , the apple-fight ; but cruel fluxes surprised the army upon this , and many dyed of intolerable gripings . oxyacanthae . spinae acidae . berberies preserved , are a great refreshing to hot stomachs and aguish persons ; and being kept in pickle they serve for sallets and the garnishing of meat ; but they are of very little nourishment themselves , or rather of none at all , though by a pleasant sharpness they edge an appetite . prunus-sylvestris regius . bullices likewise ( both white , speckled and black ) are of the like nature , being stued , bakt , roasted , or preserved ; fitter to be eaten last to close up the upper mouth of the stomach , then first to stop the neither mouth , unless it be in fluxes . sorbi . cervises ( like to medlers ) are then truely ripe , when they are rotten ; if you would chuse the best , chuse the biggest , most poulpy , and voidest of stones . they are cold in the first degre , and dry in the third , giving little nourishment ; but staying fluxes , preventing drunkenness , strengthening the stomach , and making a sweet breath ; their great astringency sheweth that they are to be eaten last , for otherwise they wil bind the body , burden the stomach , and engender very gross humours . pliny maketh four kind of cervisses , one as round as an apple , another bottled like a peare , the third ovale made like an egg . the apple-cervise is most sweet , fragrant , and nourishing , the other of a most winy tast ; the fourth kind of cervisse is a very little one , called the torment-cerviss allowed for nothing but that it ceaseth the torments of bloody fluxes . cherries were neither brought into italy nor england till lucius lucullus returned from his victory against mithridates ; whereof there are chiefly four sorts amongst us . iuliana . iulians which are very red , soft , and poulpy , never good but under the tree ; for they rot in carriage a little way . aproniana . apronians , which are red , round , and harder , and can abide the carriage . duracina . duracines or in french coeurs , or heart-cherries , because they are made like a heart , which are the firmest of all other . actiana . the blackest of all be called actians , because they were brought from actium a promontory of epire. in england we have also seen white cherries growing , wherein the artificial choler marred the good nature and taste of them ; wherefore i will not commend them for wholesomness , but shew their rareness . concerning their uses , let us remember thus much ; that the coeurs or french cherries are most cordiall , the common and pulpy cherries most nourishing , the black cherries kernel is the best meat , but his flesh unwholesome and loathsome to the stomach . furthermore our common cherries being ripe and eaten from the tree in a dewy morning , loosen the belly : when contrariwise coeurs and red soure cherries bind the same , being of a more dry and astringent faculty . all cherries ( saving them which are black ) slake thirst , cool moderately , and procure appetite . sweet and ripe cherries should be eaten formost ; others are to be eaten last , either scalded or baked , or made into tart stuff , or preserved with sugar , or rather dried after the german manner ; which they keep all the year long to quench thirst in agues , to cool choller , to stir up appetite , to unfur the tongue and rellish the mouth , to stay puking , vomiting , and all kind of fluxes . castaneae nuces . chestnuts are so discommended of galen in his book of thin diet , that they should be little esteemed , had not latter ages better considered of their nature . pliny thought ( and i allow his reason ) that it could not be a vile meat , which nature had hidden with such wonderful and artificial covers or husks . divus tiberius having been in sardinia , or rather ( as i take it ) at sardis in lidia , brought from thence some chestnuts , and set them in italy ; whence no doubt they were derived into france and england . it is questioned by some , whether raw chestnuts may not engender lice . but the french chestnut is bigger , tenderer , and far sweeter then ours ; whereof there are two kinds , the one of a light and reddish colour fittest to be roasted , the other resembling a dark bay , enclining to a blackish brown ( called coctivae of pliny ) because they are best sodden . of all chestnuts chuse the biggest , fullest , brownest and roundest , and let them be three months old at the least before you eat them : if you eat too many , they breed head-ache , collicks and costiffness , but feed moderately upon them in the midst of meals , and they nourish without offence . they are dry in the second degree , and almost as hot as dry ; but seething remits a little of each , as roasting addeth somewhat to either quality . they are best in winter , agreeing with moist complexions , and such as are not subject to stoppings of the brest and liver . mala medica & citria . citrons , were not known in homers time to be any meat : onely the pills thereof were burnt with cedar-wood in temples , when they sacrificed to apollo : as thinking the fume of it a special preservative against the plague : neither is the juice of them since commended , but to resist poison , to qualifie humours putrified within the body , to make a sweet breath , to cure hot burning agues , and to cure the longing of women with child ; for which yet the seeds are thought most medicinable . nevertheless i am sure as ripe citrons in spaine do nourish spaniards , so preserved citrons may no less nourish us , considering that their corrosive quality is altered by sugar , and their coldness made temperate thorough perboiling . pruna damascena . damsins , which were first brought from the mount of damascus in syria , are a most wholesome plum of all others , giving moderat nourishment in hot weather , to young chollerick and dry stomachs . the most nourishing be fully ripe , sweet , plump , and thin-skinn'd . our custome is very bad to eat ripe plums last , when their sweetness and lightness perswades us to eat them formost . ripe damsins eaten whilst the dew is upon them , are more medicinable then meat ; but being eaten at the beginning of dinner or supper , they are more meat then medicin , and give an indifferent sustenance to an indifferent stomach , especially when they are preserved . damsins not fully ripe , had need to be boiled or preserved , to correct their cold and crude nature ; but as they are fit for hot stomachs and aguish persons , so none at all are good for them that be old , or cold , or watrish and phlegmatick of constitution . the like may be said of damase-prunes , brought out of syria , spaine and italy , which are sweet , nourishing and pleasant being stued or sodden ; when contrariwise the french prune is harsh and soure , fitter to cool men in agues and to edge distasted stomachs , then to be offred any man in the way of meat . dactili . dates are usually put into stued broaths , minced-pies , and restorative cull●ces , as though they were of very great and wholesome nourishment . ceatain it is that they fat much and encrease blood , but such blood as easily turneth into hot choller . alexanders souldiers were killed with new dates ; which taste so pleasantly , that only danger makes a man surcease to eat them . the best dates grow by jericho in jewry , the next by alexandria in egypt ; but the dates of barbary and spaine have long writhled bodies without substance : chuse them which are ripe and not rotten , firm and not worm-eaten , sweet and not astringent , and at the least a year old after the gathering ; for such are best for a cold liver , fittest to move the belly and to help the cough ; whereas new dates bind excessively , stop the liver , stomach , veins , and lungs , gripe the guts , breed headach , hurt the teeth , and make little ulcers to arise in the mouth : yea ripe dates lighting upon a bad stomach do easily putrifie , engendering malign agues , & stuffing the body with crude humours , whereupon great stoppings encrease both of spleen and liver . they are hot in the second degree , and moist in the first , never good when they are eaten alone , or without sugar , which hindreth their speedy corruption . praenestinae , heracleoticae , ponticae & avellanae nuces . filberds and haselnuts , coming first out of pontus , and translated by the romans into our countrey , are found by experience to nourish the brain , to heal old coughes being eaten with hony , and to stay rhumes if be tosted . also being peeld whilst they are green , and laid a while in water , and eaten afterwards with sugar or salt at the end of meat , they give a laudible nourishment , encreasing seed , tempering blood and making it of a good consistence . chuse ever the longest , ripest , and thinnest shel`d , fullest of meat , and freest from spot or worm ; also eat them whilst they are new , if you purpose to nourish much ; for afterwards they wax more oily and less nourishing : they are best towards winter , and fitter for strong and able stomachs , because they easily overturn weak stomachs and procure headache . ficus crossi . figs are the sweetest fruit of the bitterest tree in the world ; for neither leafe , nor bud , nor bark , nor wood , nor body , nor root , nor any part of it is sweet besides the fruit : nay the very ashes of a fig-tree , is as sharpe and bitter as any soot ; yet figs themselves are so sweet , that onely for love of them the french men first invaded italy , and inhabited a great part of it many years ; yea moschus antimolus the sophister having once tasted them , he hated all other meats during his life ; and plato so affected them , that he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●he fig lover ; nay he loved them so much , that he died of lice , engendred of corrupt blood which the figs made ; also pompejus columna cardinal and viceroy of naples , died suddenly in the arms of austen nyphus that famous philosopher , with eating too many figs. figs are dangerous without wine , but wholesome with it . wherefore let all men beware of them , as solomon bids us take heed of too much hony least our sweet meat bring soure sawce , and pleasure be punished with too late repentance . they are seldome eaten of us green from the tree ; and of outlandish figs , let dioscorides commend his ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) yellow figs , athenaeus his blue figgs , and pratensis his mariscas , or fig-dates ; yet in my judgement the round , short , and thick barrel'd figs ( having a thin skin , and a firm substance , with few seeds in them ) are of all other the best , though not the sweetest , which i nothing doubt to be callistruthiae galeni , and those delicate figs of livia pompeia which pliny writes of . the seed of figs nourisheth no more then a stone , their skin hardly digesteth , onely their pulppy substance giveth much , though no very wholesome nor good nourishment . chuse the softest , roundest , newest , soundest , thickest , and ripest ; and as you drink wine upon cold and moist fruits , so drink small drink , or suck the soure juice of orenges , pomegranards , lemons , or citrons after figs : thus being taken they augment fat , clear the countenance , provoke venery , quench thirst , resist venom , purge the kidneys of gravel , and nourish more then any tree-fruit whatsoever . but if you would ripen a cold , or cleanse your pipes , or clear your voice , it is best to eat them with ripe almonds , or to drink them with barly water : old age is most offended by them , and such as have stopt livers , or be of a bad and corrupt complexion . pistacia , or psittacia . fisticks , or rather pisticks ( alluding to the syrian word ) are nuts growing in the knob of the syrian or egyptian turpentine ▪ tree , being so much more wholesome , good and nourishing , by how much they are more sweet , odorifreous , full , big and green : they nourish plentifully , open the liver , clense the breast , strengthen the stomach and kidneys , stay fluxes and vomitings , fatten the body , stir up lust , and resist poison . they are wholesome both before and after meat , being eaten with old-pippins , or sugar-roset . children and hot complexions must not use them , for they enflame their thin blood , and cause giddiness : but even galen ( who discommends them more then he needed ) alloweth them in winter for cold fleagmatick and weak stomachs . isaac saith , that they are hot and dry in the second degree , whereof indeed they want very little . uvae . grapes differ two wayes especially , in substance and tast . in respect of substance , they are either fleshy , which are fittest for meat , or winy and thinn , which are fittest to drink , being made into wine . in respect of taste , sweet grapes fatten and nourish most , being of hottest constitution , and speediest concoction ; yet they swell the stomach , engender thirst , and loosen the body . soure and harsh grapes are cold in operation , hardly digested , of little nourishment , griping and yet binding the belly , and therefore fitter to be tasted of as sawce , then to be eaten as meat . the germans hang up clusters of ripe grapes ( suffering them not to touch one another ) upon lines in a cold gallery , or rather in their bed-chambers ; which being dried nourish much , and yet neither swell the stomach nor cause loosness : in heat of agues one such grape or two at the most do more refresh the mouth , and restore the taste , then six ownces of conserve of cold berberies . haselnuts are already written of in our treatise of filbirds . mala iunia . iunitings are the first kind of apples which are soonest ripe , coming in and going out with the month of june ; of a little round and light substance , tender pulp , and very fragrant smell ; sent at that time to cool choler , slake thirst , and restore spirits decayed with heat of summer ; it giveth sufficient though no great nor strong nourishment , being fitter for young and hot complections , then them which are weakned with phleagm . gorni . kornils or corneols are of a very astringent and binding taste , fit to nourish weak stomachs that can keep nothing , or weak guts that void all things . for sound men they are not good , but eaten in small quantity after meat ; because they firmly seal up the stomach , and accidentally help concoctition . tart stuff or marmalade may be made of them to that purpose , wherein no doubt the excel quinces , egleutius berries be of the like substance and nature . malum limonium . lemmons approach neer unto citrons : and limes are engendred of them both . their poulp is cold and dry in the third degree ; their peel hot and dry in the second , and their seed temperate . if you eat the juice alone , it causeth gripings , leanness and crudities ; but if you eat the peel with the pulp ( as nature seemeth therefore to have united them ) the heat of the one correcteth the rawness of the other , and not onely the stomach but also the heart is comforted by them both . they of naples and genoa slice the best and sourest lemons and citrons very thinn , and having cast on salt and rosewater , use them as a general sawce to all flesh and fish ; by which preparation an appetite is procured , their wine well tasted , and their kidneys scowred . but forasmuch as we live in a colder climate , it is best to take the ripest sort of lemmons , and to steep their slises , peel and all in wine , sugar and cinamon upon the warm coals , and then to eat them alone , or with our meat . let old and consumed persons beware of them ; for they will spend their spirits with abundance of urine , and also overthrow their natural heat , which is rather to be quickned and restored with wine , then quenched or quelled with so great a cooler . mespila . medlers were not seen in italy whilst cato lived , but now in england there be too many . concerning the fruit it self , it is never good till it be rotten ; wherein the bus-meddlers of our age may also worthily be compared to them : the great ones ( called setania ) have most pulp , the little ones less , but more fine and fragrant : these also do more comfort and bind the stomach , though the great ones excell them in plenty of nourishment : either sort is to be eaten last , because they are of an heavy and astringent nature , burdensom to the stomach , and engendering gross humours , if the be eaten first . mora. mulberies being black and fat ( which is a signe of their full ripeness ) are hot in the first degree , and moist in the second ; fittest to be eaten before meat ; because they easily pass from out the stomach to the guts , drawing the other meat along with themselves : they please the stomach , procure losness of body and urine , nourish ●ound and clean bodies , though they corrupt in unclean stomachs ; also they smoothen the harshness of the throate , quench thirst , delay choller , and cause no great , but yet a natural appetite to meat . they should be gathered before sun-rising , and given onely ( as i said ) to clean stomachs and before meat ; for they will else corrupt and swell us up , and drive us perhaps into some putrified fever . they are fittest in summer for young men , and such as abound with blood and choler . unripe mulberies ( which is discerned by their whiteness and redness ) may be good to make medicins for ulcered throats and fluxes of the belly , but they deserve not the names of nourishments . when mulberies cannot be gotten , blackberries or dewberries may supply their room , to which galen ascribeth the like vertues . this one thing let us note , omitted of all herbarists of our latter age ; that albeit a mulbery tree be called in greek and latin morus , that is to say , a fool ; yet her wisdome excelleth all other trees in my judgement , because it never budeth till all sharp weather be clean gone , and then spredeth out her leaves more in a day , then all other trees did in thirty before . olivae . olives ( the desired salade of divine plato ) are an usual dish at most mens tables , though none of them grow in england . wild olives are better , then those which are set in city orchards ; which the very birds do know in italy , more coveting the wilder sort . we have three sorts of them brought into our countrey , spanish-olives , italian olives , and olives of provence . the first sort is the biggest , but yet the worst , being too yellow , too soft , and too full of oil : the italian olive is almost as big , but more firm of flesh , and pleasanter through retaining his natural greenishness . the province olives are less then either , something ▪ bitterer also and more leather like skin'd , yet better for the stomach then the spanish , though nothing neer the italian or bononian olive in flesh , taste , or goodness : there also their pickles is made of water , salt , ind sweet fennel , which giveth them a greater grace , and maketh them less heavy unto weak stomachs . all olives ( even the best ) are but of slow and little nourishment ; serving especially to provoke appetite , to cleanse the stomach of phlegm , to strengthen the guts , and to cure loathing of meat . it were good to take them out of their salt pickle ( which enflameth blood ) and to lay them a while in vinegar before we eat them , to correct their heat , and make them more agreeable to the stomach . they are best in the midst of meat with a french salad ; for being first eaten , they lye heavy in the stomach , and being last eaten , they offend the head with their brackish and salt vapours , which hinder sleep and encrease thirst . malum aurantium . orenges are brought hither of three kinds , some exceeding sweet , others soure , and the third sort unsavory , or of no rellish . the first sort are sweet and temperately hot , of indifferent nourishment , good for stoppings of the brest , rhumes and melancholy . very soure orenges are extreamly cold , making thin and watrish blood , and griping the belly ; but right civil-orenges have a pleasant verdure betwixt sweet and soure ; whose juice and flesh preserved , cause a good appetite , bridle choler , quench thirst , yet neither cool nor dry in any excess . as for unsavory orenges , they neither nourish nor serve to any good use ; but lie heavy in the stomach , stirring up wind and breeding obstructions in the belly : being eaten with sugar and cinamon , civil-orenges give a pretty nourishment to aguish persons , whose stomachs can digest no strong meats ; and also their pills preserved do somewhat nourish , especially if they be not spoiled of the white part , which is most nourishing ; as the outward rind contrariwise is most medicinable ; chuse the heaviest , ripest , and best coloured , and those that taste pleasantly betwixt sweet and soure . mala persica . peaches shew manifestly how change of earth and climate may alter natures ; for columella and divers before plinies time have recorded , that in persia ( from whence they were brought into europe ) peaches are a deadly poison ; but with us the smell of a ripe , tender , and fragrant peach comforteth the heart , and their meat not onely causeth appetite , maketh a sweet breath and cooleth choler , but also easily digesteth and giveth good nourishment . i never saw greater store of good peaches then in suitzerland ; where the poor men fat themselves and their hoggs with them exceedingly when they are in season . all peaches are to be quartered , and laid in strong wine before they are eaten . ripe peaches according to galens rule must be eaten in the beginning of meals , because they are a moist and slippery fruit ; but hard and unripe peaches are best at the end of meat ( if ever they are good at all ) yea though they be candied or preserved ; yet peaches must be sparingly eaten , for many are dangerous , and killed theognostus that fine scholer , so much lamented in the greek epigrams . four good morsels , peaches , figs , melons , and champignois . pyra . pears be of infinite kindes , because men by graffing divers pears together have made of them infinite mixtures . the norwich-pear , and st. thomas-pear are most durable and very good ; the sand-pear is firm and also nourishing ; the lady-pear is too watrish , though beautiful in colour : the katherin-pear is simply best and best relished : the musk-pear is very cordial ; the long-tail hath a good verdure ; the puff-pear is full of wind : the bell-pear is very sappy : the tanckard-pear is somewhat bitterish and noisome to the stomach . but leaving their infinite differences of shape , colour , and time , let us onely write of their differences in taste , which is chiefly to be regarded . all sweet pears be most nourishing , cleansing the brest of phleagm , comforting the stomach , and least binding . soure and harsh pears are exceeding hurtful to the stomach and sinewy parts ; unsavory pears breed ill juice , and bitter pears nourish nothing at all . if a well rellished pear be also endued with a fragrant smell ( as the katherin pear , violet , poppering , sugar-pear , musk-pear and such like ) they are to be preferred before all others . concerning the preparation of pears , they are worst raw , and their skinn is most unwholesome ; without wine they are counted poison , especially being largely taken as a meat . they are best being eaten last , as contrariwise apples for the most part are first to be eaten ; because they are rather of a loosning then an astringent nature . they are best baked , then roasted ; but dryed pears ( in harry stevens judgement ) surpass all for strong nourishment . they are temperate in heat and cold , but dry in the second degree : which causeth them to cease fluxes and vomits , to repel vapours , and strengthen the stomach . pruna . plums grow here in such variety , that to name them onely were a tedious work . the most pulppy , sweet , pleasant and nourishing be these . pear-plums , violet-plums , pescod-plums our ladies-plums , wheatplums , mawdlins , and damsins , whereof we have already spoken . the least nourishing ( though some of them taste not unpleasantly , especially the christian-plum ) are bullices , christians , prunellaes , skegs and horseplums . all plums baked , stued , or preserved with sugar do more plentifully nourish , because much of their sharpness , watrishness , and rawness is thereby corrected . alwaies remember to eat the sweetest sort before , and the sourest sorts of plums after meat , least unorderly eating cause that to be blamed , which was good and wholesome in his due place . here i have occasion to speak of the paste of genoa made of fragrant and fine ripe plums ; which no doubt is not onely cordial , but also restorative to such stomachs , as through extremities of agues have lost their strength . mala punica . pomegranads when they are sweet and thorough ripe , loosen phlegm , help the stomach , brest , and cough , encrease venery , provoke urine , loosen the belly , moisten the spiritual parts , and give indifferent store of good nourishment : they are best in winter for old men and phlegmatick constitutions . soure pomegranads hurt a cold stomach , straiten the brest , hinder expectoration , stop the liver , offend both teeth and gums , cool excessively , stay all humoral fluxes , yet provoke urine most plentifully ; and therefore they are more prescribed in agues then the sweet ones , as also to cholerick young men subject to scowrings . paulus aegineta affirmeth , soure pomegranads to bind onely sound mens bodies , but not such as be sick . howsoever it is , sith the ones goodness resisteth the others hurtfulness , it is best to mingle both their juices for such as be aguish or weak , and severally to use them for the strong according as occasion serveth . mala cotonea & cydonia . quinces are of two sorts ; an apple-quince called malum cotoneum , and a pear ▪ quince called of dioscorides struthium ; both of them were first brought from cydon , a castle in candy , whereupon they are commonly called mala cydonia ; we account most of the latter sort ; but the cotton and downy quince made like an apple , is most commended of the grecian and latin writers . of either of them chuse the most clear , transparant , thin-skind , ungravelly , downy , best smelling , and most furrowed as it were with long streaks ; for the very scent of such is comfortable , and though their raw flesh be as hard as raw beefe unto weak stomachs , yet being roasted , or baked , or made into marmalade , or cunningly preserved , they give a wholesome and good nourishment , and make the body soluble being eaten last at meat ; for if you eat them first , they clyng the stomach , cause exceeding costiffness , and hinder digestion , as galen sufficiently tried in protas the orator . they are cold in the first degree , and dry almost in the second : agreeing with all ages , times , and complexions , where just occasion is given to use them . uvae passae . raisins are of the same temperature with the grapes which they are made of , being also as divers in taste , substance and quality , as they be . that noah was the first planter of vines , christians know better out of the bible , then any poet or heathen writer could ever aim at ; but who first divised the drying of raisins in the sun , or the pressing them into frailes , it is neither set down by pliny nor any other author that i have read . onely this i finde by reason and experience , that the greatest , fattest , sweetest , longest and blewest raisins of the sun are ever best ; nourishing sufficiently , moderately clensing , very well temperating ill humours , mitigating all paines , and engendring very pure and good blood ; yea the african physitians that lived in galens time did with one voice and consent protest thus much of them , that for opening the brest , stomach and lungs ; for cleansing the blood , kidneys , and bladder , for ceasing all pains of the guts and moderate nourishment , no fruit is to be compared unto raisins . matthiolus in his commentaries upon dioscorides saith that raisins of the sun being either voided of their kernels or growing without kernels , loosen the belly , help hoarseness , and both nourish and cleanse the liver : contrariwise being eaten with the stones or kernels , they work rather a contrary operation . that grapes nourish much , we may see ( saith galen ) by vintage labourers , who come lean to the vineyard , but return as fat as hogs . much more do rasins of the sun and other raisins nourish our bodies , and are therefore to be accounted for no bad meats . pyra volema plinij . wardens or palme-pears so called , because one of them will fill the palm of a hand , were first brought into credit by livia pompeja ; they are very hurtful and almost indigestible being eaten raw or green ; but towards winter they are very wholesome for a weak stomach , being stued , bakt , or roasted , and to be preferred for nourishment before all fruit ; engendring ( especially when they are sweet and red ) most wholesome juice ; strengthening concoction , repelling vapours from the head , and comforting the weak and decayed spirits : would to god every hedge were as full of them as they are of wild pears and crabs , that both poor and rich might have a competent nourishment when fish and flesh can hardly be gotten . iuglandes . wallnuts or iupiters acorns ( for so the greeks and latins called them ) are sufficiently nourishing whilst they are green , but when they once wax so dry that they hardly peel , they are more medicinable then nourishing : either of them engender the cough and cause headache ; but if you peel new walnuts and wash them in wine and salt , they are least offensive to the stomach , and yet more nourishing if you eat them with sugar . old walnuts are hot in the third degree , and dry in the second ; new walnuts are most temperate in each respect , agreeing with old men and phlegmatick persons , being eaten at the end of the fall , and the beginning of winter . chap. xxiii . of such fruits of the garden as are nourishing . a atichokes grew sometimes onely in the isle of sicil ; and since my remembrance they were so dainty in england , that usually they were sold for crownes a peice : now industry and skill hath made them so common , that the poorest man is possessed of princes dainties . julius capitolinus in the life of pertinax , and pliny likewise in the book of his natural history , reports artichokes to have been of such estimation in carthage and corduba , that there were sold as many artichokes in one year , as came to six thousand sesterties , which maketh thirty thousand pound sterling . the first sprouts of artichoke-leavs being sod in good broth with butter , do not onely nourish , but also mightily stir up lust of the body both in men and women : the young heads of them eaten raw with pepper and salt do the like ; but the great heads being once come to perfection , howsoever they are counted windy & hard of digestion , fuming up to the head , and burdensom to the stomach : yet certain it is that they are of great nourishment being well prepared . some boil them in fat poudred beefe broth till they be tender , and then eat them with vinegar , pepper , sugar , butter , and salt . others having parboiled them a little , take the pulpy part in the bottome , and with sweet marrow , verjuice , pepper , sugar , and gooseberries , make most excellent and restorative pies . the italians broil them on a gridiron , setting their bottoms downward , and pouring on a little sweet oil upon every leaf assoon as they open with the heat , and as that soakes in , they put in a little more : for if much should be poured in at once , they would smel of the smoak , by reason that the oil would drop into the fire . this way the artichoke is least windy , and ( if it be eaten with sugar , butter , and the juice of an orenge ) most pleasant likewise . they are hot in two degrees , and dry in one ; and therefore fittest for cold , aged persons , and complexions . remember that raw artichokes are to be eaten towards the end of meals , but the other at the beginning or in the midst . asparagus . asparagus was in old time a meat for such emperours as julius caesar ; now every boord is served with them . they must be presently gathered when their heads bow downwards , and being sodden in two or three waters ( to ridd them of bitterness ) they are to be boiled in mutton broth till they be tender , which is done in a trice . the greatest and tenderest stalked are ever best , and few or no kind of herbs nourish more , being spoiled of their bitterness and eaten hot . galen doubteth of their active quality , but yet experience sheweth them to be temperately moist , and not to exceed in heat the first degree . ballocks-grass , or satyrium ( whereof there be five principal kinds ) is only nourishing in the full , heavy and sappy root ; for the other is of clean contrary disposition . some eat them being boiled in goats milke and sugar . others candy them , or keep them in syrup : any way they encrease bodily lust strengthen the liver , help the parts of conception , restore them which are consumed , and give plentiful nourishment in hectick fevors . ▪ mora rubi . bramble-berries , or black-berries , be they of the greater or the less kind , are temperately warm , and sufficiently nourishing to a weak stomach . how the poor live upon them , daily experience sheweth ; yet being much eaten they bind the body , and engender such putrified humors as beget both scabs and lice . borrago . buglossa . sirsium . borrage , bugloss and langdebeif , are of so great a temperature in all qualities , that they are not only commended for special cordials being steeped in wine , or made into conserves ; but also their flowers , herbs , and roots are esteemed restorative , nourishing weak bodies sufficiently , and strengthening the parts of nourishment more then meanly , being sodden in broths , cullises , or gellies . personatae radix . burr-roots , ( i mean of the clot burr , called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the greeks ) whilst they are young and tender , in the month of april , are very wholesome and nourishing , being eaten like a young green artichoke with pepper and salt . the frenchmen and italians first found them out : since which time they are more common amongst us , through the means of them which have travelled into strange countries . brassicae . coleworts be of divers sorts , but the most nourishing of all is your white-leafed cabbage ( as big as a great loaf ) called brassica tritiana , and that which the italians calleth cauli flores : so beloved of pompey , that it was termed brassica pompeiana . either of them must first gently be sodden in fair water , then again steeped all night in warm milk ; afterwards seeth them with fat marrow or in fat brues , and they are very nourishing without offence . otherwise all coleworts engender gross and melancholique bloud . choose ever the whitest and tenderest leafed , for they are of the finest and best nourishment . the aegyptians eat cabbage first to prevent drunkenness . danci hortenses . carot roots , are very temperate in heat and driness , of an aromatical and spice-like taste , warming the inward parts , and giving great nourishment to indifferent stomachs , being sodden in fat and fleshy broth , or else buttered . the yellower the root , the more sweet , tender , and aromatical is the carot : and the best grow in a black , soft and ripe though not in a forced earth . anguriae citruli . citruls , ( so much beloved of tiberius the emperor ) are of like temperature with melons and pompions ( of whom hereafter ) nourishing hot stomachs very well being boiled with good flesh or sweet milk . c●cumeres . melopepones . cucumbers growing in hot grounds and well ripened with the sun , are neither moist nor cold in the second degree . they agree well with hot stomachs being eaten with vineger , salt , oil , and pepper : but if you boil them ( whilst they are young ) with white-wine , vervin , dill , and salt liquor , they are not of a bad nourishment ( as galen took them ) but engender good humors , and settle a very cold and weak stomach : as by much practice and long experience i have proved in divers persons . schaenoprasa . cives , or rush-leeks be almost as hot as leeks themselves . some eat them raw in salads , but then they nourish not . if you boil them twice or thrice in water , they lose their over-hot and drying nature , and give no bad nourishment to cold stomachs . glandes terrestres dodonaei . earthnuts grow much on richmond heath and coome park , as also beside bath as you travel to bristol . they are best in may. in holland and brabant they are eaten ( as the roots of turneps and parsneps ) boiled in flesh-broth , which correcteth their binding quality , and maketh them of good and wholesome nourishment . bulbocastanea . earth-chesnuts are far bigger then earthnuts , and the flowers of them are white where the others be red . about bath there is great plenty of them , and they are of like nourishment and use with the earthnuts . intubum sativum latifolium . endive ( especially that which hath the longest , largest , softest , and whitest leaves ) is of good nourishment to hot stomachs , not only cooling but also encreasing bloud ; if it be sodd in white broth till it be tender : but if you eat it raw in salads ( as it is most commonly used ) then it only cooleth and lyeth heavy in the stomach , because it is not freed from its crudities . vacinia palustria . fen-berries grow not only in holland in low and moist places , but also ( if i have not forgotten it ) in the isle of eli. they are of like temper and faculty with our whortles , but somewhat more astringent . being eaten raw or stewed with sugar , they are wholesome meat in hot burning fevers , unto which either fluxes of humors or spending of spirits are annexed . likewise they quench thirst no less then ribes , and the red or outlandish gooseberrie . mora rubi idaei . trambois , or raspis are of complexion like the blackberry and dewberry , but not of so astringent nor drying quality . furthermore they are more fragrant to the nose and more pleasant in taste , and of far better nourishment to hot stomachs for cold stomachs cannot convert them into any good juice . allium . garlick was so odious or hurtful to horace that he makes it more venemous then hemlocks , adders bloud , medea's cups , yea then the poison of nessus the centaure which killed hercules . contrariwise the thracians eat it every morning to breakfast , and earry it with them in warfare as their chiefest meat . whereat we need not marvel , considering the coldness of their country and their phlegmatick constitution . let us rather wonder at the spaniard , who eats it more ( being a hot nation ) then our labouring men do here in england . whereby we may see how preparation begetteth in every thing another nature : for the thracians eat it raw because of their extreme coldness ; but the spaniard sodden first in many waters , or else rosted under the embers in a wet paper , whereby it is made sweet and pleasant , and hath lost more then half of his heat and dryness thus is garlick medicine and meat : medicine if it be eaten raw , but meat and nourishment being rosted under the embers , or stickt like lard in fat meat , or boiled in many waters , broths , or milks . by which way also his fuming and diuretical quality is much corrected . yet beware lest you eat too much of it , lest it engender little worms in your flesh , as it did in arnulphus the emperor , whereof he died . it is very dangerous to young children , fine women , and hot young men ; unless the headdy , hot and biting quality thereof be extinguished by the foresaid means . cucurbitae . gourds eaten raw and unprepared , are a very unwholesome food , as galen saith , exceedingly cooling , charging , and loading the stomach ; and engendering crudities and wind . but being boiled , baked , or fryed with butter , it loseth his hurtfulness , and giveth good nourishment to indifferent stomachs . the seed of it being husked and boiled in new milke is counted very restorative in hectick fevers . grossulae . uvae crispae . gooseberries being thorough ripe are as nourishing as sweet , and of the like temper , not only encreasing flesh , but also fatting the body . they should be eaten first and not last , because they are so light a fruit . when they are almost ripe they are restorative being made into codiniack , or baked in tarts . soure gooseberries nourish nothing , serving rather for sawce to please ones taste , then to augment flesh . grossulae transmarinae . red gooseberries or bastard ▪ corinths , commonly called ribes of apothecaries , and taken of dodonaeus for the bears-berry of galen ; is almost of the like nature with gooseberries , but more cold , dry , and astringent by one degree , because they never wax sweet in our country . they are very cordial and cooling in agues , being eaten either in conserve , or codiniack ; yea nourishing also to hot stomachs . lupularii asparagi . hop-shootes are of the same nature with asparagus , nourishing not a little , being prepared in the like sort ( which is before described ) though rather cleansing and scouring of their own nature . alliaria . jack by the hedge , as it is not much used in medicines , so it was heretofore a very ancient and common meat , being therefore called sawce alone . country men do boil it and eat it in stead of garlick , being no less strengthened and nourished by it then the persian children were with town-cresses . i allow it not for indifferent stomachs , unless it have been steept in divers warm waters , and then be eaten ( as garlick may be eaten ) moderately : for it is hot and dry more then in the third degree . porra . leeks are esteemed so wholesome and nourishing in our country , that few thinke any good pottage can be made without them . that they engender bloud no author denies , but they say it is gross , hot , and evil bloud . nevertheless if they be first sodden in milke , and then used in meat , they are unclothed of all bad qualities , and become friendly to the stomach , and nourishing to the liver . the grecians made such reckoning of leeks , as our welsh men do ; yea he ever sate uppermost at apollo's feast that brought thither the greatest headed leek . some impute that to his mother latona her longing for leeks whilst she was with child of apollo . others say that apollo did so highly esteem them , because they engender much bloud and seed , whereby mankind is much encreased : which opinion i like best of , hearing and seeing such fruitfulness in wales , that few or none be found barren , and many fruitful before their time . porrum sectivum palladii . the unset leek or maiden-leek is not so hot as the knopped ones ; because his fuming quality is diminished by often cutting . lactuca . lettice is not more usually then profitably eaten of us in summer ; yea galen did never eat of any other garden herb save this ( for ought we read ) whereby he delayed the heat of his stomach in youth , eating it formost , and slept soundly and quietly in age , eating it last . it is better sodden then raw , especially for weak stomachs : and if any will eat it raw , correct it with mingling a little tarragon and fennel with it . the young loaft . lettice is simply best , but you must not wash it , for then it loseth its best and most nourishing vertue that lieth upon the outmost skin : only pluck away the leaves growing near the ground , till you come to the cabbage of the lettice , and it is enough . long use of lettice causeth barrenness , cooleth lust , dulleth the eyesight , weakeneth the body , and quencheth natural heat in the stomach : but moderately and duly taken of hot natures , it encreaseth bloud , seed , and milk , stayeth all fluxes of nature , bringeth on sleep and cooleth the heat of urine . the middle and thickest part of the leaf being boiled and preserved in syrup ( as endiff and succory is done beyond-sea ) give a great nourishment to weak persons newly recovered of hot agues . the romans did eat lettice last to provoke sleep : we eat it first to provoke appetite . so that martials question is fully answered : claudere quae coenas lactuce solebat avorum . dic mihi , cur nostras incipit illa dapes ? when elder times did feed on lettice last , why is it now the first meat that we tast ? melones & pepones . melons and pompions are not so cold nor moist as cucumbers . growing in a hot ground and thoroughly ripened with hot and dry weather , they give much nourishment , especially being baked with good flesh or sweet milke , or baked with sweet apples butter and fennel-seed . melopepones . musk-melons are neither so moist nor cold as the ordinary sort , engendring far better bloud , and descending more speedily into the belly . they will hardly prosper in our country , unless they are set in a very fat , hot , and dry ground , having the benefit of sun-shine all the year long . jason mainus ( a most famous civilian ) so loved a musk-melon , that he said to one of his friends , were i in paradise as adam was , and this fruit forbidden me , verily , i fear me , i should leave paradise to taste of a musk-melon . nevertheless let not the pleasant smell or taste of them draw any man to eat too much of them , for they cast albertus secundus the emperor into a deadly flux ; sophia queen of poland into a numb'd palsie , and paulus secundus the pope into a mortal apoplexy . all melons , pompions , and cucumbers , are not presently to be eaten out of the ground ( though they be fully ripe ) but rather a week after for with delay they prove less moist , and also less cold . as for our great garden pompions and melons they may tarry in a warm kitchin till towards christmass before they be eaten , to be more dryed from their watrishness , and freed from crudities . napi . navews , especially napus sativus , called in english navew gentle , nourish something less then turneps , otherwise they are of like operation . they are best sodden in pouldred beef broth , or else with fat mutton , or pouldred pork . cepae . onions are very hot and drye ; nevertheless being rosted or boiled in fat broth or milke , they become temperate and nourishing , leaving their hot and sharp nature in the broth or embers . the priests of aegypt abhorred them of all herbs ; first because ( contrary to the course of other things ) they encrease most when the moon decreaseth . secondly , because they nourish too much , and procure lust , which religious men , of all other persons , ought to refrain . the greater , whiter , longer , sweeter , thinner-skinned , and fuller of juice they be ( such are st. thomas onions ) the more they nourish , and excel in goodness : but if they be very red , dry , round , light , and sowrish , they are not so commendable . raw onions be like raw garlick , and raw leeks ( that is to say , of great malignity , hurting both head , eyes , and stomach , enflaming blood , and engendering both gross and corrupt humors ) but sodden in milke , and then eaten sallad-wise with sweet oil , vinegar , and sugar ( as we use them in lent ) they are hurtful to no persons nor complexions . apium hortense . parsley nourisheth most in the root ; for if you choose young roots and shift them out of two or three warm waters , they lose their medicinable faculty of opening and cleansing , and become as sweet , yea almost as nourishing as a carot being sodden in fat broth made with good flesh . the like may i say of alisander buds which is nothing but the parsley of alexandria ) being drest or prepared in the like manner : otherwise they may be used ( as nettles are ) in spring-time pottage to cleanse bloud , but they will give no laudable or rather no nourishment at all . portulaca . purslane is usually eaten green in sallades , as lettice likewise . but being sodden in wine it is of good nourishment in the summer time unto hot stomachs , which are able to overcome it . radices sisari indici . potado-roots are now so common and known amongst us , that even the husbandman buyes them to please his wife . they nourish mightily , being either sodd , baked , or rosted . the newest and heaviest be of best worth , engendring much flesh , bloud , and seed , but withall encreasing wind and lust . clusius thinks them to be indian skirrets , and verily in taste and operation they resemble them not a little . radicula sativa . radish roots of the garden ( for they are best ) are either long and white without , or round like a turnep , and very black skinned , called the italian radish . most men eat them before meat to procure appetite , and help digestion . but did they know ( and yet they feel it ) what ranck belchings radishes make , how hardly they are digested , how they burn bloud , and engender lice , cause leanness , rot the teeth , weaken eye-sight , and corrupt the whole mass of nourishment , i thinke they would be more temperate and sparing of them ; yet were so prized amongst the grecians , that at apollo's feast when turneps were served in tinn dishes , and beets in silver , yet radish roots were not served but in golden dishes . notwithstanding , sith by nature they provoke vomiting , how can they be nourishing ? unless it be to such rustical stomachs as are offended with nothing , and to whom resty bacon is more agreeable then young and tender pork . nevertheless sith only the heat and biting of radish , are the chiefest cause why it nourish little or nothing ( as galen saith ) no doubt if by steeping in warm milk , or boiling in fat broth those qualities be removed , it would prove the less medicinable & more nourishing . rapi silvestris radix . rampions or wild rapes , of nature not unlike to turneps , eaten raw with vinegar and salt , do not onely stir up an appetite to meat , but also are meat and nourishment of themselves . in high germany they are much eaten , and now our nation knows them indifferently well ; and begin to use them . radix allii ursini . ramseys are of like vertue and power with garlick , and are so to be prepared , or else they give neither much nor any good nourishment . rapae . rapes or turneps , sodden in fat broth , or roasted with butter and sugar put into the midst thereof , nourish plentifully , being moderately taken ; for if they be undigested through excess , they stir up windiness , and many superfluous humours in the body . the bohemians have turneps as red outwardly as blood , which i did eat of in prague , and found them a most delicate meat ; yea they are counted so restorative and dainty , that the emperour himself nurseth them in his garden . roasted turneps are so sweet and delicate , that mavius curius refused much gold , offered him by the samnites , rather then to leave his turnep in the embers . radices eringii marini . sea holly roots are of temperate heat and cold , but somewhat of too dry a nature ; yet prove they moist enough to give plentiful nourishment , after they have been preserved in syrupe or candied with ginger , encreasing blood , seed , and lust , and restoring such as by lechery have been much consumed . radices sisari . skirret-roots were so sweet & delicate in ancient times , that tiberius caesar , caused the inhabitants of gelduba ( a certain signory upon the rhine ) to pay him tribute at rome in skirret-roots ; bringing them weekly thither whilst they were in season . they have a long string or pith within them , which being taken away before they are thorough sod , maketh them eat exceeding sweet ; usually they are boild till they be tender , and then eaten cold with vinegar , oil and pepper ; but if they be roasted four or five together in a wet paper under embers ( as one would roast a potado ) or strain'd into tart-stuff , and so baked with sugar , butter and rosewater , they are far more pleasant and of stronger nourishment , agreeing with all complexions , sexes and ages , being also of a mild heat and a temperate moisture . did we know all the strength and vertues of them , they would be much nourished in our gardens , and equally esteemed with any potado root . cepa ascalonites . skallions are a kind of little onions , brought first from ascalon a town of jewry ; very hot and dry , yea hotter and drier by one degree then any onions . cold stomachs and barren weaklings may safely eat them raw to procure appetite and lust ; but they are not nourishing to indifferent stomachs till they have been perboild in new milk . some correct them , by mincing them small , and steeping them a good while in warm water , afterwards they eat them with vinegar , oil and salt , after the italian fashion . spinachia . spinache being boiled soft and then eaten with butter , small currens and sugar heat together upon a chafing dish , giveth no bad nor little nourishment to dried bodies , and is onely hurtful to such as be over-phlegmatick . fragulae . strawberries of the garden , be they white , red , or green ( but the red are best ) being once come to their full ripeness in a warm summer , and growing in a warm ground , are to a young hot stomach both meat and medicine . medicin to cool his choler & excessive heat ; meat by his temperate and agreeable moisture , fit at that time of the year to be converted into blood ; especially being eaten raw with wine and sugar , or else made into tart stuff and so baked : howsoever they be prepared , let every man take heed by melchior duke of brunswick how he eateth too much of them , who is recorded to have burst a sunder at rostock with surfeiting upon them . cranz . lib. . cap. . hist . vandal . radix spirae albae . thistle-roots ( i mean of the white thistle when it first springeth ) are exceeding restorative and nourishing , being sodden in white ▪ stued broth , or else baked in tarts , or in pies like artichoks : few men would think so good meat to lye hidden in so base and abject an herb , had not trial and cookery found out the vertue of it . rapae rotunde . turneps ( in commendation whereof moschio the grecian wrote a large volumn ) are nothing but round rapes , whereof heretofore we writ in this chapter . nastureia aquatica . water-cresses and town-cresses nourish raw and cold stomachs very well : but for hot or indifferent stomachs they are of a contrary nature . xenophon saith , that the persians children going to school , carry nothing with them to eat and drink , but cresses in the one hand and bread in the other , and an earthen cruse at their girdle to take up water in : whereby we may perceive that they agree well with moist natures , and such as are accustomed to drink water : otherwise no doubt they nourish nothing , but rather over heat and burn the blood . as for anise , blites , blood-wort , broom-buds , gapars , calamint , clary , dill , fennel , galangal , hisope , marigolds , mustard-seed , mints , nettles , orache , patience , primroses , rosemary , saffron , sage , samphire , savory , tamarisk , tansy , tarragon , time , violets and wormwood : howsoever they are used sometimes in broths , pottage , farrings , sawces , salads and tansies ; yet no nourishment is gotten by them , or at the least so little , that they need not , nor ought not to be counted amongst nourishments . chap. xxiv . of such fruits of the field , as are nourishing . the chief fruits of the field are wheate , rye , rice , barly , oates , beanes , chiches , pease and lentils . triticum . wheate is divided into divers kinds by pliny , columella , dodonaeus , pena and lobelius ; it shall be sufficient for us to describe the sorts of this country , which are especially two : the one red called robus by columella , and the other very white and light called siligo , whereof is made our purest manchet . being made into furmity and sodden with milk and sugar , or artificially made into bread ; wheate nourisheth exceeding much and strongly : the hardest , thickest , heaviest , cleanest , brightest and growing in a fat soil , is ever to be chosen ; for such wheate ( in dioscorides and galens judgement ) is most nourishing . secale . rye seemeth to be nothing but a wild kind of wheate , meet for labourers , servants and workmen , but heavy of digestion to indifferent stomachs . oriza . rice is a most strong and restorative meat , discommendable onely in that it is over-binding ; very wholesome pottage is made thereof with new milk , sugar , cinamon , mace and nutmegs : whose astringency if any man fear , let him soke the rice one night before in sweet whey , and afterwards boil it in new milk with sugar , butter , cloves and nutmegs , leaving out cinamon and mace . thus shall the body be nourished , costiveness prevented , and nature much strengthened and encreased . hordeum . barly used any way in bread , drink or broth , is ever cooling ( saith galen ) and engendreth but a thin and weak juice . before we use it in broths or ptisan , it should be clean hulld , and washed in many waters . the decoction of barly in chicken-broth , strained with a few blauncht almonds , and sweetned with sugar , and rosewater , is a very covenient meat for sound men , but more for them which are sick and abhor flesh . cardan saith that galen maketh mention of a kind of barly in greece ▪ growing without a husk , and hulld by nature ; which place he never citeth , because he was mistaken ; for through all galen i could never find any such thing , though of purpose i searched for it very diligently . the best barly is the biggest and yellowest without , and fullest , closest and heaviest within ; it is never to be used in meat till it be half a year old , because lying causeth it to ripen better , and to be also far less windy . being made into malt by a sweet fire and good cunning , it is the foundation of our english wine , which being as well made as it is at not●ingam , proveth meat drink and cloth to the poorer sort . parched barly or malt is hot and dry , but otherwise it is temperately cooling and less drying . that wheate and rye is far more nourishing then barly . plutarch would thence prove , because they are half a year longer in the earth , and are of a more thick , sappy , and firm substance . but rice ( being counted and called by tragus german barly ) disarmeth that reason , which is not sowed till march and yet is of as great or rather greater nourishment . avenae . oates termed by galen the asses and horses provender , are of the like nature with barly , but more astringent , especially being old and thorough dry . had galen seen the oaten cakes of the north ; the janocks of lancashire , and the grues of cheshire , he would have confessed that oates and oatmeal are not onely meat for beasts ▪ but also for tall , fair and strong men and women of all callings and complexions : but we pardon the grecians delicacy , or else ascribe it to the badness of their soile , which could bring forth ▪ no oates fit for nourishment . chuse the largest , heaviest , sweetest , fullest and blackest to make your oatmeal groats of , for they are least windy and most nourishing . fabae . beans were first a field fruit , howsoever ( to make them more sappy ) they have lately been set and kept in gardens . pythagoras forbad his scholers to eat of them ( especially coming once to be great and black-taild ) because they hinder sleep and procure watchfulness ( for which cause they were given to iudges as they sate down in judgement ) or else in sleep cause fearful and troublesome dreams , as you may read in tullius second book of divination ; wherefore howsoever camatherus ( immanuel commenaeus his secretary ) ventured for them , or men now affect them in these dayes ; assuredly they are a very hurtful meat , unless they be eaten very young , and sod in fat broth , and afterwards ( being freed of their husk ) be eaten in the beginning or midst of meal , buttered throughly and sufficiently sprinkled with gross pepper and salt ; then will they nourish much , and too too much encrease seed to lusty wantons . ciceres . chiches of england are very hard and unwholesome ; but in italy and france there is a kind of red chich , yeelding a sweet , fine and nourishing flour : whereof thick pap or pottage being made with sugar , you shall hardly find any grain or pulse of comparable nourishment ; as my most honourable good lord , the lord willoughby of eresby , in his most dangerous consumption did well testifie . perhaps this broth was that , for a mess whereof esau sold his birth-right ; for no pulse but this maketh a red pottage . pisa . pease are not fully so windy as beans , and also of better nourishment , because they are less abstersive . french-pease , hasty pease , and gray-pease , be the tenderest and sweetest of all others ; for the common field-pease or green-pease is too hard of digestion for indifferent stomachs . take the youngest , and seeth them thoroughly , butter them plentifully , and season them well with salt and pepper ; so will they prove a light meat , and give convenient nourishment in summer time . lentes . lentiles were so prized in athenaeus time , that one wrote a whole treatise in their commendation ; and diogenes commended them above all meats to his scholers , because they have a peculiar vertue to quicken the wit. let us ( for shame ) not discontinue any longer this wholesome nourishment , but rather strive to find out some preparation , whereby they may be restored to their former or greater goodness . chap. xxv . of the variety , excellency , making , and true use of bread ▪ the dignity and necessity of bread. bread is a food so necessary to the life of man , that whereas many meats be loathed naturally , of some persons , yet we never saw , read , nor heard of any man that naturally hated bread . the reasons whereof i take to be these . first because it is the staff of life , without which all other meats would either quickly putrifie in our stomachs , or sooner pass thorough them then they should , whereupon crudities , belly-worms and fluxes do arise to such children or persons , as either eat none or too little bread. again , neither flesh , fruit nor fish are good at all seasons , for all complexions , for all times , for all constitutions and ages of men ; but bread is never out of season , disagreeing with no sickness , age , or complexion , and therefore truely called the companion of life . no child so young but he hath bread , or the matter of bread in his pap : no man so weak , but he eats it in his broth , or sucks it out of his drink . it neither enflameth the cholerick , nor cooleth the phlegmatick , nor over-moistneth the sanguin , nor drieth the melancholick . furthermore it is to be admired ( saith plutarch ) that bread doth of all other things best nourish and strengthen both man and beast ; insomuch that with a little bread they are enabled for a whole dayes journey , when with twise as much meat they would have fainted . wherefore it was not a small threatning , when god said he would break the staff of bread ; without which our meat giveth no strength ( as i said before ) but either corrupteth in the stomach , or is converted to slimy crudities ; we may also remember , that of all compound meats it is the first of all mentioned in the scripture , namely in the third of genesis ; where god threatneth adam that in the sweat of his browes he should eat his bread . again in the lords prayer we ask for all bodily nourishment in the name of bread , because bread may be justly called the meat of meats , as without whom there is no good nor substantial nourishment . the italians have a proverb , that all troubles are easie with bread , and no pleasure pleasant without bread. signifying thereby , our lives to consist more in bread , then in any other meat whatsoever , to conclude , when christ would describe himself unto us whilst he lived , and leave a memorial unto us of himself after death : his wisdome found no hieroglyphical character wherein better to express himself ( the only nourisher and feeder of all mankind ) then by the sight , taking and eating of bread : so that i may boldly prefer it above all nourishment , being duely and rightly used , as agreeing with all times , ages , and constitutions of men , either sick or sound ; which cannot be verified of any one nourishment besides . upon which and some other things , arose these questions and sayings , whether eating of crusts of bread , and sinews of flesh , make a man strong ? whether ashes be physick , and mouldy bread clear the eyesight ? mony and bread never brought plague . bread and cheese be the two targets against death . the authors and inventers of bread. who was the first authour or inventer of making bread , i will not take upon me to determine . pliny ascribeth it to ceres ; who seeing what hurt came to men by eating of acorns , devised a means how to pound corn into meal , and then to work , form and bake it into loaves and cakes . pausanias ascribeth it to arcas , iupiter , and calistoes son . but without all question adam knew it first , whosoever was the first that made it ; yea sith it is the strengthner of life , no doubt as he and his son knew how to sow corn , so they were not ignorant or unpractised in the chiefe use thereof . the differences of bread. concerning the differences of bread , some are taken from the meats we eat ; for the romans had panem ostrearium , which they onely did eat with oisters . they had also their dainty bread , made with hony , spice and flour : they had also a hasty cake , called panis speuticus learned first in greece ; likewise their bread differed in baking , some being baked upon the hearth , others broild it upon gridirons , others fried it like pancakes , others baked it in ovens , others sod it in seam like fritters ; others boild it in water like cimnels , being called panes aquatici ; which the parthians taught them . but the chiefe differences are in the variety of matter , whereof they consist ; and the variety of goodness , which i will declare in order . some countries ( where corn was either never sown at all , or being sowed cannot prosper ) make bread of such things made into meal as their soil yeeldeth . the oritae , green landers and north-icelanders make it of dried fish , which being thorough dried in the sun , they beat it first with hammers , then pound it with pestils , and form cakes with water , which they tost at their fires , made onely of great fishes bones ( for they have no wood ) and eat it instead of bread ; yet live they well , and look well , and enjoy pleasures ( saith hector boethius in his scottish history ) abounding in children , strength and contentment , though not in wealth . the brasilians make bread of the root of a herb ressembling purcelane , and of the barks of trees as osorius writeth ; whom i may believe , because i have eaten of the same bread , brought home by sir francis drake . the most part of egyptians make bread of lotus seed , resembling poppy : but they which dwell by the river astupas made it of dried roots beaten to pouder , which they formed like a tilestone , and baked it hard in the sun. like bread made the thracians of tribulus or water-nut roots , and the arabians of dates . but the best is made of graine , which the romans for years after their city was built , had not yet learned : and was not afterwards publikely practised by bakers , till the persian wars . as for wheaten bread it was so rare in caesars time , that none knew how to make it save his own baker . and again white manchet was so hard to come by in the grecian courts , that lucian protested a man could never get enough of it , no not in his dream . spiced bread was more ancient ; for diogines loved it above all meats , and hippocrates and plato make mention of it . brown-bread was used in philoxenus his age and long before ; who having eaten up all the white-bread at the sophists table , one set him a great brown-loaf on the table , on whom he bestowed this jest : ho la ! not too much , not too much good fellow , least it be night too soon . thus much of the ancient making of bread ; now let us consider . the usual mattter of bread. first , whereof bread is made in our daies , secondly how it is made , thirdly when , and in what order , fourthly in what quantity it is to be eaten . touching the first : bread is usually made of rye , barly , oates , missellin or pure wheate ▪ rye-bread is cold and of hard concoction , breeding wind and gripings in the belly , engendring gross humours , being as unwholesome for indifferent stomachs , as it agreeth with strong bodies and labourious persons ; yet openeth it , and cureth the hemorrhoids . barly ▪ bread is little or nothing better , being tough and heavy of digestion , choking the small veins , engendring crudities , and stuffing the stomach . oaten-bread is very light being well made , more scowring then nourishing if the oat-meal be new , and too much binding if it be old . howbeit oates in greece are recorded to be so temperate , that they neither stir nor stay the belly . misslin or munckcorn-bread , made of rye and wheate together , is esteemed better or worse , accordingly as it is mingled more with this or that grain . but of all other wheaten-bread is generally the best for all stomachs , yet of so stopping a nature ▪ if it be too fine , because it is of best temper , and agreeth with all natures and complexions things to be observed in the well making of bread. concerning the well making whereof , we must have great choice and care . . of the wheate it self . . of the meal . . of the water . . of the salt. . of the leven . . of the dough or past . . of the moulding . . of the oven . . of the baking . all which circumstances i most willingly prosecute to the ful , because as bread is the best nourishment of all other , being well made , so is it simply the worst being marred in the ill handling . . concerning the wheate , it must be thorough ripe ere it is gathered , two months old ere it be thrashed , and a month or two old after that ( at the least ) ere it be grinded . chuse ever the yellowest without , and smoothest , growing in a hot and fat soil , hard , white and full within , clean thrasht and winowed , then clean washt and dryed , afterwards grosly grinded ( for that makes the best flour ) in a mill wherein the grind-stones are of french marble , or some other close or hard stone . . the meal must neither be so finely grinded ( as i said ) least the bran mingle with it , nor too grosly , least you lose much flour , but moderately gross , that the bran may be easily separated , and the fine flour not hardly boulted . you must not presently mould up your meal after grinding , lest it prove too hot ; nor keep it too long lest it prove fusty and breed worms , or be otherwise tainted with long lying . likewise though the best manchet ( called panis siligineus of pliny ) be made of the finest flour ▪ passed through a very fine boulter , yet that bread which is made of courser meal ( called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the grecians ) is of lighter digestion and of stronger nourishment . . the water must be pure , from a clear river or spring : not too hot least the dough cling , nor too cold least it crumble , but lukewarm . . the salt must be very white , finely beaten , not too much nor too little , but to give an indifferent seasoning . . the leaven must be made of pure wheate , it must not be too old least it prove too soure , nor too new least it work to no purpose , nor too much in quantity , least the bread receive not a digesting but a fretting quality . where by the way note , that loaves made of pure wheaten-meal require both more leaven and more labouring , and more baking , then either course cheate , or then bread mingled of meal and grudgins . in england our finest manchet is made without leaven , which maketh cheate bread to be the lighter of both , and also the more wholesome ; for unleavened bread is good for no man. . the dough of white bread must be throughly wrought , and the manner of moulding must be first with strong kneading , then with rouling to and fro , and last of all with wheeling or turning it round about , that it may sit the closer ; afterwards cut it slightly in the midst round about , and give it a slit or two thorough from the top to the bottome with a small knife , to give a vent every way to the inward moisture whilst it is in baking . . the loaves should neither be too great nor too little : for as little loaves nourish least , so if the loaves be too great , the bread is scarce thoroughly baked in the midst : wherefore the francklins bread of england is counted most nourishing , being of a middle sise , between gentlemens roules or little manchets , and the great loaves used in yeomens houses . . the oven must be proportionable to the quantity of bread , heated every where alike , and by degrees ; not too hot at the first , lest the outside be burnt and the in-side clammy ; nor too cold , lest the bread prove sad and heavy in our stomachs . . last of all concerning the baking , it must not stay too long in the oven , least it prove crusty , dry and cholerique ; nor too little a while , for fear it be clammy and of ill nourishment , fitter to cram capons and poultry , then to be given to sick or sound men . bread being thus made , strengtheneth the stomach , and carrieth truly with it the staff of nourishment . iupiters priests ( called flamines diales ) were forbidden to eat either meal or leaven by themselves , yet might they eat of leavened bread and none other . the reason whereof is alledged by plutarch . they might eat no meal , because it is an imperfect and raw nourishment ; being neither wheate which it was , nor bread which it should be ; for meal hath lost ( which it had ) the form of grain , and wanteth ( which it is to have ) the form of bread. they might eat no leaven , because leaven is the mother and daughter of corruption , souring all if it be too much , and distasting all if it be too little : but when a just proportion is kept betwixt them both , leaven corrects the meals imperfection , and meal resisteth leavens corruption , making together a well rellished mass ( called bread ) which is justly termed the staff of life . as for bunns made with eggs and spices , as also for sugar-cakes , wafers , simnels and cracknels , and all other kind of delicious stuff , wherein no leaven cometh ; i will not deny them a medicinable use for some bodies , but if they be usually and much eaten , they rather help to corrupt then to nourish our bodies . of the age of bread. touching the age of bread , as the egyptians bread made of lotus seed is never either good or light till it be hot ; so contrariwise all bread made of grain is never good till it be fully cold . hot bread is exceeding dangerous swimming in the stomach procuring thirst , most hardly digesting , and filling the body full of wind . neither yet must it be too old and dry , for then it nourisheth nothing , dryeth up the body , encreaseth costiffness , and very hardly passeth from out the stomach . of the use of bread. last of all , concerning the use of bread , it consisteth in the quality , quantity , and timely taking of it . the inmost crumbs of bread are most nourishing , and fittest for hot and cholerick persons ; contrariwise the crumbs next the crust are fittest for phlegmatick dispositions , unto whom sometimes we allow the crust it self , or else the crumbs tosted at the fire . leavened bread is also most convenient for weak stomachs , because it is soonest digested ; but if it be too much leavened , it anoieth them as much in gripings of the belly and spleen-swellings . it is questioned by some , whether children should eat much bread without meat , aut contra . now bread ( so it be not newer then one day ) is most nourshing , but old bread ( as i said before ) is most drying . concerning the quantity of bread , we are to understand : that as drink is necessary to hasten meat out of the stomach when it is concocted , so bread is as needfull to hang it up , and stay it in the stomach till it be concocted . for if we eat flesh , fish or fruit without bread , it will either return upward ( as it fareth in dogs ) or beget crudities and worms ( as it hapneth to greedy children ) or turn to most cruel fluxes , as it falleth out in the time of vintage , and at the gathering of fruit , when many grapes , or apples , or plums be eaten without bread. nevertheless over-much bread is as hurtful , yea the surfeiting of it is more dangerous then of any meat . for flesh ▪ fruit or fish , being immoderately taken , are quickly corrupted into a thin substance , which nature may easily avoid ; but the surfet of bread is incorrigible , remaining so dry , hard , and tough in the stomach , that it will neither be voided upward , nor downward without great difficulty , resisting the operation of any medicine , stopping the veins , and dawbing as it were the bowels ( otherwise sensible enough , and ready to be stirred with the least physick ) with a slimy and viscous morter . eat therefore no more then to make a convenient mixture of meat and drink ; for as there must be a sufficient quantity of sand to combine lime and water together ; not too little ( lest the morter be too liquid ) nor too much ( lest it be tough ) but a certain proportion to be aimed at by the plaisterer : so a due quantity of bread maketh a perfect mass of nourishment , which else being too liquid would turn to crudities by passing over-timely into the guts , or being too thick would either putrifie at length , or at the least wax burdensom to the stomach and choke the veins . note also this , that the more liquid and moist your meats are , so much the more bread is required : but the more dry and solid they are , the more drink is to be taken and the less bread. last of all , to speak somewhat of the time , and order to be observed in the eating of bread : howsoever antoninus that holy emperour of rome , did make his breakfast onely of dry bread , and then presented himself to all suiters till dinner time : we must conceive , first that he was rhumatick through his night watchings and great studying . secondly , that he was old and subject to the dropsie : otherwise he was foolish to prescribe himself that diet , or his physicians mad that perswaded him to it . for as first lime , and then sand are mingled with water , so first meat , then bread should be eaten together , and afterward drink should be poured on like water to mingle them both . socrates said truly , that some fools do use bread as meat , and some use meat as bread. for some will break their fast with bread , which commonly is dangerous : others will eat at dinner a little meat and too much bread , which is almost as unwholesome : others will end their meals with drink and meat , when reason and experience sheweth , that the upper mouth of our stomach is best closed up with bread and dryness ; in the sealing and closing up whereof perfectness of concoction doth greatly consist . cyrus the greater , being asked dayly by his stuard , what he should provide for his supper , never gave him other answer then this , onely bread : shewing us thereby , that as our breakfast must be of the moistest meats , and our dinners moderately mingled with driness and moisture ; so our suppers should be either onely of of bread , or at the most of meats as dry as bread ; especially in these islands and moist countries , so subject to rhumes and superfluous moistures . chap. xxvi . of salt , sugar , and spice . there was a sect of philosophers called elpistici , commending hope so highly above all vertues , that they termed it the sawce of life ; as without which our life were either none at all , or else very loathsom tedious and unsavory . may i not in like manner say the like of salt ▪ to which homer giveth the title of divinity , and plato calleth it jupiters minion ? for tell me to what meat ( be it flesh , fish or fruit ) or to what broth salt is not required , either to preserve season or rellish the same ? nay bread the very staff and strength of our sustenance , is it not unwholesom , heavy and untoothsom some without salt ? wherefore in the same temple neptune and ceres ever stood together , because no grain is good unsalted , be it never so well spiced or sugared , or otherwise artificially handled . besides this , the famous warriours in old time , accustomed to hard and sparing diet , howsoever voluntarily they eschewed flesh and fish as meats too delicate for souldiers stomachs , living onely upon bread , onions , leeks , garlick , town-cresses and roots , yet they did eat salt with every thing , as without the which nothing was deemed wholesome . and truly what is flesh but a peece of carrion and an unsavory carcass , till salt quickens graces and preserves it , infusing thorough out it ( as it were ) another soul ? what is fish but an unrellished froth of the water , before salt correcteth the flashiness thereof , and addeth firmness ? yea milke , cheese , butter , eggs , tree-fruit , garden fruit , field-fruit , finally all things ordained and given for nourishment , are either altogether unwholesome without salt , or at the least not so wholesome as otherwise they would be . plutarch moveth a question in his natural disputations , why salt should be so much esteemed , when beasts and fruits give a rellish of others tastes , but none of salt ? for many meats are fatty of themselves , olives are bitterish , and many fruits are sweet , many soure , divers astringent , some sharpe , and some harsh ; but none are salt of their own nature : what should be gathered of this ? that the use of salt is unnaturall or unwholesome ? nothing less . it is enough for nature to give us meat , and elsewhere to give us wherewith to season them . and truly sith salt may either be found or made in all countries , what needed fruit , flesh , or fish to have that taste within them , which out wardly was to be had at mans pleasure . now if any shall object unto me the egyptian priests , abstaining wholly from salt ( even in their bread & eggs ) because it engendereth heat and stirreth up lust : or apollonius ( herophilus his scholer ) who by his physicians counsel abstained wholly from any thing wherein salt was , because he was very lean , and grew to be exceeding fat by eating hony-sops and sugared panadoes : i will answer them many wayes , and perhaps sufficiently . first , that long custome is a second nature , and that it had been dangerous for the egyptian priests to have eaten salt , which even from their infancy they never tasted . again , whereas it was said , that they abstained from it for fear of lust , no doubt they did wisely in it ; for of all other things it is very effectual to stir up venus , whom poets fain therefore to have been breed in the salt sea. and experience teacheth , that mice lying in hoyes laden from rochel with salt , breed thrice faster there , then if they were laden with other merchandize . huntsmen likewise and shepherds seeing a slowness of lust in their dogs and cattle , feed them with salt meats to hasten coupling ; and what maketh doves and goats so lusty and lacivious , but that they desire to feed upon salt things ? finally remember , that lechery ( in latin ) is not idlely , or at adventure termed salaritas , saltishness ; for every man knows that the salter our humours be , the more prone and inclinable we are to lechery : as manifestly appeareth in lazars , whose blood being over salt , causeth a continual tickling and desire of venery , though for want of good nourishment they perform little . wherefore whosoever coveteth to be freed of that desire with the egyptian priests ( which is an unnatural thing to covet ) let them altogether abstaine from salt in every thing ; but look how much they gain in impotency that way , so much they lose of health another way . for as sheep feeding in salt marshes never dye of the rot and be never barren , but contrariwise are rotted as well as fatted in fresh pastures : so likewise whosoever moderately useth salt shall be freed of putrifaction and stoppings , and live long in health ( no disorder being elsewhere committed ) when they which wholly abstain from it both in bread and meat , shall fall into many diseases and grievous accidents , as did apollonius himself for all his fatness ; and as it hapned to dr. penny , who after he had abstained certain years from salt , fell into divers stoppings , cruel vomitings , intolerable headache and strange migrams , whereby his memory and all inward and outward senses were much weakned . remember here , that i said whosoever moderately useth salt ; for as wholly to refuse it causeth many inconveniencies , so to abuse the same in excess is no less dangerous , engendring choler , drying up natural moisture , enflaming blood , stopping the veins , hardning the stone , gathering together viscous and crude humours , making sharpness of urine , consuming the flesh and fat of our bodies , breeding salacity and the colt evil , bringing finally upon us scabs , itch , skurfe , cankers , gangrena's and foul leprousies . they which are cold , fat , watrish and phlegmatick , may feed more plentifully on salt and salt-meats then other persons : but cholerick and melancholick complexions must use it more sparingly , and sanguineans must take no more of it , then lightly to rellish their unsavory meat . our wiches in cheshire afford so good salt ( through god's singular providence and mercy towards us ) that i am eased of a great labour in shewing the differences of salt . onely thus much i leave to be noted , that bay-salt is best to make brine of , but our white salt is fittest to be eaten at table . finally sith not onely we in england , but also all other nations , yea the old romans and grecians ( as pliny and alexander remember ) placed salt ever first at the table , and took it last away ( insinuating thereby the necessary use thereof with all kinds of meats ) let us conclude with the scholers of salern , in good rhime and better reason . sal primo debet poni , non primo reponi , omnis mensa male ponitur absque sale . here i might speak of sal sacerdotale aetii , called the priests salt , mingled with many sweet herbs and spices to preserve meats : as also of chymical salts drawn from wormwood , cinamon , cloves , guajacum and other infinite simples ; but sith they are rather medicinable then belonging to ordinary diet , i have reason to omit them . now if any will mervail , why i should write thus much in the commendation of salt , when by general consent of writers it is not nourishing : i answer , that it is , and that not onely accidentally , in making our meat more gracious to the stomach , hindring putrefaction , and drying up superfluous humours ; but also essentially in it self , being taken in his just and due proportion . for our bodies hath and should have humours of all tastes ; yea the firmest element of our body is nothing but salt it self , and so termed by the best ( though the newest ) philosophers ; which will hardly be preserved without eating of salt. hence comes it that souldiers , sea ▪ men and country-labourers , accustomed to feed usually upon hang'd ▪ beef , salt-bacon , and salt fish , have a more firm flesh and greater strength then ordinary citizens and dainty gentlemen . and if salt-meats ( not over-salted ) be generally held to give the best nourishment , why should we deny that salt nourisheth ? a woman eating much salt when she is with child , bringeth forth a child without nailes . salt in pottage is forbidden in hot agues . they which eat much salt and vinegar have burnt livers , and live unsound . of sugar . sugar or suchar is but a sweet , or ( as the ancients term it ) an indian salt. the best sugar is made of the tears or liquor of sugar canes , replenished so with juice that they crack againe . other sorts are made of the canes themselves finely cut , and boiled so long in water , till all their gumminess gather together at the bottome , as salt doth in cheshire at nantwich . the best sugar is hard , solid , light , exceeding white and sweet , glistring like snow , close and not spungy , melting ( as salt doth ) very speedily in any liquor . such cometh from madera in little loaves , of three or four pound weight apeece : from whence also we have a courser sort of sugar-loves , weighing seven , eight , nine or ten pounds apeece , not fully so good for candying fruits , but better for syrups and kitchin uses . barbary and canary sugar is next to that , containing twelve , sixteen and seventeen l. weight in a loafe . but your common and course sugar ( called commonly st. omers sugar ) is white without , and brown within , of a most gluish substance , altogether unfit for candying or preserving , but serving well enough for common syrups and seasoning of meat . of the pouder of which sugar our cunning refiners make such white and glorious sugar in shew , that albeit it be neither sweet , light nor kindly , yet they feel an unspeakable sweetness by that art , or rather trade , or rather mystery , or rather ( if i am not mistaken ) flat couzenage and apparent knavery . concerning the uses of this worthy and sweet salt ; they are many and good . for whereas hony is hurtful to cholerick complexions , sugar is incommodious or hurtful unto none ; yea it is so mild and temperate , that galen doth not disallow it to be given in agues . furthermore it nourisheth very plentifully , yea it maketh many things to become exceeding good meat ( by conditing , preserving and conserving ) as citrons , limons , orenges , nutmegs , ginger & such like , which of their own nature do rather hinder nourishment and procure leanness . besides this , it delighteth the stomach , pleaseth the blood and liver , cleanseth the brest , restoreth the lungs ( especially being candied ) taketh away hoarseness , and asswageth drought in all agues , giving also no small ease to enflamed kidneys , and to bladders molested with sharpness of urine . sugar keepeth children from engendring of worms , but being engendred , maketh them stir . it were infinite to reherse the necessary use of it in making of good gellies , cullises , mortesses , white-broths , and restorative pies and mixtures : which sith cooks do and ought chiefly to practice , i will not further usurpe upon their province ; onely say , sugar never marred sawce . of spices . spices are properly called such sweet and odoriferous simples , as are taken from trees , shrubs , herbs , or plants ; whereof some are growing in england or home ▪ bred , others fetcht from far countries , cal'd outlandish spices . homebred spices are these , aniseed , dill , fennel-seed , alcost , commin , carawayes , clary , corianders , dried mints , dried nep , dried origanum , parsly-seed , dried gilly-flowers , roots of galinga and orris , dried primroses ▪ pennirial , rosemary , saffron , sage , oke of ierusalem bay berries , iuniper-berries , sothernwood , tansie , tamarisk , time , dried wal-flowers , violets , varvein , wintersavory , wormwood , and such like . outlandish spices are these chiefly , lignum aloes , foleum indicum , cinamon , ginger , mace , cloves , pepper , nutmegs , pills of citrons , limons and orenges , grains , cubebs , and saunders , &c. which being no nourishment of themselves , and serving onely to physick uses , i rather ought to send you to the herbals of lobelius , dodonaeus , clusius , turner , and bauhinus , ( where at large you may hear of their vertues ) then to stand here upon them any longer in my treatise of nourishments . wherefore let it be sufficient for me to have set down their temperatures in the fifth chapter of this treatise ; and now let me proceed to discourse of sawces : wherein ( as occasion serveth ) i will somewhat enlarge my treatise of spices , which i might have handled in this chapter . chap. xxvii . of the necessary use and abuse of sawces , and whereon they consist . plutarch bouldly affirmeth that the ancients knew never any sawces but two , hungar and salt : calling that the night , and this the light of sawces : for as in the night all colours be alike , so nothing is unsavory to a hungry stomach : and as the light discerneth colours , so salt sheweth the variety and excellency of all tastes . proof hereof we have usually at our tables , where having tasted of vinegar or soure fruit , or eaten much sweet meats ▪ the best wine is presently distasted after it , and the goodness thereof undiscerned till a little salt be eaten . concerning hunger , i yeeld unto plutarch , for without that even salt and vinegar and every thing is unsavory , according as it is written of the cooks of athens ; who vaunting by their divers pickles , sawces , pouders and mixtures to procure any man an appetite , yet in the end they found it true , that the best sawce is loathsome without hunger . dionisius also supping once ( after hunting ) with the lacedaemonians , most highly extolled their black-broth ; afterwards eating of the same another time , without exercise premised , he did as deeply dispraise it . the like we read of ptolomy in platina , and of socrates in tullies tusculanes , who walked ever before meat a mile or two , to buy him this sawce of hunger anacharsis was wont to say , that dry ground is the best bed , a skin hardned with exercise the best garment , and natural hunger the best sawce : which addition of this word natural cleareth the question ; for over-much hunger tasteth nothing better then overmuch satiety , the one loathing good things because of fulness , the other commending bad things because of emptiness . as for salt , the second sawce of the ancients , i have already enough commended it in the former chapter : nevertheless it is not sufficient , nay it is not convenient for all stomachs . for even old times afforded two sawces , salt and vinegar , the one for hot stomachs , the other for cold , knowing well enough that appetites are not procured in all men alike , because want of appetite ariseth from divers fountains . plutarch raileth mightily against sawces and seasonnings , avouching them to be needless to healthful persons , and unprofitable to the sick , because they never eat but when they are hungry , and these ought not to be made hungry , lest they oppress nature by eating too much . but i deny both his arguments ; for as many sound men abhor divers things in their health roasted , which they love sodden ; so likewise they love some things seasoned after one fashion , which seasoned or sawced after another fashion they cannot abide , no though they be urged unto it by great hunger . as for them that be sick , whosoever dreameth , that no sick man should be allured to meat by delightful and pleasant sawces , seemeth as froward and fantastical as he that would never whet his knife . and tell me i pray you , why hath nature brought forth such variety of herbs , roots , fruits , spices and juices fit for nothing but sawces , but that by them the sound should be refreshed , and the sick men allured to feed upon meat ? for whom an overstraite abstinence is as dangerous , as fulness and satiety is inconvenient . all which i write , not to tickle the epicures of our age , who to the further craming of their filthy corps , make curious sawces for every meat ; or to force appetite daily where no exercise is used : for as morris-dancers at burials make no sport , but rather give cause of further lamenting ; so appetites continually forced weaken a diseased stomach , either making men for a time to eat more then they should , or else afterwards bereaving them of all appetite . socrates compared the over-curious seasoning of meat , and these epicurean sawce-makers to common courtisans curiously painted and sumptuously adorned , before they entertain their lovers ; whereby they stir up new lust in withered stocks , and make even the gray-headed spend and consume themselves . even so ( saith he ) these new found sawces , what are they but whores to edge our appetite , making us to feast when we should fast , or at least to feed more then nature willeth ? also he resembleth them to tickling under the sides and arm-pits , which causeth not a true & hearty , but rather a convulsive and hurtful laughter , doing no more good to pensive persons , then hard scratching is profitable to a scald head , wherein yet it delighteth to his own hurt . there is a notable hystory written of alexander and queen ada , who purposing to present the conquerour with her best jewels , sent him two of her best sawce-makers , to season and dress his meat , commending their skill exceedingly in her letters : but alexander having bountifully rewarded them for their travail , returned them with this message , that he had along time entertained two for that purpose , which made him better sawce to his meat , then any other could make in his judgment ; namely , nyctoporia night-marching , who ever got him a stomach to his dinner , and oligaristia littledining , who ever procured him a stomach to his supper . shewing thereby that exercise before dinner and supper are the best sawce-makers , because they bring forth hunger , which tasteth ( yea which causeth us also to digest ) all things . and verily for strong and able persons , what need we prescribe more sawces then exercise and hunger ? nevertheless because many mens trade of life , and estate of health is such , that either they cannot exercise themselves abroad , or else are not able thorugh weakness to do it at home ( whereupon want of appetite and want of digestion , the onely founders of sawces must ensue ) it will not be amiss to set down some simples , which may be the matter of sawces for both those inconveniencies . the most usual and best simples whereof sawces are made . if the stomach want appetite , by reason of cold and raw humours furring the same , and dulling the sense of feeling in the mouth thereof . hot sawces . make sawce of dill , fennel , mints , origanum , parsly , dryed gilli-flowers , galinga , mustardseed , garlick , onions , leeks , juniper-berries , sage , time , varvein , betony , salt , cinamon , ginger , mace , cloves , nutmegs , pepper , pills of citrons , limons and orenges , grains , cubebs , and such like , mingle some one , two , or three of them together , according as occasion most requireth , with wine or vinegar , strong of rosemary or gilly-flowers . cold sawces . contrariwise wanteth your stomach appetite , through abundance of choler , or adust and putrified phlegm ? then restore it with sawces made of sorrel , lettice , spinache , purselane , or saunders ; mingled with vinegar , verjuice , cider , alegar , or water it self , or with the pulp of prunes , apples , currens and such like . as for digestion , it waxeth slow and weak , either because the stomach is too cold , or because the meat is of bad digestion which is put into it . sawces for slow digestion . cold stomachs must be quickned with sawces hot of spice ; and meats hard of digestion must be helped with hot things : therfore i commend the use of mustard with biefe , and all kind of salted flesh and fish ; and onion-saw with duck , widgin , teal , and all water foul ; salt and pepper with venison , and galinga sawce with the flesh of cygnets ; and garlick or onions boild in milk with a stuble goose ; sugar and mustard with red deer , crane , shovelar and bustard . sawces for temperate meats . but for temperate meats and speedy of digestion ( as pork , mutton , lamb , veal , kid , hen , capon , pullet , chicken , rabbet , partridge , pheasant , &c. ) we must likewise devise temperate sawces : as mustard and green-sawce for pork , ▪ verjuice and salt for mutton ; the juice of orenges or limons with wine , salt and sugar for capons , pheasants and partridges ; water and pepper for woodcocks ; vinegar and butter , or the gravet of roasted meat with rabbets , pigeons or chickens ; for if their sawces should be either too cold , or too hot , such meats would soon corrupt in our stomachs , being otherwise most nourishing of their own nature . as for the just quantity and proportion of every thing belonging unto sawces and pickles , albeit apicius took great pains therein , writing whole volums of that argument , yet few of those sawces agreed with most mens natures , and some of them perhaps ( if we might peruse those books ) were grounded upon little or no reason ; wherefore i leave the directing of them to particular cooks , who by experience can best aime at every mans appetite , and know also sufficiently how to correct that flesh by artificial preparation and appropriated sawce , which nature hath made queazy or heavy to indifferent stomachs . some have put the question , whether there be any sawce but appetite ? or whether it be good to use sawces ? chap. xxviii . of variety of meats , that it is necessary and convenient . philo a most excellent physician having invited philinus to supper , entertained him with all kind of fowl , fish and fruit , killing also as many beasts , as if he had purposed to celebrate an hecatombe : but his eloquent guest ( for he was counted the best councellor at the bar of athens ) either to reprove his friend , or to try his oratory , accused him at the table of a double trespass , the one against himself , the other against nature . against himself , because he allured him to surfet by variety of dishes : against nature , because nature teacheth us to feed but upon meat , and yet philo himself did feed upon many . but tell me philinus ( for i am a physitian likewise , and sworne to defend my teachers no less then my parents ) how is it an unnatural thing to feed upon many dishes ? mary ( saith he ) nature teacheth us to feed upon that which will make us to remain longest in life and health ; wherefore if we would feed as beasts do upon some one thing , we should outlive them ; whereas now through our variety of dishes they outlive us . again ; do not you physitians ( being but natures ministers ) disswade men in agues from diversity of meats , bringing unto them only some one dish of a chicken or rabbet simply roasted or boiled , neither smelling nor tasting of any mixture , nor marred , or infected with variety of sawces ? furthermore doth not the diars art instruct us , no colour to keep so long in cloth or silk , as that which is made by one simple ? and is not the sweetest oil marred by mingling , which being kept alone by it self would be ever fragrant ? even so fareth it likewise in meats , for any one meat of an indifferent constitution will be easily concocted , when many strive so one with another , whether of them shall go out formost into the guts , that one stayeth too long and is corrupted , whilst the other is not half changed . and tell me philo ; why should it not be in meats as it is in wines ? doth not variety of wines make bad distribution , and cause drunkenness sooner then if we kept to one wine ? no doubt it doth ; else had the law contra allaenias been frivolous and vaine , precisely forbidding vintners and waiters at the table to mixe one wine with another . musicians likewise by tuning all their instruments into one harmony , plainly shew what hurt cometh by inequality and change of things . socrates was wont to say ( whom the great oracle of apollo hath crowned for the wisest grecian ) that variety of meats is like a common house of courtisans , which with variety of faces , trickings and dressings rather empty then fill up venus treasury , kindling rather a flame to consume our lust , then giving a gentle heat to conserve our lives . wherefore when the jars of crowders shall be thought good musick , and mingled wines allowed for wholesomness , and whorish allurements taken for preservers of life ; then will i also confess variety of dishes to be tollerable , and that one man at once may taste and feed safely of many dishes . in the mean time let me still commend the old romans , who judged as ill of common feasters , as of them which erected a bawdy-house : and give me leave to imitate plato , who at a great feast fed on nothing but olives , thinking one dish most wholesome where many are . other objections against variety of meats . thus much said philinus against philo , as plutarch writeth : whose arguments i will then answer in order , when i have first given a further strength to his assertion , by other proofs and authorities that himself perhaps did never dream of , namely these . rogatianus a noble senator of rome , having spent much mony in physick to no good purpose , fed afterwards ( by his friends advice ) never but upon one dish : whereby he was quit of his grief for many years . epicurus also placing all felicity in health and pleasure , fed but sparingly and simply upon one dish , were it roots , apples , peares , plums or puls-pottadge ( for he never eat fish nor flesh ) also he did eate but one kind of bread , and never drank but one sort of drink , were it wine or water . iovinianus pontanus being asked , why he never fed but upon one dish : i abstaine ( said he ) from many meats , that many , nay that all physitians may abstaine from me . a cook in lacon being bidden by his master to dress him a peece of flesh ; he asked of him cheese and oile to make the sawce ; to whom his master answered : away fool , away ; if i had either cheese or oile , what needed i to have bought a peece of flesh ? whereby we perceive that in old times men fed onely upon one dish , thinking it folly to kill hunger with many meats , when it may be killed with one . epaminondas also being invited to a friends house , seeing their variety of dishes , departed with these flouting speeches : i will not trouble thee , for i see thou art sacrificing to the gods , not making a dinner to thy friend . and yet the tables of the ancient gods ( being but indeed divels ) had no great variety upon them : for when the athenians did celebrate the great festivals of castor and pollux , their dishes were onely these , cheese , mace , olives and leeks ; afterwards when solon ( to imitate agamemnons example in homer ) added a spice-cake , he was rather counted a giver of ill presidents to men , then any whit the more bountiful to the gods. the like may we say of the romans , who offered first to their gods no flesh nor fish , but a little orchard and garden-fruit ; and of the egyptians whilst the mameluks ruled over them ; and of the carthaginians , whose famous quaternal feast consisted onely of four dishes , dry-figs , ripe-dates , green-leeks , and sour milk . nay to come nearer to our owne selves , the scots ( ●our fellow-islanders and northern-countrymen ) beginning the morning with a slender breakfast , did in old times fast till supper , feeding then but onely of one dish , using generally so temperate a diet , that not judges and kings , but philosophers and physitians seemed to have given them precepts ; what need i remember , that moschus antimolus the great sophister lived all his life time onely with figs , stilpo only with garlick , saint genovefue the holy maide of paris five and thirty years onely with beanes , and zoroaster ( that silverheaded nestor ) twenty years in the wilderness onely with cheese ? or that the kings of egypt fed never upon more meats , then either veal or goslings ? whereby we may understand that with one dish men lived a long and healthful life , and that variety of diseases sprang first from confusion and variety of meats . it is written of the romans , that whilst their greatest feasts had but three dishes , the people were sound , healthful and sober ; but when augustus the emperor brought in three more , and permitted the romans to have three in their houses , and six in their temple-feasts , his riot is said to have corrupted rome and brought in physick . also whilst the laconians had little dishes and little tables , so that they could neither have many guests , nor much meat at their board , thrift , wealth and health embraced one another ; afterwards all went to ruine when variety of dishes were admitted their boards enlarged , and after-courses induced by the ionians . the people of lituania were very frugall , laborious and healthful saith aeneas sylvius , till switrigalus made them exceed by his owne example , who had no fewer then a hundred and thirty dishes at a meal : whereupon his owne life , and the happy estate of his subjects was soon shortned . what should i stand upon the romans riot in antoninus geta , commodus ( adrians son ) vitellius and heliogabulus , their dominions and times of governing the empire ? when dormise , timber-worms and snails were served for dainties ; when the livers of great fishes , the brains of phesants and young peacocks , the kernels of lampreys ( brought by flyboats and light-horsemen out of spain to rome ) when infinite numbers of nightingales tongues , the brawnes of kings-fishers , pheasants-combs , peacocks-gizards , and wrens-livers , were made altogether into one pie : when finally three courses came daily to geta his boord , and as many dishes at each course as there be letters in the alphabet . but what followed ? marry infinite diseases , and infinit physitians ; whereof some were so ignorant that they tormented the people worse then sickness ; in such sort that galen , herophilus , erasistratus , and divers greek physicians were sent for to recover them , languishing and consumed almost with fevers , whereinto through excess and variety of meats they were justly fallen . so likewise fell it out with the israelites , who in the wilderness longed first for the fish of egypt , then for cucumbers , pompions , leeks , garlick and onions . then being fed with manna from heaven , they loathed it because it was but one meat . east of all quailes came down , yet were they never satisfied with one meat were it never so good , coveting still change and variety were it never so bad : wherein both they and we shew plainly from what root we are first sprung . for when our first parents might eat of all trees and fruits in paradise , yet the shew , lure and desire of variety made them touch and taste the unbidden fruit . after the floud when flesh , fish and fruit were permitted to be indifferently eaten , and blood and fat onely forbidden yet we gather up the blood and fat of beasts to make us puddings , and abstain not ( for recovery of consumptions ) to suck the hot leaping and vital blood out of one anothers veins . neither are we contented to feed ( as wise men should do ) upon wholesome meats , but we mingle with them venison of wild bears , the flesh of scabby cuckoes , the spawne of whales , sturgians and tunnies , and other very loathsom things , onely for varieties sake and delight of change . licinius though he fed upon many dishes , yet he must end his meals with a lamprey-pye . lucius never supt without oisters , nor sergius without a dorry : whereupon they were justly nicked by these names , licinius lamprey , sergius dorry , and lucius oisterman . thus im-borne impiety engraffed by propagation from adam and eve , hath made us to lose the desire of unity in all things ; coveting variety of meats , drinks and women , yea of gods and religion ; never contented with what is given for our good , but desirous of that which we snatch for our own hurt . an apology for variety of meats , answering the former objections . hitherto i have spoken much from philinus owne mouth , and more from mine own in his behalf , to oppugne the variety of meats : now read i pray you with the like patience , how i shall defend philo against philinus , and prove apparently that variety of meats is both at board , and in our stomachs , most agreeable to nature , and consequently beneficial to maintain us in health . first therefore philinus abused our ears , in saying that all beasts feed onely upon some one kind of meat : for eupolides his goats , yea and ours to , feed upon time , mints , hysope , heath , ivy , oken buds , beech , ash , mullen , chervil and tamarisk , and many other herbs differing no less in taste , smell , substance , and vertue one from another . what shepheard is ignorant , that his flock feedeth upon filipendula , daisies , mouseare , cowslaps , lambs-tongue , milk-wort , saxifrage and little mullen ? yet work they no worse effect in their stomachs , then if they had onely been fed with grass ; what should i speak of the ostrich , which devoureth iron and pap together , and refuseth no meat , unless men had also an ostriches stomach ? onely let him serve to disprove philinus avouching all beasts and birds to tye themselves as it were to one meat , and not to eat at once of divers nourishments . secondly where it was affirmed , that brute beasts and birds out live men , because they are of a simpler diet ; i must pardon philinus being a heathen , and ignorant of the scriptures : wherein methusalem and divers patriarkes are registred to have lived longer , then any beast or bird whatsoever , called fitly of homer by the name of mortals , as upon whom more rots , murrens , aches , diseases and plagues do light , then usually happen unto men . nay go to your raven and stag , those longestlivers of all the unreasonable breathers ; feeds not the raven upon all flesh , eats not the stag of all herbs , boughs and mast that comes in his way ? ye feedeth he not some times upon snakes and adders ? thirdly , the physitians giving of simple meats to aguish persons , proveth no more that variety is not good for most men , then that because thersites can hardly carry his single speare , therefore agamemnon shall not put on his compleat armour . fourthly , the sedition and tumults foolishly feared , and rashly presupposed to be in meats of divers kinds , afflicting the stomach either at the time of concoction or digestion , that reason of all other is most unreasonable . for who would or can imagine , that man the epitome or abstract of the whole world , in whom something of every thing ( to speak platonically and yet truly ) is placed and inserted , could live ever , or long in health without variety of meats ? hippocrates seeing such variety of simples rooted , sprouted and quickned upon the earth , gathereth thereupon very truly and learnedly , that there lye hidden in the earth all kinds of tastes , smells , liquors , and heats , and that it is not ( as some imagine ) a dry and cold dust , void of all tast , heat and moisture . much more then may i justly avouch , that many meats may and do best agree with most mens stomachs , in whose bodies not onely firm flesh , but also thin blood , sweet phlegm , bitter gall , and sourish melancholy is necessary to be preserved : wherefore let hot meats , cold meats , moist meats , dry meats , bitter , meats , salt meats , light meats and heavy meats be mingled together in an indifferent stomach ( so that they be well prepared , orderly taken , and no error committed in time , measure and quantity ) no sedition or tumult will arise , no not so much as if the stomach had taken but one meat ; for ( according to that oeconomical distribution of empedocles ) sweet straitwaies will it self to sweet apply , sharp runs to sharpe , with gall doth bitter lye , hot drinks and meats to fiery parts ascend , whilst cold and moist to watry members tend . an no marvel , considering that natural heat ( like a good stuard ) dissolveth the mass into a creamy substance , running thorough all himself , that he may give unto all their due nourishment . wherefore sith this little world of ours was created full of variety , why should we tye our stomachs onely to fruit , fish , or flesh , when god in his goodness hath given us all of them ? nay furthermore , sith man can digest more sorts of meats , stones and mettles ( being rightly prepared ) then either the goat , raven , or ostrich , why should his power be bridled by any unnatural edict , proceeding rather from the brain of a sensless head , then from the deep and mature judgment of any physitian ? for sence teacheth us , that most compound bodies must feed upon divers meats , and that not variety but satiety , not quality but quantity , not simple taking , but unorderly taking of them , ( out of time , out of season , and out of their due place and proportion ) causeth that dissention and tumult in our bellies , whence all manner of dislikings or discontentments arise , and at which ( to use hippocrates his words ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , nature is distracted , troubled and ( as it were ) ●gnasheth her teeth . as for that simile of diars , and the other of sweetoil , and the third of musick ; they are all more childish , then worthy of an answer . for simple colours ( as white and black ) are not the purest , for then the skies should bear them ; yea the purest jewels give most variety of colours and lights in their own kind . and whereas cloth died with some one simple keepeth longest his colour in philinus opinion , it is little material if it were true ; considering meat is not given to dye our bodies , but to be transformed into our substance . again , though a sweet oil keepeth best his scent and perfection whilst it is unmingled , yet that disproveth not the necessity of mixtures , for whose sake simples were no less created , then consonants and vowels appointed to bring forth syllables : wherefore i laugh whilst others praise and extol , guevarraes folly , who like another erasistratus ( whom he apishly followeth in many points ) complaineth of compound medicins , reducing all kind of agues to be cured with a plain ptisan , a thin cucumber milke , and a little water and oil mingled together . foolish bishop i deride thy ignorance , because thou deservest not to be pitied deriding others . go to the little bee , thou great idiote ; and tell me if thou canst number , out of how many flowers hony is made . hony i say , the sweetest meat , and best medicin of all others , yea the very quintesence ( as isaac the netherlander writeth ) and refined marrow of infinite wholsome and good vegitables . can that imperfect creature perfectly convert so many divers juices into one soveraign meat , and may not man ( the perfectest creature of all others ) do the like in his stomach , when he feedeth of many good and wholesome dishes ? as for socrates his comparison ( whom apollo himself termed the prince of sages ) i answer thus , what though variety be to the stomach , as choise of fair women in a weak mans eye , causing more strong an appetite then reason or nature would ? by the same argument we might as well reprove cleanliness in handling , skill in seasoning , and handsomness or neatness in serving in our meats ; because when these concur we feed more largely ; which if it be a fault , let philinus hereafter eat bread made of meal which was never boulted ; and parsneps and raddish never washt nor scraped ; let him eat of boil'd meat that was never scum'd , and of dry , lean birds ( such as q. curtius threw out at the window ) never basted , and of bitter feldefares never drawn . but i ( and all wise men with me ) will consider , that as honesty and delight may be matcht together , so cleanliness and variety is no hindrance to a good stomach or good digestion , but rather an help and friend to both . nay it fareth with our stomachs as it doth with sailers ; who can easily pull in the sheet when they have too much wind , but cannot enlarge it when they have too little : for so likewise it is a small labour or cunning to kill appetite by onely seeing and feeding upon one dish , but to revive it being extinguished , or to sharpen it being dulled , requireth no little art , and consisteth chiefly in variety and well dressing of meats . item to answer in a word , the law contra alloenias ; i grant the thing , but i deny the equity : for what greater reason have we to mingle wine and water ( which was never forbidden but at drunken feasts ) then to mingle a tart wine with a pleasant , a temperate wine with a hot sack , and a scowrer ( when occasion perswadeth ) with alegant or a harsh binder ? therefore to return philinus his owne sword into his own bosome : as it is not unlawfull ( by the law of reason and nature ) nay as it is necessary and expedient to mingle wines for some persons : so variety of meats taken orderly at one meal , are lawful , necessary and expedient . moreover ( to beat him again with his own similes ) i confess all instruments of musick to be tuned to one harmony : but being so tuned , if the musicians play ever ( like the cuckoe ) but one song , will not the ear and head be wearied and offended ? nay will they not in time be both sick ? can the eye see at once many objects , the ears hear many instruments playing together , & ( philinus ) shal not the stomach as well concoct , keep and digest for the body many meats ? but when reason faileth , thou hast almost daunted philo with inartificial arguments , drawn from antiquity , examples , customes , and sanctions of senators . now if by the like arguments i confirm variety , i doubt not but like a scholler i may cry quittance ▪ but if furthermore i confute thy authorities , as being either falsified or unaptly applied , thou shalt live in my debt till the next audit. wherefore to begin with rogatianus , albeit for many years he was delivered of the gout , yet caelius avoucheth not that he was perfectly cured . and epicurus though he fed but upon one dish at a meal , yet perhaps at every meal he fed on a several dish . pontanus also was a weak and sickly man , to whom i confess many dishes ( especially being of contrary kinds or qualities ) are not to be permitted . neither doth the gentlemans answer in lacon prove more the use then of one dish at a meal , then his cooks demand inferreth the use and mingling of many meats . but if by the few dishes upon the alters of heathen gods , thou thinkest to prove that men at home feed onely upon one meat , thou art much deceived , for hereafter i will plainly demonstrate that they fed on many . as for the old scotish custome , suppose it were true ; yet sure i am , that since king arthurs dayes who lived years before christ , their owne chronicler recordeth them to have used great variety of dishes . that moschus antimolus lived onely with figs , it is no great marvel when he hated from his cradel all other meat . stilpo also fed onely on garlick , because his poverty was such that he could buy nothing else . as for genovefue the holy made of paris ; albeit i suspect marulus for a common lier , yet he saith , that her feeding so long upon one dish consumed her body , and that upon the bishops licence she was enforced to eat milk in lent. zoroaster was no doubt a most learned philosopher , who if he lived twenty years in the wilderness onely with one cheese , no doubt it was some great cheese like to parmisan , full of variety , and not made of one but many milks . as for the monstrous riot of the ionians , lituanians , and latter romans , drawn from the example and imitation of those wicked princes and emperours : i detest and abhor it as much as philinus , ascribing unto excessive variety as many mischiefs of body and mind ; as temperate variety brings profit , health , refreshings and pleasures to them both . the jewes murmuring doth as little please me , for though nature told them that one meat could not conveniently nourish every man , especially such as were accustomed fourty years together in egypt to feed diversty ; yet when every man felt that one meat sent by god , did miraculously preserve man , woman and child , agreeing with all ages , times , persons and complexions , they ought to have been contented ; being as perfitly nourished with one dish , as any of us can be with many . last of all , that example of adam and eve is most violently wrested against variety , whereas rather it is an argument against unity : for suppose they had at once tasted of all fruits in the garden , could they have been sick upon it ? no verily , but the tasting of one alone ( i mean the forbidden one ) was the parent and author of all diseases : wherefore the variety of wholesome meats set down by physitians are not offensive , when one dish forbidden may prove dangerous : as i could prove by many reasons , did not experience clear it with her sun-shine . now to answer examples also with examples ; though the kings of egypt had no great variety of dishes , yet that they ever fed on two at the least , diodorus siculus reports . and if the old romans fed not diversly , why had they usually three dishes at their table ? the persians though they had but few meats , yet they abounded in salades and junckets . the old grecians contrariwise , used much meat and few junckets : yea i read that plato himself when socrates and menippus supped with him , had six several dishes at his table ( figs , peason , beans , whortleberries , roasted beech-nuts , and wafers in the end to close up their stomachs ) whereof they all fed , saving that menippus set aside the wafercakes with his hand , saying ; that a sweet aftercourse makes a stinking breath : another time i read , that plato set before his loving friends and fellow citizens olives , herb-salades , divers kinds of flesh and fish , and last of all new cheese ; whereby any wiseman may gather , that the ancients fed upon many dishes of opposite kindes , and gratified their stomachs ( which every mans stomach coveteth ) with variety of meats . as for our owne nation ( for whom chiefly i write this treatise ) hector boethius avoucheth , that english men from before king arthurs dayes , were accustomed to feed much and very diversly . and paulus iovius writeth thus . the whole nation of english men delight still ( as ever they did heretofore ) in feasting and making of good chear , eating much meat and of many sorts , prolonging their sittings with musick and merryments , and afterwards sporting themselves in set dances . wherefore sith we are naturally desirous of many meats , and have stomachs above all other nations , able to digest them ; and custome also hath confirmed our variety of dishes ( which cannot even in bad things be suddenly altered without a mischiefe ) i perswade strong and indifferent stomachs to continue their used diet , feeding orderly and soberly of divers meats . divers i say , but not too many ; for i like not ( dubias coenas ) the doubtful feasts of cardinal wolsey , nor the abbot of glastenburies diet ( who were served with so many sorts of dainties that one might stagger and doubt where first to begin his dinner ) nor the ancient tables of london ; where ( as diogenes said of maronia ) every citizens house ( in a manner ) was a cooks shop , till plenty of mouths made penury of provision , and dearth of corne and victuals lately taught them sobriety . last of all where the proverb saith , that many dishes make many diseases ; it hurteth not our position and defence of variety : for not diversity but multitude offendeth our stomachs , that is to say , more diversity of meats then they can well abide : accordingly as much meat hurteth not concoction , but that which is overmuch taken in too great a quantity , whereof we are now to discourse in the next chapter . as for variety of meats in the time of sickness , let us hear what galen saith . diversity of meats are as necessary in sicknes ( if it be a compound sickness ) as variety of medicins . for a hot liver requireth a cooling meat , and a cold stomach that which is hot ; and if a mixt disease have made a mixed distemperature in any part , there divers and compounds meats be of necessity required . otherwise many meats ( especially of contrary kind , substance and quality ) are most hurtful and tumultuous . com. in . de vict . rat . in ac . cap . & . de vict . rat . in ac . cap. . & primo in eund . cap. whereby we may easily perceive , that variety of meats is permitted sometimes to the sick , yea though it be joined with contrariety of kinds . chap. xxx of the quantity of meats . that saying of the wiseman , eate not too much hony , sheweth unto us ; that even the most wholesome and nourishing meat of all other will prove dangerous and hurtful to our health , if it be not soberly and measurably eaten . temperancy being not onely the carver , but also the commander at our tables . we find likewise several sayings recorded ; as , that we must eat by reason and not by appetite ; that straightgirding , makes little eating ; that in time of famine , though we desire most , satiety is most perillous ; that in rainy weather little meat , little drink , and much exercise within doores is best ; that melancholy persons eat much , cholerick drink much , phelgmatick sleep much ; great livers , great eaters , that a lean woman , is a tavern of blood ; that they which eate little , are never good travailers . the spaniard eats , the german drinks , and the english exceeds in both . temperance what it is . but would you know what temperancy is ? it is a vertue , timely , moderately and comely using those things , which be truely necessary and natural . for some things be both necessary and natural without which we cannot live , as meat and drink ; others natural but not necessary , without use of which many of us may live , and live in health , as venus game : others necessary but not natural , as strong exercises for some bodies : others neither natural nor necessary , as over-curious cookery , making fine meat of a whetstone , and quelque-choses of unsavory , nay of bad and unwholesome meat . there be two vices equally opposite to this vertue ; surfeiting , when a man eateth more then either his stomach can hold or his strength digest ; and self-pining , when we eate less then our nature craveth and is able to overcome . the first of them ( namely surfeiting and excess ) though it be a vice of all other most hurtful to the body and consequently noisome to the mind , yet we read that whole nations , and emperors , and potentates have both esteemed , and honoured and rewarded it for a vertue . for the sicilians dedicated a temple to gluttony ; and aristophanes writeth thus of the barbarians , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . them onely men barbarians think , that can devoure most meat and drink ▪ of this crue was maximinus the emperour , who ( like our old abby ▪ lubbers ) did eat till he sweat ; yea sabellicus affirmeth , that his one dayes sweat gathered up in goblets , did amount to the measure of six sextaries . claudius caesar and vitellius the emperour were like unto him , eating commonly so much , that they were forced once or twice in a meal to go out and vomit ; and then returned to the table again , giving a fresh charge to a forelorne stomach . and though aurelianus the emperour fed moderately himself , yet he exceedingly loved and honoured a great gourmand , who usually at one meal did eat a hogg ▪ two weathers , and a whole brawn , drinking upon it a whole firkin of wine poured down his throate thorough a funnel : also firmius salencius did eat a whole ostrich in a day : and clodius albinus ( commander for the romans in france ) is registred to have eaten at one sitting five hundred figs , one hundred peaches , ten musk-melons , twenty pound weight of raysins of the sun , one hundred snites , ten capons , and a hundred and fifty great oisters . neither was our country alwaies void of a woolmar , who living ( in my memory ) in the court , seemed like another pandareus , of whom antonius liberalis writeth thus much , that he had obtained this gift of the goddess ceres ; to eate iron , glass , oistershels , raw-fish , raw-flesh , raw-fruit ( and whatsoever else he would put into his stomach ) without offence ; yea as monica augustine's mother was given to excess of wine , so himself ( such are even godly mens imperfections at some times ) confesseth his own pronness and inclination to riot , in these words . o lord , thou hast taught me to use meat not for lust and wantonness , but for life and health . nevertheless when i sit down for refections sake , the snares of concupiscence and surfeit lie in my way like crafty fowlers , and the maid presumeth above her mistris ; so that it is doubtful , whether necessity or riot be commander , and hardly can iresist riots desire , no though it afterwards bringeth me to great pain . and no marvel , augustine ; for from whence cometh soreness and weariness , heaviness of spirits , dulness of sences , stifness and pain of joints , unweldiness , belchings , crudities , fevers , distastings of meat , loss of appetite , and o her tempestuous evils , but from repletion , surfeiting and satiety ? what weakness of body cometh by excess of eating ; we need no more examples then this of our own countrymen , which boethius noteth ( in his scotish history ) of king arthur and his knights ; who having recovered york from the saxons and picts in spight of their beards , kept there such a grand christmas , that afterwards fighting again with the saxons , his souldiers were found so weakned with surfeiting , that their arrows could hardly peirce the saxons furr d dubblets , being able before to strike thorough their iron armour . what scholer hath not read of herodotus , the minstril of megara ( whose girdle in the wast was three yards and a half long ) or of milo crotoniates that great pamphagus ? yet they died both very weak men and young , by oppressing strong nature with too heavy burdens . i he stoicks imputed all diseases to age , but erasistratus did not ill to ascribe , either all or most of them to excess : for if a man feed too much , three principal discommodities arise thereof . first , all natural spirits leave their several standings , and run headlong to the stomach to perfit concoction ; which if with all their forces they cannot perform , then brain and body are over-mastered with heavy vapours and humours ; but suppose they perform it , what followeth but foggy fat insteed of flesh ; or a the least , such abundance of both , that no soveraignty nor ability is left for the actions of the mind ? which ( as menander well noteth in one of his comedies . ) desireth not to play with swine , nor dwells in hogsheads full of wine . for heracletus was of a right opinion , that the wisest soul dwelleth in the emptie body ; which we may partly illustrate by these examples . the moist eye seeth worst ; the fullest vessel soundeth least , and the sun hardly shineth thorough a clowdy aire : even so in a full and troubled body , overpeised with variety and plenty of meats , the eye of our mind must needs be darkned , the voice of reason cannot be heard , and the sun-shine of understanding cannot shine into our hearts , being destitute of will , and much more of ability to execute any thing that is good : nay through surfeiting we live groveling and groping after base delights , as hoggs do for acornes , being disabled so much as to think a good thought . hippocrates and galen say , that the bodys of ordinary great feeders stand upon a dangerous point , or as you would say upon the raysors edge ; for if they feed moderately , alteration of custome hazards their health : if they persist in excess , they are suddenly strangled with apoplexies , as caelius hath well noted . to prevent all which sicknesses both of body and mind , oh what severe and good laws were there made by fannius didius , licinius crassus , cornelius sylla , lepidus , and antius restio against riot ? yet the concord of vices so prevailed , that lust continued excess , excess brought forth unruliness , unruliness contempt of government , whence came fatal destruction to the roman monarchy . the scots punished their belly-gods in this sort ; first they filled their bellies as full of good meat as ever they could hold , then they gagged them , and threw them into the next river with their arms piniond , saying ; now as thou hast eaten too much , so drink too much . plutarch remembreth , that ( by the athenians law ) whosoever did flay a living beast , he should be hang'd as a felon , because they would not have a beast tormented ; which punishment if it were just ( as it seemed just in xenocrates opinion ) then what pains ought they to endure , who by surfeiting not onely torture , but also most unnaturally seek to kill themselves , making their graves with their own teeth , flaying and unskinning themselves as it were of reasons robe , yea ensouling their bodies ( being dedicated temples to the holy ghost ) as much as in them lieth with the form of swine ? the second vice ( namely self-pining ) is as far from temperancy on the right hand , as surfeiting erreth on the left . sozomenus maketh mention of a munck in caelosyria , called battheus , fasting voluntarily so long , till his teeth were full of worms . and in the legendary , s. francis , s. bennet , s. rainulph , and divers other men , maids and women are highly extolled for consuming their bodies with excessive abstinence ; which being a thing against nature and godliness ( which forbiddeth us to scourge or mark , and much more to consume our bodies ) it shall need no confutation at all , especially in this gluttonous age , wherein we are so far from any such fasting , that we wholly delight in riot and feasting . onely let me say thus much out of hippocrates , that a very thin and precise diet is not to be prescribed to any one of indifferent health and strength ; no scarce to any ( except their disease be exceeding sharp ) which are very weak . for the prescribing of meat by drams or ownces , driveth many fears into a weak mans mind , taketh al alacrity from the heart , maketh ▪ a man jealous of his owne fingers , daring to eat nothing with chearfulness , because he ever suspecteth that he eateth too much . hence came that golden aphorism ( though not registred in his aphorisms ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ! an over-yeelding lengthneth the grief , but timely permission maketh it brief . as for temperancy ( which i can never enough reverence or commend ) would to god it were as well practised of every particular man , as it is necessarily required to be in physitians . first that by long life they may ( with galen and hippocrates ) get perfection in that art which they profess : whereas now many physicians are buried under a doctors name , before they ever tasted of hygea her cup , or saluted panacea a far off . secondly if they by surfeiting or fasting hurt their owne bodies ; how shall their doctrine be followed by their patient , when it is broken and crossed by themselves ? the rude persians are recorded to have ever fed so temperately , that to spit or blow their nose , was both execrable and punishable amongst them . likewise they ( as also the romans ) permitted any man to give him that yawned a blow on the ear ; because spiting and sniveling and yawning , are only the fruits of fulness or idleness : much more should learned physitians moderate themselves , who give laws to others , and not rashly run into that excess , which even the savage scythian and persians ever abhorred . it is also recorded of the spanish women , that a certain girdle is kept of some two foot long in every town , which if any womans belly exceeds in compass ( unless it be by child-going ) they are counted detestable and infamous : let it be therefore a greater shame for us physitians , by ill example to purchase our owne discredit , and also to lessen our skill , and shorten our lives as much as lieth in our owne power : for theophrastus falsly accused nature , in that she gave long life to ravens and crows ( whom it little profited ) and but a short time to men , and the shortèst of all to students , whom reason would have to live long for the mutual benefit one of another , and the publick good of the common-weal . more justly he might have accused men and students themselves , for abridging their natural dayes by surfeiting and drunkenness , chambring and wantonness , excess and riot ; considering that nature ever most preserveth and tendereth the most worthy creature , did it not destroy and ruinate it self . timotheus having supped with plato , and eaten ( contrary to his custome ) very moderately , slept very quiely that night , finding neither cholick to awake him , nor belchings in the morning to annoy him ; wherefore assoon as he awaked , he brake forth into this exclamation , with a loude voice : how sweet , how sweet are platoes suppers , which makes us in the night time to sleep , and in the morning to breathe so sweetly ! yea but ( some will say ) how shall we know when we have eaten enough ? at whom democritus would have laughed a month together , and perhaps have returned them this answer ; fools and idiotes that you are , know you when your horse and your hawke and your dog hath enough , and are you ignorant what measure to allow your selves ? who will urge his horse to eat too much , or cram his hawke till she be over gorged , or feed his hound till his tail leave waving ? and shall ( man the measurer of heaven and earth ) be ignorant how in diet to measure the bigness signes or strength of his own stomach ? knows he by signes when they are over filled ; and is he ignorant of the signes of repletion in himself ? namely of satiety , loathing , drowsiness , stiffness , weakness , weariness , heaviness and belching ? doth not every man know , that enough consisteth not in filling the paunch , but in takeing sufficient to maintain nature , which no doubt is satisfied with a little , as solon said at the wisemens feast , summum , imo divinum bonum est nullo vesci alimento ; proximum vero & naturale quod a minimo . it is ( said solon ) the greatest , yea the divinest good thing of all other , to eat no meat : and the next unto that and most natural is , to feed as sparingly as may be . but can you not prescribe one certain measure or quantity fit for all men ? no verily , for to prescribe to all men ( or to one man at all times ) one certain quantity of meat , were to make a coat for the moon ; which if either jupiter her father , or latona her mother could have done , they would long ere this with some robe or other have covered her inconstant body , encreasing or decreasing every moment . and verily hippocrates hath truly written . the quantity of meats ought not to be appointed by weight , number nor measure ; but by sence and ability of our stomachs : for some cannot digest much , others are offended at a little ; others are not satisfied till their maw be filled , others have too much when it is half filled . it were strange to recite , what great store of meat some have eaten and others daily , do eat without offence ; aristotle in his politicks , calleth the fencers and wrastlers diet of his time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a necessary gourmandise ; because through abundance of exercise ( which consumeth spirits and humours ) they were enforced to eat both much and often . nay cornelius gemma affirmeth , that he saw whilst he lived an aged woman , which from her infancy fed in excessive measure , eating something continually every hour , besides her ordinary meals of breakfast , dinner and supper , which were of an incredible quantity : in the end dying with abundance of fat and flesh ( for the caul of her belly weighed twenty pounds ) they perceived all this to come from a peculiar and special temperature , called of the grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : for her liver was greater and heavier then all the rest of her bowels laid together ; exceeding red , and swelling with store of blood and wind . surius and bruyrinus , and schengkius tell of many others , who lived long in health though they fed excessively , having as it were an ostriches stomach joined with a dogs appetite . on the contrary side , some may as well live with hunger and long abstinence a great while , according as i have read in many authors . hippocrates thinketh , that if a man abstain from meat and drink seven dayes , he cannot escape death ; yea when some afterwards were perswaded to eat , their meat never passed thorough them , because the hungry gut ( called jejanum intestinum ) was by abstinence clung together . but pliny saw the contrary , and tinous aunt lived two months together without meat or drink . albertus , alexander benedictus , and iacobus sylvius , write yet of more strange and incredible abstinence both of men and women ; which truely i would have registred amongst the lies of the golden legend , and the abbot of ursberg his chronicles , had not william rondeletius and honest ioubertus written the like of a french gentlewoman , living almost three years without any sustenance of meat , bread , broth or drink ; who afterwards was married and conceived a child , which she brougth well forth and happily alive : by all which amples we may easily gather , how absurd the fashion and custome was before plutarchs time : when every man did not carve for himself , but was carved unto by another ; and that ( after the colledge fashion ) so equally , that none had more or less then his fellows : which order howsoever it pleased hagias the sophister , because feasts in greek are called divisions , and the masters of feasts great dividers , and servants carvers , and moera and lachesis ( being the goddesses of feastings ) were called so of equality of division ; and that peace is maintained where equality is kept , and that agamemnons souldiers ( as homer testifieth in sundry places ) had every one alike measure and weight of victuals : yet ( by his leave ) neither is humanity therein observed , nor geometrical proportion kept , nor nature imitated . for tell me , what humanity can we call it , to give a man less then his stomach wanteth ? what geometrical proportion is that , which giveth as much to the half-full , as the empty vessel ? and how dare we prescribe one quantity to all , when mens stomachs be as divers in quantity of receit and ability of concoction , as their faces be differing in appearance ? so that it is too little for one which is too much for another , and no certain measure , nor number , nor weight is to be prescribed to any man : but every one to feed according as his stomach is able to concoct ; which ( to use hippocrates his phrase ) though it have no ears , yet hath it intelligence to beg his own , and wisdome to discern when it hath enough ; willing us not to eat till we have an appetite , nor to eat so long till we have none . this rule galen observing ( amongst many other ) he was seldome sick , and lived ( as sipontinus writeth ) years . also let us remember , that in youth , health and winter we may feed more plentifully , as also after exercise and at our own own ordinary table : but when we are at great feasts , or forced to eat upon strange meats ( be they never so finely dressed ) let jealousy be our carver , after the example of augustus caesar , and also of plato : who at great feasts fed onely on some known dish . i have read somewhere , when they of thasis invited alexander to a feast , that he fed well upon their fat mutton & beife , and gave away the forced dishes and curious quelqchoses not to his own countrimen and souldiers , but to his captives and slaves : saying , that he would rather they were all dead , then that any of his owne by surfeiting upon any unknown meat should be never so little sick . and thus much of the just quantity of meats ; which physitians may aim at by long experience , prescribing a full diet to them that be sound and strong , and accustomed to much feeding , a moderate diet to them that be indifferent , and a thin diet to such weaklings and sick persons as require neither much nor often feeding . chap. xxxii . of the quality of meats . hippocrates and galen bids every man both in health and sickness , beware what kind of meat he most commonly useth ; for like food like flesh , like meat like nourishment . [ and therefore we find that some have quails stomachs , and may eat poyson : a woman by custome drank the juice of hemlocks usually . gal. lib. . simpl . medic . cap. . and a maid fed usually ( by custome ) upon napellus spiders , and other poysons , caelius lib. a. l. . cap. . mithridates the younger used continually a counterpoyson made of poysons , in so much that when he would have poysoned himself ( being by his son pharnaces vilany betrayed to lucullus ) he could not do it , and therefore killed himself by the help of a frenchman , plin. lib. . cap. . ] all which cautions are particularly set down by hippocrates and galen , though scatteringly and by peices in several places ▪ that i need not add to his own words ; which i have aphoristically set down in these sentences following , because no man ever did the like . . let every man take heed , what quality his meat is of ; for custome begetteth another nature , and the whole constitution of body may be changed by diet. . we should take those kinds of meats which are best for our own particular bodys , for our own particular age , temperature , distemperature & complexion . for as every particular member of the body is nourished with a several juice : so labourers and idle persons , children and striplings , old men and yound men , cold and hot bodies , phlegmatick and cholerick complexions must have divers diets . . young , hot , strong and labouring mens stomachs may feed of meats , giving both an hard and a gross juice , ( as beife , bacon , poudred-flesh and fish , hard cheese , rye-bread and hard egs , &c. ) which may nourish slowly , and be concocted by degrees ; for if they should eat things of light nourishment ( as veal , lamb , capons , chickens , poacht-egs , partridges , pheasants or plovers , &c. ) either their meat would be too soon digested , or else wholy converted into choler . contrariwise milk is fittest for young children , tender flesh for them that are growing , and liquid meats for such as be sick of sharpe diseases . furthermore if any mans bowels or body be too dry , a moist diet of suppings , and boild meats yeelds him a remedy , but if it be too moist , all his meats and diet must tend to driness . . sweet meats are unfit for young children and young men , and hot . stomachs ; for they corrupt childrens teeth , and turn most into choler in young mens stomachs , but they are good for old men and cold complexions ; yea hony it self agreeth with them . bitter meats engender choler and burn blood , giving no general nourishment to the whole , howsoever they be acceptable to some one part . . sharp spices ( which i have particularly named before in the fifth chapter of this book ) are most unfit for tender bodies , whose substance is easily melted and enflamed , howsoever strong men may eat them with gross meats . . soure meats and sharp together ( as limons , orenges , citrons and vinegar ) offend cold stomachs and sinewy parts : but if they be cold and astringent ( as sorrel , quinces , cervisses and medlers ) they are not so offensive , nay they are profitable to all stomachs being eaten last , unless the body be subject to fluxes . . meats oversalted how dangerous they are , inflamations , leprosies , sharpness of urine , and great obstructions hapning to such as use them much , do sufficiently declare , agreeing with none but strong bodies ; as sailers , souldiers , and husbandmen , accustomed to hard labour and much toiling . . fatty meats are not good but for cold and dry stomachs ; for in sanguine and cholerick stomacks they are soon corrupted , in phlegmatick stomacks they procure loosness and hinder retention : only they are fit for men naturally melancholick , giving to them a kindly warmth , and also a most convenient and proper moisture . . all meats should be given very hot to cold and raw stomachs ; but cold meats to cold stomachs are very hurtful . pityllus had so cold a stomach ( saith suidas ) that he made a sheath for his tongue , to swallow down his pottage scalding hot : and eunapius reporteth the like of proaeresius the sophister ; yea i my self have known a shropshire gentleman of the like quality . . when any man is sick or distempered , let his meats be of contrary quallity to his disease : for health it self is but a kind of temper gotten and preserved by a convenient mixture of contrarieties . now in what degree most particular meats be hot , cold and dry or moist , is sufficiently declared above in the fifth chapter , where i have largely set down the differencies of meat both in kind , substance , temperature and tast , whereunto i refer you . . above all things take heed that you eat not through hunger of a meat , which either naturally or accidentally you loath ; for as the pleasing meat is best concocted ( yea though it be somewhat of the worst kind ) so meats loathed , turn into wind , belchings , vomitings and cruel gripings , because the stoamch doth not affect them . but what meat is fittest , and most agreeable to every mans tast , humour and nature ; rather proper experience doth teach us , then any mans judgement can direct us . let a strong and good stomach tast of all things , but not feed upon them as nourishments ; yea , it is good in health to tast every thing , least we refuse that in sickness which perhaps we shall have most cause to feed on : as it hapned to titus the emperour , whose over-nice feeding and bathing hastned his death . chap. xxxi . of the time , order and manner of eating . athenaeus in his feast of sages saith , that the old grecians lived very temperately ; but yet he saith that usually they made three meals a day , one early in the morning , another at noon , and the third at night . the first was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it was nothing but a sop of bread soked in a little wine . the second was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it was made of home-bread things , which are thought to give the best and strongest nourishment . the last was called by two names , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a late eating , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it required care and cost . in plutarchs time breakfast was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they did only tast and go . dinner was termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as being a noon-meal . supper was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for that it was not private ( as breakfast and dinner ) but either common amongst neighbours , or at least with all their own household . how beavers called procaenia , and sleepdrinks called prohypnia and metacaenia came up , none have yet thoroughly determined , though here amongst labourers , and in germany amongst gentlemen they are ordinarily put in practise . breakfasts are fit for all men in stinking houses or close cities , as also in the time of pestilence , and before you visit the sick ; for empty veins draw deepest , and what they first receive ( be it good or bad ) with that they clense or infect the blood . contrariwise where the air is pure clear and wholesome , it is best to fast till dinner , unless you be either of growing years or of a cholerick stomach , for then you must not in any case be long fasting . dinners and suppers are generally necessary and convenient for all ages , times of the year , and all complexions ; especially in these northern parts of the world , where inward heat being multiplyed by outward coldness , our radical moisture would be soon consumed , if it were not restored by a double meal at the least . whether dinner or supper should be largest . now whether at dinner or supper we may feed more plentifully , is a great question amongst physitians ; either because they affirm too generally on either side , or because they were ignorant of distinctions : some are just of leonard fuchsius his opinion , that our supper should be the larger of both , for these reasons . first , because as we may eat more in winter then in sommer , our inwards being then hottest , through repercussion of heat by external coldness ; so the night resembling winter ( as hippocrates noteth ) no reason but that then we should feed most . secondly we may then feed more largely because sleep ensueth , with whom blood , heat and spirits return more inward to the belly , bowels , stomach and all parts of concoction , then when by light exercise or musing they are distracted upward , downeward , and outward to other parts . again , look what exercise is to the joints and muscles , that is sleep to the bowels : that is to say , look how labor and exercise doth warm the one , so doth sleep and quietness warm the other . galen likewise writeth thus ; whilst a man sleepeth all motive and sensible faculties seem to be idle ; but natural powers are then most active , concocting meat not onely better in the stomach and guts , but also in the veins and whole habit of the body . paulus aegineta is of the same judgement , writing thus . sleep is a ceasing or rest of animal faculties , proceeding from the moistning of our brain with a sweet and profitable humour ; which whosoever taketh in due order quantity and time , he receiveth thereby many singular commodities ; namely good concoction of meat , and digestion of humours , and ability to labour easily and chearfully after digestion : where he addeth this reason of better concoction in sleep out of hippocrates . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. he that is broad waking is hottest outwardly , but he that soundly sleepeth is hottest inw ardly . now if any shall object , that no sleep can be wholesome or sound after supper , because it is taken upon a full gorge . i answer him thus , physitians write not to idiotes and fools , but to men of sence and reason ; whom common sence may teach , that they are not ( like swine and beasts ) first to fill their bellies , and then presently to sleep upon it , but to sit or walk easily after supper for an ▪ hour or more ; to settle their meat to the bottome of their stomach , that it may prove less vaporous to the head , and be sooner concocted lying nearer the liver . furthermore when i said , that we should feed more largely at supper then at dinner , i meant nothing less then to counsel men to gorg themselves up to the top of their gullet ; but to advise them of both their meals to make supper the larger , for the reasons alledged , and for infinite reasons besides which i could set down . for whom large , or sparing suppers be most convenient . nevertheless i do not so generally set this down , as that it is best for all persons , but for them onely which be sound and in health : for if any be troubled with great headache , or rhumes , or nightly torments of any part , their supper ought to be very little , slender and dry , and also to be taken very timely in the evening ; that nature being freed all night time of other offices , may only attend concoction of the diseases cause . last of all , i except also them which have long been accustomed to small suppers and long dinners ; because the imitation of a long custome ( though it be evill ) breedeth no common or petty danger . laurence ioubert in his eigth paradox written to camusius the king of france his secretary , wonderfully striveth to oppugne this opinion ; but profitting no more with his head and hands , then the mouse in the tar-barrel doth with her feet ; for when he hath done all that he can , he onely proveth that better digestion is in the day time , and not better concoction , as hereafter ( upon some other occasion ) i will plainly demonstrate to the learned . how often a man should feed in a day . furthermore i would not in like manner have any man think , that i prescribe two or three meals , and neither more nor less to all persons : for children may feed much and often ; old men little and often : where by the way note this out of plutarch , that old age is not ever to be stinted by years , but by decay and loss of natural strength . for in some nothern countries ( and he nameth ours ) few men are old at half a hundred years , when the ethiopians and southern people are old at thirty . they are long young and lusty , because much feeding restoreth decay of moisture , and outward coldness preventeth the loss of in-borne heat . these contrariwise are soon old , because outward heat draweth out their inward moisture , which should be the maintainer and food of their heat natural . also i permit unto true labourers and workmen to feed often ( yea four or five times a day if their work be ground-work or very toilsome ) because continual spending of humours and spirits , challenge an often restoring of the like by meat and drink . finally whosoever by some natural and peculiar temperature , or else upon any sickness , is enforced to eat often ; it were against art , reason and nature to number and stint his meals . claudius caesar had so gnawing a stomach , that he could eat at all hours , and aulus vitellius , ( even at his gods service and sacrifice ) could hardly refrain from snatching the meal and oil out of the priests hand : yea he baited at every village as he rid upon the way , and swépt clean the amery in every inn. contrariwise some either by nature or custome eat but once a day , others onely twice , and some thrice : as you may read in benevenius , ferdinandus mena and bartholomaeus anulus ; and as i my self can also witness by divers of our own countrymen , if i purposed or thought it needfull to produce their names . the like may i say of set hours , to dine or sup in ; for albeit i could ever wish and think it generally wholesomest , to dine before the highest of the sun , and to sup . or . hours after dinner ; yet if any be accustomed with augustus caesar , to eat onely then and as often as he is hungry i forbid him not to discontinue his own course , albeit i rather impute it to a foolish use , then to any inward prescript or motion of nature . caelius therefore not unwittily termeth courtiers by the name of antipodes ; for as it is day with them when it is night with us , so courtiers and princes eat when all others sleep ; and again ( perverting the order of nature , and setting as it were the sun to school ) sleep out the sweetest part of the day , wherein others eat and work . concerning the manner of eating , it is not alike in all countries . the jews , grecians and old romans did eat lying and declining to their right sight . onely the illyrians sat boult upright as we do now , with a woman placed ( after the new hans fashion ) betwixt every man. masinissa did most commonly eat and walk , yet somtime he did also eat standing , and sometimes leaning after the roman guise , but he never sat at his meat : because he thought eating to be one of the slightest services to be don of men , upon which they should neither stand , lye nor sit long . for mine own part , i prescribe no other manner of eating , then we have recieved and kept by long tradition . nevertheless , that declining towards the right side was the best manner of position in feeding , the example of christ and his apostles do sufficiently prove , who ( when they had choice of rites and manners ) observed ever that which was most wholesome , seemly and natural . now how long we should sit at dinner and supper , though it be not set down precisely by physitians , yet generally we may forbid too long or too short a time . switrigalus duke of lituania never sat fewer then six hours at dinner , and as many at supper : from whom i think the custome of long sitting was derived to denmark ; for there i remember i sat with frederic king of denmark , and that most honorable peregine lord willoughby of eresby ( when he carried the order of the garter ) . or . hours together at one meal . others feed quickly and rise speedily ; but neither of those courses be allowable : for as too long sitting causeth dulness of spirits , and hindereth the full descent of meat to the depth of our stomachs ; so too speedy rising causeth an overhasty setling , and maketh it also to pass out before it be well concocted . to conclude , mince or chaw your meat finely , eat leisurely , swallow advisedly , and sit upright with your body for an hours space or less ; for longer sitting is not requisite for the body ( howsoever some affect it ) nay it is rather hurtful unless it be confirmed by long custome , or made more tollerable by reason of some pastime , game , or discourse to refresh the mind . but of all long sitters at the table , farewel hugutia fagiolanus , who ( as petrarch reporteth ) lost both the city of pisa and lukes at one dinner , because he would not arise ( though a true alarm was given ) to repel the enemy , till his dinner were fully ended , which usually was protracted two or three hours . last of all , concerning the order of taking of meats , the first course in old times was called frigida mensa , the cold service ; because nothing but oisters , lettice , spinache , cold salades , cold water and cold sawces were then set on the table ; which order was clean altered in plutarchs time , for they began their meals with wine , hot pottage , black or peppered broth , and hot meat , ending them with lettice and purcelane ( as galen did ) to suppress vapours and procure sleep ; which example is diligently to be followed of cold stomachs , as the other is to be imitated of them which are over hot . likewise that the most nourishing meat is first to be eaten , that ancient proverb ratifieth ab ovo ad mala ; from the eg to the apples ; wherefore i utterly mislike our english custome , where pheasant , partridge and plover are last served , and meats of hard concoction and less good nourishment sent before them . as for fruit ( if it be not astringent , as tart apples , pears , soure-plums , quinces , medlers , cervises , cornels , wardens , sour pomgranates , and all meats made of them ) it should be eaten last . contrariwise all sweet and moist ▪ fruit ( as ripe melons , gourds , cucumbers , pompions , old and sweet apples , sweet pomgranates , sweet orenges ) and all things either fatty , light , liquid and thin of substance , and easie of concoction , should be first eaten , unless we be subject to great fluxes of the belly , or cholerick dispositions of stomach , and then the contrary course is most warrantable . for if slippery and light meats went formost into hot stomachs , they would either be burnt before the grosser were concocted , or at the least , cause all to slip downwards over-soon , by making the lower mouth of the stomach too too slippery . and verily i think that this is the best reason , wherewithall to maintain our english custome , in eating biefe and mutton formost before foul and fish ; unless the reason drawn from use and custome may seem more forcible ▪ finally let me add one thing more , and then an end of this treatise ; namely that if our breakfast be of liquid and supping meats , our dinner moist and of boiled meats , and our supper chiefly of roasted meats , a very good order is observed therein , agreeable both to art and the natures of most men . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e biesius lib. . theor med . jason prait lib. . dier . hippoc. lib de . pri●c . aristot . lib de ▪ gen . anim . gal. cap. . lib. . comm. hippoc. de na● . hum . avicen . lib. . top. . cap. . all our life i● but a consumption . lib. de prisc . med . lib. de sol . anim . gen. . gen. . v. . hippoc. de vet . med . gen. . lib. de arte ▪ prov. . eccl. . lib. de arte . hippoc. de prisc . med . athen. lib. . cap. . aristoph . in acan. homer . odyss . s. hippoc. epistol . ad . crate● lib. de vulg● error . cic. orat . cont . ver. plut. in dion . homer . i. odyss . herodorus . ovid. . metam . plut. de sal . pr. plut. ibidem , xiphil . in vitellio . marsil . fic . de tuend san . lib. de diet. g●● . comm . . in hippoc. de vict . rat . gal. lib . cap. ● de tuend . san sip●nt●us in vet . gal. soranus in ●jus vita . siracid . cap. ● . v. . notes for div a -e how many kinds of diet there be . gal. com . in apho . . lib. . com. . in . epid. com. . in . epid. com. in aph . . lib. . the matter of diet. roger bacon lib. de record . senect . accid . hyppoc . de diaet sal . paracelf de vit . long l. ● : c : : august ▪ de civit . dei . phaedr . de aquila coel michael tox. com ▪ in para● ▪ de vit . long . io. bonus ter. ●●r . in margar. philos . gal. de alim . ●ac . . lib. de aer . loc . & aq . whether mettals be meat : vide supra : plin. lib. . c. . apol. lib. de hist . mir . athen . lib. . dipn. cap. . notes for div a -e lib. . de rer . var. lib. . de tu . san . lu●tet . lib. . lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . lib de aeris potest . plin. l. . c. . plut. in vita marii . hieron . in epi● . nepotiani . hieron . mercurial . in gymnast . lib. de resp . ●su . ex hipp. l. de loc . aer . & aq l. polit . gal. . dr ▪ tu ▪ san hip de aer . loc . & aq . hippoc. de loc . aer ▪ & aq . hippoc. loco citato . lib. . fen. . d●st . . the best aire notes for div a -e lib. cont . epic p u● de u● . ex : host . cap. plut. de isi . & osir . gal. de ant●d ▪ plut. de isid . tract . de ▪ ●rochis● . plut. de isi . & osir . avic . fen. . tract . . swe t waters perfumed , and cakes against i● smels . soranus in vita hipp. how the aire is t● he corrected in the time of pestilence . com. in diosc . ho. . cap. . lib. de pesle . lib. de lepra . aelian . . de v r. hist . plut. in vita . phocion . sabel . ▪ l. . c. plut. in vita . porc. cat. coel. lib. . cap. . a. l. lib. . de rer . var. cardan . lib : . de var : rer : c : . in idaea med . phil . notes for div a -e how many kinds of meats ▪ there be . euseb lib. . de praepar . evang alex. ab . alex. lib. . lib. primo . plut. dees . carm symp. . cap. . gal. lib. de dissol . cont . gal. lib. cib . de enchy . et . . de fac . alim . avic . . fen. . tract . . gal. ● . de alim . sac . meats of peculiar and extraordinray tastes . sueton. in nerone . sabel . lib. . cap. . laert. lib. . naucl. de greg . . pontif . gaugen . lib. . histor . vergil . georg gel. lib. cap. . a. l. herodo . lib. plin. lib. . cap. . caelius lib. . cap. . a. l. cardan . de . rer . var. sabel . ex herodot . lib. . lib. . cap. . patholog . trincavella lib. . cap. . de cur . morb . ●entur . : curat . . lib. : cap : hist . mir●b . coel. l. . c. . ant . lect . lib. observ . propriarum . in epist ad ioann . scl : eng . io. mat. à grad . ep . de appetit . cromer . l . olaus , l ▪ . c. sept reg . marant . l de cogn . simp . cranz . de reb . lituan . gal. . de fac . simp . cap. . isaac de univ . diet . gal. . de simp . fac . c. . & s . ejusdem c. . avic . can . cap. . gal , de fac . alim . c ult . gal. . de reg . ac . morb . aristot : . problematum . anic in univers . diaet . homer . iliad . plato in timae . gal. . de fac . alim . & de loc . aff . c. . gal. de alim . fac ▪ isaac de uni● . & partic . diaet . lib. . notes for div a -e athen l. c. . gal. l. . antiq . lect . plut. in quaest . rom. sat : . c : . suet : in vit : augusti : plin : l. . c. : diod : l : : c : : pl●n : l : : c. & : 〈◊〉 es : carn : varro l : : rer . rust : avic : fen : ● : tract : : plut. lib. de es . carn . sim. ● . quaest . plut. sim●os . quart . . eccle ▪ 〈◊〉 macrob. sat . athen. lib. . cap. . lib. . cap. . laertius . suet. in ner. lib. de . fac . simpl . med . cap . & . lib. . de . fac . simp . notes for div a -e whether flesh or fish be the more ancient pure and whlosome meat . bald. in postillam carthusianorum . ● . ●olychron . exod. . ▪ lev. . v. , . epist . ad timorh . cap. . v. . hieronym : in epist . marul . lib. . decad . . polydor verg lib : . cap. de rer . invent . plin lib. . cap . diod. lib. . ap . . herod . lib. . cic. . de nat . dior . heb. . ael . lib. . de vac : h●ss . lib. de es carn . euseb . . de prap . eu . alex. ab . alex ▪ lib. . ge● . . v. . gen. . v. . gal. lib. cap. . plut. & symp. quest . . ▪ tim. . v. . sextus aurel. hieron in ep. notes for div a -e de fac . alim . c. . valthas . pisanellus l. de esc . & potul . gal. ▪ de alim . sac . c . lib. de cib . bov . & mal ▪ succi . & de alim . fac ▪ cap. . athen. lib. . cap. . isaac . de 〈◊〉 dieta . c. . macrob . sat cap. . . dealim . fac . est : & temperam . athen. lib. . cap. . cael. lib. . cap. . a l. diod. lib. . cap. . tract . de ver. vece . why mutton makes one live longer then ●●y meat . lib. . de alim . fac . cap. . lib. . de la. maison rushque . 〈◊〉 de . vict . rat . haly abb . s. theor . lib. de genit . athen. lib. ● . cap. . i● quest rom sheep and piggs , the younger the better . gal ▪ de alim . ●ac . plut. lib. de es . carn . lib. . ● . . in p●n ▪ & bucc● . de diaet . partic . plut. l. de isid . plut f ▪ mp . plut. . symp . . de alim . fac . c. . plin. l ▪ . c. . l. . de orb ●it . l. . de re rust . p. iov . in vita ▪ leon. x. schol. sal c. . plin. l. c. . notes for div a -e lib. . de victrat . gen. . l. de vict . atten . l. de retard ▪ fen . l. quaest . nat . plut. de sol . anim . gen. . pisanel . de esc . & potul . lib. . de v ▪ rer . in diaet univ . lampridius . gal. de vict . atten . de alim . fac . cab . . hares be often leprous . lib. de fac . esc . varro . . lib. agric. matthiolus . com. in lib. . diosc . cap. . strab ▪ lib. . de vict . rat . jas. prat. jo. necker . syntax . . plin. lib. . c. nauclerus . virg. . georg. guagnimus . lib : . de gest . emanu . athen. lib. . cap. . de vict . rat . lib. . de . alim . fac . cap. . notes for div a -e s. partic . diaet . can . & fen. . t● . . pisanel ▪ de esc . & potul . ex . plinio . joach . curaeus . in situanim platina lib. . cap. . bucinus lib : : cap : : gal. . de alim ▪ fac . l. & vict . atten . rhas . . cont. avenz . . & . theisir . halya . s. theor . elluch . c. . l. rhas . . con. de fac alim . plin. lib. . c. cap. de phthis . dialog . ▪ lib. creophag . lib. nat . histor . macrob. . sat . cap. . pli. l. . ● . . paul jov. in vita leon. x. l. de civit . dei. gal. de alim . fac . halyab : s. theo . plut symp . ▪ quest . . de enchym . & caroch . l de . esc . & po● . plin. l. . c. diod. l. . ca. jas. prat. . lib. diaet . plut. in quest . rom. lege heresbachium , li. . de re rust . in hort ▪ san . lege davidem chytr . in descript . russiae . lib. volatilum . gal. de alim . fac . gal. de comp . in sec . gen . isaac . in partic . diaet . rhas . . de ali . rhas . com ▪ 〈◊〉 aphor aveuz . . & . theisir . notes for div a -e albertus in hort . san . gesn . . de avib . gesn . . de avib . plut. lib. de es . carn . epist . ad gesn . l de ●h eriac . ad pison : arnald . de vil. nov . de es . & pot : gal. de alim . fac . rhas : : aph : de esc . & potul . gal . de alim . fac . de vict . atten . l : r●i rustic : : c : : fen. doct . tract . . de diaet partic plin l. . c. avicen fen. tr . . c. . athen. l. . c. . loco citato . l. . epist . . : euporist : nam : : v : : tract : de avib : lib : de avib : cael. l. . c. . antiq . lect . epist ad ge●n ▪ cael. l. . antiq . lect . plut. in lucullo . lib. de avib . l. . de tu . san . l. . de alim . sac . monedula . acanthis . chloris . . theor. c. : troglodytae ▪ notes for div a -e vulpan●eres . gen. . de avib . boseades . epist ad ▪ gesn . phalacrocoraces . notes for div a -e ala mala , coxa noxa , crura dnra , cropium dubium . collum bonum . macr. . satur. lib. cap. . aveuz . . & : . theisir . gal. . eupor . gal de comp . in sect . loc . diocl. in : sap . conv. gal. de alim . fac . isaac . jud. de part . diaet . gal. . de alim . fac . plut. de es . carn . l. de magister . pli. l. . c. . gal. . de . al. fa ▪ cap. . ● , de alim fac . plin. lib. : cap. . lib. esc . & potu . capi vaccius notes for div a -e ex higyno . ovid. in rem . amor . beasts milk . plin. l . c. . de sac . simpl . cap. . politianus in nutricia . syl. p●et . l. aelian . lib. . var. hist . marulus . lib. cap. . jo. mat. a grad . c. de appetitu . athen. l. . c. guagninus in tart. cael. l ▪ b ● . cap. . a. l. lib. de san . tu . plin l. . c : plin. l. c. . plin. l. . c. . card. lib. . de rer ▪ var. notes for div a -e lib. . c. . olausl . . sept . gent. plut. l. ▪ c . de alim fac . isa . de diaet . pt . l. trid. hist . plin. l. . c. plin. l . c plin. l. . c. plin. loco citato . strab. l. ▪ plin. l. . c. ▪ notes for div a -e plin. l. . c. . polid. vir. l. . c. . de rar . inv . alex. aphr. l. problem . . pl. l. cap. . schol. salem . & horat. serm. lib. . satyr . . rha. ad alm. athen. l. . c ▪ . avicenna & albertus . . ad almans de meth . med . lib . de avib ▪ avic . fen. . tract : . cap. . lib. de san tu ▪ pisanel de esc . & potul . l. sym . . quae . . l●vit . . cael. lib. cap. ● . a. l. virgil. . geo. guag . in tart. pl. l. . cap. . mars . fic . de . studios●●n ●ue . i b. . cap. ● . avic . l ▪ . d●c . plin. l. . ca. . notes for div a -e pis . de esc . & potul . corn. cels . l. . plut. . symp . qu . lev. . v. . . athen l. . c. . caelius lib. . 〈◊〉 . antiq . lect . lib. . nat hist . cap. . plut. . symp . ▪ quest . gal. . de alim . fac . plin. lib. . c. . & lib. . ca. . plin l. . ca . plin. l. . ca ▪ ● . plin. l. . c. . plin. li. c. . suet in vita ▪ severi . athen. l. c . athen. l. . c. ▪ notes for div a -e lib. cap. plin. l. . c. . . de simp . sac . athen. l. . c. . vict. l. . c. . var. lect . gal . comp . sec . loc . de alim fac . lib. de af●● . in t . . de . al. fa c. cap. . this asellus is also by jul. scaliger , aud ●ac . cujacius rendred stockfish perhaps because like unto the afse , not serviceable or fit for use til wel beaten . athen. lib . cap. . plin. l. . c. ● . arnol. de vil . nou . com . in ▪ sch. sal. aelianus . plin. l. cap. . plin. l. . c. . l. de venereis . plin. . c. . l de diff . anim . lib. c. . plin. l. . c. . plin. l. . ca. . plin. l. . ca. . de cib bon . & . mal . succ . loco citato . athen. l c. . mac . sat . c. su. in vita ti● . c●lcus . trallianus . gal. . de . sa . tu gregr. hist . l. . lib. . cap. . seneca in ep . gal. . de comp med . sec . loc . apic. l. . c. . lib. . de morb ▪ mul. lae. in vit . dio. lib cap. pli. lib ▪ c. . plin. li. . ● . . com . epid . ▪ cap. . lib. de pisc ▪ lib. colloq . cap. . suet. in vita . sever. gal ▪ de euchy & cacochym . cic . . tusculan quaest . lib. de morb . in t . athen. l. . c. . de comp . med . sec . loc . li. de dif . anim . notes for div a -e plin. l. . ca. . terpsides lib. de vener . pisan . de . esc . & potul . li. de rect . rat . com. in sch. sal jov. in desc . hetrur . lib. ▪ cap. . de alim . fac . poly. virgil. lib. . hist . lib . cap. ● . plin. l. ca . plin. l. . ca. . plin. l. . ca. plin. l. . c. ▪ athen. l. . c . hippoc. . de rat . vict . gal. . de al. fa. . sat . cap. . lib. de esc ▪ & potul . notes for div a -e plin. l. . c. . plin. loc . citato plin. li. . c. . ex. m varrone pisanel . de esc . & potul . plin. l. . c. . supra cap. . plin. l ▪ . c. . athen l. . c. . plin. lib. . cap. . cael. lib. . cap. . a. l. macr. . sat . c. . gel. l. . c. . de esc . & potul . what hony is best notes for div a -e plin. l. . c. ● . de alim . fac . cael. lib. . ca● ▪ . a. l. athen l. . c. . cael lib. . cap ▪ ▪ a. l. lib . cap. plin. l. . c. . lib. . c . plin. l. . ca. . plin. l. . ca. . plin. l. . ca. . plin. lib. . plut. . symp. plin. l. . ca. ▪ alex. l. . ca. : athen. l. . ca. pau ▪ jov ▪ invita colu● . lib. . cap. . matth. com . in diosc . de diaet . part . pisanel . de esc . & potul . plin. l. . c. . pis . de esc . & pot . ex avicenna aetio & isa . aco iudaeo . ● de alim . fac . laert. in plut. vit . de alim . sac . . amerinum . plinij . signinum . . venereum . crustuminum . hordearium . do●obellianum . superbum . . cucurbitinum . ampullaceum schol. sal . c. . lib. de . la. mais . rust . gal. l. . simpl . gal ex . diosc . lib. cap. . de alim . fac ▪ cap. . de alim . fac ▪ lib. . cap. . lib. . de alim . fac . cap . plin. l. . c. . mac. sat . c. . plin. lib. . c. pis . de ●scul . & potul . notes for div a -e dod. lib. . pla ▪ gal. . de alim ▪ fac . dodon . lib. . hist . pl. plin. alex. l. . c ▪ ● . plin. l. . c. . galen . horat. l. . ●pod suidas . crinz . l. . ca . hist . saxon . lib. . de med . sec . loc . polemon lib. de samothra● . athen. l. . c. . de alim . fac . pe●n . sac . lib. . ticin hist . c●spinianus . cromerus . platina . plut. l. de iside & osiride . dodon . lib. . hist . plaut . de alim fac . plin. l. c. . plin. l. . ca. ● . pisanel . de . esc . & potul . plin. l. ca. . cyropaed . notes for div a -e dios . l. . c. . gal. . de alim . fac . cap. . lib. de alim . fac . cap. . lib. . cap. . de rer . var. plut. in . nat. quest de alim . fac . cap. . suidas . nicetas l. . de reb . immanuel . athe. l. . c. . notes for div a -e plut. symp. . lib. . cap. . in ▪ ar●ad . plin. l. . c. . plin. i. . cap. . diod. lib. . c. . herodot . li. . . lib. de gest . emanuel . herodot . li. . diod. lib. . c. plin. l. . c. . alex. ab ▪ alex. lib . c. . ex . plinio . suet. in vita . iul. cae. luc. in dial . de merc . cond laer. in . vita . diog. athen. lib. . dionyss . gal. de ali . fac . isaac . in partic . diaet . averrh . . col. psel . de . pr. & caen . ●at . gal. . de . la. fa. gal. . de . alim . fac . cap. . lib. quae. rom. bread ▪ of a day , wine of a year , meal of a month . plin li. . c. . gal. . de al. sa . avic . can . . haly abbas . theor. how and when bread is to be eaten . sueton. in vita anton. pli. cael l c. ● . antiq . lect . cael. lib. cap. . a. l. notes for div a -e plut. . sympos quaest . . hom. . iliad . plat. in timae ▪ lib. quaest . nat ▪ quaest . . herot . lib. . plut. in qu. nat . lib. . cap. . meth . med . notes for div a -e sym. ● . quae . . cael. lib. . cap . a. l. plut. in coron . lib. de opt . civ . plut. de sal . vict rat . lib. de tuen . san plut ▪ de san . tu . plut. de sal . diaet . plin. li● . . & lib . nat hist . notes for div a -e hip. in iure jur objections against variety of meats . cael. lib. cap. antiq . lect . la. in vita dio. cael. lib. . cap. . antiq . lect . alex. ab alex. lib. cap. . corrozetus de dict . & fact . memor . plut. in lac. q●est . plut in apo . thegm . athen. l. . c. . plin. l. . c. ▪ sab. l. . suppl ▪ ●ov . l. . hist . hect. boeth . in histor . scot. alex. ab . alex. lib. . cap , . athen. l. . c. mar. l. ● . dec . . plin. l. . c. ● . diod. lib. . c. . alex. ab alex. lib ▪ cap. . plin. l. . ca. . valer. max. . com . in pan. read. plin. l ca. . sabel . lib. . ●nead . . cael. lib. ca. . a. l. spar. in vita ge●ae . iliad . . lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . guevarra in his epistles . isaac . belg. lib. de quint. mell . essent . cael. lib. . ant . lect . hect. boeth . l. . scot. hist . alex. l. . c. . athen. l. . c. marul . lib. . decad . . plin. l. . c ▪ ▪ numb . . lib. . c. . alex l. . c. . gell. l. . c. l. scot ▪ hist ▪ lib. . histor . notes for div a -e athen. l. . c. . in a●can . l. . c. . en . . cael lib. . c. . a. l. flan. vopisc . sabel . lib. . ex capitolino . ex boet. in ornithogon . aug l. . con . athen l. ▪ c. pl●t in gryll . marsil . fici . de ●●end . stud san . cael. lib. ea . . a l. ma. sat . . c. . hector . boeth ▪ hist . scot. sozom. lib. . eccl . hist . c. . hippoc. xenoph. . pae ▪ athen. l. ▪ c. . cic. . tusc . marfil . fic . de sanit . stud . tu . plut. . sympo● cloath your self warmly , and feed sparingly . vesti te cal●o & mangia poco hip. de . vet . me lib ▪ . cap. . cosmocrit . sur. com . rer . in orbe gest . b●u . lib. . de re cib . cap. . schengh . lib. . obs ▪ med . hip lib ▪ de ca. plin. l. . c. athen. l. . dip alb. l. . de ani alex. b. pract . lib. c●p . jac. syl . consil . contra famem . ioub dec . . ●a●ad●● ▪ . plut. . symp. lib. de . sal . diaet . suet. in vita . aug. laert. in vita diog. notes for div a -e hipp. de sal di. galen com . in aph . so . lib . gal. com . ▪ de vict . rat . in ac . cap. . gal. com in aph . . lib. . gal. com . in ap ▪ . l. . & com . de sal . diaet . c. ▪ & com . . in . epi ▪ c. ● . & com . in aph . . lib. . gal. com . in aph . . lib. . gal com . . de vict . rat . in . ac . cap. . . de fac . simp . cap. . . de simpl ▪ fac . cap. . & . . ejusdem . cap. gal. de alim . fac . l. & ca. ult . gal. . de vict . rat in ac . ▪ gal. de fac . alim . & . de loc . af● . cap. . gal. com in ap . . lib. . gal . de . al. f● ▪ isa . de univers . & parti . diaeta . gal. com . in aph ▪ . lib. . gal. com in . aph . l. . gal com . in aph . . lib. . gal. com . . de vict rat . in . ac . cap. . hip. de sal . vict . rat . pl. desan . tu●n . notes for div a -e meat well chewed is half digested . it is ill to talk much at meat ▪ where an eg is best to be opened . lib. . para . c ▪ ● lib. . epi. sec . . & . aphor . . hip. ▪ ep . sec . . & aph . . hip ibid. ap . l. . de ca. sym . lib. . cap. . hib. . ep . tom . aph . . hip. . aph . . dec. . parad . . plut. in gryll . suet. in vita claudii & vitel . ben ▪ c. . de abdit . ferd. mena l. de med . feb . c. . barth . an in picta po●si cir ▪ ca finem . sue ▪ in . vit . au. lib. . c. . a. l. cael. l. ▪ c. . a. c. ath. l. . c. ● ▪ leon● . l. . c. . ioa. c ▪ . v. . lib. de ▪ remed . utr for t . plut. . symp . cael liq ▪ . cap. . a. l. a pocket-companion, containing things necessary to be known by all that values their health and happiness being a plain way of nature's own prescribing, to cure most diseases in men, women and children, by kitchen-physick only : to which is added, an account how a man may live well and plentifully for two-pence a day / collected from the good housewife made a doctor, by tho. tryon. good house-wife made a doctor. selections tryon, thomas, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing t estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a pocket-companion, containing things necessary to be known by all that values their health and happiness being a plain way of nature's own prescribing, to cure most diseases in men, women and children, by kitchen-physick only : to which is added, an account how a man may live well and plentifully for two-pence a day / collected from the good housewife made a doctor, by tho. tryon. good house-wife made a doctor. selections tryon, thomas, - . p. printed for george conyers ..., london : . "licensed, octob. th. ." "price two pence." "how a man may live for two pence or three pence a day very well": p. - . advertisement: p. . imperfect: faded, stained, and torn, with loss of print. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng diet -- early works to . diet in disease. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a pocket-companion ; containing things necessary to be known , by all that values their health and happiness : being a plain way of nature's own prescribing , to cure most diseases in men , women and children , by kitchen-physick only . to which is added , an account how a man may live well and plentifully for two-pence a day . collected from the good housewife made a doctor , by tho. tryon . licensed , octob. th . . london , printed for george conyers , at the golden ring in little-britain , . notable things . of consumptions . consumptions are decays of the radical moisture , whereby the natural heat of the stomach is so weakened , that it cannot make a due separation of meats and drinks received , which causes from thence to arise abundance of bad juices or phlegm ; so that no good nourishment can be bred , let the food be never so rich ▪ nor the drink cordial , which all people afflicted find by experience . but these distempers proceed likewise from various causes . as , . from over-charging nature with too great quantities of rich food : or in others , by drinking much brandy , wine , and strong drinks , which weakens the natural heat , and destroys the action of the stomach . in others , and idle , sedentary course of life , or want of proper exercises ; lying in bed too long , too warm cloathing , and too soft feather or down beds , which proves always prejudicial to to the health of all persons . it is caused sometimes by too much frequenting the school of venus , provoking nature beyond her ability , and oft-times corrupts her , in her very radix . young married people , as well as the most lewd , are oft caught in this snare , and let this be a caution . others by excessive heats or colds , surfeits and the like accidents : some by fevers and long fits of sickness ; to some through melancholly , grief , or trouble of mind , or despair and envy . some have consumptions hereditary , which is the hardest of all to cure . now when thou findest thy self indisposed , and thy stomach to grow weak , and a general disorder to run through thy whole body , and that thy strength decays ; consider what it was that caused it , whether temperance , or intemperance in meats or drinks , in respect of the quantity or quality , as also their exercises , and all other extreams thou hast inured thy self to : consider further , what air thou hast lived in , where the disease was bred , and by this means thou mayest guess at the cause of thy distemper . and when this is done , thou oughtest gradually to alter for the better , the whole course of thy life ; not in the nature and quality of the meats and drinks only , but in their quantity ; as also thy exercises and the air , as far as the condition of thy life will admit thereof : for change of food , exercises , and airs , work wonders . if withal , you betake your selves to meer simple meats and drinks that are easier of concoction , and generate a freer and firmer substance . i shall now set down what food , drink and preparations are agreeable to the stomachs of sick and languishing persons : and first of milk. which is an incomparable food , and the best way for weak consumptive people to eat it , is raw ▪ take what quantity of milk you please , let it stand open to the air one hour or two , then skimm off the top of it , and eat it with well bak'd bread ; neither toast your bread , nor warm your milk ; except the weather be cold , and then you may make it blood warm , but then do not toast your bread : you may if you please , eat bisket with your milk , but do not eat too great a quantity at once : sometimes you may mix a little water with the milk , and sweeten it with good white sugar : you may eat this three times aday , if you make it your sole food . continue this six or eight months at least ▪ and you will find great benefit by it : for distempers that have been many years generating , cannot be cured in a moment , to prepare milk with wheat-flower , an excellent way . take a quart of new milk , after it has stood five or six hours from the time it was milk'd , put to it a third part of river or spring water , set it on a clear fire ; then take some wheat-flower , and temper it with either water or milk into a batter , and when the milk is ready to boyl , put in your thickning , and stir it a while ; and when it is ready to boyl again , take it off ; then put as much salt and bread to it as you please , then let it cool without stirring it , and it will eat much sweeter : two spoonfuls of flower is enough for a quart of milk and water , make it about the thickness of ordinary milk-pottage . this keeps your body in excellent temper , neither binds nor loosens too much , and it never tires nor clogs the stomach . another way . take a quart of milk and a pint of water , add to it as much oatmeal as you please to have 〈…〉 thickness , thin is best . set it on a 〈◊〉 fire , and when it begins to boyl , take it off , and brew it in two porringers eleven or twelve times , then set it on the fire again , and when it begins to boyl take it off , and let stand a little , and the large oatmeal will settle to the bottom ; then add bread and salt to it , and eat it when it is blood warm : this is an excellent food , agrees well with weak natures , and affords firm nourishment . and if you add at any time to this a new-laid egg or two , beaten with your thickening , and put it in as aforesaid , it will make a rich dish . if you would add eggs to milk-pottage , first put your milk and water into your s●wce-pan , take a spoonful of ground oatmeal , and beat it up with your egg or eggs , with either a little milk or water , and when it is ready to boil , stir it in , as in flowr'd milk , and then you need not brew it ; put a little bread and salt to all your milk meats , but no sugar be sure : this is a substantial and friendly food . observe that milk is best the first half year after the cow hath calv'd , but not so good after taking bull , or conception . milk boil'd by it . it self ▪ is not so good , as when mixt with oatmeal , flower , or water as aforesaid , being not of so cleansing a quality ● the best time to begin milk-diet i think is about march or april . of furmety , viz. vvheat and milk are in themselves two good things ; but ordered with sugar , spice , &c. is not at a●l to be commended , nor near so good as milk , flower and vvater ; the same is to be understood of vvheat butter'd and spiced . of boniclabber . bonic●●●●●● is made by letting your milk stand till it sowers , which will be in twenty-fours hours , if the weather be very hot . it has a pleasant sowerish taste , and must be eaten only with bread , especially by consumptive people . it is excellent against stoppages , and it 's easie of concoction . and ●igests all hard or sweet food ; it cools and cleaneth the whole body , and quencheth thrist to a ●onder , it is the best spoon-meat for consumptive people that i know . and though it may not be so agreeable to the pallat at first , yet a little custom will make it familiar and pleasant . of water-grewel . this is good for consumptive people , and is made as followeth . take a quart of spring or river water , put to it two spoonfuls of oatmeal , then stir it well together , set it on the fire , and when it is ready to boil , take it off , and brew it out of one thing into another ; then let it stand , and the greatest oatmeal will sink to the bottom : then pour it off , and add bread and salt to it , and butter if you please , then eat it when it has stood till it is blood warm . this is an excellent sort of food . observe that milk boiled , is nothing so good as either raw or scalded . an excellent food for all sorts of people , ●ut more-especially ▪ for children and sick people . take a quart of water , two spoonfuls of wheat-flower , and two or three eggs , beat the flower and eggs together with a little water , and when the water begins to boil , stir in your thickning , and keep it stirring till it is ready to boil ; then take it off , and put bread and salt to it , when it has stood till it is blood warm , eat it ; you may put some butter to it , or an egg if you like it best : this is an incomparable food for all sorts of people , it breeds good blood , opens the passages , sweetens the blood , prevents windy distempers and griping pains ; it is next to breast-milk for children , and it is excellent for consumptive people , if they keep to it four or five months or more , and eat nothing else , and drinking three our four glasses of good ale ; let them use gentle exercise , and moderate cloathing , and good sweet hard beds . this , and all other spoon-meats made thin , are best . flummery ▪ is thus made . take three spoonfuls of oatmeal more or less , and put to it a convenient quantity of water , then let it stand till it begins to be sowerish , then take this water and oatmeal , and put it into a vessel , stirring it , and making it boiling hot with a quick fire and when it does begin to rise , brew it to and fro with your ladle to keep it from boiling ; this do about four or five minutes , then take it off the fire , and it 's prepar'd . some eat it with ale , others with cream , milk , and the like , but i think it most beneficial to be eaten with bread only . it removes obstructions , strengthens the stomach , cools the body , openeth the passages , and is excellent good for breakfast in all hot climates : this is good more-especially for weak stomach'd people , and those whose breast , and passages are obstructed by though phlegmy matter . another way to make flummery . take two or three spoonfuls of oatmeal , more or less , and put to it a convenient quantity of water , and let it stand a day more or less ; then pour off that water , and put on fresh four , five , six , seven , eight , nine or ten times ; letting each water remain on your oatmeal a certain time , then they take it off , boil it up , some mix it with cream , and what they please . but this way is not near so good as the former . of bread. the best sort for sick people , is that which is made of wheat-flower , but not too fine dressed ; for then it will be dry and husky ; and your leaven'd bread is much better than that made with yiest ; you may make it after this manner . take what flower you please , make a hole in the middle of it , break then your leaven in ; take as much blood-warm water , as will wet about half your flower , mix the flower and leaven well together , cover it with the remaining flower close ; this do in the evening , and by morning the whole will be well leavened : then add some more blood-warm water as is sufficient , and knead it up very stiff and firm , the more pains you take , the better : when you have so done , let it lie warm by some fire , near two hours , till the oven is ready , then bake it , but let not the oven-mouth be close stopp'd , that the air may have more or less egress or regress . but the best way is to make it into thin cakes , and bake them on a stone , with a wood-fire under . of rye , barley , oats , you may make cakes after the same manner ; put no salt into your bread. of butter butter affords good nourishment ; the best that is for the stomach , is made from may to august : it 's very wholesome , if eaten moderately with bread , or with herbs , roots or the like . take good butter and melt it thick , and put it to your herbs , as you do oyl , and it eats as well and pleasant , and can scarce be distinguished from oyl : this i believe a great many may have cause to thank me for : all butter ought to be well seasoned with salt. cheese affords good nourishment , for healthy , working people , if eaten with good store of bread , and a cup of good drink be not wanting ▪ it is altogether as nourishing as flesh ; it is clean , and of a stronger , firmer substance , and digests a cup of drink better : and he that lives on bread and cheese , intermix'd now and then with flower'd milk , water-grewel , milk-pottage , and raw sallads , seasoned with vinegar , salt and oyl ; and drinks good sound ale and beer not over strong , shall exceed in health and strength him that lives on bread and flesh , and drinks the same liquor . of puddings . the best way of making them is thus . take milk and water , wheat-flower , and eggs , of each a convenient quantity , and put a little salt in ; beat them well together , put this batter into your bag , boil it in good store of water , your potlid off , and over a quick clear fire ; when boil'd sufficient , take it off , butter it , and eat it . bak'd puddings are not so good . of eggs , and their best way of dressing . they are an excellent food , friendly and innocent in operation . dress them as followeth . let your eggs be boiled soft , then break the shell and put them into a dish , and let them stand till they are blood-warm ; then with bread and salt only eat them : a strong stomach may eat them with bread and butter spread upon it , not melted . or you may boil them hard , then pill off the shell , and eat them with salt , bread and vinegar . poaching is a very good way . take an egg , a spoonful of wheat-flower , and beat it well together , then put it into a pint of water boiling hot . stir it together ; then take it off , and eat it with a little bread , salt and butter , and it will make an excellent meal . eggs in a morning supp'd off raw , and bread eaten after them , is very wholsome . of pyes . pear and apple-pyes are wholesome and healthy food , if the fruit be thorough ripe , and made as they ought to be : the best way is thus . take good wheat-flower , make it into a paste with a little leaven or yeast , with milk and water , or blood warm water only , then put it in your apples or pears , and if you please add some carraway or fennel-seeds . in baking , let the oven stand almost open , that some air may come in . when baked , draw them , and cut holes in the top , that the sulphurous atoms , and fiery vapours may pass away , eat them not hot , for they are much better cold . apples raw and ripe , eat with bread , sometimes are wholesome ; and so are peaches plumbs , gooseberries , currants , apricocks and the like , very good food eaten with bread ▪ sometimes . and observe by the way , that hot bread ought not to be eaten , for it is very injurious to the health ; and your bread ought to stand two days before you eat it . of raisins . raisins is a good sort of food , if rightly used ; but i think we might well be without them , though they have their uses : for being eaten with bread , they 'll make a wholesome breakfast or supper . as for currants , they are of little worth to any person besides the seller ; nor any other sort or outlandish-spices , unless they be used physically . the same may be said of brandy and other spirits , which often proves profitable , taken in a physical way : but is of fatal consequence , when drunk at every turn . of oyl . it is a brave nourishing clean nature , and friendly to most constitutions : it is very proper to be eaten with herbs and fruits . bread and oyl make a delicate breakfast or supper ; for it cleanseth the passages , breeds good blood , and is easie of concoction . with fish it is very good , more especially with salt-fish ; for it allays the fierce keen property of the salt , and sweetens the lean body of the fish ; for these purposes it is better then butter . observe that toasted bread is not so good as cold bread , olives are not so good as oyl , nor ought to be freequently eat , for then they obstruct the stomach , and passages . the best way of eating them is with bread only ; but we might as well be without them . of sugars . sugars is an excellent rich fruit , but in my opinion fit only to be taken physically , and not at every turn to be mixt with our common food and drinks , the use whereof , makes it of e●il consequence , particularly all sweetned drinks and food , forward the generation of the gout , and other diseases of the body , which simple innocent food would prevent , if temperance be but observ'd : but if sugar be used in milk-meats for old people , it may prove beneficial , but i thing to none else . of sugar-candy . it is made thus : first they boil it as high as other sugars , then out of the pans they take this syrup , and put it in an earthen pot ; then they set it in a hot stowe , there to stand or days ; in that time the fierceness of the sulphureous heat coagulates it into an hard tough substance , then you take it out from the syrup , and put the candy or hard lumps into the stowe again , but made about or degrees hotter , where it must remain or days longer , and then 't is done . there is two sorts of it , one white , the other brown , but they are both of one nature and operation ; they are much made use of for coughs , colds and stoppages , which in my opinion there is nothing more contrary and burthensome to nature in such cases than this very thing , and therefore ought to be abandoned ; for in truth the best food for those that are invaded with these colds , &c. are thin brisk grewels and pottages , made as i have taught before ; also good raw sallads with bread and oyl , but eat oyl sparingly : likewise bread and butter , and all sorts of lean food , light of digestion ; and for drinks , water and rhenish-wine , toast and water , or water and white-wine , two-parts water , and one wine , or good small ale with moderate exercise and cloathing , walking in the open air sometimes , which will gradually cleanse the passages , and open all obstructions , and soon remove these distempers . of the occasion of colds and coughs ; and of their cure. coughs and colds are produced by intemperance in meats , drinks , exercises and habits , or by eating or drinking too much in quantity , and things of a contrary quality , or improperly prepar'd , and not from thin cloathing , as many imagine : for if the inside be sound and clean , there is little danger of outward inconveniencies . the best way to prevent outward colds , and the evils that happen through thick and thin cloathing , and by heats , sweatings , and the like , is to change your cloaths often . as for example : put on when you stay at home in a morning one sort of cloaths , and when you go out , put off your cloaths to your shirt , and put on fresh and cold cloaths , and again at night pull off them to the shirt , and put on the others . and for those that sweat much by their labour , let them pull off all their cloaths , shirt and all , and put on fresh shirts , and cold cloathing ; and for those that over-travel themselves , let them do the like ; but observe that both sit still a while , before they either eat or drink . observe farther by the bye , the pruens , figs , and nuts , and almonds , and many other such like things , ought not be eaten at all , except only with common bread , or in physical way , in opening drinks . also candied-gingers , all sorts of conserves , and preserves , and all confections , hodge-podge , cakes , buns , are very prejudicial for , and obstruct the passages , generate crudities , spoil the stomach , and prepare matter for a multitude of diseases . of canary . canary is an excellent cordial liquor , eat a good piece of bread , and drink a glass of canary a●ter it , and it will make a rich meal . it is in my opinion the best cordial an apothecary has in his shop ; for any man in time of disorder and sickness . of sherry . it is a fine cordial wine , as good for common drinks as canary , being mixt with water , it begets appetite , cleanseth the passages , and helps concoction ; it purges by urine more than canary : but this , as all other liquors , must be drank with discretion and temperance , and not too frequent . of white-wine . white-wine is an excellent cleansing liquor , it begets appetite , and purges by urine ; but let it not be too frequently drunk , left it indispose the body , by putting it into an unnatural flame . of rhenish-wine . rhenish-wine is an excellent cleanser of the stomach , somewhat a-kin to white-wine , it begets appetite , and helps concoction . as for old-hock , esteem'd by some , it is the most prejudicial of any liquor , and therefore ought to be forborn . of claret . claret is a good stomach-wine , moderately drunk ; it helps concoction , and begets appetite , it is the best of wines for those that eat abundance of fat-flesh , and succulent foods : but it purges not by urine so much as white . take notice that this as all other liquors , are not to be frequently used , for then they are prejudicial ; but a glass of claret , or a dram of brandy ▪ or the like , are good cordials when you have eat too much in quantity of any foods , too foul or gross in quality . of cyder . cyder if well made and fermented , is a fine brisk liquor , and altogether as good as claret or white-wine , and perhaps better for english bodies , if drunk temperately . note , that no cyder ought to be kept above one year , if you regard your health . of mum. mum if temperately drunk , is very wholesome for melancholly flegmatical people , and for those whose food is coarse bread and cheese , flower'd milk , herbs , and lean pottages ; but i think it not near so wholesome as well brewed ale. of coffee . coffee ought to be used only in a physical way by them that are troubled with fumes and dulling vapours that fly into their heads : it is likewise good after hard drinking , weariness , labour and fasting : but for others , i think it best to forbear it : yet a dish will do no man harm . tea is an innocent harmless liquor , that purges by urine , and is of an opening quality ; but it is not comparable to an herb call'd dandelion ; which being infused in boyling hot water about half an hour , and then pour the liquor from the herbs , and sweetned with white sugar , is a much better drink . it purgeth by urine , and cleanseth the stomach . sage , penyroyal , thyme or mint , dried in their proper season , and kept in bags , make as good liquor as tea . of sallads . take sorrel , parsly and spinnage , lettice , and some few onions ; then add salt , vinegar and oyl , a good quantity ; if you cannot get oyl , good butter melted may serve as well , for it is scarce dicernable from oyl ; but let the salt predominate . eat bread only with the sallad , which is better than if you eat bread and meat , or bread and butter , or cheese . another . take sorrel , lettice , pepper , grass , spinnage , tops of mints , and onions , seasoned as before . another . take sorrel , lettice , cellery , spinnage , onions , and endive seasoned as before . another . sage , mint , penyroyal , balm and some lettice and sorrel ; eat them as before : this is brave sallad . another . young green buds of coleworts with onions , is a good sallad , seasoned as before . another . taragan , nettle-tops , penyroyal , mint , parsly , sorrel , lettice , and leaves of coleworts eat as before , is an excellent sallad , if seasoned to the highest degrée . a sallad for winter . parsly , old onions , endive , cellery , lettice , sorrel and colewort ▪ plants , seasoned with salt , oyl and vinegar , is an excellent warming and cherishing sallad . another . take cellery , endive , spinnage and lettice , and half a head of garlick in it , seasoned with salt , vinegar and oyl , this is a brave sallad . sallads are good at all times , but most proper from end of ianuary to the st of iuly : then again from september till december ; and indeed all winter , if the weather be open . in spring . spinnage , corn-sallad , nettle-tops , and the buds of young cabbage , and others the like nature , being boil'd ▪ is an excellent corrective to them that eat flesh-meat ; they loosen the belly , and open obstructions . in april , may and iune eat spinnage , parsly , lettice , mint-tops , borage , scurvy , dandilyon , comfory , and the like , boil'd in plenty of water over a brisk fire ; add to them butter melted , and some salt ; then eat with bread , or bread and flesh is good food . the best way to make herb-pottage . smallage , clivers , watercresses , elder-buds and nettle-tops ; put water to them proportionable to your herbs ; then add oatmeal as much as you think fit to leave it in thickness : when the water is ready to boil , put your herbs in , cut , or uncut ; then when it is again ready to boil , take a spoon or ladle and lade it , so that you keep it from boiling ; do this eight or nine minutes , then take it off and eat it blood-warm , with the herbs in it , or strained ; adding a little butter , salt and bread , this is an admirable cleansing sallad . another . spinnage , corn-sallad , tops of pennyroyal and mint , ordered and eat as before . to make the best herb diet-drink . supposing your herbs well gather'd , and dry and kept in bags ; take what herb you think fit , put it in a linnen bag and steep it or hours in beer , ale , or wine , or other liquor , and then take it out , and it is done : let not your wormwood be steep'd above three or four hours ; observe that one sort of herb by it self is much better than compounds . to prevent the scurvy . eat not meat and drinks too strong for nature , for nature ought to be stronger than the food . meat and drink ought not to be eat that are of a contrary quality to the constitution . have a care of eating to fulness , or to excess . take care that your victuals be in all respects properly prepared , for some will but half doe it , others over doe it . let all sorts of flesh and gross food be boiled in plenty of water , and over a brisk fire . forbear eating too much flesh . it is most unwholsome in iuly , august , september , october . forbear eating too much fish. remember you eat not before the former food be digested . drink moderately ; let your ordinary drink not be hard , stale , nor sowre , nor too new . let your clothing be moderate . let your houses be airy , your beds hard , clean and sweet ; use proper exercise and labour in open airy places ; take walks often by river-sides , or on plains and downs ; observe the rules of chastity , avoid all compounded foods ; avoid carking cares , hates , revenge , envy , violence , oppression ; keep a good conscience , for that 's a continual feast : hearken to the voice of wisdom , and the dictates of reason and nature , and that will bring thee to endless felicity . an excellent poultice , which cures scalded limbs , burns , boils , fellons , tumors ▪ proceeding from choler , phlegm or melancholly . it also cures all contusions , inflammations or bruises , either with ▪ or without a wound ; old wounds , ulcers , or running sores : excellent also against the gout , and inflammation of the eyes ; admirable against sore breasts , and bites of dogs , or any other hurt of what kind or nature soever : which is thus . take two pints of water , river , rain , or spring ▪ their take as much ground oatmeal as will make it thick , fit for a poultice ; add to it two ounces of good sugar , a handful of dandelion cut small , then place it over the fire in an open and convenient vessel , keep it stirring till it is boiling-hot , and then it is made . another . take about a quart of water , then take as much houshold-bread as will make it thick , and three ounces of beaten raisins of the sun , and one ounce of sugar , and about half a pint of new ale ; stir all together , and make them boiling-hot over a clear fire , and it 's done , another . one quart of water , as much bread as will make it thick , five ounces of raisins of the sun , and one ounce of coriander seeds , beaten with a glass of ale , made boiling-hot , and then it is prepared . another . one quart of water and bread , to make it as thick as a poultice ; of sugar two ounces , a glass of sack , or for want of that , other wine , make it boiling-hot . apply these medicines to the part afflicted , by spreading the poultice pretty thick on a linnen cloth , that will cover the whole part , somewhat warmer than milk from the cow ; but let it not be so hot as is usual , for extreams prove generally prejudicial . apply these poultices every two hours at least in the day , and three or four times in the night , if the wound be dangerous ; otherwise ten times in a day and a night will do : when you take the poultice off , put that away , and put a fresh on every time , and keep a constant repetition for , , , , , , , or days , if occasion be ; but it will cure most distempers in less time , if you observe this method : but be sure wash your sores 'twixt whiles , with water and sugar , and sometimes with water and fresh butter beaten together , which will keep it clean and pliant . how a man may live for two pence or three pence a day very well . a man in the countrey may live plentifully for two pence a day ; for in many countries you may have two quarts of milk for a penny , to which add a pint of water , and not half a penny-worth of flower , and make it into flower'd-milk , according to our directions , and you will have a noble dish , sufficient for four people , and this stands but in three-half-pence ; eat some bread with it , and there is no victuals affords better nourishment , and that to all ages , but especially young people . the like is to be understood of other foods , where every one observes his time of eating , and his weight and measure of food , and a great trouble and waste will thereby be avoided . as to quantity of other foods , we suppose that sixteen ounces , solid food , to wit , bread , cheese , butter , and eggs , may be sufficient twenty-four hours for a labouring man , and the best time for eating , we suppose to be about eight in the morning , and four in the afternoon . if the food be flower'd-milk , then a pint of it , and four ounces of bread and butter or cheese , is sufficient : if water-grewel or pottage , a pint and four ounces of bread and cheese : if raw milk , the same ; but if flower'd-milk with an egg in it , three ounces of bread and butter or of cheese , will be sufficient . if you eat raw sallad , weigh only your bread , ●nd about five ounces will be sufficient , with an ounce of cheese or butter to eat after your herbs ▪ as for puddings , apple-pies , and the like , i leave ●o every ones discretion , but you must be sparing ●nd temperate . as for drink , water has the first place ; and a quart of water mixt with two spoonfuls of ground oatmeal , and well brew'd together , ten or twelve times out of one porringer into another , make an excellent drink , and in summer-time 't is very pleasant . in winter-time if you make it blood warm , it will drink well ; milk and water is an excellent drink . thus you see a small matter sufficeth a moderate man. how the poor may subsist well these hard times for two pence a day , and less . take a peck of good wheat-flower , make half of it into a loaf , the other half keep for to use as followeth . put to a quart of water a spoonful or two of flower , and make it as we before d●●rected you to make milk-pottage ; eat the brea● in quantity , so much as that it may last till your pottage is spent . this is an excellent food , and ●ffords good nourishment ; and by this , the poor ●ay subsist well these hard times for less than ●wo pence a day . if you put a quart of milk , and a pint of wa●er , a spoonful of flower , and order it as before ●●rected ; it will be excellent and pleasant food . another cheap way for the poor . take a pint of pease , and put to them three quarts or a gallon of water , let them stand on a slow fire two hours , but let them not boil : then ●ake an onion and a little sage shred well , and ●ut into the pease , and stir them a little ; then ●ake a spoonfull of flow●● or oat-meal ground , and beat it well together with a little water , and put to it , and then let your pottage boil up a little , then put a little salt to it . eat with this a little bread , and you will find it an excellent ▪ nourishing and pleasant food . to take ink out of paper . take aqua-fortis , and dip a little of it upon the blot , or writing you would take out , and immediately it will disappear ; then take a little water steep'd in allom , and wash it over with it , and whe● dry , it will make it look as clear and white as a● first ; otherwise , the aqua-fortis alone will make 〈◊〉 yellow stain . how to bottle cyder . in march bottle your cyder , and if you put in a●●ut half a spoonful of spirit of clary , it will make ●●e liqu●● so perfectly resemble the best canary , ●hat few good and exercis'd pallats , will be able to distinguish it . how to make copper-look ▪ as well as the best silver . take crema tartar , two drams , the best leaf-silver one dram , and aqua-fortis four or five drops : make it into a paste , and rub it on your copper , and immediately it will look well . finis . *** lithgow's nineteen years travels through the most eminent places of the habitable world. containing an exact description of the customs , laws , religions , policies , and government of emperors , kings , and princes ; also of the countries and cities , trades , rivers , a●d commerce in all places where he travell'd , &c. printed for george conyers at the golden-ring in little-britain .