NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL DIRECtions for health, derived from the best Philosophers, as well modern, as ancient.  
By William Vaughan, Master of Arts, and student in the Civil law.  
LONDON Printed by Richard Bradocke. 1600.   

To the Right worshipful, his loving sister, the Lady Marga ret Vaughan; health, happiness, and tranquillity both of body and mind.  
MAdame, when I had ferreted through every nook of my Muses poor treasury, to find some present worthy your acceptance, I could find none so fit, as this little Treatise of health, whose happy continuance, with fair increase of years, and plenteous fruitfulness, I have ever wished you; that as the dew of heaven hath sent forth the bud of your tender age sweet, virtuous, and right worthy of the noble root, from whence it sprang: so the sun shine of grace will ripen those excellent blossoms to perfection. The first occasion, which made me fall into this kind of study, was the necessary regard of mine own health; necessary I call it in divers respects: for when sorrow and discontentment had almost dried and stifled up my vital spirits (the reasons whereof are not altogether to you unknown) and driven me to this doleful exigent, that I doubted, which were better either to be, as than I was, or not to be at all: at the last, Reason and Religion forced me to take this course, lest despair should overwhelm the natural and purer faculties of my soul. Now, since the length and process of time by favour of the great Prince of Hierarchies, hath somewhat enlarged and fortified my spirits, I have sent you no other Physic, than what I myself applied, wishing, that it may lie by you without occasion of use, even so long, that the leaves may lack renewing, before you lack health.  
Whereto although it may be, that some close and subtell-headed petifogger may except, yea, and sue my conceit in the Exchequer of his own opinion, in that I protesting saith to justinian, do enter league with Galen,, and studying the Civil law, do undertake to meddle with Natural and Artificial experiments: yet my plea shall be drawn from a principal Maxim in Nature, namely, that my health is of more consequence with me, than my Clientes case, and my friends being well more rejoiceth me, than the world's being rich. But how can you do amiss (dear sister) for whom such careful parents, and such a circumspect husband, have so carefully and circumspectly provided? How can you (for whom Nature, Fortune, and worship, have, like unto the Poets three Goddesses, reserved the golden ball) how can you, I say, want all health, and happiness, which this earth affords? Nay, more, how is it possible, that you having made yourself hitherto dear to God (as appears by his wonderful benefits on you bestowed) by your virtuous conversation in the very April of your years, be without the saving health of joy and glory from above? What Direction need you to respect, that are entered the right path? Truly, my prayers are, that you may proceed forward still in that way, but yet that you may be long in going; both that I may long enjoy part of your felicity, and also that other Ladies of the like sympathy of natural inclination may take precedent from your example.  
It greatly befitteth your virtuous and ingenuous nature to rejoice in the blessings of the Lord so inestimable; as first, in your noble minded father, that famous Knight, sir Jelly Meiricke, (who for integrity of life, prudence, magnanimity, and liberal behaviour, is inferior to no man of what quality soever): and no less in the joining with such an Husband, whom brotherly regard of modesty forbiddeth me to extol with praises according to deserts. And when the third blessing by the favourable permission of one and the same God shall betide you, even the propagation of children, as blooming vines round about your table, with both your powers equally endued to your earthly comfort: I know not to whom I may say, that the type and title of equal happiness hath been granted more than unto you. But leaving these, and whatsoever other blessings it hath pleased the supreme Giver of all goodness, to rain down upon you, as upon a grateful and fertile soil: my only purpose and intent is to request you (Madame) to patronize, and receive with good liking, this pamphlet of mine, fraught with Natural and Artificial Directions, as undertaken for the health of all: so especially consecrated unto your suitable tuition and service in particular, not so much (I protest) in regard of any your urgent need, through any distemperature, which I know; as to prescribe unto you a dietary platform, whereby you may keep back all such griefs, as might percase steal upon you here after, before you be aware: withal assuring myself, that in the often reading thereof, you shall get a treasury stored with precious Margarites, Rubies, and Diamonds; and in the using of it, you shall find comfortable medicines, to prolong your life. Which the first and eternal Breather of life confirm and furnish with religious ornaments, and necessary compliments thereto belonging, while it remaineth in this earthly mould; and after death make you partaker of those triumphant and ever-during joys, which before the foundation of the world his Divine Majesty hath prepared for his Godly and adopted children.  
From jesus College in Oxford, the first day of April, Anno Domini, 1600, Your loving Brother, William Vaughan.   

The Author to his Book.  

Sail, Book, the legate of a zealous mind,  
(Composed by Nature, & Art Nature's ape)  
While at thy beck thou hast both tide and wind,  
That will transport thee to my Country's cape.  
Sail, little Book, embarked with furniture,  
And to my sister be as Palinure.   

O be a sure and true Solicitor,  
For her to plead at Aesculapius' chair:  
Fetch thousands of subpoenaes every hour  
Against such griefs, as might her strength impair  
Arrest all such, as might her unaware  
Assail; and cure her of health-wasting care.   

Out of Philosophy thy rivers spring,  
By Physic thy Directions are refined.  
Both which who so by virtues lore do bring  
Into the square of Diets rule assigned:  
They doubtless shall by God's permission live  
Old Nestor's years, and Aeson - like revive.   

Fear not the taunts of railing Satirists,  
Whose critic vein in poison all ydrenched,  
Makes them to rave, and bend their ugly fists,  
Until their wrath be altogether quenched.  
Fear not, I say: of proof thou hast strong arms,  
Which feel no brunts of Momists great alarms.   

Well may they bark, but never dare they bite,  
Unless as savage bears do martyrize  
Such, as have yielded to their r au'ning might:  
So these remorseless curs do tyrannize,  
And cruelly inflict a mortal wound  
On them, that prostrate lie upon the ground.   

Like as the snaky fiend tempts cu'rie one,  
Beginning first at our first simple sire,  
And us environeth, that scotfree none  
Escape; so they enveloped with ire  
Will not permit one silly book to pass  
Without some frump, and token of disgrace.   

But thou, my book, hast such a Patroness,  
That will defend thee from their furious rents.  
To favour thee her mind she will address,  
If she find true thine Arts experiments.  
Adieu: until, as pledge of Brother's love,  
I shortly send three books of Golden-grove.    

Momi obiectio in Authorem.  

F●rtiuis olim varijsque superbijt Oscen  
Plumis; ex multis fit liber iste libris.   

Red c●iquesuum: vilescit protinus Oscen;  
Hic sin● Naturâ foetet & Arte liber.    

Authoris Responsio ad Momum.  

EX herbis fit mel: hominis ceu simia, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
Aemula Naturae est; Moeonidisque Mar●.   

Sit licet ex multis opus hoc: tamen utile quonis  
Teste; voluminibus candidiissque tuis.    
NATURAL and artificial directi directions for health.  

The first Section.  

Chap. 1.  

What be the causes of the preservation of man's health?  
THe causes of the preservation of man's health be six. The first, Air, fire, and water. The second, meat and drink, and such as we use for nourishment. The third, exercise and tranquillity of the body. The fourth, moderate sleep and early rising. The fifth, avoidance of excrements, under which Phlebotomy, purgations, vomits, urine, sweat, baths, carnal copulation, and such like are contained. The sixth cause of health is mirth temperately used.   

What is air?  
Air by itself is an element hot and moist, whereupon the whole constitution of our lives dependeth. The attraction of this natural body is so necessary unto us, that if any one of the instruments of our bodies be stopped, we cannot choose but forthwith be strangled. In respect whereof, the choosing of a good air must (for the preservation of health) obtain the chief place.   

Which is the best Air?  
That, which is a man's native and country's air, is best. This by the Philosophers is approved in this principle: Every man's natural place preserveth him, which is placed in it. And by the Poet confirmed:   

Sweet is the smell of country's soil.  
Also, a good Air may be known both by his substance (as, when it is open, pure, and clean, free from all filthy dunghills, noisome channels, nut trees, fig trees, coleworts, hemlocks, mines, & forges; for these have a contrary quality unto the animal spirit, and make men to fall into consumptions) and by his qualities: as, extremity of cold, heat, and moisture.   

What shall a man do, if the Air be either too hot, or too cold?  
He must use cold things to keep away the heat, and hot things to expel the cold. He must add dry things to moist, and moist to dry. To depart thence into another place were not amiss. For oftentimes it is seen, that sick folks do recover their former health only by change of air. But if the air be corrupt, and that a man cannot remove thence very quickly, he must artificially rectify it, by perfuming his chamber with juniper, Rosemary, bay tree, or with wood of Aloes: and then by sprinkling vinegar here and there in his chamber. In brief, a man in such cases must get him a nosegay composed of Roses, Violets, Maioram, Marigold, and such like. And when he goeth abroad, he must hold in his mouth either the pill of an Orange, or a piece of the root of Angelica. Likewise, he must have an especial regard, that his chamber be at least once a day neatly swept   

Advise me, how I should build me an house for pleasure, health, and profit?  
First, you must choose out a fine soil, which hath water and wood annexed unto it, and forecast in your mind whether the prospect too and fro be decent and pleasant to the eye. For I am of this opinion, that if the eye be not satisfied, the mind cannot be pleased: if the mind be not pleased, nature doth abhor: and if nature doth abhor, death at last must consequently follow. Next, you must mark, whether the air, which compasseth the situation of your house, be of a pure substance, and that, shortly after the sun is up, groweth warm; and contrarily groweth cold, after the sun is set. Thirdly, you must make your foundation upon a gravel ground mixed with clay, upon a hill, or a hills side. Fourthly, look that your windows be Northward or Eastward. Lastly, when your house is finished, you must prepare a garden replenished with sundry kinds of herbs & flowers, wherein you may recreate and solace yourself at times convenient.    

Chap. 2. Of water.  

What is water?  
Water is an element cold and moist, and doth not nourish, but help digestion.   

How shall I know good water?  
By the clearness of it. That water is best, which runneth from an higher to a lower ground, and that water, which runneth upon clay, is better clarified then that, which goeth upon the stone.   

When is water wholesomest?  
In summer time it is most wholesome; yet notwithstanding, seldom to be drunk. But if at any time you be compelled to drink it, see first that you seeth your water gently; for by seething, the gross substance of it is taken away.   

How shall I revive waters, that begin to putrefy?  
This is performed by the addition of some small proportion of the owl of sulphur, or else of Aqua vitae well rectified, incorporating them both together.    

Cap. 3. Of fire.  

What is fire?  
Fire is an element hot and dry, which dissolveth the malicious vapours of the air, stirreth up natural heat in man's body, and expelleth cold.   

What kind of fire is best?  
That fire is best, which is made of dry and sweet wood. For wet and green wood is discommodious; and so are coals, because they make the head heavy, & dry up natural moisture.   

Are not sweatings and hot houses wholesome?  
No, because they exhaust the good humours together with the bad.     

The second Section, concerning food.  

Chap. 1. Of bread and drink.  

What is the use of bread?  
BRead made of pure wheat flower, well bolted from all bran, sufficiently leavened, and finely moulded & baked, comforteth and strengtheneth the heart, maketh a man fat, and preserveth health. It must not be above two or three days old, at most, for than it waxeth hard to be concocted. Howbeit nevertheless, the pith of new hot bread infused into wine, and smelled unto, doth much good to the spirits, and greatly exhilarateth the heart.   

What is the use of beer?  
Beer which is made of good malt, well brewed, not too new, nor too stale, nourisheth the body, causeth a good colour, and quickly passeth out of the body. In summer it availeth a man much, and is no less wholesome to our constitutions then wine. Besides the nutritive faculty, which it hath by the malt, it receiveth likewise a certain property of medicine by the hop.   

What is the use of Ale?  
Ale made of barley malt and good water doth make a man strong: but now a days few brewers do brew it as they ought, for they add slimy and heavy baggage unto it, thinking thereby to please tossepots, & to increase the vigour of it.   

How shall I discern good ale from bad?  
Good ale ought to be fresh and clear of colour. It must not be tilted, for then the best quality is spent: It must neither look muddy, nor yet carry a tail with it.   

Which is the best drink?  
The most precious and wholesome ordinary drink as well for them that be in health, as for sick and impotent persons is made after this manner:  
Take half a pound of barley, four measures of water, half an ounce of Liquorice, and two drachmas of the seed of Violets, two drachmas of parsley seed, three ounces of red Roses, an ounce & a half of Hyssop & Sage, three ounces of figs and raisins well picked: Seethe them all together in an earthen vessel, so long till they decrease two fingers breadth by seething: then put the pot in cold water, and strain the ingredients through a cloth.   

Show me a speedy drink for travelers, when they want beer or ale at their Inn?  
Let them take a quart of fair water, and put thereto five or six spoonfuls of good Aqua composita, a small quantity of sugar, and a branch of Rosemary: Let them be brewed well out of one pot into another, and then their drink is ready.   

What shall poor men drink, when malt is extreme dear?  
They must gather the tops of heath, whereof the usual brushes are made, and dry them, and keep them from moulding. Then they may at all times brew a cheap drink for themselves therewith. Which kind of drink is very wholesome as well for the liver, as the spleen; but much the more pleasant, if they put a little liquorice unto it. There is another sort of drink, of water and vinegar proportionably mingled together, which in summer they may use.   

How shall I help beer or ale, which begin to be sour or dead?  
Put a handful or two of oatmeal, or else of ground malt, into the barrel of beer or ale, stir the same well together, and so make it revive afresh. Or else, if you please, bury your drink under ground, in the earth, for the space of four and twenty hours.   

Teach me a way to make beer or ale to become stale, within two or three days?  
This is performed, if you bury your beer or ale being filled into pots, in a shady place somewhat deep in the ground.   

What is meath?  
Meath is made of honey and water boiled both together. This kind of drink is good for them, which enjoy their health; but very hurtful for them, who are afflicted with the strangury or colic. Braggot doth far surpass it in wholesomeness.   

What is Meatheglin?  
Meatheglin is made of honey, water, and herbs. If it be stale, it is passing good.    

Chap. 2. Of Wine.  

What is the property of wine?  
Wine moderately drunk refresheth the heart and the spirits, tempereth the humours, engendereth good blood, breaketh phlegm, conserveth nature, and maketh it merry.   

What is the use of white wine?  
White wine, drunk in the morning fasting, cleanseth the lungs. Being taken with red Onions bruised, it pierceth quickly into the blade der, and breaketh the stone. But if this kind of wine be drunk with a full stomach it doth more hurt than good, and causeth the meat to descend, before it be fully concocted.   

What is the use of Rhenish wine?  
Rhenish wine of all other is the most excellent, for it scoureth the reins of the back, clarifieth the spirits, provoketh urine, and driveth away the headache, specially if it doth proceed from the heat of the stomach.   

What is the use of Muscadel, malmsey, and brown Bastard?  
These kinds of wines are only for married folks, because they strengthen the back.   

What is the use of Sack?  
Sack doth make men fat and foggy, and therefore not to be taken of young men. Being drunk before meals it provoketh appetite, and comforteth the spirits marvelously.   

How shall I know whether honey or water be mingled with wine?  
Vintners, I confess, in these days are wont to juggle and sophistically to abuse wines, namely, Alicante, Muscadel, and brown Bastard, but you shall perceive their deceit by this means; take a few drops of the wine, and power them upon a hot plate of iron, and the wine being resolved, the honey will remain and thicken. If you suspect your wine to be mingled with water, you shall discern the same by putting a pear into it: for if the pear swim upon the face of the wine, and sink not to the bottom, than it is perfect and unmingled, but if it sink to the bottom, water without doubt is added unto it.   

Show me a way to keep Claret wine, or any other wine good, nine or ten years.  
At every vintage, draw almost the fourth part, out of the hogshead, and then roll it upon his lee, & after fill it up with the best new wine of the same kind, that you can get. Your cask ought to be bound with iron hoops, and kept always full.   

How might I help wine, that reboyleth?  
Put a piece of cheese into the vessel, and presently a wonderful effect will follow.    

Chap. 3. Of Milk.  

What is the use of milk?  
Milk purgeth superfluous humours in the belly, and nourisheth the body: but sour things must not in any case be presently taken after it. Also, for fear it should congeal in the stomach, put a little sugar, salt, or honey into it, and so stir them together. It agreeth well with choleric people, but not with the phlegmatic.   

What is the discommodity of milk.?  
Milk often used, of them that are not wont to labour, causeth headache, and dimness of sight: it annoyeth the teeth. Which discommodities may be corrected by adding rice & sugar unto it.   

Which kind of milk is best?  
Woman's milk is wholesomest and purest, because it is a restorative medicine for the brain and the consumption. Next unto it, goats milk is best.   

What is the use of Cream?  
Cream with strawberries and sugar taken of hot choleric persons will not much hurt.   

What is the use of sour Whey?  
Sower whey is a temperate drink, which mundifieth the lungs, purgeth blood, and allayeth the heat of the liver.    

Chap. 4. Of Flesh.  

What kind of meat is best.  
That kind of meat is best, which engendereth good blood, and is easy to be digested, as mutton, beef, lamb, pigs, capons, chickens, partridges, woodcocks, young pigeons, thrushes, and such like.   

What meat is of an hard digestion?  
Venison, ducks, geese, together with the kidneys, livers, & entrails of birds do breed crudity in the stomach, and fluxes.   

Show me a way to preserve flesh and foul, sound and sweet, for one month, notwithstanding the contagiousness of the weather?  
Master Plate, whose authority not only in this, but in all other matters I greatly allow of, counseleth housewives to make a strong brine, so as the water be overglutted with salt; and being scalding hot, to parboil their mutton, veal, venison, foul, or such like, and then to hang them up in a convenient place. With this usage they will last a sufficient space, without any bad or oversaltish taste. Some have holpen tainted venison, by lapping the same in a course thin cloth, covering it first with salt, & then burying it a yard deep in the ground, twelve or twenty hours space. Others do cover their foul in wheat.   

What is the use of mutton?  
Young mutton boiled and eaten with opening and cordial herbs is the most nourishing meat of all, and hurteth none, but only phlegmatic persons, and those which are troubled with the dropsy.   

What is the use of beef?  
Young beef bred up in fruitful pasture, & otherwhiles wrought at plough, being powdered with salt four and twenty hours, and exquisitely sodden is natural meat for men of strong constitutions; it nourisheth exceedingly, and stoppeth the flux of yellow choler. Howbeit Martlemas beef (so commonly called) is not laudable, for it engendereth melancholic diseases, and the stone.   

What is the use of veal?  
Veal young and tender sodden with young pullets, or capons, and smallage, is very nutritive and wholesome for all seasons, ages, and constitutions.   

What is the use of swine's flesh?  
The lean of a young fat hog, eaten moderately with spices and hot things, doth surpass all manner of meat, except veal, for nourishment: it keepeth the paunch slippery, and provoketh urine: but it hurteth them that be subject to the gout and Sciatica, and annoyeth old men and idle persons. A young Pig is restorative, if it be flayed and made in a jelly. To be short, bacon may be eaten with other flesh to provoke appetite, and to break phlegm coagulated and thickened in the stomach.   

What is the use of Kid?  
The hinder part of a young Kid roasted is a meat soon digested, and therefore very wholesome for sick and weak folks. It is more fit for young and hot constitutions, them for old men or phlegmatic persons.   

What is the use of Venison?  
Young fallow dear, very well chafed, hanged up until it be tender, and in roasting being thoroughly basted with oil, or well larded, is very good for them, that be troubled with the rheum or palsy. Yet notwithstanding it hurteth lean folks and old men, it disposeth the body to agues, and causeth fearful dreams.  
Some say that venison being eaten in the morning prolongeth life; but eaten at night it bringeth sudden death. The horns of dear being long and slender are remedies against poisoned potions: & so are the bones, that grow in their hearts.   

What think you of Hare and Coney's flesh?  
Hare and Coney's flesh parboiled, and then roasted with sweet herbs, cloves, and other spices, consumeth all corrupt humours and phlegm in the stomach, and maketh a man to look amiably, according to the proverb: He hath devoured a Hare. But it is unwholesome for lazy and melancholic men.   

What is your opinion of Capons, Hens, and Chickens?  
A fat Capon is more nutritive than any other kind of foul. It increaseth venery, and helpeth the weakness of the brain. But unless a man after the eating of it, use extraordinary exercise, it will do him more hurt than good. As for chickens they are fitter to be eaten of sick men, then of them that be in health.   

Show me a way to fallen capons in most short time?  
You must follow Master Plaits advise, namely, to take the blond of beasts, whereof the butchers make no great reckoning, & boil it, with some store of bran amongst it (perhaps grains will suffice, but bran is best) until it come to the shape of a blood pudding, and therewith feed your foul so fat as you please. You may feed turkeys with bruised acorns, and they will prosper exceedingly.   

What is the use of Pigeons?  
Pigeons plump and fat boiled in sweet flesh broth with coriander & vinegar, or with sour cherries & plums, do purge the reins, heal the palsy proceeding of a cold cause, and are very good in cold weather for old persons, & stomachs full of phlegm.   

What is the use of go?  
A young fat goose farced with sweet herbs and spices doth competently nourish. Notwithstanding, tender folks must not eat thereof: for it filleth the body with superfluous humours, and causeth the fever to follow.   

What is the use of Ducks?  
Young ducks stifled with borage smoke, & being eaten in cold weather, strengthen the voice, and increase natural seed.   

What is the use of Partridges?  
Young hen Partridges eaten with vinegar do heal all manner of fluxes, and dry up bad humours in the belly.   

What is the use of quails?  
Quails eaten with coriander seed and vinegar do help melancholic men.   

What is the use of woodcocks and snites?  
Woodcocks and Snites are somewhat lightly digested. Yet hurtful for choleric and melancholic men.   

What is the use of swans, turkeys, perockes, hernes, and cra●es?  
These birds if they be hanged by the necks five days with weights at their feet, & afterwards eaten with good sauce, do greatly nourish and profit them, which have hot bellies.   

What think you of larks and sparrows?  
Larks and sparrows are marvelous good for them, that be diseased of the colic.   

What is the use of eggs?  
New hen eggs poch do engender good blood, extend the wind pipes, and stop blood spitting. If the white of them being roasted be strained, there will proceed a kind of oil, which being applied to the eyes will heal their griefs.    

Chap. 5. Of Fish.  

What is the use of carp?  
A fresh carp salted for the space of six hours, and then fried in oil and besprinkled with vinegar in which spices have boiled, in all men's censure is thought to be the wholesomest kind of fish. It may not be kept long, except it be well covered with bay, myrtle, or cedar leaves.   

What are salmon and trout?  
Salmon and trout well sodden in water and vinegar, and eaten with sour sauce do help hot livers and burning agues.   

What is the use of Barbles?  
Barbles roasted upon a gridiron or boiled in vinegar are very wholesome. If any man drink the wine, wherein one of them hath been strangled to death, he shall ever after despise all manner of wines. Which conclu sion were fit to be put in trial by some of our notorious swilbowles.   

What is the use of sturgeons?  
River sturgeons sodden in water and vinegar & eaten with fennel, do cool the blood, and provoke lechery.   

What is the use of Cuttles?  
Cuttles seasoned with oil and pepper do provoke appetite, and nourish much.   

What is the use of Lampreys?  
River Lampreys choked with nutmegs and cloves, and fried with bread, oil, and spices, is a princely dish and doth very, much good.   

What is the use of tenches?  
Female tenches baked with garlic, or boiled with onions, oil, and raisins may be eaten of youth, and choleric men.   

What is the use of Pikes?  
Pikes boiled with water, oil, and sweet herbs will firmly nourish.   

What is the use of Eels?  
Eels taken in spring time, and roasted in a leaf of paper with oil, coriander seed, and parsley, do break phlegm in the stomach.   

What is the use of Perches?  
River Perches will provoke appetite to them, that be sick of the hot ague.   

What is the use of Oysters?  
Oysters roasted on the embers, and then taken with oil, pepper, and the juice of Oranges, provoke appetite and lechery. They must not be eaten in those months, which in pronouncing want the letter R.   

What is the use of Crayfish?  
Crayfish roasted in the embers, and eaten with vinegar and pepper purge the reins, and help them, that be sick of the consumption or phthisic.   

Show me a way to keep Oysters, lobsters, and such like, sweet and good for some few days?  
Oysters, as Master Plate sayeth, may be preserved good a long time, if they be barreled up, and some of the brackish water, where they are taken, powered amongst them. Or else you may pile them up in final roundelets with the hollow parts of the shells upward, casting salt amongst them at every lay which they make. You may keep lobsters, shrimps, and such like fish, if you wrap them soverally in sweet and course rags first moistened in strong brine, and then you must bury these clothes, and cover them in some cool and moist place with sand.    

Chap. 6. Of sauce.  

What is the use of our common salt?  
Salt consumeth all putrefied humours, and causeth meat to keep sweet and sound the longer.   

How many kinds of salts are there?  
The number of salts are infinite, as, niter is a salt, alum is a salt, sugar is a salt, salicor is a salt, copperess is a salt, vitriol is a salt, tartar is a salt, and diverse other, which to rehearse were bootless at this time.   

What is that salt herb which killeth worms in children's bodies?  
That salt herb is named Salic●re, whereof the fairest glasses be made. If it be boiled, and with a little meal made into paste, and then fried in butter, it will (being eaten) expel out of the body all kind of worms.   

What is the use of sugar?  
Sugar mitigareth and openeth obstructions. It purgeth phlegm, helpeth the reins, and comforteth the belly.   

What is the use of vinegar?  
Vinegar made of the best wine, a year old, with Roses steeped in it, represseth choler, and closeth weak gums.   

What is the use of mustard?  
Mustard is very good to purge the brain. It must be taken only in cold weather.   

What is the property of oils?  
All oils, except the oils of nuts and olives, do lose the belly.   

What is the use of oil of Olives?  
Oil olive fatneth the liver, and augmenteth the substance thereof.    

Chap. 7. Of grains, spices, and pulse.  

What is the use of rice?  
Rice sodden with milk and sugar qualifieth wonderfully the heat of the stomach, increaseth genital seed, and stoppeth the flux of the belly.   

What is the use of pease?  
Pease being well dressed with butter and salt are very wholesome. For they provoke appetite, they take away the cough, and mundify the lungs.   

What is the use of beans?  
Beans well sodden, and eaten with anise seed or commine seed do fatten the body, and cleanse the reins of the back.   

What is the use of Cinnamon?  
Cinnamon corroborateth all the powers of the body, restoreth them that be decayed, purgeth the head, and succoureth the cough.   

What is the use of Cloves?  
Cloves taken moderately, when the stomach aboundeth with phlegm in cold weather, and with moist meats, do strengthen the body, stay vomits & fluxes, & correct a stinking breath.   

What is the use of pepper?  
Pepper not full of wrinkles, used in cold weather and with moist meats, breaketh wind, heateth the sinews, and strengtheneth the stomach.   

What is the use of ginger?  
Ginger sharpeneth the sight, and provoketh slothful husbands.   

What is the use of saffron?  
New saffron well coloured used in cold seasons comforteth the heart, and driveth away drunkenness.   

What is the use of parsneeps, and carrots?  
Parsneeps and carrots, if they be spiced with anise seed, or Cinnamon, and eaten with pennyroyal, do increase seed, and break the stone in the reins.    

Chap. 8. Of herbs.  

What is the use of Tobacco?  
Cane Tobacco well dried, and taken in a silver pipe, fasting in the morning, cureth the megrim, the tooth ache, obstructions proceeding of cold, and helpeth the fits of the mother. After meals it doth much hurt, for it infecteth the brain and the liver.   

What is the use of borage?  
Borage is a cordial herb. It purgeth blood, maketh the heart merry, and strengtheneth the bowels.   

What is the use of Cabbages?  
Cabbages moderately eaten do mollify the belly, and are very nutritive. Some say that they have a special virtue against drunkenness.   

What is the use of radish?  
Radish roots do clear the voice, provoke, urine, and comfort the liver.   

What is the use of cucumbers?  
Cucumbers are of a cold temperature, and fit to be eaten only of choleric persons.   

What is the use of onions, leeks, and garlic?  
They are only fit to be eaten of fleagmatick folks. They clarify the voice, extend the wind pipes, & provoke urine and menstrual issue.   

Show me the best salad?  
The best salad is made of pennyroyal, parsley, lettuce, and endive. For it openeth the obstruction of the liver, and keepeth the head in good plight.    

Cap. 9 Of Fruit.  

What is the use of figs?  
White figs pared, and then eaten with oreges, pomegranates, or seasoned in vinegar, in spring time do nourish more than any fruit, break the stone in the reins, and quench thirst.   

What is the use of raisins and curraines?  
They are very nutritive, yet notwithstanding they putrefy the reins and the bladder.   

What is the use of prunes?  
Sebastian prunes do lose the belly, and quench choler.   

What is the use of straweberries?  
Red garden straweberries purified in wine, and then eaten with good store of sugar do assuage choler, cool the liver, and provoke appetite.   

What is the use of Almonds and nuts?  
Almonds and nuts are very nutritive, and do increase grossness▪ they multiply sperm, and provoke sleep. But I would not wish any to eat them, that are short wound, or troubled with headaches.   

What is the use of Apples?  
Old and ripe Apples roasted, baked, stewed, or powdered with sugar & anise seed, do recreate the heart, open the wind pipes, and appease the cough.   

What is the use of pears?  
Ripe pears eaten after meat, and powdered with sugar, cause appetite and fatten the body. And if you drink a cup of old wine after them, they will do you much good.   

What is the use of Oranges?  
Weighty Oranges are very good for them that be melancholic, and keep back the rheum.   

What is the use of plums and damsons?  
Plums and damsons do qualify blood, and repress choleric humours.     

The third Section. Of sleep, early rising, mirth, and exercise.  

Chap. 1. Of sleep, and early rising.  

What be the commodities of sleep?  
MOderate sleep strengtheneth all the spirits, comforteth the body, quieteth the humours and pulses, qualifieth the heat of the liver, taketh away sorrow, and assuageth the fury of the mind.   

What be the discommodities of sleep?  
Immoderate sleep maketh the brame giddy, engendereth rheum and impostumes, causeth the palsy, bringeth oblivion, and troubleth the spirits.   

How many hours may a man sleep?  
Seven hours sleep is sufficient for sanguine & choleric men; and nine hours for fleagmaticke, and melancholic men.   

Upon which side must a man sleep first?  
Upon his right side, until the meat, which he hath eaten, be descended from the mouth of the stomach (which is on the left side:) then let him sleep upon his left side, and upon his belly, that the meat may be the more easily sodden and digested in a more hot and fleshy place.   

May a man conveniently lie upright on his back?  
No, for it heateth the reins, hurteth the brain and memory, and oftentimes breedeth the disease, which is called the Riding mare.   

Show me some remedies to procure sleep?  
Take a little camphor, and mingle it with some woman's milk, and anoyne your temples therewith, or else, take an ounce of oil of Roses, and three drachmas of vinegar, stir them both together, and use them.   

What think you of noon sleep?  
Sleeping at noon is very dangerous. But if you judge it good by reason of custom, them do off your shoes, while you sleep: for when the body and the members be heavy with deep sleep, the thickness of the leather at the soles doth return the hurtful vapours of the feet (that else should vanish away) into the head & eyes. Also, you must (if you can possibly) sleep in your chair, and let your head be meanly covered according to the time. For as too much cold, so too much heat doth astonish the mind and spirits.   

What are the commodities of early rising?  
Early rising is healthful for the blood and humours of the body, and a thing good for them, that be studious of weighty affairs; for the animal spirit is then more ready to conceive. Yet notwithstanding it is not amiss to consider, and serve the time and place: because if the air be corrupt, as in plague time, or inclined to moistness, as in rainy and misty wether, or thundering, it is better to abide either in bed with some light, or to sit in the chamber by some sweet fire.   

What are dreams?  
Dreams are either tokens of things past, or significants of things to come. And surely if a man's mind be free from cares, and he dream in the morning, there is no doubt, but affairs then dreamt of will truly come to pass.    

Chap. 2. Of mirth.  

What is mirth?  
Mirth is a motion of the mind, whereby it taketh delight and stayeth itself in that good which is offered unto it.   

What are the effects of mirth?  
Mirth enlargeth the heart, and disperseth much natural heat with the blood, of which it sendeth a good portion to the face; especially, if the mirth be so great, that it stirreth a man to laughter Mirth, I say, maketh the forehead smooth and clear, causeth the eyes to glister, and the cheeks to become ruddy.   

Wherefore did God give affections unto men?  
God afforded mirth and such like unto men, that thereby they might be induced to seek after his divine Majesty, in whom alone they should find all mirth, and comfort.   

What mirth do the common people love best?  
Ignorant men do delight in corporal and outward things, which move their bodily senses. As in beholding of fair women, pleasant gardens, rich attires, or else in eating and drinking.   

What mirth do wise men like?  
Wise men receive pleasure by contemplation: which is proper to the mind and spirit. This Aristotle approved, when as he placed the end and sovereign Good in contemplation.   

Show me a way to make the heart merry?  
You must use to carry about you a sweet Pomander, & to have always in your chamber some good perfumes; Or you may wash your face and hand with sweet waters; for nothing in the world can so exhilarate & purify the spirits, as good odours.    

Chap. 3. Of exercise.  

What be the commodities of exercise?  
Exercise is that, which maketh the body light, increaseth natural heat, and consumeth superfluous humours, which otherwise would clotter and congeal within the body. For in every concoction some excrements are engendered, which being left alone may be the roots of diverse sicknesses. Now the thicker sort of excrements are avoided by sensible evacuations. But the thinner may be wasted and purged by exercise.   

At what time is it best to exercise?  
It is best to exercise, when the body is fasting and empty, lest after meats by violent and vehement motions digestion be hindered, and putrefaction follow. In summer, exercise is to be used an hour after sun rising, for fear of a double heat. In spring and harvest time it is to be used about an hour and a half after sun rising, that the morning cold may be avoided. For as the heat at midday is hurtful: so the morning cold, especially in Autumn is to be eschewed.   

What kind of exercise is good?  
Walking, if it be not too slow, is a commendable exercise, and may be used in hot months, specially of choleric persons. To hang by the hands on any thing above your reach, so that your feet touch not the ground, is good. To climb up against a steep hill, till you pant and fetch your breath often with great difficulty, is a fit exercise to be frequented in cold seasons. Old men must content themselves with softer exercises, lest that the small heat, which they have, should be spent. They must only every morning have their members gently rubbed with a linen cloth.  
To be brief, they must be combed, and cherished up with fine delights.   

Unto which cóplexion doth exercise most appertain?  
Unto the phlegmatic, rather than the choleric.   

What exercise should short wound men use?  
They must use loud reading, and disputations, that thereby their wind pipes may be extended, and their pores enlarged.     

The fourth Section. Of Evacuations.  

Chap. 1. Of Baths.  

What is the use of Baths?  
Could and natural baths are greatly expedient for men subject to rheums, dropsies, & gouts. Neither can I easily express in words, how much good cold baths do bring unto them, that use them. Howbeit, with this caveat I commend baths, to wit, that no man distempered through venery, gluttony, watching, fasting, or through violent exercise, presume to enter into them.   

Is bathing of the head wholesome?  
You shall find it wonderful expedient, if you bathe your head four times in the year, and that with hot lie made of ashes. After which you must cause one presently to power two or three gallons of cold fountain water upon your head. Then let your head be dried with cold towells. Which sudden pouring down of cold water, although it doth mightily terrify you, yet nevertheless it is very good, for thereby the natural heat is stirred within the body, baldness is kept back, and the memory is quickened. In like manner, washing of hands often doth much avail the eyesight.   

How shall a man bathe himself in winter time, when waters be frozen?  
In winter time this kind of artificial bathing is very expedient and wholesome: Take two pound of turpentine, four ounces of the juice of wormwood & wild mallowcs, one ounce of fresh butter, one drachm of saffron: mingle them, and seeth them a pretty while, and being hot, wet four linen clothes in it, and therewith bathe yourself.    

Chap. 2. Of blood-letting.  
Blood is the very essence of life: which, diminished, the spirits must consequently be dissolved. In consideration whereof, I counsel them, that use any moderate exercise, not in any case to be let blood; lest that corrupt water succeed in the place of the pure blood. But if they abound with blood, or their blood be putrefied and burnt (if other medicines avail not) this law of mine must needs be infringed.  

Show me a way to discern the effects of blood-letting?  
If the blood, which is let out, appear red of colour, and white water flow with it, than the body is sound: if bubbling blood issue, the stomach is diseased: if green, the heart is grieved.    

Chap. 3.  

What is the use of purgations?  
Purgations, as sometime they be very necessary, so often taking of them is most dangerous. He that useth exquisite purgations, and especially electuaries soluble, shall quickly wax old and grey headed. All purgations (a few simples only excepted) have poisoned effects.  
Besides, nature above measure is compelled by purgations, and the vital powers are diminished. In respect of which reasons, let every man take he the of those butchering surgeons, and bloodsucking Empirics, who roguing up and down countries, do murder many innocents under pretext of Physic. He that observeth a good diet, and moderately exerciseth his body, needeth no Physic. Moist and delicate viands eaten in the beginning of meals do sufficiently lose the belly. Sweet wines perform the very same. Also the leaves of Sene sodden in water with sebastian prunes will make the belly soluble. Why then will men be so heady, as to take their own destruction, seeing that they may live in health without Physick-help?   

Who are apt to take purgations, and who not?  
They are apt to take purgations, who are strong of constitutions, and who are willing. And again, they are unapt for purgations, which are either too fat or too lean. Likewise children, old persons, women with child, & healthful folks are not to be purged.   

What humours are fittest to be purged?  
Those humours, which molest the body, and offend either in quality or quantity. If choler happen to offend you, it is convenient that you purge the same: if phlegm trouble you, then by medicine it must be undermined: if melancholy doth abound, it is expedient, that you fetch it out.   

What must I do before purging?  
Before you purge, you must attenuate the slimy humours, open the pores, through which the purgation is carried, and extract the whayish humours by some mild syrup. Moreover, you must diligently mark the place, where you are aggrieved, namely, whether of the headache, or else sick in the stomach, liver, kidneys, or the belly: and then whether by reason of phlegm, choler, or melancholic. Which being known; according to the humour and place, you must mingle syrups fit for the part affected, with waters of the same nature, that the humour may be aforehand concocted; but in such wise, that the measure of the water may double the measure of the syrup, & that the measures of both exceed not four ounces.   

How many things are to be considered in purgations?  
Eight things. First the quality of the purgation. Secondly, the time of the year. Thirdly, the climate of the country. Fourthly, the age of the Patient. Fiftly, his custom. Sixtly, the disease. seventhly, the strength of the sick. Eightly, the place of the Moon.   

Show me the best and safest purgation for sleagme?  
Take one drachm of turbith, four drachmas of vinegar and sugar; make them into powder, and use it in the morning with hot water. But care not till three hours be expired.   

For choler?  
Take two drachmas of good rhubarb beaten into powder, and incorporate the same with five ounces of hot water, wherein Damask prunes have been sodden; and use it hot in the morning.   

For melancholy?  
Take three drachmas of the leaves of Sene, two drachmas of Cinnamon and Ginger, one drachm of sugar; and seeth them in goats milk, woman's milk, whey, or in some other like thing.   

Show me how I may mundify blood?  
Take two drachmas of Time and Sene, one drachm of Myrobolane, one drachm of rhubarb, white Turbith, and ginger, two drachmas of sugar; let them be done all into powder, and given in water where in sennell or anise seed have been boiled.   

What shall I do, if the purgation will not work?  
If after the taking of a purgation, the belly be not loosed, that inconvenience happeneth chiefly for these causes; either through the nature of the sick, or for the slenderness of the purgation, or because nature connerteth her endeavour into urine, or else by reason that the belly was before hand too hard boud, which by a glister might be holpen. When therefore the belly after the purgation is not soluble, it procureth grievous maladies in the body. But if a man take a small quantity of mastic lightly pounded and ministered in warm water, he shall be cured of that infirmity. Likewise, it much availeth presently to eat an apple.   

Seeing that glisters be very commodious, show me a way to make some?  
Take honey sodden till it be thick, and mingle the same with wheaten meal; then add a little fresh butter, and make your glister into a long form. Which done, dip it in oil, and use it. Or else take half an ounce of the roots of succory and liquorice, two drachmas of Endive, one handful of mallows, one drachm of the seed of succory & fennel, two drachmas of fennigreeke, half a handful of the flowers of cammomel; seeth them, and then a most wholesome glister is made.   

What if the purgation doth evacuate too much?  
You must infuse three drachmas of the powder of mastic in the juice of Quinces, and drink it: or else eat a Quince alone.    

Chap. 4. Of vomits.  

What is a vomit?  
A vomit is the expulsion of bad humours (contained in the stomach) upwards. It is accounted the wholsommest kind of Physic: for that, which a purgation leaveth behind it, a vomit doth root out.   

Which are the best vomits?  
Take of the seeds of Dill, Attriplex, and radish, three drachmas, of fountain water one pound and a half; seeth them all together, till there remain one pound: then strain it, and use it hot. Or else make you a vomit after this manner: take three drachmas of the rind of a walnut, slice them, and steep them one whole night in a draft of white wine, and drink the wine in the morning a little before dinner.   

What if the vomits work not.  
If they work not within an hour after you have taken any of them, sup a little of the syrup of oxymel, & put your left middle finger in your mouth, and you shall be holpen.   

What shall I do, if I vomit too much?  
If you vomit too much, rub and wash your feet with hot and sweet water: and if it cease not for all this, apply a gourd to the mouth of the stomach.    

Chap. 5. Of urines.  

What is urine?  
Urine is the clearer and lighter part of blood proceeding from the reins; which if a man forceth to suppress, he is in danger of the colic or stone.   

What colour of urine is most commendable?  
That urine is most laudable, which is of colour somewhat red and yellow like gold, answering in proportion to the liquor, which you drink.   

Teach me to prognosticate by urines?  
White urine signifieth rawness and indigestion in the stomach. Red urine betokeneth heat. Thick urine and like to puddle showeth sickness, or excessive labour. If white or red gravel appear in the bottom of your urinal, it threateneth the stone in the reins. In brief, black or green coloured urine declareth death most commonly to ensue.    

Chap. 6. Of fasting.  

Is moderate fasting good?  
Moderate fasting, as, to omit a dinner or a supper once a week, is wonderful commodious for them, that are not choleric or melancholic, but full of raw humours. This Antony the Emperor knew very well, when he accustomed to drink nought save one cup full of wine with a little pepper, after he had surfeited.  
Of the commodities of fasting, I have written more largely, in my second book of the Golden Grove.   

Show me a way to preserve my life, if perhaps I be constrained to straggle in deserts?  
Take liquorice or Tobacco now & then, chew it, & you shall satisfy both thirst and hunger. Or else, mix some suet with one pound of violets, and you shall preserve your life thereby, ten days. Or to conclude, take a piece of alum, and roll it in your mouth, when you wax hungry: By this means you may live (as some write) a whole fortnight without sustenance.    

Chap. 7. Of venery.  

What is the use of venery?  
Moderate venery is very expedient for preservation of health. It openeth the pores, maketh the body light, exhilarateth the heart and wit, and mitigateth anger and fury.   

When is it best to use carnal copulation?  
It is best to use carnal copulation in winter and in spring time, when nature is desirous, and at night when the stomach is full, and the body somewhat warm, that sleep immediately after it may lenify the lassitude caused through the action thereof.   

What be the inconveniences of immoder at venery?  
Immoderate venery weakeneth strength, hurteth the brain, extinguisheth radical moisture, & hasteneth on old age & death. sperm or seed of generation is the only comforter of nature: which wilfully shed or lost, harmeth a man more, then if he should bleed forty times so much.   

Teach me, how wifeless bachelors and husbandless maidens should drive away their unclean dre tming of venery, at nights?  
First, they must refrain from wine, and venereous imaginations, and not use to lie in soft down beds. Secondly, they must addict themselves to read the Bible and moral Philosophy. Thirdly, they must exercise often their bodies. Lastly, if none of these prevail, let them use the seed of Agnus castus, in English Park seed, and they shall feel a strange effect to follow.     

The fifth Section. Of infirmities and death.  

Chap. 1.  

What be the causes of infirmities?  
THe causes of hot infirmities be six; The first are the motions of the mind: as love, anger, fear, and such like. The second, the motions of the body: as, immoderate carnal copulation, vehement labours, straining, hard riding. The third, long standing, or sitting in the sun, or by the fire. The fourth cause of infirmities is the use of hot things, as, meats, drinks, and medicines untimely used. The fifth, closing or stopping of the pores: which happeneth by immoderate anointing, bathing, or otherwise thickening the skin; so that the holes, whereby the sweat & fumes do pass out, be stopped. The sixth, putrefaction of humours by distemperature of meats, and long watchings.   

What be the causes of cold infirmities?  
The causes of cold infirmities be eight. The first is the cold air. The second is too much repletion. The third is want of good meat. The fourth is the use of cold things. The fifth is too much quietness. The sixth is opening of the pores. The seventh is oppilation in the veins or arteries. The eight is unseasonable exercise.   

What is the chiefest cause of death?  
The chiefest and unavoidable cause of our deaths is the contrariety of the elements, where of our bodies be compounded. For the quality, which is predominant over the temperature (or mediocrity) beginneth to impugn and fight with his contrary, which is more weak, until it see the utter dissolution of the same.    

Chap. 2. Of the wicked motions of the mind.  

What is love?  
Love is an affection, whereby the mind lusteth after that, which is either good indeed, or else that, which seemeth unto it, to be so.   

What is the cause of love?  
The cause of love among fools is beauty; but among good men the virtues of the mind are the principles of love, for they are everlasting; and when all other things, as beauty and riches do decay, yet they become more fresh, more sweet, and inestimable then before. Hence is it that we are counseled to choose wives, not by our eyes, but by our ears; that is, not by prying into their fairness of bodies, but by inward contemplating of their honest deeds, and good huswiveries. Ordinarily the most beautiful and goodly sort of men, and such as are decked with bodily gifts, are most deformed and vicious in their souls. There is always a great combat betwixt chastity and beauty, so that we seldom see fair women to be honest matrons: the reason is, because they prefer the fantastical pleasures of their bodily senses before the true and right noble virtues of the mind.   

What is anger?  
Anger is a vehement affection, because it seeth things fall out contrary and crosse-like to reason.   

Why do some look red, when they be angry?  
Some, when they are angry, become red, because their blood ascendeth up into the head: and these are not so much to be doubted.   

Why do some look pale?  
Men wax pale, when they are angry, because the blood is retired unto the heart: whereby they become full of heart, and very dangerous.   

What is sorrow?  
Sorrow is an affection of the mind, whereby it is oppressed with some present evil, and languisheth by little and little, except it find some hope, or other, to remedy the grief thereof.   

What is the effect of sorrow?  
Sorrow stifleth up the purer faculties of the soul, causeth a man to fall into a consumption, and to be weary of the world, yea and of himself.   

What is fear?  
Fear is a grief, which the mind coceiveth of some evil, that may chance unto it.   

Why do fearful men look pale?  
The reason, why fearful men look pale and wan is, because nature draweth away that heat, which is in the face and outward parts, to relieve and comfort the heart, which is well-nigh stifled and stopped up.   

What is envy?  
Envy is a grief arising of other men's felicity. It maketh a man to look lean, swart, hollow eyed, and sickly.   

Do these affections hurt the soul, as well as the body?  
Yea doubtless. For if the body be replenished with these diseases, the soul can not be whole, nor sound. And even as vices cause disorders and diseases both in the body and souls so likewise they cause the one to destroy the other; whereas there should be an unity and harmony not only of the corporal qualities among themselves, and so of the spiritual among themselves, but also of their joint qualities one with another, And no marvel; seeing that God hath sowed and planted the seeds and sparks of affections (to move us) not only into our souls, but also into our bodies.   

How do the temperature of the bodily affections, and the soul's affections agree together?  
There is great concord betwixt the body's qualities, and the soul's affections: insomuch that as our bodies are compacted of the elemental qualities, namely, of moisture and dryness, heat and cold: so among the soul's affections some are moist, some dry, some hot and some are cold. This we might see by instance made. The affection of mirth is hot and moist, whereas sorrow is cold and dry. The one is proper to young men, and the other to old men, who are cold and dry.    

Chap. 3. Of the age of man.  

Into how many ages is man's life divided?  
Man's life by the computation of Astrologers is dinided into seven ages: over every one of which, one of the seven planets is predominant. The first age is called infancy, which continueth the space of seven years. And then the Moon reigneth, as appeareth by the moist constitutions of children, agreeing well with the influence of that planet.  
The second age, named childhood, lasteth seven years more, and endeth in the fourteenth of our life. Over this age, Mercury (which is the second sphere) ruleth; for then children are unconstant, tractable, and soon inclined to learn.  
The third age endureth eight years, and is termed the stripling age: It beginneth at the fourteenth year, and continueth until the end of the two and twentieth. During which time, governeth the planet Venus: For than we are prone to prodigality, gluttony, drunkenness, lechery, and sundry kinds of vices. The fourth age containeth twelve years, till a man be four and thirty, and then is he named a young man. Of this age, the sun is chief Lord. Now a man is witty, well adiused, magnanimous, and come to know himself.  
The fist age is called man's age; and hath sixteen years for the continuance thereof subject to Mars; for now a man is choleric and covetous.  
The sixth age hath twelve years, that is, from fifty till threescore and two. This age is termed (although improperly) old age of which jupiter is master, a planet significant of equity, temperance, and religion.  
The seventh and last (by order) of these ages continueth full eighteen years, ending at fourscore: to which few attain. This age, by the means of the planet Saturn, which is melancholic & most slow of all other, causeth man to be drooping, decrepit, froward, cold, and melancholic.   

Why did men live longer before the stoud, than they do now.  
The principal reason, why men in those days lived longer, than we do, is, because they had not then any of the causes, which engender in us so many maladies, whence consequently ensueth death. Their lives were upholden by the course of the heavens with the qualities of the planets andistarres, being at that time far more glorious and gracious then now, There were not so many meteors, comets, and eclipses past, from whence now diverse & innumerable circumuolutions proceed.  
We must also understand, that our first parents were created of God himself without any other instrumental means. And again the earth in those days was of greater efficacy to bring forth necessaries for man's use, than it is in this crooked and outworn age. The soil was then gay, trim, and fresh: whereas now by reason of the inundation (which took away the fatness thereof) it is barren, saltish, and unsavoury.  
To conclude, they knew the hidden virtues of herbs and stones, using great continence in their diets and behaviours. They were ignorant of our delicate inventions and multiplied compounds. They knew not our damtie cates, our marchpanes, nor our superfluous slibber sauces. They were no quaffers, nor were they troubled with so many cares, and vainglorious pomps.   

Tell me the certain time, wherein man must of necessity die?  
To die once, is a common thing to all men. For that was ordained as a punishment of God for our foreparents, when they transgressed his commandment, touching the fruit in paradise: but to tell how, and at what time, that is a secrecy never disclosed to any creature. Such as the man's life is, such is his death. A righteous man dieth righteously. But a wicked man hath a wicked end. Death is a sudden & a sullen guest, never thought on, before he apprehendeth us as his slaves. When we think ourselves safely mounted on the pinnacle of worldly felicity, he unawares (hidden in the darksome corners of our houses) suppresseth us rudely, and smiteth us deadly.  
For which consideration, O mortal men, lead your lives uprightly, hearken not unto the counsels of the ungodly, nor like greedy Cormoraunts snatch up other men's tightes. Rather know yourselves: which done, be vigilant, well armed in Christ jesus, and always meditating on your deaths.   

Which be the most dangerous years in man's life?  
The ancient Sages by curious notes have found out, that certain years in man's life he very perilous. These they name climacterical or stayrie years, for than they saw great alterations. Now a climacterical year is every seventh year. The reason is, because then the course of the planets return to Saturn, who most commonly is cruel and noisome unto us. And even as the Moon, which is the next planet unto us, & swiftest of course, passeth almost every seventh day into the contrary sign of the same quality, from whence she came forth, and therehence bringeth the critical days: so Saturn, which is the planet furthest from us and slowest of course (for he resteth in one sign so many years, as the Moon doth days) bringeth these climacterical years, & causeth sundry mutations to follow. Hence is it, that in the seventh year children do cast and renew their teeth. In the fourteenth year proceedeth the stripling age. In the one and twentieth, youth. And when a man hath passed seven times seven years, to weet, nine and forty years, he is a ripe and perfect man. Also, when he attaineth to ten times seven years, that is to the age of threescore and ten, his strength & chiefest virtue begins to fall away. And again every seventh year was by Gods own institution pronounced hallowed. And in it the Israelites were prohibited to manure their grounds, or to plant vineyards.  
Aulus Gellius mentioneth, that the Emperor Octanian sent a Letter unto his stepson to this effect: Rejoice with me, my son, for I have passed over that deadly year, and enemy to old age, threescore & three. In which number the seaventhes and ninthes do concur.  
The six and fiftieth year is very dangerous to men borne in the night season, by reason of the doubled coldness of Saturn. And the threescore and third year is very perilous to them, that be borne in the day time, by reason of the dryness of Mercury and Venus.  
Finally, whensoever any man entereth into these climacterical years (if certain tokens of imminent sickness do appear, as wearisomeness of the members, grief of the knees, dimness of sight, buzzing of the ears, loathsomeness of meat, sweeting in sleep, yawning, or such like) then let him incessantly pray, and beseeth God to protect and guide his heart; let him be circumspect and curious to preserve his health, and life, by art, nature, policy, and experiments.   

Which be the Critical days?  
The Critical days are the first and seventh of januarie. The third and fourth of February. The first and fourth of March. The eighth and tenth of April. The third and seventh of May. The tenth and fifteenth of june. The tenth and thirteenth of july. The first and second of August. The third and tenth of September. The third and tenth of October. The third and fifth of November. The seventh and tenth of December.   

Which humours are predominant in the night season, and which in the day time?  
Every one humour reigneth six hours. Blood is predominant from nine a clock in the night, until three a clock in the morning. Choler from three a clock in the morning, till nine. melancholy ruleth from nine a clock in the morning, till three in the evening. Likewise phlegm governeth, from three in the evening, until nine a clock at night. So that phlegm and melancholy do reign at night: and blood and cholér in the day time. Also blood hath his dominion in the spring time; choler in the summer; melancholy in Autumn; & phlegm in winter. For which respects, I advise you (if perchance you fall into a disease) to mark well, in the beginning of your sickness, the hour and humour then reigning that thereby you may the sooner find out remedy. In conclusion, you must consider of the critical days: in which, great alterations either towards your recovery, or towards your further sickness, will ensue. Most commonly the critical day happeneth the seventh the fourteenth, the one and twentieth, or the eight and twentieth day from the beginnnig of your sickness. Notwithstanding according to the course of the Moon, the fourth day, the eleventh, the seventeenth, and the four and twentieth day from the beginning of your sickness will foretell you, whether you shall amend or wax worse.     

The sixth Section. Of the restoration of health.  

Chap. 1. Of the four parts of the year.  

What is the nature of the spring time?  
THe Spring time beginneth, when the sun entereth into the sign of Aries, which is the tenth day of March. At this time the days and nights are of equal length, the cold weather is diminished, the pores of the earth (being closed and congealed with cold) are opened, the fields wax green, herbs and flowers do bud, beasts rut, the birds chirp, and to be brief, all living creatures do recover their former vigour in the beginning of the spring. Now a man must eat less, and drink somewhat the more. The best meats to be eaten are veal, kid, young mutton, chickens, dry fowl, potched eggs, figs, raisins, and other sweet meats: and because the spring is a temperate season, it requires temperature in all things. Use competent phlebotomy, purgation, or such like. Venery will do no great harm.   

What is the nature of summer?  
Summer begins, when the sun entereth the sign of Cancer, which is the twelfth day of june. In this time choler is predommant, heat increaseth, the winds are silent, the sea calm, fruits do ripen, and Bees do make honey. Now a man must drink largely, eat little; and that sodden: for roast meat is dry. It is dangerous taking of Physic, and specially in the dog days. To heal wounds is very difficult and perilous.   

What is the nature of Autumn?  
Autumn beginneth, when the sun entereth the first degree of Libra, which is the thirteenth day of September. Then it is equinoctial, meteors are seen, the times do alter, the air waxeth cold, the leaves do fall, come is reaped, the earth loseth her beauty, and melancholy is engendered. For which cause, such things as breed melancholy are to be avoided, as fear, care, beans, old cheese, salt beef, broth of coleworts, & such like. You may safely eat mutton, lamb, pigs, and young pullets. Take heed of the morning & evening cold.   

What is the nature of Winter?  
Winter beginneth when the sun entereth the sign of Capricorn: which is commonly the twelfth day of December. Now the days are shortened, & the nights prolonged, winds are sharp, snow and sudden inundations of waters arise, the earth is congealed with frost and ice, & all living creatures do quiver with cold. Therefore a man must use warm and dry meats: for the cheerful virtues of the body are now weakened by the cold air, and the natural heat is driven into the inward parts of the body, to comfort and maintain the vital spirits. All roast, baked, or fried meats be good; and so are boiled beef and pork. Veal agreeth not, except it be well roasted. Also wardens, apples, and pears may be used with wine or with salt for swelling, or with comfits for windiness. Beware lest the cold annoy your body. And above all things have a regard to keep your head, neck, and feet warm. To use carnal copulation is expedient.    

Chap. 2. Of the four humours.  

What is an humour?  
An humour is a moist and running body, into which the meat in the liver is converted; to the end, that our bodies might be nourished by them.   

What is the nature of the sanguine humour?  
The sanguine humour is hot, moist, fatty, sweet, and seated in the liver, because it watereth all the body, and giveth nourishment unto it: out of which likewise issue the vital spirits, like unto small and gentle winds, that arise out of rivers and wells.   

What is the sleagmatick humour?  
The fleagmatick humour is of colour white, brackish like unto sweat, and properly placed in the kidneys, which draw to themselves the water from the blood, thereby filling the veins in stead of good and pure blood.   

What is the choleric?  
The choleric humour is hot and fiery, bitter, and like unto the flower of wine. It serveth not only to cleanse the guts of filth, but also to make the liver hot, and to hinder the blood from putrefaction.   

What is the melancholic humour.  
The melancholic humour is black, earthly, resembling the lees of blood, and hath the spleen for a seat assigned unto it. Howbeit Physicians say, that there be three kinds of melancholy. The first proceedeth from the annoyed brain: the second cometh, when as the whole constitution of the body is melancholic. The third springeth from the bowels, but chiefly from the spleen and liver.   

Show me a diet, for melancholic men?  
First, they must have lightsome chambers, and them often perfumed. Secondly, they must eat young and good meat, and beware of beef, pork, hare, & wild beasts. Thirdly, let them use Borage, and bugloss in their drink. Fourthly, music is meet for them. Fiftly, they must always keep their bellies loose & soluble.    

Chap. 3. Of medicines, to-prolong life.  

Show me certain remedies to preserve health, and to prolong life.  
To live for ever, and to become immortal here in earth, is a thing impossible: but to prolong a man's life void and free from all sickness, to cause the humours in the body by no means to predominate one over an other, & to preserve a man in a temperate state, I verily believe it may be done; first by God's permission, and then by using weekly either the weight of one scruple of the spirit of the herb called Rosa solis, or the essence of Celandine, or the quintessence of potable gold, wherein pearls are dissolved. Also, who somever hath any of these well prepared may help all the diseases of man's body, whether they be curable or uncurable. Reasons I need not allege, for that which is openly seen with eyes, need no proofs. It is an absurd thing, to be ignorant in that which every man knoweth. Is not the falling sickness only cured by the spirit of vitriol? doth not mercury heal the French pox and the filthy scab? doth not oil of antimony pluck up at once the impurities of the fever? They do, none can deny the same. Minerals are of most efficacy, if they be rightly prepared and purged from their poison and superfluities. Truly, it is a wonderful thing in this life, that man's understanding can bring these inferior works to so great perfection: without doubt it is the providence of god, that learning in this latter & rotten age should wax lightsome: thereby to defend life (which otherwise through the contagion of the world would soon decay) from these new & strange maladies, which are in all places very rife & common: so that the saying of that great prophet is now verified & come to pass; my age shall renew itself like an Eagle. O rare gift of the mighty God! who made Moses live 120. years without dimness of sight, without griefs & not losing any of his teeth, who prolonged Hezechias life by 15. years, & hath inspired into men's hearts such excellent knowledge.   

These quintessences which you speak of, may not be gotten without great difficulty: wherefore reveal those preservatives, which I may easily get.  
Doctor Steuens water is an excellent preservative to prolong life, & is made after this manner: take a gallon of gascoigne wine: them take ginger, galangal, camomile, cinnamon, nutmegs, grains, cloves, mace, aniseed, carrawayseed, of each of them a drachm; them take sage, mints, red roses, time, pellitory of the wall, wild marjoram, pennymountayne, otherwise wild time, cammomille, lavender, of every of them one handful, then bruise the spices small, bruise the herbs, & put all into the wine, and let it stand twelve hours, stirring it divers times, then distill it in a limbeck, and keep the first pint of the water, for that is the best: and then will come a second water, which is not so good as the first. The virtues of this water are these; it comforteth the spirits, it preserveth the youth of man, it helpeth old gouts, the toothache, the palfie, and all diseases proceeding of cold: it causeth barren women to conceive, it cureth the cold dropsy, the stone in the bladder & in the reins of the back, it healeth the canker, comforteth the stomach, & prolongeth a man's life. Take but a spoonful of it once in seven days; for it is very hot in operation. Doctor Steuens, that used this water, lived one hundred years wanting two.  
The sublimated wine of M. Gallus physician to the Emperor Charles the fifth of that name, is most admirable. For the use thereof caused him to live sixscore and nine years without any disease: which I think to be better than Doctor Steuens water: it is made in this sort: take of Cubebs, cinnamon, cloves, mace, ginger, nutmegs, and galangal three ounces, of rhubarb, half announce, of Angelica two drachmas, of mastic four drachmas, and of Sage one pound and two ounces: steep these in two pounds and six ounces of Aqua vitae, which was six times distilled: then distill them altogether. This wine comforteth the brain and memory, expelleth melancholy, breaketh the stone, provoketh appetite, reviveth weak spirits; and causeth a man to wax young and lusty. It may be taken twice every week, and not above one spoonful at each time. To conclude, there is a iuleppe made only of white wine and sugar, which comforteth and refresheth the body much, causing the spirits to wax lively: it is made thus; put two pound of sugar in three pound of wine, and one pound of rose-water; seeth it till it come almost to a syrup. This iuleppe is so acceptable to nature that it supplies the use of meat and drink.   

Declare unto me a daily diet, whereby I may live in health & not trouble myself in Physic.  
I will: first of all in the morning when you are about to rise up, stretch yourself strongly: for thereby the animal heat is somewhat forced into the outward parts, the memory is quickened, and the body strengthened. 2. Secondarily, rub and chafe your body with the palms of your hands, or with a course linen cloth: the breast, back, and belly, gently: but the arms, thighs, and legs roughly, till they seem ruddy and warm. 3. Evacuate yourself. 4. Put on your apparel, which in the summer time must be for the most part silk, or buff, made of bucks skin, for it resisteth venom and contagions airs: in winter your upper garment must be of cotton or friezeadow. 5. When you have appareled yourself handsomely, comb your head softly and easily with an ivory comb: for nothing recreateth the memory more. 6. Pick and rub your teeth; and because I would not have you to bestow much cost in making dentifrices for them: I will advertise you by four rules of importance how to keep your teeth white and uncorrupt, and also to have a sweet breath. First wash well your mouth when you have eaten your meat: secondly, sleep with your mouth somewhat open. thirdly, spit out in the morning tha● which is gathered together that night in the throat: then take a linen cloth and rub your teeth well within & without, to take away the fumosity of the meat and the yellowness of the teeth. For it is that which putrefieth them and infecteth the breath. But least peradventure your teeth become loose & filthy, I will show you a water far better than powders, which shall fasten them, scour the mouth, make sound the gums, and cause the flesh to grow again, if it were fallen away. Take half a glassful of vinegar, & as much of the water of the mastic tree (if it may easily be gotten) of rosemary, myrrh, mastic, bowl Armoniake, Dragon's herb, roche alum, of each of them an ounce: of fine cinnamon half an ounce, and of fountain water three glassefulles; mingle all well together, and let it boil with a small fire, adding to it half a pound of honey, and taking away the scum of it, then put in a little bengwine, and when it it hath sodden a quarter of an hour, take it from the fire, and keep it in a clean bottle & wash your teeth therewithal as well before meat as after; if you hold some of it in your mouth a little while, it doth much good to the head, and sweeteneth the breath. I take this water to be better worth than a thousand of their dentifrices. 7. Wash your face, eyes, ears & hands, with fountain water. I have known divers students which used to bathe their eyes only in well water twice a day, whereby they preserved their eyesight free from all passions and bloudsheds, and sharpened their memories marvelously. You may sometimes bathe your eyes in rose-water, fennel water or eyebright water, if you please: but I know for certainty, that you need them not as long as you use good fountain water. Moreover, lest you by old age or some other means do wax dim of sight, I will declare unto you, the best and safest remedy which I know, and this it is: take of the distilled waters of vervain, betony, and fennel one ounce and a half, then take one ounce of white wine, one drachm of Tutia (if you may easily come by it) two drachmas of sugar-candy, one drachm of Aloes Epatick, two drachmas of woman's milk, and one scruple of Camphire; beat those into powder, which are to be beaten, and infuse them together for four & twenty hours space, & then strain them, and so use it when you list.  
8 When you have finished these, say your morning prayers, and desire God to bless you, to preserve you from all dangers, and to direct you in all your actions. For the fear of God (as it is written) is the beginning of wisdom: and without his protection whatsoever you take in hand, shall fall to ruin. Therefore see, that you be mindful of him, and remember that to that intent you were borne, to weet, to set forth his glory and most holy name.  
9 Go about your business circumspectly, and endeavour to banish all cares and cogitations, which are the only baits of wickedness. Defraud no man of his right: for what measure you give unto your neighbour, that measure shall you receive. And finally, imprint this saying deeply in your mind: A man is but a steward of his own goods; whereof God one day will demand an account.  
10 Eat three meals a day until you come to the age of forty years: as, your breakfast, dinner, and supper; yet, that between breakfast and dinner there be the space of four hours, and betwixt dinner and supper seven hours: the breakfast must be less than the dinner, & the dinner somwhatlesse than supper. In the beginning of meals, eat such meats as will make the belly soluble, & let gross meats be the last. Content yourself with one kind of meat, for diversities hurt the body, by reason that meats are not all of one quality: some are easily digested, others again are heavy, & will lie a long time upon the stomach: also, the eating of sundry sorts of meat require often pots of drink, which hinder concoction; like as we see often putting of water into the meat-potte to hinder it from seething. Our stomach is our body's kitchen, which being distepered, how can we live in temperate order? drink not above four times, & that moderately, at each meal: lest the belly-God hale you at length captive into his prison house of gormandize, where you shallbe afflicted with as many diseases as you have devoured dishes of sundry sorts. The cups, whereof you drink, should be of silver, or silver and gilt. 11. Labour not either your mind or body presently after meals: rather sit a while & discourse of some pleasant matters: when you have ended your confabulations, wash your face & mouth with cold waters, then go to your chamber, and make clean your teeth with your tooth-picker, which should be either of ivory, silver, or gold. Watch not too long after supper, but depart within two hours to bed. But if necessity compel you to watch longer than ordinary, than be sure to augment your sleep the next morning; that you may recompense nature, which otherwise through your watching would not a little be impaired. 12. Put of your clothes in winter by the fire side: & cause your bed to be heated with a warming pan: unless your pretence be to harden your members, & to apply yourself unto military discipline. This outward heating doth wonderfully comfort the inward heat, it helpeth concoction, & consumeth moisture.  
13. Remember before you rest, to chew down two or three drachmas of mastic, for it will preserve your body from bad humours.  
14. Pray fervently to God, before you sleep, to inspire you with his grace, to defend you from all perils & subtleties of wicked fiends, & to prosper you in all your affairs: & then lay aside your cares & business as well public as private, for that nightin so doing you shall sleep more quietly. Make water at lest once, and cast it, out: but in the morning, make water in an urinal, that by looking on it, you may guess somewhat of the state of your body; sleep first on your right side with your mouth open, and let your nightcappe have a hole in the top, through which the vapour may go out.  
15 In the morning remember your affairs; and if you be troubled with rheums as soon as you have risen, use diatrion piperion, or eat white pepper now and then, and you shall be holpen.     
FINIS.  

The contents of the sections, and Chapters of this book.  

The first section, of the causes of the preservation of health. 

Of Air. Chap. 1.  
Of water. Chap. 2.  
Of fire. Chap. 3.    
The second section, of food. 

Of bread and drink. Chap. 1.  
Of wine. Chap. 2.  
Of milk. Chap. 3.  
Of flesh. Chap. 4.  
Of fish. Chap. 5.  
Of sauce. Chap. 6.  
Of grains, spices, and pulse. Chap. 7.  
Of herbs. Chap. 8.  
Of fruit. Chap. 9    
The third section, of sleep, early rising, mirth, and exercise. 

Of sleep and early rising. Chap. 1.  
Of mirth. Chap. 2.  
Of exercise. Chap. 3.    
The fourth section, of evacuations: 

Of Baths. Chap. 1.  
Of blood-letting. Chap. 2.  
Of Purgations. Chap. 3.  
Of Vomits. Chap. 4.  
Of Urines. Chap. 5.  
Of Fasting. Chap. 6.  
Of Venery. Chap. 7.    


Of the causes of infirmities. Chap. 1.  
Of the wicked motions of the mind. Chap. 2.  
Of the age of man. Chap. 3.   The fifth section, of infirmities and death.  
The sixth section, of the restoration of health. 

Of the four parts of the year. Chap. 1.  
Of the four humours. Chap. 2.  
Of medicines to prolong life. Chap. 3.  
Of a general diet. Chap. 4.     
FINIS.