The Government of Health: A Treatise written by William Bullein, for the especial good and healthful preservation of man's body from all noisome diseases, proceeding by the excess of evil diet, and other infirmities of Nature: full of excellent medicines, and wise counsels, for conservation of health, in men, women, and children. Both pleasant and profitable to the industrious Reader. LONDON Printed by Valentine Sims dwelling in Adling street, at the sign of the white Swan, near Bainard's castle, 1595. To the right worshipful sir Thomas Hilton knight, Baron of Hilton, and Captain of the king and Queen's majesties castle of Tinmouth, William Bullein wisheth increase of worship and health. QVintus Curtius, the famous writer of the great battles that king Alexander, the son of Philip of Macedon, had against the most noble and rich king of the Medes and Persians, called Darius (right worshipful sir) declareth (that when one Philip the Physician unto the said king Alexander, and his most trusty subject,) by sudden chance the king fell sore sick, to the great heaviness of all his royal army, at which time with all speed this physician did prepare a medicine, most excellent for his sovereign Lord, whom he so dearly loved, to this end, that the great virtue thereof might prevent his present sickness, and imminent danger: but malicious spite that wretched enemy, which never sleepeth but watcheth ever, to bring virtue and good fame to destruction: Immediately before this gentle Philip did present himself unto the king with his medicine, Letters were sent to king Alexander, containing, that the said Philip was corrupted so with money from king Darius, that he had put most deadly poison and uncurable venom into Alexander's medicine. The king perusing the letters, kept them secret until he had drunk his medicine, and immediately he took his physician by the hand, and delivered him the letters that he might read them, having in him so great confidence, that he did in no manner of case mistrust him. The cause why I have alleged this most worthy prince king Alexander, and his excellent physician Philip, is to declare the great trust in the one, and the fidelity in the other, not forgetting the shameless conditions of the flattering Parasites, which ever walk with two faces in one hood, bearing fire in the one hand, and water in the other: sowers of discord, reapers of mischief: which be always enemies unto the disciples of Philip, whose venomous stings can not hurt them, which ever have in store the precious, jewel of patience, and arm themselves to do good to every good man, for the preservation of their lives, by the true rules of the Government of health, which here I am so bold to present unto your worship. For whereas there lacketh government in a common wealth, the people do eftsoons fall into ruin. The ships that lack good governance, oftentimes be cast away upon sands and rocks. And therefore there is nothing under heaven that hath life, but if it lack good government, it will quickly fall into utter decay. For like as the Creator of all things hath form the bodies of all men, into the goodliest shapes of every living thing that ever was, or ever shall be: even so he hath ordained for man, herbs, fruits, roots, seeds, plants, gums, oils, precious stones, beasts, fowls fishes, for the preservation of health, to be moderately used with discretion, which peserueth the body in good estate, without whose virtues the bodies cannot live, for they be the nourishers of life. But misusing or abusing them, bringeth to the body many diseases, as rheums, cathers, dropsies, impostumes, gouts, flixes, oppilations, vertigoes, blindness, ruptures▪ fransies, with many more noisome diseases, which come thorough the corruption of meats and ill air. For what availeth riches, honours, costly buildings, fair apparel, with all the pomp of this world, and to be honoured of the people, and in the mean time to be eaten with worms in the breast, or in the belly, consumed with Agues, tormented with gouts, soreness, bone-ache, etc. Well, I think an whole Codrus is better than a sick Midas. Codrus, Midas. And seeing that to possess health, is better than to govern gold, insomuch that health maketh men more happy, stronger and quieter than all manner of riches, lacking health: as example. Great princes, noble men, men of great substance, when they be wrapped and enclosed with many and sundry sicknesses, and in daily dangers of death, in their extreme pains and passions, they do more greatly covet one drop of health, than a whole tun of gold, crying out for the help and counsel of the Physician. Whom jesus Siracke in his godly book did counsel all wise men to honour, Cap. 3●. and whom the almighty God did create and ordain for the infirmity of mankind, and also medicine for his help, and that no wise man should despise them. Therefore yet again (right worshipful knight) I shall most humbly desire you, to accept the good will of him, which wisheth the years of your prosperous life and health, to be equal to Nestor, Arganton, Nestor. Galen. Arganton. and Galen, whose lives were long, healthful and happy. And thus wishing the daily increase of your worship, with continual health, to God's pleasure: who ever be your guide and governor, Amen. Your worships to command. William Bullein. THis book to praise, I will not be curious, Let the wise Reader with judgement discus The sun need no candle, to give it more light, The Eagle require none to teach him his flight, Each fruits hath their taste, and forth witness bring, From what trees they came, and had their growing, So is this work a manifest seal, Of great commendation, to which I appeal, The beginning, scope, and end of the counsel, Health to prefer, and sickness expel. Such matter digesting as they do ascended, Applying good medicines those evils to a mend, With herbs that doth bind or else be expulsive, Vicious humours, to correct and out drive, Diseases thus ●anished, and health brought in place. Thou mayest live quietly, and finish thy race, If death than shall come, whereto thou must trust, Thy soul shallbe safe, let him do his worst. quod R. B. FINIS. ¶ A Table of the contents of of this Book of the Government of health. THe Epistle Verses in meeter against surfeiting commending moderate diet. Verses in praise of the Book Of the Epicures lif●. Fol. 1 Heliogabalus court fit for Epicures ibidem Belly gods plagued 2 Fruits of inordinate banquets ib. Variety of opinions ib. An objection against physic ib. God, author of physic 3 God ordained herbs for the health of men ib. The praise of Physic 4 A definition of physic ib. Sundry sects of physicians 5 Physic divided into five parts ib. The description of the four complexions 6 The description of the four lements 7 Creatures compound of more elements than one 8 Elements felt & not seen ib. The 4 complexions divided into four quarters of the year ib. Meats and medicines be known ● The bringing up of children 10 Best time to provide for age 11 The description of the four humours 12 Men hot, but women's tongues hotter 13 Al things bringeth their apparel with him, man only except 14 A definition of members 15 A part called by the name of the whole ib. What anatomy is 16 Four things considered in the body of man ib. Against dropsy 18 Helping the Emeralds ib. Thernia excellent treacle ib. Capers good ib. Miracle helpeth when physic faileth 19 Time for all things ib. Of blood letting 20 Usurpation 21 Morning best to let blood ib. Of meats & medicines ib. Best time to purge 21. Vomits & their profits 22 Custom in vomiting ill ib. Of bathe and their properties ib. Discommodities by common hot houses ib. Afore bathing use good ointments ib. Perilous to bathe upon an empty stomach ib. Of sneezing 23 Of suppositers ib. Boxing good for the body ib. Of glisters ib. Manupractitioners ib. Beasts and birds use pruning, etc. ib. Hot water unwholesome 24 Frication wholesome ib. Combing the head ib. Cutting off hair and paring nails ib. Consideration to be had in eating ib. A cause why the soul departeth from the body 25 To eat both flesh and fish together hurteth the phlegmatic ib. diverse sorts of meats corrupt the body ib. Good diet prolongs life 26 What meats do cause good blood ib. To go to bed with empty stomach hurts ib. An order in dieting ib. An order for them that be sick. 27 Of syrups and drinks 28 As the complexion is, so man desireth ib. Moderate walk after meat profiteth ib. To help digestion by divers ways 29 A note which be the wholesomest airs to dwell in 30 What airs do corrupt the blood ib. Corrupt air bringeth sun dry diseases ib. Fervent prayer unto God doth mitigate his wrath ib. Sweet airs to be made in time of sickness ib. What situation is best for an house 31 Pleasant people ib. Moderate exercise a sovereign thing ib. What profit cometh by exercise. 32 Use maketh labour easy ib. Idleness the mother of mischief ib. Of exercise before mere ib. Of sleep and weaking 33 To sleep after dinner hurteth ib. To sleep on the right side best 34 Lodging to be kept clean ib. To sleep in fields is hurtful ib. The cause of the stone ib. Remedies for the stone 35 Of urines with the colours thereof, and the judgements ib. Contents in urine be the chief things to know diseases by 36 Of stools, and the judgement of the colours thereof ib. Of doctor Diet, Quiet, and Meriman 37 Better to lack riches than to want quietness & mirth ib. Many apt similitudes for the same ib. Poor men's pleasure 38 The torments of the mind. ib. Thought killeth many. ib. Ire is a grievous passion ib. devils incarnate. ib. A good face in a glass. ib. Better to be spited than pitied in some case. 39 The virtues of Wormwood. 40 The property of Annis seed ib. The virtue of Mouse are. ib. Of Chickweed. 41 The properties of sorrel. ib. The properties of plantain. ib. Of Camomel and his property. 42 Of Sage and his property. ib. Of Polipodio and his property. 43 Of horehound and his properties. ib. Of vervain and his properties. ib. Of Rew or herb grace. ib. The properties of Burnet. 44 The properties of Dandelion. ib. Of spinach. ib. Of Cucumbers. ib. Garlic & his property. 45 Onions. ib. Lettuce and his property 46 Mints & their properties ib. Fenel and his properties 47 Isope and his operation ib. Sention & his operation ib. Parcely & his operation 48 Mugwort and his property ib. Of cabbage ib. Philopendula and his operation 49 Agremony and his operation ib. Of Dragon ib. The virtue of violets ib. Of the white lily and his operation ib. Centory & of his virtue 50 Rosemary ib. pennyroyal and his operation ib. Of mustard and his operation 51 The virtue of bugloss ib. The virtue of Basil ib. Roses & their virtues 52 Savoury and his virtue ib. Time and his virtue ib Parsley and saxifrage, and their operations ib. Liverwort and his operation ib. Bitony and of his virtue 53 Beets and their virtue ib. Maidenhair & his virtue ib. Nelilot and his virtue ib. Pease and beans, and their operation 54 Of hutles and tars ib. Leeks & their properties ib. Of radish and other roots ib. Herbs engender melancholy ib. Good things to digest choler 55 To purge choler ib. To digest phlegm ib. To purge melancholy 56 To provoke urine ib. Comforts for the brains to smell on ib. Things good to stop the flux ib. Good things to provoke sneezing ib. Good things to comfort the heart ib. Figs and dates ib. Of pears 57 The friars pear ib. Of apples ib. A medicine for the small pox 58 Of peaches ib. Of quinces ib. Of cherries 59 Of grapes ib. Sweet prunes laxative ib. Of Barberies & meddlers 60 Of Capers ib. Of Beef ib. Remedy for the flux ib. How to help digestion 61 A medicine for the eyes ib. Pork and his operation ib. The description of swine ib. Beasts have no reason 62 Puddings of swine ib. A plaster of Saint Anthony's fire 63 Of rams, weathers, and lambs ib. Of red and fallow deer's flesh 64 Of hares and coneys, & their properties ib. A medicine for bloody eyes 65 Of cocks, hens, and capon's ib. Of geese 66 The properties of great fowls ib. Of the flesh of ducks ib. Of pigeons and doves ib. Of the flesh of peacocks 67 Roasted pigeons ib. Of the flesh of crane's ib. Of swans flesh ib. Of herons, bittors, or shovels ib. Of partridges, sesants, and quails, etc. ib. The properties of small birds 68 The operation of fishes ib. The best feeding for fish 69 Soon labour after eating fish hurteth ib. Fat fish gross ib. The election of fish 70 Cravises and crabs ib. Of oil ib. Of water ib. What kind of water is best 71 Of vinegar ib. Of common salt 72 Of honey ib. Bee's example to us ib. Of milk 73 Milk not good for full stomachs 74 Of Butter and Cheese ib. Of eggs 75 Of wine ib. Heat of excess in drinking 76 Beer and Ale ib. Bread of all sorts 77 Rise 78 Almonds ib. Walnuts ib. filberts 79 Nutmegs ib. Of Cloves, Galingale, and Pepper ib. A practice ib. Callamus ib. Of treacle 83 Of mithridate ib. Of saffron ib. A regiment of the pestilence 84 Good air ib. Noon sleep 85 Of sleep ib. Exercise ib. Of mirth ib. Signs of the pestilence ib. Mithridatum andromachi 86 FINIS. The Government of Health. john. OF all pleasures and pastimes me think there is none like unto good cheer, The Epicure desireth to live altogether in belly cheer. what should a man do but pass away the time with good fellows, and make merry, seeing we have but a time to live, cast away care, wherefore is meat and bellies ordained, but the one to serve the other? The flesh that we daily enc●●●se is our own. Abstinence and fasting, is a mighty enemy and nothing pleasant to me, and be used of very few that love themselves, but only of beggars, and covetous sparers, which do spare much, and spend little. Humphrey. I know well your goodly expense of time, I wis it is no marvel, although you make your belly your god, and boast of it. You see that all lusty revellers, and continual banquet makers, come to great estimation, as for example, Varius Haelyogabalus, which was daily fed with many hundred fishes and fowls, and was accompanied with many brothels, bawds, harlots and gluttons, and thus it doth appear by your abhorring virtue, that of right you might have claimed a great office in Haeliogabalus court, Haeliogabalus. court fit for belly gods. if you had been in those days, but you have an infinite number of your conversation in these days, the more pity. john. What? good sir, I require not your counsel, I pray you be your own carver, and give me leave to serve my fantasy. I will not charge you, you are very ancient and grave, and I am but young, we be no matches. Hum. Good counsel is a treasure to wise men, but a very trifle to a fool, if thou hadst seen those things which I have seen, I know thou wouldst not be such a man, nor thus spend thy time. john. What hast thou seen, that I have not seen? Hum. I have seen many notable and grievous plagues, which have fallen upon greedy gluttons, as wasting their substance, disforming their bodies, shortening their pleasant days: The just ceward of belly gods. and in this point to conclude with thee, whereas gluttony remaineth, from thence is moderate diet banished: and those bellies that follow the lust of the eyes (in meats) in youth, shall lack the health of all their bodies, in age if they live so long. joh. Me think thou canst give good counsel, thou seemest to be seen in physic. I pray thee, is it so great hurt to delight in plenty of banquets? Hum. Sir, The fruits of inordinate banquets. if it will please you to be somewhat attentive, I will tell you. It is the very grain whereof cometh stinking vomits, saucy faces, dropsies, vertigo, palsies, obstructions, blindness, flixes, apoplexis, caters, and rheums, etc. joh. Is it true that you have said to me? Hum. Would to God daily experience did not try it, I do perfectly know it. And once thou shalt be a witness thereof, if thou come to age. john. Then I beseech thee gentle friend Humphrey, declare to me, why there is such division among Physicians. Hum. Thou seest among the Theologians there is much variety, and yet but one truth. variety of opinions among men. Discords be soon known of Musicians, and the Physicians be not ignorant of the general natures of things. No division is although it do so appear: for regents, place, age, time, and the present state of man's nature must be observed, and not the old rules in all points. For man's nature is sore altered and changed, into a viler sort than it was wont to be. joh. Some do report that men of great estimation say: what needeth physic, An objection against physic. it is but an invention only for money, we see (say they) who liveth so well, as they which never knew physic, and so evil as these pothicarie men? Hum. Many men be more rich than wise, and more esteemed for titles of their honours and worships, than for any other virtue or cunning, such men in some points, be more ingrateful to natural remedies than dogs: which can elect or choose their vomiting grass, or birds which can choose gravel or stones for their casting. But to conclude with thee in this matter, Pliny the great clerk, hath a thousand reasons, God the author of physic. to prove them foolish that will object against physic. And the author of all things did well foresee and know, The inestimable goodness of God ordained herbs for the health of man. what was good for man's nature, when he stretched out so large a compass round about the earth, with the noble Planets and signs, and their courses, influences and heavenly qualities, and garnished the earth with fruits, herbs, flowers, leaves, grains, oils, gums, stones, for man's comfort and help, and ordained the Physician for to help man. Thus the Almighty hath done (sayeth Solomon.) And in recompense, Solomon. God hath not appointed the Physicians to be railed upon, or despised, Eccle. 36. but honoured and rewarded: yea, esteemed of princes. And seeing good nature and wise men be on my side: I force not of other men's fantasies, with whom neither good wisdom, nor good nature is guide. joh. Why is physic of such great authority, or hath it been in estimation among old fathers, May that be proved of thy part? Hum. Yea that I can. joh. If thou canst bring in any reverent fathers that loved physic, I will not despise, but greatly esteem it, and desire counsel in demanding of a few questions. Hum. The praise and excellency of physic. Physic hath been in so high an estimation, that the Gentiles did all consent, it came from the immortal gods. The Hebrues did well know it, as Moses in the most ancient book, Moses. called Genesis primo, doth describe the work of the almighty God: of herbs, fruits, Adam. and plants, that Adam might teach the virtues of them to his children. jesus Sirack. cap. 38. jesus Sirack which was endued with the spirit of God hath left a laud behind him greatly commending Physic amongst the divines of the Hebrues, Mercury amongst the Egyptians, Diodoro. Test. ovid. Meramor. Ovid doth greatly commend Apollo, the inventor of herbs, when they were almost out of memory, he revived their virtues, and taught their nature to others that followed him. After that came in Aesculapius, which did many most excellent cures. And Chiron, the instructor of Achilles, Chiron centaurus. whose name can never die as long as the herb Centauri, groweth upon the earth, which is called after his name. Podalirius, & Mechaon, Podalirius. Machaon. were two brethren, in the time of the battle of Troy which were excellent Physicians, and be greatly commended of Homer, who was more excellent than Hypocrates, in the isle of Coose: Hypocrates. whose works will never die, for he brought in Physic, and digested it into fair books, for man's great health. Then came Galen, Gallenu●▪ not unknown to all wise and learned Physicians. I could rehearse many more, but this shall suffice to prove Physic to be of great authority amongst the old fathers. joh. I pray thee friend Humphrey, what is physic? I would be glad to learn some of thy knowledge, for thou hast a good order in talking▪ and seem to be grounded of authority. Therefore I am sorry that I have contended with thee: I pray thee be not angry with my former talk. Hum. Hypocrates in lib. de fla. Hypocrates in his book of winds or blasts, saith that physic or medicine is but a putting to the body which it lacketh, or taking from the body things superfluous. And although our life be short, A definition of physic. yet the art of physic is long, because great numbers of things be in it, and requireth much study, labour and practise, and first of all, it requireth much contemplation or knowledge, Hypocrates in primo in studying good books, which is called Theoricha. Secondly the very effect of contemplation or study, Aphoris. Theoricha. is practica or activa, which is doing of the things, that learning hath taught, as repairing, amending, or preserving the bodies of men, women and children, etc. joh. It seemeth to be a goodly science. Hum. Herodot. Herodotus sayeth: they greatly err that call it a Science, for it is an excellent Art in doing of notable things. And science is but to know things. There is also in this excellent art sundry sects of physicians, some be called Emperici, who suppose that only experience doth suffice, Emperic. and so by use and experience do take in hand to heal diseases, not knowing the cause of the said disease or sickness. Philinus. Philinus was one of that sect at the first beginning. Then followed Serapion, Serapion. and after that the Apolonis. Apolonii. And then came Glaucius, Menadotus, Sextus, etc. Another kind of physicians, be called Methodici, Methodici. which neither observe time, place, age, state, nor condition: & think them things of small profit, but only their respect is to their disease: they love not long study in physic, & are greatly deceived, because they would build without foundation: and have the fruits before they have planted the trees. These men's cures be but by chance medley. One Sirus began this, which received certain rules of Asclepiades. Asclepiades. The chief and best sect of Physicians called Dogmatici. Dogmatici. These be the wise men which set not the cart before the horse, nor the roots of the trees upward. They do prudently consider the change of man's nature, the dwelling place, the alteration of the air, the time of the year, the custom of people, the manners of diseases, the fashions of men's diet. And this they will prove by true arguments and reasons, and will be very careful for their patients The disciples of those men, be the best scholars, therefore I counsel thee john to love well Hypocrates the prince of Physicians, Hypocrates. which began the best manner to give rules to all the lovers of physic. Of this writeth Galen, much lauding Hypocrates and his followers, and in these days Leonhardus Futchius, Matheolus, etc. joh. Seeing thou hast spoken of sundry parts of Physicians, I pray thee what parts be there of physic? Hum. Truly there be five things to be noted in physic, Galen de elemen. de temp. de facul▪ as five principal parts, as Galen saith: in lib. de Elementis. Physic divided into five parts. The first is, to consider the nature of man's body. The second is, to keep the body in health, and to defend it from sickness and infirmities. The third is, to know all the causes, rules, and seeds, whereof the sickness doth grow. The iiii is Crises or judgement of the disease of things present, past, and to come. The fifth is the best and most excellent, for it showeth the manner of healing, dieting, fashion, order, and way to help the sick body, and preserve the same, as long as man doth remain in the state of life. joh. Thou hast spoken of the parts of physic, what is the form manner or distribution thereof? Hum. It is distributed in 3. forms, one is natural, another unnatural, the three against nature. The first is, Gal. lib ● de. temp. cap 4. by those things whereof the body is compact, constituted or made, as Galen saith: in his iii book of his Temperamentis. Cap. 4. The second is called not natural, as meats or things to preserve the body 〈◊〉 health they be not called unnatural, because they be against the body, but because the 〈◊〉 taking, or gluttonous using of them, may bring many things to the utter destruction of the body. The third, be things against nature, which doth corrupt the body or po●●on nature whereof Galen writeth. Gal. in lib. 2 The 〈◊〉. meth●. joh. Now thou hast taught me short rules of the parts and forms physical, I pray thee show me some pretty rules of the complexions of men, and that I may aptly know them with their properties, elements, temperaments, and humours. Hum. Upon my Lute some time, to recreate myself, I join with my simple harmony, many plain verses. Among all other one small song of the four complexions: wilt thou hear it? take that chair and sit down, and I I will teach thee my song. joh. I thank thee. Humphrey. The bodies where heat and moisture dwell, Be sanguine folks as Galen tell, With visage fair and cheeks rose ruddy: The sleeps is much & dreams be bloody. Pulse great and full, with digestion fine, The description of sanguine persons. Pleasantly concocting flesh and wine, Excrements abundant, with anger short, Laughing very much and finding sport, Urine gross, with colour red: Pleasant folks at board and bed. Where cold with moisture prevaileth much, Phlegmatic folks be always such, Fatness softness, hair plain and right, The description of the fleugmatike persons. Narrow veins and colour white, Dull of wit, no heart, too bold, Pulse very slo●, digestion cold, Sleeping over much, urine gross and pale, Spittle white and thick thus ends the tale. Choler is hot and dry as fire, Leanness of limbs and puffed with ire. Costive bellies▪ with light sleep. Dreams of fire, or wounds deep. The description of the cholericks. Sallow coloured, or tawpie red, Feeding on salt meats, and crusts of bread, Voice sharp, and quickens of wit, Urine yellow and saltness of spit, Pulses swift, and very strong, Cruel countenance, not anger long. Melancholy is cold, and very dry. As here in rhyme the signs will try, Hair plain, and very thin, The description of Melancholy. A lean wretch with hardness of skin. Colour whitely, or like to lead, Much watch, and dreams of dread, And stiff in foolish fantasy, Digestion slow, and long angry. Fearful of mind, with watery spittle. Seldom laughing, and pulse little Urine watery, and very thin, The cold earth, to him is kin. joh. This is a good song, and I will learn it, for though it seem not very pleasant, yet I perceive it is profitable. Now thou hast spoken of the signs of the .4. complexions, I pray thee teach me shortly, how to know the elements. Hum. Hypocrates de Element. Auic. in cauteca. They be the four beginners unmingled and untempered, from whose mixtures every corporal thing hath his substance. joh. What be the parts? I pray thee tell me. Hum. Four, the one is earth the heaviest matter and grossest, which is cold & dry, and melancholy. And the other is water, which is lighter and more subtle than the earth, The description of the four Elements. and of nature is cold, moist, and fleugmeticke. Then is air more purer and lighter than water, and if it be not altered with any other strange cause, Galen. in li. 8. 〈◊〉. it is hot and moist and sanguine: Then fire is most light, pure and clear, a clarifier and a cleanser of all the other elements, when they are corrupted, and is of his own nature hot, dry, and choleric. And of these four Elements, both man, beast, fishes, foul, herb, stone, metal, have their proper working, not of one of the Elements alone, but of all: some more and some less, according to their natures. Hypocrates saith: Hypocrates in lib. de na. after the soul is gone from the body, the body doth return to the first matter whereof it was made▪ And to conclude, all things that be made upon earth, shall return unto the earth again in tyme. joh. What, might not men, beasts, fish or foul, herb or tree, be of one element aswell as of four? I pray you tell me. Hum. No, for Aristotle saith: Deus & natura nihil agunt frustra, God and nature hath done nothing in vain. And if any thing upon the earth sensible were of one element, Ereaturs are compounded of more elements than one. no sickness could hurt it, nor disease corrupt it, but every thing living upon the earth, seeing it hath had beginning, it must needs have ending, to whom these four complexions doth belong if they do greatly abound or diminish or withdraw their virtues with quantities or qualities. joh. May a man see any of the Elements? Hum. The thing which men do see be none of the four Elements: not earth, but earthy, not water, but watery, not air, but airy, not fire, but fiery. But the things which man doth feel, Elements felt and not seen. be the four Elements, as earth, air, fire, and water. And these be the uttermost simples of complexions, diversly and specially, alone of themselves, or mingled with other, taking sundry and divers effects, manners, condidions, forms and qualities, both in man and beast, and every living thing, sensible and insensible. joh. What is the complexion of the quarters of the year, and names of the signs? Hum. The spring time when blood doth increase: Hippocrat. in lib. de Natura humana. Summer when red colour doth rule: Harvest when colour adust, or melancholy doth reign. Winter when phlegm doth abound in full strength. Winter, Spring. Summer. Harvest. It is called winter from the twelfth day of December, unto the tenth day of March: This season is cold and moist, it is called spring time, from the xii day of March, and endeth about the xii day of june. Summer gins about the xii. day of june, and endeth about the xii day of September. Autumn or Harvest, beginneth about the xiii day of September, and endeth about the xi day of December. Capricornus, Aquarius, & Pisces, be winter signs, Aries, Taurus, & Gemini, be signs for the spring. Cancer, lo, and Virgo be the signs for Summer. Libra, Scorpio, and Sagitari, be the signs for harvest. And the sun goeth through all these xii. signs in xii. months. And the Moon goeth xii. times through each of the foresaid signs once in the year, and do take sundry effects in man, beasts, and fruits, in the said signs: hot or cold, moist or dry. Iho. What be the complexions of medicines? Hum. Those things that overcome and govern the body, as purgations, expulsives, etc. These be called medicines, Auic. in. p●●. can. and those things that nourisheth and augmenteth the body, be called meats. For the complexions of meats and medicines be known by their tastes, as coldness, hotness, moistness, dryness, Meats and medicine be known breasting. bitterness, saltness, sweetness, fatness, sharpness, stiptic, and clammy. And because thy request is to have prescribed unto thee, but only a little government of health: I will show unto thee another of my little songs, in plain méetre, how thou shalt know meats and medicines by their tastes. john. That is my chief desire, I will hear thee, say on. Humphrey. Cold quencheth the choler's pride, Cold. Moist. Salt. Moist humecteth that which is dried, The flowing moisture, by proof I try, Is wasted of humours hot and dry, The subtle food, that is piercing quick, The clammy meats, maketh it thick, Bitter things, cleanse and wipeth oft, And expel phlegm, and maketh soft. Salt drieth, and resolveth phlegm tough, Fat nourisheth, and makes subtle enough. Stiptike or rough taste on the tongue, Bindeth and comforteth appetite long. Sweet things in cleansing, is very good It dissolveth much, and nourisheth blood. These things well used, nature will please, But abusing them beastly, bringeth disease. john. In good faith, me thinks thou sayest well, for there appear perfit reasons in these thy pretty rules. Now thou hast declared unto me, the signs of complexions of men: with the way and apt knowledge of meats by their tastes, I would feign learn, shortly the temperaments and complexions of mankind. Hum. There was never so discreet nor wise physician, that either feared God, or pitied mankind, or loved his own honesty, would take in hand either to prescribe diet, or to minister medicine to any body, before he well did consider, and wisely weigh with himself, the temperament, mixture or complexion of mankind: first, whether he were hot or cold, moist or dry, fat or lean, or indifferent between them both: Auic. in pri. ●ract. ●antico. Gal. lib. 1. cap. 2. lib. 2. cap. 3. lib. 4. cap. vlt. Sim. Med. tempered by health, or distempered by sickness, as the extremities of hotness, coldness, moistness, and dryness. Therefore john, these things may not be forgotten: you must note also the four ages of mankind, & first the tender state of children, which beginneth at the birth, & so continueth until xv. years next after their said birth: Their temperaments or complexions, be hot and moist, very like unto the seed whereof they be procreated, than next unto childhood or innocent age. Youth which is the second part of life, beginneth to reign, his temperament or complexion hath rather more fiery heat, than perfit natural heat, and this second age, continueth for ten years, as Galen saith. Gal. lib. 5. Aphor. comen. 9 Well, in these two first states of life, let all natural fathers & mothers bring up their youth, set God before their eyes, An earnest brief exhortation for the bringing up of youth. for they have no small charge committed unto them, that must give account to God, how they have brought up their children: and they that in these years do space correction, truly be grievous enemies unto their children, and at last shallbe recompensed with shame, when they shall see misfortune & wretchedness fall upon the fruits of their own seeds. For men have small profit of their corn, which be choked and overcome with Thistles, briars, and Brakes which were not weeded in time, much less of their children, which have received neither correction nor honest learning in due season. If the keepers of gardens be careful over their late sown seeds, and tender herbs, which are in danger to be destroyed of every frost: What should good fathers and mothers do for their children, whose tender and youthful years be carried away, and overcomed of every foolish fantasy, and it is no marvel. But this shall suffice for the wise, and smally profit the fools: but to my matter which I took in hand, I will return unto the third age of mankind, which is called the lusty state of life, and beginneth at xxv. years, and continueth unto xxxv, This age is hot and dry, and very choleric, as Galen saith: Galen. in lib. Simp. This part of life is subject, to many burning and extreme fevers, and hot ulcers: therefore it is necessary to know this temperament of complexion, which is called choleric, as plainly may appear by age, strength, diet, urine, etc. This is the best time for mankind to travel in, with godly exercise in science, art, and profitable traveles in his vocation, putting in practice, the virtues which he hath learned in youth, for this is the summer part of life, wherein all goodly fruits do flourish in every good occupation. The best time to provide for age. This is the very harvest, to gather the precious corn, and the fruit of their labours against the cold storms and cloudy days of their aged winter, wherein the body shallbe weak, and the eyes sight decay, and the hands tremble, and therefore it is not comely to see the state of age, without rest, which in the time of youth, did honestly travel. For there is a grace given to many creatures unreasonable, both beasts and fowls: to make provision before hand, what is then to be required of men reasonable, as followeth in these verses. THe Bird in time her nest can make, The Bee will build his h●use full fine, The Crane with stone in foot will wake, The Conie will carve under the mine, The Squirel in trees her nuts can keep, Against cold winter to feed and sleep, And should not a man well foresee, In youth to know his old degree? Then from xxxv or few years following, the lusty branches of youth, begin to abate his pleasant leaves, flowers and fruit by little and little will decay, raw humours, cramps, dropses, quaterns, melancholy, will then draw near. The riots, surfeits, sore labours, bearing of extreme burdens, wrestling, acts venerous with the abuse of youth, will then spring forth, to the detriment of age and sudden decay of life, in especial of drunkards. joh. What, be the places of blood, Choler, Phlegm, & Melancholy, natural or unnatrual? Thou hast not made a particular distinction of their proper places, but generally thou hast spoken well in thy song. Hum. There are also other descriptions of the four humours very necessary to be known, and their places whereas they dwell within the body, and first of blood, as Galen saith: in his first book of effected places, blood (saith he) that is in the pulses, doth greatly differ from the blood of the veins, for the blood of the pulses is thinner, yellower and hotter, and this blood, may be called the governor of life. The four humours natural and unnatural are described. The spring and fountain of the blood general is in the liver, which serveth every vein of blood, and this blood in colour is very red. Phlegm is white, & is engendered in the stomach, and at length by the virtue of natural heat, pure phlegm is turned into blood. There be also watery, slimy, glassy, gross, salt, sour, thick, hard binding, and extreme cold fleames, which in deed be unnatural, that be engendered thorough surfeits, coldness or idleness, bringing to the body many noisome diseases. There is also choler, which is yellow, whose place in the body is the gall, which cometh of the cleansing or purifying of blood: and this choler is clear, hot and dry, and the comforter of decoction. Green choler, or choler mingled with phlegm, be unnatural, melancholy natural: in the Spleen is nothing but the six degrees, or heavy residents of the blood, the natural melancholy is known by his blackness, the unnatural cometh of the burning of choler, and is lighter and hotter, brown of colour, sour of taste, and putteth the body in great danger: as madness, black ianders, continual fevers, and sudden deadly diseases. Therefore my friend john, remember this short description of humours, Avicen in lib. can. as the words of Galen and Avicen say. john. Thus I have heard thy several placing of the four complexions of blood, Choler, Phlegm and Melancholy, and is there any distinct hotness, coldness, moistness, and dryness, in any other creature besides man? tell me. Hum. Not only in man, but in beasts, fish, foul, serpents, trees, herbs, metals, and every thing sensible and insensible, according to their natures, and be equally mingled or tempered together, which is called mean temperance, or else exceedeth in degrees, which is called intemperance, hot and moist, may be compounded together, so may cold and dry, hot and dry, cold and moist: example, A choleric man, hot and dry: Galen. in lib. 4. de tempor. a fleugmatike man, cold and moist, etc. Of herbs, as Hyssop and Rew, hot and dry, Purslen and Cucumbers, cold and moist, etc. But temperaments or complexions of men, beasts, and trees, be some hotter, some colder, according to their natures. As a Lion is hotter than a choleric man: Pepper is hotter than Cloves. And though there be degrees in more hotness or more coldness, yet they are called but hot or cold, as men after labour or travel, they will say they are hot, but the fire which people warm them at, is hotter. Also there be things repugnant to temperaments, as moist and dryness together, heat and coldness together, as fire to be cold, or the water of his own nature to be hot, which water peraccidence of the fire is made hot: and fire quenched by the water. And every thing exceeding greatly with distemperance or wanting temperance or complexion, do eftsoons come to an end, as man by extreme sicknesses, surfeits or wounds, or finally age. lacking natural virtue. Of heat and moistness of trees and herbs, from whom juice and sap is withdrawn, Galen. in lib. 4. de tempor. Arist. de Gene. these things of necessity must needs die, and come to corruption, as Galen and Aristotle say. joh. Whether be men or women of colder complexion? Hum. Avicen saith: Avicen. like as men be hot and dry, so be women cold and moist. joh. Yea but Lucian saith: they be perilous hot of their tongues & full of venom: though I am no physician, yet can I make a description of that member, Whether this be true let the married judge for I am oftentimes stinged with it, I would to God they had been wormed when they were young, but when they are old, they are passed all cure: but the best medicine that I have, it is a gentle herb called rue, of which I am never without great store. Hum. Mankind was borne naked to this end, that he might clothe himself with other creatures: Every thing bringing his apparel with him, saving man. which he brought not into this world with him, as clothe, leather, harness made of iron, for his defence, because he is the chief creature. But horses of nature have hard hoofs, Lions sharp teeth, Porpentines sharp pricks, which is their continual and natural armour, as things ever prepared to debate and strife, and by no Art can scant be tamed. The Rose as pleasantly as she doth appear, and as sweetly as she doth smell, spring not further without a great number of sharp pricks. Therefore it is tolerable for men to bear with them whom nature hath sealed and marked for his own. With that humour most choleric, digress from this thy communication, and let us talk of things more profitable, for in deed this is pleasant to no man. joh. Seeing thou wilt not describe me these particular members, of which we have spoken, I would be glad to know the parts of mankind, with a short description of his members. Hum. Members be simple and also compound, the simples be ten in number, the cartillages, the gristles, the bones, veins, and sinews, arteries, pannicles, ligaments, cords, and the skin. Members compounded, A definition of members. be those that be joined and builded together of simple members, as the hands, face, feet, liver, and heart, and so compounded members be made of simple. Some of the compounded members be called principals: as the heart from whence the arteries springs, the brain, from whence the sinews springs, the liver which is the well of the blood, from whence the veins do spring, and the stones of generation from whence the seed of life springeth: but those compounded members that be principal be all the other members except the simple, as the nose, the ears, the eyes, the face, the neck, the arms and legs, and the brains and chief substance of our flesh, be compounded members of sinews, and covered with panacles which be of a sinew nature, but that sinews give feeling to all the whole body: even as the arteries giveth spiritual blood from the heart to every member. The whole body is covered with films and skins. Out of the head springeth hard matter issuing from the places called the pores, to purge vapours and smoke from the brain, which ascendeth out of the stomach into the head, and is cleansed through pia matter, called the tender covering of the brain or spirits animal. And therefore as some parts of the body being divided in sunder, be each like unto the other, and yet called by the name of the whole, as for example: When the bones be broken in sunder, or the flesh cut into diverse pieces, or the blood powered into sundry vessels, a piece of flesh is still called flesh, A part is called by the name of the whole and not the whole by the part. a fragment of a bone, is called a bone, and a drop of blood is called blood: Even so an hand, arm, vain, or such like unseparate parts being divided into pieces, or called by the name of pieces, and not by the name of the whole part (as is before.) But my friend john, to make a large description of Anatomy, it were too long for me, but shortly I will say some thing. And first, the definition thereof is, when the body of a dead man or woman, is cut and opened and the members divided, What Annothomie is. or for the want of dead bodies to read good books, as Galen, Avicen, etc. And it behoveth them that cutteth a dead corpse, to note four things. First, Four things considered in the body of man. the nutrimental members, as the liver with the veins: the second is, the members spiritual, as the heart with the arteries: Example. the third is, the animal members, as the head, brains and sinews: the fourth and last, be excrements of the body, as arms, legs, skin, hair, etc. Of these said members, with the bones, is all the body compounded. And like as every tree and herb, have their roots in the earth, and their branches springeth upward, even so the roots of mankind, have the beginning in the brain, and the sinew and branches groweth downward: in the which brain, dwelleth the virtues of imagination, fantasy, memory, etc. And these animal virtues, be placed as it were heavenly above all the members, communicating their heavenly influences, down unto the heart, as to a prince, or chief ruler within the body, which giveth life to every part thereof Thou shalt consider, that the heart was the first that received life from the spirits, and shallbe the last that shall die. Note also, that as there be noble senses given to the body, as seeing, hearing, smelling tasting, feeling: even so nature hath four principal virtues, first Attractive, the second Retentive, the third Digestive, the fourth Expulsive. Attractive is that by the which every part of the body draweth the food of life, & serveth the virtue disgestive, and the Retentive doth hold the meat until it be ready to be altered and changed. Digestive doth alter, and maketh the food like unto the thing that it nourisheth, as phlegm, blood, etc. Expulsive separateth them from the other, the good from the bad. Thou oughtest also most chief to learn the knowledge of the veins, and for what sickness, they must be opened, and what medicines either in syrups or pills thou must use. And first mark this figure of the Anatomy here present before thee, with the heavenly signs, because I have not painted at large the several parts of the said Anatomy. The middle vein of the forehead is good to be opened against Megrim, forgetfulness, & passions of the head. And they that be let blood of this, or any other vain, must first have their head purged with pillule Chochi Rasis, or some purgation, but first use things to extenuate matter, as syrruppe of bugloss, etc. Against Leprosy and deafness. Let blood the two veins behind the ears, and use the said pills or else pillule Aurea Nicholai or Arabice, or confectio Hameth minor. Against replexion or too much blood, or blood in the eyes, flowing in the head, upon the temple veins called Arteries, for they be ever beating. And use to purge with pillule Artritice Nicholai or pulvis, ad epithema Hepatis. Against Squinancy, stopping the throat, and stopping of the breath: Let blood the veins under the tongue. And for this use Philoniummaius Necholai and Gargarisms pilule Bechie and oxymel Simplex. veins called Originales, open not without great counsel of a learned Physician, or cunning Chirurgeon. They be in the neck, and have a great course of blood, that governeth the head, and the whole body. Against short wind, and evil blood approaching to the heart, and spitting blood. Open the vain called Cordiaca, or heart vein, in the arm. Use things to extenuate, as Aromaticum, Chariophillatum Mesue, serapium ex Absinthij in cold time, serapium Boraginis hot time, and pillule stomachi. Against palsy, yellow jaundice, burning heats, and apostemations of the liver. Open the liver vein upon the right arm. Take Serapium exendive. Diamargariton frigidum Auicennie. Against dropsy, Dropsy. open the vein between the belly and the branch, the right side against the said dropsy, and the left side against the passions of the milt, but be not rash, unless ye have the counsel of one well seen in the Anothomie. Use pillule Heir cum Agarico. Helping the Emorodes. Against the stopping the secret terms or fluxions of women, or helping the Emerods, and purging sores, Open the vein called Sophane under the ankle. Thereaca is an excellent treacle. Theriaca Andromachi, Pillule, Mastichine, Petri de Ebano. Within twenty hours after one is infected with the pestilence, coming suddenly: Open the vein between the wrist of the foot, and the great toe. Use Serapium Cichorij, and Pillule pestilentialis Ruffi. Against stinking breath: Open the vain between the lip, and the chin. Use for this Catharicum imperiale. Nicholas. Alexandri. Against the toothache: Open the vein in the roof of the mouth. And first purge with Pillule. Choci Rasis, or with pills of mastic. Use to eat Ca●ers, and take Pillule Jude, Haly, o● pillule de lapide Lazule. Against quartans, tercians, and pains of the left side: Open the spleen vein, commonly called the low vein, with a wide cut, and not deep: For chirurgeons nicely pricking or opening veins, with little Scarisfactions, do let out good pure blood, and still retain, gross, cold, and dry earthly matter, to the great hurt of their patients. And albeit many more veins might here be spoken of, and their utilities, yet this shall well suffice by God's grace to keep all people in health, that upon just cause have these veins opened: except old men, women with child, and children, under xiiii. years of age, or men after diverse agues. For blood letting, will then engender perilous palsies, as very excellent Physicians have well declared. And after one be infected with the pestilence xxiiii. hours, before he have received medicine, Miracle helpeth, but no medicine in this case. or blood letting, miracle helpeth him, but truly no medicine hath virtue to do it. joh. This same figure although it appeareth in many books: yet very few do understand it in all points, such be the secret works of nature. And whereas thou hast well spoken of some veins, and apt medicines for the body: I would feign see the true form and shape of the bones. Hum. Oh john, it were a long time to show the singular members with compounds, as Galen doth in his book of the parts and bones. It requireth only one work, but I have taken in hand to teach thee but a Government of health: notwithstanding at thy request, I will briefly rehearse the number of the bones, no less true than new, which is, the very timber, or posts whereupon our frail flesh is builded, beginning in our mother's wombs, and ending in earth the mother of all things. And as the noble prince Avicen affirmeth, the number of all the bones, be two hundred forty and four, beside Sasamina, & Os laud. joh. Thou hast spoken of the opening of veins, and medicines convenient to cleanse the blood, with the number of bones, but thou hast not spoken of convenient time when to let blood, nor of the state or age of them whose veins should be opened. Therefore I would be glad to learn, not only time of blood-letting, but also, of purging, the belly vomits, bathe, sneezings, and rubbing of the body, etc. Hum. Time for all things. Every thing hath his time convenient, and must be done with sober discretion, and not with rash ignorance, which killeth an infinite number. Therefore the cause must be known, and the time observed, as Galen writeth in the Commentary of the Afforismes of Hypocrates, Hippo. in ●. Affor. 3. many bodies be extinguished by sudden death, in whom is extreme fullness, or abundance. For abundance of blood or any other humour saith Aristotle, Aristot. in pri. prob. 56. Auic. in 2. pri. doct. 2. cap. 6. is the cause of many sicknesses, and those men that use much gluttony in Winter, shall be apt to receive many diseases in the Spring time. Therefore when the body hath extreme heat, fullness of veins, flushing, with sudden redness in the face, gross and red urine, and such burning heat in the night that let the sleep, &c: than it is time to evacuate the body, with some purgation, blood letting, or abstinence as the strength and age of the patient will serve. For many diseases, be helped by discrete blood letting, as Plurises, hot Fevers, Galen in lib. de flobothomia. Frenzies, Repletion, or Surfeits taken with overmuch eating or drinking, as Galen sayeth, The letting of blood drieth up the superfluous moisture of the belly, helpeth memory, purgeth the bladder, quieteth the brain, warmeth the marrow, openeth the organs of hearing, helpeth digestion, induceth sleep, etc. Unto this agreeth Rasis, Rasis in 4. alman. cap. 14. saying, it helpeth greatly against Leprosy, Squinances, Appoplexes, Pestilences, etc. But old men, children, or women with child, ought not to be let blood, nor also those people that dwell in cold regions, may not be let blood, because the blood is the chief warmer of nature. The people that dwell in hot regions, if they be let blood, it will dry their bodies, for blood is the chief moister of nature. Therefore is the heat of Summer, and the coldness of Winter, forbidden to open veins, or let blood, except for a stripe, or sudden chance, Rasis in 4. almen. cap. 14. as Rasis saith, the spring of the year is the chief time to let blood in the right arm, or right foot, The middle ●ey●e. in the vain called Mediana. Which vain must be opened aswell at other times in the beginning of sicknesses, as hot fevers, and pleurisies, etc. as Basilica should be opened in the middle, or toward the end of a sickness. Purgations ought to be ministered with great discretion, and not rashly to be taken, for every trifle as thou hast heard me speak of blood letting. So observe the self same rules in purgation, as time, person, quality, or quantity. Hip. in 3. pri. doct. 2. cap. For Hypocrates sayeth, without doubt it is needful to purge the superfluity of the body. As if blood do abound to take things to purge blood. If phlegm be superfluous, then take things to cleanse his superfluity. If choler be too ardent hot, use things to extinguish: If melancholy be too extreme then taste things to bring him into a mean. And not to purge one humour with the medicines of an other, Usurpation in medicine is evil. but to take them in due order and aptness. For the said humours as Valarius Cordus. Mesue, and Nicholas, teach the manner of making of the most excellent purgations with their quantities. In the morning is best to let blood, evil toward night. And as in blood letting sleep must be avoided for viii. or xii. hours after them: so when your purgations be taken, air is to be avoided and to be kept close for two. or three days or more as the malice of the disease, or power of the purgations be, & the counsel of Rasis must be followed: Rasis in 4. alman. cap. 15. which saith, oftentimes to take Purgations or laxative medicines doth make the body weak, and apt to the Fever ethicke, and specially in very lean or weak persons, they that be very fat have small guts and veins, purgations be very noisome unto them. But strong bodies having large vessels, may sustain purgations without any hurt, but strong purgations, either in pills or potions, if they any thing do exceed be very hurtful: therefore the doces or quantities may not exceed. And also they must be made as pleasant as Art can do them, unless they offend the stomach. Meats and medicines greeth not except pils● before supper. Hypocrates giveth counsel that men should not mingle medicines with meat, but to take them three or four hours before meat, or else so long after. Unless they be pills called Antecibum, which may be taken at the beginning of supper, or else Pilli chochi, a little before sleep, two hours after supper. The best time of purgations is in the spring time, Time to purge. as the doctors doth affirm: the apt days and signs are commonly known in the English Almanacs, calculated into English. As in the writings of master Leonard Digges, Digges. Kenningham. and of William Kenningham, a learned student both in Astronomy and Physic, with many more good men that taketh pains to profit the common wealth. There is another manner of purging of the body by vomit, Vomits and their profits. for it cleanseth from the midriff upward, if they have large breasts, and be choleric persons. It is good against dropsies, & leprosies, & better in summer than in winter, Hip. Sent. in 4. Aphoris. as Hypocrates saith: and wholesomer one hour before supper than at any other time, and not to be used as a custom: Custom of vomit weakeneth the stomach. for the custom of vomits hurteth greatly the head and eyes, and maketh the stomach so feeble, that it will scant bear any meats or drinks, but eftsoons cast them up again. They which have narrow throats and breasts, and long necks, vomits be neither apt nor good for them. And Avicen saith, Avicen in 4. Pri. cap. 13. that vomits aught to be twice in the month for the conservation of health, but that which is more doth hurt the body. Of baths and their properties. There is another kind of the cleansing of the body by sweeting, as with hot drinks, warm clothes, perfumes made of Olibalum brimstone, niter, etc. There is also baths and sweeting in hot houses for the pocks, scurf, scabs, hemorrhoids, piles, which hot houses have the virtue of helping the said diseases. The discommodity of common hot houses. But if any that be of an whole temperate complexion do sweat in dry hot houses, it doth them much harm: as hyndring their eyesights, decaying their teeth, hurting memory. The best bathing is in a great vessel, or a little close place with the evapuration of divers sweet herbs well sodden in water, which have virtue to open the poors softly, letting out feeble and gross vapours, which lieth between the skin and the flesh. To use ointments after bathe is good. This kind of bathing is good in the time of pestilence, or fever quartan: in the end of the baths, it is good to anoint the body with some sweet oil, to mollify and make soft the sinews. And thus to conclude of bathing, it is very wholesome, so that it be not done upon an empty stomach, To bathe upon an empty stomach is perilous. palsies may come thereby, or to take sudden cold after it, there followeth an other purgation, called sneezing or sternutation which is beneficial for the body if it be used upon an empty stomach. Of sneezing Twice or thrice in a morning with a leaf of Bittony, put into thy nose, it helpeth memory, good against oppilation, stopping, and obstructions: Suppositers be good for weak people or children, Of suppositers made with Hieria Picra and honey, Boxing doth much good to the body. made in the length of a finger: Scarifiing or boxing, as Galen saith, applied unto the extreme parts, as the legs, and the arms, doth great help unto the body, in drawing watery humour away from the body, but boxing is not good for the breast, applied thereto in hot fevers, is dangerous. Glisters made according to art, I will speak more of Glisters in my book of healthful medicines. be good for them which be too weak to take purgation. The manner of the said glisters, because they be not here to be spoken of at large, I intend by God's grace to set forth in my next book of healthful medicines. Many practitioners of acts venerous. Purgations venerous, there be so many practitioners thereof, that I need to write no rules but this, that affection, lust and fantasy, have banished chastity, temperance, and honesty. joh. Plain people in the country, as carters threshers, ditchers, colliers, and plowmen, use seldom times to wash their hands, as appeareth by their filthiness, and as very few times comb their heads, as it is seen by floxe, nits, grease, feathers, straw, and such like, which hangeth in their hairs. Whether is washing or combing things to decorate or garnish the body, or else to bring health to the same? Beasts and birds use frictions and ●●nning themselves. Hum. Thou seest that the dear, horse, or cow, will use friction or rubbing themselves against trees both for their ease and health. Birds and hawks, after their bathing will prune and rouse themselves upon their branches and perkes, and all for health. The profit which cometh in washing the hands with cold water. What should man do, which is, reasonable but to keep himself clean, and often to wash the hands, which is a thing most comfortable to cool the heat of the liver, if it be done often, the hands be also the instruments to the mouth & eyes, with many other things commonly to serve the body. To wash the hands in cold water is very wholesome for the stomach and liver, Hot water is wholesome to wash hands in but to wash with hot water engendereth rheums, worms and corruption, in the stomach, because it pulleth away natural heat unto the warmed place, which is washed. Frication is wholesome for the body. Frication or rubbing the body, is good to be done in mornings after the purgation of the belly with warm clothes, from the head to the breast, then to the belly, from the belly to the thighs, legs, and so forth. So that it be done downward, it is good. And in dry folks to be rubbed with the oil of camomile. Combing the head Kembing of the head is good in mornings, and doth comfort memory, it is evil at night and openeth the pores. The cutting of the hair, Cutting of hair and paring of nails be comely for men. and the paring of the nails, clean keeping of the ears, and teeth, be not only things comely and honest, but also wholesome rules of Physic for to be superfluous things of the excrements. joh. The chief thing that I had thought to have demanded, & the very mark that I would have thee to shoot at, is to tell me some thing of dieting myself with meat and drink, in health and sickness. Hum. A consideration to be had in eating and drinking. There is to be considered in eating, the time of hunger or custom, the place of eating and drinking, whether it be cold or hot, also the time of the year, whether it be Winter or Summer: also the age or complexion of the eater, and whether he be whole or sick: also the things which be eaten, whether they be fish or flesh, fruits or herbs. Note also the complexions and temperaments of the said meats hot or cold, dry or moist, and most chief, mark the quantity, and so forth. And like as lamps do consume the oil, which is put unto them, for the preservation of the light, although it cannot continue for ever: so is the natural heat which is within us preserved by humidity and moistness of blood and phlegm, whose chief engenderer be good meats & drinks. As Avicen saith de ethica. When natural heat is quenched in the body, then of necessity the soul must departed from the body. For the workman can not work when his instrument is gone. So the spirits of life, A cause why the soul departeth from the body. can have no exercise in the body when there is no natural heat to work upon. Without meat saith Galen, it is not possible for any man to live, either whole or sick: and thus to conclude, no vital thing liveth without refection and sustenance, whether it be animal reasonable, or animal sensible, without reason or any vital thing insensible, both man, beast, fish, and worm, tree, or herb. All these things be newtrified with the influence or substance of the four Elements or any of them. joh. Well Humphrey, thou knowest my complexion and disorder of my diet what remedy for me, that have lived like a rioter? Hum. I know it well thou art phlegmatic, To eat both fish and flesh together hurteth the phlegmatic. and therefore it is long yer thy meat be digested. When thou dost eat fish and flesh together, it doth corrupt in thy stomach and stink, even so doth hard cheese and cold fruits. And old powdered meats, and raw herbs engender evil humours: so the diversity of quality & quantity of divers meats, doth bring much pain to the stomach, & doth engender many diseases, as thou mayst read in the first book of Galen: Inuementis membrorum. cap. iiij. Galen. And the Prince himself sayeth in 3. prim. doct. 2. cap. 7. Hypocrates. Saying, nothing is more hurtful than diverse meats to be joined together. For while as the last is receiving, the first beginneth to digest. And when the table is garnished with diverse meats, some roasted, some fried and baked, some warm, some cold, some fish, some flesh, with sundry fruits, and salads of diverse herbs to please thine eye, remember with thyself, that the sight of them all is better, than the feeding of them all. To feed of diverse sorts of meats corrupteth the body. Consider with thyself thou art a man and no beast, therefore be temperate in thy feeding, and remember the wise words of Solomon. Eccle. 27. Be not greedy, sayeth he, in every eating, and be not hasty upon all meats: for excess of meats bringeth sickness, and gluttony cometh at the last into an unmeasurable heat. Through surfeit have many a one perished, but he that dieteth himself temperately, A good diet prolongeth life. prolongeth his life. Therefore gross fish, lambs flesh, the in-meates of beasts, raw herbs, pigs brains, and all slimy meats, be evil for thee: but late suppers is worst of all, and specially if they be long, for it causeth painful nights to follow. But Galen sayeth in his Book De ethimia, the meats which be without all blame, be those which be between subtle and gross. Good bread of clean wheat, flesh of capons or hens, pheasants, and partridges, pigeons, and turtle doves, black birds, and small field birds, roasted veal, or boiled mutton: These do engender good blood sayeth Galen. Note also, What kind of meats do cause good blood. that any other meat that thou dost eat at supper, although it seem repugnant to a fleugmaticke stomach, if thou sleep well after it, and feel no pain, thou mayest use it as a meat necessary. And when thou canst not sleep well, if the default came through meat, mark that meat or drink, although it appear pleasant, refuse it as an enemy. And whereas thou hast used evil diet as a custom in abusing time, quantity and quality, by little and little bring thyself into good order, and to time, both for thy breakfasts, dinner, and supper. Provided always to eat good things, but not many things. For like as repletion or abundance of meat is an enemy to the body, and the soul, and bringeth sudden death: even so is emptiness a shortner of time, What hurt cometh of an empty stomach, when ye go to bed. a weakner of the brain, a hinderer of memory, an increaser of wind, choler, & melancholy. And oftentimes to many bringeth sudden death also, except nature have some thing to work upon, as I did tell thee before: use some light things at breakfast of perfit digestion, within four hours after that receive thy dinner observing the good order of diet, drinking wine or beer oftentimes, and little at once, eschewing great draughts of drink, which is used among beasts, and mingle thy meat with mirth, An order of dieting. which is ever the best dish, at the board, and be thankful to God And so leave with an appetite, passing the time wisely between dinner and supper, with exercise, labour, study or pastime, unto the end of six hours, and then begin thy supper, provided that it be shorter than thy dinner, eating thy meat by little and little: for greedy and sudden eating is hurtful to nature, as Galen saith in his Diatorie. Note also, Galen me trite. that thou mayst eat more meat in Winter than in Summer, because thy natural heat is enclosed with thy body in Winter, but universally spread in Summer. Also choleric men may as lightly digest beef, bacon, venison, etc. With as much speed and little hurt as the fleugmatike man may eat, rabbit chicken, and partridge, etc. But the melancholy man through the coldness of the stomach hath not that strength in the stomach as he hath promtpnes in will: The Melancholy. to eat things warm and moist be good for him. The sanguine man is not so swift in this digestion, as the hot choleric man is. The Sanguine. But notwithstanding, he hath good digestion through the humidity and warmness of blood, and coveteth to eat sweet things, which greatly augment the blood: therefore sharp sauces made with vinegar, onions, and barbaries be wholesome. Purslen, sorrel, small fishes that feed upon the stones in fair running waters, cucumbers and pure French wine partly delayed with water, be good for the said sanguine men: to keep them from much increase of flesh. joh. Thou hast showed unto me a very discrete and wholesome order of diet particular to myself, and partly to other complexions: but what rule or pretty Government is for sick folks? Hum. They that be suddenly vexed with sharp sicknesses, An order for the dieting of such as be sick of sharp feners. must have thin diets, with water gruel, thin mutton or chicken pottage without any fat or thickness, violet leaves, endive leaves, and such like cooling herbs, and let their drinks be made of Tezantes, thus do to them that have hot sharp sicknesses, occasioned of choler. And also cold siroppes of endive, violets, sugar, water, and vinegar, sodden together be very wholesome. But if sicknesses be long of continuance, their diet must be the thicker, and their meats made the stronger, specially if their diseases be cold: with the flesh of cocks, capons, temperate wine, stewed broth, with wholesome herbs, as bugloes, borage, basil, parsley, and finkle roots, with some maces, dates, damask prunes, raisins of the sun, and such like. Of syrups and drinks. Sirops of Isope and citeron, provided that they neither take meat nor medicine immediately before, or soon after their fits: posset ale with clarified herbs, excepted, which they may take, for their comfort, according to the estate of their disease, for such as be sick must have meat, contrary to their complexion. For they that be cold, must have hot meat, and medicines. And they that be dry, must have moist things. But they that be hot must have cold things, for the ardent heat of the fire is quenched with the moistness of the water, and so the quantity of one quality, overcometh the quality of an other. And in deed, Physic sayeth, the bodies that be hot, must be fed with things like, as they that be moist, with moist things to preserve their moistness. They that be hot, with hot things to preserve their heat and such like. But when they do exceed in heat, cold, moist or dry, then let the qualities of moistness, be tempered with dryness, and the coldness with warmness. As the complexion is, so man requireth. For like as man delighteth in things of like, as the choleric man, choleric things, even so do beasts, and fruits, as the Coloquintida, which is bitter, delighteth in bitter ground. Hot spices delight to grow in hot ground, and every fruit and herb doth delight in the thing that is of like: even so doth man in his food. But in all things let him beware of distemperance, surfites or repletion rear suppers and drunkenness. joh. But if a man feel great grief after meats or drinks, what way is there then for to help him? Hum. Use walking up and down, and perhaps that will digest, The iii doctrine, The vii chap. Moderate walk after meat ●rofiteth. as Avicen saith: And Rasis sayeth, to walk a hundredth paces after meat, is wholesome, for it comforteth digestion provoketh urine, and giveth one power and strength of stomach to eat his supper. But the counsel of Galen must here be observed. Which saith: Galen, in. 6. de accedenti & morbo. i cap. there is no meat but it will corrupt or stink, if the body be cast into a sudden heat, by strong travel soon after meat, which corruption of digestion is the mother of all diseases, and the beginner of all infirmities, avice. in 13, theo. 3. tract. 3. cap. as Avicen reporteth: And if you see this will not help to digest your ingorged full stomach, then provoke yourself to sleep lying upon your right side, leaving toward your breast and belly, laying your warm hand upon your breast, as Averroes saith: the power of digestion is made strong when a man sleepeth. To help digestion by divers ways. For natural heat that is drawn inwardly with warmness, or heat hath power to digest. But if sleep ease you not, provoke vomit or fast it out, and this is the counsel of many learned men. For it is no marvel although many meats corrupt one man, which be of sundry and divers workings in the stomach, liver and vein, Hipo. in secundo Prim. doc. 3. ca 6 Haec signa declarant. for the qualities do hinder nature as much as the quantities. And take heed, these signs and evil tokens be not found in youth. The pains of all your members with idleness and weariness, to go or move your body. Sudden great blushing or redness in your face, veins swelled and puffed up, red urine, and gross skin, extended or stretched out with fullness, like a blown bladder and full pulses, small desire to meat, ill rest & grief in sleep, seeming in sleep to bear some intolerable burden, or dreaming to be speechless: these be the evil & dangerous tokens of replection. And of this I give you warning, for it hath slain as many by abundance, as hunger hath killed through scarcity. joh. I have heard say that wholesome air is a great comfort to man's nature, but corrupt air doth much harm: I shall require you therefore to tell me of the good and the bad air, that I may learn to use the good, and refuse the bad. Hum. Galen in lib. de Sectis. saith: A wise physician ought to know the natures of men, of waters, of air, of regions, and dwellings, generally, particularly to thyself, being a natural English man of birth and education: this land is very temperate. Howbeit, our dwellings in this land, be variable as fens, marshes, woods, heithes' valleys, plains, and rocky places, and near the sea side. Note which be the most wholesomest airs to dwell in. But the said Galen giveth counsel in his regiment of health, saying: a good air, which is pure and wholesome, is that, which is not troubled in standing water pools. Therefore marish grounds and places where hemp and flax is rotten, & dead carrions be cast, or multitudes of people dwelling together, or houses environed with standing waters, whereinto jakes or sinks, have issues, or wallowing of swine, What airs corrupt the blood. or carrion unburied or foul houses, or such like places be dangerous, corrupteth the blood, which is worse than infection of meat, for the prince, saith that all places of concavets, as sellers, vaults, holes of minerals where mettles be digged, or houses, or walls joined together where as the sun with reflection beateth in with sudden heat, whose absence bringeth cold: this air is distempered, but pleasant clear air, sweet gardens, goodly hills, in days temperate when one may see far off. These be good also, Corrupt air bringeth sundry diseases. there be certain stars called infortunates, in their exaltation, whose influence bringeth corruption to creatures, rot and pestilence to man and beasts, poisoning waters, and killing of fish, blasting of fruit in trees, and corn in the fields, infecting men with divers diseases, fevers palsies, dropsies, fransies, falling sicknesses, and leprosies. Against the said influences all christian men must pray to God to be their defence, Fervent prayer unto God, ●oth mitigate his wrath. for they be God's instruments to punish the earth. Example we have of mortal pestilence, horrible fevers, and sweeting sickness, and of late, a general fever, that this land is often greatly plagued withal. Sweet air to be made in the time of sickness Than one must make a fire in every chimney within the house, and burn sweet perfumes to purge this foul air: and now in conclusion to answer thy question, for the health of dwelling, Avicen saith, to dwell upon hills is cold. And in valleys comprised with hills, is hot. Upon a hill side against the north, is cold and dry Toward the west, gross, and moist, very subtle towards the East. And clear and warm towards the South. And Rasis saith, in his first book Afforien. A man dwelling near the Sea side, or great waters, can not live long, nor cannot be without weakness of members, or blindness, but the best building of a house, is upon a dry ground, Situation best for a house and a hill towards the west side, and south-west doors, and windows open towards, the east, and north east, having near unto the said house, sweet springs of running waters from stony or chaulkie ground, which is both pleasant and profitable to the house. For Hypocrates saith in his book of Air and Water, the second chapter, cities and towns, which are placed toward the east, be more sure, than the towns builded towards the north, for temperate air or wind, and sicknesses be less. And in the said book Avicen greatly commendeth pleasant rivers, running towards the rising of the sun, Pleasant people. the dwellers in such places sayeth he, be fair and well favoured: smooth skinned, clear and sharp voices: and thus to conclude with thee, this shall suffice at this time, what, and where, good and pleasant dwelling is. Note also, that thou must observe air in sickness, as thou must do meat in sickness, cold sicknesses, warm air, dry sicknesses, moist air, and so in the contraries to them that be sick and they that be hole, air of like quality is moist wholesome, they that have long sicknesses, change of air is a great help, both in fevers, dropsies, falling sicknesses and rheums. joh. I have found very much disquietness in my body, when my s●ruants and labouring family, have found case, and yet we are partakers of one air. Hum. The cause why thy labouring servants in the field at plough, pastures, Moderate exercise a sovereign thing. or wood, have such good health, is exercise labour, and thy disquietness cometh, partly of idleness, and lack of travel, which moderately used, is a thing most sovereign to nature. joh. I pray thee tell me some thing of exercise. Hum. The well learned man Fulgentius, Fulgen. in lib. 2. saith: that exercise is a file and chaufer of the heat natural, which chaseth away sleep, and consumeth superfluous strength. What profit cometh by exercise. Of the natural virtues, redeeming of time, enemy unto Idleness, due unto young men, joy of old men, and to say the truth, he which doth abstain from exercise shall lack the joys of health, and quietness both of body and mind. And Galen saith in his regiment of health, if we will keep perfit health, we must begin at labour and moderate travel, and then to our meat and drink, and so forth to sleep, and this is the cause why hawkers, shooters, hunters, and plowmen, gardeners, etc. have so good digestion and strength of body. Who be stronger armed men than Smiths, because of the exercise of their arms: stronger bodied, than carpenters, which lift great blocks: and masons which do bear great stones, not only in their youth, but such men will take marvelous travels in age, which to idle people seem very painful, Use maketh labour easy. unto themselves that travel, no pain but pleasure, because of custom? These people can digest gross meats, eating them with much pleasure, and sleeping sound after them, whereas the idle multitudes in Cities, and noble men's houses, great numbers for lack of exercise do abhor meats of light digestion and dainty dishes, Marry in deed they may be very profitable to Physicians. But if travail be one of the best preservers of health, so is idleness the destroyer of life, as Averroes writeth, and Hypocrates saying, Apho. every contrary is removed and helped by his contrary, as health helpeth sickness, exercise putteth away idleness, Idleness the mother of all mischief. etc. But every light moving or soft walking may not be called an exercise as Galen sayeth, therefore tennis, dancing, running, wrestling, riding upon great horses, ordained, as well for the state of men's health, as for pleasure, whereunto it is now converted, rather to the hurt of many, than the profit of few, exercise doth occupy every part of the body, quicken the spirits, purge the excrements both by the reins, and guts, therefore it must be used before meat, Exercise before 〈◊〉. for if strong exercise be used immediately after meat, it conveyeth corruption to each part of the body, because the meat is not digested: but when thou seest thy water after meat appeareth somewhat yellow, then mayest thou begin exercise, for digestion is then well. But sick folks, lean persons, young children, women with child may not much travail. The exercise of dice, cards, fight, drinking knavish railing, of bawdry, and such like, rather may be called an exercise of devils, than of men. And thus to conclude with Solomon, quam pretiosus sit sanitas thesaurus. joh. After painful labour and exercise, or disquietness of the mind, there was never thing that hath done me so much comfort as sleep hath done. Hum. Avicen saith, that sleep is the rest and quietness of the powers of the soul, of movings, and of senses, Avicen in can. Of sleep and waking. without the which man can not live. And truly sleep is nothing else but an Image or brother to death, as Tully saith. Tulli. in lib. de seen. And if by imagination thou didst perceive sleeping & waking weighed in the balance together, there thou shouldst see them equal in weight, for Aristotle saith, that man doth sleep as much as he doth wake. Arist. in. lib. de so. But this is to be considered in sleep, that natural heat is drawn inwardly, & digestion made perfit, the spirits quieted, and all the body comforted, if the true order of sleep be observed in six points. First, a quiet mind, without the which either there is no sleep, or else dreadful dreams, tormenting the spirits. Secondly, the time of sleep, which is the night, or time of most quiet silence, for the day sleeps be not good, most chiefly soon after dinner, except to sick persons or young children, in their times convenient. Thirdly, the manner of sleep, Sleep after dinner not healthful. that is, to eschew the lying on the back, which bringeth many grievous passions, and killeth the sleeper with sudden death. To lie upon the left side is very evil in the first sleep, but tolerable in the second, but the most surest way to make the digestion perfit, is to lie upon the right side, with one of the hands upon the breast. Fourthly, sleep hath the quantity which must be mean, Sleep on the right side is best. for superfluous sleep maketh the spirits gross and dull, and decayeth memory, six or eight hours will suffice nature. For, like as much watch drieth the body, and is perilous for falling sickness, and blindness: even so too much sleep is as perilous, for extremes be ever ill. Fiftly, Gal. sen. 1. terap. cap. ●. in the time of cold fevers, the patient must not sleep until the trembling fit be past, for then the hot fit that followeth will be extremer than any other fit, and hard to help. Note furthermore, that those bodies that be full of hot inflammations sleep not well, therefore they must use things to extenuate and to make cold, as Tizantes and cold sirops, or gentle purging from the belly and liver, or finally to have the median vein opened according to time, state and age. Sixtly, the chamber must be considered that it be clean, sweet, comely clothes fit for the time of the year, and the age of the people, & to keep the head warm, is very wholesome, for in sleep natural heat is drawn into the body, for the brain of nature is cold & moist. Thy lodging must be kept clean. Windows in the south part of the chamber be not good, it is best for them which have cold rheums, dropsies, etc. to lie in close lofts, & for dry bodies to lie in low chambers, and in the time of the Pestilence, often to shift chambers is healthful, lying upon the ground in Gardens, under trees, or near unto stinking privies be hurtful to the body: Note that sléepers in fields in harvest shall be in danger of quarteins in winter. and this shall suffice for thine instruction of sleep, provided, that thou dost not long retain thine urine, for fear of the stone, and pain in thy reins. joh. There is nothing which I more fear than the stone, for my father was sore vexed therewith, what shall I mark in mine urine? Hum. Among all mortal diseases, the stone is the greatest, a preventer of time, a deformer of man, and the chief weakner of the body, and a grievous enemy to the common wealth. How many noble men and worshipful personages hath it slain in this Realm▪ The cause of the stone. many one, which cometh of hot wines, spices, long banquets, repletions, fullness, costifenesse, warm keeping of the back, salt meats, etc. The remedy whereof is, Remedies for the stone. in all points contrary to these causes, small wines, temperate beer or ale, no spices, but wholesome herbs, as Time, Parcely, Saxifrage, etc. Light meals, most chief the supper, no baked, nor roasted thing, but only sodden meats, and oftentimes to relax the belly with Cassia Fistula, new drawn from the Cane, with sugar, and to eschew salt meats, and not to keep the back warm: the stone is often found in young children, which cometh of the parents, and oftentimes in old folk. Which stones be engendered as I have said: besides milk, fruits, herbs, saltfish, and flesh, hard chée●e, etc. Now mark well this lesson following, for thine urine. joh. That shall I gladly, read but softly, and I will write thy words. Humphrey. First in urine four things mark, Four things noted in urines. Thus said Actuarij the good clerk, Colour, regents and contents therein, Substance gross, thick or thin, A fair light, an urinal pure, Then of thy sight thou shalt be sure. Golden urine. Colour of bright gold or gil●e, Is health of liver, heart and milt. Red urine. Red as cherry▪ or saffion dry, Excess of meat in him I spy. Colour green, or like dark red wine, Or resembling the liver of a swine, Is adustion with fiery heat Green urine. Burning the liver and stinking sweat Colour like lead. Leaddy colour or black as ink, Death draweth near as I do think. Except the terms which women have, Or purging black choler, which many do save Colour grey as horn, or clear water, Grey urine. Is lack of digestion saith mine author. Urine like flesh broth. Urine like flesh broth is very good▪ Beginneth digestion and nourish blood. Subcitrine and yellow be urine next best, Bread and flesh will well digest. White and thick urine White & thin urine. Yellow urine. The urine that is white and thick Is ever called phlegmatic. Melancholy water is white and thin, The red and gross is sanguine. Yellow and thin spring from the gall, Wherein holler ruleth all. The swelling and brains bloody, Causes circles thick with colour ruddy, But when circles be thin and red, Choler green the right side of the head, Circles are t● be noted. If leaden circles swim on the brink, It is falling sickness as I do think. When Oil in urine doth uppeare, Resolutio pinguis draweth near. When Oil appear in fevers hot, Oil in urine. Dissolving the body, causeth a blot. But of Periotides, thou feelst no pains, This Oil Pronogstick, consuming rains▪ Periotides, is tertian or quarte● Of gravel in urine. The gravel red declareth for ever, In dry backed men double tertian fever. When golden gravel appeareth alone, It hurt the rains but is no stone: When gravel is of colour white, Stone in the bladder worketh spite. Contents like small threads or hears, Through heat, & dryness the body wears. Consumtion, scab small sport and lust, Contents in urine be the chief things to know diseases. Is when many hairs be mingled with dust. In the bottom of veins, or vessels great, Lieth stopping matter like bran of wheat, Wherein contents are, like scales of fish, As appeareth in the chamber dish. These signify fevers, and ethics old. Or scabs, which the bladder do enfold. White froth swimming, cometh of wine▪ The yellow froth, is of jaundice kind▪ Thus of urines I do conclude, With words of truth, but meeter rude. Here is also a little of the signs of the excrements of the belly. Our filthy dung, and fex most vile. Many colours in one stool be evil. The dregs of nature's food, When they be divers coloured made The signs be never good. If the siege be like unto the meat, New drawn into the maw, Signs of crudity and wind. Or fleeting with phlegm or burbles great. The body is windy and raw. Choleric signs, Signs deadly. The yellow doth from choler come, The green● is burnt adust The black and leady be deadly signs, The flesh will turn to dust. Oil excrements signify consumption, except the cause be of fat meats. Stools soft and hard. The excrement that is in the jakes cast. If it have oil or fat, Consumption of body then begin. The chiefest sign is that. The privy soft well compact, Made in the accustomed time, Is ever good, and the hard is ill, And thus I end my rhyme. joh. Once I fell into a great sickness, and hitherto I am scant recovered of it, the surfeit was so great, but counsel was given me, that I should not stay myself upon the opinion of any one physician, but rather upon three: then said I, to retain three at once, requireth great charge, for those men to whom lives be committed, ought liberal reward to be given. Then said my friend, they are good gentlemen and no great takers. What be their names said I? he answered saying: The first was called doctor Diet, the second doctor Quiet: Diet Quiet Meriman. the third doctor Meriman. I did writ their names, but yet I could not speak with them. Hum. Hitherunto I have said some thing that shall well suffice for thee to know doctor Diat, as for Quiet, and Merry man, they lie in no physicians hands to give, but only in Gods. It were better to lack riches, then to want quietness and mir●h. For small it helpeth to any man, to have honour, riches, fame, cunning, etc. And in the mean time, to want quietness, and mirth, which be the chief friends. Tenderest nurses wholesomest physicians, most pleasant musicians, and friendliest companions to nature, pleasant birds singing in the branches, be more happier than ravening cormorants, and greedy hawks, which with pains inchaseth their preys. The quiet lambs be ever happier in their kind, Many apt similitudes or metaphroes. than the greedy ravening foxes, wolves and lions, which never cease vexing themselves, to kill living things for their food. The poor Oyster, lurking under the rock, or sand, which is never removed of strong ebbs nor bloods, is farther from travel and continual pains, than the horrible whale, most fearful to fishes. The low shrubs, or bushes growing near to the ground, be ever in more safeguard than the lusty high flourishing trees, spread with pleasant branches, which be subject to every strong wind. The poor boats in harbour, be in less peril than the rich fickle ships, tossed up and down on the cruel floods. What shall I say but this, that the miserable ragged beggar called Irus, was more happier in his poverty with quietness and mirth, than was the gluttonous beast, & monstrous man king Sardanapalus, with all his golden glory, court of ruffians, and courtesans which came to a shameful end. Diogenes, I warrant you was not inferior to Alexander, in the state of happiness, & have left as great a fame behind him, saving that Alexander was a more cruel murderer than Diogenes a chaste liver. In deed the poor silly shepherd, The pleasure of poor men. doth pleasantly pipe with his sheep, when mighty princes do fight among their subjects, & break many sleeps in golden beds, when bakers in bags, & brewers in bottles, do snort upon hard straw, fearing no sudden mishap. The great pains and secret griefs that disquieted minds do daily sustain, be not much unlike unto the infernal torments that the wicked do feel: The torments of the mind. Physic unto an extreme troubled mind (say what they list:) helpeth as little, as to apply a plaster to the breast, or head of a dead body, to revocate the spirits of life or soul again. The sickness of the body must have medicine, the passions of the mind must have good counsel. Through thought many are killed. What pleasure hath a condemned man in music, or a dead man in physic? Nothing at all God knoweth. Oh how many men have been cast away by thought, and most for loss of estimation, and some of other affections of the mind, as inordinate love, or coveting things that they cannot get, or obtaining those things that they cannot keep, or ire of other men's prosperity or good hap! as Tully saith: Ire is a grievous passion. Tul●i● tuscum. li. 3 ovid. in lib. 2. metha. Ovid, as fine in poetry, as Apelles was in painting, describeth this vile passion of ire, with a pale face, lean body, stalling look, gnashing teeth, venom tongue, choleric stomach, tongue full of poison, ingrateful, seldom smiling but at mischief outwardly appearing as it were quiet, inwardly the serpent gnaweth, fretteth & devoureth, etc. devils incarnate. These men be devils incarnate, beginning hell in this life, most enemies to themselves, and if they did behold themselves in a glass in the time of their tempests, should not their countenances be more fearful to themselves than their Ire hurtful to others? yes, and perhaps make them staring mad, in seeing such a devils image, therefore let wise men be of this mind: First to think that they would have no man be ireful against them, or disdain them, even so let them do to others: Secondly, let them think, Better to be spited than pitied in some cases. it is better to be spited, than pitied, for every prosperous felicity, hath his enemy waiting upon him: The fool hateth the wise. The wise man, pitieth the fool: well, co●et rather to be spited than pitied, the wrech envieth the worthy man, and so forth: Only except adversity, and extreme misery, all prosperous men have enemies, let this suffice, and consider what Galen saith, Galen. de regem sani libr. 1. that immoderate ireful motions, cast the body into a choleric heat, whereof cometh fevers, and all hot diseases dangerous to the body, of this writeth Petrus de ebano. In com●n. 32, septi. Problem. The passion of the mind called dread, or fear, is when the blood and spirits be drawn inwardly, and maketh the outward parts pale and trembling to this, be sides pitiful experience, Haliabas, Hali. in 5. theo. ca ultimo. Ga. 1. qui de acc. & morbo. c. 6. Ari. 10. proble. Galen, and Aristotle do witness the same. The sudden passion of joy, or gladness, is clean contrary to fear. For the heart sendeth fourth the spiritual, blood, which in weak persons, the heart can never recover again, but death incontinent, as Galen saith, and as we may see by experience: As in the meeting of men, and their wives, Children and their parents, which either by prison, or banishment, were without all hope, ever to see each other, and in joy of meeting the delating, and spreading of the heart blood, have cast the body into swooning. And thus my friend john I do conclude upon certain effections of the mind, wishing doctor Diet, Quiet and Merry man to help, when thou shalt need. For mirth is beloved of musicians, Hudson. pleasant birds and fishes as the dolphin's. What is mirth honestly used? an image of heaven. A great lordship to a poor man, & preserver of nature, & Solomon saith, Non est oblectatio super cordis gaudium, Eccle. c. 30. etc. & yet I say. The ireful man is ever a thrall, The joyful mind is happiest of all. Zeal burn like flames of fire, When honest mirth hath his desire, Love well mirth, but wrath despise: This is the counsel of all the wise. joh. I would very feign know the natures of sorts of simples, & first what is worm wood? Hum. A common known herb, it is of diverse kinds, as Ponticum Romanum, etc. It is hot in the first, and dry in the second degree, and it is very bitter, and being dried, keepeth clothes from worms and moths, and the syrup thereof, eaten before wine, The virtues of wornewood preserveth men from drunkenness, if it be sodden in vinegar, it will help the sores that breeds in the ears, being laid warm upon it, is good to be drunk against Appoplexia and Opthalmia. Which is a sickness of the eye, Avicen lib. 2. Sim. 2. is greatly helped with the wormwood, if it be stamped and made lukewarm with rose-water, and laid upon the eye, and covered with a clean piked walnut shell, the syrup helpeth the bloody flux, it doth help a cold stomach, if it be drunk ten days together, every morning two spoonful of the syrup is good against the dropsy, every day drunk two ounces fasting, and thus saith Avicen, figs, cockle, wormwood, nitre stamped together, & made in a plaster, is good against the disease of the spleen, and also killeth worms in the belly, used in the foresaid manner, one dram of the powder may be drunk at once in wine, it hath many more goodly virtues. john. What is the properties of Annis seeds. Hum. It is much like unto fennel seed, and is called Roman fennel, that is warm and sweet, and hot in the second, and dry in the third degree, the new seeds are the best. Galen de sim. It engendereth vital seed, openeth the stopping of the reins and matrix, being drunk with Tysants, or clean temperate wine. john. What thinkest thou of Mouseare? Hum. An herb commonly known, cold and moist in the first degree, as Galen saith, the decoction of this herb sodden in water with sugar, is good against the falling sickness, being oftentimes drunk, and put a lease thereof into the nose it will provoke sternutation, or sneezing which wonderfully doth cleanse the veins. joh. I would feign know what is Chiken weed? Hum. Almost every ignorant wontan doth know this herb, but there be of divers kinds, The operation of chicken weed. they be very good to keep wounds from impostumations, stamped and applied unto them, and draweth corruption out of wounds: and sodden with vinegar, doth draw phlegm out of the head, if it be often warm put into the mouth and spit it out again. In this same manner it helpeth the teeth, and sodden in wine and so drunk, it will cleanse the reigns of the back. joh. What is Sorrell, might I know of thee, and the property thereof? Hum. Thy Cook doth right well know it, The properties of Sorrel. and all they that make green sauce, but the description I leave to Dioscorides, and Leonard Futchius, not only in this herb, but in all other, and to tell thee the virtue, I will, it is cold and dry in the second degree, it also stoppeth: it is like endive in property, because it overcometh choler▪ and is much commended, it helpeth the yellow jaundice, if it be drunk with small wine or ale, also quencheth burning fevers: to eat of the laaves every morning, in a pestilence time is most wholesome, if they be eaten fasting▪ This herb doth Dioscorides, Galen, and Avicen, greatly commend, besides the great learned men of this time. joh. What is plantain, or Waybreed? Hum. The greater Planter is the better, The properties of plan●ine. it hath seven great veins, it is cold and dry, the seed of it, drunk with read wine, stoppeth the bloody flux: the roots sodden and drunk in wine, stoppeth the bloody flux: the roots and leaves being sodden with sweet water, and with sugar or borage water, and given to him that hath an ague, either tertian or quartain, two hours before his fit: prove this, for thus have I helped many, it is very comfortable for children that have great flixes & agues and is a friend unto the liver, this herb is greatly praised of the Doctors. joh. What is Camomile, and the operation thereof? Hum. This herb is very hot, it is drunk against cold winds, and raw matter being in the guts, the Egyptians did suppose it would help all cold Agues, and did consecrate it to the sun, ●s Galen saith: Also if it be tempered and strained into white wine, To what purpose camomel serveth. and drunk of w●men, having the child dead within the body, it will cause present deliverance, it doth mightily cleanse the bladder, and is excellent to be sodden in water to wash the feet: the oil is precious as is declared hereafter. joh. Hops be well-beloved of the beer brewers, how do the Physicians say to them? Hum. There be which doth cool, be called Lupilum, those that we have be hot and dry, bitter, sour, hot, saith old herbals. And Fucchius saith: Fucchi▪ they cleanse phlegm and choler, and the water between the skin and flesh, the syrups will cleanse gross raw phlegm from the guts, and is good against obstructions sodden. If the juice be dropped in the ear it taketh the stink away of rotten sores, the roots will help the liver and spleen, being sodden, and drunk: the beer is very good for fleugmaticke men. Io. What is Sage, for that I love well? Hum. There be two kinds of sage: they be herbs of health, A wonderful gift given to Sage. and therefore they be called Saluia, this herb is hot and dry, and provoketh urine, cleanseth the matrix, stoppeth the blood in a wound. If it be put in a pig, it drieth the humours, that would engender phlegm, it is good against the palsy: oftentimes eaten, or sodden in wine, it will help and cleanse itch, scabs, and filth from the pudent and secret members. Aetius doth greatly commend this herb, and the excellent regiment of Salern, where it saith, Cur moritur homo, cui saluia crescit in horto, inquiring why men do die that have Sage growing in gardens. But truly, neither Physic herb, nor cunning, An in. 3.1, ●ap. sing. can make man immortal: but assuredly Sage is wholesome for old folks to be put into their meats, for it cleanseth phlegm from the sinews, which phlegm will relax the sinews: The wine of sage drunk upon an empty stomach, is wholesome for fleugmaticke persons, or them which have the falling sickness or dropsy. joh. What is Polopodie, that groweth upon the Oak tree. Hum. If this herb be sodden with Beets and Mallows, Of polopodie. in the broth of a hen, and drunk, it will lose the belly, and cleanse phlegm: the root of this herb being dry, and beaten into fine powder, and drawn into the nostrils, helpeth a disease called Polipus. joh. I have heard talk of Hoorehound, I would feign hear of his working. Hum. It is a herb hot and dry, What diseases horehound helpeth. if it be sodden with fair water▪ sugar or honey, and strain it, this drink doth cleanse the stomach from stinking phlegm, it is an excellent herb for women, to cleanse their month terms, the water of this is good to help them which have a moist rheum falling from the head, upon the lungs, being often drunk: but it is hurtful to the bladder and reins, the syrup thereof doth cleanse the kings evil: and also put into the ears, doth greatly comfort the hearing if the ears be troubled: and stamped with honey, and applied into the eyes, it cleanseth the sight. joh. What is Verben? Hum. Of verben and his properties. It is called the holy herb, it drieth and bindeth, if it be sodden with vinegar, it helpeth a disease called saint Anthony's fire, oftentimes washing the pained place, the leaves of Uerben and Roses, and fresh swine's grease stamped together, will seance pain and grief in every wound, and will keep wounds from corruption: it is good for people, that have the tertian, or quartain Agues, and thus saith Dioscorides: Dioscorides. moreover, he saith the weight of a dram of this herb, with three halpenies weight of Olibbulom, and put in nine ounces of old wine, tempered together, and drunk forty days of this quantity fasting, it will help a disease, called the king's evil, or pain in the throat. joh. What is Rew, or herb Grace? Hum. I tell thee, this herb is very hot and bitter, and doth burn because of his hotness in the third degree: if a little of this Rew be stamped, and sodden with wine, and drunk, it is an excellent medicine, against poison and pestilence, with Roses and vinegar, and Rew stamped together, Rew good against poison. and put in forred cloth or biggen, applied unto the temples of the head or forehead, do cease grievous pains itn the head. And in like manner it healedh the bitings of serpents or dogs stamped with vinegar: many nice people cannot abide it, crying fie, it stinks: The seed of this herb beaten in powder, and put in fresh clarified butter, and pitch melted together, is good for them to drink that are bruised. joh. What is burnet? Hum. It is of the nuture of five finger, dry and binding, and not moist, The properties of burnet. as many saith: stamp it and put it to the eyes, doth take away the dropping and pricking, and doth heal wounds, and is good to drink for the tertian Ague. joh. What is Dandilion? Hum. It is trmperate, cold and dry: The virtues of dandilion. with Roses and vinegar, tempered together, it helpeth the head in hot diseases. The sowthistle called Soncus, hath the same virtue, and so hath Succory: if they be sodden, they lose the belly, and quencheth heat which burneth in the stomach, and defendeth the head from hot smoking vapours, and purgeth yellow choler, and rebateth venerous a●d fleshly heat, and is good to be sodden and drunk in hot burning Agues, though this herb be commonly known, and counted of many as a vile weed: yet it is reported of Dioscorides, to be an excellent herb. joh. What is Spynnage? Hum. An herb much used in meat, cold and moist, in the first degree, it mollifieth and maketh soft the belly, it is good for them that be hot and dry, and ill for fleugmatike men. joh. What is Cucumbers? Hum. They be truly in the second degree, very moist and cold: The seeds be good to be given in hot sicknesses: the powder of the said seeds, For what purpose cucumber serveth. drunk in clean wine, is good against divers passions of the heart: this fruit will cause one to make water well, the root dried in powder, thereof drunken in water and honey provoketh vomit: if they be moderately eaten, they bring good blood, tempered with honey, and anoint the eyes, that helpeth a disease called Epinictidas, which troubleth men with strange sights in the nights: Epinictidas. the best of this fruit is, which beareth the best seeds the savour of that is not wholesome: melons, citrons, pompons, and this kind of pepons or great apples be much used in England, and are more common than profitable, because they use to eat them raw. English men being borne in a temperate region, inclining to cold, may not without hurt eat raw herbs, roots and fruits plentiful, as many men, which be borne far in the South parts of the world, which be most hot of stomach, therefore let them eat these fruits boiled or baked with honey and pepper, and fennel seeds or such like, there be an other hot kind of bitter cucumbers which do purge. joh. What is garlic? Hum. Garlic is very hot and dry in the fourth degree: The properties of garlic and his operation. it troubleth the stomach, it is hurtful to the eyes and head, it increaseth dryness, but it will provoke urine and is good to be laid upon the biting of a snake, or adder, it is good for the emeroids applied to the sore place, being first stamped, if it be sodden, the stink is taken from it, but the virtue remaineth to be eaten against the coughs and pains in the lungs, it cutteth and consumeth corrupt phlegm, and bringeth sleep. It is not good for hot men, nor women with child, or nurses, giving milk to children: but Galen calleth it the common people's treacle, if sanguine men do eat much of it, it will make them to have red faces, but it is a special remedy against poison. joh. What is onions? Hum. The diversity of onions and their properties. They do make thin the blood, and bring sleep, they be not good for choleric men, the long onion is more vehementer than the round, and the red more than the white, the dry more than the green, and the raw more vehementer than the sodden, or preserved in salt, although they do cause steep, very painful and troublous hot in the third degree, and warm in the stomach, cleanseth the stomach, and bringeth good colour unto the face, and helpeth the green sickness, provoketh urine, openeth the emeroides. If they be sodden in vinegar, and laid warm to them: peel off the rind, and cut it at both the ends, and cast it into a fair warm water, and let it lie an hour or two, and then slice it, this taketh away the vehement sharpness of of it. Rew, Salt, honey, and one onion stamped together, is a goodly plaster to lay upon the biting of a dog: leeks do purge the blood in March, and pain the head, and be not greatly praised for their ill juice. A dog saith Dioscorides, the head being anointed with the juice thereof keepeth hair from falling: there is much variety of this onion amongst writers, saith Pliny, but this shall suffice. john. What is Lettuce? Humphrey. It doth mightily increase milk in women's breasts, The praperties of lettuce. and therefore is called Lettuce (as martial saith, first shall be given to the virtue and power to increase milk in the breasts every hour, Lettuce is a herb cold and moist, and is comfortable for a hot stomach, bringeth sleep, mollifieth the belly: the drier it be eaten the better it is: I mean if it be not much washed in water, adding thereunto some clean Salle● Oil, Sugar, and Vinegar, it abateth carnal lust: and much use of it dulleth the sight, the seed of it is very precious There is an herb called Rocked gentle, which partly smelleth like a Fox, the which is very hot, an increaser of seed, which herb must always be eaten with Lettuce. The root thereof sodden in water, will draw broken bones, and will help the cough in young children. john. What be mints? Humphrey. The properties of mints. Mints be of two kinds, garden and wild mints, they be hot unto the third, and do dry in the second degree. Garden mint is best: the powder of this with the juice of Pomegranates, stoppeth vomits, helpeth sighing, cleanseth hot choler: Three branches of this sodden with wine, doth help repletion drunk fasting. This juice tempered with good treacle, and eaten of children in mornings, will kill worms, and stamped with salt, apply it to the biting of a dog, and it will heal it: It is wholesome sodden with windy meats, and sodden in posset ale with fennel, it helpeth the colic, it increaseth vital seed. It is not best for choleric complexions, but good for fleugmatike, and indifferent for melancholy: and it will stop blood, stamped and applied to the place. The juice of mints is best to mingle in medicine against poison: the powder of Mints is good in pottage, to help digestion, and to make sweet breath. john. What is fennel? Humphrey. It hath power to warm in the third degree, and dry, The properties of fennel. and maketh sweet the breath: the seed eaten, oftentimes upon an empty stomach, doth help the eye sight: the roots clean washed be very wholesome in pottage, and are good in tisants: the green or red tufts growing upon the stalks, sodden in wine, pottage, or ale, helpeth the bladder, the reins, and breaketh the stone, increaseth milk in women's breasts, and seed of generation: It is good for to use Endive or such like with it, because it is very hot and good in barbers baths, washing water, and with balm, savoury: It is good to wash one's feet to bedward: the syrup is very wholesome, it helpeth a fleugmatike stomach. john. What is hyssop? Hum. An herb commonly known growing in gardens, and hot in the third degree: it hath virtues to make humours thin and warm: sodden with figs, rue and honey, in clean water and drunk, it greatly helpeth the sickness in the lungs, old cough, and rotten humours, dropping upon the lungs: sodden with erius and grains of paradise called the Cardamon, it mightily purgeth and bringeth good colour. Figs, salt, Nitrum, and Isope, stamped together, and applied to the spleen, helpeth it much, and taketh away the water that runs between the skin and the flesh, sodden with oxymel, it cleanseth phlegm. john. What is Sention? Hum. It is of a mixed temperament, it cooleth and partly cleanseth if it be chopped and sodden in water, and drink it with your pottage, it will heal the grief of the stomach, and purge it from hot choler: his down with saffron and cold water, stamped and put in the eyes, it will dry the running drops, and stamped plaster wise, it helpeth many grievous wounds. joh. What is Pursleine? Hum. Cold in the third, The operation of Purslein. and moist in the second, if it be stamped with steeped barley, it maketh a goodly plaster to cool the head, eyes, and liver, in agues burning heat. To eat of it, stoppeth flixes, and quencheth burning choler, and extinguish venerous lust, and greatly helpeth the reins and bladder, and will kill round worms in the belly, and comfort the matrix against much phlegm. And the juice is good to drink in hot fevers, it may be preserved with salt, and then it is very good with roasted meats. Pliny saith, it is supposed to make the sight blunt and weak, further he saith, that in Spain a great noble man, whom he did know, did hang this pursleine root in a thread commonly about his neck, which was much troubled, of a long sickness, and was healed. joh. What is mugwort? Hum. Mugwoort, and fetherfoy, The operation of mugwort. and tansy be very hot and dry in the second degree: Muggewoorte, Spurge and the oil of Almonds, tempered plaisier-wise, and applied cold unto the sick pained stomach, will bring health. It is good in baths saith Galen: it is wholesome for women, it cleanseth and warmeth, and comforteth, and breaketh the stone. Pliny saith: It is good against serpents, and wholesome for travailing men, if they carry it, it comforteth them from worms. Tansey doth mightily cast worms from children, drunk with wine: A cold plaster stamped and laid upon the belly of a woman whose child is dead within her, it will separate the dead child from the living mother, causing her to neese with betony leaves. john. There is an herb commonly used to the great relief of very many called Cabbage, is it so good as it is reported of? Humphrey. Cabage is of two properties, The operation of cabbage. of binding the belly, and making laxative: the juice of cabbages lightly boiled in fresh beef broth, is laxative, but the substance of this herb is hard of digestion, but if it be twice sodden, the broth of it will also bind the belly, if it be tempered with alum. This herb hath virtue to cleanse a new red leprosy laid on the sore place in the manner of a plaster. But to conclude of this herb, the broth of it hath virtue to preserve from drunkenness, as Aristotle, Rasis, and Avicen, Aristo. 3. perproble Aucen. 2 do report, eaten before drinking time. can. Rasis. 3. alman. joh. What is Philopendula? Hum. It is an herb hot and dry, if it be sodden in white wine & drunk. It drieth up windy places in the guts, Of philopenduall. and cleanseth the rains in the back and bladder. joh. What is Agremonie? Hum. Dioscorides saith: that if this herb with swines grease be stamped together & laid upon an old rotten sore being hot, The operation of Agremonie. it hath virtue to heal it: the seed of this herb drunk with wine, is good against the being of Serpents, stopping of the liver, and bloody flix. joh. Some say that the herb dragon is of great virtue. Hum. The juice of it saith Dioscorides: dropped into the eye, The virtue of dragon. doth cleanse it, and giveth much might unto the eyes of them which have dark sights, the water of this herb hath virtue against the pestilence. If it be drunk blood warm, with Venice treacle, the savour of this herb is hurtful to a woman newly conceived with child. Pliny saith, that who so beareth this herb upon them, no venomous serpent will do them harm. This herb is hot and dry. joh. There is a very sweet flower called a Violet, is it so profitable, as it is pleasant? Hum. Simeon Sethi reporteth, that it doth help against hot inflammations of the guts, The virtue of Violets. head, and stomach, if the cause be of burning choler. Either the water, syrup, or conserve of the said Violets, either eaten or drunk, in the time of any hot passion. But undoubttedly, it offendeth the heart, because of the coldness, the savour of the flowers be pleasant, the oil that is made of this herb, hath virtue to bring quiet sleeps to them which have grievous hot pain in the head. joh. What is the virtue of the pleasant white lily? Hum. Of white lily and his operation. Dioscorides saith, that the oil of Lilies doth mollify the Sinews and the mouth of the matrix, the juice of Lilies, Vinegar and Honey sodden in a brazen vessel, doth make an ointment to heal both new and old wounds. If the root be roasted and stamped with roses, it maketh a healing plaster against burning of fire: the same root roasted, hath virtue to break a pestilent sore, applied hot unto the sore place, and is dry in the first degree. The Oil of water Lilies be moist, sovereign against all hot diseases, to anoint the ardent places, and doth reconcile quiet sleep, if the forehead be anointed therewith. joh. In the time of the pestilence, my wife maketh me a medicine, of an herb called Centauri, doth she well or not? Hum. Plini saith, that the syrup of this herb drunk with a little vinegar, and salt, doth cleanse the body: Of the virtue of Centaurie. the leaves and flowers be of great virtue, to be sodden and drunk against all raw humours of gross phlegm, watery or windy: it doth cleanse cruent or bloody matter within the bodies of men or women. The powder of this herb is good in pessaries, for women causing the dead child to departed from the mother, and is wholesome against the pestilence, in the time of winter, and is hot and dry. joh. We beautify and make pleasant our windows with Rosemary, using it for small other purposes. Hum. Of Rosemary. Rosemary is an herb of great virtue, hot and dry, sodden in Wine, and drunken before meat, it doth heal the kings evil, or pains in the throat, as Dioscorides and Galen, saith: the savour of it doth comfort the brain and heart: the flowers of Rosemary is an excellent cordial called Anthos. joh. Is Puliol royal, an herb of any value, or a weed of contemption? Hum. The operation of puliol royal, It is an herb of much virtue and profit: hot and dry in the third degree. Dioscorides saith, if this herb be sodden with honey & Aloes, and drunk, it will cleanse the liver, and purge the blood: most chief it helpeth the lungs. Simeon Sethi saith, if women drink it with white wine, it will provoke and cleanse the terms menstrual, and is a very wholesome pot herb. joh. What sayst thou unto mustard? Hum. Plinius doth greatly laud it, The operation of Mustard. saying, that there is nothing, that doth pierce more swiftlier into the brain than it doth. Honey, vinegar, and mustard, tempered together, is an excellent Gargarisma, to purge the head, teeth, and throat. Mustard is good against all the diseases of the stomach or lungs, wind, phlegm, or rawness of the guts, and conduceth meat into the body: provoketh urine, helpeth the palsy, wasteth the quartan, drieth up moist rheums: applied plaster wise unto the head. Honey, and Mustard helpeth the cough, and is good for them that have the falling sickness, notwithstanding the common use of Mustard is an enemy to the eye. Many more virtues have I read of Mustard, but the occasion of time hath unhappily prevented, not only my large description in this, but also in many other simples, which hereafter, I intent largely to write upon it, if it please God to permit me. joh. They say that Buglos is very wholesome. Hum. It is an herb most temperate between hot and cold, The virtue of Buglos. of an excellent virtue, a comforter of the heart, a purger of melancholy, a quieter of the frenzy, a purger of the urine, wholesome to be drunk in wine, but most effectual in syrup. Dioscorides and Galen doth greatly commend this herb, and that doth daily experience well prove. john. What is thy mind of sweet Basill? Hum. This herb is warm in the second degree, The virtues of Basill. having the virtue of moistness, and if it be sodden in wine with Spicknard, and drunk, it is good against dropsies, winds, phlegm, coldness of the heart, hardness of the stomach: the savour of Basill, doth comfort the brain, and heart, the use of this herb in meats, doth decay the sight. joh. The plain people of the country will say, that those flowers which be pleasant in smelling, be oftentimes unwholesome in working, the rose is pleasant in sense, what is it in virtue? Hum. It hath an odour most pleasant, and hath virtue to cool and bind. The virtue 〈◊〉 Roses. The water is good to make Manus Christi, and many other goodly cordials, Roses and vinegar applied unto the forehead, do bring sleep: conserve of Roses, have virtue to quench burning choler, and to stay the rage of a hot fever, Oil of Roses, Vinegar, and the white of an egg beaten together, doth not only quench sacra ignis, but also bring a mad man into quietness, if his forehead be well anointed therewith, after the receipt of Pills of Chochis, in the time of the Pestilence, there is nothing more comfortable than the savour of roses. joh. What sayest thou of savoury? Hum. It is hot and dry in the third degree, The virtue of savoury. if the green herb be sodden in water or white wine and drunk, these be his virtues to make the liver sort, to cleanse dropsies, cold coughs, cleanseth women's diseases, and separateth the dead child from the mother▪ as Dioscorides & Galen saith. Also Germander is not much unlike the virtue of this herb. joh. But for troubling of you, I would be glad to know your mind of Time, and of a few other herbs. Hum. It is vehement of heat with dryness in the third degree. The virtue of Time. Dioscorides saith, if it be drunk with vinegar and salt, it purgeth phlegm, sodden with honey or meide, it hath virtue to cleanse the lungs, breast, matrix, reins, and bladder, and killeth worms. joh. What sayest thou of Parsley and Saxifrage? Hum. They have virtue to break the stone. Parslie is hot in the second degree, The virtue of Parslie and Saxifrage. and dry in the midst of the third. The seed drunk with white wine, provoketh the menstrual terms, as Dioscorides saith: also Smallage hath the like virtue. joh. What is thy judgement of Liverwort? Hum. It hath virtue to cleanse and cool. The virtue of Liverwort. Dioscorides saith, it doth heal the wounds of the liver, & quencheth the extreme heat thereof, tempered with honey, and eaten, doth help a disease called regius morbus, and pains of the thraote and lungs. joh. What is betony? Hum. They be of diverse kinds. The virtue of Betonie. Leonardus Futchius doth call the sweet gilly-flowers by the names of betony, but the one seemeth to talk of that which is commonly known of the people, called the land Betonie, which hath the virtue to kill worms within the belly, and helpeth the quartain, cleanseth the matrix, and hath the virtue to heal the body within. If it be bruised, it is of great effect, if it be sodden with wormwood in white wine to purge phlegm, and is hot in the first degree, dry in the second. joh. I have heard small commendations of Beets. Hum. They be of two kinds, The virtue of Beets. and be both praise worthy. Simeon Sethy, writeth, that they be hot and dry in the third degree, the white Beet is the best, they have virtue to cleanse, as Niter hath, but hath evil juice. The juice of this herb with honey applied into the Nose, do purge the head, it is a wholesome herb in pottage, if it be well sodden, or else it is noisome to the stomach. If it be parboiled and eaten with vinegar, it is good against the stopping of the liver. Notwithstanding, the juice of this herb do stop the belly, being simply taken. joh. What is Maidenhair? Hum. It is an herb between hot and dry, The virtue of Maidenhair. if it be sodden in wine, it breaketh the stone, it cleanseth the Matrix, bringeth down the seconds, as Dioscorides and Galen saith, the best doth grow upon hard rocks. joh. What is Melilot? Hum. It hath virtue to ripe, and is more hotter than cold, The virtue of Melilot. melilot, flax seed, Rose leaves, Camphor, and woman's milk tempered together, doth make a goodly medicine against the hot inflammation of the eyes. If this herb be drunk with Wine, it doth mollify the hardness of the stomach and liver, the most excellent plaster against the pains of the spleen doth Mesue describe, which is made of Melilot. joh. Be pease and beans any thing beneficial to nature? Hum. Beans be more grosser and fuller of wind then pease be, The operation of pease and beans. and maketh evil matter, except they be well sodden and buttered, and so eaten, with the whitest and sweetest Onions that may be gotten. Because they be hard of digestion: howbeit, they do make fat, and partly cleanse, yet they are not to be compared with tender white peason well sodden and buttered, or else made in pottage with garden mints, and gross pepper, which have virtue to cleanse the reins of the back and bladder. lentils be of the same virtue. But Hutels & tars be melancholy. Barley being clean hulled and sodden with milk cleave water and sugar, maketh a very comfortable and wholesome pottage for hot choleric persons or young people. And of this is much used in the north parts of England, and is called big keel. joh. What be the virtues of Leeks and roots of Radish, Turnips, Persneps, Rapes or naves? Hum. leeks be evil, engender painful sleep: Leeks and their properties. but eaten with honey, than they purge blood: but roots eaten raw, breedeth ill juice, therefore being first sodden, and the water cast away, and then sodden with fat mutton, Of the virtues of Radish with other roots. or tender fat beef, those roots nourisheth much. Rapes and Naves be windy: Turnips, causeth one to spit easily that have corrupt stomachs, but maketh raw juice. Carats do expurse wind: Radish roots provoketh urine, but be very evil for fleugmaticke persons, having grief in their bones or joints, and must be eaten in the beginning of the meal, as Galen sayeth, Galen de alimen. but many do use them in the end of meals, and find ease, as sir Thomas Eliot that worthy knight and learned man reporteth, in his book called The Castle of health. And thus I conclude of those herbs and roots that I have written upon. Herbs engendereth melancholy. Admonishing thee, that herbs, pulse and roots be all windy, engenderers of Melancholy, and engrossers of the blood, except Lettuce, Bourage, and Purslain. Therefore the gross binding together, and seething of herbs in broths and pottage, be more wholesomer than the fine chopping of them. Thus john I have declared unto thee, the virtues of certain herbs, which if thou wilt follow, and observe my rules in them, I doubt not but thou shalt receive much profit thereby. I would have also taught thee some pretty ways for distillation of waters, but am prevented therein, and I am glad thereof, forasmuch as thou shalt see very shortly, Vlstadius. Thesaurus Euonomii. both Thesaurus Euonomi and Vlstadius, which be excellent learned men in the science, wherein I am sure thou wilt much delight. For I ensure thee, the like books never were set forth in our mother tongue, with the lively fashion of the furnasses, and also of the Stillatories. joh. What will digest or purge choler, phlegm & melancholy, provoke sternutation, and stop flixes, tell me? Hum. Things to digest choler. Endive Purslein Poppy Sorrell Mercury Liverwort Whey Tesants Tarmerindes The four cold seeds of gourds and cucumbers Sanders Buttermilk or the milk which cometh of the pressing of chées To purge choler. Mamna 6 drams Rhubarb two drams or 3, but put into infusion from v. to seven. Pills of aloes Wild hops Syrup of wormwood Syrup of fumitory Di●prunes. The digester of phlegm. puliol Mints betony agrimony Mugwort Honey Pepper Hyssop Pimpernel jeniper berries neep Finkle parsley roots Smallage. Purgers of phlegm. Agaricke infused from two to five drams. Sticaus The myrabolanes of all the kinds polypody of the oak century Horehound Maiden hair. Good purgers of melancholy. Eleberus Niger Capers Lapis Lazule Seine of Alexander Borage hart's tongue honey sodden in sweet wine Savoury Time Trosses of capers, of Coloquintida, and of wormwood. Good things to provoke urine. Perslie Time Saxifrage Cassa Fistula Rams Radix The flesh of an Hare Pills of Tycibenthen Maiden hair The berries of the Eglantine Broomeseede. Comforters for the brain to smell upon. Roses Violets gillyflowers in Summer, but in Winter Cloves Spike Musk Amber grace. Things good to stop flux. Sinaber called dragon's blood. Sloes or their decoction. Cinnamon Bolearmoniak Red wine Planton Olibanum Hard eggs. Hard cheese scraped into red wine, & drink. Things good to provoke sternutation or sneezing. Betony leaves Primrose roots moderate used Eleborus albus and Ginger. Good comforters for the heart. Musk Ambergrece Roses Pearls maces Diamuschi dulcis diambra. The flowers of Rosemary and Nutmegs. Spikenard Galanga. joh. What be the virtue of Dates and Figs? Hum. Seraphio saith, that the dates which be preserved with sugar be good. Of figs and dates. The crude raw Date doth calify the body, and doth convert quickly into choler it is not good for the heads of the hot people, ill for the throat, Rasis in 3 alman. Hali● in 5. Theori. Ra. Moses' and stoppeth the liver, & maketh the teeth rotten, but if they be clean peeled and the inward rind taken away, they do greatly nourish and restore, being sodden in stewed breathe they be of diverse kinds in quantity and quality, but generally hot and moist in the second degree. Hi. 2. can. c. 100L. Figs (as Hipocrates saith) the best be white, the second be red, the third be black, the ripest be the best, and amongst all fruits doth most nourish, provoketh sweat, because it doth purge the superfluity of humours through the skin, it doth engender louse, they be hot in the first degree, and the new figs be moist in the second, the seeds & the skin of the fig, be not greatly commended: Figs and Almonds eaten of a fasting stomach, be very wholesome to make the way of good digestion, but best if they be eaten with nuts. Figs, and herb grace stamped together, be very wholesome to be eaten against the pestilence: Roasted figs beaten together, and hot applied upon the pestilent sore, doth draw, mollify, and make ripe the sore. And to the lungs, liver and stomach, figs be very comfortable, Galen de alimen. The operation of pears. as Galen saith. joh. What be pears? Hum. They be of diverse kinds, heavier than Apples, not good until they be very ripe, unless they be tenderly roasted or baked, Black friars pear. and eaten after meals. There is a kind of Pears growing in the city of Norwich, called the black friars pear, very delicious and pleasant, and no less profitable unto a hot stomach, as I heard it reported by a right worshipful physician of the same city, called doctor Manfield, which said he thought those Pears without all comparison, were the best that grew in any part of England. joh. What sayest thou of Apples? Hum. Apples be very cold and windy, The operation of Apples. hard to digest ingenderers of evil blood, hurtful to fleugmaticke people, good to choleric stomachs, if they be through ripe, but best if they be roasted or baked, and eaten with gross Pepper to bedward, they be of many kinds, as the Costarde, the Gréene-coate, the Pippin, the Queen apple, and so forth. The distilled water of Apples, Camphor, Vinegar, and Milk, is a good medicine to anoint the faces of children that have the small pocks: when the said pocks be ripe, to keep their faces from eres: provided that the said children have given them in their milk, saffron, or Mithridate, to expel the venom and keep them from the air during the said sickness. A medicine for the small pocks joh. What be Peaches? Hum. The leaves be hot, for if they be stamped plasterwise, and applied unto the belly, they kill worms: The operation of Peaches. The fruit is cold, and very good unto the stomach, they be good to be eaten of them that have stinking breaths of hot causes: eaten of an empty stomach which is Galens counsel, which saith: if they be eaten after meat, they do corrupt both in themselves and in the meats lately eaten: and they be binder's of the belly. But Quinces be most comfortable after meat, for they do enclose the stomach, and do let vapours to ascend into the brain, and stoppeth vomets: they be wholesome for sick folks that be swelled in the bodies. Eaten with the gross powders of Gallanga, Spickanarde, Calamus, and Ginger, and may be eaten before meat of the said sick patients, as well as after meat. But much use of them, be not so profitable as delectable to the eaters of them. joh. What be Quinces? Hum. The operation of Quines. If thy stomach be very hot or moist, or thy belly laxative, than Quinces be good to be eaten before meat, being roasted or eaten cold, and in this case the tarter be the better, and pomegranates be of the same virtue, Isaac in per. ●icu. di●. as Isaac sayeth: but eaten after meat they do enclose the stomach, and moist the belly: they ought not to be used in common meats, the custom of them hurteth the sinews, but in the way of medicine they be excellent, and the kores being taken out and preserved in Honey, or kept their musse league, than they may long continue to the use of roasting or baking, for they be perilous to the stomach eaten raw. But preserved, they do mightily pruaile against drunkenness, they be cold in the first degree, and dry in the beginning of the second. joh. What be Cherries? Hum. The tart Cherries undoubtedly be more wholesome than the sweet, and eaten before meat, The operation of Cherries. do mollify the belly, prepare digestion, & they be most excellent against hot burning choler, they be good also after meat, and be of many kinds, as black, red, and pale. The red Cherry partly tart, is best. Galen and Rasis, greatly commend this fruit. Galen de alimen. Ramires▪ lib. 23▪ cap. In the country of Kent be growing great plenty of this fruit, So are there in a town near unto Norwich called Ketreinham, this fruit is cold and moist in the first degree. joh. What be the virtues of grapes, raisins, prunes, barberies, oranges, and meddlers. Hum. Hypocrates saith, The goodness of Grapes. that the white Grapes be better than the black, and wholesomer when they are two or thee days gathered from the vine, then presently pulled from it: and if they be sweet, Galen de alimen. 2. Rasis in 4. alman. ●0. cap. they be partly nutrative, & warm the body. And unto this agreeth Galen & Rasis, seeming to commend sweet grapes above dates, saying: although they be not so warm, yet they do not stop the body, or make oppilation as dates do. They be wholesome to be eaten before meat, even as nuts be good after fish. Toward the South, and Southeast parts of the world, there be many growing in divers regions, whereof the wines be made. The farther from us, the hotter wine: There be very good grapes growing here in England in many places, as partly I have seen at Blaxhall in Suffolk, Blaxhall in Suffolk. where sometime I was near kinsman unto the chiefest house of that town. Raisins of the sun be very wholesome, and comfort digestion, but the stones and rinds would be refused, and then they be good for the spleen and liver. Sweet prunes bela●atine, but tart prunes be binding. So be aligants. Rasis doth much commend them, but undoubtedly the small raisins be hurtful to the spleen. Prunes or damasens have virtue to relax the belly if they be sweet and ripe, but they do nourish very little, but quench choler, Grapes, raisins and prunes, plumbs, and si●es, if they be sour, be all binder's of the belly, and so is the barberry called Oxiacantha, Oxiacantha. called the Barbery. and Oranges, except the said Oranges be condited with sugar, and then they be good coolers against hot choler, whose rinds be hot and dry of nature. The fruit called the Meddler, Mespila. called the Meddler. is used for medicine and not for meat, and must be taken before meat, provoketh urine, and of nature is stiptic. joh. What be Capers and Olives? Hum. Fresh Capers be hot and dry in the second degree, The operation of Capers. and eaten before meats do greatly comfort digestion, and be the best things for the spleen, or to cleanse melancholy that can be taken. Preserved olives in salt eaten at the beginning of meals, do greatly fortify the stomach, and relax the belly, cleanse the liver, and are hot and dry in the second degree. joh. I beseech thee show thy opinion of the natures of some kind of flesh, and first of the properties of beef. Hum. I will not undertake to show mine opinion to thy request, but I will declare the minds of some wise and learned men: & first of Simeon Sethi, which saith, Simeon Sethi. Ra. in lib. 2. ca 3. that the flesh of oxen that be young, do much nourish and make them strong that be fed with them▪ but it bringeth melancholy, and melancholious diseases, it is cold and dry of nature, and hard to digest, except it be of choleric persons: but being tenderly sodden, it nourisheth much. Much beef customably eaten of idle persons, and nice folks that labour not, bringeth many diseases, as Rasis saith. Avicen in 2. lib. pri. cap. 15. And as Avicen saith, that the flesh of Oxen or Kine, be very gross, engendering ill juice in the body. Whereof oftentimes come to scabs, cankers, biles, but unto hot, strong, choleric stomachs it is tolerable, and may be used as we have the daily experience thereof. The broth wherein beef hath been sodden, Flix. is good to be supped half a pint every morning against the flux of the belly, and running forth of yellow choler, if the said broth be tempered with salt: mustard, Ueneger, or Garlic, etc. be commonly used for the sauces to digest beef withal, for the said sauces do not only help digestion, but also defendeth the body from sundry inconveniences and diverse sicknesses, as dropsies, quartains, leprosies, and such like. The gall of an Ox or a Cow, Digestion. A medicine fo● the eyes. distilled in the Month of june, and kept in a close Glass, doth help to cleanse the eyes from spots, if you put a drop of this water with a feather into your eyes, when ye go to bed. The milt of a Bull dried, and the powder thereof drunk with red wine, will stop the bloody flux. Light powdered young beef, is better than either fresh or much powdered. In specially those cattle that be fed in fair and dry Pastures, and not in stinking fens. The great learned man Gesnerus, Conradus Gesnerus. in his description of beasts, doth write more of the virtues of Bulls, Oxen, Kine, and Calves, than any other hath done. And thus to conclude, the flesh of the male beasts, is more better than the Female, and the gelded beasts be more commodious to nature, than any of them. And the young flesh more commendable than the old, for it is more moist, and a friend to the blood, Hali. in. 5. The. ca 4. as Haliabas saith, Roasted flesh doth nourish the body much, for it is warm and moist. Baked meats be very dry: Clean boiled meats, with wholesome herbs and fruits, be excellent to comfort the body, if they be nutramentall flesh. calves flesh do greatly nourish and make good blood. joh. Thou hast said well of beef, but what goodness may be reported of pork? I think very little or nothing. Hum. There be many goodly commodities in the flesh of Boars, gelded swine and pigs, for they be good for man's nature. joh. For man's nature? that is marvel: The description of swine. For how can those be good for man's nature, which be so vile of their own nature? Their foul feeding of most stinking filth and carrion. The noisome wallowing in the mire and dirt, the eating of their own pigs, and oftentimes pulling children out of the cradle for their dinners, if the good wife be not at home. Who is able to behold such noisome spirits or hellhounds? Did not almighty God command the jews to eat none of them? and the Mahomet's at this day will kill that man that eateth of their flesh, why should we then commend them? for they are most vile. Hum. All the ancient and wisest physicians that ever were in this world, Horiba Corona did all consent, that of all flesh, the flesh of young gelded swine, partly salted or powdered, was ever a meat of the best nourishing moisture, and colder than other flesh, for Isaac sayeth, it is flesh very moist, Isacke Galen in sec. comp. Cap. 2. except it be the flesh of lambs, as Galen reporteth. Yet it is not good to every complexion, nor every age, but unto youth and middle age. Whereas thou hast spoken against the vile nature of swine, calling them unreasonable, thou dost use more words than wit: for there is no beast that may be called reasonable but man only. Beasts have no reason And whereas God did prohibit the jews to eat swine's flesh, it was a figure to abstain from unclean things: which I leave to the Theologians. The Mahumites abhor swine's flesh, because their drunken false prophet, and Psewdo Apostle was torn and rend in pieces with swine, being drunken and fallen in the mire. So the one must give credence to time, and to learned Physicians. The blood of swine doth nourish much, as it is seen in Puddings made with great oatmeal, Puddings of 〈◊〉. sweet suet, and Fennell or Annis seeds. pigs be very moist, therefore Sage, Pepper and Salt do dry up the superfluous humours of them, when they be roasted. They be not wholesome to be eaten before they be three weeks old. The Tripes and Guts be wholesomer, Ofswine. and do nourish better than any other beasts guts, or in-meates. Bacon is very hard of digestion, and much discommended, and is hurtful. Only unto a hot choleric labouring body, the flesh of a Boar is more wholesomer than the flesh of any Sow. The brains of a Boar, and his stones, or any part of them stamped together, and laid warm upon a pestilent sore, in the manner of a plaster, A plaster. it will break it incontinent. Swine's grease is very cold, and good to anoint burning hot places of the body, or a disease called saint An tonies fire: and thus much have I spoken of swine. joh. I pray you tell me of the flesh of the Rams, Wethers, and Lambs, and how profitable they are to man's nature. Hum. Simeon Sethi saith, lambs flesh is partly warm, Simeon Sethi. but superfluous moist, and evil for fleugmaticke persons, and doth much harm to them that have the dropsy, boneache, or a disease called Epiolus, which is spi●ting of phlegm like glass. Therefore if lambs flesh were sodden, as it is roasted, it would bring many diseases unto the body, without it were sodden with wine, and some hot Groceries, herbs, or roots. When a Weather is two years old, which is fed upon a good ground, the flesh thereof shall be temperate and nourish much. Hypocrates saith, Hip. in 2. pri. doc. cap. 15. that the lamb of a year old doth nourish much. Galen seemeth not greatly to commend Mutton, but that which is tender, sweet and not old, is very profitable, as experience and custom doth daily teach us. The dung, tallow and wool, be very profitable in medicines, as Plini sayeth: And Conradus Gesnerus, de animalibus, De all. lib tertio. 3. and Galen in his third book de alimentis. Io. What is the flesh of goats or kids? Hum. They be beasts very hurtful unto young trees and plants: but Simeon Sethi saith, that kids flesh is of easy digestion, in health and sickness, they be very good meat. They be dry of nature. Hypocrates saith It behoneth that the conservers and keepers of health, inter 12. doc. secum. Capi. 7. do study that his meat be such as the flesh of kids, young calves that be sucking, and lambs of one year old. For they be good for them that be si●ke, or have evil complexions. Hali in quincte theori. Cadit. 2. Haliabas doth say, that the flesh of Kids do engender good blood, and is not so fleugmaticke, watery, and moist, as the flesh of Lambs. They remain Kids for six Months, and afterward come into a grosser and hotter nature, and be called Goats. The flesh of them that be gelded is wholesome to eat, the lungs of them eaten before a man do drink, doth defend him that day from drunkenness, as I have read in the reports of learned men. But the flesh of the old he or male Goats be ill, and engender the Agues or Fevers. If the urine of Goats be distilled in May with Sorrell, A good medicine. the water distilled is not hurtful nor noisome, but whom soever use to drink thereof two drams morning and evening, it will preserve him from the pestilence. The milk of Goats I will describe in the place of milk. joh. What is the flesh of red and fallow Deer? Hum. More pleasant to some, than profitable to many, as appeareth once a year in the corn fields, the more it is to be lamented. Hypocrates. Simeon Sethie. Hipocrates and Simeon Sethi, do plainly affirm the flesh of them to engender evil juice and Melancholy, cold diseases, and quartans, the flesh of Winter Dear, do less hurt the body, Rasis. ala. Cap. 3 than that which is eaten in Summer. For in Winter man's digestion is more stronger, and the inward parts of the body warmer, and may easilier consume gross meats than in Summer, as we see by experience. In cold weather and frosts healthful people be most hungriest. The lungs of a Dear sodden in Barley water, and taken forth and stamped with Penedice and Honey, of equal quantity to the said lungs, and eaten in mornings, doth greatly help old coughs, and dryness in the lungs. There be many goodly virtues of their horns, bones, blood, and tallow. joh. Avicen in 2. Can. cap. 146. What is the properties of hares and coneys flesh? Hum. Avicen saith, the flesh of Hares be hot and dry, Avicen in 2. Can. cap. 46. ingenderers of Melancholy, not praised in Physic for meat, but rather for medicine. For in deed, if a hare be dried in the month of March in an Oven or Furnace, and beaten into powder, and kept close & drunken in mornings in Bear, Ale, or white Wine: it will break the stone in the bladder, if the patient be not old. If children's gums be anointed with the brains of an Hare, their teeth will easily come forth and grow. A medicine fo● bloody eyes. The gall of an Hare mingled with clean honey, doth cleanse watery eyes, or red bloody eyes. The flesh of Hares must be tenderly roasted, and well larded and spiced, because of the grossness, but it is better sodden. The flesh of Coneys are better than hare's flesh and easier of digestion. But rabbits be wholesomer. And thus to conclude of Conneis, experience teacheth us that they are good, they be cold and dry of nature, and small ●●●tion is made of them, among the ancient physicians, as Galen saith. Galen in 3. de all. cap. 1. I need not to speak long of every kind of beasts as some of the beasts that be in Hiberia like little Hares which be called coneys. joh. If the old and ignorant men of coneys, which were seen in the nature of many other beasts, that had dwelt in divers places of England they should have known them right well: and perhaps received of them as small pleasure, as many husband men have found profit by them in their Corne. Now thou hast well satisfied me of the four footed beasts, which commonly English men feedeth upon. Now I pray thee tell me, some of the virtues of fowls and first of Cocks, Capons and Hens. Hum. Auenz. lib. pri. Chickens of Hens, saith Auenzoar, is most commended, and most laudable of any flesh, and nourisheth good blood. It is light of digestion, and doth comfort the appetite, cock chickens: be better than the hens the capon is better than the Cock, they do augment good blood and seed, as Rafis reporteth, Rafis in lib. 5. Astoris. and experience proveth in men, both whole and sick. An old Cock which is well beaten after his feathers be pulled off until he be all bloody, and then cut off his head and draw him, and seeth him in a close pot with fair water, and white wine, Fenill roots, Borage roots, Violet, Planten, Succory, and Buglos leaves, Dates, Prunes, great Raisins, Maces, and sugar, and put in the marrow of a Calf, and sanders. This is a most excellent broth to them that be sick, weak, or consumed. The brains of hens, capons or chickens, be wholesome to eat, to comfort the brain and memory. And thus to conclude these foresaid fowls, be better for idle folks that labour not, then for them that use exercise or travel, to whom gross meats are more profitable. john. What are the properties of Geese? Hum. Wild geese and tame, their flesh be very gross and hard of digestion, as Avicen saith: Avicen. in 2. Canon. Cap. 46. The flesh of great fowls and of geese, be slow and hard of digestion: for their humidity, they do bread fevers quickly, but their goslings or young geese, being fat, are good and much commended in meats. And Galen saith: that the flesh of fowls be better than the flesh of beasts. Gal. in lib. 3. de aliment. Of great foul But undoubtedly goose, malard, peacock, swan, and every foul having a long neck, be all hard of digestion, and of no good complexions. But if geese be well roasted and stopped with salt, sage, pepper, and onions, they will not hurt the eaters thereof. There be great geese in Scotland, which breedeth upon place called the Basse. There be also barnacles, which have a strange generation as Gesnerus saith: Gesnerus. and as the people of the North parts of Scotland knoweth, and because it should seem incredible to many I will give no occasion to any, either to mock or to marvel. And thus I give warning to them which love their health, to have these foresaid fowls somewhat powdered or stopped with salt, all the night, before they be roasted. joh. I pray thee tell me of the flesh of Ducks? Hum. They be the hottest of all domestical, or yard fowls, and unclean of feeding: notwithstanding, though it be ●ard of digestion and marvelous hot, yet it doth greatly norrish the body and maketh it fat. Hipocrates saith: they that be fed in puddles and foul places, Hip. in 2. can. ca 46. be hurtful: but they that be fed in houses, pens or coops, Isaac. in uni. ca 16. be nutrative, but yet gross, as Isaac saith. joh. What be Pigeons, Turtles, or Doves? Hum. The flesh of Turtles be marvelous good, Avicen in can. de ca and equal to the best as Avicen saith: They be best when they be young and wholesome for phlegmatic people. Simeon Sithy saith: the house dove is hotter than the field dove, and doth engender gross blood. The common eating of them is ill for choleric persons with red faces, for fear of Leprosy: therefore cut off the feet, wings, and head, of your Pigeons or Doves, for their blood is that which is so venomous they be best in the spring time, and harvest. And Isaac saith because they are so lightly converted into choler: Isaac. in lib. di●ta. cap. 16. they did command in the old time, that they should be eaten with sharp Vinegar, P●rslein, Cucumbers, or Sitron, Roosted Pigeons be best. Roasted pigeons be ve●t. The blood that cometh out of the right wing, dropped into one's eye, doth mightily help the eye, if it swelleth or pricketh. And thus much have I spoken of Pigeons or Doves. joh. What is the flesh of Peacocks? Hum. Simon Sithy saith: it is raw flesh, and hard of digestion unless it be very fat. But if it be fat, Hali. in 5. Retho. cap. 23. it helpeth the pleurisy. Haliabas saith▪ that both swans. Cranes, Peacocks 〈◊〉 any great fowls, must after they be killed, be hanged up by the necks, two or three days, with a stone weighing at their feet, as the weather will serve, and then dressed and eaten. Provided that good Wine be drunken after them. john. What is the flesh of crane's? Humphrey Simeon Sethi. Simeon Sethi saith: their flesh is hot and dry, the young are good, but the old doth increase melancholy, they do engender seed of generation, and being tenderly roasted, doth help to clear the voice, and cleanse the pipe of the lungs. john. What is swan? Hum. Every gross fowl is choleric, hard of digestion: the signets be better than the old swans, if their galantines be well made, it helpeth to digest their flesh. john What is the flesh of herons, bittors, and shovellers? Humphrey These fowls be fishers, and be very raw, and fleugmaticke, like unto the meat whereof they are fed: the young be best, and aught to be eaten with pepper, synnamom, sugar and ginger, and drink wine after them for good digestion: and thus do for all water fowls. john What be partridges, pheasants, quails, larks, sparrows, plover, and black birds. Hum. Partridges doth bind the belly, and doth nourish much. Avicen. Rasis in 3. al●. c. 10. The cocks be better than the hen birds, they do dry up phlegm and corruption in the stomach: a pheasant is the best of all flesh, for his sweetness is equal unto the capon or partridge, but he is somewhat drier. And Rasis saith pheasants flesh is good for them that have the fever ethic, Ra. in lib. 4. affo. for it is not only a meat, but a medicine, and doth cleanse corrupt humours in the stomach. Quails although they be eaten of many, yet they are not to be commended, for they do engender agues, and be evil for the falling sickness. For as Conciliatur saith: of all fowls that be used for meats it is the worst. Dioscorides saith that larks roasted, be wholesome to be eaten of them that be troubled with the colic. Black birds taken in the time of frost, The properties of small birds. be wholesome and good of digestion: the dung of black birds tempered with vinegar, and applied unto any place that hath the black morphew, or black leprosy, ofttimes anointed with a sponge helps them. The flesh of plovers engenders melancholy: sparrows be hot, and provoketh lust: Pliny doth describe their properties the brains be the best part of them. Woodcocks be of good digestion and temperate to feed upon. All small birds of the field, as Robin redbre●●, Li●ettes, Finches, red Sparrows, Gold w●nges, and such like, if they be fat, they be marvelous good, and do greatly comfort nature, either roasted or boiled, and thus do I conclude with thee of birds. Ioh. I Heartily thank thee, gentle master Humphrey: for thy pains taking in these thy rules unto me, concerning the proper use of beasts, and fowls in meats. I would be glad to know the virtues of some fishes. Hum. In many Islands of this world, near adjacent unto the Orient seas, the people live there, most chief by fishes, and be right strong and sound people of complexion, as Aristotle saith: Consuetudo est tanquam altera natura, Aristo. in pr●ble. Custom is like unto another nature: but because I speak of fish, I will divide them in three parts. First of the fishes of the sea, secondly the fish of fresh running rivers, Of sea fish. thirdly of the fishes in pools and standing waters. The Sea hath many gross and fat fishes, which be noisome to the stomach, but the smaller kind of fi●●es that feed about rocks and clear stony places, be more drier and less of moistness, than the fresh water fishes, and doth engender less phlegm and wind, by the reason of their salt feeding as Galen saith: Galen de ●ue●. they be the best fishes that feed in the pure Sea: and chiefest of all fishes for the use of mankind. But Haliabas saith: new fishes lately taken, are cold and moist, and phlegmatic, but least of all the sea fish. Fishes that swim in fresh clear Rivers, or stony places, where as the water is sweet, being fishes that bear scales, be marvelous good. If they feed near unto places where much filth is daily cast out, there the fish is very corrupt and unwholesome, as the said Haliabas saith: Fishes that do feed in fens, marshes, ditches, & muddy pools be very unwholesome, and do corrupt the blood they be gross and slimy, corrupt and windy. But those fishes that be fed in fair ponds, wherein two running waters may ensue, & whereas sweet herbs, roots, weeds that grow about the banks, Best feeding for fish. doth feed the fishes those fishes be wholesome. Galen saith: Fish that is white scaled, hard, as perches, chevens, ruffs, carp, breams, roaches, trout, etc. be all good. But unscaled fishes, as eels, tenches, lampreys, and such like be dangerous, unless they be well baked or roasted, and eaten with pepper, ginger and vinegar: To labour soon after the eating of fish is hurtful. Galen. And note this, that it is not wholesome traveling, or labouring, immediately after the eating of fish, for it doth greatly corrupt the stomach, and as Galen saith: the nourishments of flesh is better than the nourishments of fish. And thus much generally I have spoken of fish. john. And thus it seemeth by thy words, that great fish that be devourers in sea, Fat fish be gross food. as Seal and Porpois, & such like, be unwholesome, and that the smaller fishes, as coddlings, whiting, plaices, smeltes, butts, souls, pike, perch, bream, roch, carp, and such as do feed in clean stony waters: thou sayest they be wholesome: Eels, lampreys, and other muddy fishes, thou dost not greatly commend. There be some kinds of fish soft and hard, which be the best? Humphrey. If fish be soft, the eldest fish is the best: If fish be hard, the youngest is best, for it is either soft or hard. The electing of fish. Of hard fish take the smallest, of soft fish take the greatest: provided that your fish be not very slimy: Avicen. cap. de piscibus. thus saith Avicen in his book of fishes. john. I pray thee tell me some thing of shell fishes. Hum. Cravises and crabs be very good fishes, Cravises and crabs. the meat of them doth help the lungs, but they be hurtful for the bladder, yet they will engender seed. If crabs of the fresh water be sodden in pure green oil olive: this oil dropped into the ear luke warm, doth heal hot burning obstructions, and stopping matter that hindereth the hearing. As for lempetes, cockles, scallaps, Galen in libra d● alimento. as Galen saith: they be hard of digestion, muscles and oysters would be well boiled, roasted, or baked with onions, wine, butter, sugar, ginger, and pepper, or else they be very windy and fleugmatike. Choleric stomachs may well digest raw oysters, but they have cast many a one away. john. What is the virtue of oil? Hum. Green oil of olives, is the mother of all oils, which doth draw into her own nature the virtues of herbs, buds, flowers, fruits, and roots. Sweet salad oil is wholesome to digest cold herbs, and salads, tempered with sharp vinegar and sugar. New oil doth moist, and warm the stomach, but old oil corrupteth the stomach, and cleaveth to the lungs, and maketh one hoarse. Oil of roses and sharp vinegar, tempered together, is good to anoint the foreheads of them that are troubled with extreme heat or frenzy, so that Buglos be sodden in their posset ale, or else drink the sirops of Endive or bugloss. There be many goodly virtues in compounded oils, both to callisie and make hot. And also to cool the body when it is extreme hot, as the great learned man john Meiva, hath described in his Antidotarii. john. Wilt thou be so good as to tell me the properties of water? Hum. Water is one of the four elements, more lighter than earth, heavier than fire and air. Galli. 3. devic. in ●uili. 1. fen. 2. But this water the which is here amongst us in Rivers, ponds, springs, floods, and seas be no pure waters, What kind of waters are best. for they be mingled with sundry airs, corruptions, grossness, and saltness, notwithstanding in all our meats and drinks water is used, and amongst all living creatures can not be sorborne, both man, beast, fish, foul, herb, and grass. Auic. lib. 1. fen. 3. de dispositionibus aquarum. And (as Avicen saith) the clay water is pure, for clay cleanseth the water, and is better than water that runneth over gravel, or stones, so that it be pure clay, void of corruption. Also waters running toward the east, be pure, coming out of hard stony rocks, and a pint of that water is lighter than a pint of the standing water of wells or pools. The lighter the water, the better it is. Also waters that are put in wine, etc. ought first to be sodden ere it be occupied cold, and so the fire doth cleanse it from corruption. Standing waters, and water running near unto cities and towns, or marish ground, wood's, and fens be ever full of corruption, because there is so much filth in them of carrions and rotten dung, etc. Ice and snow waters be very gross, and be hurtful to the bodies of men and beasts. To drink cold water is evil, for it will stop the body, and engender melancholy. Salt water helpeth a man from scabs, itch, and moist humours, it killeth louse, and wasteth blood between the skin and the flesh, but it is most hurtful to the stomach, but the vapour and smoke of it is good for them that have the dropsy. joh. What is Vinegar? Hum. Vinegar is cold and dry, and is hurtful for them that be melancholy, The properties of vinegar but when it is drunk, or poured upon an outward wound stoppeth the blood: it also killeth hot apostemations of erisipilus, it is an enemy to the sinews, Vinegar and brimstone sodden together, is good for the Gout to wash it withal. Vinegar tempered with oil Olive, or oil of Roses, and sodden with unwashed will, helpeth a disease called Soda in the head, applied warm unto the place, it doth help hot diseases in the head called Soda, it is good in sauce for all warm and moist men. Vinegar with clean clarified honey penidies and fair water sodden together, doth greatly help the pain in the throat or lungs, or stopping of the wind, and quencheth hot diseases. And sharp vinegar mingled with salt, and put upon the biting of a dog, doth heal it: and against poison it is excellent, chief to drink a little thereof against the pestilence in a morning. john What virtue hath our common salt? Hum. Rasis saith, salt is hot and dry, Rasis in 3. aims. cap. 17. The virtue of salt. Dioscorides saith, salt hath virtue to stop, to scour, and mundify, and of that mind is Oribasius saying: salt is compounded of matter abstersive and stiptik, which matters be both binding and driing moist humours, and is good to powder fat flesh, both beef and pork, and other fat meat: for it hath virtue to dry up superfluous humours, as water and blood, etc. But it is not good for lean bodies, or hot complexioned people, for the much use of it maketh the body choleric, appear aged, and to be angry. The very use of it is only to season meats, but not to be meat. Much good salt is made here in England, as at Witch. Hallond in Lincolnshire and in the Shires near unto Newcastel. joh. What is honey, or the virtue thereof? Hum. Auerrois in 5. Averroes sayeth, honey is hot and dry in the second degree, and doth cleanse very much, and is a medicinable meat most chiefliest for old men and women. Simeon Sethi. For it doth warm them and convert them into good blood. It is not good for choleric persons because of the heat and dryness. They do greatly err that say honey is hot and moist: but if it be clarified from the wax and dross and kept in a close vessel, there is nothing that is liquid upon the earth that remaineth longer. And this precious jewel honey, hath been evermore praised above sugar, for it will conserve and keep any fruit, herb, rote, or any other thing that is put into it an exceeding long time. Marvelous is the work of God in honey, being a heavenly dew, that falleth upon flowers and leaves as Avicen saith, Anon. in. 2. Canon. Cap. 504. & is neither the juice of leaves nor fruit, but only the heavenly dew. Whereunto the Bees come in due time, and do gather the said honey, and lay it up in store in their curious builded houses, God hath ordained the Bees to be an example unto us, both for love and working in the commonwealth. whereas they dwell together in most goodly order. O Bees bees, how much happier are you then any wretched man, which dwelleth never together in unity and peace, but in continual discord and disquietness, as Virgil Virgilius. saith, En quo discordia cives produxerit miserosꝭ: Behold what discord wretched citizens have brought forth. But now to make an end of the most excellent virtues of honey, it is good in the meats of them which be fleugmaticke. honey newly taken out of their combs, be partly laxative, but clarified honey doth bind and dry up phlegm, and keepeth the bodies of fleugmaticke and old persons from corruption. The best honey is gathered in the Spring time, the second in Summer: but that which is gathered in Winter is ill and hurtful. One part of honey, and some part of water sodden together until the froth be all scummed off, and when it is cold kept in a close stone pot, this drink (saith Galen Galen de tuen. sanitate Libra 4. is wholesome for Summer, cleanseth the lungs, and preserveth the body in health. oxymel simplex and compositum are made with honey, and so are many more things which are of great virtue. Sugar the which is called mel can, honey of the reed, being clean, and not full of gross panel, doth cleanse, and is not so hot as Bee's honey, and doth agree with the stomachs of choleric persons. Haliabus' in. 5. ●heo. Capi. 27. Haliabas saith it moveth not the stomach to dryness, and that the clean white sugar not adulbrated, doth nourish more than honey. Of rose-water, Pearls, and Sugar is made a goodly comforter for the heart, called manus Christi. john. What is the property of milk? Humphrey Simeon Sethi. Simeon Sethi saith, that milk is of three parts: whey, curds, and cream. Whey is wholesome for to drink in Summer, specially of choleric persons, it cleanseth the body. Milk of fat beasts doth nourish more than the lean beasts, and the milk of young beasts is better than of the old. And the new milk is wholesomer than that the which hath stood in the air, Rafis in 3 alman. Capit. 15. as Rafis saith. And also those beasts that are fed in dry pastures amongst herbs, grass and flowers, having convenient water, their milk is very good. Milk in the beginning of Summer is very wholesome. Milk not good for foul stomachs. In Winter it is unwholesome for fleugmaticke persons, or them which have corrupt and foul stomachs. For if the milk be sour, it doth engender the stone in the reins or bladder. Hip. in. li. de air. & aqua. cows milk is the thickest milk, and unctuous or full of butter. But the best milk that helpeth against consumptions, is woman's milk: the next is goats milk, which goats milk rather nourisheth too much, if it be taken commonly. sheeps milk is not very pleasant unto the stomach. And note this, that Milk is not wholesome to them which have pains in the head or teeth. But the people that be brought up with milk, be fair coloured, and healthful bodies. Isaac sayeth, if honey and a little salt be sodden in the milk, than it is very wholesome, and is not windy nor phlegmatic. If mints, bourage leaves, rosemary flowers, honey suckles, and a little Suar be laid in a basin, and covered with a fair linen cloth, and milk the said basin full through the cloth, and then let it stand all the night. This is pleasant to drink in the morning upon an empty stomach, two hours before any other meat, Galen de alimen. it cleanseth the rage of hot burning choler: and thus I leave off milk. john What is butter? Humphrey The operation of butter and cheese. Butter is hot and moist: fresh butter is used in many medicines. New made butter meanly salted, is good with bread, flesh and fish, it helpeth the lungs, and purgeth the dryness of the throat, and helpeth coughs most chiefliest if it be mingled with honey or sugar. It is good for young children when their teeth doth grow or ache. Butter milk if you crumb new white bread into it, and sup it off, there is no milk nourisheth so much, goats milk excepted. Cheese if it be new it is indifferently well commended, but hard salt cheese doth dry the body, and engendereth the stone, as Isaac and Auicene do say, Isaac. in 5. doc. cap. 15. Avicen in secur. ●●pit. 128. and many other Doctors more do rather discommend it than praise it. When as pots or stones be broken, if hard cheese be steeped in water and made soft, and ground upon a Painter's stone, it will join the broken pots or stones together again. By this I gather, that cheese will engender the stone before any other meats. Therefore cheese should be made in Summer when the cream is not taken from the milk. And betony, Saxifrage, and Parcely chopped together, be wholesome for to be mingled amongst the curds. And thus I do conclude with Haliabas, that old cheese is unwholesome. john What be eggs? Humphrey Galen sayeth in his book of Simples, that eggs are no part of the fowls, but a portion of the thing from whence it came. Simeon Sethi writing of the diversity of eggs saith the first property is in their substance, and the second is in their time, either new laid or old. The third is in the manner of their roasting, potching, or seething. New laid eggs of hens potched and supped upon an empty stomach, doth cleanse the lungs and the rains of the back. Hard eggs are greatly discommended, unless it be to stop flixes, but it were better for to seeth eggs hard in vinegar, and then undoubtedly it will dry up the flux of the belly. Fried eggs be very hurtful for choleric people, and them which have the stone. Ducks and geese eggs be gross and noisome, but partridge, pheasants and hens eggs, engendereth good blood. john. What is the property of wine? Humphrey Hipp. in 2. assor. Hipocrates saith of a customable thing cometh less hurt, whereof I gather, that they that drink Wine customably with measure, it doth profit them much, and maketh good digestion. those people that use to drink wine seldom times, be di●●●●perated. Auaro. in 6. colig. Rasis in libra, 26. co●. ca 1. White wine if it be clear, 〈◊〉 wholesome to be drunk before mea●●●, for it pierceth quickly to the bladder: but and if it be drunk upon a full stomach, it will rather make oppilation and stopping of the meserates, because it doth swiftly drive food down, before nature hath of himself digested it. And the nature of the white wine is of least warmness. The second wine is pure Claret, of a clear hyacinth or yellow colour. This wine doth greatly nourish and warm the body, and it is a wholesome Wine with meat, and is good for phlegmatic folk, but very unwholesome for young children, or them which have hot livers, or pains in their head, occasioned of hot vapours or smokes, for it is like unto fire, and flax. The third is black or deep red wine, which is thick, a stopper of the belly, a corrupter of the blood, a breeder of the stone, hurtful unto old men, and profitable to few men, except they have the flux. And for the election of wine (saith Avicen) that Wine is best that is between new and old, clear, declining somewhat to red of good odour, Avicen in 3. prim. ●. doc. ca 8. neither sharp nor sweet, but equal between two, for it hath virtue not only to make humours temperate, warm, and moist, but also to expel evil matter, the which corrupted the stomach and blood. In the Summer it ought to be delayed with pure clear water, as Aristotle saith in his Problems. And note this, that in dry years Wines are best and most wholesome, but in watery years, the grapes be corrupted, which wine doth bring to the body many evil diseases, as dropsies, timpanes, flixes, rheums, winds and such like, Galen in reg. acu. as Galen saith. And thus to conclude of wine, almighty God did ordain it for the great comfort of mankind, to be taken moderately, but to be drunken with excess, The heat of excess in drinking. it is a poison most venomous, it relaxeth the sinews, bringeth palsy, falling sickness in cold persons, hot fevers, fransies, fight, lechery, and a consuming of the liver, to chollerycke persons. And generally there is no credence to be given to drunkards, although they be mighty men. It maketh men like to monsters, with countinaunces, like unto burning coals: It dishonoureth noble men, and beggereth poor men: and generally killeth as many as be slain in cruel battles, the more it is to be lamented. joh. What is beer or ale? Hum. Ale doth engender gross humours in the body, but if it be made of good barley mualt, and of wholsone water, and very well sodden, and stand five or six days, until it be clear. It is very wholesome, especially for hot choleric folks, having hot burning fevers. But if Ale be very sweet and not well sodden in the brewing, it bringeth inflammation of wind and choler into the belly: If it be very sour, it fretteth and nippeth the guts, and is evil for the eyes. To them that be very phlegmatic, ale is very gross, but to temperate bodies it increaseth blood: It is partly laxative, and provoketh urine. Clean brewed beer if it be not very strong, brewed with good hops, cleanseth the body from corruption, and is very wholesome for the liver, it is an usual or common drink in most places of England, which indeed is hurt and made worse with many rotten hops, or hops dried like dust which cometh from beyond the sea. But although there cometh many good hops from thence, yet it is known that the goodly stills, and fruitful grounds of England, do bring forth to man's use, as good hops as groweth in any place of this world, as by proof I know in many places of the country of Suffolk: Whereas they brew their beer with the hops that groweth upon their own grounds: And thus to conclude of ale and beer, they have no such virtue nor goodness as wine hath, and the surfeits which be taken of them, through drunkenness, be worse than the surfetes taken of wine. Know this, that to drink ale or beer of an empty stomach moderately hurteth not, but doth good. But if one be fasting, Avicen. 11. ter tra. two. capitu. 8. Anero in com●n. Rasis in 4. alm. cap. 5. hungry, or empty, and drink much wine, it will hurt the sinews, and bringeth cramp, sharp agues, and palsies, as Avicen. Averroes and Rasis say. joh. What is bread? Hum. The best Bread is made of clean sweet wheat which groweth in clay ground, and maketh but little bran when it is ground, light leavened, meanly salted, and the bread to be baked in an oven not extremely hot, for burning of the bread, nor les than mean h●t, for causing the bread to be heavy and raw, the lighter the bread is, and the more full of holes, Auerrois in quint. Col. it is the wholesomer, as Auerrois and Rasis saith. And also bread must neither be eaten new baked, nor very stolen or old, Rasis in. 30. Alman cap. 3. for the one causeth dryness, thirst, and smoking into the head, troubling the brains and eyes through the heat thereof: The other drieth the body and bringeth melancholy, humours, hurting memory. The best bread is that which is of a day old, and the loves or manchets may neither be great nor little, but mean, for the fire in small loves drieth up the moistness or virtue of the bread, and in great loves it leaveth rawness and grossness. Read Galen in the properties of bread: Sodden bread, Galen. 1. aliment. Cap. 2. which be called simnels or cracknelles, be very unwholesome, and hurteth many one: Rye bread is windy and hurtful to many, therefore it should be well salted and baked with Annis seeds, and commonly crusts of bread be very dry and burneth, they do engender melancholy humours. Therefore in great men's houses the bread is chipped and largely pared and ordynarily is made in brewis, and sauce for dogs, which will help to feed a great number of poor people, but that many be more affectionate to dogs than men: Barley bread doth cleanse, cool and make the body lean. joh. What is rise? Hum. There be many opinions in the virtue thereof, but I shall stay myself with the judgement of Avicen: Auic. in 2. cap. 500.78. Rise saith he, is hot and dry and hath virtue to stop the belly, it doth nourish much, if it be sodden with milk, but it ought to be steeped in water a whole night before: if blanched Almonds be stamped and with rose-water strained into them, and sodden with cows milk, it is very nutrimental. joh. What be almonds? Hum. The bitter Almonds be hotter than the sweet Almonds. Dry Almonds be hurtful, the milk of moist Almonds, wherein burning steel is quenched, stoppeth the flux: To eat almonds before meat, preserveth against drunkenness. Of walnuts. Walnuts be wholesome when they be new, to be eaten after fish, for they hinder engendering of phlegm. Simeon Sethi saith they are hot in the first, and dry in the second degree, not wholesome before meat, Plin. in lib. 22. cap. 8. Pliny speaking of Metridatis the great king that Pompius, found of his own hand writing, that two nuts and two figs, and twenty rue leaves stamped together with a little salt, and eaten fasting, doth defend a man both from poison and pestilence that day. Of filberts. filberts and hazle nuts, be hard of digestion, ill before meat, hurtful to the head and lungs, if they be roasted and eaten with a little pepper, they will help the running and distillation of rheums. Of chestnuts. chestnuts if they be roasted and eaten with a little honey fasting, they help the cough, if they be eaten raw, although they greatly nourrish the brdy, yet they be hurtful for the spleen and fill the belly, full of wind. Of nutmegs. Nutmegs be very good for cold persons, comforteth the sight and memory, Avicen. cap. de nuce. as Avicen saith: but without doubt Nutmegs do combust or burn sanguine men, and dry up their blood: and thus much have I spoken shortly of the virtue of nuts. joh. What be cloves, galangell, and Pepper? Hum. They be hot and dry, and as Rasis saith: Rasis in ●●. 4. 〈◊〉 do comfort cold stomachs: and make sweet breath, and is good in the meats of them that have ill digestion. Black pepper is hotter than long pepper, and doth mightily warm the body, the grosser it is eaten with fish or fruit, Isaac in par●i di●●u●. the better it provoketh urine, it is hot and dry, in the fourth degree, therefore they do err that say pepper is hot in the mouth and cold in the stomach. Although pepper be good to them that use it well, yet unto artificial women that have more beastliness than beauty and cannot be content with their natural complexions, but would feign be fair: they eat pepper, dried corn, and drink vinegar, with such like baggage, to dry up their blood, A practice and this is the very cause that a great, number though not all, fall into weakness, green sickness, slinking breaths, and oftentimes sudden death. john. What is sweet Callamus odoratus? Hum. An excellent sweet root and profitable for men, if the pothecaries keep it not until it be rotten, it is hot and dry in the beginning to the mides of the second degree, it hath power to cleanse, to dry to waste all winds within the body without hurt. Galen doth greatly commend the savour of it. They that drink of this root sodden in wine, shall have remedy of the white morphew, and recover good colours. And this have I proved, it helpeth cramps and sickness in the sinews, being drunk in wine, sodden with sage, it helpeth the spleen, the liver and rains, and will cleanse the secret terms of women, and augmenteth natural seed. joh. What is ginger? Hum. It is hot in the third degree and moist in the end of the first if it be uncollered. Auerrois. in. 5. coll. White and not rotten it is very good, most chief if it be conserved, and green as Mesua saith: it maketh warm a cold stomach, and consumeth winds, helpeth evil digestion, and maketh meat go easily down into the stomach. joh. What is Setwall? Hum. Hot and dry in the second degree, and is good, Mesua in 4. distin. if the powder thereof be drunk, is most of effect against the pestilence, except Mithridate: It is good against poison, wind choleric, and cold passions of the heart, and doth restrain vomits. The weight of eight grains doth suffice to be drunk in ale or wine upon an empty stomach. john What is cinnamon? Humf. Dioscorides saith there be many kinds of cinnamon, but generally their virtue is this, to help dropsies, winds, or stopping of the liver, and is hot and dry in the third degree. john What is Cassia Fistula, Seneca, and Rewbarb? Humphrey Cassia Fistula, if the cane be heavy, and the Cassia within black and shining, that is good Cassia, if this be drawn new out of the cane half an ounce or more at one time, and mingled with sugar, and eaten of a fasting stomach in the morning it hath power to purge choler, to cleanse the rains of the back it will fret and consume the stone, it purgeth very easily, and is pleasant in taking, and may be taken of children, weak women, and sick men, in the time of their fevers, the access of their fits excepted. rhubarb doth purge yellow choler by himself, two or three drams may be taken or a little more, so that there be a dram of Spikenard or Cinnamon put unto it. In Summer to drink it with whey, in Winter with white wine: but the clean yellow rhubarb sliced, and put into infusion all the night with whey, white wine, or endive water, and strain it in the morning, doth greatly purge the blood and liver: three or four drams with Spikenard a dram or more. Séeny Alexandria, if it be sodden in the broth of a cock or a hen, doth purge the blood and melancholy, very gently and comfort the heart. One ounce of the clean small leaves of séeny without cod or stalks, half a quarter of one ounce of ginger, twelve cloves, finkle seed two drams, or else two drams of Cinnamon, tartar, half a dram, beaten all together in powder: these do purge the head mightily to be taken before supper, the weight of one dram in a little white wine. joh. I would be glad to learn the virtue of Aloes. Hum. There be two kinds of Aloes, one is named Succo trina, which is like a liver, clear, brittle, bitter, coloured between red and yellow, this is best for medicines. A little of this being tempered with Rose water, being put unto the eyes, helpeth the dropping and watery eyes. Also it is put in many excellent medicines laxative, as saffron, myrrh, aloes, mingled together. In the form of pills, is the most excellent medicine against the pestilence, as it is written in this book following. Honey and aloes mingled together, do take away the marks of stripes and also doth mundify sores & ulcers, it doth cleanse the abundance of choler & phlegm from the stomach. It is not good to be taken in Winter, for Avicen doth forbid it, Avicen in li. de sim. but in the spring time or harvest, the powder thereof. The weight of a french crown mingled with the water of honey or mead, Aloc● caablin. and so drunk in the morning, it doth cleanse both choler and phlegm. There is another gross aloes which is good for horse tempered with ale, and ministered aswell to other great beasts as horses, the weight of half an ounce: and thus much have I said of aloes: but if aloes be clean washed, it is the wholesomer, many unwashed aloes will cause emeralds. joh. Is the saffron that groweth in England as good as that, that come from the other side of the sea? Hum. Our English honey, & saffron is better than any that cometh from any other strange or foreign land. But to thy question of saffron, it hath virtue either in bread or pottage, to make the heart glad, it warmeth the body, it preserveth from drunkenness, drunk in ale or wine provoketh acts venerous, iuduceth sleep, purgeth urine. Myrrh, Pillule Ruff. aloes & saffron, make an excellent pill against the pestilence, 2. penny weight of saffron powder, roasted with the yolk of an egg very hard, & the said yolk beaten in powder, 12 grains drink in mornings is good against the pestilence: saffron, plantain, and ivory sodden. The decoction drink helpeth the yellow jaundice, it is dry in the first degree, and hath virtue to restrain. joh. We plain men in the country dwell far from great cities, our wives and children be often sick▪ and at death's door, we can not tell what shift to make we have no acquaintance with the apothecary's, commonly we send for aqua vitae or malmsey whatsoever our diseases be, these be our common medicines, or else we send for a box of treacle: and when these medicines fail us, we cause a great posset to be made, and drink up the drink: thinkest thou these medicines to be good? Hum. For lack of medicine God helpeth the people oftentimes by miracle, or else a great number of men should perish. But because the almighty God hath covered the whole face of the earth with many precious simples, whereof rich compositions be made, therefore be neither so rude nor barbarous to think these medicines good that thou hast rehearsed, for all diseases, although not hurtful to some: but because many do receive more mischief than medicine in counterfeit treacles, I shall rehearse unto thee what Valerius Cordus and others do write upon the virtue of the precious treacle called Mithridate. joh. I would be glad to hear of that precious treacle and his virtues. Hum. This excellent treacle Mithridate is next in quality and virtue to Theriaca, and so differ but little, but only Theriacha is a little hotter and stronger against venom of snakes, adders, and serpents. It helpeth all pains of the head of men or women if it be come of cold, most chief of melancholy and fear. It helpeth megrim, falling sickness, and all pains of the forehead, dropping of eyes. It helpeth toothache, pains of the mouth, cheeks, if it be put in manner of a plaster, or else anoint the pained place. It helpeth pains of the throat called Squinancy, and also cough, appoplexia, and passion of the lungs, and many grievous dolours and pains within the body, drunk with the decoction of the flowers of pomegranates or Plantine, it helpeth and stoppeth flixes in the Ilias and long guts winds or colic. The extension or cramps be helped very much with this Mithridate, drunken with stilled waters, palsies, sicknesses in the midriff, the liver, reins and bladder be cleansed thereby it provoketh the menstrual terms in women, being drunk with posset ale. If Isop or Germander be sodden in the said ale, it is excellent against the pestilence or poison, if it be drunk but a little quantity thereof, according to the disease, strength or age of the person. It is very good against the stone, or for women which have a new disease peraccidents called the green sickness, there is nothing better against the biting of a mad dog, than to drink of this, and to anoint the wound. If it be given in drink to any sick body a little before the access or coming of the old fits of quotidians, tercians, or quarteins, so that it be drunk with wine temperately warmed. Of the excellent treacle called Mithridatum. This Mithridate is a medicine of no small price: Democrates hath a goodly composition of it: an other excellent composition is of Cleopatra, as Galen writeth. An other, and the most excellent is the description of Andromachus, physician unto king Nero, but the chief father of this act, was king Mithridatus, the noble king of Ponthus, after whose name it is called. joh. Indeed this is an excellent medicine, but I pray thee where shall I buy it? Hum. The blind (fellow john) do eat many a fly, and the plain meaning man is oft deceived. There is no trust in some of the Apothecaries, for although the usurpation of quid pro quo is tolerable, for their Succidanes, yet to abuse their simples or compounds, it is not only theft to rob simple men, but also murder to kill the hurtless. joh. Of late time we have been so afflicted with sundry sicknesses and strange diseases, that in many places we could get no physicians to help us, and when men be suddenly sick, 200. miles from London, Cambridge, or Oxford▪ it is too late for the patiented to send for help, being infected with the pestilence. I pray thee tell me some good regiment for me & my family, if it please God that it may take place. Hum. I shall be glad forasmuch as thou hast taken pains to hear me all this while, to teach thee a pretty regiment for the pestilence. joh. Read it fair and softly, and I will take my pen and write it. Hum. Certainly the occasion of this most fearful sickness cometh many ways, as the change of the air from a good unto an evil quality, taking his venomous effect of the vital spirits which incontinent with all speed corrupteth the spiritual blood. And suddenly (as it were) an unmerciful fire, it quickly consumeth the whole body oven unto death, unless the wholesome medicine do prevent and come to the heart, before the pestilent humour. And because it is a very strong sickness, it is requisite to have a strong curing medicine. For weak things will not prevail against so strong a matter. Therefore I pray you note these six sayings, as air, diet, sleep, or watch, quietness, or trouble, and finally medicine. First, walk not in stinking mists, Good air. nor by corrupt marish ground, nor in extreme hot weather, but in fair clear air upon high ground in sweet fields or gardens, having fire in your chamber, with sweet perfumes of the smoke of Olibanum, or Beniamen Frankincense, being cold weather. And in hot weather, roses, willow branches sprinkled with vinegar, & often shifting the chamber is wholesome, fleeing the South wind. Secondly, diet, moderate eating meat of good digestion, as all that have pure white flesh, both of beasts, and fowls, good bread of wheat, partly leavened. Eat no raw herbs, purslein, lettuce, Young lettuce young Lettish, or sorrel, except with vinegar. Drink of clear thin wine, not changed and use often times vinegar with your meats, and mingle not fish and flesh together in your stomach, & to drink a tisant of barley water, rose water, & sorrel water, between meals is good, eight spoonfuls at once. Thirdly, beware you sleep not at noon, it bringeth many sicknesses, Noon sleep and giveth place to the pestilence, and abateth memory. For as the marigold is spread by the day, and closed by the night: even so is man of nature disposed, although through custom otherwise altered unto great damage and hurt of body. Eight hours sleep sufficeth well to nature, Sleep. but every complexion hath his proper qualities, to sleep upon the right side is best, evil upon the left, and worse upon the back. Fourthly, use moderate exercise and labour for the evacuation of the excrements, Exercise. as swift going up hills, stretching forth arms and legs, lifting weights not very ponderous, for by labour the first and second digestion is made perfit, and the body strengthened, and this is a mighty defence against the pestilence, and many more infirmities, whereas through idleness be engendered all diseases both of the soul and body, whereof man is compounded & made. Fifthly, above all earthly things, mirth is most excellent, Mirth. and the best companion of life, putter away of all diseases: the contrary in plague time bringeth on the pestilence, through painful melancholy, which maketh the body heavy & earthly. Company, music, honest gaming, or any other virtuous exercise doth help against heaviness of mind. Sixtly, medicine, the party being changed in nature and condition, trembling or burning, vomiting with extreme pain in the day, De signis pestilentialis. cold in the night, and strange imaginations, etc. Apt to sleep, when these signs do appear, give him medicine before xii. hours, or else it will be his death. Take therefore with all speed, sorrel, one handful stamped with Rew, Enulacampana, Orange rinds, Citron seeds, the great thistlerootes, juniper berries, walnuts, clean picked, of each one ounce, stamp them all together, then take pure sharp vinegar, a quarter of a pint, as much buglesse water, as much white wine, and temper your said receipts with these liquors. Then put in two ounces of pure Mithridate and romachi, which is an excellent treacle, Mithridate Andromachi▪ and two drams weight of the powder of pure Bolearmein, mingle them all together in a very close vessel, and give the patient a spoonful▪ or more next his heart, and eftsoons as much more, & let them that take this, not sleep during twenty hours: or else take pure treacle and setwel mingled in posset ale, made with white wine, wherein sorrel hath boiled a good draft, and let an expert Chirurgeon let the patient blood upon the middle vein called Mediana, Mediana Basilica. or the heart vein: Basilica a good quantity according to the strength and age of the patient, except women with child, and children. For the retaining the said blood, would all turn to venom and incurable poison: And note this, that blood be let upon the same side that the sore doth appear. If any appear for many causes, and sleep not viii. hours after, and use this most excellent pill oftentimes. Pillule pestilentialis, Ruffi. Take pure aloes epatik, and myrrh, well washed in clean water, or rose water, of each 2. drams, and one dram of the powder of saffron, mingled with a little sweet wine, & tempered in a very small vessel upon the coals until it be partly thick, or else incorporate altogether in a mortar, then roll them up in small round pills, use to swallow half a dram of these pills two times a week in the pestilence time a mornings, three hours before meat. Another medicine: tormentil gentian, setwell, of each one dram, spikenard drams 2. nasticke drams 3. bowl armin drams 8. give 2. drams to the patiented, or any that fear the plague in the water of Scabeas, or Carduus Benedictus, then drink the broth of a chicken, or pure wine to ripe the sore, roast a great onion, take out the core, put in treacle, and warm apply it to the place, three or four times renewed warm: and oil Olive, black soap, sour leaven, lily roots, of each like quantity boiled together, put in the inice of Rew, and make a plaster, this will break the said sore: Capons grease, yolks of eggs, swine's grease, barley flower, inséede in powder, incorporated together will make a good healing plaster. Emplastrum diachilon, magnum descriptione filii Zacharia doth resolve and quench the hot ulcer. But in the time of the plague trust not urines. FINIS. The Epilogue. HEre I have presented unto thee (gentle reader) a simple Government of health, beseeching thee most hearty for to accept it as an argument of my good will, as one unfeignedly that greatly do covet the good estate, and happy health of mankind, which by daily casualties, surfeits and age do decay, and fall into many grievous and painful sicknesses. For which cause, although perhaps I cannot in all points answer to thy request, in this little Regiment: yet I shall desire thee to accept me among the fellowship of the butchers, which do help to repair things that fall into ruin or decay: Even so be the practitioners of physic, no makers of men, but when men do decay through sickness, than the counsel of the Physician, and the virtue of medicine is not to be refused, but most lovingly to be embraced, as a chief friend in the time of adversity: if thou readest this little book, and observe it, I trust it will pay as much as it doth promise. And because I am a young man, I would not presume to take such a matter in hand, although the words be few, but did consiliate and gather things together, which of myself I have practised, and also read and noted in the works of Hypocrates, Galen, Avicen, Pliny, Haliabas, Auenzoer, Rasis, Dioscorides, Leonhardus Futchius, Conradus Gesnerus, etc. And thus I leave thee to the company of this my little book, wishing thee health, and all them that shall read it. William Bullein.