The Dropsie and Couetousnes, Causes. Disease. 6.
PHysicians say, that the Dropsie is an errour in the dige∣stiue vertue in the liuer, bred of the abundance of salt and waterish flegme, with the ouer-feeding of raw and moist meates. It is distinguished into three sorts, Asci∣tes, Tympanites, and Anasarca, or Hyposarca. Ascites is, when betweene the filme called Peritonaeum (which is the Caule that couers the Entrailes) much watery humour is gathe∣red. Tympanites ariseth from windinesse and flatuous causes gathered into the foresaid places. Hyposarca is, when the humours are so dispersed through the whole body, that all the flesh appeares moyst and spungy. Our spirituall Drop∣sie couetousnesse, is a disease bred in the soule, through defect of faith and vnderstanding. It properly resides in the in∣feriour powers of the soule, the affections; but ariseth from the errours of the superiour intellectuall facultie; neither conceiuing aright of Gods all-sufficient helpe, nor of the worlds all-deficient weakenesse.
Signes.
THe corporall Dropsie is easily knowne by heauinesse, swelling, puffing vp, immoderate desire of drinke, &c. The spirituall likewise (though it leanes the carkasse) lards the conscience; at least swels and puffes it vp: and as if some hellish inflammation had scorched the affection, it thirsts for Aurum potabile without measure. The Couetous man is of Renodaeus his opinion, that argentum plurimum valet ad cordis palpitationem, siluer is good against the heart-pan∣ting. The Wise man cals it a disease, an-euill disease, and almost