Klinike, or The diet of the diseased· Divided into three bookes. VVherein is set downe at length the whole matter and nature of diet for those in health, but especially for the sicke; the aire, and other elements; meat and drinke, with divers other things; various controversies concerning this subject are discussed: besides many pleasant practicall and historicall relations, both of the authours owne and other mens, &c. as by the argument of each booke, the contents of the chapters, and a large table, may easily appeare. Colellected [sic] as well out of the writings of ancient philosophers, Greeke, Latine, and Arabian, and other moderne writers; as out of divers other authours. Newly published by Iames Hart, Doctor in Physicke.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Of Sorrow, Griefe and Feare, the danger and detriment commeth there∣by to the bodie of man; and how hurtfull in sicknesse and in health: Whether any may die of Sorrow and Gríefe.

THere is yet a passion of the minde, oppressing both body and minde, when it exceedeth moderation, and is not kept within the com∣passe of mediocrity, and ruled by reason. And this is Griefe and Sadnesse, which in Latine hath obteined divers names, which by rea∣son of the penury of our vulgar tongue cannot all be Englished by severall termes. They proceed all from the opinion of some future or instant evill oppressing the minde, and by this meanes often occasioning great hurt to the bodie: and are these following: Metus, Tristitia, Timor, Terror, Pavor, Consternatio, & exanimatio,* 1.1 as we have already in the generall discussed. These passions doe all, more or lesse, concentrat and draw in the spirits from the circumference or outward parts to the center, or middle region of the bodie, the heart especially, which being destitute of heat and spirits, they doe by this meanes coole and drie up the bodie; and that lesse or more, according to the extension or remission of the passion, the sudennesse of the same, together with the aptitude of the subject to receive such impressions. Of this effect of sorrow and griefe, the wise Salomon was not ignorant. a 1.2 Heavinesse in the heart of man maketh it stoupe, and againe, b 1.3 By sorrow of the heart, the spirit is broken; or as it is after expressed, it drieth the bones. This feare or griefe, or sorrow, are commonly affections following me∣lancholie, and depending thereupon; on the which subject, if I should expatiate, I had need begin another volume; but because this hath bin by c 1.4 others, both learnedly and largely handled, as also my purpose and intention not being here to handle any particular disease, but briefely to say something concerning these passions of the mind, and what dan∣gers they procure to the body in sicknesse and in health, I will not meddle therewith, but prosecute that I have undertaken. This grief and sorrow then, if too much yeelded unto,* 1.5 will to some procure irrecover∣able Consumptions, will dry up the braine and marrow of the bones, hinder concoction, and so procure crudities by meanes of want of rest, and by consequent prove a cause of many dangerous diseases. Now, as the ex∣cesse is hurtfull to all, so to some farre more than to others: especially to leane spare bodies, dry braines, persons inclining to melancholy. And women, especially, if with childe, young children, who be reason of

their sexe and age are lesse able to resist such passions, and some by na∣turall constitution very timorous, are more liable to danger, by rea∣son of feares and sudden frights, than other people. It is therefore a very unadvised course most commonly to affright children with bug-beares, hob-goblins and the like:* 1.6 for there is many times thereby such a deepe impression of feare ingraven in their tender senses, that howsoever it doth not bereave them of their lives; yet are they so possessed with an habituall feare, that they are scarce ever freed therefrom; at least, un∣till they atteine to ripe and mature age. And some that are yet of a more tender constitution, are sometimees ceized with some sudden and dangerous disease, if they escape death: as Paralyticke, Epilepticke, Apoplecticke and convulsive fits, as I could easily instance, but that I can∣not dwell upon it.* 1.7 Of all others it is most dangerous for women with child; and that not only for feare of present aborsion; but even for some future feare of some hurt may befall the tender fruit of her wombe. I have knowne some little better than meere naturalls, by reason of the mothers fright, during their ingravidation. It hath beene often also observed, that even upon men of mature age and judgement, the strong apprehension of some future danger, hath in them produced strange and sudden effects. d 1.8 A late Authour relateth a storie of a young Gen∣tleman, whose haire was in one night turned white. The Gentlemans name (saith he) was Didacus, or Diegus Osorius, a Spaniard, Who falling in love with a Gentlwoman, one of the Queene of Spaines attendants, this Gentle∣man according to former agreements, was got up into a tree growing within the precincts of the court, but bewrayed by the barking of a dogge, was by the guard laid hold on, committed to prison, and in danger to have lost his life, for attempting any such thing within the precincts of the court. The next morning the keeper found this Gentlemans haire turned to a perfect white color as the antientest mans in the countrie (and yet their haire in that countrie is ordinary of a blacke colour) the which the King first hearing related, and seeing it so indeed, it wrought such an alteration in his minde, that not onely freed hee him from his punishment, but restored him to his former liberty, affirming, that it was punishment enough to have changed the flower of youth with white old age. e 1.9 There is in the same Author a like accident happening in the cour of Charles the fifth, Em∣peror, whom the Emperor himselfe could scarce beleeve to be the same party that was committed to prison the night before, and granted him likewise a gracious pardon: And many strange accidents are there out of divers Authours related, which for brevity I here passe by. Now, as other passions excite and stirre up some particular humour: as joy stir∣reth up the blood,* 1.10 and anger choler; so doth feare and griefe stirre and move melancholy. But it may then be demanded, whether such passi∣be contrary to all sorts of people, and whether one may ever give way ons thereunto?* 1.11 I answer, some people are more privileged than others; provided alwaies, that it be not in excesse: and such are principally f 1.12 grosse, fat and foggie people, with full bodies, and such as have their spirits hot & moveable. And in such people sadnes, feare, and profound cogitations and cares do somewhat blunt the edge of those hot and fiery moveable spirits, and withall do extenuate and take away some part of that bulke of body wherewith they are so burthened; the which both

Greeke and Arabian Physitians doe with unanimous consent witnesse. Such as are of a contrarie constitution, of bodie, braine, or both, as wee have said already, are by all meanes possible, as they love their lives and healths, to shun and avoid these passions. But in sicke persons especial∣ly, which is that I here principally aime at, there must a singular care and regard be had, that as little distaste as possible be given. And here∣in that golden rule of Hippocrates hath chiefely place; g 1.13 that it is not sufficient for the Physitian to play his part, but the assistants also, and attendants; and all other things must also be answerable. The sicke, wee know, by reason of his sicknesse, hath sorrow enough, especially, if the party be of a feeble, fearefull and pusillanimous spirit, the phansie still framing unto it selfe new feares of some bad and sinistrous event. And thus wee see through rashnesse and indiscretion of some about the sicke, sometimes by relating to them some evill tidings, and sometimes putting them in needlesse feares, without any sure ground: or yet when there is just cause of feare in the sicke; yet being indiscreetly revealed to him, either by the Physitian, or others, or yet at an unseasonable time: as about the time of rest, or before meales, may much prejudice the sicke. And therefore I advise all those whom it concerneth,* 1.14 to be very vigilant and circumspect, whom they suffer to come about the sicke, wee finding by daily experience, that many times ignorant and unadvised people, prove the causes of infinite evills to the sicke: and that sometimes by disswading them from a laudable and legall course for the speedie recovery of their health, prescribed by learned and wise counsell; especialy if their shallow capacities be not able (as seldome they are) to dive into the depth of the Physitians intentions: and sometimes also by erring in the maner above-mentioned. Such consti∣tutions of body as we named heretofore, are not hereby so much wron∣ged, providing we goe not too farre. My meaning is not here, notwith∣standing that which hath beene said, to forbid any that true sorrow for sinne, and a true compunction of heart, for offending the Majestie of the Almighty God, the which will be so farre from producing those effects of worldly sorrow, that on the contrary, it will purchase to thy soule more solid comfort and content, and more inlargement of true heavenly joy to thy drouping and sorrowfull soule, than all the sil∣ver and gold of Ophir, and both the Indies, and all the gracious gems and jewells ever gave to the greatest upon earth that possessed them; yea, if it were yet possible they were all in one mans possession: And as h 1.15 the wiseman saith, that, Even in laughter there is sorrow; so may I as well invert it, that even in this godly sorrow, is joy in the holy Ghost, and comfort unspeakable. Worldly sorrow causeth death (saith the Apostle) but godly sorrow causeth repentance not to be repented of. But many are the volumes written by our learned Devines, concerning this subject; among others * 1.16 a learned late Divine hath handled this point very punctually, in his learned and elaborate Treatise of comforting af∣flicted consciences. But this not being my proper element, therefore I proceed.

There is yet a doubt concerning this point,* 1.17 which resteth to bee discussed, whether of griefe or sorrow any may dye? To this question

i 1.18 Galen himselfe maketh answer that one may dye of these passions, and to this doe all Physitians assent; and experience maketh it so ap∣peare. And this same Author seconds his authority with sound rea∣son: for in such passions the blood and spirits having a speedy and sudden recourse to the heart to succour the same in so great a need, where aboarding it with too great violence, and in too great a quan∣tity, they leave the outward parts of the body quite destitute of this blood and spirits. We see what a strange effect this griefe wrought on k 1.19 good old Heli (alas how small is our griefe for matters of this nature) when he heard the arke of God was taken. And l 1.20 that worthy woman his daughter in law, although her husband were a prophane and wicked man, yet at the hearing of the taking of the arke, she was so much therewith affected, that nothing, no not the newes of a sonne borne of her womb, could give her any comfort, or hinder her from follow∣ing the footsteps of her father in law in giving up the ghost And m 1.21 hi∣stories relate that Antiochus Epiphanes, or rather, as some well call him, Epimanes, that tyrant, being chased out of Persia, and hearing also that his generall Lysias was defeated, and chased away by the Jewes, by reason of greife and sorrow fell into grievous diseases: al∣though there was yet in him divine punition to be observed, and yet not excluding naturall causes. n 1.22 A famous Physitian, and now and then mentioned in this discourse, relateth a story to this same pur∣pose.* 1.23 A preacher of this City (Basil he meaneth) accompanied with his wife onely, in the moneth of November returning from a village not farre from the towne, hearing them call to shut up the gates, hee ranne before to cause them keepe open the gate untill his wife came in, and so entring himselfe supposed his wife had been entred after him, the gate was shut and she excluded (the keyes be∣ing, as is the custome, immediatly carried to the Burgermaster, no entry is of any to be expected for that night, as I found once too true by mine owne experi∣ence) and neither could he get forth to her, nor shee suffered to come in to him, the night very darke; this poore desolate woman, all the night filling the aire with her complaints (there being no house nor town within a great way of this city) passed a part of the night, and in the morning of this feare and griefe was found dead at the gate. o 1.24 The same Author relateth yet two other stories ma∣king to us appeare the truth of this point. A company of young wenches in the Spring of the yeere, walking abroad in a faire morning, they came to the place of publike execution, where was still hanging upon the gallowes one who had been lately put to death. These wild wenches beganne to throw stones at this dead corps: at length one throwing a greater stone than the rest, this corps tur∣ned round: at the which motion, this maid apprehended such feare and terror, that strongly apprehending this▪ dead corps to be alive, with all possible speed shee ranne home, still supposing this dead body followed her. Being come home, she fell into strong and violent convulsive fits,* 1.25 and so died suddenly. p 1.26 Another young maid about 16. yeeres of age went downe into a grave new digged, where had beene layed heretofore some matron of the City of Basil, and not as yet consumed: this dead carkasse this young maid essayed to lift up by the armes; but was presently striken with such a feare and terror, that she went home, and was seized with so violent Convulsions, that her eyes were like to leape out of her head, and so pre∣sently died, and was the next day buried in a grave hard by the other; as though

this dead corps had called for her company; as shee cryed out a little before her death. In the late yeare 1630. in the beginning of January, my presence and paines was craved for a yong Gentleman living within some few miles of North∣hampton then sicke of a Fever.* 1.27 Within some two or three dayes this gentle∣man still continuing very sicke, the gentlewoman his wife being now quicke with child, terrified with some accidents she saw in her husband, and withall fearefull of some future event, fell suddenly one morning into strong and violent fits of Convulsions (being at other times also subiect thereunto) the agitation of her head and armes being so violent, sometimes drawne one, and sometime another way, that much trouble it was to hold her: but withall the blood and spirits flying all upwards, the nether parts were left so feeble, that she was presently de∣prived of the use of her legs, insomuch that she was in a chaire carried into ano∣ther roome. But yet the gentleman her husband recovering, shee was in a few dayes freed from all her former fits and feares; and at her full appointed time was safely delivered of her burden, without any hurt or danger either of herselfe or infant. I have the more willingly instanced in these particulars, to make every one more carefully and circumspect in avoiding and shun∣ning these passions, and whatsoever may provoke or incite us thereun∣to. The remedies shall appeare in the next Chapter, where wee pur∣pose to speake of the last passion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Several sorts of fear•• and griefe.
• a 1.2

  Proverb•• 12.25.
• b 1.3

  15.13.
• c 1.4

  Democritus Iunios, or Burton of melan∣cholie.
• * 1.5

  Hurts procured by griefe and sorrow.
• * 1.6

  An evill custom to af∣fright yong children.
• * 1.7

  Dangerous, especial∣ly for women with childe.
• d 1.8

  Schenck. observat. med. libr. 1. obs. ••. ex Had. Junii li. de coma. History of one whose haire turned white in one night.
• e 1.9

  Idem ex Levini Lem∣ni•• de complex. li. 2. c. 2. Another.
• * 1.10

  These passions excite and stirre up melan∣choly.
• * 1.11

  What sort of people are least hurt therby.
• f 1.12

  Arnold Villa nov. com in c. 1. Schol. Saler. Faul. Aegin lib. 1. c. 57. Aetius cap. 32. Rhas. lib. 4. ca. 9. ad Almans.
• g 1.13

  Aph. 1. lib. 1.
• * 1.14

  Care and circumspe∣ction to bee used whom wee suffer to come about the sicke.
• h 1.15

  Proverbs 14.23.
• * 1.16

  Robert Bolton, prea∣cher of Gods Word at Broughton in Nor∣thampton shire.
• * 1.17

  Whether one may dy of sorrow or griefe.
• i 1.18

  Ita{que} etiam ob ••••••mo∣rem, & immentum moe∣rorem ••••nnulli repenia∣na merte ••interie unt, quod sci••icet imbecilla suaple natura animula eorum sub valido affectu oppr••ssa confertim ex∣tincta & suffocata sit. De causa symptom lib. 2
• k 1.19

  1 Sam. ••.18.
• l 1.20

  1 Sam. 4.20.
• m 1.21

  Ioseph. antiquit. Judaic. lib. 12. cap. 13.
• n 1.22

  Platerus observat. medic. lib. 1. pag 49.
• * 1.23

  History.
• o 1.24

  Idem ibid. pag. 33.
• * 1.25

  Another.
• p 1.26

  Idem ibid.
• * 1.27

  History of a young Gentlewoman reco∣vering of a danger∣ous fright and con∣vulsions.