A treatise of the plague containing the nature, signes, and accidents of the same, with the certaine and absolute cure of the feuers, botches and carbuncles that raigne in these times: and aboue all things most singular experiments and preseruatiues in the same, gathered by the obseruation of diuers worthy trauailers, and selected out of the writing of the best learned phisitians in this age. By Thomas Lodge, Doctor in Phisicke.

CHAP. VII. A briefe Methode and rule of life, how to preserue the healthfull in the time of sicknesse.

THE Principall meanes to continue a man in health, consisteth in an orderly obseruation of diet, elections of meate, measure and opportunitie in receiuing the same, and in the quantitie and quali∣tie thereof, (which shall be the argument of this present Chapter.) It is therefore especially to be considered and prouided, in this cause, that the body abound not in superfluities and ex∣crements, which may yéelde matter and foode to putrifaction and contagion in humours, which may no better wayes bée performed, but by a good regiment in life. Men that are cu∣rious of their health, will take héede of all immoderate repleti∣on of meates, and in suspected times diuersitie of meates is to bee eschewed, leaste the stomacke should bee ouerchar∣ged thereby, by which meanes diuersities of humours may be ingendred; but it behooueth a man to féede of one only dishe or two, that in qualitie and nourishment may be con∣formable to his nature. He ought likewise to beware in these times of such meats as may easily putrifie in the stomack, such as yéeld but grosse nourishment, and bréed oppilation and ob∣struction that heate the blood and humours, and make them vicious and sharpe. Of this sort are salt meates, Porke, Béefe, Scalions, Colewortes, Garlike, Onions, Spice, Mustard, old Chéese, such▪ Fish as are caught in standing Pooles and Marshes: strong, hote, hie and troubled wines. Such meates as are conuenient, are of delicate flesh and easily digested, as Capon, Chickens, yong Pullets, the broth whereof doth rec∣tifie and temper the humours of the body, as Mesue testifieth. Also the flesh of Ueale, Kid, or yong Mutton are allowed, and the birds of the field, such as are Partridges, yong Pigeons, Turtells and such like are to be admitted. And in the broth of such like things, you ought to séeth Sorrel, Purslane, Borage, and Marigoldes, which according to Alexander Benedictus,

in his Treatise of the Plague, is an excellent medecine. The iuice of Sorrell likewise and sowre Grapes are allowed, and Oranges, and Limons with Sugar are not amisse, in the iuice whereof you may dip your meat or bread at your meales, and such like. Rose vineger in this time is commended. As for all bakt meats (as Pasties or such like are forbidden,) both for the gluttonous substance that is in them, as for that they engen∣der obstructions. Fresh and reare Eegges sod in water are of good nourishment, Sea fish, as the Soale, the Mullet, Gurnard and such like may be admitted, yet ought they not too often∣times bée vsed by reason they bréed humidite and waterish blood. Amidst the sowrer fruite, the Proyne, Straberries, and muscadine Peare are to be eaten, so they be taken in a little quantitie, as for al other fruit they may wel be omitted, because they fill the vaines with watrish blood, and such as easily cor∣rupteth, except the Raison which is very good. In vse of wine, Claret and white (not fuming nor ouer hye coloured, but tem∣pered with good water) are very fit to be drunke at meales and no otherwise. For exercise, it ought to be cōuenient and tempe∣rate accustomed in the morning in places delightfull and plea∣sant, in the shade in Summer-time: in Winter-time in the Sunne. Touching apparell, each one ought to vse decencie and comelinesse therein, and oftentimes to shift both woollen and linnen, especially in Summer, in which time if those that are of ability shift once a day it is not amisse. Care likewise is to be had, that men heat not their blood by violent trauell, but to vse a cōuenient rest after their repasts. It is behooueful like∣wise (as hath béen said) to kéepe the body soluble, so as once a day or twise in 21. houres, either by the benefite of nature or the vse of the pilles aboue mentioned the belly may be loosned, & the body no wayes suffered to be bound. Especially in those times al vse of women is forbidden. For there is not any thing during this contagious season more forcible to enféeble nature, then such vnbridled desires which stirre and distemper the hu∣mors and dispose the body to receiue infection. Briefly, to liue in repose of spirit, in al ioy, pleasure, sport & contentation amongst

a mans friendes, comforteth heart and vitall spirits, and is in this time more requisite then any other things.

This is the order and maner which euery one ought to ob∣serue, in his manner of life in these suspected times, with this finall Prouiso, that the houses be kept cleane and well ayred, and be perfumed with water and vinegar in Summer time, and in winter time with perfumes, of Iuniper, Rosemarie, Storax, Beniamin, and such like. That the windowes there∣of be kept open to the East, towards the shining Sunne and the Northren winde, shutting out all Southerly windes, and such as blow from contagious places.