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THe causes of the preser∣uation of mans health be sixe. The first, Aire, fire, and water. The se∣cond, meate and drink, and such as wee vse for nourishment. The third, exercise and tranquilli∣tie of the body. The fourth, moderate sleepe and early rising. The fift, auoydaunce of ex∣crements, vnder which Phlebotomie, pur∣gations, vomits, vrine, sweat, bathes, carnall
copulation, and such like are contained. The sixt cause of health is mirth temperatly vsed.
Aire by it selfe is an element hot and moist, whervpon the whole constitution of our liues dependeth. The attractiō of this natural body is so necessarie vnto vs, that if any one of the instruments of our bodies be stopt, we cannot chuse but forthwith be strangled. In respect whereof, the chusing of a good aire must (for the preseruation of health) obtaine the chief place.
That, which is a mans natiue and countries aire, is best. This by the Philosophers is ap∣proued in this principle: Euery mans naturall place preserueth him, which is placed in it. And by the Poet confirmed:
Also, a good Aire may be knowen both by his substaunce (as, when it is open, pure, and cleane, free frō all filthie dunghilles, noysome chanelles, nut trees, fig trees, coleworts, hem∣lockes, mines, & forges; for these haue a con∣trarie qualitie vnto the animall spirit, and make men to fall into consumptions) and
by his qualities: as, extremitie of cold, heat, and moysture.
Hee must vse cold things to keepe away the heat, and hot things to expell the cold. He must adde dry things to moyst, and moyst to dry. To depart thence into another place were not amisse. For oftentimes it is seene, that sick folkes do recouer their former health onely by chaunge of aire. But if the aire be corrupt, and that a man cānot remoue thence very quickly, he must artificially rectifie it, by perfuming his chamber with Iuniper, Rose∣marie, Bay tree, or with wood of Aloes: and then by sprinkling vineger heere and there in his chamber. In briefe, a man in such cases must get him a nosegay composed of Roses, Violets, Maioram, Marigold, and such lyke. And when hee goeth abroad, he must hold in his mouth eyther the pill of an Orenge, or a peece of the roote of Angelica. Lykewise, hee must haue an especiall regard, that his chamber bee at least once a day neatly swept
First, you must chuse out a fine soile, which hath water and wood annexed vnto it, and forecast in your minde whether the prospect too and fro be decent and pleasaunt to the eye. For I am of this opinion, that if the eye be not satissied, the minde cannot be plea∣sed: if the minde be not pleased, nature doth abhorre: and if nature doth abhorre, death at last must consequently follow. Next, you must marke, whether the aire, which compasseth the situation of your house, be of a pure substance, and that, shortly after the sunne is vp, groweth warme; and contrarily groweth cold, after the sunne is set. Thirdly, you must make your foundation vpon a gra∣uell ground mixt with clay, vpon a hill, or a hilles side. Fourthly, looke that your win∣dowes be Northward or Eastward. Lastly, whē your house is finished, you must prepare a garden replenished with sundry kindes of hearb••s & flowers, wherein you may recreate and solace your selfe at times conuenient.
Water is an element cold and moyst, and doth not nourish, but help digestion.
By the clearenesse of it. That water is best, which runneth from an higher to a lower ground, and that water, which runneth vpon clay, is better clarified then that, which goeth vpon the stone.
In summer time it is most wholesome; yet notwithstanding, seldome to be drunke. But if at any time you be compelled to drink it, see first that you seeth your water gently; for by seething, the grosse substaunce of it is taken away.
This is performed by the addition of some small proportion of the ovle of sulphur, or else of Aqua vitae well rectified, incorpora∣ting them both together.
Fire is an element hot and dry, which dis∣solueth the malicious vapours of the aire, stirreth vp naturall heat in mans body, and expelleth cold.
That fire is best, which is made of drie and sweet wood. For wet and greene wood is dis∣commodious; and so are coales, because they make the head heauie, & dry vp naturall moy∣sture.
No, because they exhaust the good humours together with the bad.