The castell of health, corrected, and in some places augmented by the first author thereof, Sir Thomas Elyot Knight

Of scarifying called boxing or cupping. CAP. 7.

FOr as much as it is not conuenient to be let bloud of∣tentimes in the yeare, because much of the vitall spirit passeth foorth with the bloud, which being exhaust, the body waxeth colde, and naturall operations become the more féeble I therefore doe counsaile (sayt•• Galen) that the base partes of the body, as the legs be scarified, which is the most sure remedie, as well in conseruing health, as in repayring thereof being decayed. For it cureth the eyne, being annoyed with long distillations, it profiteth also the head and ouerpart of the body against sundry dis∣eases, in what member the bloud is gathered, the bodie being purged first by scarificatiō, the greef may be cured.

Also Oribasius affirmeth the same, and also addeth ther∣to that it helpeth squināces, or quinces in the throat, and dissolueth the costipations or stoppinges made of all pla∣ces, if the places be scarified, notwithstanding applicati∣on of boxes about the stomacke in hot feuers, where rea∣son is troubled, are to bee eschewed for feare of suffocati∣on. Likewise put to the head vndiscretly, it hurteth both

the head and the eyes. The late Authors do affirme, that scarifying is in the steed of letting bloud, wherefore age, debilitie, or time of the yeare, or other like consideration, a man may not susteyne bloud letting, and it bringeth forth the thinne bloud, which is next to the skinne.