Every man his own doctor in two parts, shewing I. how every one may know his own constitution by certain signs, also the nature and faculties of all food as well as meats as drinks ... : the second part shews the full knowledge and cure of the pox, running of the reins, gout, dropsie, scurvy, consumptions and obstructions, agues ... / written by John Archer.

CHAP. X. Of a Consumption and decays of Strength, or Consumptio corporis. (Book 10)

I Am come now last of all to treat of a Consumption, any of which Diseases be∣fore mentioned if neglected may bring the body into, therefore we say veniente occu∣rite Morbo it is easier to prevent then cure the least Disease. Diffinition Tabes. Quia partium ingreditur soliditatem & soluit. A Consumption so called, because the Disease

enters into the solid and noble parts and consumes them as Fire doth mettles by melting them, though properly it signifieth an Ulcer in the Lungs which by spreading doth wast and consume them and the whole body, the French call it, Le pulmonick by the name of the Lungs, and there it doth begin by a putrid corosive sharp humour contained in the mass of blood, which hu∣mours become such for want of Fermenta∣tion and continue such by additional acri∣mony which is the cause that all salt, sharp Rheums and distillations, which usually fall down most by night are so destructive and mortal, and that the venenat quality of that sharp Phlegm, distilling doth so continual∣ly stimulate the expulsive faculty of the Lungs, desiring to free it self by Coughing. Therefore all sharp, salt, acrimonous things, or things easily corrupted, are most dangerous to consumptive persons, and all things that resist putrifaction, and acrimony are the best preservatives.

For cure of a Consumption and all decays of Strength and Nature.

Be carefull to dispose of your self so that the Disease may be oppugned and nature strengthened, and first I shall admonish you to have regard to those things called not naturall as Air, Food, Sleep, the passions of the mind, exercise and to the former may be added excrements, that these may be Rectified if amiss and procured if wanting the full directions there to you are taught in the begining of this treatise in the Doctrine of preservation of health, be careful of keeping your body from all excess which is hurtfull to nature, also leave not of suddenly what you have been long acustomed to, although worse, except Air, which we ought to change though you live in the best, yet change is better, walking Mornings to Hills or high grounds in the Evenings, in Summer time

by pleasant Rivers according to the saying, Fons speculum gramen haec dant occulis Rele∣vamen, mane igitur montes sed serum inqui∣rito fontes. I caution you not to be out of house after Sun set, nor to live in nor ad∣joyning to old Stone Walls, nor new Buildings, the former being though most before wet Wether yet dampishly unwhol∣some penetrating, and will transmute Sound and Solid Bodies to putryfaction, the lat∣ter very Suffocating till Summer Air hath throughly dryed, putrid Air is also to be avoided if you live near stinking Lakes of Water Moorish Ground &c. for as Air is more, or less putred it is better or worse in this distemper for Air is obnoxious to putrifaction as well as any thing else there∣fore it is worth while for all Weak, or Consumtive people especially to enquire into the nature of the Air of the place they intend to live in, for we chiefly live by the Air by reason we are continually draw∣ing in and breathing forth. Generally the Air in Cities (we find by daily experi∣ence) is not so good as the open Coun∣try because the breath of many people in a close place doth putryfie the Air as well the transpiration of the pores of the Body, and also the ill smells of divers filth—

These things are and may be proved, as al∣so the goodness or badness o•• any Air, by the keeping of any kind of Flesh meat, for the better the Air is, the longer it will keep uncorrupt, and so it is with our instru∣ments of Respiration as the Lungs, will keep longer sound in a good Air then bad, small Ale is most agreeable at meals and warm.

For dyet, your best dyet being meat ea∣sie of concoction, not easily corrupted, fine manchet Land Birds, Rabbets, Poul∣trey, &c. Also where the Stomach is not very Phlegmatick, milk hot from the Cow, with Sugar of Roses dissolved, to be drank about 5 a Clock in the afternoon, is safely to be taken to the quantity of half a pint. But for the Consumption Cure.

The most effectual remedy you will find is, especially where there is any Ca∣tarrh, distillation, Rheum, or Cough, is our cordial dyet drink and corroborating pill, therefore take of the dyet drink half a pint, morning and evening warm in Bed, which strengthens the vitals, and resists putrifaction, lying every morning an hour

after it without drinking or eating any thing for that space, at night taking as much and sleep upon it, the Pill is to be taken one or two in a morning when you rise, either constantly, or as you find your strength, and walk after it, and you may eat or drink within an hour after. It doth cleanse the Stomach and body in general, it is a little laxative, but very strengthning, making a due Fermentation, and a lively complecti∣on, you ought to exercise according to your strength, and to have your Legs, arms and body, often rubbed with a soft hand, never drink cold, nor sharp things, which duly observed is the best means for reco∣very.