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.

Every man his own Doctor.

CHAP. I. Of the preservation of Health.

TO preserve health when present and to Restore if lost is the chief end of Phisick and shall be my Main design in this small tract. The word Medicina being derived amedendo that is healing such as are sick doth properly belong to the Therapu∣ticall part only, which part being most necessary was first invented yet afterwards when that part was added which shews the preservation of present health the same de∣nomination was still retained and is now

given to the whole art of Phisick, therefore for definition Phisick is an art of preser∣ving mans health when present and restore∣ing it when lost as far as it is posible.

The subject of Phisick is mans body as it is obnoxious to diseases, the scope or end of Phisick is to heal —although it is im∣possible to cure all that are sick; yet the Physitian hath performed his office if he hath omitted none of those things that are in the power of nature and art.

Health amongst all things called good by Mortals is most desired when sick, there∣fore ought to be highly prized, when in well being, and I think it may not only be acceptable, but very profitable to all, to be sincerely and briefly informed how to keep health and cure themselves; Especially for those that have not patience to read volumi∣nous Authours, and those that want time and means for due Regulation and Go∣vernment; although we have an old Pro∣verb, that every Man is a Fool, or a Phy∣sitian at forty year old. Which saying is very true, my meaning is, that every Man in prudence should so far be his own Doctor as rightly to know his own Con∣stitution and Complection, and the reasons

for the Friendly agreement or the Antipa∣thy of any Food to his own body, and for this end he ought to know the Nature of all Meat and Drink in use as ordinary Food (amongst us in England especially.)

The aforesaid knowledge is the Hygenial part of Physick, that is Rules how present health may be preserved, and how to be∣ware not to fall into a Disease, not that I think it necessary that every particular Per∣son should be able to read an Anotomy Lecture upon the parts of his own Body, nor study the Nature, differences, causes of Diseases, nor the various sorts, nor quali∣ties of Purgative Medicines, but that Man is to be pittied that eats for hunger and knows not the Nature of what he Eats, which negligence in so necessary a know∣ledge hath occasioned much Sickness to many, and Death not to few. For pre∣venting of such dangers, you shall now re∣ceive brief Rules how to know your own Constitution and Complection, and also the Nature and Faculty of all the Meat, Drink, or sorts of Food, now used in this Kingdom. To the end that every Man may be his own Doctor, so far as to know as well by reason as experience, that this doth

agree with my Constitution, and why that doth not.

Now first I understand the temperature of a sound Man, and that of all living Crea∣tu••es man is most temperate, so that all li∣ving Creatures, and Food and Medicines compared to man are said to be hotter, Colder, moister, or dryer, though man be not absolutely temperate for common sense tells us that heat in man is predomi∣nant over the other qualities.

CHAP. II. Shews the best Temperature.

THe best temperature for a man to per∣form his actions, is hot and moist, for our lives consist o•• heat and moisture, and the contrary Coldness and Dryness leads us to Death, and by how much sooner a man is cooled and dryed, by so much soon∣er a man grows old and dyes, yet that heat and moisture have their degrees, for if the

heat exceed the cold, the moisture, the drowth, moderately that temper is best and accounted temperate, and all others differing from this, are called either hot and moist, hot and dry, cold and moist, cold and dry, though all in general are hot and moist, these Temperaments are commonly explained by these differing Names▪ of Sanguine, Cholerick, Plegmatick and Melan∣cholly, which must be und••rstood of the va∣riety of blood, which is the Nutriment of the body and not of Extrementitious hu∣mours. Now I will give some Signs how and whereby you may judge your Com∣plections according to Senertus, and whe∣ther you differ from the best Constitu∣tion.

CHAP. III. Of Signs to know your Constitution or Comple∣ction.

FIrst bodies which are too hot, yet mo∣derate in dryness and humidity, such discover themselves, to the touch Hair abounds in the whole body, and is inclining to yellow and thick, they are thinner as to m••tter o•• Fat, they are swift and strong for motion, prone to anger the colour of the Face is r••dder then of a temperate body they are easily hurt by hot things.

Signs of a hot and dry Con∣stitution, viz. Cholerick.

If moisture be joyned to heat which they call Cholerick the body shall be hot,

hard, thin, and lean, hairy and the hairs are black curled, the pulse of the Arteries are great, and their veins great, they are angry persons, which are endued with such a tem∣perature obstinate lovers of Brawlings they desire few things they are fit for the gene∣ration of males.

Signs of a hot and moist San∣guine Constitution.

If moisture be joyned to heat which Temperament they call Sanguine the bodies, shall be hot and soft abounding with much blood fleshy indued with large veins and those which are so in their youth often have the Hemorrhoides, or bleeding at the Nose, and if the humidity abound they are apt from their youth to Diseases of putri∣faction.

Signs of a cold Constitution.

If the body be too cold, such a body is perceived by the touch and is white, fat, slow, soft and bald, 'tis easily hurt by cold things, it hath a narrow breast without hair,

and narrow veins, scarcely appearing, the h••irs thin and of small increase for the most part, they are f••arful that are of that Tem∣perament.

Signs of a cold and moist Phlegmatick Constitu∣tion.

If moisture be joyned to the cold not much, nor that coldness great, the body shall be white in colour, fat, thick, soft, reddish Hair, inclining to palen••ss, but if the frigidi••y with the ••umidity be more intense the body shall be th••ck, coloured yellow, exceeding bald, the hair smooth, the vein•• lying hid, ••uc•• ••emp••raments are dull and slow of app••ehension and for the most part altogether ••ol••, no ways ready, simple, no•• prone to anger.

Not that any sca••c••ly may be said to be of a simple Com〈…〉〈…〉l••ction, without mixture of som•• other, neither do any abide long what they are.

Of a cold and dry Melan∣cholly Complection.

If Frigidity be joyned to dryness, such a body is discerned by the touch, those shall be lean, bald, pale, which are of such a con∣stitution, slow in motion, dejected in coun∣tenance with their eyes fixed, as for Me∣lancholians in particular, not only whom the vulgar, but whom Aristotle in the thirty Section, and the first probleme accounts ingenious, wherein the said Aristotle writes that much and cold Choller is black, such are foolish and idle: Wherein there is much and hot Choller, those are quick-sighted and ingenious, apt to love, pro∣pense to anger and lust.

Some great Bablers— but those whose heat is more remiss, more temperate, and as it were reduced to Mediocrity, those are more prudent, and although they less ex∣ceed in some matters, yet in others th••y are far better then the others, some in the study of Literature, others in Arts, others in Common-wealths; namely those Melan∣cholians are ingenious, who by nature a∣bound

with good and plenty of blood, wherewith some part thicker and dryer is mingled; which adds as it were strength to the blood, and when attenuated, and as it were poured it is spiritual.

CHAP. IV. The Benefit to be gathered from knowledge of our own Complection.

BY comparing what is already said to the present Temperament of our own bo∣dies we may find a certain agreement with them and some of the Temperaments descri∣bed which known and well considered it will prove of no small value to all that de∣sire health, or Wisdom; for we say premo∣nitus premunitus, if I know by the fore∣written Signs that I am a Chollerick per∣son, I will resolvedly beware the evils of that Temperament, both of body and mind

as knowing my inclination to quarrels, Wrath, anger, fightings, &c. I will bridle Nature for it is truly said. Mores sequntur humores, according to the humours of the body, so are the conditions of the mind, and also for Food, knowing my Tempera∣ment to be hot and Cholerick, I must avoid those things in meat and drink that increase it, and use things that do allay and cool heat. And so a Phlegmatick person ought to avoid cold and moist things especially, both in meat, and drink, therefore his drink may well be more strong, and Food hot∣ter, and more drying then the person that is hot and dry already— For the person being hot and dry, ought to correct his heat with cooling and moistning, as the Melan∣cholly man who is cold and dry ought to take Food both healing and moistning. So Sympathy and Antipathy must be observed in Physick rules for preservation of health, for it is truly said Contrariae Contrariis Gu∣rantur, all Remedies are performed by their contraries.

CHAP. V. Some common Axiomes and Maximes, there are to be observed in the me∣thod of preserving of health▪ as,

1. NAture doth nothing rashly.

2. Too much of any thing is an enemy to Nature.

3. Nature is the Physitian of Diseases but the Physitian is the servant of Nature and ought to imitate her she acting aright.

4. Custome is a second Nature and those things which he are accustomed to a long time though worse they are wont to be less troublesome then those things we are not used to.

Doctrine of the preservation of health.

DOctrine for health is comprehended in these 2 parts, viz.

Materials of health or wholesome causes.

2. A knowledge necessary for the pre∣servation of health teaching how things cal∣led Non-Natural are to be used for the keeping men in health, they are compre∣hended under the notion of things Non-Natural, and ought to be ordered into four Ranks. as,

• 1. First, Those things which are taken in.
• 2. S••condly, Those things which are carried.
• 3. Thirdly, Those things which are emit∣ted and Retained.
• 4. Fourthly, What befalls the body by accident. as,
  • Of Air,
  • Meat and Drink,
  • Passion of the mind,
  • Motion, and exercise of body,
  • Rest, Sleep and Watching,
  • Venery, excretions and Retentions.

CHAP. VI. Of Air.

AIr is the most worthy Element for the preservation of Life in every crea∣ture, nay the other Elements subsist by it, as for example fire is extinguished if you keep Air from it, and water putrifies and stinks if Air comes not to it: and the very Earth brings forth nothing to maturity, without it.

Therefore we may well give precedency to its worth in discourse. The Air affects our bodies two wayes, viz. Extrinsecally as it insinuates through the pores of the skin and as it is attracted by inspiration, so it hath a force upon our bodies and impresseth its quality whether good or bad upon us, according to all writers.

The best air.

The best Air is temperate as to the pri∣mary quallities, and is pure and infected, with no pollutions but is Serene, moved or stirred with the Winds, breathing sweetly with pleasant Gales and sometimes moist∣ned with wholesome showers.

Corrupt air▪

On the contrary that Air is vitious which is infected with exhalations and vitious vapours breaking forth on every side, or is compassed with marish or standing waters after what manner soever it be impure, and such as cannot be purified by the blowing of Winds, that Air which is troubled, or too Hot, or too Cold, too Dry, or too moist.

Constitution of air.

But the Constitution of Air may be pol∣luted

though divers causes, first the Con∣stitution of the Air depends on the scituati∣on and nature of places for some Regions are hotter then others, others colder, for by how much the more any Regions receive the direct beams of the Sun; and by how much the longer the Sun remains above their Horizon, by so much the Country is more hot, the contrary Reasons make it so much the Colder, yet this cause only doth not suffice, neither is the same Consti∣tution of Air in all the inhabitants under the same Latitude for these ten Reasons. First the mold and proper Nature of the Earth conduceth to the Constitution and Temperature of the air, wherein is to be observed what the Nature of Ground is, whether Fat, Dirty, Filthy, Gravelly, Stony, Sandy.

Whether the place be high, or low, what scituation there is of Mountains and Valleys, what Winds it often admits, and from what Climates, whether the Sea or any Lakes be near it, whether it brings forth mettals from whence malignant air may be exhaled.

2. Scituation of Moun∣tains.

The Mountains also change the Consti∣tution of the air, according as the blowing of certain winds drive away and admit it, and if the Mountains drive away the North wind, but admit the South wind, it comes to pass that the air is hotter and moister, the contrary makes the place colder and dryer.

3. Winds.

The different winds bring forth great Mutations, as the Oriental or East winds are more temperate, also the Occidental or West, but these are moister, the Northern are cold and dry, and have pow∣er to bind bodies and dry them, the Southern are hot and moist, therefore as the Region or Scituation is more or less disposed to this or that wind, so it ob∣tains this or that Constitution of air, but generaly Countrys exposed to the Orien∣tal

Sun are more wholesome then those which are exposed to the Septentrional or North winds, and hot winds are more wholesome then those which are exposed to the West.

4. Sea and Lakes

The Vicinity to the Sea and Lakes con∣duce much to the peculiar Nature of the air, unless interjected Mountains prohibit, for from moist places of this Nature many exhalations are drawn up, which mingle themselves with air and moisten it, and indeed the humidity will be increased if the Sea or Lake be scituated on the South, but if towards the North fridigity.

5. Metallick Pits or Mines.

Mines generally communicate their malignant smell and vapou••s to the neighbouring places, also Caves exhale venemous air, also Woods that are too

thick hinder the light of the Sun and Moon, as also the motion of the air.

6. Times of the Year.

Indeed the seasons of the Yeer change the air, which Astronomers constitute e∣quall according to the motion of the Sun, and Zodiack, being divided into four parts but Physitians regard these times accord∣ing to the temper of the air, and call that the Spring, when the constitution of the air is more temperate, when we grow nei∣ther stiff with cold nor sweat with heat: but the Summer when the same is hot and dry, Winter when it is cold and moist, neither do they appoint these seasons to be equal in all Countries.

7. The Spring.

The Spring being the most temperate, or as Hypocrates calls it hot and moist, that is when calidity moderately overcomes fri∣gidity, and humidity moderately exceeds

driness, it is the most wholesome time of the Year, and although diseases are gene∣rated (or rather shews themselves) in the spring time, yet the spring of its self doth not produce them, but the vitious humors which are gathered together in the Winter time are driven out in the spring by the heat o•• the Sun, and Planets.

8. The Summer.

This quarter is hot and dry, ergo makes bodies more hot and dry, purifies and di∣solves and renders them weaker, by rea∣son of heat, it attenuates humours and kindles them, from whence Cholorick and Acrimonius humors are accumulated.

9. Autmne.

This Season is mixed with cold and heat, that is mornings and evenings are cold, the midle part of the day hot, its

Constitution is hot and cold, and by Rea∣son of its inequality in Air it is very ob∣noxious to Diseases, and blood at this time of the Year is diminished by Reason of approach of cold Winter makes it dange∣rous to Phlebotomise but upon necessity, for now Melancholly abound bodyes are thickned by the Retiring of Blood and Spi∣rits which causeth the pores to close.

10. Winter.

Now the Frigidity of the Air with moi∣sture makes Flegm abounds and procures Catarrhs, Distillations, Rotten Coughs. But if the Seasons of the Year are variable and uncertain it makes the Air corrupt, by which means divers Diseases are Reigning according to the various Constitution of the different seasons.

The most healthful air and place▪

From what we have said it is evident that those places, dwellings, Countries

and Region are most wholesome, where the Air is temperate, the Spring temperate, the heat of Summer sufficient to ripen Corn, and Fruit, Autumn Colder, Winter Cold, yet not offending our bodies with extreams, also a Fruitful Soil, men come∣ly of Body, well coloured in the Face, Laudable in their manners, and joyful in their prosperous health, &c. Ingenious in invention, to all which may be added va∣lour, which not only is seen in Men in England, but as well in other Creatures here, as the Mastiff Dog, and cock, for which no part of the world can parallel, being no small argument of the excellent Tem∣perature of the Air of England, for by ex∣perience their valour declines in a few years, being transported to other Coun∣tries.

CHAP. VII. Of Meat, or Food.

HAving now finished our discourse of Air, and though we choose to live in the best, it is not sufficient without good Food, therefore having already shewed how all may know their own Constitutions, and Complections, and goodness of Air, it will be necessary in the next place, to shew the nature, temper, and vertue of most Food is now used in this Kingdom, where∣by every man may easily see and know by comparing it with his Constitution what is Friendly and healthful to him, and where∣in in it is inimical, and therefore know that all Aliment as Meat, and Drink, where∣with the substance of our bodies is renewed and strengthned, is of vertue to encrease the substance of our bodies, for it is a true

saying in a sense, that we our selves have had our selves upon our trenchers.

Food properly so called is to nourish our bodies if Medicinal to alter our bodies. But Food is taken from two things, viz. From the animal Kingdom, or Vegitable, all those things that proceed from living creatures are either parts of animals, or those things which proceed from them as Eggs, Milk, Honey, Butter, Cheese, &c.

Difference of Food.

Many things there are for the Aliment and Food of man, and great is the difference of them in Nourishment, for some are ve∣ry good and some of ill nourishment, and Juice, some are of easie concoction, others hard to be concocted again, some will cor∣rupt easily in the Stomack, other some not.

The best Food.

The best m••at yeild plenty of nourish∣m••nt, is easie of concoction, not quickly corrupted, nor hath an ill quality and there remains after it, but few excrements.

But the contrary are unwholesome and all that leaves an ill Juice and are easily corrupted is the worst.

Firm Food,

That Aliment which brings forth much nourishment is accounted firm, but it re∣quires much strength of heat for concoction. But that is in firm which is easily concocted and nourisheth, but affords but little nou∣rishment, and such that is soon dispersed and after it the Stomack soon calleth for more.

CHAP. IV. Of the Nature of every Food we Eat.

ANd because I know that people of all qualities do commonly Feed upon what comes to Table, be it what it will, without considering the Nature or quali∣ties of any thing, or agreement, or disa∣greement to their Constitutions, so it do but please the pallat, by which means di∣vers have and do dig their Graves with their Teeth, to prevent which I think very ne∣cessary that every one should understand the Nature and property of his daily Food as well as his own Constitution, and so by doing himself right, he is truly become his own Doctor, which is the thing I aim at

for the benefit of all good people, for with∣out doubt, daily experience upon a Mans own body by help of sensation may soon make him (if observant to these small Rules the wisest Doctor living in a Diate∣tical way to himself, and so by preventing of Diseases, he may not need so frequent use of Physick, which many are forced to.

But to detair you no longer, I will first begin with Flesh Meat, and after to Vege∣tables, &c. And for your first dish, and generally approved.

Beef.

Beef the best of which is English bred and fed, but there is great difference in this sort of meat, as well as others, it is hard of concoction, thick, flesh, it doth not easily pass through the Veins, it doth not participate of viscidity of slymyness, the frequent use thereof causeth dry and me∣lancholly humours, without exercise and labour of body, especially if it be old Cow Beef, or Oxe Beef, that with labour and much working hath contracted dryness and

hardness of Flesh or is hardned with Salt and Smoak. But above all meats it is most profitable for laborious people being not easily passed away, and gives much strength where it is concocted by labor.

Veal.

Veel is temperate and tender, though something Waterish, if throughly Roast∣ed, affords good Juyce, of a pleasant taste, and yeilds a thicker Juyce then Lamb, or Mutton.

Mutton.

The beff Mutton is Weather the youn∣ger is the best meat, and is easily concocted and generates good blood, and agrees both with those that are well and also with those that are sick.—But Ewe mutton is evil both by default of the temperature and by fre∣quenting of Copulation and bringing forth young, therefore the Flesh of Ewes is evil

and dull and viscid juice is bred thereof.

Lamb,

A Lamb before it be a yeer old hath moist flesh, slimy and viscid, but when it is a year old, it is very good nourishment, consisting of good and plentifull juice, and indifferent lasting, and easie of concoction, but with those that are exercised with strong labor it is easie discussed, and not ve∣ry solid Aliment is made thereby.

Bacon or Pork,

Swines flesh nourisheth very plentilully and yields firm nutriment, and therefore is most profitable for those that are in their flourishing age, sound and strong which are exercised with much labour, but in weak and corrupt stomacks, not labouring very dangerous, for we say optimae corum∣putur siunt pessimae, the best nourishment corrupted proves most dangerous.

Sucking Pigs.

Sucking Pigs are very nourishing, but they agree not with all constitutions, be∣cause too much humidity abounds in it, the fumous vapors ascends up to the head, in many causing pain, and swimings.

Brawn.

Of the flesh of tame Boars we usually make Brawn, being long corn-fed, and young, makes a delicate meat, having not so much excrementitious moisture as Ba∣con or Pork, but the hard and horny part is difficultly concocted.

Food taken from the parts of Animals.

Aliment taken from the parts of Ani∣mals are many, which both according to the kinds of living Creatures, and accord∣ding

to their diversity of parts do vary, the feet of Animals of what kind soever are cold and dry, they have little flesh, and scarce any blood, they yield a cold juice, dull and glutinous by reason whereof the broth wherein feet are boyled is turned to a jelley.

Hearts.

All hearts of Animals are of a hard and dry Nature and fibrous, neither is it easily concocted, but if it be well concocted, it yields neither ill juice nor a little, and that very stable and firm, chiefly corroberating the heart by sympathy.

Liver.

The Liver is very binding, and yields thick nourishment, but is hard to be con∣cocted, which is slowly distributed. All Animals varyin their Liver, according to their age and feeding, the youngest and best fed are most delicate, and have the greatest Livers and fullest of juice.

Spleen.

The Spleen as it is the receptacle of gross Melancholly blood affords little nourishment, and is hardly concocted, therefore not fi•• for food.

Lungs.

The Lungs in substance are light and airy, therefore properly called the bellows of the body, they nourish but little, yet easie of concoction, and afford good nourishment.

Bowels▪

The intestines afford not very good but thick Aliment, and the Powels of younger Quadrapeds, as Calves are of better Juyce and easier concocted then of old.

Tongue.

The Tongue excells the other parts in pleasant taste and goodness of alinent, and is also easily concocted.

Brain▪

The Brain yields petuitous and thick juice, and is not easily concocted, nor di∣stributed, and causeth loathing, except it be well sharpned with Vinegar.

Venison.

Although Venison be in high esteem both by Gentry and Peasant, yet it is hard of concoction and generates Melancholly juice especially if the Venison be grown to ripeness of years, it doth obstruct the bowels, the usual way of seasoning it doth much meliorat and make tender the flesh, and by drinking a glass of Wine there∣with

it becomes good nourishment.

Hare.

Hares flesh is accounted by Physitians for Melancholly meat, therefore not so good for those that have dry bodies, yet they are thought to generate a good colour in the face, they are best boyled.

Goates.

Goates flesh afford good nourishment, and may well be offered before other syl∣vestrous Animals, for goodness of Ali∣ment, facility of concoction, pleasantness of taste, pancity of excrements, yet they are something dryer.

Conies.

Conies if they be not old, yeild a good juice, are easie of concoction, and if throughly roasted very drying for the

Phlegmetick, young are safe food for sick people.

Of Fowle, first Turkies.

Amongst tame Fowl the Turkie is of the uper ranck, both for the largeness of his body, goodness of food, having good juice, and laudable nourishment, it is most fit for those that are in health.

Capons and Pullets and Chicken.

Hens and Capons are accounted the chief among Birds, they are temperate easie of concoction, of good juice, and con∣tain few excrements if young, and yield most profitable food to those who are not used to labour, they procreate good blood, yet there is great difference amongst this kind of Fowl, the best is the flesh of cram'd Capons, next is that of fat Chick∣ens, the next are Pullets, as for old Cocks

and Hens, their flesh is harder and dryer, and not to be eaten, but by laborious people.

Geese.

The flesh of tame Geese doth abound more with exc••••ments, then that of wild, yet the fl••sh of them both are hard of con∣c••ction, and yield no good juice, but viti∣ous and excrementious, and such as is easi∣ly putrified, and in weak stomacks often cause surfeits, but in strong stomacks and if it be well concocted Geese affords plenty of nourishment, but the delacacy of a Geese is the Liver, which if it be well fatted e∣specially with sweet food, as boyled car∣rots &c. The Liver will grow large, and is delicious and temperate meat, easie of concoction, of good juice and much nourishment, and indeed of more valew then the Carcass.

Duck and Mallard.

Tame Ducks if not young are very hard of concoction, of ill juyce, and little nou∣rishment, but the young ones are whole∣some Food, and yeild good juyce for the wild Duck and Mallard, are much better then the tame, more tender of concoction, and yeilds good nourishment, and do not easily putrifie in the Stomack.

Pheasants.

Pheasants are most excellent Food, and are the best nourishment, for those that are in health, most easie of concoction, there∣fore safe and good for those that do not labor.

Partridge and Quails.

The Flesh of Partridges are temperate, and drying, easie of concoction, affords excellent juyce, and much nourishment,

and few excrements for those that are in health good, and for those that have Con∣sumptions, or the French Pox, admirable nourishment.

Quails are excellent Food for all in health, it is hot and moist, but the sick must not eat of them, because they are apt to generate Feavers.

Pigeons.

There are divers sorts of Pigeons, those of the Mountains and Woods are best, the flesh of all of them are of a melan∣cholly Juyce not easily concocted, but most dangerous in a Putrid Feaver.

Plovers.

The Gray Plovers, exceed the Green, both are very good Food, easie of con∣coction, afford good nourishment, save that they are something melancholly.

Cocks, Snites, Thrushes.

These Winter Birds are easily concoct∣ed, yeilds good Juyce, not excrementitious, and affords nourishent firm enough.

Black birds.

Black birds are something harder of con∣coction, then Thrushes, but are firm nou∣rishment.

Larks.

The Lark generates excellent Juice and is easily concocted and it hath a peculiar qualitiy, not only to preserve one from the Chollick, but also to cure it.

Having now run through most of our English Flesh meat, we will now proceed to the Fish.

CHAP. IX. Fish.

FIshes are colder and moister Food then the Flesh of Terrestial animals, and scarce afford so good juyce as Corn, and Fruits, and other Vegitables, they do easi∣ly putrifie, and if they are corrupted they acquire a quality most dangerously averse to our natures, but there are great variety of Fish.

A Salmon.

A Salmon in the first place is tender of Fl••sh, grateful to the Pallate, easie of con∣coction, affords good juyce, and is not infe∣rior to any, nay 'tis the best of Fish, but

when they are pickled with salt, and hard∣ned with smoak, they are much worse and difficulty concocted.

Trout.

Trouts amongst Fishes which are bred in Fresh Waters are the best and are next in goodness to a Salmon, easie of concoction, full of much good and thin juyce, but the greater of them of flesh, not a little excre∣mentitious, Fat, and Full of viscidity, those are commended above others, which have Red fl••sh, and many Red spots, and have hard flesh, and participates not of vilcidity and Fat, those are easier concocted, descend sooner and not so excrementitious, in juyce.

Soles, plaice, and Turbet.

These Fish is highly commended a∣mongst Sea-fishes which hath delicate flesh, and is easie of concoction, being white fleshed, yeilds good juyce, plentiful nou∣rishment

and such as is not easily corrup∣ted, but being dryed in the smoak they are much worse and harder of concoction.

Gudgeons, Smelts.

Gudgeons and Smelts are the best a∣mongst the small sort of fish and very wholesome Aliment, easie to be concocted and such as remain not long in the stomack, and are profitable both for pleasure and health, and may safely be given to those that are sick, to these other little fish are alike as Dace and Minners, &c.

A Carp.

For dilicious taste especially if it be fat, is inferior to none, and if it be throughly decocted or stewed with Wine as the manner is, makes a Princely dish, and yields good nourishment and firm, but is not fit for sick People.

Pike.

A Pike especially of the smaller growth hath hard Flesh, it is easily concocted and easily distributed, and hath not many ex∣crements, and may also be given to those that are sick.

Perch.

A Perch also hath tender flesh, and such as will easily part asunder, and no Fat, nor glutinosity, 'tis easie to be digested, the Juyce is not evil, yet it affords weaker A∣liment, and such as is easily discussed.

Bream.

A Bream hath soft and moist Flesh and yeilds a Juyce very excrementitious and is to be eaten, for the most part, as all other Fish are not, it is not to be mixed with di∣vers kinds of meats.

Tench.

Tench is neither of a pleasing tast nor easie to be concocted, nor good Aliment, but yeilds a filthy slymy juyce and such as is easily corrupted, neither is easily distri∣buted and it brings forth obstructions.

Barbel.

A Barbel whose Eggs perchance gave an occasion for some to suppose that he hears very bad, it causes not only the pain of the belly but also vomiting, and disturbs the belly, and stirs up Choller, from the use thereof we ought to abstain, but the flesh thereof is very White, easie of concoction and distribution and affords Aliment of good juyce.

Eells.

The Flesh of Eells is sweet but gluti∣nous with Fat and abounding, with much moisture it generates ill juyce, and the use thereof is not safe for sick people, nor plentifully taken for those that are well.

Lamprey.

A Lamprey is a Fish of a grateful and delicious tast, if it be rightly prepared, and sauced, yet it puts not away its slymyness, wholly for which cause Physitians, do not number them among Fishes of the best sort.

Herring.

A Herring hath white flesh apt to cleave into small peices, hath a good taste, easie of concoction, it affords good juice, not thick

and glutinous when its pickled with salt, or hardned with smoak, which we call red Herrings, they are harder of concoction, and doth not nourish so much.

Codfish.

Codfish and Stockfish while it is fresh, hath friable flesh and tender, of good juice, and easie of concoction, yet being dryed it is hard of concoction, and affords thick nourishment, and is not to be eaten without danger to any save those that have healthy strong stomacks, and labor much.

Sturgeon▪,

Sturgeon commonly called Sea-beefe, hath hard fat and glutinous flesh, which yeilds a thick juice, yet safely to be eaten it is hard of concoction but firm: nutri∣ment and very lasting to work upon.

Lobsters and Crabs▪

Lobsters, Crabfish, Prawns and Craw∣fish are frequent in most Countries near the Sea, there is no great difference in their efficacy or nature, they are all hard of concoction, and will not well digest but in a strong stomack yet if they are well con∣cocted, they beget good juice, nourish much and stimulat Venus.

Oysters.

Oysters and Scollops have a soft juce, and therefore irritate the belly to dijection, and cleanse the Vereters stimulate Venus, they easily generate obstructions, being hard of concoction, and nourish but little.

CHAP. X. Meats from living Crea∣tures.

THere be many living Creatures which supply us with necessary food, agreeable to our Natures, as being nearer and more familiar with our Natures, and l••ss exceed in the qualities, and afford better juice, as in the first place we will begin with milk.

Milk.

Milk is of a cold and moist, or rather of a temperate and moist Nature, and yields nourishment very good, the best by much if it be rightly concocted in the stomack, and the milk be good in its self.

Parts of Milk. There be three parts of Milk, viz.

The Butrious, the Caseus, and the Serous, the Butrious, is of an oyly and hot substance, the Caseus is of a cold and dry substance, the Serous is of a watry, and indeed Cows milk is the fattest and thickest, and contains more milk then the milk of other Animals, and therefore nourisheth more, and is most agreeable to us, and hath more of the Case∣ous part then Ews milk, Goats milk is of a middle Nature between these two, sound Animals only generate good milk, but sick diseased Animals generate vitious and cor∣rupt, dry meat as Hay &c. cause the milk to be thick, but green and such as are full of juice make much better, wherefore the milk at the latter end of the Spring is best, by how much the thiner it be, and more Se∣rous by so much it is the easier concocted, and sooner passeth through the belly, and obstructs least, but nourisheth less, to know the best milk, it is of a good smel, and sweet to the taste, of a middle consistence, ne••∣ther

too thick, nor too thin, neither Serous nor Caseous, too much of a white colour which yields good Aliment, and that plen∣tifully and constantly enough.

Milk is nourishing enough especially for lean bodies, as being that which is elabour∣ed by so many concoctions, and is there∣by made Familiar to our natures, that 'tis easily and truly concocted, in unwhole∣some bodies, it is easily corrupted, as in a cold Stomach: it soon grows sowre in a hot, it is turned to an adust smell and chol∣ler, and causeth pain in the Head, where∣fore it is hurtful to those that are sick of Putrid Feavers, and to those that have pains in the head, and sore Eyes, or are ob∣noxious to breed Gravel, and to those that are obstructed in the Liver, and are infla∣med in the Hypochondries, according to the Apho. 64. But the worst corruption there∣of is when it is coagulated, which may be prevented if any Salt, Sugar or Honey be added to it, it is most conveniently taken on an empty Stomach, nor are other Meats to be eaten presently after, especially the use of wine after milk is very unwhole∣some.

As for the parts of Milk, Butter is used in England and other Countries instead of Food, and sawce. Butter is hot and moist almost of the same Nature with Oyl, yet it nourisheth more, and is sawce for most Meat, 'tis pleasant to the taste, 'tis easily concocted, and nourisheth much, yet it a∣greeth not with those that have a moist and slippery Stomach, yet 'tis far better to be taken before other Meats then after, nor is it so agreeable to hot Natures, 'tis conve∣niently eaten with bread.

Sowre Milk is colder, and agreeth not with colder Stomachs, but with hotter, e∣specially in the Summer and very hot weather, it is refreshing and concocts well.

Although in Consumptions, sometimes is prescribed womans Milk, Asses Milk, or Goats Milk, yet for Food none is so good as Cows milk, and of that sort the Red Cow is best, and in a Consumption, I should pre∣fer it before the former, being taken warm while the spirit of the animal is in it.

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Cheese.

Cheese is good and is agreeable to most and very desireable to whom it is Friendly, is hardly concocted, and yeilds thick nou∣rishment, and therefore stops the belly, opens the pores, and affords matter fit for the generation of Stones, but that which is old affords ill nourishment, and if taken in quantity, obstructs much it is very useful to close the mouth of the Stomach, after a full meal, being eaten to the quantity of a dram or two. New Cheese may be eaten more plentifully, because it affords better nourishment, and while new it is cold and moist, and of a flatulent Nature, middle Age Cheese, which is neither hard nor soft, and is moderately sweet and Fat, is the best, but of what kind soever it be, it is always to be eaten sparingly, and after other meats, now there is great differen∣ces of Cheese, according to the nature of living Creatures, and diversity of pastures, and Countries, that of the Ewe is the best,

because it is easier concocted then the rest, and nourisheth more, next in goodness is Cows Cheese, the Goats is the worst of all; But no Cheese is good without the Butrious part be also included with the Caseous.

Whey.

The thinnest part of Milk, which is called Serum or Whey, is more fit for medicine then Food, and is most fitly used for the evacuation of serous and adust humours, it consisteth of two parts, the one is Salt, and participating of acri∣mony, and is altogether hot, which is the lesser part, the other is Watry, and is the greater part, therefore it is called cold and moist.

Eggs.

Eggs and chiefly those of Hens, are a Food much used and esteemed amongst us, an Egg consists of two parts the yolk, and the white, the yolk is moderately hot and moist, and very corroborating, the white is cold and dry, and affords also much nou∣rishment, and that lasting enough, but hard of concoction.

The newest Eggs are the best, and nou∣rish most and soonest, and yeild good Ali∣ment, but the stalest are the worst, and the corruption of Eggs is most dangerous, for we say (optimae fiunt pessimae) the best food corrupted becomes the worst and most perillous, they do not well agree with those whose Liver and Stomachs are filled with vitious humours, and in Chollerick & hot Stomachs they are easily corrupted & turned into Choller, as for the cooking of them they are best when the yolk is soft, & the Rear hardned to a white colour, and so supt up, being boyled in water, they

may easily be given to a weak Stomach, they are stronger in tast, boyled in the shell then potched, especially if Roasted, but the worst way of dressing them, is to fry them in a pan.

Honey.

Honey is of a hot and dry Nature in the second degree, but that which is white is not so hot, and is the best and most com∣modious for those that be sound, but all Honey is a medicinal Aliment, convenient for old men, and those of cold constituti∣tions, but it is not fit for Chollerick per∣sons, because it turns into Choller, there∣fore not good for the Liver, but very good for the Lungs, because it hath an ab∣stersive cleansing faculty, and resists pu∣trifaction.

Sugar.

Although it comes not from Animals, but is made of Canes, for its agreement with Honey may well be put together, yet it is not so hot as Honey, therefore pro∣perly mingled with many sorts of Food, and Medicine, and doth preserve medi∣cines better then Honey, and hath the same cleansing quality in the body of man, though not so griping in the belly.

CHAP. XI. Meats from Plants, or Vegetables.

Wheat.

AS for Grains or Fruits, being the most ordinary kind of Food, amongst which in the first Rank are all sorts of Wheat, and Grain, which the Greeks call by the name of Si••••••, and in the first place Wheat is hot and moist, and above all Ve∣gitables affords much nourishment, and that firm and most wholesome, out of Wheat divers kind of Foods are made, yet the best among them is bread, and that lea∣vened or fermented, which agrees to every

Age, and is to be taken with all meats.

Barley

The bread which is made of Barley is colder, and yeilds not so good nourishment as Wheat, there is a sort of Barley cal'd Spelt, is next in nature to Wheat, and is the middle betwixt Wheat and Barley, and nourisheth more then Barley, but is weak∣er then Wheat; Barley is also made into ptisan or broath, which is a good nourish∣ment for sick people, and those that are well also, and is not viscid or clammy, but easi∣ly passeth through and cleanseth the passa∣ges and Reins, of which all Physitians are well acquainted being generally prescribed to the sick.

Rye.

Rye of which bread is made in some parts of this Kingdom, and for its delicious sweetness and moisture, is frequently mix∣ed with Wheat, by nature it is hot and dry, it is hotter then Barley, yet not so hot as

Wheat but the bread which is made of it is harder of concoction then that of Wheat, and Windy, causing in some griping pains.

Rice.

Rice is hot and dry, or rather temperate, it nourisheth much, especially boyled with Milk, it increaseth seed.

Rice doth not easily putrifie, it stops lasks or looseness of the belly, it is hardly concocted and yeilds nourishment some∣what thick, the frequent use of it may easily occasion Obstructions.

Oats.

Are almost of the same Nature, and are cold and dry, Oatmeal stops Fluxes of the Belly, they afford not much nourishment, yet are very useful in Pottages and broaths, which may be given to sick or well, it stops the looseness of the belly.

Beans.

Beans are cold and dry, flatulent, hard of concoction, and yeild excrementitious nourishment, yet not viscid, and have some cleansing power, they make the senses dull, and noises become troublesome.

Pease.

Pease are cold and dry, flatulent, espe∣cially the green, yet they yeild better nou∣rishment then beans, but not so plentiful, yet easier of concoction, and very pleasing to Stomachs surfeited with overfulness of stronger Food.

Parsnips.

Parsnips are hot and dry, not very good nourishment have a great Force of clean∣sing, provoke Lust, they are more us••ful in Physick then Food, they provoke Urine, and bring down the Menses.

Turnips.

Turnips afford strong nourishment, sti∣mulate Venus, the long Turnips common∣ly are the better, they are safely eaten with Meat, or alone buttered, being baked their Juyce makes a very good Surrup for a Consumption.

Carrots.

Carrots are hot and dry, flatulent, these as well as the former, are very wholesome and provoke to Venery, and are opening, easie of Concoction, and yeilds good Aliment.

Radish and Mustard.

Radishes which we commonly use for sawce, afford little nourishment, they heat beyond the second degree, and have a sharp taste, they cut Phlegm, attenuate and pro∣voke Urine, break the Stone, and expels

Gravel from the Veins, yet cause a ructa∣tion or belching of wind from the Stomach the wild are hotter and more Forcible, Mustard is much for heat, tast and efficacy like the Root of Wild Horse radish.

Leeks and Garlick,

Leeks and Garlick are near of Nature, but the Garlick is the hotter and more po∣tent, they are hot and dry, little nourish∣ment and that bad, they have a power of attenuating thick Phlegm, and viscid hu∣mours, taking away cold, and this is a good Remedy for the pravity of Waters also against the Plague and venemous Air.

Onions.

Onions also afford but little nourish∣ment, have a heating, attenuating, cutting Faculty, inflame the blood, they leave be∣hind them a thick Juyce, provoke Venus, they are all hurtful to the Head, Eyes,

Teeth, and Gums, and cause disturbive sleep and turbulent dreams.

Cabbage.

Cabbage is generally accounted to be cold and dry, yet the bitterness and acrimo∣ny of the Juyce is observed to stir the belly 'tis hard of concoction, affords little nou∣rishment, and that thick and melancholly, from whence fulliginous vapours fly into the head and produce turbalent sleep, and weakens the sight, and are very dange∣rous for those are incident to a Vertigo, or swimming in the head.

Being boyled in the broath with Fat Meat, it is somewhat corrected, yet the stinking coction or broath, shews its dan∣ger, and that its only fitting for laborious people.

Artechoaks▪

Artechoaks heat and dry to the second degree, they afford no good Aliment, they are hard of concoction, and stimulate Ve∣nus, Windy, yet the Meat of the Leaves, Stalks, and Roots do wonderfully cleanse the Reins, sending forth stinking Urine, and cures the Running of the Reins; if it be decocted in White-wine▪ and the decocti∣on drank.

Lettice.

Letttice is esteemed the best of Sallads, affords more nourishment then other herbs, 'tis cold and moist, and corrects Choller, and good for hot Stomachs, it provokes sleep, allays the heat of the Reins, but too much doth diminish the natural heat.

Spinnage

Spinnage cools, and moistens, affords little nourishment, it generates col•• and Serous humours in the Stomach, unless it be corrected with Oyl, Pepper, or Butter, it is not profitable and begets wind.

Beets, Orach, and Mallows.

They all loosen the belly by humectati∣on, they nourish little, and yeilds a watry Juyce, and unpleasing of tast, except the sawce mends them.

Asparagus.

Asparagus and like to them are the young branches of Hops, they neither heat, nor manifestly cool, they are grateful to the

tast and cause Appetite, yet afford little nourishment, they have a detergent clean∣sing faculty, provoke Urine, they cleanse the Reins open Obstructions of the Liver, and other intrails.

Parsley.

Parsley is hot and dry, provokes Urine, and the courses opens Obstructions, purges the Reins and Bowels, yet it affords but little nourishment.

Purslain▪

Purslain is an excellent Sallad with Oyl, it cools the Reins, helps such as have a scalding of Urine, and pain by heat, also Rectifies the Teeth being set on Edge.

Mints.

Mints are pleasing in smell, especially Spear mints, which are hot and dry, and very strengthning to the Stomach, they stay Vomiting and are a most excellent Sallad minced in Vinegar and Sugar for any fresh meat.

Melones.

Melones are pleasant in tast, and send forth an Aromatick smell, but are of a cold watry moist substance, whereby they quench thirst and cause Urine, they cool and cleanse the Reins, but are easily corrupted, and be∣ing corrupted, become as it were of a poy∣sonous nature, and stir up Choller, or generate Feavers, whereby many great men are killed, therefore they ought to be eaten at the first course, or before meat that they may the easier descend through the belly, and after the eating of them some

good Food ought to be eaten, and good Wine to be drank that their corrupting may be hindred.

Cucumbers.

Cucumbers are also cold, but not so moist, and the Juyce not so dangerous nor so easily corrupted in the Stomach, they are least offensive to hot Stomachs.

Strawberries▪

Strawberries are cold and moist; they are profitable to those that are troubled with Choller in the Stomach, they cool the Liver and restrain the heat of blood, and Chollerick humours, they allay thirst, therefore profitable to hot constitutions, they have thin juyce purge the Reins cause Urine, but are easie corrupted in the Sto∣mach, therefore ought to be eaten before meat.

Fruits of Trees, First of Apples.

Apples there are divers sorts, which discover themselves by their tast, the sowre are colder then the sweet, and of a thin and less flatulent substance, the austere and sharp are yet colder and of a thick sub∣stance, and descend more slowly through the belly and stay it, yet their violence is corrected by boiling and sowre sharp Ap∣ples are rather to be used for Medicine then Aliment, they afford ill Juyce, but those are worst, which are watry and have little or no tast, the best have a sweet Aro∣matick tast and smell, and such as afford an indifferent quantity of Aliment, they strengthen the Heart, exhilerate the mind, and are very beneficial to those which are troubled with Melancholly,

Pears.

Pears there are of divers kinds and facul∣ties, the austere and sharp are astringent and cooling, and hurtful to the Stomach and Guts, sweat are more temperate, yet al∣most all are of a cold moist nature, but some are hot and moist, if taken before meat they are apt to stop a looseness, being taken after meat, they loosen the belly, and shut the mouth of the Stomach they are better boyled then raw.

Quinces.

Quinces are cold and dry, and have an a∣stringent quality they afford little nourish∣ment and are hard of concoction, they strengthen the Stomach, stop vomiting, and if they are taken after meat, hinder vapours so that they cannot easily ascend to the Head and so loosen the Belly, but being taken before meats they stops a looseness,

if they are eaten raw, they hurt the Nerves and often cause Fits of the Chollick, and Obstructions.

Peaches.

Peaches are cold and moist, and are easi∣ly corrupted, and afford little nourishment, and therefore are to be eaten sparinly, and warily, and not without danger to cold Stomachs, and they are to be eaten before meals not after other meats, neither is wa∣ter or any cold drink to be drank after them but generous Wine, being dryed they are less hurtful, but best boyled in Wine, whereby their pravity is taken away and become not dangerous.

Apricocks.

Apricocks are far beyond Peaches in goodness and are more pleasing to the Sto∣mach and are not easily corrupted.

Medlers.

Medlers are cold and dry, and are not eaten till they are Rotten, they afford little nourishment, and are slowly concocted, they stop the belly and all Flux, they stay vomiting and agree well with a Cholle∣rick Stomach.

Cherries.

All Cherries have a cooling Faculty, but the sowre especially, they are easily con∣cocted and quickly descend through the belly, and cool the Stomach and Liver, they quench thirst, and raise an Appetite, and are not so easily corrupted, nor of so hurtful a Juyce as the sweet ones, which are much inferiour to the sharp in good∣ness by reason of the moisture abounding are easily corrupted and generate Putrid humours, and sometimes Worms in Pu∣trid Feavers, taken by surfeit, and ever-much

eating them, yet the black are most wholesome, and indeed Medicinal against Convulsions.

Plumbs and Prunes▪

Plumbs in general are cold and moist, but there are divers kind of Plumbs, the sweet ones are not so cold as the sower in nature, they are chiefly profitable to cholorick stomachs, they are easily con∣cocted and pass through the belly, those that are fresh alter most powerfully, they mollify the belly being taken before meat, but very dangerous taken after by reason they scatter abroad many excrements and that crude, they do not generate good juice those which abound most with a moistcrude juice are the worst, also the white or yel∣lowish are the worst, but the best are of a black or blew colour like Damsons and Damask Prunes, the dry are more fit for nourishment for those that are weak in sto∣mach, plumbs are not convenient because

they loosen its strength by a cooling moi∣sture.

Mulburies.

Mulburies do very powerfully quench thirst from their moisting and cooling qua∣lity, they mitigate choller, but nourish little, they easily pass through the belly, but if they are retained they are easily corrupted and become putred, and acquire an ill Na∣ture wherefore they are to be eaten when the stomach is empty only and not stuffed with peccant humours that they may quick∣ly descend through the belly.

Figs.

Figs are hot and moist by Nature, and nourish very much above any other Fruits, they easily descend and pass through the belly, they have a penetrating and cleansing faculty, yet too much use of them begets Wind, dry Figs are hotter and dryer, then

green and are of a very opening and attenu∣ating quality, and do also loosen the belly, and drive humours to the external parts, therefore profitably taken by Women near their time of travel they generate blood al∣so but none of the best.

Grapes.

Grapes that are sweet, are hot, and there∣fore cause thirst, sharp, sower, austere are colder, therefore allay drotwh or thirst, the mean between sweat and sowre are best to make Wine of, the fresh gathered, ate fla∣tulent, windy, afford little nourishment, and if they are detained long in the Stomach, are corrupted and dilate the belly, and stir up Chollick Fits, and cause the Spleen to swell, and fill the Stomach and Liver, with crude humours, the fresh gathered serve rather for pleasure then health, but the best are the sweet ones, mixt with a little sharp tast, those without stones loosen the belly more, but with stones strengthen the Sto∣mach.

Almonds and Nuts.

Sweet Almonds are the best of Nuts, and of them the largest and sweetest are most to be desired, they are temperately hot and moist, and yeilds store of nourishment, and of good juyce and moderate, they attenuate and cleanse, for which Reason they are the best Food for imatiated bodies, and they replenish the intrails, and the whole body with convenient nourishment, and such as is not apt to corruption, they purge the breast, open Obstructions of the Urinary passage, and cause sleep, but are not so use∣ful for a Chollerick Stomach, nor good to be given in Feavers, proceeding from Choller, they are usually given to the Sick, dissolved in broaths, which are called e∣mulsions.

Filberds and Hasle-Nuts.

The best of Hasle Nuts are Filberds and

do come nearest to Almonds in vertue, but they are hot and dry in quality, hardly di∣gested afford a thick juyce if old the young or newly gathered are the best.

Walnuts.

Walnuts if new gathered are hot and moist, the old are hot and dry in faculty, the new are safer eaten then the old, for the old generates Choller, offend the orifice of the Stomach, and hurt the Gullet, or Wind-pipe, cause a Cough, and causeth pain in the head, the use of them is com∣mended after eating of Fish, because their heating and dryness prevent the corruption of Fish.

Chestnuts.

Gallen that learned Physitian believes that Chestnuts have no ill juyce, as all other Fruits of Trees have, they are hot

and dry, and if they are well concocted, nourish very much, and affords durable nourishment, they bind the belly, and if they are eaten in too great plenty, generates Wind.

Olives Oyle.

Olives are temperate, and the Oyl drawn from them that are Ripe, affords nourish∣ment temperate, and agreeable to our Na∣ture, and can correct the pravity of other Aliments, amends the crudity of Herbs, Resists poyson, it mollifies and loosens the belly, it takes away sharpness, it helps Ruptutes, and such as are bursten bellied, and mittigates pain internally and exter∣nally.

Mushromes and Toad-stools.

Lastly, since the wantonness of some will eat Mushromes, yet they are not eaten without danger, they are by nature cold, they yeild a watry and thick nourishment, but oftentimes they are poysonous there∣fore better let alone then eaten.

Now we have passed through all eatable things, it is necessary we speak next of all sorts of Drink.

CHAP. XII. Of Drink Its Use.

DRink is of so absolute necessity, that without it, the moist substance which is daily consumed, cannot be restored, nor the natural thirst allayed, neither can the Fat and thick moisture be carried through the narrow passages, and by drink the meat in the Stomach is mingled, concocted, and poured forth, and an inflamation of that Fat, which destinated by Nature to nourish our bodies is prohibited.

Kinds of Drink.

There are divers kinds of Drink, as Water, Wine, Strong Beer, Ale, Syder, Perry, Drinks made of Honey, Sugar, &c. and di∣vers decoctions.

Waters how to know good.

There is great variety of Waters, all which are cold and moist, but the best is that which is pure and clear, by the sight, taste, smell, and offers the sale of nothing to the tast, nor odour to the smell, which upon the fire is soon made hot, and taken from the Fire doth soon grow cold, which is light, and wherein Flesh and Fruit are soon boyled, some is Fountain others is River water, some Rain water, others Lake or Pond water, some marish, others Snow waters.

Fountain Water▪

Fountain water is the best which hath these marks of good water, that spreads towards the East, and Runs Eastward, and Riseth through Sand, and Gravel, that car∣ries no mud with it, that is hotter in Winter and colder in Summer.

River Water.

River Water for the most part is Foun∣tain water, and ariseth from many Foun∣tains flowing together, and therefore is of a mixed nature, and receives also a mixt Nature from the Earth it passeth through.

Waters are mixed.

And sometimes also they are mingled with Snow melted in the Mountains, and great showres of water collected together, yet its crudity is corrected by the beams of the Sun, whilst it runs through divers parts of the Earth, before the use of it, it should stand and settle in Cisterns, and Tubs, that what impurities it brought with it, may settle to the Bottom.

Rain Water.

Rain Waters which falls in the Summer time with Thunder, is the thinnest and lightest, but since many vapours are lift up by the heat, and mingled with the Showers, these Waters are not very pure, whence they are obnoxious to pu∣trifaction.

Well Waters.

Well Waters since they are not raised up but by the benefit of Art, are thick and heavy, whence they continue long in the Bowels, and obstructs them.

Lakes and Marish waters.

These Waters are the worst, they easily become putrid, they are thick and crude, and oftentimes malignant▪ and pestilent, from whence the Stomach is offended with them, the Bowels obstructed, and humors corrupted, and oftentimes putred, and malignant, and Pestilential Feavers do thence arise, wherefore their use is wholly to be forborn.

Waters of Snow and Ice.

Waters of Snow and Ice are condemned because they are thick and hurt the Sto∣mach, and stir up grievous symptomes and Diseases of the Joynts, Nerves, and Bowels.

Correcting of VVaters.

Waters are corrected by boyling and their conditions and Malignancies are aba∣ted, and the terene and vitious parts, are separated, which will settle in the bottom when they are cold.

Of VVine, Its Nature.

All Wine hath a heating and drying qua∣lity,

but some is hotter and more generous, others less, that it is hot is manifest by the spirit, which is drawn out of it, yet because it nourisheth much, and encreaseth moi∣sture and blood, fit to nourish the body, 'tis said to be moist, therefore Wine is a Medicinal Aliment, hot and dry, some in the first, some in the second, and some in the third degree, for this Reason the use of it is forbidden, boyes by reason of its drying faculty, many do mix water with their Wine, yet there is not a little diffe∣rence in heating and drying, not only ac∣cording to the Nature of the Wine, its sel••, some Wine is called windy wine, be∣cause it may indure much water to be mix∣ed with it, and be still good.

Difference of wines.

Wines diff••r according to smell, tast, colour, and manner of subsistance as for tast, sweet wines properly so called, nourish best, and are not only most grateful to the pallate, but also to the Bowels, but be∣cause they are thicker, easily produce Ob∣structions

in the Liver and Spleen, inflame the Hypochondries, and are easily turned into Choller, they are profitable to the Lungs, Chops and Throat, neither do they offend the Head, nor hurt the Nerves.

Austere wines.

Harsh wine have the weaker heat tarry longer in the belly, nor do they easily pass through the Veins, nor penetrate through the passages of Urine, whence they are good for loosenesses, of the belly, but hurtful in the Disease of the Breast and Lungs, for they detain spittle, the middle sort betwixt sweet and sowre is the best.

Smell of wine.

A fragrant smell is a token of the best wine because it can increase spirits, restore decayed strength, and recreate and refresh those that are suddenly languishing only by the smell, and can exhilerate the mind,

and strengthen the whole man, and all its fa∣culties, and principally it is good for old man, & by filling the head hurt the Nerves, but wine that have no smell are base, & are not received so gratefully by the Stomach, nor so easily concocted, nor do they afford so fit Aliment, to engender good Spirits, nor strengthen the Heart so much, not refresh the body, therefore all such wine, as have an unnatural smell, whencesoever con∣tracted, are all naught, and not fit for drinking.

Colour of wine.

Colour of wine, shews much of the na∣tur•• of it, for white or pale wines, heat less then deep and yellow wines, and are weak∣er, especially if besides their paleness, they are o•• a thin substance, all black wines, or deep Red are of thicker substance, and for the most part sweet, and nourish very much, yet they beget thick blood, and not so laudable, they cause Obstructions, and continue longer in the Bowels, and fill the Head with many vapours, between the

white and red, their are middle colours, viz. Yellow, Reddish yellow, a pale Red, and perfect Red, a pale Red is nearest to White, and if the substance be thin is the best, as such are Rhenish wines, the most apt to strengthen the Heart, and most be∣neficial to those that are troubled with Chollick pains, and with the Flatus of the Stomach, Red wines for the most part, heat not so much, they generate good blood, and do not load the Head, but if they are thick in substance, they are naught for the Liver and Spleen, because they breed Obstructions.

Wine differ according to Age.

Wines also differ according to Age, new wine is thick and flatuous begets the Cholick, impeads and hinders Urine, yet it loosens the belly, and unless it doth so, 'tis the more hurtful, new wine, and that which is as sweet as wine new prest, is not easily distributed into the body, and wine

too old may work too much upon the Nerves and offend the head, therefore a mid∣dle age is best for all uses, in which thing also there is great difference according to the nature of the wine, some will last long, others sooner loose their strength and spirits.

Beer and Ale.

Beer and Ale is the common famili∣ar drink in England, and no doubt but pro∣fitable and wholesome it is, as experience shews, but the different preparations, or brewings makes no small difference in drinks, the difference of waters is greatly to be considered, therefore according to their Natures, I have taught you before how to judge; Also the different Corn or Grain is very considerable, as drink made of VVheat Malt nourish more, others mix some VVheat, some Barley, others mix some Oats with Barley for Malt, gene∣rally in Ale is used less hops, then in Beer, therefore Ale is more nourishing, and loo∣sens the belly, all new drink is more un∣wholesome

especially if it be troubled, for it obstructs the Bowels, generates the Stone, but that which is clear is wholesomer.

Honey Drinks

Various sorts of Drinks there is made with Honey, which for the most part, heat and dry more then wine, and easily turns into Choller, especially if Arromaticks are added as spice, &c. Therefore good ••or the Phlegmatick, and bad for the Chol∣lerick.

Coffee.

Lastly, Since of late Coffee is grown so much into use, it will not be amiss if we touch upon the quality of it, in its nature it is cold and dry, binding it doth very much sympathize in vertue with Pease, only it hath this quality above Pease, that it will make him that drinks it vigilant, for it doth very much hinder sleep, and therefore good

in a Lethargy, but bad to be drank near bed time, by those that cannot sleep well, it doth potently resist drunkenness, which makes many after hard drinking, refresh themselves with it, and as it is drank actu∣ally hot, and being in it self potentially cold, it is innocent, working no wonders but one, viz. It hath made many poor people by selling it, become very rich.

Tobacco. And how useful,

And because Drink and Tobacco are seldom at great distance, and it being a common query amongst Patients to their Doctors is Tobacco good for me, I thought it necessary to say something of it, there∣fore take notice that some that have writ of it, do mu••ter up as many vertues pertain∣ing to it as can be mentioned, which is a common Fault in Herbalists, to ascribe more praise by much then is due to every Herb, but this is certain, Tobacco is a

good vulnary Herb, as may be used to wounds, whether made into Oyntment from the green Herb, or the leaf it self applyed, it is in Nature, hot and dry, very Balsamaical, now as used by smoaking in a pipe, it is very attractive of moist and crude humours, as Water and Phlegm, cut of the Head and Stomach, and so it makes a pump of the mouth, for the benefit of some and detriment to the health of others.

And that I may make some discovery, for whom it is good, and for what: I say it is chiefly proper for those that are of a Phlegmatick constitution, and those that abound with humidity, as Rhumes, Catarrhs, Distillations, and Hydropick persons, my Reasons are it is good for the Phlegmatick, because it is hot and dry, and so resists the generation of Phlegm, as well exhausts it; next it is good against Rheums, Catarrhs, Distillations, because it draws sorth by the mouth, and so prevents the distilling upon the Lungs, for the acrimony of Salt Phlegm, falling from the head upon the Lungs, is the worst and dangerous symptome in a Catarrh, which ulcerates the Lungs, and brings the whole body into a Cons••mption,

and death, therefore whatsoever leads forth the distilling humour, prevents the great mischief it brings.

For whom Tobacco is not good.

First it is not good for those that are hot and dry; Chollerick constitutioned, yet if such have long accustomed themselves to the taking it, it is not safe leaving it of too hastily, but by degrees, neither is it pro∣per for Sanguine p••ople, that are not trou∣bled with Rheums, because it attracts hu∣mours by heat, and brings an influx where would be none without it, and it doth cer∣tainly decay the Teeth for two causes, from its own heat, which comes with a burning Oyl, with the smoak into the mouth, and likewise it destroys the Teeth from the fre∣quent Flux of Rheum from the Head to the Teeth, which may well be avoided by them for whom it is not agreeable.

Order in taking Tobacco.

Some Directions ought to be given, as to the manner of using this drug, as well as others, as first for the Phlegmatick.

For Phlegmatick persons, it is best for them to take it ordinarly after Meats, e∣specially after drinking, and before going to bed and not to drink after it, but rather before they smoak, that the crudities of the drink and Stomach may be emited, but for hot constitutioned persons, as the Chol∣lerick, it is best for them to drink both be∣fore and after, (except to bed ward) least their natural heat, with the heat of Tobac∣co may be inflamed, and cause a burning at the Heart and in the Stomach.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Passions of the Mind, and exercise and rest of the body.

THe next thing conducible to health, having now sufficiently spoken of wholesome Air, Meat and Drink, &c. Is passions of the mind, and exercise of body, the perturbations of the mind do much hurt to the body, as no Physitian will deny, and an Euthumy or well setled mind, and such as is at quiet, doth very much tend to the preservation of health, for although every man that is diseased in body, is troubled also in mind by the peccant humours which makes men angry and peevish, so

that it makes true the saying, there can hardly be found mens sana, but in corpore sano, yet there are some men in perfect health, that wilfully take upon them such a habit or custome of anger that not only disturbs their own house and Relations, but thereby bring into their own bodies Sick∣ness and Death, but contrarywise, mode∣rate joy and a chearful spirit doth preserve the body in health, and sound constitution, for it recreates and refreshes the heart and spirits, and whole body; but if joy be excessive, it dissipates and consumes the spirits.

Exercise of Body.

Motion and Exercise is of it self, suffi∣cient to keep the body from Diseases, be∣cause it brings a solidity and hardness to the parts of the body, that they that use exercise moderately, need little other Phy∣sick, this makes the labouring mans sleep sweet, and pleasant, this shews the Justice of divine providence distributing the hap∣piness of this matrocosm in proportion to

all Ranks of men, for they that are poor and forced to labour, are recompensed with the rich Jewel of health, better then which nothing can here be found. Exercise doth increase health, and strength, also it moves and agitates the spirits, from whence the heart is made strong, and can resist external injuries, and is fit to undergo all actions, and good nourishment is made, and vitious excrementitious vapours are discussed, on the contrary, those bodies that live idly, are soft and tender, and unfit to perform labors of every kind, as Dancing, Running, Play∣ing at Ball, Gesture of Body, Riding, Swimming, Walking and all others, but divers exercise have different force, and some exercise, some parts more then others, in walking the Legs are most exercised, in handling of Weapons the Arms, in singing speaking loud, and clear Reading, with a loud voice the Lungs, Breast and Face, but the playing with a Ball, Gallen that great Physitian, hath writ a peculiar book in commendations of that exercise above any other, by reason it exercises the whole body, also there is a great difference according to strength used, or magnitude in motion, for example, swift motions attenuates the bo∣dy,

thickens it, slow motions Ratifies and increaseth Flesh, vehement motions exte∣nuates the body, and makes it lean, but with hard flourishing, and firm flesh, too much exercise exhausteth and dissipates the spirits and the substance of the solid parts, and cools the whole body, and dissolves the strength of the Nerves and Ligaments, and sometimes breaks the lesser Veins, and di∣stendeth the membrances.

Of Sleep and Watching▪

Watchings that are moderate is a help to distribute Aliment and promotes the emis∣sion of excrements, it stirs up the spirits and renders them more flourishing, but if watchings are immoderate, they consume and dissipate the animal Spirits, and dry the whole body, especially the brain, they in∣crease Choller, they inflame, and the heat being dissipated, they stir up cold Disea∣ses.

Sleep being moderate doth refresh and kindle again the decayed strength, and spi∣rits

that are wasted by diurnal labours are by it restored, the heat is called back to the internal parts, from whence a concocti∣on of Aliment and crude humours is hap∣pily performed in the whole body, espe∣cially the Bowels are sweetly moistned the heat increased, and the whole body become stronger, cares are taken away. Anger is allayed, and the mind enjoys more tran∣quillity, in moderate evacuations, besides sweat are hindred as the Diarhea or Flux of the Belly, Sleep is especially beneficial to old men. On the contrary, moderate Sleep, obscures the Spirits, and renders them dull and causeth an amazedness in the understanding and memory, it sends out the heat, being hindred with crude and super∣flous humours, accumulated Sleep also, that seizeth on our bodies, after what man∣ner soever, when they are empty, dryes and extenuates.

Of Excretions, and Retentions.

The severral concoctions have their se∣veral excrements, but the body may be easily kept in its natural State, if those things which are profitable for its nourishment, be retained, and those things which are un∣profitable be cast out, but if those things which ought to be retained in the body be cast out, and those things which ought to be ejected be retained, the health will soon decay the excrements of the belly, if they are not evacuated in due season, hinder con∣coction, whilst putrid vapours exhale from thence to the Stomach and neighbouring parts, and so offend the head, and stir up griping pains, and many evils, too sudden cleansing of the belly doth little hurt, save that it defrauds the body of nourishment, and if it be frequent and of continuance the strength is weakned, and the Bowels de∣billitated.

Urine, if it be unseasonably made either

too often or too seldome shews a Distem∣per present, or will soon procure one if Urine be frequently made sooner then it ought or is need for, it brings no small da∣mage, for the frequent stimulation of the expulsive faculty of the Neck of the Bladder when there is not a sufficient quantity to di∣late and extend, the Vesica doth make a con∣traction of the Bladder, in a lesser compass, then its due limit, and if Urine be retained longer then it should, it brings great da∣mage by oppressing the Bladder, and some∣times so fills it that Urine cannot be expel∣led, which causes Inflamation, and a vio∣lent Feaver, great pain and speedy death.

Of venery

Man cannot live for ever although he be nourished, therefore the generative power is granted to him and given by the Crea∣tor of all things for the begetting of his like that Mankind might be preserved, which is the proper use of Venery. Now seed untimely retained, causeth heaviness or dulness of the body, and if it be cor∣rupted

stirs up grievous accidents, all which may be avoided by Venery, but let it be timely and lawful, for there is no need of the unlawful use of means to preserve health, which is contrary to Gods Law, for the Creator of man is so indulgent to him in this thing as it is necessary for him that is to have on VVoman, more might hinder his health, as I am sure it doth to too many, for too much Venery dissipates the natural heat, cools and dibillitates the whole body accumulates crudities, hurts the Nerves, generates the Gout, and causes the Palfie, and debility of the senses and understand∣ing, and by the commission of uncleanness a rottenness in the Loins, and if neglected will penetrate the very bones▪ therefore I advise all to chastity, but if infected to read the ensuing part and follow the Directions, and doubt not of Cure.

But that I may prevent the occasion of Disease by Venery; Consider there is many a Woman, very desireable to look on, yet if you enjoy them, you will less

prize them, and you can find no more plea∣sure in them, but the evacuation of your own heat and vigor, therefore it is downright folly and madness, to run such great hazard of Soul, body, Estate, and good Name, for a Toy of no value.