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What is a Tempera∣ment. A Temperament therefore is a concord or mixture of the former disagreeing ele∣ments or a mixture of hot, cold, moist, and drie.
Of these temperaments which are in number nine, eight are called distempe∣rate, and one temperate.
The temperate is also devided either to temperature
of weight or temperature of justice, but we call it not a temperature to weight wherein the elements are ming∣led by a like heape or weight, but where it is exquisitely made temperate by the equall mixture of the foure first qualities, wherein no quality exceeds, but wherein all equality is included, and that as if it were put in a ballance it drawes downe neither to this nor that parte.
Secundum justitiam. A temperament to justice is that which is conveniently temperate to the vse that nature hath appointed and destinated it, therefore all those things that have taken from nature a mixture of the elements (though une∣quall, yet agreeable to motion and use) are called tem∣peraments secundum justitiam, as if wee see any living creature that performes the functions of nature aptly and as is ought to doe, we say he hath a temperament secundum justitiam, according to justice.
The distemperate temperament is double, simple and compound; the simple wherin one only quality exceeds the other two contemperate, as hot, cold, moist, dry, hot in which the heate hath the dominion over the cold (the moist and drie, being temperate) cold, in which the cold excels the heate (the other two being tem∣perate.)
The compound in which two qualities exceed, and this is hot, and moist, or hot and drie, cold and moist or cold and drie; for the first qualities may be joyned with∣in themselves six manner of waies, but heate cannot be joyned with cold, nor moisture with drinesse, because they are in themselves contrary, neither can they re∣maine together in one subject.
Heere may be added the temperatures of the seasons
of the yeere, which are four; Spring, Summer, Au∣tumn, and Winter, and are in nature hot, cold, moist, and drie.
Spring. The Spring is the most temperate, as being neither too cold and moist, as the Winter, nor too hot and dry, as the Summer: from hence Hippocrates cals the Spring the most healthfullest time of the yeere, and lesse sub∣ject to dangerous diseases, then any other season; for it never breeds any disease, but onely produces such as have been breeding in the body all the Winter prece∣dent.
Summer. Summer is hot and drie, and a breeder of cholericke diseases, which proceed from too much bloud, genera∣ted in the Spring, and now become adust, and these dis∣eases are for the most part speedy in running their course.
Autumne. The Autumn is very unequall, for when it is drie it hath great inequality of heat and cold; the mornings and evenings being very cold, and the noondaies ex∣ceeding hot, whereby many long and dangerous disea∣ses are ingendred.
Winter. The Winter is cold and moist of temper; it excites naturall heat and appetite, and augments phlegme. Af∣ter this maner are we to consider the ages of man which are agreeable to the four quarters of the yeere.