The skilful physician containing directions for the preservation of a healthful condition, and approved remedies for all diseases and infirmities (outward or inward) incident to the body of man ... whereunto is added experimented instructions for the compounding of perfumes, also for the chusing and ordering of all kinds of wines, both in preserving the sound, and rectifying those that are prick'd : never before imparted to publick view.

6. Some use only one meal in a day, which is not to be commend∣ed, unlesse their digestive faculty be very weak and slow in its operation. Some use two meals in a day, others take three meals in a day, the which custome, as it is most generally recei∣ved, so indeed it is most to be appro∣ved of, if it be done with Discreti∣on; viz. if you take such things as are most agreeable to you, and so much at a meal as may be easily di∣gested before the next meal. It is a good rule of Diet, to eat often and little at a time, not to let the stomack be long empty, nor to eat again be∣fore it be empty; for to eat or drink (when we have meat in our stomack half digested, or almost digested) before the digestion be finished, it doth much disturb the digestive fa∣culty,

pervert its operation, and so is the cause of many Diseases: but to keep the stomack alwayes in work∣ing, and to give it that whereupon it can work most easily, and to give it so much work as it can quickly per∣forme: this doth encourage Nature to follow its work, it strengthneth the digestive faculty, and preserveth it in its strength. By this rule, every one may order their own Diet well, if they rightly consider their strength and constitution, and condition of life. As those who stir much may feed oftner then they who use a fit∣ting life; and those who have hot, cholerick, slender bodies, may feed oftner then those who have gross, fat or phlegmatick bodies. For they who have gross and ful bodies ought to use a sparing Diet, & to use such meats and drinks which are of little nou∣rishment and of a drying faculty. But if you would know what time of the day you may feed most largely. I

answer, In the forenoon or in the morning, if you purpose to sup at night, that it may be well digested before supper time; for they who dine largely at noon, it is not pro∣bable that their dinner can be wel di∣gested before Supper time, unlesse they be of a cholerick, hot constituti∣on, for such have a quick digestion, and cannot eat much at a time. Now whereas many p••t the question, whe∣ther it is better to sup largely or dine largely? or if it be better to dine largely, and not to sup at all, where∣as the common custome is to dine largely, and to use a light supper. I answer, If your stomack be not emp∣ty, if that which you have eaten be∣fore be not well digested, it is better not to sup at all, for the reasons alrea∣dy mentioned: but if your stomack be empty, and you have a good ap∣petite to your supper, you may sup as largely as you may dine, so as you refrain from going to bed three or four hours ••fter.