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.

The DIRECTIONS for the Preservation of HEALTH.

I. Of DIET.

1. OPpresse not your sto∣mack with immo∣derate or unseason∣able eating or drink∣ing. If you be in Health, do not eat or drink unlesse you have an appetite to it, and bee sure that you have an empty sto∣mack before you eat, and to eat to fulness and overcharging of the sto∣mack is not good. It is better to rise from Table with an appetite to eat more, then to sit down to Ta∣ble without an appetite.

2. Judg those meats most agree∣able

to your body, which you desire most, and digest best, without any trouble to you; but eschue those meats as hurtful to you, which you have eaten upon an empty stomack being in health, if after the eating of them, they cause soure and ill savo∣ring belchings, with heaviness in your stomack.

3. Observe this order in eating, if you have several dishes before you, first eat that which is of easiest dige∣stion, and then eat that which is of harder digestion.

4. If any do ch••nge their course of Dyet which they have used for a long time, as they who by high feed∣ing and continual fulness, come to have a very fat and gross body, they resolve to use a more sparing Diet; or they who have been accustomed to a very sparing and low Diet, if on a sudden they come to have ful∣nesse and variety of Dyet; or they who have much used any thing, as

Tobacco, &c, which they resolve to forbear, let them observe these following

Cautions: 1. Not to do it suddenly, but by little and little; for all sudden changes are hurtful to nature.

2. That they do it not, but in time of perfect health, because they are then best able to undergo such change.

3 That they do it not when they are much disturbed with businesse or otherwise; because when the mind is much disturbed, Nature is easily drawn to irregulate working to cause Diseases, and especially by a sudden change from that which hath been accustomed.

4. If a man hath accustomed himselfe to any thing the most part of h••s life time, howbeit this custome is bad, yet he cannot safely begin a change in his old age.

5. Fasting from meat and drink in some cases is good, as in the increa∣sing of acute Diseases, or if there be much crudity in the stomack; but

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fasting unadvisedly used is hurtful; as to those who have melancholick or cholerick dry bodies, much fasting is very injurious; but to those who are phlegmatick, plethorick, fat, full of moist humours, temperance in their Diet, with often and seasonable fasting is very good. Likewise those who drink so much as to be distem∣pered thereby, if they eat before that drink be well digested, they undoub∣tedly wrong their bodies: and how∣beit they are not then sensible of it, having a strong Constitution; yet certainly this will be a foundation of the decaying of nature. Extraordina∣ry drinking doth very much dimi∣nish the strength of Nature; and much more, if you add eating to ex∣cessive drinking. Experience maketh it appear to us daily in many, that excessive drinking or eating doth op∣presse Nature, and causeth the decay of Nature even in the strongest con∣stitutions. This is certain, that ex∣cessive

fulnesse, or too great want of what we should have, or any thing else which is not according to the course of Nature, is hurtful.

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.

7. To eat of one sort of meat only at a meal, is best; but if you eat of several dishes, let them be such, as are neer of a Nature: for to eat of se∣veral dishes of disagreeing Natures, as to eat fish and flesh at the same meal, &c. it overthroweth the dige∣stive faculty, filleth the body with discordant humours, and produceth strange bad Effects.

8. To drink too sparingly at meals doth very much hinder concoction, to drink great draughts and seldom, doth weaken the stomack, which then is in concoction, and driveth down the meat too hastily, and cor∣rupteth the whole body with over∣much moisture and crudity; where∣fore it is best to drink often at meals and little at a time, and to swallow it down, not hastily, but leisurely; for the drink being mixt with the meats, by divers little draughts leisurely ta∣ken, tempereth them wel both for concoction and distribution. Ordi∣nary

Beere is best at meals, and at the ending of your meal take some strong drink, viz. Wine or strong Beere to help concoction. Drink not betwixt meales, if you can possibly forbeare it, unlesse great thirst and drought of the stomack require it, and then only a little is to be taken.

As for that custome commonly used, to drink fasting in the mor∣ning, it is not good for any but those who have a hot and dry consti∣tution, or subject to obstructi∣ons, to allay the drought of the stomack, and to cleanse away slimy or obstructive humours, whieh are in the Stomack, Liver, Veines or Reines.

9. It is a common custom and commendable, to set first on the Table bread and salt, and to take them last away, thereby shewing the necessary use of them at meals; and indeed they are to be reproved

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who use not (as some do) bread or salt at their meals. For Salt helpeth concoction much, and pre∣venteth the crudities of the sto∣mack, and therefore it is good to eat much salt with fresh meats, or to have your meats powdered.

As for Bread, we may very well give it the first place at meales, for it yeildeth a nourishment very familiar to our Natures. Let your bread be of the flower of the best Wheat, let it be fitly leavened: for so it is more easily digested, and yeildeth better nourishment; but if it be too much leavened, it is of heavy digestion, and of no commendable nourishment. Let it be temperately seasoned with salt, let it be light, well wrought, well baked, and eat it not over new, nor too stale. When you eat flesh, eat twice so much bread as flesh. When you eat fish, eat thrice so much bread as fish, especially if

the fish be of the moister sort, that the superfluous moistnre of it may be tempered by the driness of the bread; for they who eat little bread with their meats, common∣ly are troubled with windy cru∣dities, watrish and impure sto∣macks.

10. That you may know what kind of meats is best for you, take this general rule, use such meats as are most agreeable to the constitu∣tion of your body, to your age, and season of the year. Those who are of a hot cholerick constitution, should use meats of a moistning cool∣ing nature. Those who are of a cold, dry, melancholick constitution, should use meats and drinks of a moistning and heating faculty. Those of a phlegmatick constituti∣on, should use meats and drinks of a heating and drying faculty. Those of a sanguine complection, should

use a Diet of a temperate nature. And to those who have strong sto∣macks, meats of strong nourish∣ment, and of slow concoction are most agreeable: but to them who have weak stomacks, as old or sick∣ly people, &c. meats of lighter sub∣stance and of easier concoction are best.

In respect of the season also, you must alter your Diet; in the Spring and Summer use a more sparing Diet then in Harvest or Winter. In the Summer use meats and drinks of a cooling and moistning faculty, in the Winter let them be heating and drying; in the Spring let them be of a temperate nature, and not too nourishing; in the Harvest, let them be moistning, and moderate∣ly heating.

I cannot here shew you parti∣cularly what things are cooling, or moistning, or heating, &c. because

I must be short being in a Preface, and I refer you to those who have treated largely of these things; viZ. Muffets Improvement of Health.

Of Sleep and Watching.

Life cannot continue without food, and Health cannot be preser∣ved, without moderate sleep; for this refresheth the wearied spirits, and re∣paireth the decayed spirits, it fur∣thereth concoction, and is a present help for Crudities; but if it be im∣moderately used, it is hurtful, it causeth defluxions, heaviness of the head, dulness of wit; cold phlegmatick Diseases, &c. there∣fore that you may use sleep comfor∣tably and profitably, have a care, that your sleep be seasonable, for as you should not watch when you should fleep, so you should

not sleep when you should be a∣w••ke; and therefore es••hue noon∣sleeps, and too long morning-sleeps, as great enemies to health; for whatsoever is not according to the course of Nature, is contrary to Nature, and so will by little and little weaken Nature, and in the end overthrow it. Now we see it natural to all living and sensitive creatures to observe this rule, To sleep in the night time, and in the day to be provident to supply their wants; and therefore they who do contrary to this rule, are contrary to the course of nature, and wrong themselves, howbeit they are not at present sensible of it. And with∣out doubt these two (which are both contrary to Natures rule) viz. unseasonable sleeping or watch∣ing, and unreasonable eating and drinking are the great causes which deprive us of Health, and shorten

our lives, as those especially who are rich find it by experience, who stay out of bed very late, and lye long in the morning, a bad custom: but as you tender health, sleep not in the mornings too long, unlesse honest occasions, or an ill disposition of body causeth much watching in the beginning of the night; then it is needful that you make a∣mends by sleeping so much the lon∣ger in the morning: neither should you sleep at noone, for sleeping after dinner (if it is constantly used) causeth superfluous moisture of the braine, and causeth cold Diseases of the braine, as Palsies, &c. puffeth up the Spleene with wind, prepareth the body for Agues, Impost∣humes, &c.

Yet in some extraordinary cases sleeping after dinner may and ought to be used;

1. If you have not slept

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well in the night nor in the morn∣ing.

2. If you be faint with excessive heat of the Season.

3. Old people, because of their weaknesse, may sleep after dinner, or any other time when they can.

4. Those who have slender and dry bodies, receive great benefit by sleeping after dinner; for it moist∣neth their bodies, and refresheth their spirits. But those who have full gross bodies, or who are of a san∣guine or phlegmatick complexi∣on, let them beware of sleeping after dinner.

Now those who would sleep at noon must observe these things fol∣lowing.

1. That they sleep not imme∣diately after Dinner, but an hour after, or half an hour at least.

2. That they sleep not lying, but

rather sitting with the body up∣right.

3. That they-sleep not over long, not above half an hour, or an hour at most.

4. That they sleep not in a place too hot (especially in the Summer time) but rather enclining to cold: the most convenient place for any to sleep in at any time, is that which is not too hot nor too cold, not too close nor too open; and above all, it must not be dampish, for that is very hurtful to the body, especial∣ly to the head: you must have a care to keep your head and neck wel from the cold when you sleep.

When you sleep, lye upon your right side; and not upon your left side, unlesse it be to ease your bo∣dy, when you are wearied with ly∣ing upon your right side: lye upon your left side as little as you can; for to lye upon the left side, hin∣dreth

concoction, encreaseth the Diseases of the Spleene, causeth troublesome Dreames, &c. So likewise to lye upon your back when you sleep, is very unwholsome; it causeth troublesome sleeps, it cau∣seth the Night-mare, it occasioneth the Lethargy, Palsies, Cramp, it heateth the Raines; it is very bad for those who are troubled with the Stone, or are inclined to it.

Now if you would know how long you ought to sleep, observe this rule, That you should sleep, until you find the concoction of the stomack and liver be finished, the spirits well refreshed, and you find a lightsomnesse in the whole body, especially in the stomack and head. But if you find heavinesse in the bo∣dy, head, and eyes, or stomack, or if you have ill savoured belchings, or &c. they signifie that you have not yet slept enough.

Again, the time of your sleep must be determined according to your strength and constitution; as those who are weak and sickly, or aged and children, must take longer time of rest, then those who are strong, or young, for whom seven or eight hours sleep is enough. And those who have dry, cholerick or melancholick bodies, need longer sleep then the phlegmatick or san∣guine, or those who have grosse fat bodies; for it very much refresh∣eth and moistneth dry bodies, to whom there is nothing more hurt∣ful then too much watchfulness. But too long sleep to phlegmatick, grosse bodies is very hurtful.

It is a custome to warme the bed before we go to bed, which should not be used by those who are healthful and strong (unlesse fresh sheets be layed upon the bed) for it weakneth their bodies, and ma∣keth

them tender. But it is good for them who are aged, or are weak by Nature, or lead a tender course of life, for such cannot well en∣dure a cold bed, it may wrong them much: weak or tender Na∣tures, are by very small occasi∣ons overcome and put out of their right courses.

I conclude concerning sleeping and watching with this, That im∣moderate and unseasonable Sleep∣ing weakeneth the natural heat, fil∣leth the body with bad humours, and enclineth the body to cold, phlegma∣tick Diseases, dulleth the spirits and wit.

And immoderate Watching dry∣eth the body too much, it turneth a sanguine constitution to be cho∣lerick; and it turneth a phlegma∣tick constitution to be melancho∣lick, it overdryeth the braine; it wasteth the spirits, it weakneth the

digestive faculty, enclineth the body to consumptions, &c.

Of Exercise.

The stirring of the body by walk∣ing, riding, some pastime, &c. If it be moderate and in fit time; it encreaseth natural heat, refresheth and quickneth the spirits, maketh the body lightsome and nimble, helpeth concoction, furthereth the expulsion of the Excrements and bad humours, &c. In any stirring industri∣ous course of life, for the most part they live longer and healthier then those who use a sitting restful life.

But you must have a care, that you use not too much stirring or motion of the body to weary your selfe too much; for this will con∣sume the natural moisture, and waste

the spirits, encline the body to a Con∣sumption, &c.

Those who would use any kind of Exercise only for their Healths sake, let them not do it upon a full sto∣mack, or immediately after eating, for the most part of Physicians do agree in this, that wee should not go about any exercise of the Bo∣dy until the first and second digesti∣on is compleated, when the stomack is light and almost empty.

It will be good also to dis∣burden your selves of the excre∣ments of the belly, and of urine, before you begin your Exercise, lest the Excrements by the violence of the heat of the Exercise, be drawn into the veines, or &c. whereby the blood may be corrupted, Ob∣structions caused, &c. And if you use any exercise or violent motion of the body immediately after meales, or while there is meat in

the stomack not digested, it marreth digestion, and causeth crudities and bad humours; whereupon will follow Scabs, Ulcers, Imposthumes. This is to be understood chiefly of those who use a restful life, and live tenderly. But those who live in continual exercise of their body, as labouring men, they need not be so cautious for the time or man∣ner of their Exercise (for that to which our Natures are constant∣ly accustomed, will not do us harme,) if men keep themselves to one constant course of Exer∣cise, and not at any time to ex∣ceed their ordinary custome: but if they do things rashly and im∣moderately, otherwise then they use to do; as if they fall upon any work upon a full stomack; or if after violent hot working they are carelesse of them∣selves, and keep not themselves

warme, &c. Thereupon certain∣ly will follow alterations of the bo∣dy and Diseases. For that to which we are not accustomed, if it be violent and oppresserh Na∣ture, it must of necessity work dan∣gerous alterations in us. You must be very cautious in the doing of any thing to which you are not ac∣customed, until by tonstant use it becometh familiar to our Na∣ture, and then it may be used safe∣ly, howbeit at first perhaps it was dangerous, if not used with great caution.

A constant custome in any thing prevaileth much with Nature, so that a man may safely do that to which he hath been accustomed, which would be very dangerous to another. And therefore violent stir••ing of the body to those who have a restful life, or untimely ex∣ercise immediately after meales, is

hurtful; but to rise up after meal, to stand or to walk softly is good: and if it be in cold seasons of the year, let the place be temperate, not too hot nor too cold; if it be in the hot seasons of the year, walk in the o∣pen fields, nigh to some pleasant rivers after supper; but after din∣ner in some shadowed place, or some cool Arbour, &c. Observe this general rule concerning the place, after meals to stand or walk in, That it incline more to cold then to heat. For as the heat of Exercise immediately after meals, so the heat of a hot place by drawing our na∣tural heat from the inward parts of the body to the outward, it mar∣reth digestion, and filleth the bo∣dy with crude humours, therefore after meals let your place be pleasant and moderately cool, your exercise gentle walking and pleasant discourse with merry companie; spend an

houre so, and thereby you shall find digestion furthered, your body much refreshed, natural heat and strength cherished and encreased. But when you use great motion of the body, as in travel, pa∣stime, &c. do it moderately, so as you do not weary your selves too much, and oppresse the strength of nature: and in this mo∣derate beneficial stirring of the body there may be several degrees ob∣served, according to the consti∣tution of the body, and season of the year.

1. Those who have a grosse or phlegmatick body, should use much exercise, and should exercise themselves so, as thereby to provoke sweat; but they must have a care that they provoke not sweat im∣moderately, nor proceed to ex∣treme wearinesse, for thereby the spirits and good humors of the body

will be too much wasted, and the fat of the rain••s melted.

2. Those who have dry slender bo∣dies, must use e••si exercise: They must stirre their bodies no longer then the colour and flesh is somewhat ruddy, and the sweat be∣gins to come out; too much mo∣tion of their bodies will bring them to a Consumption.

Again, your Exercise must bee according to the season of the yeare; for as the season is colder, so you may use stronger and more laborious exercises, and oftner: and as the season incli∣neth more to heat, so the ex∣ercise or motions of your bo∣dy must be more moderate and calme.

One thing I will add here, viz. Rubbing of the Body, which is much commended to us by all Physicians, and is found by the ex∣perience

of all who have used it, to be a thing very beneficial to the body, and it may well stand in stead of all other Exercises or mo∣tions of the body, to those who can∣not have such Exercises, either be∣cause of their weaknesse, or &c. It stirreth up and encreaseth natural heat, it quickneth the blood, it strengthneth the parts, it drawes humours from the higher parts of the body to the lower parts, it concocteth crude humours, it strengthneth digestion, it draweth bad humours from the principal parts of the body; there is not any one thing which may be more com∣mended then this, for the preservati∣on of the strength of Nature. But as all other Exercises of the body, so rubbing of the body must be used with caution, viz. That those who have gross or phlegmatick bodies must rub over their bodies until

they provoke sweat; but those who have hot bodies, or dry slender bo∣dies, they must rub their bodies until the flesh beginneth to swell, and groweth ruddish, and no longer. So likewise according to the Sea∣son, we must use rubbing more or lesse; as the season is colder, so must we use rubbing more, and less in hot seasons.

The manner how it is to be done, is thus. Rub with your hands, or rather with a warme linnen cloth your shoulders, armes, breast, sides, thighes, Legs and feet; but the belly, stomack and back, espe∣cially neer to the reines must not be rubbed. If you can your selves do it, and not to have another to do it, it will be so a great deal better. You must do it when you lye downe at night, but then more gently; but in the morning before you rise do it more strongly; and when you

rise, have a care to keep your selves well from the cold. Begin your rub∣bing easily and softly, afterwards faster and harder; and while you are rubbing, lay a double cloth warm∣ed to your stomack and belly. After you are risen, and have combed your head well backward, then rub your head and your neck with a warm linnen cloth, and (if it be a cold season) before the fire, remembring the Cautions concer∣ning rubbing before mentioned. This rubbing of the Head and Neck, is especially to be com∣mended to those who have moist heads, Students, and such as are troubled with Rhumes, Palsies, &c.

Of Excrements.

1. To go to stool twice or once in the day at least, preventeth those many inconveniences which are cau∣sed by the too long stay of the Ex∣crements in the body; but if you cannot do so by reason of costive∣ness, which is very hurtful, and hath many inconveniencies following it, therefore drink much, especially at meals, that thereby the stomack and in••estines may be well moistned: this will keep the Excrements soft, and make the passages slippery. But if Nature is dull and slow to evacua∣tion, it will be good to use some gentle loosening thing, at first once in two dayes for some time, then use it once in a day: and when you

have accustomed your self to go to stool so once in the day, Nature it selfe will afterwards observe that cu∣stome.

2. Sweating is very good for gross phlegmatick Bodies; but those who have dry slender bodies, must use it very moderately; and those whose bodies are too much drved by a Disease, or are enclining to a Consumption must eschew swea∣ting as much as they can.

3. Keep not Urine or Wind in your body, when Nature would void them, for they are very hurt∣ful, if they be kept long in the bo∣dy; and if you cannot break wind upward when it is in the stomack, or break it downward when it is in the belly, then use something which is good against the wind: let it stay in your body as little time as you can, especially if it be bred (as most commonly it is) of Crudities;

but when your body is free from Crudities, do not accustome your selfe to break wind, refraine from it then as much as you can; for if we bring Nature to a custome to break wind much, it is the way to make it breed wind.

4. To use any thing to provoke the evacuation of phlegme at the mouth or nose, is not to be appro∣ved of; it is best to let Nature follow its own course, unlesse those Excrements of the mouth or nose be obstructed: or abound exceeding∣ly by reason of a cold, or some other Cause.

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Of Passions of the Mind.

Eschew all excessive Passions, as excessive joy, excessive anger, excessive fear, &c. for they of∣tentimes cause weaknesse of the bo∣dy, and Swounings, and oft times sicknesse, and sometimes sudden death. Likewise envy, extreme cares, continual fear and continual sadnesse, are great enemies to health and shorten life: but a quiet con∣tented, cheerful mind, free from all these Passions, is a great sup∣porter of Health and prolonger of Life.

Of the Choice of Aire.

The best Aire is that which is pure, clear, and temperate, not too hot nor too cold, nor too moist, nor mixed with grosse moisture, or corrupt no some vapours. There∣fore shun that Aire which

• 1. Evaporateth from corrupt Ponds standing Pools, impure pla∣ces, as nasty Ditches which are full of impurities, &c.
• 2. Which is in Valleys or low pla∣ces, which are shut up about with Hil••s, so as no wind can come to it to purifie it.
• 3. Shun the Aire of Marish and moorish grounds.
• 4. Shun foggy mists.
• 5. Stay not in the night Aire;

• nor in any moist or dampish Air, as a moist Easterly Air, or a moist West∣erly Aire.

An impure Aire which ariseth from corrupt impure places, infect∣eth the body, and causeth dangerous Diseases.

An Aire which is too moist, or a Night aire encreaseth phlegm, and causeth Rheumes.

The Aire of low and marish pla∣ces, fill the body with gross phleg∣matick humours, causeth paine in the joints, Cramp, Palsie, and other cold Diseases of the braine, &c.

An Aire extreme cold (if we con∣tinue long in it) it weakeneth the brain and sinews, causeth Rheums and Coughs, weakneth natural heat; &c.

An Aire too hot spends our spi∣rits, weakneth concoction, dis∣solveth and draweth out natural

heat, it burneth the blood, &c.

That, Aire then is most whol∣some which is temperate and clear; and therefore those dwellings are commended as the best, which are seated on high dry grounds in open Aire, far from low, marish or fil∣thy places, for there the aire is most pure, subtile and temperate.