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.

Of letting Bloud.

Phlebottomie is needlesse to those that be of so strong a nature, that (being over laden) are able to expel all super∣fluity through natural passages, as by bleeding at Nose, &c.

Quest. But why is Phlebottomie u∣sed?

Ans. When blood aboundeth, it is commonly in those that have a hot liver, full veines, a high colour and brownish, and not fat and corpulent: Also in those that eat and drink abundantly, live at ease, and use meats that ingender much blood, which when Nature cannot digest, it corrupteth the braines, from which issueth dangerous Diseases; and in these cases, this is a more sure reme∣dy, then to admit of inward Phy∣sick.

Also letting of bloed doth strengthen the brain, comfort the sight, warmeth the marrow in the bones, freeth the in∣ward parts of many infirmities, stayeth vomiting, oftentimes helpeth the flux or lask, cleereth the senses, restoreth sleep, r••neweth the spirits, because melancho∣ly blood is thereby diminished, cureth deasness reduceth lost voices, augment∣eth the powers and vertues of all the bo∣dy, being thereby rid of superfluities; the abundance of blood is known no less by the thicknesse and troubled matter consisting of the Urine, then by the signes before mentioned. And though the blood be not inflamed, but supera∣bundant, it causeth many dangerous dis∣eases; and if any in the morning about the dawning of the day do commonly sweat, it is a sign of Superfluity in the Veine••.

Thirdly, Where cold and bad blood is, there must be a Purgation precede Phle∣bottomiae, or else the cold blood will re∣main.

Lastly, Its good sometimes to be let blood that the blood may be led or drawn from one place to another.