Letters to a sick friend containing such observations as may render the use of remedies effectual towards the removal of sickness, and preservation of health. By J. M.

LETTER XXIII.

SIR,

I Am glad to hear you find your distemper abate, upon the use of the last Remedies: but let me tell you, I attribute very much of their success unto the temperate, exact and regular Dyet I find you ob∣serve; and you will experiment that it will very much facilitate the Cure: for in some distempers a very slen∣der Dyet, and taking in little Drink, doth withdraw much of the fewel that increaseth the Disease. It ill be∣comes a sick man to dig his Grave with his teeth, make his Table a snare, and Dedicate meat and drink Offer∣ings unto the god of his Belly: when mens hearts are overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness, it not onely causeth Diseases, but hinders

their Cure: some patients lye con∣tinually like John Babtist's head in a Charger, and so oppress Nature with a greater load, when they should be making the Vessel lighter; more being killed by Meats then by Mus∣quets: But though you do well to be very exact in observing a Physi∣cal Dyet, yet so much ought to be taken as may support Nature, and make it's burthen tolerable. Sir, I must bid you good Night, and only take leave to tell you, that my best Endeavours are at your service, and remain

Your Humble Servant, J. M.