CHAP. LVI. Of stopping the immoderate flowing of the flowers or courses.
YOu must make choce of such meats and drinks as have power to incrassate the blood; for as the flowers are provoked with meats that are hot, and of subtil parts, so they are stopped by such meats as are cooling, thickning, a stringent, and sliptick, as are barly-waters, sodden rice, the extreme parts of beasts, as of oxen, calves, sheep, either fried or sodden with sorrel, purslain, plantain, shepherd's-purse, sumach, the buds of brambles, berberries, and such like. It is supposed that a Harts-horn burned, washed, and taken in astringent water, will stop all immoderate fluxes; likewise sanguis draconis, terra sigillata, bolus armenus, lapis haematites, coral bea∣ten into most subtil powder, and drunk in steeled water; also pap made with milk, wherein steel hath oftentimes been quenched, and the flowr of wheat, barly, beans, or rice, is very effectual for the same. Quinces, cervices, medlars, cornelian-berries, or cherries may likewise be eaten at the second course. Julips are to be used of steeled waters, with the syrup of dry roses, pomegranats, sorrel, myrtles, quinces, or old conserves of red roses, but wine is to be avoided: but if the strength be so extenuated, that they require it, you must chuse gross and astringent wine tempered with steeled water; exercises are to be shunned, especially Venerous exercises, anger is to be avoided, a cold air is to be chosen, which (if it be not so naturally) must be made so by sprinkling cold things on the ground, especially if the summer or heat be then in his full strength; sound sleeping stayes all evacuations, except sweating. The opening of a vein in the arm, cupping-glasses fastened on the breasts, bands, and painful frictions of the upper parts are greatly commended in this malady.
But if you perceive that the cause of this accident lieth in a cholerick ill juice mixed with the blood, the body must be purged with medicines that purge choler and water, as Rubarb, Myroba∣lanes, Tamarinds, Sebestens, and the purging syrup of Roses.