Nine books of physick and chirurgery written by that great and learned physitian, Dr Sennertus. The first five being his Institutions of the whole body of physick: the other four of fevers and agues: with their differences, signs, and cures.

CHAP. IX. Of Diet in putred Fevers.

LAstly concerning dyet, * 1.1 and first, of meat and drink, not only regarding the use of them, for the comfort and re∣freshment of our strength, but in respect of what is to be permitted, and what prohibited; for when nature is most busi∣ed in concoction and evacuation of matter, she ought not to be called from that work to the concoction of meat, hence Hippo. 1. Aphor. 8. When the violence of the disease is great, dyet is to be used most sparingly, and ibid. Aphor. 11. In the Parox∣ism it self, food is to be taken away; for it affords mischief: and when by circuit the Fever returns in the fits we ought to abstain.

In the administration of dyet in Fevers, we are to observe, form, * 1.2 quantity, quality, and time. The form of dyet is three∣fold, thick, indifferent, and thin. Which of these are most proper for every one, is to be collected by comparing the strength of the sick with the morbifique cause; neither ought we to give more meat then the strength can concoct: and we ought to con∣sider whether the strength do more require food, or the disease forbid it, or the contrary: for by how much the busier nature is in oppugning the morbifique cause, by so much the less thre ought to be burthened with food: She is by so much the more busied in opposing the disease, by how much the paroxism is neerer at hand, hence Hippocrates 1. Aphor. 8. When the di∣sease is in it's vigour, then 'tis necessary to use the thinnest

food, and 1. Aph. 7. When the disease is peracute, there are extream labourings; and at height, the thinnest nutriment is to be taken. But when 'tis not at height, and that we may use more nourishing things, by so much is to varied from the thin∣nest of all, by how much the disease is remitted and abated, and ibid. 10. Those who expect the vigour forthwith to come, ought presently to take a little nourishment. They who expect it af∣terwards much, and should both in the vigour of it, and a little before it, abstain. But before-hand the sick should be more plen∣tifully nourished, that he might be the better able to endure the disease. But how dyet is to be moderated according to the strength, Hippocrates teacheth, 1 Aphor. 9. We ought to con∣jecture by the sick, whether he can hold out to the vigour of the disease by the prescribed dyet or not, or whether he will first faint, and being insufficient with such food, should dye before the disease depart and be overcome. And 1. Aphor. 13. Old men that are not decrepid easily endure to fast, according to these, middle aged men, young men less, children least of all; and amongst them especially such as are endued with the choicest and most acute wits: Custom also and course of life is to be con∣sidered in prescribing of dyet.

The quantity of meat also is to be considered by comparing of the disease with the strength of the sick: * 1.3 For since that we must never give more food then can be concocted at the time when nature is most busied in opposing the morbifique cause, the least quantity of food is to be taken, which is in the height thereof.

Concerning the quality of meat, * 1.4 since it is to be considered either as it is meat, or as it is medicinal meat, in the former respect those meats are to be chosen that are of easiest concoction, full of good juyce, facile to be distributed, and which hath the least excrements: But if it be considered as Medicinal, First, it ought to be contrary to the Fever, and therefore it should be cold and moist, 1. Aphor. 16. moreover it should be repugnant to the causes, and all excess of qualities in them.

The time for food is most proper when 'tis indicated, * 1.5 when the body requires nourishment, which is when the former meat is concocted, and no sign is present, which may prohibit the ta∣king of it, to wit, no combate betwixt nature and the disease; therefore during the fits, we ought to abstain. 1. Aphor. 11. un∣less the strength be much decayed and spent.

Care also is to be taken what drink is fittest in Fevers, for al∣though it be easier concocted then meat, * 1.6 and by it's cooling it

mitigates the heat, and the driness is hindred: Yet we are to be careful that nature be not burthened with it, and the concoction of matter hindred by it, and therefore in intermitting Fevers during the Paroxism, we should abstain from drink as neer as we can: But in continued Fevers, when heat, thirst, and debility of strength do require, you may give more drink; but sithence drink is to be considered, not as drink only, but as medicinal, hence it comes to pass, that at certain times, certain drinks are to be chosen. Drink considered as drink, ought to be given ac∣cording to the rules for meat: But as it is considered as altering, by how much the dry heat is more intense, by so much the more, hotter drinks are to be avoided, and the colder to be cho∣sen. Yet regard is to be taken of the cause, and oftentimes there will be need of attenuating and absterging drinks, and not of cooling only; and the matter being deeper fastened in the part, admits not cooling drink. The drinking of cold water is only useful in acute Fevers, 'tis never proper in intermittent. Fair water is often altered with barley, which is called a decoction, and barley-water. Instead of drink, Juleps are also exhibited, water mixed with Honey, Oxymel, Emulsions, Whey, strong beer, wine. But seeing certain drinks for certain Fevers are most convenient, we may more properly handle them severally amongst the different kinds of Fevers, of which sorts are peculiar for such a particular Fever then in general to treat thereof.

The air in all Fevers ought to be pure, cold rather then hot, yet so temper'd, * 1.7 that the drawing in thereof may rather allay the fevourish heat, then meeting with a naked body, cause it to shut its own pores, which hinders the discussion of vapours and sweats, and therefore the sick is to be covered with outward gar∣ments, but such as are light, that so the heat may be drawn to the outmost parts of the body.

Sleep ought to be moderate. Rest in putred Fevers is most advantagious: * 1.8 Excrements ought not to be retained beyond measure, but to be ejected in due time. The passions of the mind ought to be at peace, and sadness, and anger are to be avoi∣ded.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dyet.
• * 1.2

  Form of Diet.
• * 1.3

  Quantity.
• * 1.4

  Quality.
• * 1.5

  Time.
• * 1.6

  Drink.
• * 1.7

  Air.
• * 1.8

  Sleep, rest. Excre∣ments, pas∣sions of the mind.