CHAP. IX. Of the causes of a Pestilent and Malignant Fever.
AS for the causes of these Fevers, * 1.1 because their malignancy is less then theirs of the pestilence, and through this, as it were by degrees, we ascend to the Pestilence, those which are the causes of the Plague, for the most part, are the same with those of malignant and pestilent Fevers; but more mild, as prin∣cipally ayr, heaven, course of diet, and contagion.
Namely malignant Fevers in the first place do arise from a sickly provision of the body; for it ariseth from meat that is bad, fit for corruption, and very obnoxious to putrifaction, whereof Galen may be seen, in his book of Meats affording good and bad juice, and the humours may be so corrupted in our bodies, as that they become venomous, of which I have spoken in the Instituti∣ons in the second book, part 2. cap. 12. Furthermore from com∣mon causes likewise, namely unprofitable constitution of Ayr, as also from the influence of Stars.
But pestilent Fevers so called in particular, have the same causes, but more grievous, which at length if they are increased, produce the pestilence; whence Fevers malignant and pestilent long con∣tinuing, at length turn to the plague.