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. I. Of the Signs of a wholesome Body.

AFter we have spoken of the Signs in general, we come now to handle the several kinds; and be∣cause bodies are two-fold, Sound, and Sick, and there is a certain difference and latitude of a sound body, which embraces neither of these; first we are to speak in what manner the various constitutions of a sound Body, and of its parts are to be known; and go∣ing back from thence, even from a natural state may be understood how a diseased, and 'tis not difficult to discern a sound from a sick: and all those that are to be accounted for sound, who can perform all those actions

which belong to a man. Yet how such counterfeit diseases are to be found out. Galen teaches in a peculiar Book; but since there is a great latitude of health, first of all the signs are to be proposed of the best constitution of body, which is, as it were, a rule for the rest, and to which, as to the statue of Polycletus, the natures of men of all of Ages, Sexes, Countries, and Conditions are to be com∣pared. The signs of such a Constitution, as also of o∣thers differing from it, Galen in his art of Healing, and fifth Chapter draws from two heads; first from those which essentially inhere, and which according to the na∣ture of the essence are in them. Secondly, from those which necessarily follow those in their operations and ac∣cidents.

First, * 1.1 therefore it is necessary that a sound body may obtain the most convenient temperature and constitution of the simular parts, fittest for all actions. Secondly, a convenient number it ought to have of organick parts, and likewise magnitude, figure, scituation, connexion with others, and all things in all respects, which are re∣quired to the constitution of a part, as it is organick. Thirdly, all the parts in order ought to be united and joined, but in respect of actions, a man that is very sound doth very well perform all the actions convenient for a man, natural, vital, and animal; So that there is no defect in them, and observes moderation in them all, and is very little subject to diseases, and withstands all the causes of diseases, violent excepted: the excrements observe their natural substance, quality, quantity, time, and convenient part on't; which to be ejected, the qua∣lities which follow the best constitution of a Body, are a rosie colour of the face, nay and of the whole body, ca∣lidity, frigidity, softnesse and hardnesse, smoothnesss and roughnesse; a sound body well constituted observes medi∣ocrity, the body is neither bald, nor too rough, but the hairs themselves keep mediocrity, and in youthfull age tend to yellownesse, in manly to blacknesse; the habit of the body is the middle betwixt too corpulent, and too slender, good flesh, and good stature, out of all which the handsomenesse of the body proceeds; yet all these most e∣vidently appear in the middle and flourishing age.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Signs of a sound body.