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THE THIRD BOOK. THE SECOND PART. Of the Diagnostick Signes.
CHAP. I. Of the Signes of Causes in generall.
BUt now that we may come to the Kinds, * 1.1 and that we may explaine the Anamnestick, Dia∣gnostick, and Prognostick signes: concerning the Anamnestick signes we only admonish you of this; that the causes which have gone before are known either by the effects which are left, or they are known by some profitable, or hurtful thing, which they occasioned.
As for the Diagnosticks, * 1.2 they are either of a disease neer at hand, or present: Of the signes of diseases neer at hand this is a general rule, that every mutation in actions, accidents, and excrements, after what manner soever hapning contrary to custome, and without any externall cause, * 1.3 threatens a disease; for when all these things are right according to the natural constitution, they are signes of health; as soon as any thing in them begins to change from its natural state, it signifies a falling from health into a dis∣ease, and the same signes, if they are gathered together, and increased, indicate a disease to be now present.
But since it doth not satissie a man to know that a dis∣ease is imminent, or that it is present, but it is necessary to know what the disease is, the signes are to be propounded severally, both of Morbifique causes, and places affected of diseases, as also of symptomes: and that we may begin from the signes of causes, which lead us unto the knowledg of