This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this text, in whole or in part. Please contact project staff at eebotcp-info@umich.edu for further information or permissions.
THat part of Physick which rules, * 1.1 or governs the age of old men is called, Geronomick, but because in old age the body every day is more and more dryed, and the native heate is consumed, we are to endeavour that drynesse may be
prevented, and the native heate so much as may be pre∣served.
Hotter and moister Aire therefore is agreeable to this age, * 1.2 and unlesse it be such of it selfe, tis to be corrected by art, especially in Autumne and Winter, which Aire is cheifly of∣fensive to old men.
The Aliment it selfe also ought to be hot and moist, * 1.3 of good juice, and easie of concoction, but thick meates, hard, glutinous, and which fill the head, grow sowre in the sto∣mach, and are easily corrupted, are to be avoided, and if hurt be contracted by the use of such things, tis to be cor∣rected, by the use of Diatrion, Pipereon, Diacalaminth, and such like.
Of the usuall quantity also every day something is to be abated, for as Hippocrates writes, 1. Apho. 10. there is little heate in old men, and therefore they need little nourishment, sith thence their heat is extinguished with much; and therefore meate is to be given sparingly, but often, and in∣deed very conveniently thrice aday, viz. break-fast, dinner, and supper.
The best drink for old men is Wine, * 1.4 from whence Wine is called old mens milk, yet tis not to be taken in too great plenty, and it ought to be of a hotter nature, and other things good and generous, middle aged, but thick Wines which cause obstructions, and have an astringent faculty or hinder urines, are not convenient for old men, wine mingled with hony is good for old men also.
Old men should use moderate exercises before meate, * 1.5 yet so that no lassitude may thence ensue, but principally mode∣rate frication is commodious for them, especially in the mor∣ning.
Old men should sleepe longer, * 1.6 and if they are troubled with waking, that remedied with the use of sweet Almonds, Lettice boyled with Sugar, and dill being taken the last course, and with Somniferous lotions of the feet and hands.
First of all let them avoid vehement perturbations of the mind, * 1.7 and let them rather refresh their minds and bodyes with honest pleasures.
Lastly let old men be carefull that they void their ex∣crements well, and therefore, if the body be costive, the belly is to be moistned with convenient meates or with hony of Roses solutive, but stronger, and more Phyficall things are not to be given to old men.
Diet for old men.
Aire.
Aliment.
Drink.
Exercise.
Sleepe.
Perturba∣tions of the mind. Excre. ments.