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.

THE FOURTH BOOK, PART II. Of the Method of the preservation of Health.

CHAP. I. Of those things which are to be observed by all for the preservation of health.

AFter we have explayned those things which are ne∣cessary for the Preservation of health, now we must shew a Method how all those things are to be used for the safty thereof; but their are some certain common precepts which are to be observed by all; some peculiar precepts to be observed according to ages, sex, and other Circumstances. The most common Precept here is this, that what ever is according to nature is to be kept, but since that in some health exactly such, in others difference from hence, which is called a newtrall constitution; the former is to be exactly preserved with its likes, and nothing contrary to be admitted, whereby the body may be put out of that naturall state; but a Newtrall constitution requires some change, yet that ought to be small, and by degrees, if the course of life will admit thereof.

Yet that most generall rule is to be observed by all, * 1.1 namely that mediocrity is to be ever accompted safest according to that of Hippo. 2. Apho. 52. to much of every thing is good for nothing, or all excesse is hurtfull to nature. As also that 2. Apho. 50, those things that we are long accustomed unto al∣though they are worse, yet are they less troublesome to us, then those things that we are not accustomed to.

Moreover, we are to endeavour, that the naturall consti∣tution of our bodies, consisting in a good moderation of cold and heate, occult qualities, due conformation of the Orga∣nick parts, and unity may be preserved by those things which are fitly borne to preserve it, namely by their likes, in case the body bee throughly well constituted, or somwhat with contraries, if the body decline from the best state. But all things are to be avoided which may destroy it.

Likewise causes of health sometimes require things plainly alike, sometimes a little contrary, * 1.2 and therefore the Physitian shall appoint the right use of those things which necessarily happen to the body, namely aire that is temperate is the best for those that are temperate, and hurtfull to no constitution of body. Moreover let the purest bee chosen, cold aire when the fire is kindled is changed, hot aire is tempered by water that is cold, being poured out of one vessell into another, or sprinkled on the floare, or by cloaths moistened in water and hung in the bed-chamber, or Roses strowed in the house, or the leaves of Vines, Willowes, Wa∣ter Lillies and other cooling Herbes; moysture in excesse may be corrected by the kindling of fires, and burning of suf∣fumigations of ••••••t things; drinesse is corrected with the moystnings of waters & sprinklings or strowings of moistning Herbes.

As for Meat, meats of little juice are offensive to all, * 1.3 and profitable to none, nay even the dayly use of thick, viscide, tenacious, cold, hard, flat, and acrid meats are to bee avoy∣ded by all, since they cannot bee well concocted, nor afford good nourishment: yet some regard is here to bee had of the appetite according to that of Hippocrates, 2. Apho. 38. a litter worse meate and drinke that is more pleasant, is to be preferd before that which is better and ungratefull, as also of custome according to that 2. Aphor. 50 those things that we are long accustomed unto, although they are evill, are wont to trouble us lesse then those things which we are not used unto. Moreover meates are to be taken onely in that quantity whereby our strength may bee refreshed not oppressed, that which hath beene spoken of meat is also to be understood of drinke.

Of the passions of the mind, * 1.4 this in generall may be spo∣ken, that overmuch of all them are to be avoyded, and quiet∣nesse of mind and moderate joy is to be cherished.

The excrements of the belly twice a day or at least once ought to be ejected, * 1.5 urine likewise ought to be expelled as often as their is need.

We are to take heed likewise of that of Celsus, least in our best health we take things adverse thereunto, and there∣fore we ought not rashly to trouble or molest our bodies with purges or other medicines, but tis better to exercise our bo∣dyes moderately every day, least excrements should be ga∣thered together, and if any disease seeme to be comming up∣pon us, to follow this counsell, that is by quietnesse and ab∣stinence many great diseases are cured.

CHAP II. Of the cure of little ones not yet borne, and of the dyet of women with child,

THese things being premised in generall, what course of dyet may best agree to every degree of health (of which before, in the first Book and third Chap.) we will now ex∣plaine distinctly, and therefore we will handle good habit or the preserver of the best State, called under the generall name of the Hygeinall, which governs sufficent health in all our actions. The Prophylactick is that part which guides the neutrality of those that are falling away. The Analyptick is that which brings neuters to be healthy; And first a me∣thod of preserving of the health of such as are very well is to be explained; wherein notwithstanding some things may be delivered, which may be accommodated to the other degrees of health.

But in the first place it is to be noted that the foundation of our future health fully depends on the conception and seed of our parents, * 1.6 and therefore as Fernelius in his first Book of Pathology Chap. 1. writeth, If Husbandmen being to sow Corne choose the small and young seed, having found by experience, that ill fruite comes from that which is rot∣ten, how much more diligently ought we to observe the seed in the procreation of our Children.

Moreover when the Mother hath conceived a Child in the wombe, * 1.7 she ought to beware of all things which might bring

any detriment to the young; or rather, she ought to be care∣full, that she may strengthen, and preserve it safe; namely that she avoid foggy Aire, that she beware of the smell of candles newly put out, of brimstone, castor and such like, and of the smell of herbs that are too fragrant, she should shun meates of ill juice, and sharpe, and such as cause urine, or cause loathing, or provoake sneezing, she should not use many Aromatick things; if those that are great desire, any ill meates, they are not altogether to be denyed them, but if the food, which the woman desires cannot be obtained by her; least any inconveniencies should happen to the young, they use to give her some hony with nutmeg; or water dis∣tilled from the tender leaves of a Vine in the month of May; or of the barks of Citron, or the pills of Oranges, or of the Roote of Piony, being bruised and prepared in Spanish Wine, or Malmesy.

For the strengthening are exhibited, the precious Stones, * 1.8 called Pearles, Coralls, the shavings of Ivory, the barkes of Citron, Cinamon, Saffron, the wood of Aloes, Cloves, Quinces, Sugar of Roses, sweete Almonds, corrected with high Country Wine, Water, called the Balsome of Chil∣dren, the confection of Gems, Diamargariti calidi, Malmsy Wine applyed with Bread to the belly.

The same things may hinder an abortion which is night at hand, and moreover Ʋnguentum Comitissae, externally applyed, * 1.9 also those that are great should principally avoid hard labours and passions of the mind, yet to be altogether idle is not so convenient.

The opening of a vein eafter the fifth month for the most part is prohibited, * 1.10 but before the fifth moneth you may open a veine, in Plethorick bodies, nay some unlesse they are let blood, before the fifth month miscarry, of purgation Hippo∣crates writeth in the fifth Apho. 39. thou shalt purge those that are with child, any time within foure months, and some∣times untill the seventh month, but sparingly, and you are to use only lenitive medicines.

CHAP III. Of the Diet of Infants, and thence forward untill 21. yeares of Age.

WHen a Child is brought forth into the World, before the teats are given him, we ought to give him some pure honey, or Corall with Sugar, or the Sugar of pennidice, with: Oile of sweet Almonds, whereby the Dregs may be drawne through the Paunch, and an Epilepsie be prevented.

Afterwards let the Infant be nourished with Milke, * 1.11 and that from his Mothers Breast, as having most agreement with the Infant, and it is generated of the same blood, by which before the little one was formed, and nourished in the Wombe, unlesse perhaps the Mother be sick or ill disposed; the Infant is to bee nourished with Milke, untill it be two years old, or certainly till the eighteenth Month, & tis to be ac∣customed in the meane time to other meats by little & little; yet such as may be easily concocted, commonly their is prepared for them Papp made of Bread, and water or Milke, yet by rea∣son of its clamminesse, it seemes not to so good to many, and therefore more wholesome may bee made with crums of Bread, or certainly with bread first dried in an Oven.

Afterwards the Infant by degrees is to be accustomed to more solid meats, * 1.12 but the first three years, his food is to bee moister, and the Infant is to be nourished with good meats, and should use Bathes often, but not presently after eating and drinking; neare the end of seven years Age, the use of Bathes ought to be more seldome, Infants and Boyes should not drink Wine.

By how much the more a boy growes in yeares, by so much the more both the mind and body are to be imployed, yet the exercises ought not to bee immoderate, least that any member should be turned awry, or least the body should bee dryed too soone with two much motion, and the growth of the body should be hindred; of sleep, by how much the more Age increaseth, so by little and little we ought to abate it.

In the second and third Septinaries more solid meats are to be afforded, * 1.13 yet not over much drying: Exercise also ought to be somewhat lesse then the strength might tolerate, and in the third Septinary order of Diet convenient for every course of life is to be begun, for those which are given to a labori∣ous kind of life ought to seed more plentifully in the third

Septinary, and with those meates, which being taken in no great quantity, nourish much, and strengthen them for grea∣ter labours.

But those wich apply their mindes to learning at this age ought to be carefull of the animall spirits, * 1.14 and diligently to endeavour that they may be plentifully generated being pu∣re, and cleare, which may be if they live in a subtile Aire, pure thin, by dyet and meats that are not thick, but which may afford matter for pure and lauadble blood, and endea∣vour to evacuate all excrements in due time, not to accumu∣late crudities, nor weaken their bodies with untimely stu∣dies, nor is the use of Venery to be granted till the end of this Age.

CHAP. IV. Of the Diet of middle Age,

That Age which followes the third feaventh Yeare or from the twenty first to the fiftieth, * 1.15 is accounted the mid∣dle Age, and for the most part there is the same reason of Di∣et, unlesse that the former halfe part or the fourth septinary, and the latter halfe or the seaventh doth more agree with the diet of the Age, which he hath attained, then of that Age which is truly the middle. * 1.16

First for what belongs to meate, in meate is to be obser∣ved quality, quantity, time of taking, manner, and such like circumstances; as to the quality of meats, those are to be chosen, which are most temperate, * 1.17 and most familiar to our nature, amongst which, Bread well baked obtaines the first place, hence the flesh of Animals, and those things which are taken from Animals, and alwaies they are to be chosen which are of good juice, and to be avoided, which have ill juice, yet somthing is here to be graunted to custome, 2. Apho. 56. and to the various constitutions of bodies, and Celsus admoni••••eth a sound man, and one which is in health to avoide no kind of meate which the people use, which is principally to be obser∣ved by those, which necessarily must live a different course of life; variety of meats please, and divers sorts of meat are ea∣ten with greater pleasure, yet we are to beware lest meates are eatentogether of different substances, and various facul∣ties, whereof some are thick, others thin, some easie, others hard of concoction, since from such variety corruption of

meats, may easily follow, but those which have a certaine si∣militude are rather to be chosen, that the same heate may be required, for the concoction of the same.

Secondly that quantity of food is to be taken which may increase the strength, * 1.18 and not hinder it, but you cannot mea∣sure that, neither by weight, nor number, but tis to be found in this, in that you have regard to three things; first, to the nature of aliment, secondly, to the nature of the body, and the course of life and labours, and thirdly, to the time of the yeare, and constitution of the aire.

For first, meats hard to be concocted being taken in grea∣ter plenty, hurt more, then those of easier concoction next meate brings lesse inconveniency if it offend onely in quanti∣ty, then if it also hath an ill quality joyned therewith, re∣gard is also to be had of pleasantnesse as is said before.

Moreover, one stomack desires more, another concocts more, in which matter the counsell of Hippocrates is more safe, the 6 Epid. Comm. 4. Text 22. The study of health is not to be glutted with meate, nor to be slow to labour: and Avicenne admonisheth us to rise from the Table, with those that are hungry; lastly those which live idely, and live a life not so labourious concoct less, those which are exercised in labour digest more.

Of the time of the yeare, Hippocrates writeth, 1. Apho. 15. Their Bellies which are born in the Winter or Spring are very hot, and their sleep tedious; therefore at those seasons of the yeare they ought to eate more, forasmuch as they have more heat, whence it comes to passe, that they want more plentifull nourishment. And in the third of Diet he teach∣eth, that wee ought to eate more in Winter, but drink more sparingly, but in Summer, the contrary. But neverthelesse if any one either through ill custome, or the allurements of meats hath any way offended herein, that afterwards is to be be corrected by fasting, or more sparing diet, sleep, quiet, or vomiting, and therefore tis good to omit supping once a week, or else to eate very little supper.

As to the time, * 1.19 to eate often and much is neither commo∣dious for the body nor mind, yet tis better to eate a little often, then much at once, but it is most wholesome that a man of middle age, well tempered, and that hath government of him selfe, doe eate twice aday; so that he takes onely so much meate, as may not oppresse the stomake; in other things some thing is to bee granted to Age tempera∣temperament,

kind of life, custome and such, like but the time betwixt dinner and supper ought to bee shorter then that which is betwixt supper and dinner againe.

But whether supper or dinner ought to be larger, * 1.20 is seve∣rally understood amongst Physitians: that we may briefly con∣clude the matter, if any dine more sparingly, and frugally, which the Ancients for the most part did, the supper ought to be the larger, but if we observe our custome and manners, since men about noon day dine more plentifully, and can∣not sufficiently concoct their meat in that short time, which is betwixr dinner and supper; tis altogether necessary that they should sup more sparingly, since tis not convenient to be twice filled with meat the same day, for then they shall have a troublesome night, and in the morning perceive crudities, and principally this to be observed by old men, because expe∣rience testifieth, that all old men are offended with large suppers.

As for the order of meats, tis of some concernment, * 1.21 whe∣ther wee take this or that meat in the first or second place; namely, those are to be taken in the first place, which molli∣fie the Paunch, and make it slippery, and those which are not of so good juice, are easily concocted, and descend out of the Stomack, and are easily corrupted; to these are to bee added those things which may stop the belly, they are not so casily concocted, and which descend slower, and are of better juice.

As for drink, * 1.22 of the qualities and differences thereof wee have spoken before; as to the quantity, as a little of Wine, strong Beere, and if their be any other kinds of drinkes like to these, the use of them moistens the body, cherisheth the spirits, corroborates the strength, helps concoction and distri∣bution of meats, provokes Urine, heates the habit of the bo∣dy, and is a remedy against the coldnesse, and drynesse of old age, it causeth sleep, corrects the acrimony of choler, exhi∣lerates the mind, and makes mens manners pleasing; so the im∣moderate use thereof, and drunkennesse is the Plague it selfe of health, and of a man, for by immoderate drinking, the native heat is consumed, crude and perverse humors are accumulated, the mind is troubled, and a kind of madnesse is begotten

The most convenient time of drinking is betwixt meales * 1.23

for so it conduceth much to the concoction of meate, and the right distribution of the same, but if you drink upon an emp∣ty stomack, the head and the Nerves are extended; if after meat, the concoction is thereby hindred; if the meat doe not casily descend, the concoction being perfected, tis profitable to drinke something; drink also is to be avoided going to rest, but especially after exercises and Bathes; sudden drin∣king of cold drink is unwholesome; tis more commodious al∣so to divide the drinke then to drinke it together, least it cause a floating in the stomack.

The passions of the mind, * 1.24 all of them that are vehement are to be avoided, and on the contrary, moderate joy is to be cherished.

Motions of the body all of them, * 1.25 doe not agree with all, yet for all sound men, deambulation may suffice, and frication and such like exercises; otherwise to thinner bodies more moderate, to stronger greater exercises are more convenient, yet regard is here to be had of custome, according to that of Hippocrates, 2. Apho. 49. those which were accustomed to dayly labours, although they are weake and old, easier endure exercises then those that are unaccustomed thereunto, al∣though they are strong and yong; regard also is to be had of the time of the yeare, for in summer, lesser and shorter exer∣cises, in Winter greater and stronger are to be appointed; so long also onely the body is to be exercised, untill a fresh colour appeare in the body, and the body begin in some mea∣sure to swell, and sweat to flow out: exercise and motion is to be used when the concoction is performed in the stomack and liver, and as Hippocrates, 6. Epid. Sect. 4. Apho. the last labour ought to goe before meate, wherefore the most convenient time for exercise is the morning, when the Stomack is empty, and the excrements of the Paunch and Bladder are first sent out, the same time is most fit for study; regard is also to bee had of the place where exercises are, for exercise under the Sun heates the body very much, powers out humors, and are very obnoxious to those whose heads are weake or full of humors, but all exercises that are in the shade are sa∣fer.

Rest is no lesse necessary then motion, for this is the reme∣dy of wearinesse, and repaires decayed strength, and there∣fore exercise and rest take their interchangeable turnes. * 1.26

The time also is to be appointed for sleeping and waking, the most fit time for sleep is the night, appointed for man by God himselfe, but we ought not to sleep presently after meat, but an houre or two after supper, otherwise the head will be filled with many vapours; diurnall sleep likewise fils the head with vapours, but if any one hath contracted a sence of wearisomenesse, or hath past an unquiet night without sleep, tis lawfull to cherish sleep so long in the day time, and especially for old men, who seldome sleep the whole night, but wee are to sleep so long untill the meate be con∣cocted in the Stomack and Liver, and the spirits that are ta∣ken away are restored, which space is not equally in all, lesse then six houres scarce sufficeth, but beyond 9. houres sleepe is scarce to be extended, for the most part the space of seven houres is sufficient.

But those which are studious principally offend in their sleep, if they wake long after supper, * 1.27 and sleep after the ri∣sing of the Sun, for they do not onely pervert the order of na∣ture, but also much hinder the concoction, whilst they im∣peade the instauration of spirits, which were wasted with di∣urnall labours, and watchings, and call them from the Sto∣mack, and fill the head with vapours.

But we ought to lie downe with our legs and armes a lit∣tle bent, our head something elevated, on either side, * 1.28 since lying supine hurts much, and first to lie on the right side, that the concoction of the Stomack may bee helped by the Liver, not under the canopy of Heaven, nor the Beames of the Moone, and the windowes are to bee shut, and the noctur∣nall aire to be kept out, the bed-chamber ought to be with∣out any smell, the bed should bee soft, and fitted to drive away the frigidity of the Aire, when you please, the Head also is not to be wrapt with too many cloathes.

Watchings after sleep should bee moderate, * 1.29 for too much consumes the native heate, and dissipates Spirits, dries the body, brings forth crudities, dulls the senses, and of∣••••nds all the actions.

There is no small profit also of Bathes, * 1.30 for the preservation of health, as is said before, part the first chap. the seventh, yet the right use of them is to be appointed, neither are we to go into a Bath before the meate be concocted in the sto∣mach, least crud humours should be carried into all the parts of the body. In a Bath we must abstaine from all meat and drink, and we are to go out before we are weary, and to de∣fend the whole body from cold, nor must we eate nor drink before the heate of the bath be expired.

Lotions of the head open the pores of the skin and discusse Vapours, * 1.31 yet they are not to be used when either a Catarrh, or paine of the head offendeth, but are to be used in the mor∣ning, or an houre before Supper, and after the washing of the head it should be throughly dryed with warme linnen cloathes. Lastly the washing of the feet is not profitable, to hinder their sweating, but to avert humours which would flow from the head thither.

Lastly we must endeavour that presently after sleep, * 1.32 the dregs of the paunch may be cast out, if the paunch answers not to desire, tis to be moistned with Raisins of the Sun, the broath of a Cock, a decoction of the staulkes of Burrage, Mal∣lowes, Beares breech, or six or seven Pruins, boyled in the broath where Senna hath been infused, to be taken for the first course, or a little before meate, the excrements of the third concoction are to be expelled by dayly exercise, the head is to be combed in the morning, the mouth to be wash∣ed with water, the eares, nose, and palate to be cleansed, the eyes and the whole face, are to be washed in cold water, and the body, especially the Armes, and the Legs are to be rubbed.

And if so any error be committed in the use of these things, which may easily happen, afterwards it is to be mended the next day by its contrary, and an inequality being introdu∣ced the contrary cause is taken away.

CHAP. V. Of the dyet of old men.

THat part of Physick which rules, * 1.33 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, * 1.34 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, * 1.35 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, * 1.36 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, * 1.37 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, * 1.38 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, * 1.39 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.

CHAP. VI. Of the Dyet of such as are out of temper and of neu∣ters.

AS for what belongs to the Dyet of bodyes, * 1.40 that are neu∣trals, there art two kinds of bodies deviating from per∣fect health, for some are more remote from a sickly constitu∣tion, others are neerer to it, and these are twofold as before is spoken lib. the first Chap. the third, neuters falling away, which governing part of the Method of the defence of health is called Prophylactick; in neuters tending to health and waxing strong, the governing part of the Method of restora∣tion of health is called Analyptick.

But those former neuters which are as yet far from difeased, yet decline from the best health, whether from their birth, or whether they have contracted such a habit from custome and dyet, it is hard to change, neither can it be done sudden∣ly, but by degrees, and with long diligence; but if lea∣sure doth not permit, tis neither commodious, nor possible, for as Galen 2. of the defence of health Chap. the third those who are busied in civill affaires, and distracted with many businesses tis safer for such a one not to indeavour to change his temperament.

Such bodyes therefore, * 1.41 if either leasure will not permit, and their minds are not bent to reduce them into a better state, they ought to be preserved so by their likes, but if you in∣tend to reduce them to a better condition, you must use con∣traries by degrees; yet a hot and moist distemper, since that tis more agreeable to our nature, is by no meanes to be changed, because it introduceth no disease, but bodyes which are become too dry, are alwayes to be moistned as much as may be, during the whole terme of life.

Hot bodyes therefore should avoid hot Aire, * 1.42 hot and sharpe meates, their drink ought to be more plentifull, but smaler, and strong drink rather then wine, their exercise ought to be moderate, the use of bathes, of fresh waters warme, frequent; they must shun anger, too tedious meditations, and their sleepe ought to be longer.

If drynesse be joyned to the heate, let them avoid the use of hot and drying things, and therefore let them beware

of a hot and dry constitution of Aire, and vehement exer∣cises, if humidity be joyned and that be moderate, fince that temperament is most agreeable to man, and conduceth to the prolongation of life, tis to be preserved as much as may be, and only to be fore-warned that no more of the heat and humours may be added, and cause diseases, and stir up putri∣faction, wherefore let these avoid Aire that is too hot and moist, let meat be given which hath attenuating force, and let them endeavour that it may be well concocted, let their exercises be such, as may discusse excrements, yet not dry the solid parts; let all other things be moderate, and prin∣cipally let them endeavour, that the excrements of the belly and the urine may freely passe from them.

Those which are cold are to be nourished with hot meates, let them use exercises, which may stir up heate, * 1.43 let them evacuate timely the pituitous excrements.

Dry constitutions should use moist meates, * 1.44 and moistning drink, and bathes of fresh water, but the most unhappy con∣stitution is cold and dry, which represents old age from the beginning, and hastens to it and therefore such are to use heating and moistning things, and to be nourished with hot and moist food, their exercises should be moderate, such as only stir up the naturall heate, their sleepe longer and the use of bathes of fresh water frequent; Venery is very hurtfull: cold and moist, if the constitution of the body be so, * 1.45 the frigi∣dity is to be corrected, and the humidity preserved, to which purpose moderate exercise conduceth, and excrements if they are timely and duly evacuated.

Neuters declining; which now incline to sicknesse, * 1.46 dis∣eases are imminent to them, especially for two reasons, Ple∣thory, and Cacochymie, both of them therefore are to be taken away; if the falling away from health be but little, it may be done with rest and abstinence; but if it be grea∣ter, opening of a veine, and purging is to be used, which is spoken of in the following book, for this Prophylactick part is placed in the end of a cure.

Only we here admonish two things, first that the Spring-time is best for preservation; as Hippocrates 6. Apho. 47. teacheth, he sayes, to those that the brea∣thing of a veine or purging are profitable, to them the opening of a veine, and a purgation is to be com∣manded,

in the Spring; it is also profitable, to purge black and Melancholy humours, before Autumne.

Moreover the use of aloes doth much conduce to the pre∣servation of health, * 1.47 since it gently purgeth the excrements which stick in the first passages, which are oftentimes the causes of many diseases, it resists putrifaction and corruption, and seldome reacheth the Liver, but because aloes, if it comes to the Liver offends it, it is not to be used too often, and in too great plenty, least it should penetrate to the Liver, but it purgeth onely the first passages, which is performed pro∣fitably, if it be taken in a small quantity, a little before Sup∣per.

Lastly, * 1.48 for what belongs to the dyet of those newters that are inclinable to health, two things in the first place are to be obserued in their dyet, first that they fall not againe into the disease; secondly that they may suddenly recover their former health: first when, as it is 2. Apho. 12. those things which are left in diseases after a crisis are wont to cause re∣lapses, if ought of the peccant matter be yet remaining, that is to be taken away by degrees, and by helping, and the prin∣cipall parts are to be strengthned, but if nothing of the vitious matter be present, the body is carefully to be refresh∣ed with moist aliment, and that which is easie to be con∣cocted, namely the yolkes of eggs, broathes with Bread, Chickens, Hens, Capons, Fish; lastly Goates flesh, Mutton, Veale; sleepe helps concoction, unctions strengthen the stomach, before meate are appointed frications also, mode∣rate walking, Baths of fresh warme wa••••r, lastly strengthen∣ing things are to be used, and such as may resist the reliques of the causes of imbecility, and of sickly disposition, but those things which may call back the distemper, which trouble sick, these are to be avoided.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The most generall rule to de∣send health.
• * 1.2

  Most health full aire.
• * 1.3

  Meate and drinke.
• * 1.4

  Passions of the mind.
• * 1.5

  Excre∣ments.
• * 1.6

  Seed the cause of future health.
• * 1.7

  Dye•• of such as are great.
• * 1.8

  Strength∣ning the young.
• * 1.9

  Hindring abortion.
• * 1.10

  Whether a veine be to be opened of the wo∣man with∣child.
• * 1.11

  The Infant is nouri∣shed with the mo∣thers Milk.
• * 1.12

  Diet the first three yeares.
• * 1.13

  Dietin 7. and 3. S••ptinary.
• * 1.14

  Diet of. Schollers.
• * 1.15

  Diet for middle age.
• * 1.16

  The rule of diet. variety.
• * 1.17

  quantity.
• * 1.18

  Quantity.
• * 1.19

  Time.
• * 1.20

  Whether supper or dinner ought t•• be largest.
• * 1.21

  Order.
• * 1.22

  quantit••y of drink.
• * 1.23

  Time fit to drink.
• * 1.24

  Passions of the mind.
• * 1.25

  Exercise of body.
• * 1.26

  Sleeping and wa∣king.
• * 1.27

  Sleep for those that are studi∣ous.
• * 1.28

  Manner of lying.
• * 1.29

  Watchings.
• * 1.30

  Bathes.
• * 1.31

  Lotions of the head.
• * 1.32

  Ex••re∣ments.
• * 1.33

  Diet for old men.
• * 1.34

  Aire.
• * 1.35

  Aliment.
• * 1.36

  Drink.
• * 1.37

  Exercise.
• * 1.38

  Sleepe.
• * 1.39

  Perturba∣tions of the mind. Excre. ments.
• * 1.40

  Bodies that are neuters how many∣fold.
• * 1.41

  Dyet of un∣temperate men.
• * 1.42

  Of such as are hot.
• * 1.43

  Oscold.
• * 1.44

  Of dry.
• * 1.45

  Moist.
• * 1.46

  Dyet of neuters de∣clining.
• * 1.47

  Ʋse of the aloes.
• * 1.48

  Dyet of neuters growing better.