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. What doth Indicate Dyet in those that are sick.

SIth hence, it is spoken by what means things preter∣naturall are to be taken away, now it remains that we speake, how that which remains in a sick man, ac∣cording to nature may be kept, or preserved: but those things which are according to nature commonly come un∣der the name of strength, or force, and Indication which is taken from thence, is called vitall, and Conservatory, because it preserves those things which are hitherto in the sick, according to nature, and those things which can pre∣serve the strength of our body by themselves, and are ac∣cording to nature, are called vitall and Preservatory Indi∣cates.

But since as above in the 4. Booke, part 2. Chap. 1. it is said there are three vitall, or Preservatory Indicants, health, the cause of health, and sound actions, as we are to endea∣vour, that in a sound condition all these may be preserved, so it is to be aimed that as much as it is possible they may be

kept in such as are sick, and this is to preserve strength; namely to preserve the native heat, in the whole, and in all the parts, and the right use and observation of things called non-naturalls.

Namely the strength shews the Aliment, * 1.1 in this respect because 'tis placed in spirituous, solid, and fleshy parts, having a just quantity, and doth use them as an Instru∣ment; and the vitall Indication is busied only about keep∣ing the substance of the spirituous, solld and fleshy parts.

But although the strength only Indicate Aliment, * 1.2 yet it may be prohibited from others, for oftentimes the giving of meate increaseth the morbifique constitution, and also to regard this, that 'tis not to Indicate Aliment, but to prohi∣bit it, for when meate is given nature is called away from concoction, and evacuation of morbifique matter, and there∣fore when the powers Indicate their preservation, which is performed by exhibiting nourishment in that quantity which the substance to be preserved wanteth, but the mor∣bifique cause indicates its Evacuation, and therefore com∣mands nature to be at leasure for it selfe alone, and so pro∣hibits Aliment, whereby nature would be called away, and hindred from its worke, you must be carefull, what urgeth more.

In breife: strength only Indicates Aliment; the mor∣bifique cause permits, or probibits; the rest, as age, custome, Time of the year, the state of Heaven, and such like are the signes of firme strength, or of weaknesse, or such as may shew the force, and greatnesse of the morbifique cause.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The strength what it shews.
• * 1.2

  Things prohibi∣ting.