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. IV. Of the right Administration of the Dyet of sick per∣sons.

IN the same manner as in medicines, so in vitalls, a three∣fold these may be observed; namely the highest, middle, and lowest, which may be administred in all Dy••t, whe∣ther thick, indifferent, or thin. But which dose is to be given, and when, is collected, by comparing of the strength, and morbifique cause one with another; for since the morbifique matter sometimes urgeth more, sometimes lesse, and some∣times the helpe of nature is more required in resisting the cause of a disease, the same forme of Dyet may be observed, sometimes a greater, sometimes a lesser is to be given, ac∣cording as nature is sometimes busied more, sometimes lesse in the combat with a disease.

Namely in the beginning of a disease, nature contends not much as yet with the morbifique cause, neither whilst it is yet imployed in concoction, and Evacuation; wherefore

you may exhibit victualls, which are convenient for the disease, then the highest dose.

But in the Augmentation because nature begins to con∣tend with the disease, and is more busied about the morbi∣fique matter then in the beginning, then some of the quan∣tity is to be abated, and Dyet is to be given in a middle dose.

But in the state when the combat of nature, and the dis∣ease is most violent, and nature is most busied in concoction and evacuation of matter, the victualls are to be administ∣red in the smalest quantity, and nature not to be called away from its purpose.

The time, and when meate is to be given, as for that in continued diseases, and such as have no differences of fits, Dyet is to be administred according to custome, principal∣ly at that time when the sick use to eat before; But in dis∣eases which have fits, when meate is to be given Hippo. shews 1. Apho. 11. It behoveth to take away meat in the sits themselves, for to give it is hurtfull, and when by circuit diseases returne, in the Paroxismes themselves you must abstaine, which neverthelesse is not simply to be taken, but if a feaver be from a sharpe and biting humour kindled by the Sun, anger, fasting, labours, and the sick be thin, and leane in body and in Temperament, and especially in Summer time if he be hot and dry, either a little before the fit, or in the fit it selfe meate is to be taken, otherwise he easily falls into a burning feaver or Hectick, swooning, or convulsion, or such like, and indangers the losse of his strength.

Notes

• Quantity of meate.
• In the Augmenta∣tion.
• In the state.
• The time of giving food to the sick.