CHAP. XIX. Abstainers from Drink.
THE two Grand Precepts of the Stoick Philosophers were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sustine Abstine, ••ea•• and forbear, or abstain; certainly 'tis worthy of Remark, how far Powers of Nature and ••••••∣will, will go with a Man, even upon the Stock of Common G••ace. The Government of the Sensitive Ap∣petite, especially in respect of Drinks, is none of the easiest ••asks incumbent upon Humane Nature, and yet we shall find some in this respect, commanding themselves to Admiration; thô sometime, it must be confest, the very Texture and Mixtion of Humours with their Constitutions, gives an Advantage, and sometimes fear of some imminent Danger, adds a Sp••r to their Nature.
1. A Noble Man of Piedmont, being Sick of the Dropsie, sent for Doctor Albertus Roscius, who finding the Dropsie confirmed, and the Patient averse from all Remedies; he told him that he must abstain from all Liquors: The Nobleman at the hearing of this, did so far abstain from all kind of Drinks, that he did not so much as tast of any thing that was Liquid for a Month's time, by which means he was restored to his former Health. Fab. Obs. Chirurg. Cent. 4. Obs. 41. p. 319.
2. It is said of Abraames Bishop of Carras, that he drank not, nor made use of Water, wherein to boil his Herbs, but his manner was to feed on Endive, Lettuce, and Frui••; and from these also he used to abstain till the Evening, yet was he a Person of great Liberalit to others. Drex. Oper. Tom. ••. p. 796.
3. Theophrastus tells of one Philinus, who in the whole course of his Life, never made use of any manner of Drink, or Food, except Milk only. Celi. Rhod. l. 11. c. 13. p. 500.
4. Pontanus writes of a Woman, who in all her Life time did never Drink either Wine or Water; and being once inforced to Drink Wine by the Command of Ladislaus King of Naples, she received much hurt thereby. Bow. Hist. Med. Mir. l. 6. c. 3. p. 306.
5. There was one in Naples, of the Family of Fernacelli, that never Drank. c. Rhod. l. 13 p. 309.