In the Cure of Defatigation, * 1.1 caused after Labors; we need not take much pains, seeing they re∣turn to themselves of their own accord; but in that which comes of it self: because it is a foreteller of Diseases, we ought to provide, not so much to cor∣rect the Weariness, as that Diseases do not follow. Sluggishness, because it doth weaken the body, and makes it languid, is not to be suffered; that which aris∣eth from the want of native heat, is scarce or never taken away; yet for the mending of all which, we do use, either Restauration of strength, by Rest, Exercises, course of Diet, Baths, or other Applications, or Evacua∣tions.
Rest Cures Weariness after labors, the labor then ceasing, but chiefly being caused by sleep; because in that the Members do rest better and that especially if they be placed in that Scituation and form, which is called a Meane, all the Muscles being relaxt, so that they suffer no violence whether crooked or straight, yet let every Member have its competent Figure, and also because by Sleep, the Humors too much provoked by Motion, are discust, therefore weary Bodies are better refresht by this means.
Exercise, doth correct Sluggishness, sprung from Idleness; if they accustom to exercise their Body with that, which is most delightful to them, or is necessary for the sustaining of life, the weaker sort, or those who by reason of a greater bulk of Body, cannot undergo buisness or exercise; by gentle means which they may perform themselves, or with which they may be exer∣cised by others, as by Frictions, become fitter to un∣dergo labors; it corrects also weariness contracted by vehement labor, if it be more gentle then the former, for so it doth better reduce weary bodies to rest, then altogether rest, seeing every suddain change is hurtful, as it is done by going, walking, after running, and o∣ther stronger works, rather then by setting still. And thus Galen saith one weariness takes away another, if to that of yesterday, the like be applied the next day; also a motion contrary to the former Motion, doth refresh wearied Bodies, as if one be wearied with climbing up a hil, by going down again, he will sooner be eased: and again because gentler exercise doth discuss the Hu∣mors called forth by that which was more vehement, upon that account, also it cureth painful weariness; for which reason the Ancients did not only dispose their Bodies by Friction before Labors, which for the most part they underwent for healths sake, to relax the parts, and make the Excrements fluid, which they called Praeparatory, but also after Labors they applied it at last, to relax the parts more, and to purge away the Excre∣mants attracted, and they called it Apotherapia. And they made a gentle Friction by which the Body was lightly heated, to loosen and relax, which they called soft and little, or a stronger Friction in which the part was more heated and dilated, which they called, hard and much; and they maintained that this did diminish, that did bind: or a mean Friction which in quality and quantity and strength, was the middle between these: to which operation of the Hands, they applied also anointing with common Oyl, or Oyl of Savin, that it might be the better accomplisht instead of which we may take Oyl of Chamomel or sweet Almonds.
A moist and hot Bath may make good the use of Fri∣ction, and in our Age tis more usual, whether the grea∣ter part of the Body, or only the wearied parts be dipt in it, as the Feet after running, which doth wonderful∣ly refresh weary Bodies, resolving as Friction doth, by an actual moderate heat, either more or less increased, and provoking the humors, and relaxing the bound parts: which is prepared of simple water in which som∣times are boyled Mallows, Chamomel, Betony, Hys∣sope, Organy, Pennyroyal, Sage, Ground-pine, Mug∣wort, and other things to encrease strength, after the use of which, anointing is convenient, as in Fricti∣on.
Other applications, as anointing of it self, administ∣red without a Bath made especially along the Back∣bone or the wearied parts may alone mitigate weari∣ness as also Friction, and a Bath, yet more lightly, when the lesser Friction is made with anointing, and the actual heat in the Unguent is less: Dioscorides teach∣eth that Mugwort applied to the Feet with grease, doth take away weariness after a journey, and if a Traveller carry Mugwort with him, some teach he shall not be wearied in his journey; some relate for certain, that the same comes to pass if the Feet be anointed with Goose Grease.
Restaurative meat and drink doth Egregiously refresh weary Bodies, and that especially by giving of Wine, which recreates the weary and makes them active, and the weaket sort also that are more sluggish to all opera∣tions by these things do assume some strength.
Evacuation in a Spontaneous weariness proceeding from plenty of Humors, doth take it away, by carry∣ing the Humors away; and doth prevent, that the Bo∣dies fall not into Diseases, which shall be done by dra∣wing of blood in a Plenitude, and in Cachochymical Bodies, by Purges appropriate to the Redundancy of Excrements.