The universal body of physick in five books; comprehending the several treatises of nature, of diseases and their causes, of symptomes, of the preservation of health, and of cures. Written in Latine by that famous and learned doctor Laz. Riverius, counsellour and physician to the present King of France, and professor in the Vniversity of Montpelier. Exactly translated into English by VVilliam Carr practitioner in physick.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Drink, and the matter fit for Drink.

PVre water is cold and moist, that is best which is clear, limpid, without any mud∣dinesse, or matter swimming in it, without any taste or smell, thin and smooth, which runs speedily through the Hypochondrium, and is presently distributed through the body; soon hot and soon cold. To these marks of good water, may be added two more, viz. Take two linnen rags of the same weight, and moisten them in two several sorts of water, and then dry them in the sun, if one be dry'd before the

other, that water is the best: when they are both dry weigh them again, and if one be lighter then the other, that water is the best.

As to the places whence water is taken; fountain water is to be preferred, so it have the above named qualities; for if it want them, it is to be rejected. Hip. li. de loc. Aer. & aq. sets down other properties, that it should flow toward the Eastern Sun, especially in the summer. That it should glide through clean ground, neither muddy nor clayie, but through sand and gravel; and which is hot in the winter and cold in the summer. For that shews that it flowes from the deep bowels of the earth, which by Antiperistasis, are hot in the winter and cold in the summer. Those that rise against the Northern or Southern Sun are worse, as being raw, and heavy, and passing slowly through the body.

Rain water next to fountain water is counted best, and by some preferred before it, if it have its due properties, which are these; that it be brought in earthen pipes into a covered cistern; if it passe through a gravelly place; if it fall in the spring time in gentle showers and not in storms; if it be kept in a very clean cistern, and that it wash down along with it no filth from the tiles.

We have given the first place to fountain water, according to the opinion of Hip. Galen, and Avicen. But there are many reasons, why rain-water is to be pre∣ferred before it. And first Celsus l. 2. c. 18. The lightest Water is Rain, next Fountain, next River, next Well, next Snow, next Icie-water, the more heavie is Lake∣water, the heaviest of all is Puddle-water. Aetius Tetrabib. l. 1. serm. 3. c. 165. Rain-water, saith he, is the lightest of all and is most quickly chang'd. Hip. l. de Aer. loc. & aq. praises rain-water, as being light, sweet, clear and thin; for that it be∣ing the lightest and thinnest part is drawn up by the Sun.

Vitruv. l. 8. c. 9. The Water, saith he, which is collected from showres, hath more wholsome vertues, because it is drawn up from the most clear and subtle fountains, and then strein'd by the motion of the air, it descends melting in showres upon the earth. Averroes in Cant. saith, that rain-water is the best; and more excellent then river or fountain-water. These authorities are backt also by experience, for rain-water being weigh'd, proves lightest, cools and heats quickly, oppresses not the Hypo∣chondrium, but passes suddenly through the body, having neither in colour, smell, nor taste any manifest quality. The thinness of it appears in this, that pulse are sooner boyled in it then in fountain-water. Besides all sorts of plants do shew the wholsomnesse of rain-water; which are better nourished with rain then with any artificial watring. Nay as Pliny affirms, reeds that grow in puddles, will not come to maturity nor increase without rain. And Aristotle 8. l. de. hist. Animal. that the fish themselves which live continually in the water, do not live nor engender well in dry years. You will say that the humours dissolved into vapours and carried up by their levity to the stars, do borrow from them a certain vivifick vertue; which it afterwards imparts to the things below.

It may be objected that snow and hail are of the same matter with rain, yet the water which they melt into is rejected by all. Paulus answers, that snow and icie water is of all the most pernicious, because all the thin parts are prest out by the congelation.

Secondly, It may be objected out of Galen, that rain-water suddenly putrefies, and hath an astringent quality. But Paulus answers in these words, Let no man imagine putrefying water to be the worst, when the proclivity which it hath to alteration pro∣ceeds from its vertue, not from its vice. And Galen himself, 1 de fac. Alim. saith, that those things which are easily concocted are easily corrupted; and on the con∣trary those things which are hard of digestion are slow to corrupt. As to the

binding quality, there is an answer given by Avicen, who saith that rain-water therefore seems binding, because it is presently distributed and passeth presently to the urinary passages. Hence it happens that the excrements not being well moisten'd, through their drinesse beget astriction: for of it self rain-water cannot binde, when as it is so thin and airy; for those things that binde are of a terrene sub∣stance.

By this which hath been said it appears that rain-water seems to be preferred.

Yet with the consent of most approved Authors, we do prefer the fountain, be∣cause if it have the conditions before mentioned, it remains in the same state, and is not altered by external causes. On the contrary rain-water requires so many pro∣perties which depend on outward things, that it is difficult for them all to concur; so that if any one of them be wanting, it necessarily loseth of its perfection; that is, if it fall from tiles not well washed, or be kept in foul cisterns, or be not fill'd up in a convenient time.

Now there is a doubt, when is the fittest time to receive this rain water, since there are not a few that do affirm from Hipp. that water preserved in the summer time, and descending with thunder, is to be preferred by reason that it is the most thin and light. But notwithstanding such water by reason of its thinness and lightness, hath a certain prerogative, yet because in the summer time various exhalations do arise out of the earth, which retain something of the nature of minerals, and are mingled with the vapours, that cause rain, therefore those waters are not so com∣mendable: which is hence manifest, because they do suddenly putrefie, and worms are often bred therein. For lightning and thunder arise from sulphurous exhala∣tions which do many times infect the air with their smell. Besides in the summer time the waters of lakes, puddles, and ditches, contract a putrefaction, and the vapours that rise from them, are part of the matter of rain, which is therefore viti∣ous and easily corruptible. For these reasons we prefer that water which is preser∣ved in the spring when the lakes, pools, and ditches are full of water, and that pure through the plenty of rain which fell in the winter. Besides it would be im∣possible to preserve for the whole year water enough in the summer, when there fals but little rain, and that not lasting many hours. And experience teaches us this, at Monspeliers where they use much rain-water, and preserve it in the spring and winter, that that is best which hath all the properties above mentioned, especi∣ally for the boyling of pulse, whereby they grow extremely soft, when as in other waters they retain a hardnesse, though for a longer time boyl'd.

Well-water is thick and heavy, so that it sticks in the bowels and begets obstructions; yet there's a great difference between well-waters, so that some do contend in goodnesse with the fountain, that is, if they have the following properties; if they have foun∣tains of good water near them, for you may then imagine that they borrow their wa∣ters thence. 2. If they be drawn out of deep wells; for such are hot in the winter, and cold in the summer, and lesse liable to external injuries. 3. If the sun do freely come at them; For the light of the sun doth purifie them, and communicates to them a certain vital spirit. 4. If they be often moved and exhausted, for by that they are made thin and putrefie lesse. 5. If they be well and often made clean. 6. If they are remote from privies and dunghils; whence they may derive any evil quali∣ty. Those which have contrary qualities, are to be accounted noxious. For those which are not deep unlesse they arrive from some fountain, are liable to all external injuries, they freez in winter, are hot in summer, like standing pools. If they be shut up under roofs, they are depriv'd of the light of the sun, and are defiled with a slimy muck. If they be unmov'd they grow thick, remain raw, contract putrefaction, offend

the stomack, pass difficultly, and hurt the bowels. If they are near dunghils and pri∣vies, they become tainted with an ill smell and savour.

River-waters contend with well waters for goodnesse, and are sometimes to be pre∣ferred before them, sometimes not so well to be esteemed of. But there is great variety in river waters, for those are best which are sweet and clear, and drawn out of swift and rapid streams, and which flow in good grounds and in a temperate region; but those are bad which are drawn out of still, muddy and troubled rivers, or out of great and running streams which receive the filth of sinks, kitchings, and privies.

Hence rivers that run by the walls of great cities, have much filthinesse in them, and generate many diseases, unlesse this caution be used, that the places destin'd for the drawing of water, be there only where no filth or excrement is cast in. For otherwise, if the water which runs by a City be us'd, it is very unwholsome. This caution also is to be observed in the use of river-water, that it be kept in cisterns for some daies, for it settles and all the terrestrial and muddy parts sink down to the bottom.

The water of standing pools and lakes is the worst of all, for by reason they have but lit∣tle motion, they soon putrefie, they are thick, raw, and sometimes pestilent and malignant.

Snow water also and ice-water are very bad, for while they are congeal'd by the cold, the more thin parts exhale forth, besides they have an extraordinary coldnesse that hurts the stomack: which is to be also understood of snow and ice-water prepo∣sterously used; for though young and strong men do not presently perceive the mis∣chief, as they grow old they finde it, and it brings them into various diseases of the joynts, bowels and nervous parts.

With us it is in this age now in fashion to drink snow and ice-water to cool themselves, and not a few refrigerate their wine therewith. Which custome is much disputed about, not only among the Physitians, but also among the vulgar; some praising, other condemning it. Since therefore we have so fit an occasion to speak our opinion, we shall accordingly set down our judgement therein. First in the Theorem, we have already condemn'd the drinking of water cold with snow, but with this addition, if it be preposterously used, which must be accurately ex∣plained: for first of all that sort of drink is so cold being generally considered, that it seems to be absolutely condemned, according to the opinion of Hipp. Aph. 51. sect. 1. to empty or fill much, or suddenly to heat or cool, or any other way to disturb the body, is dangerous: for every excesse is an enemy to nature; but what is done by degrees is safe. Therefore when the body in the heat of summer is extraordinarily hot, to cool it suddenly with that icy drink, seems very dange∣rous: the effect of this danger may be confirm'd by the many examples of those who by using this drink, have fell into terrible diseases, not a few of which we have seen and cured. On the other side they are infinite who extoll this drink to the skies, confirming their opinion both by reason and experience.

The first reason is taken hence, that our natural heat uses violently to be op∣posed and extinguished, by two great enemies, the cold extinguishing, and the heat dissipating; which makes our bodies in the vehement heat of summer to be lan∣guid and faint, the hot air as it were inflaming the parts of our body, and dissol∣ving their heat; which dissolution cannot be hindred but by the taking and apply∣ing of refrigerating things. And therefore as in all ages, baths, and swimming in cold water have been conveniently us'd to temper this heat of the body, so also cold drink inwardly taken, produceth the same effects.

Secondly, drink is necessary to restore the natural moisture, which is continual∣ly consumed and dissipated by the natural heat; but drink, as being moist, per∣forms

that work: yet if heat were joyned with this moisture, it would forward the resolution of the moisture; and therefore generally men desire cold drink in the very winter time, to temper that internal heat, and stop the resolution. But it is much more necessary in the summer time, when there is a great dissipation of the moisture through the intense heat of the bowels.

Lastly, the coldest drink us'd in the summer, is best, as appears by the testimo∣ny of many men who affirm, that they have been freed from many diseases by drinking water cold with ice or snow. Also in Spain and Italy, from the time that this drink came in use, malign and pestilent Feavers are lesse common in the sum∣mer then formerly.

But our opinion is this. First there is no doubt but that drink moderately cold is most convenient for all men. And therefore it hath been an old custome for men to preserve their Wine in cellars under ground, for their use in summer, and to draw water out of the deepest wells if they be good, and to mix them in their Wine; if not good, to cool their Wine in the wells themselves. And we can teach them to make their Wine more cold that way, if they put down the pots of Wine into the well so low as the nose thereof do not touch the water, for the air which is near the water is more cold, and pierces the bottles sooner then the water it self. But for drink cool'd with ice and snow, which hath a more intense and freezing coldnesse; there is more difficulty in that. Therefore as to that the above mentioned Aphorism of Hipp. is of great force, to cool or heat much and suddenly, is dangerous. To the resolving of which doubt, we say that in a countrey and season very hot, it may be us'd by young men of a strong nature, hot temper, and free from ill humours. For then the bowels require such things as are strong and forcible, espe∣cially where they have been us'd to such drink, with much exercise. But to others who are aged, or very young, and have weak entrails, of a flegmatick or melancholy temper, and full of excrementitious humours, living an idle life, and accustoming themselves to little exercise, and much venery, it is most dangerous. Seeing there∣fore there are so many circumstances required to make this drink usefull, and those found in so few men, it is better to abstain from it, and to use drink cool'd after the same manner as I have related, which is most convenient for the preservation of health.

But because the custom of cooling Wine with ice is now so much in fashion, that many are forced to drink it at banquets wanting other drink, whence I have seen many very much to suffer; We have thought it worth the while to invent a way to make it lesse dangerous. And therefore we give this precept, that before they drink they eat good store of meat, and those hot, salted and peppered, by which the stomack being heated, may be able the better to resist the vehement coldnesse of the drink. Next, let him drink but little, and that but little mingled. And to sa∣tisfie thirst, recompense the smalnesse of the quantity by often drinking; for so the harm of that cold drink may be pretty well avoided. The same caution they may observe who are of a hotter temper, who in the dog daies are very fiery, and subject to burning Feavers, and therefore drink this sort of drink, hoping thereby great benefit, that they do not use it for some few daies, but in a little quantity and often drinking.

Wine generally considered, in the active qualities is hot, in the passive dry. It che∣rishes our heat, strengthens the heart, increases the spirits, refreshes the strength, purges choler by urine, and forwards the expulsion of all the excrements.

By Wine generally considered, we mean, that which principally deserves to be called Wine, and which growes in hot or temperate Countreys, and is pressed out

of ripe grapes, and rightly made in the tub: yet there is so much difference, that some is hot and dry in the third degree, some in the second, and some in the fourth degree. But that which is pressed from unripe grapes, which is sowre and sharp, deserves not the name of Wine.

But concerning the passive qualities of Wine, great difficulty arises, by reason that both authorities and reasons differ therein.

For first, Aristot. 17. Prob. sect. 3. saith expresly that Wine is hot and moist.

Secondly, Gal. 3. de caus. puls. c. ult. affirms that Wine speedily nourishes by rea∣son of its moisture, and that so much the more because it is hot.

Thirdly, Gal. 1. de san tuen. c. 11. forbids Wine to children for many causes, but especially because it moistens them too much, and fils them with vapours: and in the same place he writes that Wine moistens what ever is immoderately and extraordi∣narily dry.

Fourthly, Gal. 5. de san. tuen. c. 5. saith that Wine is most fit for old men, not only because of the weak heat which then they have, but because of its moisture.

Fifthly, Plato 2. de leg. saith that Dionysius gave Wine to men as a remedy against the hardnesse of old age, that they might seem to wax young again; their bodies being softned in Wine as iron in fire.

Sixthly, Hipp. of diet. That black sweet Wines, and thin sweet Wines do moisten.

Seventhly, The juice of ripe grapes of which Wine is made is hot and moist. Hipp. 2. de diaeta.

Eighthly, Wine is most grateful to humane nature which is hot and moist.

Ninthly, Wine is good for melancholy people, who require moistening: whence the proverb, As long as they are moistened, so long they are cured.

On the contrary, that Wine is dry, seems prov'd by the following reasons and authorities.

First, Gal. 8. simpl. de vin. That heat and drinesse are equally proportioned in it.

Secondly, Paulus Aegineta l. 7. c. 3. confirms this opinion of Galen.

Thirdly, Aetius tetrab. sec. c. de vin. saith old Wine is hot in the third degree.

Fourthly, l. 2. Synops. c. 15. he saith, Wine is dry in the second degree. And c. 16. in the third degree, if it be very old.

Fifthly, Wine contains much spirit, being of a fiery nature and easily inflam'd.

Sixthly, It is good for flegmatick, and being immoderately drunk, it provokes thirst, and parches the bowels, whence a red colour and pimples in the face of drunkards.

Seventhly, It is most useful for the cure of ulcers, as Gal. teaches, 4. meth. c. 5. but ulcers are cured by cleansing and drying.

For the decision of this controversie there is a double distinction to be observed, the one as to moisture, the other as to the Wine.

The moisture is twofold, actual, and potential; and both these natural or artificial.

Wine is either unripe, sowre and imperfect, or ripe and perfectly concocted. Then secondly, it is either new or old, and both these either strong or small.

These things premised, we say that Wine is actually moist, when as every fluid substance is actually moist. Potentially it is dry if it be ripe, generous, and not too new, as we have set down in the Theoreme.

But that which is crude and acid, very new, as also sweet, is more predominant∣ly moist. For being raw, it abounds with a flegmatick watry moisture, rather na∣tural then accidental: being new, it abounds with much moisture, that is consum'd by fermentation in the tub.

Having thus premised these distinctions, we shall let alone the authorities and

reasons brought for the drinesse thereof, and only answer to those that are brought for the moisture thereof.

To the first we say, That Aristotle cals Wine actually moist, not potentially.

To the second we answer, That Galen considers Wine as it nourishes, in which respect it is moist actually, and by reason of that actuall humidity, it is easily di∣stributed and changed; whence we say that it speedily nourishes.

To the third we reply, That Galen forbids children to drink Wine, not that it doth potentially, but actually moisten them; for it heats and fils the head with va∣pours, and so causes many diseases, but chiefly convulsions.

To the fourth we answer, That Galen commends Wine to old men, not that it moistens, but because it refreshes their weak heat, and evacuates by urine the serous humours, wherewith they abound.

To the fifth we answer, That Plato when he saith that Wine is a remedy against old age, understands not the hardnesse of the body, but the minde; for he saith, that they ought to drink Wine to make them young again, and to comfort and cheer their spirits; for the affection of the minde, like iron moisten'd in the fire, being once softned growes more flexible.

To the sixth we say, That the authority of Hipp. is not contrary to our opinion, who in the decision of the controversie, have affirmed that sowre-sweet Wine is predominantly moist.

To the seventh we affirm that Hipp. speaks of new Wine, which he cals the juice of ripe Grapes; and that we confesse is predominantly moist.

To the eighth we make answer, That Wine is pleasing to our nature, because it nourishes speedily, and recreates the spirits, which effects are not hindred by the drying quality, which is very moderate, and not much differing from humane nature.

To the ninth we answer, That it is good for melancholy persons, not as it moistens, but as it recreates the spirits, comforts the heart, and excites gladnesse.

But there are severall differences of Wine, that are taken from the nature, sa∣vour, smell, colour, and age; which differ also much in their faculties and ver∣tues.

As to the proper nature of Wines; some Wine is call'd Oligoforon, because it indures little mixture of water, other Wines are stronger, and endure a greater mixture, and by how much the stronger, so much the hotter and dryer it is.

As to the taste, sweet Wines nourish well, and are covetously suckt in by the bowels. Yet they are thicker and beget obstructions, swell the Hypochondriums, increasing wind through their thickness, and being easily turned into choler. They are good for the lungs, neither are they over hot, neither do they afflict the head, or the nerves: which are related by Hip. 2. de rat. vict. in acute diseases, text. 2 .

Austere and sharp Wines are of a weak colour, they stay long in the belly, nei∣ther do they easily pierce the veins, or fall down through the urinary passages; they are bad in affection of the Lungs: they are good in fluxes of the belly, as ha∣ving a binding quality.

As to the smell, odoriferous and fragrant Wines are most commended, they re∣store the strength, refresh the spirits, are good for old men, only they fill the head and the nerves, and therefore they are bad for those that are troubled with Ca∣tarrhs and other affections of the head.

From the colour, a certain judgement cannot be made of the vertues, for some white Wines are lesse watery and strong, others more watery and smal; generally the white Wines heat more then the brown and yellow: among the brown Wines the

most generous are Rhenish, Cretan, and Muscatell; Of the red some are more, some lesse strong. But for the most part, those that have a deep red, and come nearest to a blacknesse, so much the lesse generous they are; and by how much the thicker they are, by so much they obstruct the more. But thin Wines open the passages, provoke sweat and urine, though they nourish lesse then the thick.

As to the age, new Wines, which as yet keep the taste of the muste, are more watery and weaker then is convenient for Wine; they are excrementitious and of a hard concoction: they do not sufficiently forward the distribution of the nou∣rishment, but keep it long in the belly, and swell the Hypochondriums, they cause heavie dreams, obstruct the bowels, and beget the stone, especially those which are sweet, thick, troubled, and not well cleansed, still retaining the nature of the Muste.

Old Wines which were at first strong, are more sharp and heady, and they heat more then ordinary: they hurt the head and nerves, easily intoxicate, and attenuate the body by daily use, and they are hurtful to hot tempers, unlesse they be well mixed ere they be drank. Yet in some cold Regions, Wines that are austere and sharp are better and more wholsome after the second or third year, and by a longer concoction they lose their austerity.

Wines of a middle age, are most convenient for the diet of sound and unheal∣thy persons; especially if they be well setled and purged; for the heat of the Wine puts it self out in longer time, being lesse potent in new, more in middle age, and most of all in old Wines.

But although that there are various sorts of Wine, which are more convenient for various tempers and natures; yet generally the properties of the best Wine and most convenient for all sorts of men, is that which hath a taste between sweet and sharp, fragrant to the smell, and a little yellowish, neither too thick, nor thin, yet more thin then thick; nor too strong, nor too small, but of a middle age.

APPENDIX.

Many other sorts of drink are us'd in other Countreys, through the scarsity of Wine, as Ale, Cider and Perry, &c. which we leave to be examined by those in whose Countreys they grow. There are also many other sorts of drink vulgarly used, and prescribed by Physitians for the cure of diseases, as Ptisans made of Licorice, Ebony, Harts-horn, and several roots, and flowers; and also drinks made of China, Sarsaparilla, Sanders, Box, Rhubarb, Hydromel, and infinite others which we omit, minding only the drinks of persons in health.