CHAP. 1. What writers ought to consider , and wherfore the Author hath made this worke .

COnsideringe with my selfe , howe necessarie it is ( after the iudgement of right reason , dayly experience , and common knowlege of al learned writers ) for him that wil deliuer anye preceptes or doctrine auailable to this learned , expert , and cunning age , principallye to weighe whether it be possible , profitable , and plaine , whiche he teacheth , or no , and that otherwise it is but labor lost , deluding of the studious , and a very deceiuing of the time : bycause of impossible things there is no abilitie , of vnprofitable no gaine , of riddles , Sophismes , and Oracles , but euerie mans construction . First Booke .

Therefore least I , in these dayes wherin al Artes abound , might séeme to take in hande the like , De vanitate se●entiarii . to teach impossibilities , to allow things vnprofitable , and to commende impostures , as Cornelius Agrippa hath done verie vainely , other obscurelye , and some fantasticallye , besides other some that séeme to write as they knowe in their proper tong Englishe , and yet their termes must be altogither forsooth in Latin and Gréeke , or in some other forraine speach , as though our language could not comprehend so muche as their freshe wittes can discourse , or that truth cannot be deliuered but in vnknowen words and termes far set , clean contrarie not onlye to the iudgemente of our Elders , but also to the beste of oure dayes , as in the skilfull workes of oure countrey menne , Chaucer , Gowre , Surrey , Cheeke , Chaloner , Recorde , Phaire , Wilson , Iewel , Dee , Digs , Fox , Holenshead &c. is apparante . So that as far forth as my learning and leasure will serue mée , I do take this way : I doe laye the best approued reasons , principles & grounds that I can gather , following the example of the Bée , out of euery floure aunswerable to al vertues , subiect to our common phrase or talke , for my rules : dayly experience , for my proofe : and lawful authoritie , for my warrant .

And although the high knowledge of Philosophie , of many base wits and vnlearned , is rather had in contempt vniustlye , than commended as it ought lawfullye , I haue notwithstanding chosen some of the wisest sayings of sundrye of the beste sectes , Li● . de doct. Christ . cap. 4. as I haue condemned diuerse others of the worst , according to the counsel of Saint Augustine , that most famous diuine , who willeth , that whatsoeuer is true and appertinent to our faith , that we ought not to feare it , but to chalenge it for our owne , from them which are no right owners thereof : that if ordinarie meanes , iuste lawes , wise councels , and holy decrées , nor the heauenvly doctrine , the blessed word , may not restraine vs from vice , from sinne , nor perswade vs to preserue both bodie and Soule , wherein all felicitie consisteth , Sectio . 1. as Montuus affirmeth , agreable to al diuine instructions : that yet at the least , the very Infidels and Paganes following only the morall vertues , may admonish vs to refraine from disobedient & wicked wais , & to foresee both the one and the other when as we loke into their vertues voyde of spiritual grace , & he finde them to surmount ours that he borne vnder it , & that in baptisme haue promised to renounce al wickednesse , & to embrace al our liues long the fruits of the spirit , the déeds of grace .

But bycause the duties appertayning to Soule and Bodie of eache age , state , and condition , shall be prosecuted in this and the ages following , I will presentlye ( according to the reuerende rule of Phisicke , ) shew what kinde of Nurse is beste to prouide for infantes , that yonglyngs endued with the humaine graces or spirites , Loue . Courage . Reason . the naturall , vital , and animall actions , vertues , powers , or offices may haue these kept in them healthyly , as also be instructed in all the other mentioned in the Epistle , naturally , christianly , and ciuilly . For vnlesse we handle first the natural dyet , & political discipline méete for infants , howe shall we orderly come to the rest of our intent . For this is certain , that vnlesse there be a like addition added to the naturall parts answerable to euery age , as Galen most excellently argueth , in stead of that which wasteth daily from them ( as in my discourse of growing & liuing things , I haue partly shewed , 1. de. 4. f. ) & a framing of the mind in al godly knowledge & holy religion , by instruction : neither can there be a sound bodie long kept , nor at al a vertuous & religious soule found , except it be by inspiration . By reason wherof , I do thinke best that the one & the other be ( as soone as may be ) put in vre . The holesome nourishment for the healthy bodie conuenient from the ve●ys birth , & the ordinarie instruction for the witting minde , from the first perseuerance or vnderstanding . And this doubtlesse in all such as are perfitly endewed with the things naturall expressed in the tenth Chapter of this worke , Natural things . Not naturall things . shall the better be preserued , if the things not natural , as ayre , meate and drinke , sléepe and watch , labour and rest , emptinesse and fulnesse , and affections of the minde be wel considered , proportioned , and duely vsed .

Things according to nature . Things annexed to nature . And the things according to nature , as healthe , the cause of health , the effect of health , strength , custome , and complexion , be in the chosen Nourse , in habite , as wel as in the Infant , with the things annexed to nature , as colour , case , time , age , region , nature , sicknesse , dyet , arte , and times mutation regarded , as in sorte following shall be shewed in Sections deuided .

The first tendeth to all things in a Nurse requisite .

The seconde , howe children euerye waye are to bée ordered .

The third , of their education , catholike religion , wisedome , obedience , and trades , wherein infants , yea al Christians ought to be instructed , more large perhaps than this first age requireth , and more intricate , leaste the rest of the other fiue be left vnfinished , in stead of an Epitome , it is thus handled , by the authoritie ( at the least ) of 300. Authours , and forth of 500. bookes , although far briefer and obscurer , than in them is to be declared , if I shall finde this friendely fauoured , and the other hartily required . Emanuel .

CHAP. II. Howe the Nurse must be chosen , and which is beste .

Lib de Dicta . De saenit . tu . lib. 14. De tuen●a vale . De infant . How the Nurses must be chosen . THe Nurse that must be gotten , shal be chosen , as sayth Hippocrates , Galen , Aetius , Montuus , and Mokerus , according to the temperature of the babe . For if the childe shall be of a perfite constitution , it must be kept by the like , or be amended by the contrarye , according to that principle which teacheth , that the healthy are to be kept by the like 〈◊〉 healthy with vnlike .

〈…〉 wise men , as wel as Galen , Plutarch , lib. 1 de . sa . tu . Nat h●st . li. de ed●infan . in . libel . de Amore proli● . Gelius . ● in noct . attic . and Pli●●●● 〈…〉 the mothers milke best for euery one . And a●●●● 〈◊〉 to reason , that that which in the healthy wombe 〈◊〉 the nauill , after the safe deliuerie being translated to 〈◊〉 sound pappes should best norish it by the mouth , 〈◊〉 ●●●●lian , Chrisippus , and Fauorinus further .

Ne●●●thelesse , by reason of weakenesse , sicknesse , Wherfore Nurses are gotten . lacke of 〈…〉 , or being againe quickly with childe , the mothers as well of Princes , Noble and worshipfull children , as if the Merchaunts & Commoners , cannot , or ought alwaies , ( although they wold neuer so wishly ) nurse their Babes them selves in England , let Syr Thomas Moore affirme it to be 〈◊〉 so vsuall with euery dame in Vtopia .

It shall therefore be best for suche as can not Nurse their children themselues , to follow Aetius counsell in the choyce , Lib. 2. de . Vtopia . L●b . 14. who greatly commendeth for a Nurse , such a woman as hath brought forth not only one , but two or thrée children aliue and 〈◊〉 , Lib. 2. through sucking of hir own breasts indued with iuyce and sound fleshe , whose bodie shalle neither ouer fat , nor ouer leane , as sayth Aegeneta , but betwéene both , for the meane , without doubt , in al things is best , séeing that the ouer slender sheweth that choller or melancholie doth abounde , and the ouer fatte flegme , and slymie humours , as all learned Phisitians affirme , through the one made ouer wayward & angry , through the other ouer sluggish and drousye .

CHAP. III. Of the age , fauour , and manners of the Nurse .

THe age of the Nurse shall be betwéene thrée and twentie and thrée and thirtie , The age of the Nurse . as in these dayes of best perfection of strength , although Galen in hys time did account the yeares of state Acme , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to bee fiue and thirtie .

Lib. 1. de inf. ● . Art. Par. The Nurses face shall be ful of sauour , & comely coloured , as willeth Eucarius , and there with faire , broade breasted , and wel neckt , as sayeth Galen , without gogle eyes or loking a squint say I , as she that is not separated from goodnesse .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Teige . For as the Hebrues do affirme , Tou signifieth as wel faire as good , as Tege doth in our own tong , the Brittish or Welch .

So that good inclination for the moste parte is not naturallye seuered from fairenesse , nor naturall bewtie from goodnesse , Lib. 4. Lib. 5. de reg. de. 4 au. v● . as affirmeth Castilio to the Courtier , and Osorius to the Prince of Portugall : for this beautie and comelinesse which ( as Galen teacheth ) doth not consist in only hewe or colour , but in proportion and sauour , doeth shew ( as sayth Hugo , In trect . de opere tri . dierium . and Bishop Curtes , ) a speciall care in the maker , profitable foure wayes , for néedefulnesse , commodiousnesse , conuenientnesse , and delightsomnesse .

But the same to faine and further with painting , as some doth , Lib. 2. de Vtopia . Lib. 3. de Inueus . ●erii . is to be taken for a vaine and wanton pride ( as writeth Moore , ) & is a token ( as sheweth Saint Ciprian ) of the colour and shape they shall be of in hell , although it be so vaine as sithence Medea the vse , as writeth Polidor Virgil. Hence Periander willeth , that we prayse the natural faire .

Cap. 22. Cap. 4. eccle. How to know a frowarde person . ●irac . 15. Art. Ph●sog . in timeo . in c●r . 3. art . part . De fat for . Lib. quot A. in . Q. And Menandor highly extolleth them , in this wise : Oh how delectable is simple fairenesse ioyned with a righte wise and lowly minde , with vertue saith Sirach , & with godlinesse saith Salomon . But they that be of loftie lookes , counterfeyt , & hard fauoured , for the most part be high minded , stubborne and vngracious , as writeth Indagines , by the authoritie ( as I take it ) of the sacred letters , as well as by the knowledge of Philosophye and Phisicke , bycause the minde , as ( affirmeth Plato and Galen , ) doth agrée with the bodie , as the bodie with the minde , as Rasis , Cassius , and Hessus testifie . By Vaseus approued in Parta the monstrous king that he conquered in China , which was no lesse froward than he was deformed , euery where too too often tried . The passions , maners and behauiours of the Nurse , & that she hath ben brought vp withall , ●●●digently to be noted and learned , before she be enterta●●●● , for they be arguments of good and euil temperature , as well as the shape of the bodie , as Hessus writeth . But if he shall obtaine a meane temperature , in the simple partes , Arguments of a good temperature . 〈◊〉 , fleshe , vaines , sinowes , chordes , panicles , bones , mar●●● &c. and right forme in the instrumentals , that shal be best , as Galen teacheth .

And those affection are likewise best , that shall be meane , betwéene rashe and sober , quicke and slowe , cruel and pitiful , 1. de t● va . Libr. de . s● tu , Incoment . angry and patient , bolde and feareful , prone and vnproue to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉tion ( as sayth Hessus and Placatomus : ) the farther any shall decline from this , the worse is their temperature : 3. De. nat. Annal●m . 5. de c●os . Sym de tu . va . and according to the nature of the Nurse wil be muche inclined that which is nourished , as Aristotle , Galen and Montuus shewe , and as folowing ( by example ) shall be proued .

CHAP. IIII. How to knowe the temperature of the Nurse and milke .

THe milke therefore must be temperate , ( as it will , if the Nurse be of a good complexion , ripe yeares , and therewith healthie : How to know the best milk . 1. de tu . va . 3. ●●ms . Libr. 4. c. 4. ) as that whiche in taste shall be swéete , in smel pleasaunt , in colour white , in substaunce meane betwéen thicke and thin , as Galen , Auicen and Aetius teache : contrarily that which is euil , is eyther thicke and chéesie , or watry and whayey , or blew & leadie , or in tast sowre , harsh , rough , salte , bitter or sharpe , or of some other euill qualitie of these compounded , or in smel vngrateful : Yet Aristotle séemeth to praise the milke that is blewe , before that which is white : but truely I thinke he ment then of some particular people and place , In Hist nat. is Plinie doth of the Ewes that séede in the countrey of Ponius , vppon the bankes that the riuer Astaris doth ouer-flowe , Libr. memorabio lium . whiche do giue blacke milke , as Gauodentius testifieth .

3. de Aliment . 3 Primi . Milke after birth is most thinne , as Galen declareth , and is therefore then vnholesome , and of Auicen wholly discommended : 1. Top. but after in processe of time it waxeth more thicke , so that it is better : Libro . 4. for of contraries we haue one and the same doctrine , as Aristotle affirmeth , & reason sheweth . The milke ( as saith Actius ) is not to be taken of the infant before the fourth day , 3 Primi . Ca. de elig . nut . nay not vntill two moneths after hir deliuerie , as affirmeth Auicen , vnto whom Gordonius doth consent , whose iudgements herein I do not allowe . For then nature should séeme frustrate , whiche all Philosophie is against : for nature doeth nothing in vaine , Pri. de vs . part . as the Philosophers affirme : neyther is she taught of any as the Prince of Phisitions proueth . And the sacred letter sheweth , that God doth al things for the best . And certaine it is , that as soone as the Babe is borne , it coueteth to sucke , and wil take the pappe feately into his preatye mouth , where neuer any thing entred before , and wil readilye also swallow the mylke downe .

CHAP. V. Why Nurses are to be chaunged : howe wise men wey of writers : that Monarkes haue bene marred by Nurses : and Princes by euill parents depraued .

Causes to chaunge the Nurse . THe Nurse if by any chaunce she happen to fall sicke , or to take any infection , or to be giuen to drinke , or anye other intollerable vice , must be forthwith auoided , and another Nurse presently gotten , least the childe sucke vppe sicknesse and wickednesse with the milke , as old Hippocrates proueth : whereof none néede to doubt , for as muche as you may as well suppose that the propertie and nature of the milke is of power to chaunge and alter she disposition of the Infant , That the milke can after the nature of the suckling as wel as the seede . Lib. 3. eleg. Car lib. 4. Lib. 1. Silu●rum . Whom the authour coueteth to please . as the séede is of power to fashion the minde and bodie , as Propertius , Horace , and Mantuan shew , as I haue partelye made euident in my discourse , of the beginning of all growing and liuing things , but more plainely as followeth . Yet to offend any I would be l●th , to please all I can not : the godly , wise , or learned , I doubt not , bycause that to wise menne in the enterprising of greate things it is ynoughe to putte forwarde a well willing purpose .

Lampridius writeth , that Titus sonne to Vaspasian , Emperours depraued through Nursing . Titus . Lib. 2. Caesar . Caligula . by reason that he sucked a woman of a sickely state , was himself of a sickelie nature all his life . Dyon likewise the Gréeke , testifyeth , that the incredible crueltie that was in Caligula , of Monarches the monster , issued from Pryscilla his Nurse , who was of such a barbarous Nature , that she delighted in licking of bloud . Also in the life of Tiberius , Tibarius . it appeareth that his great drunknesse came through his Nurse and hir education , who as she was greatly giuen to drinke , so would she giue soppes in wine to hir suckling , which after it came to yeares , neuer left hir conditions . A thing passing all wonders , that neyther the magnificence of his Empire , No counsel can perswade the wicked . the secrete counsayle of the most prudent Senate of the worlde , nor the persuasion of the sagest Philosophers of his time , might restraine it during all his life .

And this is tried not only in mankinde yet dayly , but also in brute beastes . For the whelpes are strong & swift , although fearefull , that sucke a Doe : as contrarily , strong and bolde , which sucke that she Wolfe or the Lionesse . Therfore yong Lions and Leopardes ( as sayeth Montuus ) are tamed with the vse of shéepes milke or Goates . De tu . va . How Lions & Leoperds be tamed . But what shall we néede forraine examples , séeing there wanteth not sufficient nearer home : for this I can saye , mine own eyes being witnesse , better than tenne heare sayes , that in Northwales the seconde yeare of Quéene Marie , I did sée a Lambe sucke a Goate , and a Kydde an Ewe , by the meanes wherof the one was more hearie , In Satur. the other more woolly . The same Macrobius affirmeth to haue séene . So that it is clearer than midday , that eche creature sucketh with the milke some properties of the Damme . Caucasus as the Cosmographers affirme is a mountaine deuiding in the middest great Asia , the which beginneth in Iudea , and endeth in Scithia . Lib. 7.

The Poet sheweth the like in these rude wordes or verses , but not so large and learnedly as they be in the Latine .

No Goddesse was thy mother deere , the authour of thy kinde : Not Dardan was , but Caucasus , the Tigres meate did finde .

Here Virgil ( you perceyue ) wiselye hath relation as wel to the parents as to the féeding or Nursing : of Rainolds I wote not why ommitted , vnlesse he thought it auailed them not , the admonition whiche I thinke good to remember : and that they vse themselues wel at al times , Good counsell for mothers . during the time of procreation , bearing in the womb , and Nursing , & especially the mothers : for to what a prouerbe is it growen with vs at home , that that which is bred in the boane will neuer out of the fleshe : as with the auntient Gréekes a farre of : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . An euill birde , A prouerb to often true . an euil egge .

In fine Faustine the Romaine inheretrix , and wife to Marcus Aurelius Antonius one of the worthiest Emperours , ( as sayeth Lawne , ) that euer bare Scepter , to wel verifyed , who not being contented with the loue of hir lawful & louing mate , like a raunging rigge , serued hir fickle fancie and outragious longing lust with a ruffenly royster , a fencer , which although after by the aduice of his most learned and noble counsel was quenched through the vnknown drinking of his moste liuelye bould ( as Iulius Capit. writeth , A straunge remedie . ) yet hir son Comodus folowed theyr two euil natures or qualities ( as Eutropius testifyeth ) for in bloud & in all vice he excéeded , In vit. Comodi . & dayly delighted more in the company of facing Fencers , roysting ruffians , and roging rak●hels , than in worthy councellers , valiaunt champions , or sage Philosophers : so that it séemeth manifest , that the parents passions and properties , were transported , graffed and encreased in the child , as it augmented before it had suckt any milk .

CHAP. VI. Of the best milke and what Teates be good , and which both grieue and deforme the child , & that do cause it to be vnquiet .

THe milke of that Nurse wil be best , that hath brought forth a man child ( as sayth Auicen : Lib. de in . sa . ) but ( according to Montuus ) that hath broght forth a womā-child : Whose milke meetest . but to me it séemeth best for the male the males milke , for the female the females , for as much as in al things we should follow nature not vitiated , ( as Montanus sheweth ) & the brest not deformed , but of mean bignesse , & white , In commen . de sum . medicament . facult. Libr. de nat. puer . Lib. 4. Libr. de decorat in pract. with faire blew vaines dispersed ( as Hippocrates willeth . ) Auicen prayseth the ●ays the be sound , & meane betwéene soft and hard . But I with Actius , Gordonius & Fallopius , do mislike both the ouer gret and ouer small breastes togither with the pappe heads or nibles . The great bycause , they haue much milke , and the smal bicause they haue ouer little . Furthermore , What brests be both worsh and beste . through sucking of great breastes , the children are made flat or croked nosed , like to him that good Traiane the Emperor was iocund with , whose words I haue turned into English , as I found them in the Latin.

If thou thy iawes dost open wide , and nose to Sunne do laye : Then mayst thou tell vs perfitly , what time 't is of the day .

Meaning that his long hooked crooked Nose did caste a shalowe vpon his téeth like a Dial : by the Nurse to be helped , a note to the Nurse . if she will alwayes when the childe sucketh , depresse hir breaste with one finger about the teate and the other vnderneath .

Of the grief that ouer great and olittic nibbels causeth . Moreouer great pappes or teates hurte the gummes , and the small the iawes , bycause that through the one they are constrayned to open the mouth too wide , ouer-stretchyng the sinewes , causing griefe , muche like to the Crampe : through the other , in that they can not easily of the Infant be catched , making it wide mouthed , ouer wayward and angry , and as I haue often noted , to wéepe verie much .