THis subject is bloud , in that is life ; 't is of the Vine , and that the plant of life ; And if I should say a Species of that in Paradise ; my opinion might not in all places , and amongst all persons bee rejected : magis and minùs , may be the difference ; for as that was called the Tree of life , so is the Vine , and they doe not only agree in the appellation , but in their nature and effects also . In testimonie hereof Aselepiades the Phisitian , both to my former distinction , as also to the appellation affirmeth , The nature of Wine to be neerest to the nature of the Gods , and their nature is incorrupt . Secondly , he adviseth the application of it to unsound bodies to reduce them to a sound and incorrupt temper , and in some sence to eternitie , for such a state there is in this world as will be more plainly demonstrated in our following discourse .

How necessary then is this subject , and how difficult to explicate ? Necessary because life is short , difficult because art is long : yet if by this Act I shall bee an instrument , to protract life and abreviate art , not only shew the plant , but teach the use , it may prove worth my labour and Countries acceptation .

How ever reason and Philosophie shall be my guide , neither Hippocrates nor Galen nor any other authority , further then they are my owne , and agree with reason and truth . As for the abbreviation of art , preservation of life , and restauration of health ; wee will comprehend in a small circle , and render in a few words , the summe of all Classick Writers , to this purpose , especially the Foureteene bookes of Galen his method of curing , and Six of health preserving : and in these few words exprest ( viz. ) Dyet and Medicine : for thus chiefly and substantially , and by these two wayes are life and health extended and restored , quantity , quality , and manner of application in them observed . Quantity , as it is vsque ad vasa & ad vires ; Quality , as it corresponds with humane bodies in generall , or with this and that individuall .

Lessius seemeth to mee to dote more upon quantity ad vasa , then any other thing conducing to the preservation of life , and yet such a quantity as is not ad vasa , as if Satiation were the Usher of diseases , corruption and mortality : which I suppose differeth very much from the sence of Galen , ( that is ) to prescribe a pondus or streight weight and measure of nutriment to all tempers , and such a weight not to be exceeded upon any occasion . But if hee be understood to speake only to men in religious Orders , and such as impoverish their bodies to elevate their mindes to pious thoughts and exercises , then his Twelve ounces will bee better understood and little blamed : but in a physicall sence cannot stand with the principles of art . For Hippocrates and Galen both , will tell him diseases are cured by contrarieties . Inanition by fasting , must bee cured by repletion in feeding ; and this inanition may bee extreame or not extreame , and then no constant Pondus ought to be observed . But if I understand those Worthies , then thus I explicate their doctrine in this point , and so will leave the Iefuite to his owne order . As for the quality of aliment , that it be Homogeneall , pleasant and familiar to humane constitutions and tempers , not only in generall , but also to every individuall , is a point that the Ancients were strict observers of , and not without much discretion . For the judgement of a Phisitian is most seene in his election of aliment in quality answering the temper of the body . For though a disease must be cured by his contrary , yet the temper of the body must be preserved by its own Simile ; as heate by heate , and moisture by moisture : but the degree whether more or lesse intense is judicated by nature , and to be ordered by the Phisitian ; But this is a paradox to vulgar practicers , who argue falsely upon a true ground , for when Hippocrates saith , Contraria contrarijs curantur ; they like an ignorant Iury will runne altogether upon contraries , both in curing , and also in nourishing , according to my Simile , making no difference betweene honesty and dishonesty , or contrary and contrary . 'T is true , contrary remedies must be , and are most rationally administred in affects of the body , because a crooked sticke must bee bent as farre the other way to make it streight , according to Aristotle . But if contraries shall bee adhibited to a harmonious temper 't is the cause of discord and conflict in Nature . As for example : In a hot and moist temper to use a cold and dry dyet ; Therefore it appeareth plainly that the quality of aliment ought to bee most observed ; But for Quantity that is left to the free choice of Nature , because naturall choice is never ultra capacitatem recipientis .

But to speake more fully to Lessius , who in a religious way disputeth principally for temperance ; yet so severely that I must tell him , as a Phisitian , the Fathers of our Art preferre excesse ( so it be not in the highest degree of excesse ) before such temperance , and of two evils the least : For they lay it downe Canonically that all affects of plenitude or fulnesse , are safer for the body then diseases of emptinesse : And I apprehend much reason , and variety of reasons in this axiome .

First , because universall evacuation is sooner effected then repletion ; Secondly , because accidents of various formes cannot be avoided , for they are infinite , and the least affliction falling upon an extenuate or lessiate body , for want of a sufficiencie of excrementitious humours to move in , giveth not only a dangerous assault to the radicall spirits , but without sudden resistance of art , must tyrannise nature before enfeebled and kept under cannot of it selfe resist to expell it . Which meere resistance of nature or labour to expell noxious humours doth beget a Feaver , and that only ex conatu natura ( according to Christophorus à vega ) naturall heate is fired and not otherwise , by the ascent of putrid fuliginous vapours to the heart , or if medicine be adhibited , yet such a body must suffer from both and life be shortned .

Contrarily , where there is a sufficient quantity of excrementitious humours for diseases to involve themselves in , there are they reteyned with lesse danger or oppression to the radicall spirits : and removed by medicine with as little offence , as I shall demonstrate more Philosophically in this manner .

Alberius ( amongst other Philosophers ) doth constitute a twofold moisture in mixt bodies ; One which he calleth Humidum continuans , and from this continuating humidity proceedeth an unction of parts for otherwise they would bee altogether dry and consequently disunited : But there is no naturall body void of this humidity , though never so hard or dry , but hath a sufficient moisture to conjoyne their parts together inter se : and every Alchymist proveth this truth by practice , and daily extracting oyle out of the hardest and dryest bodies . Therefore this humidity is rightly nominated by some Phisitians Oleaginosum Humidum , oylie humidity consisting of ayrie and aqueous moisture .

The other humidity is Humidum quasi nutriens , as it were the nourishing moisture , and this is a watrish humidity in the mixt body , nothing advantagious to the continuation of parts , and is easily resolved because of its tenuity , so is not the oleaginous , because of its crassitude : So that where a proportion of excrementitious humours , by reason of a severe dyet is wanting in the body of man , both disease and medicine must needs bee more powerfull over the fixed moisture and heate , which is the ligament of life .

Contrarily where there is a second moisture to entertaine , either effect or medicine doth lesse harme . But I intend no controversie with Lessius , therefore I will returne to my proper subject , and shew how every temper may be preserved void of all distempers , or such as arise out of the materiall principles of nature by the true use of wine , and also pove it to be an excellent remedy , applyed according to proper judication , and may prove specificall in diseases of every nature , arising out of the aforesaid principles , passing as dilucidly and briefly as may bee through all the parts of this discourse .

Curiositie hath newly conceived , and will now suffer abortion , if a taste of this promised juyce be not suddenly presented whose nature and excellency is encomiastick , sufficient , so transcending all other nutriment , as that just Noah makes it the first act of his husbandry : and planted a Vineyard before either corne or any other graine , as is affirmed by sacred testimony . The reason if I should presume to offer , Ne Sutor ultra crepidam , I must expect from divines , and justly , if I should adventure to explicate any text of holy writ , without qualification ; yet will I not so inthrall my fancy , or suffocate such motions as may bee advantagious to a rationall man , without prying into the Arke ; as not only to take notice of this plantation to be the first act of husbandry , but especially of his age , which was Nine hundred and fifty . His age extended Twenty yeares beyond Adam , in whom the principles of Nature were most firme and pure ; And no reason can argue otherwise , but that in course of Nature , being so many Centuries after Adam , the yeares of Noah necessarily must have bin shorter by many score then were his Grandsires yeares , had he not tasted Nectar from that plant from which Adam was excluded , I meane an inferiour species of that tree of life : For had it beene equall in power , whereas he lived after his plantation Three hundred and fifty yeares ( a good cordiall to an old man ) hee had beene now alive , and so should have beene for ever . Moreover , in Six hundred yeares hee could not but conclude , and determine most naturall questions by experience , and thereby sufficiently taught out of universals how to draw his particular conclusions , or otherwise by resolving them into their naturall principles , make a sensible discovery of Natures secrets . And out of this fulnesse of knowledge and experience , doth he plant his Vineyard ; So that by inference the excellency of this subject doth appeare transcendent ; Now let us really consider the nature and quality of it , with its difference and use , both in respect of aliment and medicament and application to every individuall , of what age or temper soever .

And to the end we may act asmuch as wee speake , Let us looke upon the quality of Wine philosophically , and at the first view wee shall discover a two-fold heate in it , as it flowes from a living body ( viz. ) an animall and elementary heate , for though wine cannot be said to be animatum , such as giveth a soule or life , yet it may carry with it and to it selfe , an impresse central orimplanted heate from a soule , as may bee demonstrated plainly in other things : for the seed of animals aswell as of plants , have not a soule in act , according to the doctrine of Aristotle : Yet it doth take from a soule such a generative power like unto the soule , which Aristotle saith is nothing else but a vitall heate , which hee hath distinguished from igneous and elementary . So as in the generation of a living creature the first moving is animal , or the plant from which the seed issueth , but the seed is the instrument , which by a power received from the plant ( that is to say ) by a vitall heate ; begetteth another being like it selfe . Since therefore there is in semine , a vitall heate , distinct from elementary , why may we not say the same of wine , which in like manner issueth from an animate body ? Then wine hath a double heat , or one conflate or moved out of two : and that which is great and intense doth not consist of an indivisible , but in some certaine latitude , and it is now greater or lesse according to the variety of Species , as also from the diversity of places ; for in more hot places where the Sunne effects a stronger heate , there grow hotter Wines , and this heate in them is not externall , but rather naturall and implanted in the wine : For from the heate of the place it commeth to passe that the vitall and elementary heate , which constituteth the naturall heate of the wine , doth become greater and more intense : So as wee cannot deny in wine that double moisture : and Galen is of the same opinion , when as hee distinguisheth the substance vinosa from the substance aquosa , for vinosa qualitas , hath that humidity which doth unite the parts , and the watrish substance , only that which is contracted from aliment : For so long as the Grape was conjoyned to the Vine , there did flow thereunto a watrish humour by which it was nourished , and after the Grape is separated from the Vine , still doth retayne that waterish humour , which as yet was not converted , nor assimulated into the substance of wine , neither can have any further conversion , because the wine is now no more animatum , or able to produce it into act . But this is that humidity in wine which is spent and wasted in boyling or otherwise , and the other heate remaineth only which is innate , and fixed to the substance of wine ; and hence it is that the boyling of wine makes it more sweet , the other humidity being thus spent , it returnes to its true naturall moisture ; And this I hope will be a sufficient satisfaction for the nature of wine in generall , from whence its familiarity with humane nature will appeare .

Now we proceed to the specificall difference of wine , and wine , and these differences consist chiefly in name , for although some differ among us in name , yet there is no specificall difference ; but if you take them naturally there is in such a specificall difference , which addeth to the name , as colour tastes and smell ; The nature of them all corroborative , nutritive , mundificative , apperitive , and these are not only testified by the ancient learned Phisitians , but also proved out of their owne existence or prime animation , which hereafter shall bee demonstrated .

To returne therefore to the difference in name or names they are so various and endlesse , as that will relish more of curiosity then utility , to render , many of them being more phantastically imposed , out of the exuberate singularity in Merchants of all nations . But so many as Philosophers , Phisitians , or Poets have taken notice of , I shall briefly set downe , and so passe to the colours .

In the first place let us take notice of the generall name Vinum , and so called à vi , from the strength of it , as Varro would have it , but I rather render it vinum quasi divinum , and so a species of the tree of life in Paradise . The Ancients they had many sorts of wine differing in name , as Fortinum newly exprest from the grape , Protopum , such as fell from the Vine before the grapes were trodden ; others which take their names from the regions in which they grow : as Chium , Lesbium , Falernum , Caecubum , Surrentinum , Calenum , Signinum , Tarraconense , Spoletinum , Ceretanum , Fundanum , Malvaticum ; amongst the French many others : as vinum Belonense , Divionense , Monlispedonense , Remense , Burdegalense , Aurelianense , Andegavense , and these agree better with sound bodies in preserving their temper then with infirme constitutions . There are weake wines in France which agree better with feaverish dispositions , then with cold phlegmatick tempers : as Parisiense , Limonicense , Forense , Allobrogense , with many other . But now you know their names , and partly to what temper they are proper let us take a taste , and principally strike these foure vessels , ( viz. ) sweet , acute , austere , and milde , observing also foure colours in them , ( viz. ) white , sanguineous , yellow , and blacke , the first three commonly used and knowne to us by the names of White , Claret , and Sack , and these also admit of their differences : for there are severall sorts of Sack and Claret , so also are there of white wines , some sweet , some austere , some thick , others lympid and cleere , and all these nourish much , but especially the sweet wine , with this caution , that the liver , spleene , and reines , bee void of obstruction ; For the sweetest Wines , ( though they nourish most ) yet because they obtaine a body generally more crasse : therefore they are said to obstruct very much . Now having Philosophically shewed their nature and difference specifically , it remaines that I offer them medicinally to publike view .

The qualities generally received amongst Phisitians are to nourish , Et super omnia alimentā , if you will accept the testimony of Galen ; It doth also evacuate , corroborate , correct putrefaction , open obstructions , exhilarate the spirits : and what more is wanting or needfull for the preservation or restauration of life and health then these , except we should preferre circumstance before substance , nor can there be any thing more securely practised , then that which is so familiar to nature , and universall principles of mixt bodies , or humane tempers : or so undoubtedly knowne to us in our Region , in any of these respects incomparable either with vegetall or minerall . For though we be very curious in our scrutation , wee shall find either a difference irreconciliable in their figure or quality , and for the last , if it bee argued home in most drugges , it will put us , or rather force us to our hidden quality , and if wee speake of remote drugges which are transported from other Regions , then I dare bee bold to say wee know them not at all , or not in such a degree of perfection as wee ought : considering the frequent use of them . However the use of them cannot but be doubtfull ; for if we know them , either wee cannot have them , or else such is their alteration and change in transportation , as must force us to fault the Ancients for their high commendation of them , we finding either no such vertues as they affirme of them , or none so effectuall as they avouch .

To this purpose Christophorus Barri a Iesuite in his relation to the Pope , of Cochin-china , professeth that the rhubarb which hee brought with him from thence , was so changed in transportation from what it was , as that he did not know it to bee the same thing either by the vertue or colour of it . And Symphorianus a learned Phisitian , hath adventured to challenge most of our pharmacall compositions upon this very ground , and doth affirme the chiefe ingredients to be altogether unknowne or found in the shops of European Apothecaries : For better satisfaction take this expression in his owne words ; Sed quòd res quasdam vel non afferri , vel non sine macula , vel in totum ignorari puto : ea sunt balsamus , Cardamomum , Myrrha , Nardus indica , Cassia , Scordium , Cinnamomum , radix Pentaphylli , Calamus odoratus , Xylobalsamum ; Now if no man hitherto hath answered his challenge , which for my owne part I suppose unanswerable . Then let us view our Pharmacopea , and judge what use can be made of our greatest compositions . How uncertaine , how unsafe the practice of them which in a plaine expression is but pugnare contra hostem clausis oculis . I could start other doubts about many other things much in use amongst us , as Unicornes horne , and Bezoard-stone , or such like ; but my intention is not to enter into controversie ; yet desire either to be better informed , or else to informe others , for which cause I now fall upon this subject , so well knowne to all Nations , that there is such a thing as Wine , and that this or that , is without question such a kind of wine , and familiarly used in this or that place ; And if I prove not the aforesaid qualities to be in it , I neither looke to satisfie my selfe nor the reader . Therefore that which was last in my intention shall now bee first in execution ; And though I make not an Index of Authors , yet now my arguments shall be altogether a Testimonie not doubting in our subsequent discourse to cleere the point more artificially .

The first then is , That wine nourisheth above all other aliment ; they that have read Galen , know these are his words translated . Indeed some nourish more , some lesse , according to their specificall quality , as Vina aquea perexiguum alimentum corpori praebent , quae verò crassa sunt & colore rubea plus alimenti habent quàm reliqua vina , Gal.

Secondly , that it doth corroborate , Vinum confortat spiritum , & ad spiritum convertitur , & fortificat virtutem , Avicenna .

Thirdly , that it doth evacuate , Vivacrassa dulciaque quod alvum deijciant nemini ferè ignotum est , sicut mustum , quod tametsi aegrè concoquatur crassumque succum , & inflationes faciat , alvum tamen movet , Gal.

Fourthly , that it doth open obstructions , Vinum dulce vehementer aperit oppilationes pulmonis , Avicenna .

Fiftly , that it doth exhilarate the spirits , take sacred Scripture ; so that hitherto I have cleered , and plainly discovered these qualities in wine medically , and confirmed all by ancient classick authority . Yet if further satisfaction be expected , then looke upon the qualities of Wine in grosse , as they are obviously laid downe by most or all the chiefest Ancients . White wine may bee adhibited in all acute and hot distempers , ut voluit Hippo. Sweet wine in cold diseases , because it heateth the body more , yet cum calefactione temperata , Gal. No White wine is sweet , and that which is pure and subtile moveth Urine very much , leaveth no impression in the head , because it doth not manifestly heate , it doth sensibly refrigerate , and is commanded to bee administred in febre continua , Gal. Wine in generall taken moderately , doth purge choler by Vrine , exhilarate the mind , and refresh the senses ; Wine also that is dilute may safely be given in Fevers , and White wine doth manifestly refrigerate , and cleanse the lungs , sweet Wines also may be taken in acute passions , as Plurisies and inflammations of lungs to provoke expectoration , when the matter is digested according to Oribasius , Haliabbas , Constantius Monachus . Wine also that is white , subtile , and thinne , is not turbulent to the stomack , but of easie digestion , soone penetrateth the veines , provoketh urine , and is profitable in Fevers , because it doth not make hot the body , or disturbe the mind , nor offend either braine or nerves . But if it bee mixt then it quencheth thirst better , if you will credit Isaac the sonne of Salomon , an Arabian King .

Lastly , White wine is said to be insipid , dilute , coagulate with cold , because in such are more parts of water then of wine ; yet under favour in respect of its universall parts , there can be no such coagulation , as is affirmed by Iohannes Portugalensis , once a Pope of Rome . These are the generall opinions of the Ancients ; But reason still urgeth to prove further the possibility of these seeming contraries in one and the same nature , as to open and shut , or shut and open , to corroborate and weaken , or to weaken and strengthen , and that these contrary acts should appeare together at the same time , in the same subject to whom it is applyed ; As that wine ( as you have heard ) should generally evacuate excrements of the body , or particularly purge bilious matter by urine , and yet the same specificall wine shall corroborate the whole and every part it worketh upon at the same time : But when I consider or contemplate the super-excellency of this plant in a naturall perfection and mixture transcending all other vegetals , as doth plainly appeare by the purity of its nature in it selfe , and familiarity with all animals ; then it doth not seeme so unreasonable , to grant it in its temper a complicate mixture , or comprehensive nature , and to comprehend the quality of other Plants inferiour to it selfe ; and in its owne perfection to obtaine a degree , though not so high as in the more proper subject . And thus is man the Epitome of the whole world . How ever wee know these aforesaid qualities to bee in wine , and may bee with as little contradiction as in Guiacum which doth by constringing evacuate , and Rhubarb which doth bind by purging . But still I spy more possibility then that , which is only extracted out of a Simile : and this is aliquid Catholicum , or an incorruptible spirit in Wine more powerfull then in any other such thing . And this moveth freely contracting or dilating its selfe in its spheare , adde distance weaker or stronger according to the power of the forenamed agent , and disposition of the Spheare wherein it moveth . It may also be said to move thus from its materiall principles , as by vertue of its fluent and fixt heate , the one oleaginous continuating , binding and uniting the parts together , the other fluent attenuating the humours , and loosening the belly or the body universally . And thus it is possible to effect these contrary actions out of its owne naturall mixture . And since it can doe thus , there is a great deale of reason why it should be thus practised , for there is no other vegetal or minerall so safe , harmlesse and familiar in it selfe to humane constitutions as being naturally more pure , and better concocted then any other juyce , either of milke , egges , corne , fruits , or the like : all of them more subject to putrefaction , & more onerous to nature in concoction , by reason of their crudity , the most of them breeding little bloud , or vitious bloud , or no bloud at all ; But wine , especially Claret or red , is sanguified before it be taken : Nay , the Ancients seeme to perswade mee ( when they call it the old mans milke , that it hath received a concoction more then bloud , as it is cited in Iecore . For milke is bloud dealbated or thrice concocted . This is the phisick which doth not dull , but set a true edge upon nature , after operation leaveth no venemous contact . Sure I am this was ancient Phisick , else what meant Avicenna , Rhasis , and Averroes , to move the body twice every month with the same , as it is familiar to Nature , so they used it as familiarly ; As for my own experience , though I have not lived yet so long , as to love excesse , yet have I seene such powerfull effects , both on my selfe and others , as if I could render no other reason , they were enough to perswade me of its excellencie , seeing extenuate withered bodies , by it caused to be faire , fresh , plumpe , and fat , old and infirme to be young and sound , when as water or small-beere-drinkers , looke like Apes rather then men .

My eye now is converted to the vulgar , and I see their hearts dance systole and diastole , disorderly without observation of true time , the heart being too much dilated with this report of preservation from death , sicknesse , and paine . For naturall death , or extreame old age , suffereth dissolution without any paine , and all these to bee affected by so familiar a medicament as Wine , this surely verifieth the Proverb , Every man now must bee a foole or a Physician . But bee not deceived , the application of this medicament , to every temper , age , distemper , with its circumstances of Sex and Clime , will exercise the best Philosopher rightly to dispose and order , and if disorderly applied , or ignorantly advised , the principles of Nature must suffer decay , and in stead of being extended shall bee sweetly shortned , how sweet then must extension bee ! Empericks here stand like Tantalus with apples at their mouth , but cannot be the better for them ; They see this subject but can never reach it , their Logick from a particular to an universall is of no force here ; nor in this course can any man have experience , but he that knoweth what he doth in every one of these respects following , which are not rightly to be apprehended by any Emperick quatenùs an Emperick . Yet before I fall upon the foresaid respects , give me leave since I see Plato to salute him : amicus Plato , magis amica veritas . The prohibition he bringeth concerneth Kings , Magistrates , Souldiers , Women and servants , absolutely forbidding Wine at any time , place , or to any of these persons , and confineth them altogether to water ; So that whether hee meant none but the Common-wealth of Schollers , should enjoy this happinesse makes no matter , for assuredly hee chiefly intended sobriety ; Yet reason is not satisfied , nor is his politique rule or law so agreeable to reason , as to bee received in any Republique ( except Platonicall . ) First , because it binds those from the use of Wine which are most capable of it , in respect of judgement and reason , which Princes and Iudges have above other people , and therefore know how to use it rightly : and being continually in services of trouble , care , and paine , exhausting their spirits and courage , stand in need of such a refreshment as shall exhilarate the mind , and maintaine the principles of nature . What panick feares doth Wine prevent in the Souldier subtilising their drooping spirits , which before were quenched with puddle water , and in time of famine how doth this cherish and defend their bodies against distempers , which by other stinking vnsavoury meat and drinke might be generated . As for servants , this is meat for their masters , but Physick for them upon just occasion . And so I passe to the tempers of bodies in generall , and the Wines generally agreeing with those tempers , and then more directly to this or that individuall .

Temper it selfe being the reason of mixture , or the harmony and consent of the prime qualities in elements , and by the exuperancy of each simple quality ; these foure simple tempers are created ; as hot when the heate surpasseth the cold , and yet of siccity and moisture remaineth an equality , and so of the rest , as cold , and dry , and moist . Besides , there are foure conjugate tempers which proceed from the exuperancy of the two first qualities , as hot and moist , hot and dry , cold and moist , cold and dry , which are the foure compound tempers ; their fixation consisting in that oleaginous humour which wee call innatum calidum : and this innate so praestantious , so necessary , as without it mixt bodyes cannot subsist ; 't is also fomented , and cherished by influent heate , contracted in the heart , veines and arteries , as their proper channels consisting of spirituall bloud , lying hid in the heart as the middle of the body , which by sympathie doth defend and maintaine innate heate , and doth absolve and perfect the temperament , with all the functions of the body , even as the Sunne like a blazing Lampe inlighteneth the world , so doth the heart ejaculate the influent spirit , into the universall body , besprinkling every part , conserving life , and excitating to particular functions , so as in truth such as is this fluent spirit , such is the innate or sixt spirit in power , and accordingly all the functions in a corporall Republique administred , which by sence and reason are plainly comprehended , so that the excellency of this fluent heate is not only admirable , but also of absolute necessitie . And if such a cause may be admitted , as we call causa sine qua non , then this may be so accepted ; for without this mutuall commerce of fluent and innate heate , all bodily actions are stayed and quiet . These being then the prime existence and subsistence of humane nature , and powerfull agents both in conformation and nutrition , their Spheare of motion may be more or lesse adaptated by externall meanes , either homogeneall , or heterogeneall . For tempers then in generall , there is no such aliment , no such medicament as Wine . For the smallest wine , is a truer pabulum to the fluent spirit then egges , or milke sucked from any creature , they all laying some burthen upon Nature to concoct , and in concoction there must be some expence both of fluent and radicall heate , and by so much is mans life shortened . But Wine is so pure in its owne nature , that it receiveth a sudden mutation , and in this very alteration addeth light and heate to the fore-named principles ; and it is as oyle to those naturall lampes , therefore to bee preferred in my opinion .

Fernelius seemeth to favour my reason , where hee saith , that diseases that are cold , admit of a safer remedy or cure then hot distempers , because contraria contrarijs curantur , and thus regularly applying to the cold affect ; wee foment and maintaine naturall heate . Contrarily in taking away praeternaturall heate in the other , naturall heate doth either suffer , or is extinguished : but both in cold and hot affects ; Wine rightly applyed , and upon true judication , is the excellent and inoffensive remedie . That it is a remedy , and such a remedy I shall thus indeavour to prove .

If it were by the ancient Phisitians given as a wholsome and safe remedy in Feavers , then is it a remedie in hot diseases , but so it hath beene applyed by the Ancients , as is before shewed . Againe , if it hath beene also by the same authority affirmed and adhibited in cold affects ; Then 't is a proved remedy in both . And if wee take along with us the specificall difference of Wine , then we shall soone observe this remedy to bee regular according to the Rule of contrariety . For Wine as it is naturally apperient , it openeth obstruction ; and oppilation is the next cause of putrefaction , and putrefaction of Feavers , so that opening being contrary to oppilation ; Wine being opening is a true contrary remedy per se in obstruction , and per accidens in the putrid Feavers .

Now let me descend to particular affects of each kind , hot and cold , and in either of these prove Wine to bee a specificall remedy , agreed upon by counsels aswell as the foresaid Fathers , beginning with a Iew that laboured with melancholy , his temper hot and dry , from a vitious praedominion over the bloud , his body leane , colour black , ill disposed to sleepe , prompt to all actions , prone to anger , of an excellent wit and discourse , but at this time mute , and hath beene so for Six dayes , his temper thus agreed upon with his distemper in a counsell of Doctors , they come now to six upon two wayes of cure , the one being of humectation , the other opening obstruction , and in respect of both , Wine is concluded a proper remedy .

Another great consultation was had about one of the Chanons of Rome labouring with a Feaver , whether or no Wine might be prescribed . About this point was much controversie , and at last concluded and adhibited the remedie ; For in all this consult I read of no other medicament .

In the next place I present a young Gentle-woman epilepticall , or labouring with the falling sicknesse , her temper hot and moist , and so concluded in counsell ; for they found her body fat and fleshie : In this case they determined Wine to be most convenient for the attenuation of humours , and to be administred as a specificall remedy ; This also was agreed upon in a burning Feaver for a young Spaniard : in a great distillation pro Episcopo Lucensi : in various affects and distempers : pro Aloysio Fos Careno , in vertigine , proceeding from a cold and moist distemper of the braine : pro Cive Lucensi against all affects of the kidnies and bladder , pro Magnifico Contareno , with many others which were easie to produce , were it not prolix .

Enough being spoken to prove Wine in all tempers to bee proper aliment , and in all distempers as proper medicament , concluded by Fathers , and Councels in medicine : thus farre have I urged Wine in its owne simple nature , not but that I take notice of medicate Wines , and their excellencies in distempers above simple wine ; So I passe to every age and sexe , and shew how it is to bee used as aliment , and at what times .