¶ The heat in our bodies which is called vitall , because as longe as it endureth the body is liuyng and quicke , and all the powers thereof , which be three in number : naturall , vitall , animall , do performe their operacions , is noryshed and sed wyth moystnes , by the superfluous increase or diminucion wherof , ouer or vnder his naturall assignment , the lyfe runneth on hasard , the body is dissoluid , & death immediately foloweth , which many men haue in extreme hate , and most fearfully abhorre .

The fyrst Chapter .

THat same quicke and liuelye power in our bodyes which is called lyfe , supported by naturall heat and moysture , liueth and dwelleth in the body , whiche two so together are conglutinate or knyt , that the one can not be seperate from the other , & the humiditie or moystnes is a very noryce to this naturall heat , whych by power digestiue for her sustentacion receyueth of her noryce suche inyce as is conformable to her appetite . These two qualities be the materiall causes of oure liuinge . For a more playne declaracion whereof , I wyll vse a familier example daylye represented before our eyes . As the lyghte and bryghtenesse of the lampe cometh of the oyle and the weke , semblably this vitall power comenly called lyfe , procedeth of natural heate & moysture : and when the oyle is consumed and wasted , the lyght of the lampe is extinguyshed and quenched : also when there is to muche excesse or abundaunce therof beynge wateryshe or corrupte , the lyght is in daunger to be drowned , Lykewise it fareth by the encrease and diminucion of humiditie in our bodies . For if moysture be wantyng or superfluous , if it be more or lesse then is conuenient to the naturall proporcion and temperature of the body : it doth shortly debilitate , make feble and weake naturall heate , whyche so weakned in short continuaunce is clene extinct and so the bodye is dissolued , and lyfe distroyed .

Moriendi necessitas obduas causas Ob humoris resolutionem cuinullis modis resisti potest . Ob humoris p●trefactiout de qua quomodo vitari potest , est nobis hoc loco explicandum .

Yf for lacke of moystnes naturall heate be destroyed , the bodye dyeth by resolucion or consumpcion . Yf the naturall heate be drowned by superfluouse moysture , or elles by moysture viciate and vnnaturall , the bodie dyeth by suffocacion , putrefaction , or corrupcion . Thys suffocacion commeth vnto the bodie , when anye of the foure humors ( which euery man is composed and made of ) doth exceade their proportion that nature hath limited , or elles when any of them be putrified and rotten , speciallye when there is eyther great abundaunce of flewme in the bodie , or elles when it doth approche to putrefaction or rottennes , wherof is the feuer quotidiane ingendred : wherefore pituita is so called ( as some men thynke ) quia petit vitam .

Thys necessary therfore and conueniente forme or discipline of lyuyng , whych to the prolongacion of mannes life , is requisite and profitable , doth as well instructe vs how to be vigilant and circumspect , least naturall moysture in our bobodies be not lyghtlye consumed and wasted , as also to auoyde the daunger of death , whych cometh by putrefaction of humors . And that euerye man may wyselye and discretelye order these preceptes , to the prolongacion of hys lyfe , with long continuaunce of health : it is expedient and necessarie that euery man knowe the natural habite and disposition of hys owne bodie . For if the body be hotte and drye , and the conduites thereof open , and hys humors subtile or thinne : then he must vse those thinges whych do resyst consumption or wastyng , for because his body lacking natural moysture is lightlye thereunto disposed . And to satisfie the desyre of such , whych per aduenture by these general wordes hotte and drie , do not yet perceyue what I meane therby , here for the playne vnderstandyng thereof , it shal be declared by sensible tokens Such as haue bodies hote & dry , their pore● , which be litle holes in the skyn , dispersed thorow out all the body be great and open , wherfore the skyn in feelyng is rough , & the vulgare people ignoraunte of letters do cal such as be of that disposition or naturall habite , goose skynned . Also their vaines be so litle that by the outward senses they can not wel be perceyued . And a contrary disposition hath contrary totokens , as a smoth or soft skynne , large and ample vaynes , and such as be of thys constitucion muste vse such thynges whych specially do resyst putrefaction and corrupcion of the humors which shal be declared hereafter . But such persons which by aptitude of theyr nature be geuen only to studious meditacion , whych wyth vigilant and constant study abandon al pleasures , and gyue them selues wholely to the exercise of the wyt : These most of all other haue nede to be prouident , wyse , and circumspecte in these thynges , for asmuch as their bodies be disposed as wel to consumption and wastyng of humiditie , as to putrefaction by to much abundaunce and excesse of humors . To the euidente profe whereof it is to be noted that their brayne alwaye declineth to drynes and hornes by reason of the continuall mocion of the wyrte whych is alwaye occupyed , and the phantasye alwayes conceiuyng thinges , and committynge them to memorye , and also because the bodies of these menne M. fici●● . lib. i de stud ▪ ca. ▪ tu●nd . ca. ▪ tercio . be alwayes in reste and idlenesse , for lacke of competent exercise thei be full of flewme & melancholye . Wherfore the fyrst cause doth threten consumpcion of humiditie , the later putrefaction of humors : therfore they must vse thynges which resyst the one as well as the other , of the which hereafter in place conuenient shal be spoken abundantly .

❧ Howe it is necessarie to the prolongation of lyfe to haue equall and iuste portion of naturall heate and moysture called radicall . For if inequalitie be thereof , the bodie shortly dyeth .

The second chapter .

IN ministringe of oyle to a lampe , euery man is circumspect : for they perceiue well if they put in to much at one tyme , they drowne the lyghte , or elles if by negligence they forget to putce any oyle in , for lacke of humiditie the lyght is extingwyshed & goth forth . By example wherof we maye learne discretelye to temper heate and moysture in oure bodyes , by vertue and power of the whych , lyfe tyme mayde prolonged .

Fyrste therfore bycause this life is inclosed in a mortal body , a vessell frayle , bryckle , and of short continuaunce , we may not refuse and caste awaye all regard or respecte thereof , or neglecte our dueties in attendyng of it , for asmuche as it conteineth in it precious treasures . but with vigilant custodie intreate and order it , not in much cherysheyng or pamperyng of it , not sufferyng it to be subdued to all ioyes , pleasures , delicacie , and voluptuousenes . For by suche belye chere all the powers are weakened , the goodlye bewtye of the visage , and shape of mankynde , also strengthe of the bodye decayeth and vanisheth away in short time . Wherfore we must accustume oure selfe to a moderacion in dyet whyche maye comforte nature , and not fyll the belye . It is wrytten that Galene the prynce of all Phisitions , whyche in hys tyme was had in wonderfull reuerence , dyd neuer in all hys Lyfe eate so muche , but that he left wyth a greate appetite and desyre to eate more . Neyther dyd he vse to eate by and by after he had rysen , whych we call breakefastes , that be geuen to asswage the guawyng and complayntes of a yonge stomacke ( and yet he lyued Celius auti-lecti lib. xvi , as Celius writeth . xx . yeres , or as some other affirme a hundred and fortye , ) albeit breakefastes to be necessarye in thys Realme , a certeyne worshypfull and well lerned man deseruing notable remembraunce , hath proued by good reason , for asmuche as choler beyng feruent in the stomacke sendeth vp fumosities vnto the heade , and causeth headache , or sometyme becometh adust , wherby happeneth perilous syckenes if the heate inclosed in the stomacke haue not conuenient matter to worke on Wherfore they be necessarye in thys Realme , specially to yonge men or colericke . But to returne to our purpose , it is to be remembred that the lampe burneth long , the lyght wherof is tempered according to the oyle , so that it do not hastelye , but by lytle and lytle burne and waste vp the same .

Lykewyse we in all oure lyfe tyme , specially in youth , muste be aduertised that thys heat naturally graffed in vs , be not superfluous or abundaunt , then verye lyke shortly to consume all humiditye called radicall , whych oftentymes is great occasion of shorte lyfe .

Furthermore by our outwarde senses we perceyue the lampe not to burne clerelye if the oyle be not pure and clere but thycke , turbulent and full of dregges . For shortly bubbels which ryse on the dregges drowne and extincte the light . But we in the tyme of our natiuitie haue receiued of nature oyle , I meane moysture radicall , pure , & ayerye . Wherefore that whych is dayly ingendred in our body in the place of that whych is consumed by heate , wherwyth thys heate is fedde and noryshed , ought not onlye to be of iust and equal porcion and quantitie to that whyche was before , but also in all condicions lyke vnto it , and that it may be so conformable vnto it , it muste not onlye be pure and ayerye , but also not hauynge anye parte of fece or dregges . ) Whych if you wyll escape and auoyd , you must beware of cruditie which is a vicious concoction of thynges receyued , they not beynge wholly or perfectly alterid . Remedies conuenient & fitte therefore shall be expressed in the chapter folowyng .

Also much reste , idlenes , or sluggyshenes , wherfore we muste not neglecte competente exercyse , and that in due and conueniente tyme , whych surely is a thynge so necessary to the preseruacion of health , that wythout it no man may long be wythout syckenesse , whiche is affirmed bi Cornelius Celsus saiyng Corn. Celsus . lib. x. that sluggyshnes dulleth the bodye , labour doth strength it : the fyrst bryngeth the incommodties of age shortly , the laste maketh a man longe tyme lustie , and moste of all to absteyne frome suche meates which engender dregges , making yll iuyce , and norishyng , and suche as ingender melancholy , as biefe very olde , fleshe or fyshe very salt , chese hard & olde , wyne thicke and blacke , gose , ducke & swanue , also fruits not rype & much vsed . Ther be also manye mo lyke kyndes of meates which I purposely pas ouer , forasmuche as I desyre to be in this treatise compendious . But he that wyl know more abundantly of these & such other , let hym reade the boke of Galene , wher he intreateth of the nature and operacions of meates , and he shall be therein fully satisfyed .

¶ What thynges diminyshe or consume naturall moysture , and what superfluously increas● the same . Also that good digestion is very necessarye to the prolongation of lyfe .

The thyrd chapter .

THese thynges folowynge in short continuaunce exhaus●e and dri vp natural moisture Greate and abundante esfusion of bloud , either by fyghting or by other chaunce of fortune , violente l●ws●●es of the belye beinge long soluble . Immoderate sweatynge the p●res & conduites of the body ●o●uch opened . Ouermuch ●amili●● acquaintance with ●●●●s , of wanton delite the goddes & patrones , great thyrst or honger , ●mmoderat watch , ouermuch vse of thiges hot & dry . Also affectes & passions of the myud , as ire & wrathe , also sorowe , heuines , & daylye languishyng in tormentes incurable , then the whiche there is nothynge more enemy to life , for it consumeth both natural heate , & moysture of the body , also it doth extenuate or make the bodye leane , dulleth the wytte , darkeneth spirites , letteth the vse and iudgemente of reason , and oppresseth memorye . Whych thynges be ratified by the authoritie and witnes of Salomon Sorowe saythe he , dryeth vp the Prou. xv . bones . For lyke as the mothe in the garment , and the worme in the tree , so dothe heauinesse anoye the herce of manne .

Thinges contrary to these whiche wente before , make moysture vnnaturall and superfluous to redound in the bodye : as often drun kennes , whych doth both exhaust heate , and maketh abundaunce of euil moysture , and also causeth cruditie . For when the meate is not well concocte or boyled in the stomacke , then there is tomuche euyl and corrupt iuyce where by naturall heate is drowned , oppressed , and ouerwhelmed . Foresene therfore that good digestion is so necessary to the prolongacion of life , let vs if affectionatly we couet the preseruation therof wyth all oure indeuour and ●●udye vse diligence and circumspection , that we runne not into thys cruditie . But consideryng that it is great occasion both of consumption of humiditie , and also of suffocation of heat diligently to auoyde it in vsynge a moderation bothe in meate and drynke .

For ouer muche ingurgitacion of meates and drynkes , or the vicious qualitie thereof , or the receyuing of them out of order , & gredy and hasty fedynge wythout mastication or good chewyng , or much and verye ofte drinkyng at meales or betwene meales be the chiefe causes of this affecte or dissease . Let vs therefore geue good attendaunce that the meate be not hard to concoc●● , or that it be not ouer sweete , as bankettynge dyshes or ●lles that they bee not of diuerse qualities , whych do speciallye corrupt digest●on . Nature teacheth vs thynges necessarye whyche be but fewe and sone prepared , folishnes hathe inuented thynges superfluous whych are without number & hard to comby . If thou geue necessaries vnto nature , she is delited and made strong as with thinges fi●te for her appetite . But if thou geue her superfluous , she is weakened and afflicted as wyth gobbets not agreyng vnto her dyete .

Last of al let vs beware of slepe at after nonnes , of long watching and sittyng vp of nyghtes , which al wyth many other mo do greatly let digestion . When I speake of digestion , I do not meane that only whych is in the stomacke , but the seconde also whych is in the liuer , and the thyrde in the vaynes , and the fourth or last whych is finished in al the members which , surely to their perfeccion haue neede of good space and continuance whiche in nyne houres space , as some men thinke is brought to pas . And if the least of them al be in any wyse letted or troubled , noryshment is not dueli ministred . Moreouer as it is necessary to the prolongacion of lyfe to help digestion and make it perfite : So lykewyse ●urgynge of exc●ementes is as necessary . Also to keepe the skynne cleane from any fylth , and those places wolde be ofte clensed , out of the whyche filthines commeth from the inward partes , as the head , the eares , the nosethi●les , the eyes , the armeholes and the other secret places that nature hydeth , & honesty scase wold haue named . The. iii. thyng which doth make strong & lus●y the liuely and quick power of the body is exercise and labour , whych thyng to be ne cessarye is knowen by thys , that those originall thynges corruptible , whereof all liuynge creatures are composed and made , be euer more in continuall motion as the ayre , the fyre , and the water .

But in this place it semeth expediente , seynge I dyd promise the same before , to declare some remedies agaynst thys cruditie where wyth manye be affected and troubeled , and therewyth to make a perfite conclusion of thys chapter . Galene and all other do agree in this case , that peper brused and eaten wyth meate is verye expediente . And where there is muche wynd in the stomacke , then to eate all tymes of the daye the medicine made of thre kyndes of pepper ▪ tyme , anise seede , and hony clarified , which is called diatrion piperi on , and if flewme be abundaunt , then oximel , that is to saye , honye and water soden together wyth the rootes and seedes of fen●l and persley , and a quantitie of vinegre put thereto in the boylyng is very commendable . The rest are fullye handled and set forth of Galene in his bookes de Cacoclymia .

¶ By what tokens one may know whether the bloud in hys bodye b● good or ●●o & if it be vi●●ate or yll , how to rectifie it : For nothyng is more necessary to the producing of lyfe , then good bloud ,

The fourth Chapter

THe most famous and expert Phisitions , among all other preceptes whych speciallye apperteme to the prolongacion of mannes lyfe do aduise and counsell vs to eate suche meate as maketh good iuyce , and suche we cal fyne and holesome meates whych ingender good norishment , that is to wyt good & laudable blud , which causeth aboue all thynges the lyfe long to continue in health . And good bloud is knowen by this , it is not cold , not dry , not darke & ●urbulent , nor of the colour of a beastes liuer , but it is hot , moist & cler● . Yet it is not of feruent & burning hot●●s as is fyre , nor yet of thyn humiditie or moysture as is water . For if the bloud aproche nygh to the nature & condicion of fyre , it maketh natural heate ouermuch to surmount in the body , by the superfluous increase whereof humour radical is lightly consumed . And if the blud aproch ne●er to the nature of water , it doth extenuat , abate , & diminyshe natural heate , and wyth ouermuch thynne and wa●ry moisture doth drowne and opresse it . Wherfore such euyl bloud maketh both heat and moisture to exceade their boundes and transcend their limites appointed by nature , whereby lyfe is lyke to fall in ruine . And verely if naturall moysture be mingled with wa●ry and thyn bloud , it sone receyueth putrefaction , which is oft cause & occasion of feuers & agues called putride . And for this cause it is not holesom to eate frutes or hearbes cold , for thei much & abundantly eaten do shortly fil the vaines with iuyce crude & rawe , which sone wyll receiue putrefaction . Of these premisses it foloweth therfore that the blud in our bodies be nether very hotte like fire , neither very thin & moyste like water , but in keping the golden meane betwene bothe .

Hitherto the qualitie of good bloud is declared , and now lyke wise the substance therof shal be sufficientlye expressed . Good bloud is neyther ouer thycke nor ouer thynne , But as in hys qualitie , semblably in hys substaunce doth keepe and retayne the meane , and in all condicions is correspondent to the qualitie of the ayer .

If the substaunce of the bloude be thinne , it ngendreth humiditie , yll , vncerteine , and not longe continuyng , and maketh the spirites apte to be dissolued and consumed wherby nature is mortified .

Spiritus , Naturalis in hepate , Uitalis in corde , Animalis in cerebro ,

Yf it be ouer thycke , it doth debilitate and obfuscate the wytte , stoppeth the pores , and geueth occasion of suffocation of the lyfe , and the spirites whych by thycke bloud be condensat and made tucbulent because of their thyckenes be nothyng fytte or conuenient for lyfe , for they put out and suffocate naturall heate , vpon the whyche the f●ndacion of lyfe is buylded . Like as a great thicke smoke doth ouer whelme the flame of the fyre , and wyll not suffer it to burne out clerely . I let pas that it is so dark that it maketh mans lyfe heauye , sad , and full of pensiuenes , such as for the most parte those that are of a melancholike constitucion be .

Good and pure bloud is as necessary to the noryshing of the life , as good oyles bee for a lampe . Wherefore suche meates muste be pycked out and chosen , whych ingender pure and good bloud . Rayses in a place shewyng vs how to reteyne and keepe styll longe tyme the freshnes of youth , & kepe back croked , feble and withered age , aduertiseth vs to vse such meates as ingender good bloud , whyche be precordiall & confortatiues of the hert , & also other lyke which wold be knowen of suche as write of the nature & operation of meates , for this shorte treatise can not receyue them .

¶ Howe that he whiche desireth the course of hys lyfe longe to continue must haue diligent respect or regard to the election of his mansion or dwelling place .

The fyft Chapter .

THe place where a man purposeth to dwell is diligently to be considered of them whiche desyre to liue long in health , for asmuche as the ayer whych is accordyng to the diuersitie of places good or euyll , is speciall cause of long lyfe or short . Wherfore of all other thinges ayer is chiefly to be obserued , because it dothe both inclose vs , and also enter into our bodies , specially the most noble member the herte . For thys cause wee must chose a dwelling place wher the ayre is pure and clere , and flie farre from those places where the ayre is euyl , stynking , and corrupt , and corruption of the ayre is eyther impured vnto influences of sundrye starres , or elles to greate standynge waters which neuer be refreshed , or elles to carion lyinge longe aboue the grounde , or els to a greate multitude of people in smal rome liuyng vnclenly or sluttishely . Marcilius Ficinus remembreth Libr. ● . cap. vii . two thynges whiche moste of all are to be obserued in election of places . Neuer thinke ( saith he ) that you can lyue longe in those places where either fruite can not be kept longe from rottennes and corrupcion , or elles where men , as you maye see , be but of shorte time and continuaunce of life . And these places be beste whych be hygh , wher the ayer is subtile and pure , not moyst , nor colde . Lowe places in valeyes , or among fennes and maryshe groundes be worse .

The same author saythe in the place before alledged that it is vnholesome to vse dungynge of the ground , as plowmen be accustomed to do , to th e●tent the grounde may be more batryll and fertyle , and also vnholesome for the inhabitaunies to make standyng waters in pastures for beastes to drynke of . For in suche places all thynges be sone corrupted , wherfore sayth he , I can not alowe or approue their iudgement , whyche dyd fynde faute wyth Hesiode the Hesiodus 〈◊〉 . 2. ●●gou ca● eme●on . greke poete , for that he in his bokede re rustica , dyd purposelye passe ouer these two thynges before remembred , for he very wysely dyd more regarde the holesomnes of the ayer , then the rankenes of the grounde .

But to returne to the election of places most conueniente for habitacion . Hygh places on mounteines and hylles be beste , whyche haue theyr situacion agaynst the east or the , north , and it is to be kept in remembraunce ( as some men thinke ) necessarye that all the dores and wyndowes of the house be situate either against the east or the north . For thys cause ( as I thynke ) the windes that come from thence be more laudable then the other two ▪ be : In bryngynge holesome ayer , and in prolongynge of lyfe by expulsyng of euyll vapoures . But if wee bee of necessitie compelled to dwell in those places whyche bee lowe , watrye , and vnclenly , Marcilius doth aduertise vs to vse hot and swete fragrant sauoures , and to temper our meates with saunders , cinamome , and safron , also to vse moderate and competent exercise of the bodie , and not to suffer extreme colde , but ofte syttynge in such wether by a fyre syde .

How wyue is necessary to the prolon gation of life by reason it helpeth dige●●ion , and conforteth natur al heate , also the incommodities whyche procede of dronkennes .

The syxte Chapter .

PLato the wisest of all philosophers dothe affirme that wyne moderatelye drunke norysheth and conforteth as well the bodye as the spirites of manne , and therfore god did ordeine it for mankind as a necessari remedy against the incommodities of age , that therby thei shuld seme to returne vnto youth & forget heuines , for by his qualities whiche be heate & moysture , nature is chieflye conserued . Also Galene saith that wyne is of good norishment for the bodye , and doth preserue health , & that ther is no other kyndes of meat or drinke that doth so much conforte natural heate , & so helpeth digestion . The profite that commeth by moderate drinkyng of wyne is that it dothe clarifye the thicke and troublesom bloud , it doth clense & open the passages and pores of the bodye , and specially the vaines it doth take awaye stopping of the liuer , it doth expell from the hert darke fumositie which doth ingender heauines & so row , it causeth a man to forget all care , & maketh him mery & ioyful . Wherefore it is holesome for all ages , for all times , and al regions so that it be taken moderately and as he that drynketh it hath ben accustumed to it , if he drynke no more then his nature may wel sustayn & beare . Albeit concernynge ages , touchyng the regimente of wyne , A●icene sayeth : to geue chyldren wyne to drynke , is as one wolde lay fyre to fyre made of dry wood , but he sayth that one may geue an olde man as much wyne to drinke as he can beare wythout detriment or hurte . Olde folkes are cold , and wyne heateth , theyr spirites are heauye , and wyne maketh them lyght and cleare , and comenly old folkes slepe yll , but wyne maketh Rayses li bro. iii , al mansoris them to sleepe well . Also Rayses sayeth : wyne vniuersally doth comforte the stomacke and the liuer , and it causeth the meates to passe downe easely , it doth quycken the corporall myght and wyt . But ouer much ingurgitacion of wyne , & wyne drunke superfluouse doth hurte the liuer , the brayne , and the senewes , it doth ingender crampes , palseies , apaplexies , & oftentimes dayly experience teacheth , sodayne death . Drunkennes is ingendred of a grosse and thycke fume , which ascending vp to the brayne , dothe there couer the places where reason and memorie lyeth , no otherwyse then the clouds do couer the lyght of the sunne , where by all the senses as wel internall as external be so troubled that they can not execute theyr offices and dueties appoynted of nature , the inconueniences whych come by drunkennes be these that folowe .

The fyrste is corruption of the liuers complexion , for it resolueth the heate therof , wherby the lyuer loseth hys naturall generation of bloud , & in place of blud ingendreth a watrishnes & causeth the dropsye .

The second is corruption of the braynes complection . It doeth dispose a hote braine to a woodnes & fransie , the cold to the falling euyl , forgetfulnes and palsey . The. iii. is weaknes of senewes and disseases therof as the crampe , palseis , goute , dropsies . Whych thynges well considered and kepte in remembraunce shuld ( excepte I be muche deceiued ) refraine something their prompt disposition from such wanton appetites . But trulye there is no man knowyng the dueties belonging to an honest he●t but wyl sorowfully bewayle , & piteously lament the folyshe peruersitie of many , which by their negligent & dissolute liuing wylfully commit their bodies dies to be tormented with greuous and painful sickenesses , the dolour wherof , if by counsell & practise of physycke at the fyrste brunt be not apeased & pacified , for whych the art of phisycke is rated , accused , & put in blame . And thus the pacientes transpose and laye away the faute whych in them selfe is culpable : Unto the imbecillitie or feblenes of the arte . But if effectuall report were made vnto suche by the information of honeste & approued phisitions how suche disseases by their negligence procured can not easely be expel'ed onles the original occasions therof be somthyng diminyshed , & so by aduisemente & good order in diet preceding to preuent the speciall causes thereof : then not onlye of their maladies they shuld be the soner cured , but also phisitions shuld auoide the reprocheful rebukes & ●uyl reportes which of longe tyme they haue susteyned , & consequentlye the noble science of Phisycke shuld be eftsones restored to her pristinat honour & dignitie . And verelye that parte of physycke surmounteth all the other , Diatetici whych do the tracte and deuyse necessarie and conuenient forme of lyuynge whych we shulde diligentlye and circumspectlye obserue in tyme of our health and welfare , if affectionatly we couet the preseruacion & long continuaunce therof .

¶ A dyet prescribed for olde men , with certeyne medicines agaynst the incommodities of age .

The seuenth Chapter .

THey whych are past the daungerous passage of youthe , & nowe approche to olde age , whych is about fyftie yere , what tyme bothe naturall heate and strength begyn to decaye , must diligently haue respecte and regarde to .ii. of the seuen planets : Uenus and Saturnus . The fyrste dothe signifie storyshyng youth , the later withered and teble age . Thei therfore whych ve vnder Saturne , as olde men , must vse circumspection that they be not entangled wyth the blandimē●es of Uenus , of wanton appetites chief patronesse . Also they must beware that they suffer not extreme colde , nor vse not to bee oute of theyr houses in the ayre of the night tyme , which thinges are knowen to bring damage to that age . Also thei must vse such meats as ingender good and pure bloud , as the yolkes of rier egges newe layed . Also wyne fragrante and somthing swete , whych ingenderith good spirites . They muste not vse much honger or thyrst , and specially auoyde much watchyng of the nyghtes . Remedies for the prouocation of sleepe shall be remembred in the nexte Chapter .

Exercise of the bodye wold not be muche vsed in age , also heauynes and sorow of the mynd wold be aboue all thinges expelled . For the bodye can not seme yonge and lusty , onles the mynd bequiet , merie and pleasaunte . Yf olde men be verie colde , let them laye thys fomente or applicacion to their stomackes whyche is of wonderfull efficacie and power in prolonging lyfe . R. all the inwarde parte of a hotte newe baked loafe sieped a lytle space in good maluissye , and then rolled in poulder of mintes , and so layde to the stomacke or holden to the nose , is to olde men wonderfull profitable , for as Diogenes Laertius writeth : By vertue of this fomente dyd the renoumed and famous philosopher Democritus ( belong sicknes at deathes dore ) keepe and retayne the liuelye spirites wythin hys body , and lyued a good space after .

Furthermore lyghte frications and baynes be verie good and necessari for aged men . Also the iuyce of good licorice is supposed of manye to encrease naturall heate and moysture . Almond mylke , suger , and raysynes wolde be also vsed . Rasis doth greatly commend mirabolanes called kebuly , condite in India , and doth commaund olde men agaynste the incommodities of age dayely to eate of them .

Remedies for olde men , or any other that can not sleepe .

The eyght Chapter ,

LAcke of slepe cometh of great driues of the brayn , which maketh short the course of lyfe , and nothing so much encreseth melancholy , so that men hereby be oftentimes disposed to frensies and madnes the veste remedies to resyste thys euil be these that folow . After supper to eate rawe lettes with a litle bread , to drynke after , a litle good and pure wyne . For lettes eaten in the euenynge , as Diascorides recordeth , prouoketh slepe merueilously . Wherfore Galene the most noble phisicion , for this intent and purpose was accustumed to haue his poryge made wyth lettes .

Moreouer vehement prouocations shall be to take a confection at nyghte made on thys wyse . ● .ii. vnces of whyte poppie seede and .i. vnce of lettes seede , halfe a drame of safron .vi. vnces of white suger , and sethe all together in the sirupe of poppie , and eate of thys confection .ii. drammes at one tyme and also by itselfe a lytle of the syrupe of popie . For the same purpose it is good to anoynt the forehead and temples with oyle of violets , with the oyle of the hearbe called nymphea , in englyshe called a water rose , and wyth oyle of almondes , and to holde at their nose a lytle vynegre or rose water , Also it is good to beset the bedde and strawe the chamber wyth colde hearbes as endiue , purslane mallowes , camomile , vinetree leaues , and suche other . Marcilius Ficinus approueth ofte whashyng of the head wyth water wherin poppie , lettes , purslan , malowes , roses , camomile , the leaues of wyllowes and vyne trees be sodden , of ech a like quantitie & also wyth thys water not only to washe the head , but also the armes , legges , and al the bodye .

And here I haue purposely lefte oute many other more vehement prouocations whiche be not vsed but when great nede doth require and they be only vsed when phisicious caste theire patientes into sleepe to the entente to cutte them wythout paine or griefe . They be called of the Grecianes Narcotica , and Anodoyna , of the Latines Stupefaciencia , indolorifica , or molestia vacantia . And here I conclude to speake of remedies agaynst immoderate watchyng , whereby the incommodities of age maye be somethyng mitigate , & also life time prolonged .