The flower of phisicke VVherein is perfectlie comprehended a true introduction and method for mans assured health: with three bookes of philosophie for the due temperature of mans life. In which easily may be perceiued the high & wonderfull workes of God in the gouernance of all thinges. Written by W.C. as a glasse of true knowledge for the better direction of al willing [et] vertuous practitioners.

A generall Diet both for sicknes AND HEALTH .

IN all former ages to this present time , in which we now liue , the opinion of writers was neuer doubted of , whether abstinence or fulnesse did ouercharge or moste offend bodily health : And neuer yet found out to the contrarie , but that euery degree of the world , haue both felt and confessed , eyther of them in their excesse , were sharpe and expresse enemies both to the lawe of nature , and bodilie temperance of this life . Yet seeing both the learned as the vnlearned , although with difference , had rather offend both the sound as the sicke , with the immoderate saturitie , then with sparing abstinence , for which cause in ministring of medicines it were needefull to shewe their inconuenience on eyther side . A full and satisfied bodie is chiefly preserued , fortified and continued with strength and flourishing liuelihood by wholesome Iulepes and such like , clarified potions according to the property of the sicknesse . And a pennurious bodie is weakened , punished , exhausted , and oftentimes perisheth in most sharpe agonies , except it be comforted , preserued and renewed by some restible electuaries and such like . And surely such bodies which are perfect vnder temperance and strength , if at anie time they be distempered with griefe or sicknes , may forthwith be tempered , seasoned & salued by medicinable help : for medicine most of al reioyceth to shew forth power & work high effects in a strong nature . Certainly Auycen hath a very secret and metaphisicall iudgement heerem , who commandeth that nature and medicine , whether in strength or weakenesse , be alwayes vnited , and neyther in health nor sicknesse do dissociat , but solutiue medicines , especially ought to be of diuers natures , conuenient and agreeable for their propertie , in euery seuerall age , and naturall complexion , with their iust and comprehensible maner of dyet to be in like sorte obserued therin : although most commonly neglected , and that not without decaie both to body and health : onely and because equall measure of medecine , with equall dyet , and equall disposition , is not added , neyther with consideration , of what cause the sicknesse ru●●e●h : whether there be a likelihood therein to continue for any long time , or shortly to be perfected : or whether it be gentle or sharpe , and whether it consisteth and slayeth in one course , or in hereticall nature confirmeth : All which as before sayd is vtterly vnrespected . Some ancient writers holde at speciall veritie aswell in great reading as in principall experience , that headdie and stately diseases , happening in the constitution of strong bodies , 〈◊〉 dyet shal minister best remedie for their mittigation : so when long and langushing sicknesses distemper and vexe the bodie , thinne dyet is verie daungerous . For consider that fulnesse of bodie in sharpe and sodaine sicknesses is moste difficult , putting this difference in either of them : that as continuall fulnesse pestreth and inageth the disease in a fleshie bodie to become more stronger , so on the contrarie , if a patient bee incombred and infeebled with the feuer Ephimcras or anie such like sicknesse , surely thinne dyet is not then meete for such a thinne body , seeing strength thereby is decayed , and thorowe variable tormentes all the members venomed , the vitall bloud corrupted and benu 〈…〉ed , as the spirituall partes of man distructioned : the remedie heereof aswell to the first as to the last , is to obserue the constitution of the body , that like as hote fires are sonest quenched with cleere and pure water before it exceede : so these fleshly rages are subdued , if the extreame thirstinesse of the body thorow colde remedies , bee quieted and mittigated before it 〈…〉 tch to the farthest boundes and becommeth contumatious and without remedie . Also a bodie almost deuoured with emptinesse , and where both nature vigour and bloud are quite ouerthrowne , cannot easily be recouered except by artificiall remedie , and thorow due oportunitie be nursed vp : therefore it is a most singular skill commended by the learned writers of all ages , in sicknesse to preserue and continue nature in her full power and strength . And to comfort , nourishe and increase strength and 〈…〉re in a body fallen away . For oftentimes a strong bodie in sickenesse fauoureth himselfe , is both similiar and defensible against sicknesse , resisting the assaults of many diseases interchancing in mans life . Wheras a thinne and leaue bodie easily is vanquished , when both sicknesse and penurye , dangerously attempt the ruin and decay therof . As the desperate estate of man in sicknesse , is eyther furthered or hindered by fulnesse or emptinesse , so will not I confirme , those bodies who haue ingrossed their garbages with excesse fatnesse , and stuffed all their members with superfluous humors , as hauing fed vpon sundrie inordinate varieties of meates , or infected with varietie of diseases . As they liue without order , so I purpose not to prescribe an order , where fatal confusion hath ouerrun them .

Furthermore , set not the blind ignorance of many vnskilfull practitioners be herein pertermitted , who should with moderate cherishing help nature , doe with immoderate chasing hinder and inflame those hote bodies which were before infected by the most hot seasons of the yeare . In steade of thin nutriment doe ingurge their stomackes with thicke spices , or drudges of hygh hot and subtill operation : whereas in those sicknesses regard and view must be taken vppon sundrie and seuerall casualties , which strangely fall out in sicknesse that neyther appetite be cloyed , or clunged with ouermuche or ouer little resection : nor yet that nature be ouerdried , eyther by great sweates , or ouermuch resisting , or wrastlinges with the force of sicknesse .

These strong diseases moste commonlie happen vnder a swift chrysis , whose mightie predomination ouerruleth , difframeth and disseperateth those bodies from due temperance , which shoulde be thereto subiect and framed . These diseases The strength of nature furthereth all medicines by a right constitution in sicknesse . most violently and swiftly settle in the roote of the heart , except preuented and aleuiated by present medicine , aswell that nature may weaken the force , as displace and expell the poyson of the disease . And for as much then as it doth ingender vppon the liuer , from which place the bloud is soonest corrupted , and therewithall draweth and staineth all the inward partes of man : In the end becommeth pestilentiall , and therewithall , the sences thorow the same so farre ouercharged , as that manie times col●quation or destruction inua●eth the mind , in the losse of life . Therfore whosoeue● desireth to cure these or such like infectious diseases , must chiefly prepare and season the body with waters of cold and naturall hearbes , in the first and second degree , before The pestil●nc● ought to be preuented before ●o● the taken at the heart , and th● medicine must be stronger th●n the disease . the disease be possessed : then foorthwith flux the body , by some gentle and potatiue electuarie , in equall and artificial● degree , fauourably casting out the infected humours . Forthwith after these painefull defatigations , let naturall sweate and quiet sleepe , consolidat and refresh the body , to become more v●gent , and the stomacke more sharpe . Then next thereunto : it were not good , that emptinesse or abstinence were vsed , but to haue sustinance in continuall practise , not of the grosest , but of the chosen sortes of meates : for if the poores thorow emptinesse , be left open and vnshut , for want of nourishment , to increse naturall bloud and strength , are not onely in danger againe to be corrupted , but doe stain , foyzen and infect others . Then howe grieuous a thing is it , in beholding some busie medlers , repayring vnto sicke pacientes , doe not in anie perfect skill , distinguish vpon the disease , whether there be any crud and rawe matter , or concockt setled in some part of the body : or whether the disease consist and stand at a stay , or increase : or whether nature be of any forcible power in the body or no : but without searching the cause or vnderstanding the matter of the sicknesse , doe preferre their owne hazard , and exasperating the disease , eyther with fulsome medicine , or grosse nourishment , stuffing their sicke bodies , eyther by entisement or force . And whereas before they had some abilitie , appetite forthwith waxeth wearie and lothesome in them . Galen affirmeth that the perfectest rule to The patient might bee nourished and measured vnder appetite . health , is to represse a cold sicknesse by nourishing foode , so that nourishment and appetite agree . He giueth no such large libertie to the hote diseases : notwithstanding , manie haue aduentured in the greatest heate and trauell of diseases , not onely to purge the bodie , to cut vaines , and let bloud , but also haue stifeled their bodyes , rather with inchaunted meates , then wholsome medicines : and for that nature canot disgest such grosse imperfections , stand in so hard a stay of recouerie , as commonly in the end become immedicable and mortall . Cornelius Celsus , a most excellent writer , affirmeth that a satictie and fulnesse of meate in sicknesse , is neuer profitable , a●● therefore to auoyd eyther mischiefe , doth appertaine to singular skill . The safest and directest passage , for the vnskilfull phisition herein , is , that the patient rather be continued with a thinne diet , then vnordered fulnesse , so that he be not ouermuch extenuated .

Galen and Hypocrates both consenting together affirme that fasting and thinne diet , doe surely and secretly mortifie such diseases , which happen vnder surfet , or anie other vnordered and glottonous meates , and a staying of manie sharpe diseases that followe thereupon . And some high clarkes holde opinion that abstinence ought in time of sicknesse to be guided with discretion , and all medicines to be congruent and martched vnder perfect constitution , and of double operation , which is aswell to comforte nature , as to expell the disease : for if the substance of strength be diminished , and the malice of the disease increased , appetite and nature , are estranged and variable within themselues . For nature manie times desireth those thinges which appetite abhorreth : the reason is , for that appetite is ouercloyed with diuersitie of meates , and interchaunge of medicines , that both the stomacke and all the lustes of the body incessantly are pursued , fatigated , and improuidently throwne vpon many dangerous extremities .

Therefore vnder these meane constitutions : whereas tranquilitie and appetite flourish and beare sway , there is a good and happie expectation : as if the vitall partes be not wearied , the disease may be cured , and the decayed strength by little and little restored . Surely when the heart , thorow ouer great abstinence , is languished , the stomacke cloyed , and the liuer viduated and forsaken of the wholsome bloud . All thinges thereby haue lost their naturall and proper course , that forthwith opi●ations and ventosites in the guttes , worke all contrarie indirections to health : and the rather because the miseriake vaynes , which are the conduit pipes of all good bloud from the liuer , are obstructed and stayed , it were not immethodicall so to distinguish these cold and hote diseases , as that one of them in their qualitie and originall may be knowne from the other , and the better vnderstood and furthered thereby to health . For these cold diseases proceede of earthly 〈…〉 ses , are subiect and bound to watery elementes , whereupon cold and humid vapours of congealed thicknesse ingender into grosse substance : so that all naturall heate is excluded , from comfore●ig mans bloud , thorow which melancholike heau●nesse is generated , which moste principally oftendeth . And the malicious operation that resteth in this humour , maketh the bodie leaue and colde , stir●eth vp the passion of the hart , int●icateth the wit and vnderstanding to all du●nesse , and blunteth memory . These bodyes are much incumbred with putrisied seuers , which proceede of vndigested hum●dities , and augmented with ●uming ven●osites , putrified about the muskels , vaynes and ioyntes . Furthermore , all maner of ruines , are hereby drawne to all the partes of the body , which vapours after that coldnesse hath ingrossed them to the lowe partes of man called Ca●arrizans , the passages and proper wayes of nature , from the sp●eane to the mouth of the stomacke , are intercluded .

Be it further knowen , that these colde rewines thereby issue from one member to an other , and infect the bodie with manye cold diseases , and are called by three names : Catarri , Branchus , & Corizan , for so Arnoldus de noua villa setteth them foorth . Catarri infect the lightes : Branchus infecteth the heade and cheekes : Corizam stuffeth and infar●eth the nostrels with most humid fluxes : and sometimes concockt into verie hard substance by meanes of continuance . These bodies are best conserued by a naturall & perfect coniunction of drie meates , inwardly digested by artificiall means , reuiuing the principall members before decayed , for lacke of naturall heate . In these and such like bodies , I doe greatly commend a greedy appetite , and a plenary dyet : especially in regard that many such complections are f●●xible , and ouermuch spend nature of their owne inclinement . Therefore plenarie , fresh variety of sustenance , helpeth many of these sortes of men to naturall heare , euen as the hard stone is molified and findered to nothing by manye droppes of raine , or as the strong and slately oake , thorow moyst issues becommeth putrified : so these cold and moyst complections , in their natures wash and vanish to nothing .

The moyst ●ra●p the shaking palsie , the dangerous dropsie , the collicke in sundry degrees are the generable 〈◊〉 her 〈…〉 , ben●●mning the members , to become 〈◊〉 one to another for vpon these diseases the vaines become conugated and appetite disfranchised , for that corrupt humours may not haue perfect resolution , besides all which , the whole body is instated with colde influences , producing these ven●me●● 〈…〉 rpions Asclides , Iposarca , and Timpana , the one is the mater●●l cause in offence of nature , the second is an actiue cause inflat●ng al the members to become swelling and monstrous : the small cause is delatiue , conuerting all good and perfect nourishmentes to windie and waterie substance , so when these extr●mities grow vppon the guttes , called Colon and Ylyon , are shut vp : and thereby both the Dropsie , Tympany , the wind and stone Collicke , preposterously creepe in : besides which the raynes of the backe , by a grauesly congested substance , heereby bendeth and be●●mmeth crooked . All which are not to be deueyded , without pure and regular dyet , of increasing wholesome bloud , to become vigent in nature . Therfore the disease hauing a scowring vertue is principally comforted and cherished with sweete meates , tarsed with vineger to worke a sharpe disposition , contrarie to eua●uation , least that the bodie grow subtile , incisiue and euer resolutiue . And yet Galen plainly affirmeth , that sweete meates are aptly conuerted to choller : but ●a●t viniger commixed therewith , doth greatly fortifie the subtle pear●ing and ●●tring vertue , causing the grosse humours to become pure and easily to issue .

Galen sayth , Non quosuis , sed rudes duntaxat videor taxare morbos , atque potissimum , non incerta diuinatione , quam probabili conucl●ra egrorum indagatione conditionem : which is , I doe not prescribe and limit euerie disease , but the grosse and most dangerous diseases , and chiefly doe I s●arch out their natures not by vncertaine g●sse , as by probable coniecture : then let not occasion be omitted of more larger speech in such bod●●s , subiect to these moyst sicknesses before spoken , and of another sort of men , which oftentimes passe from this world by vntimely death in strength of youth , being grosse and corpulert in their stature , which men difficultie indure any adicction to alter nature , when sicknesse languisheth vpon them .

And although they are of measurable abilitie in naturall vigour , yet vnable to beare the burthen of sicknesse , or subiect their bodies to any stronge accidence : but foorthwith their gathered grosnesse is conuerted to a thinne and weake debilitie : for that in the first degree of sicknes , the vertue digestiue is taken away , so that most commonly meat becommeth loathsome to their sight , whereas in health the vertue digestiue beeing most stronge , did eat much , and made few meales . Whosoeuer therefore will eyther counsell or comfort any sicke patient , must obserue the naturall complection , with diet thereunto , and that supplement of medicene both in qualitie and quantity , be framed aswel in preseruation , as restauration of nature : and therewithall by contrarie effectes alter the disease as may best serue to the opportunity of health .

Galen playnly affyrmeth , that hot complections are altered with cold sicknesses , and cured with moderate medicines . And Auycene agreeth hereunto , that if the complection of man may haue alteration , either by medicine , or disease , and once recouered to health , is euer after most perfect , and of longer continuance in this world , and lesse subiect to sicknesse : for that nature taketh such regiment in it selfe ouer them , that commonly they scower , wash , and drie their naturall propertie of the body , from those corrupt influences of the ayre , which by infection they were before subiect vnto .

Furthermore it is a greate securitye to drawe some generall rules both for hot , cold , and myxt complections , to serue this our purpose , that euery one may be instructed vnder measure , fit for their inclinement of heat and cold , or all other motions good or bad , whereunto any change is made in the vexation of sicknes Therefore chieflie there must bee a consideration had to vnderstand what maling humours haue possessed the body , and whether the disease by reason of weaknes desireth strength , or by ouermuch fulnesse dissolution : if the disease thorow weaknes hath lost appetite , then a profitable medecine to health is required , aswell to search the propertie of the disease : as to chace the infectious vent●●s from the v●tall partes : For as in fulnes of stomack 〈◊〉 is ouercrushed , so appetite is fauourably intysed in weaknesse of stomacke . And in these sharp sicknesses , equall propertie of medicine must be reduced to equall propertie of d●●t , for the pacients appetite must be framed according to strength and corporall might , desiring alwaies to make sustinance , appetite , & the disease familiar one with another , remembring what Thriuerus saith , In egritudine longa non eadem virium ratio , in egritudine infesta non eadem victus proportio , that in long sicknesses there cannot be equall maner of strength , neither infectious sicknesses haue equall portion of diet : therefore both diet & medicines , ought in sicknes to be deuided into seuerall conditions of men in health : for those which haue liued both daintly & pleasantly in health , their stomack cannot beare grosse medicines , nor grosse diet in sicknes , as they who haue liued more rudely , and fed more basely . Yet Auycene affyrmeth , that medicine and diet in sicknesse , is brooked according to the strength and weaknesse of stomacke . Therefore Hypocates most wisely and learnedly speaketh of the Phisitian , who in a common infection of sicknes , commeth to diuers estates of men of seuerall maners , seuerall education , and of seuerall appetites , hazarding his credite to be praised or dispraised among them , is like a swift ship , pearcing many blustering stormes , or dangerous rockes of the sea , hardly escapeth drowning : or to a Pilgrym passing ouer the wilde desart , compassed on euery side with wilde beastes , scarsly escapeth slaying . So dooth it fall out , that although many times the learned Physition putteth all the wholsome rules of phisicke in vse and practise in the times of so great infections and mortalities , yet by the immeasurable mindes of men ( for their trauels and skill ) are they either ouermuch contemned , or ouer litle commended . The rudest & basest sort of the world , with their sharp slanderous tongues practise nothing els , then to murder and slay the Phisitions credite , whereas the Phisition deserueth renowme & honour .

I further doo wish that in all generall diseases that the godly Phisitian behold and respect generally not onely the complection of the pacient , but the course of his liuing in health , and whether the corruption of old diseases haue drawen any fresh alteration to the body by infection , and of what nature the disease is of , and vnder what season of the yeare the infection falleth out : Lastlie , what perilous influence doeth then trouble and foyzen th ayre : likewise to consider , what diseases happen in the diuers ages of men : As whether aboundance of bloud , or drines doo abound or want . And in middle age , whether the body be moyst , dry , or hot , or whether in that age , the mouth of the stomacke be cleane , for that in those yeares man is most apt to ryot and surfet , infestring the ●●ward partes with innumerable corruption . I wish therfore that middle age be considered vpon , against the miserable dayes and dangers of old age , seeing that the offensiue dayes of middle age by diseases taketh hold , continueth and gnaweth vppon old age to death , as sometimes by one disease , sometimes by an other , so that the naturall spirites hereby are so ouerthrowne , whereby their first qualities of cold moist and drought are vtterly extinguished , neither can be tempered in the last daies of man to any good health by art : especially and the rather when two places in the inward partes called Myrac , Syphax are eyther dryed vp , or ingurged with superfluous and vnnaturall floudes of immateriall water : therefore man is to respect the dayly trymming of his bodie in health , with wholsome dyed , and artificiall medicines of perfect operation in sicknesse : for so nature is fortified in all duties without excesse , and beware that appetite doo not settle to any loathsome or odious custome of gluttonie or drōkinnes , which can hardly afterwards be repressed . Therefore learned Hypocrates speaketh most phth●ly , Crapula inescantur robust qlimi athletae : The most strong champions of the world are vayned thorow surfet , hereby become weake and without stomacke .

Therefore it is most greate wisedome to beware that custome do not alluae the outward sences to mordinate appetite , and de●our the inward pati●tes of man at length , to become fulso●e and deadlie in t●●●r owne feeling . For ryot and excesse sometimes asia fit the ap 〈…〉 of the most wisest men : yet so staied in their owne dispositions , as that neuer vtterlye vanquished hauing alwayes prickes and sharp defences to disposs●sse those corrupt burthens , which vniuersally prepare to op 〈…〉 their sences , sometimes by naturall purgations , sometimes by naturall vomites , sometimes by naturall sweates , sometimes by one meanes , somtimes by an other . It standeth far otherwise among the ruder sort , hauing stuffed and ingorged their stomackes by outragious and mightie surfettinges , doo expose their bodies and sences to all rauening diseases , neither by reuerent abstinence , or any other approoued remedy , can leaue off , in fauour of their infeebled and stuffed affections , for that greedines of appetite hath so snared them . These men permit prodigall surfet , in large breadth & length , to creep more & more vpon the bounds of nature , so that profiand healthfull dyet becommeth contumelious and contrarie to table their disposition .

These and such like men shall find sobriety to become holie and wholsome appetite , and nature subdued to a sufficient contentment one with an other , if in the first onset , vnreasonable conditions be repulsed thorow reasonable and moderate manners .

I doo not speake herein as Menardus putteth downe , as either to choke nature , or crush the bodie in peeces , or vniuersally suppresse all the lustfull inclinations of man . Seeing all thinges are for the vse of man created , it is without offence to take his reasonable benefite thereof . Surely these creatures desire a spedy dissolution , & restauration to more excellent perfectnes , as ouerfatigated and in their seruice to mans corruption , shewing and confirming the same thorow many prodigious signes . And also because nature is oppressed , the sences subdued , the dody distempered thorow mans ouer great gluttonie & dronkennes , the elements thereby so offended in their naturall courses poure downe super aboundaunce of moisting showers , disseasoning the earthlie fruites of mans mortall estate : so at sundry times , great famins , and mortalities ouerspread mighty kingdomes and nations of the world , thereby the naturall order of all thinges are discomforted , and the temperance of naturall heat quite taken away , for surely there can be no motion of attraction , where ther is no motion of expulsion . Therefore in those miserable seasons of the world where famine and hunger increaseth , the mortal pestilence shortly after rageth , as the instrument of wrath for the sin of fulnes . The reason hereof is , because emptines of mans body draweth in st 〈…〉ing commixed vapours of the ayre , which corrupt & smuge the naturall spirits , that al the parts of man therby looseth his natural generation of blood : therefore Hypocrates most aptly sayth , Nisi pecoribus simus rudiores , non aliter componamus fam●m , quae ex infami , antionae , caritate , contingit , quam nimi● saturitatis , & satietatis antea vindicta , & ruina . which is , except we be more rude then bruit beastes , and ouer grosse in our owne conceites , may not otherwise compare , reckon or account hunger and famme , which thorow a notable dearnes of victuals happeneth , then a very reuenge & ruine of ouer great fulnesse and satiety before . And in another place saith , Vi●tum tenuem & exquisitum , si antea paulo plentor fuerit , magis periculosum esse , agnoscamus . Let vs confesse a thin and exquisue diet is more dangerous . if it were before a full diet . Then is it to be marueiled , why the creator denieth not to giue hys creatures food in due season , considering how much , how greatly and wickedly , they are abused and dishonoured in the sensual libertie of mans nature . Surelye such is the disposition of man , who had rather lead appetite to a desperate ryot of all thinges , then to the custome of a satisfied and contented measure : the first doth nothing varie from the desire of bruit beasts , the other commeth more nearer naturall appetite .

Galen therefore reprooueth mans fauour towardes inexpleble libertie with these wordes , Natura tantum appetat , quantum ferri potest , & quantum facillime concoqui potest Let nature only desire asmuch as can be borne , and as much as easily may be digested , but the cold stomach vouchsafeth not to indure this 〈◊〉 of liuing , for that appetite ouerreacheth dig 〈…〉〈◊〉 warme 〈◊〉 misliketh where appetite is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their digestion : yet there cannot bee at all times an ●q●all prescription obserued . For an ordinarie diet to a ●ound bo●y hat● the qu●ckest meanes to health , if the body bee 〈◊〉 prepared , that the disease more easier may bee exp●●●d And those diets are most directest to all sicke patientes , ●hose properties are both curatiue , as restoratiue .

Manardus in his second booke of diseases , counselleth to find the apt constitution of the bodie both in sicknes & health . In sicknes , because the disease may be outwardly 〈◊〉 and inwardly corrected to amendment . In health 〈◊〉 be ha● because euery man may vnderstand what is 〈◊〉 vn 〈…〉 t. it for his disposition , that he neither exceede ●o 〈◊〉 , for the dangers before expressed , Nor decline to 〈◊〉〈…〉 s , because ventosire motions are easily ingend●ed thorow moouing vapours : For nature immediatly 〈◊〉 vpon some labouous and superfluous matter , sinding no 〈…〉 nance otherwise to feede vpon . And yet I find that 〈◊〉 in old diseases is a present remedy , for therby the matter is ●●mini●hed , dried , ripened & consumed : for when nature finde●● no matter or substance to work vpon , altereth it self vpon the disease , quite chaseth & disperseth the same . Yet let heed be taken , that the subtil humidities be not so much resolued & dried , wherin nature is vtterly repressed : let heed be taken that no maling humor being possest of one part of the body , foorthwith possesse an other part , & settle in the root o the heart : Take heed the sinewy members be not ouerweakned , especially the stomach which is a sinewy member : take heed the poores be not ouermuch opened or stopped , for the one may extract variable vapors of corruption , & the other stop the fulsome matter vnder the skin , breaking out to outward fluxes & blaines , which may most ragingly ouerspread mans bodie , for that the inward cause was not before perfectly corrected .

Indeed this abstinence very well beseemeth old and moiste diseases : otherwise in fadoming the bottome of mans nature , such deepe abstinence is not permitted . ●et in these sa●ter ages , and among some new practitioners , this kind of abstinence is drawen to vse , in cu●ing the most fulsome and filthy diseases of the world , thorow which mans body is infectuously stained by the slimy & ryotous course of his life : so that hereby euery 〈…〉 full man that can bring to knowledge the names of some cert●●● simples , although without propertie , composition , prop 〈…〉 n or degree , foorthwith among the ignorant sort 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , without learning , knowledge , method or estimation , 〈◊〉 names of Phisitians . Surely they which row at an vncertaine marke shal nothing preuaile : especially for that being ignoraunt of the complection , as also the medicine being repugnant , more harmeth then profiteth : wherefore many are secretely and sodainly ouertaken with death vnder the vsurped regiment of a painted diet , aswell when they thinke to mortifie the inward corruptions , doo ouermuch excie●ate the bodie , as also stop vp the entercourses of blood , in ouerstirring nature , to a fresh increase : so that intemperance euer after pursueth these men to their graue .

Many times these diets are ioyned to vnskilfull practitioners as high iust plagues for wicked offences , both for that by them naturall heate is extinguished , appetite destroyed , and the complection discoloured .

These diets ought to be tempered to this good effect , as that drines and humiditie are to be vnited of one subtill coniunction and propertie . And therefore Cornelius Celsus saith , that drie , subtil and hungrie airs are most best for these diets , if their complections be thicke and grosse : But low and vaporous ayres are most preseruing of thin pearcing bodies and open diets .

And further saith , that interchanges of diets and ayres , for winter and sommer by seuerall habitations , produce health and long life . But Manardus affyrmeth that commixed bodies continue long liued vpon high grounds , open ayres and full diets . Therefore it is a most excellent contemplation for euerie man to cast vp his sences , and perfectly find vnder what temperance hee liueth , for the wholsome regiment of health , and therewithall to way his bodily complection : alwaies directing his diet , habitation , and course of lyuing according to the same . And lastlie , let euery man beware of varietie and grosnesse of meates , and varietie and grosnes of diets which ingender and bring foorth varietie and grosnes of diseases .

Howe times and seasons ought to bee obscrued when diseases doo most abound .

OPportunitie of very propertye and naturall disposition euerie where , perfourmeth great occasion in the accomplishment of all thinges . And trulie in healing and curing of diseases most greatest of all : for not without great difference and varietie , the ordinance of meat and medicine are two speciall meanes , thorow the which euery Phisitian altogether preuaileth in furthering of all sicknesses to health , yet sometimes moste notable danger and hurt ariseth thereby : for medicine in the tedious and wear●some waies of sicknes , may at some one time bend down to a hurtfull and intricate purpose , which was to the Patient before an effectua●l remedie . Neyther is there any lesse then great offence committed , if meate be geuen to a sicke patient , whereas it ought to bee taken away , although it bee good , wholsome , and perfect : or that meat be taken away , when , and where it ought to be geuen : wherefore wisedome ought to be had in high consideration , that all thinges in this life depend vpon opportunities , times and seasons . For Galen saith , nothing can neither bee well spoken or done by the vse and benefite of one reasonable creature to an other , if the difference of times and seasons bee not rightlie vnderstood ,

And the writers of this latter age most iustly are reprooued , for that not a●re one of them haue drawne the times and seasons of ye●●● in a right method●call obseruation . For Galen and 〈…〉 rates haue euermore conioyned , that all diseases stay vp●● accidentes and concoction in the diseased patient . And accidentes onely apperta●●e to the infection & corruption of times and seasons vncertain●y and swiftly breaketh out eyther in their owne vniuersall rottennesse , or els by the contagion of mans bodie , which moste easily lyeth open vnto them : so all diseases 〈◊〉〈◊〉 desire to 〈◊〉 their poysoned strength 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈…〉 exions , as are soonest by them vanqui 〈…〉 And co●coction is the most easiest & comfortablest signes 〈…〉 knesse which especially consist vpon these markes , and sig 〈…〉tions , as followeth . That is if nature be in full power and strength , the materiall substance of the ingendered humours , di 〈…〉 h and vanishe by little and little quite away , or els concocteth , setleth and possesseth some one place , or propertie in the bodie : otherwise if nature be weake & feeble , and the disease inforcible , malignitie insulteth ouer the bodie , hastening swiftly towardes the borders of the diaphragm , or els vanquisheth the diaphragm , and entereth vpon the spirituall partes , whereas forthwith , nature is deadly , medicine vnperfect , and the disease vnable to retire backe , death presently inuadeth thereupon : for medicine is best entertained , when the vertue thereof gathereth the disease together , whilest nature is fauourable , the disease vn 〈…〉 , or the body vnuenomed with corruption and able to be de●uered from the power of the disease by expulsion .

Here may be set forth a more playner declaration of such feuers which ingeader vpon the body of man : for as some there be depending vpon vnnaturall inflamations , congested by an euill humor , or some vehement hote bloud possessed in some one part of the body , as of the loonges or side : so there is another kind of feuer which vnnaturally is kindled at the heart , deducted from thence by the vaynes and arte●●es , and by the meane of the spirit and vaynes into all the bodyes sensible hurting the naturall ope 〈…〉 . Furthermore if some special cause of sicknesse were not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the vrine , or some other alteration of the excrementes , it were a hard thing to finde out the difference of simple feuers , from those feuers which hold vpon inflamation , for single feuers are known , eyther by the corruption of the aire , or by distemperance of heate or colde dangerously crept in , disquieting the naturall disposition of such bodies which are thereunto subiect , or by the vnnaturalnesse of the bodie it selfe , in excessiue ●askes by surfetting sweates , by ouer great fasting by incontinent opening the poo●es , by troubled trauels in thirstinesse , by inordinate sleepings 〈◊〉 ouer great watchings . So other feuers which h●ld vpon 〈◊〉 dentall inflamation , as their propertie is euermore regarded by speedinesse of their accidentes towardes the vitall partes alwayes flaming out vnder some proposterous Ch●ysis .

These inflamatiue feuers must eyther haue a chryticall expulsion , or els doe they alter from one degree to another , after the greatnesse and insatiablenesse of their accidentes . There is a chiefe and principall cause mouing vs herein to speake of some humorall inflamations , which are cowched vnder a hard and thicke couering , of straunge congested vaporous humour vppon the side , or by impostumation of the loonges , whose substance once perfectly growne is not remoued or extenuated , except by little and little , or els by present immission of bloud in the basilicke vaine , as all and euerie of these seuers happening to haue egresse eyther vpon the animall and The cōsu●ption is ●n nature 〈◊〉 hect . ●2 . vitall partes of man : so the other onely desire a long and tedious consumption , nourishing themselues vppon the morall partes , by continuall fretting , labouring , foming , wasting and deuouring the outward flesh , doe by a super 〈…〉 s trauerse inuade nature : and the more the bodie wasteth and vanisheth away , the more redolent the strength and power of these feuers abound .

But for the better vnderstanding of these raging diseases , it were a most necessarie discretion , so to marke them in their degrees , as that they may be better knowne , and more easier prouided for heereafter : for chiefly there spittle is cla●n●e , tough , stimte , and sometimes full of bloudie and matterie corruption : their breath is almost stopped , doe reache and d●●w farre and slowly for the same . The cough is hard , hollowe and short , cannot without greeuing other partes of the bodie , deliuer it selfe : Their vrine is fearce , furious and of most high complexion and of ruddie blacke colour .

Touching these and such like sicknesses infestered with inflamations , happening vnder distemperance of times , are chiefly regarded , helped and cured in their concoction , but not in their accidentes . As they are neuer aduaunced together at one time , so the greater place is giuen in concoction , the accidence becommeth more peaceable and quiet . Yet there is great disagreement among the latter writers , that if the disease be vnualurable inestat or fashion , how can the accidents of the disease be valurable or sharpe : and if putrifaction , or corruption be most great and forcible in estat , how can concoction be most perfect , for concoction is contrarie to putrifaction . Howsoeuer it doth heere fall out by controuersie , the surest stay vppon the sicke patient is , when the disease is setled , the infection is peaceable : for then the medicine more certainly expelleth the cause .

And therefore beholde that all diseasses , breake forth their malice , by depending vpon speciall seasons of the yeare : So that there is a double kind of offensiue matter in all feuers , one which can neuer be corrected , and the other which by little and little setleth , and at length thereby expelled . And yet there be some moste dangerous feuers , so alienated , and estranged in their natures , as neyther will rypen of themselues to be vtterly deuoyded , nor yet be altered by any medicine , to become certaine .

These and such like feuers in their strong operations , are chiefly dom●●●ed by vomites in the superiour partes of the stomacke , or els by fauourable glisters not onely shall search many ingendred humours and corruptions , but cleareth , cleanseth and searcheth all the principal parts of nature : so that the troubled sences after many paynes , shall hereby be drawne to quietnesse and rest .

Therefore Galen most sapiently distinguisheth aswell vpon single as inflammatiue feuers , as of the plurisie and such like . Manie moste excellent writers verie much haue complayned of tymes and seasons of the yeare as not sufficiently elucydat or set forth to the knowledge of men , after the needful maner of ages , for that seuerall nations and countries of the world , doe follow their seasons and times by the due course of the elementes , and after the propertie of the sunne in vprising and downe se●ting , who giueth refreshing , growing , naturall moystnesse and ripening to all liuing thinges , according to the soyle and situation of all such groundes and places , vppon whome it giueth a shining comfort , be it either early , or late , short , or long . I finde by all good writers that Autum is the moste dangerous and poisoned season of the yeare , vnder Europe , and moste complayned of , both for the indirect temperature thereof , as that especially the effectuall cause of all pestilence then , breaketh out , as also in that the strong heate of sommer is weakened , and transumpted vntill another yeare , and also because variable distemperaunce of warmth and colde then aboundeth in libertie of all corruption and rottennesse : for the cleare sunne , hauing consumed his naturall strength and mightie force vpon all liuing earthly things is vtterly weakened , not able to indure so strong a course anie longer , vntill a fresh direction be renued from one degree to an other .

Whereas coldnesse and drinesse are in that season of the yeare coniunct , so rottennesse and corruption , before intricated in anie part of man , presently breaketh forth : for as colde hath ouershadowed heate , so drinesse vanquisheth moysture , for which cause both morning , noone , and euening , haue their sundrie operations in that season of the yeare .

Auycen sayth it must needes fall out that eyther sorts of feuers in those seasons moste readily shewe their furie . For colde and heate gelied together in one substaunce of drinesse , maketh demonstration of elimentall corruption , and therefore doe vnperfectly rypen . And grosse humours also before setled , doe openly instat within the poores of man : so that corruptions may not a●●e more bee couched , but breake foorth in open rage . Hypocrates in his first booke of Aphorismes , sayth the appro●hing , assentings , and constitutions of diseases doe shewe both the passing away of the yeare , and a successiue increase of diseases by interchangeable courses of times , as whether it be euery day , or euery other day , or by a more larger compasse , and space : For in the iudgement of Rasis , moste dangerous diseases fall out , in these wauering seasons of the yeare , as when the body and the elementes are both corrupted together , presently without stay , are bewrayed in their own natures . For doe we not behold these winter diseases , are searched in the bottome of their corruptions , by colde frostie weather , which were before infected with moyst seasons , and heereby breake forth into quartan and tertian feuers , so that it is further to be considered , that these coniested diseases of winter immoderately in the spring time assayle the body , especially in those natures whose bodies are euermore incombred with fumaticke grossenesse , their passage in their vaynes is interdicted , their bloud cannot with easte dissolution ascend and descend , doe by infection apprehend , cold consuming feuers : so also these and such like vaporous diseases : their bloud being thorow a contagious spring time discoloured , tainted , and vnperfected , draweth and ingendreth a venomous nature vpon the liuer , and whose fortitude and vertue assimilatiue thereby diminished becommeth prassiue in it selfe , all which is most venomous to the vitall partes .

Herein may be perceiued , that all contrarie interchanges of the yeare , doe approue and trie their inclinations of one season The vapours of the spring or winter season are exhausted into the elements & are scowred and cleared by a hote sommer from the elements into the body of man ▪ vnder the corruption of the bodie , for one corruption entertaine●● another . by another , and the rather for that all vnnaturall diseases grow and ingender by meanes eyther of stincking and vnseasonable groundes , or corrupt vapours in the ayre , infecting and weakening those bodies which are emptie and voyd of substance : or els difflorisheth the laudable generation of bloud in grosse bodies : or els vniuersally infeeble and excoriat the bowels of all men , either by a peri●●ons fluxe called Dissenteia and such like , in the approching of summer : or els by a secret Chrysis in the dog dayes , vpon the liuer , stomacke , loonges , and giddinesse of the head .

And surely vpon the accidentes of these diseases , the patient is infected with venomous humours as aforesayd , as grossenes of bloud impostumated in the liuer , the face disfigured , the arteries discoloured with yellow blacke humours , and the rather for that the gall speweth and stayneth all the superiour partes of man .

Wherefore as these and such like diseases fall out by interchanges of seasons , aswell from some accidentall influence in the distemperance of the elementes , as also in the corruption of the body it selfe : So such dangerous and fluxible diseases after the iudgement of Dyoscorides are best comforted , scowred and restored by potatiue vnguentes inwardly taken . Touching those singular feuers , are in their first beginning very remotiue , and giue easie place to medicine : so if those feuers be not in their first onset oppressed , will waxe sturdie and verie forcible ouer nature , for which cause the counsell of Hypocrates principally is herein to be followed . Cum morbi inchoant , si quid mouendum , moue , cum consistunt , & vigent , melius est quietem habere : When sicknesses and diseases doe begin , remoue them , before they take roote , but if the disease stand at a stay , for some good propertie in it selfe , it is farre better the patient take rest . And yet no suche prescription is of necessitie here set downe , but if the disease hasten to concoction , may the better be curable , and operatiue , both in medicine and nature , although oportunitie was omitted in the first beginning of the sicknesse .

Furthermore manie writers of this latter age approue this place of Hypocrates by the comparison of a botch , or some other preposterous outward sore , which doe congest and gather vpon the flesh vnder some vile and inordinat substance , is not to be cleared and cured from corruption , before it come to perfect estate , both of ripenesse and rottennesse . So these single diseases are not to be remoued in the first beginning of their infection , but in the beginning of their increase to concoction , so Hypocrates meaning is receiued of the best sort . And yet the best meanes is not denyed , but that euerie skilfull wise man , may in the excellencie of his knowledge , at the first entrance of the infection , ministe● medicine , not onely for the easing & mittigaiting the rigour of the infection , but for a speedie performance of the same to concoction . It standeth farre otherwise in those infla 〈…〉 tiue and sharpe diseases of the plurisie and such like , whose accidentes is to be preuented and subdued in the first beginning , for if these ●ur●ous diseases grow to perfection , they wil be immed●●able and without remedie . For as there must be a perfect con●ection and medicine aptly framed to diminishe the same ; so there must be a thin reformed dyet , both because of thicknesse of hote fleame , and the vnnaturall heat of the disease it selfe . And as these effectes must be wisely decerned , so these pota●i●e confections must be made meete , equall and apt to the same constitution .

As first regarding the grossenesse of the accidentes , and secondly to vnderstand more artificially by experience , from the varietie of excrementes , that is to say , by the signes eyther of some raw or concoct matter possessing some one part of the bodie , besides which , if there is one orderly progresse in the disease . As when the disease beginneth to settle , then the increase thereof finisheth : And when the perfection of the disease manifesteth in the highest degree , there is the disease in full estate : and when the accidentes are generall , there is the infection sharpest in nature : when the disease beginneth to giue ouer , and to loosed , then an vniuersall alienation sheweth the same : for that the vrine is not raw as in the beginning , groweth to substaunce , colour and verdour , the countenance thereof is scowred , cleered and perfected like a faire bright daye , after a strong and stormy tempest .

Next and lastly there followeth a disease , called Dyspnaea so set forth by Auycen , most commmonly doth breake foorth in sommer season about the iudiciall dayes , and gathereth strong vapours into the body about the brest , by reason of a disseasonable winter or vnnaturall spring before : Or by reason of a great retent●on in thicke bloud , inordinately congealed about the brest or heart of man . So that the passages of the inward parts are stopped vp , that one member cannot haue vse and seruice of another , matched with a difficult extremitie of certaine drie knottes or knottes vpon the liuer , lightes and loonges : besides which all materiall substance is quite exhausted , for lacke of excellent and perfect moysture in that place .

These pectoral diseases are best knowne , for that there spittle is tough , thicke , bloudie , proceeding o● blacke colour , reacheth deepelie , draweth winde hardly , for their winde pipes are ouercharged , aswell with humorall substaunce , as that sometymes also , their loonges are vtterly wasted . Euen as a hote fire causeth a pot to fome ouer , so the boyling heate heereof inwardly chafeth these diseases , to become more extreme and fierce .

These diseases I say are best eased and resolued both by opening the nether partes by glisters , and comforted in the vpper partes by cullicies of thinne substaunce , without addition of anie hote cause put therein . So that by the comforting of the one , and opening the passages of the nether partes in the other , the disease is dissundered and easily auoyded downward : it hath beene seldome seene , that verie fewe haue escaped this dangerous contagion .

Here might be placed sondrie other daungerous diseases , especiall feuers happening in mans bodie vppon contrarie and disseasonable operations of times : But these are sufficiently prescribed as a vniuersall admonition , with care to regard health from sicknesse in euerie seuerall constitution more exactlie then heeretofore .

WHAT IS TO BE DONE IN THE BEginning of euerie disease .

OLde writers among many wholsome disciplines and necessarie lawes deliuered out for the gouernment of mans body , haue not omitted what rules are best to be obserued in the beginning of euerye hot disease and sicknesse , that is with gentle and fauourable medicine , mollifie the harde excrements of the body , and not only because nature is departed from due disposition , shall hereby the better be restored , as also in that the stronge heat of sicknesse , with thicknesse of blood hath stained the humours , as that all moist passages dangerously are stopped vp . Therefore by thys molifieng , humous are thereby made more agitatiue , and the poores to receiue such comfort , are redilie opened , so that both bodie and nature yeeld together more flexible , and the stubbornnesse of the disease hereby is made more obedient .

Auycen called this mollefaction the libertie of nature : Dioscorides saith , it is the messenger of health : And Galen saith , it is the controller of sicknesse : Arnoldus de noua villa saith , it is the glasse of true knowledge in sicknesse . This mollefaction is of most gentle qualitie , both in attracting of good digestion , in retention of perfect substance and strength for the behoofe of nature , and the superfluous spum of most grosse and vnperfect humours therewithall are prouoked more apparant : for the causes of diseases are not onely hereby stirred to readinesse against euacuat●on and expulsion , But the nature of the disease it selfe wholly is discouered in the worke of medicine , and the P●isi●ians knowledge hereby made more lu●ulent .

There are some which haue mistaken this kinde of mollefaction in stead of minoration , and are altogether therein deceiued , for that mynoration is an attractiue medicine , searching & proouing the qualities of the complexion , or els galding & chasing nature by some superfluous repressing or altering the drift of the disease . For sicknesse in the first beginning hath no absolute place , especially those which be laborious and sharp : yet many haue great opinion of that place of the Aphorisms , as at the first beginning of diseases , remooue that which is to be remooued : but when diseases keepe at a stay it is better to take rest .

Many writers of the same function which Theophrastu● Paracelsus is of , hauing allowed this mynoration , durst neuer take in hand that waighty matter vnto which other were perswaded by them .

Galen so euidently distinguisheth those sharpe diseases , as no man is occasioned to doubt what is to be done , either in the beginning , middle course , or end thereof : for he fashioneth them in their first enterance to be called Insulsum , that is , vnsauory and without feeling ,

And Ieremias Thriuerius doth cal the accidents of euery disease Insultum , a brag , in reproch of the whole body .

In the second course of sicknesse , it is called Accessio , which is an augmentation to a more supreame power ouer the bodye . And this third placing of this sicknes is called concoction , which is a preparation of manifest matter to some certaintie , so that the medicine is the more aptly constituted for the perfect expelling and fluxing of the same . Forasmuch as all accidentes of diseases may haue one violent drift in the beginning , and alter in the estate , & both of them within themselues may dissunder in operation , and ingender a seuerall disposition contrarie to euacuation : for the one may swiftlie inflam , conuert to choller , and ouercharge the estate of the sicknesse , and the other may attract some vertuous propertie and thereby comfort nature , and expell the disease without medicine .

Auycen willeth that in the accidence of euerie disease , there be a true obseruation , to consider whether the disease be ghostly or bodily : moist , or drie : and whether the bodie be of good or euill complexion : whether the stomach and the liuer bee cold or hot , whether the humours be quick or dead , and whether the operations be heauie or sharp : Whether choller hath a burning preheminence in the lunges or mouth of the stomach : or whether a dust choller haue kindeled an vnproper heat vpon the spleen .

The second obseruation is , when the disease consisteth & staieth in a propertie , whether the humours haue passage and due course by the straight conduites of the bodye or no , or whether there be a quicke springing bloud in the vaines , or whether the disease relinquisheth or retaineth nature .

The third obseruation in concoction is , to consider the pulses , whether they be hard or soft , hot or colde , moist or drie , and whether the humours haue perfect resolution or no. Surely without perfect regard of all these causes to be eyther direct or indirect in sicknesse , there is no intermedling with purgation , before cuncoction be pefectly comprehended : for if in sicknes there be no alteration , why should nature be vehemently vexed : As purging when the accidentes are most strong , doth nothing els but styrre and chafe the disease , to wax more powefull and cruell , And to purge when the disease consisteth , disquieteth both the disease , and the patient also being at rest : besides which not onely disperseth , but venometh the disease to be in all the parts of the body vnperfect , so that neyther in the beginning , or the ●state , medicine auaileth in the disease : but the surest passage for health & life , in al sicke patients is , that in the vttermost course of sicknesse purgation be placed : that is , when al putrified infections be gathered to a certaintie by concoction : notwithstanding there is an vniuersal iudgement pronounced of the best sort , that all such medicines which extenu●te and diminish , eyther the extremity of the disease , or vnsettle other congeled humours therwith , are to practised , a lowed and vsed , both in the beginning , and estate , so that the disease thereby may more swyftly bee hastened and rip●ned to concoction : yet it is not herein so spoken , that so large a libertie is graunted , as to vse any purgation at all , except mollefaction or extenuation , which only is permitted in strong acciden●s , for styrring vp congested humours or prouoking bodies insoluble . And so long as the beginning of euery disease continueth , so long these weake medicines may be perfectlie permitted , it cannot hold together that the sicknesse of one moneth hath equall beginning with the disease that hath continued but one weeke : and yet who dare be so bolde as to purge within the compasse thereof , before the signes of manifest concoction appeare ?

Certainly if the beginning of the disease continue in one accidence sixe monethes , or a whole yeare , before concoction be gathered , yet there ought to be no troubling , or molesting the body with purgatiue medicine , both because the disease is thereby vnperfected , and the course to concoction quite stopped vp . It is to be wished and counselled for all such to take heed and be hereby aduertised , which run at hasard with present purgation vpon all diseases : for the learned Phisitian , which in iudiciall reading is before made to vnderstand the same , is neither to bee warned , counselled nor taught .

Lastlie , no practioner is abridged , either by medicine , or diet , or any , or all good indeauours to drawe such diseases to concoction , as a ready preparatiue for purgation , which is a singular and perfect way to health , agreeable to all the rules of Phisicke . These thinges so highly considered , who dooth not maruell to behold some carelesse rude persons , who vnder the counterfeit shewe of Phisitians , doo in the first beginning of diseases profer three or foure draughtes of desperate phisicke , with purgations , inchaunt the bodie of the sicke patient , not onely to innumerable inconueniences , but most commonly to d●ath it selfe ? These rather desire to behold the number of phisicke cuppes standing vpon tables round about them , then the motion of nature in the diseased patient .

Heare may rightlie be vnderstood and perceiued , that concoction ought to haue a most high superioritie in gathering & preferring the vniuersal corruption of the body on a heape , before purgation take place . But there is a consociety of very daungerous persons in this our age , whose custome and maner is , the very same instant and day , when they approch and drawe neere the sick patient , doo first prescribe minoration , doo the second day expect concoction , the third day eradication , the fourth day a potion consortatiue : the custome hereof is doubtfull to be allowed , both because the disease is caried by so large a compasse without stay into many afflictions , ●ooseth his stomach & grace , lieth dead in the body vnmoueable , and euerie seuerall confection may haue hereby a seuerall operatiue nature to doo harme , in some fresh and contrarie propertie .

Auycen vtterly disaloweth their practise herein . Howe much the preparing and seasoning of the body auaileth , for the perfect altering of the disease to concoction , whereby purgation may more naturallie and effectually doo the duetie of a trustie messenger , in perfourming the intent of the Phisition , the sicke patient shal euidentlie find the ease thereof , being released from such and so great continual dolours .

Galen , Hypocrates , Auycen , Dyoscorides doo confound and consent with this vertuous and medicable indeuor , whereas these rude and corrupt practitioners in the firste instant and beginning of the infection , minister a strong purgation in offence of the whole constitution , is like as if a rotten fulsome channell were raked or stirred to the bottome , corrupteth the sences and infecteth the ayre in more poysoned putrifaction , so that many daungerous effectes insue thereby . The skilfull phisitian dooth farre otherwise , that as the sweete fountaine water , or the pure celestiall showers of raine , by litle and litle purge and purifie the fulsome sauours and contagions of the earth , doo not onely keepe them vnder , whereby their fulsome smelles breake not out , but also by litle and litle vtterly taketh away both their intollerable foyzing the ayre , as the corrupt stopping vp , and poysoning , the comfortable and essentiall estate of mans health .

Here followeth an other diligent obseruation , that all bodies ouertaken with any vniuersall malefaction , are not , beesides the which , clear & free from other corruptions , as hauing ingenderment with black fleamie & yellowe choller , so that one of them are verie offensiue to an other , and therefore ought they to be mundified and diminished , as two offensiue causes inconuenientlie conioined in one disease . For if they ●ee not concocted and gathered to a mutuall certaintie , their grosse and thicke matter being discouered and estraunged , thinlie and vncertainlie breaketh into all the partes of the bodie . For Auycen sayth , thicke thinges are easily comprehended , and swiftly excluded , as euidently is perceiued in those diseases which happen in the breast : as whether their spytcle bee thicke or thin , is scarslie reached vp , because the shortnes of breathing from the lungs preuenting , must of necessitie retire back . Therfore when these partes cannot bee scowred by naturall action in the qualitie of the breath , must in these seasons of infection be concocted & seasoned together by medicine , so that the one with the other may be confluxed out of the body . There is an other obseruation that choller of what nature soeuer it be , is not in his owne propertie to be more styfned , but drawne more thin and open , i● the humour of the sicknesse bee thicke , but if the humour of the disease bee thinne , then both choller and fleame must into due concoction bee thickly gathered : and yet those bodies which be naturally fluxible , are the easier emptied of those ex●rements against the difficult bruntes of such infections .

And my further desire is , that herewith bee set downe an other obseruation of naturall and vnnaturall choller , which most vehemently aggrauateth the cause in sicknesse , as being mingled with grosse and thick ●leame , burneth in it selfe , and inflameth the disease , for that the propertie thereof cannnot bee seperated therefrom . Also ther is choller which hath no issue , is of a red bloody condition , it is ingendred vpon the liuer , redilie conioined with those diseases which happen vnder some preposterous chrysis . Furthermore , ther is a choller ingendred of euil meats , which not perfectlie digested , grosly gathereth into the vaines , do lie open to all infectious sicknesses , altereth with the disease it selfe , and tergiuer sateth from his owne propertie .

There is an other choller , which resteth in the gall , or els conuerteth to wholsom blood , euerie disease by this choller is made more perfect and excellent , doeth comfort the body in health and doeth of his owne propertie comfort the disease to concoction in all generall infections .

Furthermore in the beginning of euerie sicknesse you shall vnderstande whether there be any grosse choller adioyned therewith by two speciall notes : the one , if the vrine haue a verie thicke substance : and the other , if most vehement heate arise in the complection . Surely , surely let this be an vniuersall doctrine , that all infections doo search and seeke after some excrementall superfluitie , to become of more higher corruption in their supreame dignitie and estate , As by hot choller the infection more vehemently rageth , as by melancholike thoughts the disease becommeth more grosse and heauie : by fleame , the disease becommeth mo●e cankered , and yet naturall fleame conuerteth to nutrimentall substance , and many times of verie propertie is a perfect medicine to withstand the assaultes of all hard and extreame infections .

Thus to conclude , euen as the learned Phisitian neuer aduentureth his Patient at hasard , so let all Practitioners by degrees , regard euery disease from the beginning , then by wisedome health is vniuersallie maintained not by hazard , as in the same artfull knowledge many grieuous diseases are recouered from euill and venomous corruptions .

Next followeth to shewe what is to be done in the time of the increase , estate , decrease and falling away of euerie sickenesse .

IT now may be lawfull somewhat to take in hand a practise for purgation and yet no otherwise to purge , then as concoction hath yeelded , & giueth leaue vnto : For it is reason that nature be somewhat ruled and reformed , whereby the tediousnesse of her burthen may be measurablie performed , and shaken off most lightly . The antient fathers although they haue layed open all the counsels of Phisicke verie largely , yet none of them doe consent , that it should be a lawfull action , at the same instant to purge , when the increase of the disease is powerfull , for then is it doubtfull whether nature hath resigned her motiue course : And therefore medicine ought to be stayed , vntill nature returne againe in her owne propertie to the vttermost . Some are in contrarie opinion doubtfull and vncertaine , whether nature haue an actiue motion in the increase of euery sicknesse : for if the chrysis be perfect and certaine , there is then disease languishing , and laborious : if not , then the disease is in some part discouered , so that the remnaunt more easily is perfourmed . By which meanes , it so commeth to passe , that there is a sodaine alteration and change of nature to a more better & excellenter hope : for in all such like diseases , nature is approoued in her highest substance , whether she be able to indure or no.

And when there is a substantiall dissolution of the disease in the behoofe of nature , the same is easily known and perceiued , either by vrine , or ordour , or the temperature of the body . And yet in all sharpe sicknesses the same is no consequent discouerture . But it cannot be denied in those sicknesses which haue length and continuance , that if nature perfectly be descryed is be strong , powerfull , and replenished with liuel●hood , then the sicknesse hath free passage and euident approchment to full increase , and therewithall manie times , the bodie purgeth , and fluxeth off her owne free propertie , so that the motion of nature is greatly therein reuealed : and surely the phisitian ▪ is cleared from any excesse daunger , that may insue thereof , so neyther is hee partaker of any good perfection that commeth thereby . For in all diseases there are good and euill workes in the propertie of nature , and withall , there ought to be most high consideration in the studie and indeuour of the phisitian , for the restauration both of nature and health together . Whereas in sharpe diseases the phisitian doth euacuate the principall partes of the disease by medicine : so nature ought to be fauoured , and maintained in perfect substance , for if she be not in potentiall estate , shee presently decayeth and falleth away aswell thorowe the sharpenesse of the medicine , as the painefulnesse of the disease . For where nature performeth her strength , there she not onely preheminently vanquisheth the disease , but expelleth and chaseth the infection thereof quite away : so that these operations of nature are accustomed aboundantly to poure forth their gracious fruites in the conseruation and consolation of bodily strength , and are most certainly tried , when the disease consisteth or stayeth : as if it were in the tyme of health , if the phisitian doe at anie time feare the decay of nature , he ought by artificiall skill , practise , not onely to fortifie the naturall course of the bodie , but there withall searche the nature of the disease . Notwithstanding the phisitian is forbidden to intermeddle with the works of nature , when she of her owne propertie , hath anie mouing towardes health : but surely in dangerous sicknesse if nature sometimes ouerexquisitely purgeth of her owne propertie , then take heede that neyther the flure exceede , nor yet concoction ouerrun the perfect course and wayfare to health : Remembring the olde saying , Quum fluor excedat , mors intrat , vita recedit . The phisitian ought to surpasse the disease both in wisedome , experience , and high counsell with naturall causes , both in releasing the languishing compunction of infection , as to gather all crud and raw causes together , whilest the disease hath a time of increase , and to profer a practise by some meete framed medicine , to ripen the disease , except the disease consist and stand at a stay . And in ministring of purgatiue medicines there must be called to remembraunce whether nature haue ready strength and full power , to performe a limited dutie in purgation or no. And heede must be further regarded whether nature be ouercharged with the forraine estate of the disease not then to be troubled or drawne to worser inconueniences , by vnseasonable medicines .

Auycen sayth euery disease is both powerfull and wauering when it decreaseth : but when it consisteth , is more certaine and better stayed , and then most easily ouercome by nature and medicine , for which cause not onely crud and rawe matter , but also dured and setled matter is then principallie expelled .

And yet many approued writers affirme that the greatnesse of accidents are to be appeased by the phisitians skill , and not permitted to straggle out , except equally measured to concurre one with another in the motion of nature . And it is most inconuenient at the same time to prouoke the accidentes with any heauie or sturdie medicine , which neyther the disease nor nature can then brooke .

Cornelius Celsus verie prec●●ely standeth vpon the words of Hipocrates , Si quid mouendum videtur in principi● , moue . Who vnderstandeth that the increase of the sicknesse , is a p●●t of the beginning . Ierimias Thriuerius a learned writer saith , that if any act hath beene ouerpassed in the increased of those sicknesses which haue bene more prosir , then casefull , may be more strickly regarded in their full and perfect estate not because it was an error , or neglected , but because the increase of the disease required no such thing , vntill there were a full 〈…〉nesse in the disease accomplished . Galen writing to Gla●●● in his booke de arte curatiua seemeth to interdict euery medicine , before the estate : especially where crud matter possesseth it selfe . And cast aside , saith Galen , all solutiue and hote medicines : and whosoeuer proffereth any medicines at all in such diseases , which are stuffed with crud , raw and sluny substance , before some ease and releasement in the disease be finished , shall bring double dangers vpon the disease . For being before single and of one propertie , thereby both the disease and nature are altered vnder double griefe , aswell of great inflammation , as opilation , whereby the ercrementes , loose the due disposition , and the bloud corrupted , and the arte●is wherein The 〈◊〉 a are 〈…〉 a●d like to the vaynes . the spirite of life walketh , are exposed to innumerable dangers .

Now as you doe vnderstand , what is to perfected in such diseases contayned vnder crud and rawe matter comming to their estate : So there must be a like caution taken , in these sharpe diseases happening vnder some euill and dangerous chrysts , not to interdeale therewith by sturing , before the disease , with all inconueniences thereto appertaining be fully setled .

There is a certaine grosse and vnperfect substance so setled in the propertie of these and such like feuers , as if they doe aspire to a high strength and estate , are vnable to be vanquished and driuen away , both because nature is weake and feeble , as also for that the medicine hath no direct operation .

Be it assuredly knowne that where nature is more weaker then the disease , and therewithall the propertie of medicine lothsome to the disease , is a plaine indication of death : and although nature may herein , for a time be succoured , yet can neuer be recoured .

The ignorance of manie are greatly to be lamented , who after nature is ouerthrowne , seeke a life in the middest of death : therefore Galen in his 29. Aphorism of his second booke , denounceth safegard to all suche , which in the time of long sicknesses are prospered with nature . And although medicine is such a general thing as may be framed to serue in euery degree of sickenesse with vertue , measure and time : yet whosoeuer , eyther by vnequall vertue , vnequall measure , and vnseasonable time , reacheth into anie such disease , when nature is before decayed and oppressed , is to be adiudged in a damnable estate for the death of that person .

Then let the Phisitian thorowly consider both bodily constitution , and the course of the disease , before he attempteth any thing : for by rash enterprise , the course and motion of nature may be preuented , and the disease offended .

Surely when nature neither mooueth , nor innouateth , there is no enterdealing with medicine for euacuation : as whether it be by potatiue electuarie , pilles , or otherwise , all is vaine and therein vtterly to be refused , for rest and quietnesse in those diseases most preuaileth .

Then lastlie whosoeuer neglecteth these wholsome rules , and without obseruation runneth at hazard , not onely vainly magnifieth himselfe among the rude and ignorant sort , but thorow their vnskilfulnes either doe they dull and blunt the disease or els cherish and continue the danger of the same : for by such rude persons , nature is both spoiled & troubled , the worthy knowledge of phisicke slaundered , the deserts of the worthier sort derogated , and the publike estate of the people offended .

Here next followeth howe meate ought to be increased or taken away , according as the times of sickenesses require .

NOwe remaineth to search out not onely the nature of sicknesses , but in what seasons diseases are moste perillous and apt in offence of bodly health , and also how meat ought to be increased , withdrawne , or quite taken away , the which part is most hardest of all : for neither olde writers haue clearely and purely expressed it , neyther yet newe writers sufficiently reuealed the darknesse and obscuritie thereof . Yet that auncient Hypocrates in his first of the Aphorisms vouchsafeth to giue aduertisement , that when diseases both beginne , increase and come to estate , full meates are to be abstracted , and thinne dyets most chiefly commended , vntill both nature and the disease be well pleased with the thinnest of all . For it is a manifest rule , that there belongeth to euerie degree of sicknesse a due ordinance : that is , when meate is quite taken away , some great practise is to be expected and accomplished by medicine , which then , and thereby , must worke most effectually and soundly .

Yet Galen on the contrarie doth seeme to command the patient in time of sickenesse to proceede from a barraine and vnfruitfull dyet , to a satiable , vberious , and complet dyet , which of the writers in this latter age is vnderstoode , that after great emptinesse , nature is greedy to recouer her former perfection . All which must be done with such discretion as that meate and measure concurre vpon the estate of the disease : But in these inflammatiue diseases of the sides , liuer , loonges , or such like , all nourishment in the beginning of such diseases is denyed and quite taken away : Especially if the spittle be clammie , gluttonous , or deuoyded out with thicke bloud , then except the disease be loosed , eyther by cutting off the basilicke vayne , or by some other skilfull attraction , the patient is throwne headlong vpon death . For although some vse ptisans , made of exoriated and vnhusked barly to be dronk , in mitigation of such extreame furious diseases , yet all nourishment plainely is denied , before some thing in so dangerous a case be perfected .

There is a farther counsell to be here in extended , that if the patient be desirous of sustenance , or some supping , and will not there from be refrayned : then shall be ministred vnto him some slender foode in verie small quantitie , as is neyther operatiue , nor nourishable , both because of the drinesse and distemperature of the body .

Many very good writers agree and consent that fountaine water , & sharpe vineger , not sophisticall , but seasoned from the naturall grape , aromatized with honny , is of s●owring propertie , if it be well boyled together , and dronke next the heart morning and euening : also it is a most wholesome oxin●ell to mundifie fleame in the stomacke , gently penetrateth congested An oximell is pure to mundifie the stomocke in sicknesse . bloud in the sides , doth quench and appease the furie of flammatiue feuers , and sharpeneth the stomacke , therein shall be found most present helpes , in so hard dangers . Next it is good to vnderstand how the patient profiteth or disprofiteth by these significatiue markes as followe . That is , when the increase of the sickenesse prospereth towardes health , the concoction therewith prospereth also to a full estate , as appeareth by the mouth waxing moyst , or else reaching vp from the loonges some concoct matter of ripe qualitie to be easily deliuered foorth in full quantitie : For the more aboundant those excrements be purged out , so much the rather the stomacke is framed , and sharpened ●it for foode and sustenance . Then it behoueth to yeeld the body some slender reliefe , so that continually it be limitted within iudication . For as euery disease is rather qualified vnder a barraine dyet in the beginning : so a small and thinne dyet is commended in the increase of euery sicknesse .

Surely a thinne dyet is best approoued in the opinion of Auycen : that is , when the disease consisteth and stayeth in one course towardes health : But if the disease in forceable assault runneth forward without stay , then all dyets are substracted , vntill the nature of the disease appeare more open and perfect . For the bodie hauing escaped these and such like perils of sickenesse , is like a wayfaring man hauing passed a tedious and hard iourney , through long fasting , and much labour , desireth foode : So these bodies ouerpassing and preuenting variable hazardes by fatigable wrestling , and painefull induring both the beginning , increase with the estate and perfection of the disease , are like a strong captaine , after conquest and victorie , desireth quietnesse , rest , meate , and sustinance . And yet many of these diseases , recouered both by good ordinance of medicine , and wholesome foode , haue returned backe to their olde dangers , and not staied their course before deathe . All which falleth out , both because there was some disordered surfet before health setled in perfection , and the disease not quite rooted out .

Auycen saith , that if the bodye fall into present misgouernance , after that it hath bene recouered from sharpe sicknesses , especially inflammatiue diseases , and before nature be restored to her prestinat and potentiall estate and dignitie , death without commisseration insulteth ouer life . And therefore he aduiseth all men vniuersally to settle nature , to sharpen the stomacke , to shut the poores , and to entertaine sleepe and quiet rest , after sicknesse , before they expoose their body to any hard practise . Now these perfect canons , holden by generall consent haue confounded and ouerthrowne the controuersies of new writers , and retired vnto their antient and former separation of diseases , and secretly therewithall holde backe , and inwardly contayne their knowledge and counsell , touching simple diseases , As though no such thing appertaine vnto them : But largely comprehend the estate of these inflammatiue feuers in eyther of their natures vnder one generall method for remedie to eyther of them : so that these diseases haue diuers natures and operations , aswel in their accidentes as in their concoction . And many times it so falleth out , that medicine altereth and setleth them , not onely to concoction , but also to be of an nature : whereas before they were in their accidentes , variable , and diuers in their course and propertie . Touching the difference of these simple and compounded feuers , I cannot finde no direct agreement , betweene Hypocrates in his book , de ratione victus , & other writers , but Hypocrates and Leonard Fuchsins , doe consent , and with a true report sound out , that all diseases happening in the spring , ought to be vnder a moderate dyet in their beginning , because nature is then most occupyed in digesting raw flegmatike humours congested the winter before , and by the naturall ascending of bloud , painefully diuerteth from common course . And also the bodye which is replenished with humoures , is in the spring season more troubled , then anie other time .

But touching those diseases which fall out in sommer , thinne dyet is then most meetest : for that both naturall and vnnaturall heate , exceede moystnesse , and those diseases which then happen , are most aptest to inflame .

But all those diseases which happen in Autume , meate is measured according to the disease : for no perfect dyet ( sayth Fuchsins ) can be prescribed , for that diseases are then of diuers properties and contagions , And therefore to be measured according to the phisitians skill , knowledge and discretion . So also suche diseases which fall out in winter , are furthered or hindered according to the seasonablenesse , or vnseasonablenesse of the time . For moyst foggy winters ingender corrupt diseases in the body to the vttermost : And naturall whether of frosts and snowe approoue and search the body eyther to great welfare of much health , or els to speedie death : therefore Fuchsins Frost & cold purifieth the vaynes and sinewes for the bloud ascending in the spring season . sayth , diseases in thinne bodyes are then guided with restoratiue dyets , for oftentimes such bodyes are in those seasons apt to be consumpted and vtterly wasted , both because the naturall bloud is departed in the deepest vaynes , and strong bodyes inwinter seasons subiect to sickenesse are best pleased and approoued with meane stipticall and sauorie dyets . If in these bodies both medicine and dyet by present remedie haue not a positiue operation to conserue a strong estate in nature , Forthwith nature perisheth . For as they are not able to indure the pinching cold outward , so their fleshie foggines cannot inwardly suffer for want of perfect and pure bloud : so that no outward shelter , nor inward nourishment counteruaileth to recouer health in them .

Let vs returne to the substance of our purpose , for the searching out the best diet in al diseases , either simple or compound . Galen in the first of the Aphorisms , the seuenteeth Comment wisheth a thin and sharpe diet to be established in all sharpe diseases , both because the body is infected with most greatest fleames , and because inflamations doo therein most abound .

One Hugh Senensis a learned man , disputeth that thin diets are meetest in the beginning of sharpe sicknesses , both because strength is in full propertie vndecaied , and the materiall substance of the disease ouer rebellious , and thereby without stay easily subdueth the body .

Hypocrates generallie and deeply speaketh of all feauers , eyther simple or compound : that first the disease is vnsetled , and vncertainly roueth in the bodye : and next , for that it dooth abound with paynfull trauels , difficultlie wrastleth , skyrmisheth and trauelleth , either to settle and possesse some one part of the body , or after the spyrituall partes possessed , inuadeth all the partes of the body to destruction .

Herein is it manifestly prooued , that in the beginning of diseases nature hath no need of such nourishments : for if appetite were gredy and desirous thereof , yet not able to beare that which is wished and lingred vpon . For whosoeuer infarceth and inforceth nature in the first entrance of euerie such sicknes , both cherisheth the disease , weakeneth and defoyleth nature .

Galen in his first booke de arte curatiua , writing to Glawco , in his chapter de cura febrium continuarum , saith , that if continuall feauers consist in one estate , & the body very weake are best ruled vnder an exquisite and sharp diet , if strength and age agree therewith : but if the disease exceed beyond that lymittation , is then to be vnderstaied with a plenarie & stronger food , so the same be apt to constitution .

Auycen saith , when the estate is perfected in the disease , let the diet be more plentifull , or otherwise , let the diet be augmented , or diminished as the disease increaseth or vanisheth away . So also this is a generall agreement among all the auntient Fathers , for the regiment of mans health , hauing put foorth an vniuersall edict , that in all mestiue mortalites , thin diets are most pertinent , for medicine to work vpon , because their accidentes are infectious and of indiuertible substance , and especiallie so long as these infections in their accidents are conioyned to the beginning : otherwise if the increase of the disease prosper and proceede to be perfected and setled to some verie likely estate , they ought to be sollicited more at large , either by curatiue medicine , or diet , vntill the vsurped properties be expelled : after which , the body is to be inlarged to a full diet vntil nature be reuiued , restored , and recouered in full strength .

These rules and reasons proceede from men of great countenance , of sound and vpright iudgement , repugning the wrongfull and erronious interpretations and opinions of certaine newe writers , who hauing set open their shoppe of counterfect practises in defrauding the good constitutions of heath in mans body , who in the beginning of simple feuers in place of a gracil and thin diet , haue constituted and put in place a free and bountifull diet .

Secondly in simple feuers , when the disease increaseth , doo prefer a thin diet in steed of a compleat diet .

And thirdlye , they doo in the estate of compound and inflamatiue feuers magnifie a full diet , in steede and place of a thin and peaceable diet . Surely Hypocrates somewhat bendeth to the second controuersie , that in the increase of al simple feuers , a competent diet is most meetest , so that if the disease doo proceede in the increase , or forsheweth any similie end , either by ripenesse to cease , or els take safe degrees to estate : Then the Phisitian hath full power ouer the disease , eyther to recouer health , or els to stay the patient from large and strong sustenance .

Petrus Brissotus and Lionicius doo say , if in the estate of simple feuers , sustenance bee denied to the patient because of the strength of the disease , then what ieopardie are those pacientes put into in their time of estate , when inflamations and accidentes together yeeld no place to rest , their bodies beeing strenghened with nutrimentall sustenance , doo continue the disease most cruell , fierce , dangerous and outragious , vnto the approchment of death .

Hereby all patientes may perceiue , that all diseases within the knowledge and helpe of man , are vnder lawes and ordinances : Therefore whosoeuer shall either violate or mistake these lawes and ordinances , offendeth both the sicke patient and his owne conscience .

And furthermore , if the sicke Patient will not bee ordered , but rebell against this wholsome gouernment , preferring both his owne wilfull minde and reason before the sounde and perfect counsell of the Phisitian , Let him be adiudged guiltie of his owne death and distruction .

The first Booke of the Temperamentes .

AN Element is the least part of euery proper thing compounded and vnited into one substance , perfourmeth not the least , but the immixt parcels of the same thinges to bee made a perfect element , and equally to place those smallest things to be tempered with the highest , as that ( not in any behalf ) any one of them be immixt from an other . It is an high onderstanding : wherefore we oguht to deuide the least portion of euerye tempered bodie as followeth . That is , there ought to be in number foure elementes , neither ought there to be more or lesse : and yet can there be but one element alone , for that with an vnreprooueable qualitie all things returne to destruction : neither can there bee two elements , as fire and ayre , because all interiour thinges woulde presentlie be consumed with their coniomed strength of heat . Then may it be imagined , that nature might haue framed fire and water to beare their seueral course alone , both because they doo in variablenesse differ one from another , or that they might seeme more durable in their course aboue the rest .

The third element is the ayr , which nature hath so placed between the rest , as that moistnesse is ioined to water , and heat to fire : neither do these three elementes suffice , except there be a fourth element conioyned hereunto , that is say , the earth , not only because it is the seat and habitation of men in this world , but also and much rather being commixed with water , dooth by her coldnes , temper the other two elements : therfore nature most decently hath bound , not one , nor two , nor three , but four elements , and that with a straight and agreeable concord , as when they were dis●ramed and dissociated from their equall places : As when the earth was downward , the water and the ▪ ayre in the middle , and the fire vpward , although there are not onely some philosophers , but verie Christians which haue practised to discouer Which is taken as an errour . for the knowledge of man , a certain dark , thicke , and shadowed fire , about the point & centre of the earth by a direct light gleaming and irradiating from the starres , The which fire is vestall & pure , not elementarie . Herein if we consider that both the earth and the water doo not onely entertaine the same fire , but the ayre interiected , forthwith followeth the same : euen as there is a coniunction of the earth to the ayre , so is the water placed betweene both of them otherwise the ayre should wholly remaine moyst , being placed between two drie elements .

Galen and other graue Philosophers doe seem otherwise to thinke , who on their behalfe call the water most moyst , and is so adiudged in the absolute power of nature , for by touching the same is perfectly bewraied : whereas the ayre is not comprehended at all by touching , therfore the ayre is more moyst : & yet because water is of more rounder and compact substance , then of an intentiue qualitie , some philosophers report water is more moist then ayre : otherwise how should yse more coole then water ? and yet not more colder .

Galen affirmeth water to be most moist , for that it is cleare , and no drinesse is contained within the substance thereof . By this reason no simple medicine can shewe in his vttermost nature to be either hot , colde , moist , or drie in the highest degree , in respect of equalite 〈…〉 ature from contrary pla●ing , therefore this reason most pro●pereth and prooueth in ●urt bodies : and although the ayre were clearely hot , yet not in the highest degree : So likewise if water were clearlie moist , yet not in the highest degree , for it ●s repugna●t in the reasonable on●e : standing of elements , that there should be two qualities , or els no● at all obtained in the highest degree : for if ayre hath not maystnesse , it shoulde then vnnaturally exceede in the vttermost place , which is against the nature and order of the elements .

And furthermore , it is greatly to be marueyled , that certain new Philosophers with some counterfeit weake reasons , blaste abroad in the world , that water is more moyst then ayre , which cannot holde : for then the elements shoulde fall out in contrarie order , which otherwise haue an equall constitution in the rest of the bodies one after an other , although they bee of disframed conditions and qualities : or els we may iudge of mans bodie to haue more earth and water , litle ayre and lesse fire , whereas it is in holie writing farre otherwise declared , that man was not fashioned , neither of ayre , water , nor fire , but of the earth , shewing that earth & water are imperious & ruling elements .

This element as a heauie substance doth beare great sway in the constitution of man , for that heat and drinesse are of more lighter matter : Then doeth it stande by naturall reason , that heat among other qualities is actiue , and as the qualitie therof is most plaine , so the least portion thereof as in man : for which cause these two outward bodies colde and heat , may bee perceyued , and that coldnes is tempered by heat , and heat dela●ed by cold , drines by moystnesse , and moystnesse by drenesse , that one of them should haue equall seruice by an other : so there is also a motiue cause of coldnesse and drinesse thorow the sinewes , so also there is coldnes and moystnes in the braine , where the conceit and sence beginneth their place . The hart is the instrument of life , the liuer the instrument of blood , the which of necessity are hot and moist : and so from thencefoorth there are certaine instruments of necessitie , some cold , some hot , some moyst , and some drie : if any one of them at any time do bend or writh aside from these iust temperature , their actiue qualitie must be disured and fall away therewith , for that the instrument which leadeth the same , is decaied . Therefore the bodye of necessitie is to possesse and inioy a perfect estate in his members , in seruice of all the offices appertaining thereunto .

And the rather because all bodies haue a coniunction of the foure elementes , otherwise choller which is hot , drie , and colde , cannot serue the body in perfect nature and operation , for that vnnaturall choller corrupteth the whole body .

And furthermore , as the foure humours are seperated one from another , in seueral estates and constitutions , so such members which are insigned vnder any one of these humors ▪ are commoderated one by an other , vntill there be a iudicial temperance raigning ouer all the wholl members : for although any such instrument were of necessitie cold , yet it is not conuenient so to be in the highest degree , for that certaine immixt elementes doo want the temperance of the second qualitie . Now if successiuely these instruments were by this means most righteous and equall , they ought not to be tempered on some one behalfe , but on euery behalfe : for no instrument can bee meete , whereas if any part thereof be vnmeete . And for this cause it is not onely a seemely sight , that these elements after their greatest portions , should be grosly mingled in a myxt body , but that in the whole they become perfectly vnited , and that there be no want in any part thereof .

Therefore as diuers elements are so mixed in one body , as that there is a ful seruice of al the members one to another . So was it righteous , that there should be a whole perfect coniunction in the iust commoderation of all other instrumentes : for if all and euery part were not equally moderated , one part would decay and fall away from another . For is not the body conserued and satisfied by the said elements from hunger and thirst , which otherwise would in al the partes thereof languish and fal Wine is a bounti●ull element , ordained to me perfect properties . away : therefore man is nourished of the foure elem●ts , in that the heat of the sunne is commixed with the earth , and the water and ayre commixed , are of generable nature , producing sustenance , agreeing with all natures indumentes .

And furthermore consider , that whosoeuer drinketh w●●e for coldnesse of stomach , dooth not poure or infuse fire into his body : although the moistnesse of water is tempered with a fiery element to frame a perfect body , not in outward action , but by the pure power of heat .

This verily proueth that one element is fashioned with another , so that all the elementes are of equall power and propertie one with another . Otherwise if man were framed of one element , he were impassible , and without suffering : Or if there were such a dissimilitude in the elementes , as that not one of them could be drawne in agreement with the other , but still continue a contrarietie , then all passiue actions were dispropriated and vnperfectly disequalled . Euen as there is manifestly shewed forth all necessarie causes to the construction of euery one body : So these elementes all in all , are commixed without separation , following vpon the immixion of humours in mans body , vnto which euerie liuing man is subiect and bound vnto by natures ordinance . And there are some which wallowing in their owne wils doe affirme , that bloud is nothing els , but a certaine confounded humour , extracted out of three humours : although the same is vtterly false , Yet may it manifestly proue a great varietie in the permixion of elements . Therefore if it be possible that foure humours are confounded Maners doe follow the humour of bloud . within themselues , and yet their formes kept together vndiffacioned , or that one forme or fashion appeareth for them all : then surely these elementes are aswell commixed in these humours , as wholly perfected thorow the body it selfe : that although their formes were eyther disfigured , or in some part abstracted , yet there qualities are vndefaced . Otherwise the reason and measure of mixture should perishe together both in forme and qualtie , touching corporall formes as they are neuer taken from their substance . So not the forme , but the qualit●e hath increased by the mutuall actions of the forme and qualities together . It is therefore most difficult to withdrawe nature and qualitie , from these moste excellent temperatures , The difficulness . of the o●e is cased by the perfection of the other in the course of the vaynes . which of the ancient Philosophers are called complexions , possessing diuers partes of man , as coldnesse and drinesse in the bones , and hote and moist in many other parts of the body . So the rather may it be perceiued , that all cold things in mans complexion are ouercome with hote and moyst temperatures , nourishing bloud in euery man to be perfected after naturall inclimation . Therefore hee hath finished a good and perfect worke , which can vprightly discerne a perfect temperature in the estate and constitution of all men .

The Phisitian is largely to distinguish vppon the naturall complexion of all men , for it is his part and dutie to compare man with man , and all men to be vnder some one temperance . And yet there are many differences to be found vnder these temperatures .

Galen sheweth by experience of some men which are ouer-troubled with fleame , that although some part be taken away , and not in all , yet the superfluous humour that remayneth , is made more moyst , and the easier digested and resolued . Auycen sayth those thinges which be ouer moyst are tempered by drinesse : then there ought to be an accidentall heate indifferently and equally compounded with humiditie : but yet the intemperance of heate and moystnesse is an vnequall commixture . For Galen sayth that the decay of complexions are vpon superaboiuidant qualities one with another , which is the ouerthrowe of nature , and bringeth death .

Leonard Fuchsins sayth , if the seasons of the yeare should be compared according to their temperatures , the spring season is most wholesome and temperat ▪ because it is hote & moyst , if that by straunge exhaltations it be not corrupted . And Autume season ( sayth hee ) is moste intemperat , for that it is colde and drie .

Galen sayth otherwise , that if the spring be compared or co●oyned with an vnnaturall sommer following , shal be then ●old and moyst , because of the strong exhaltations of heate following thereupon . And on the contrary , if it be compared or conioyned with the vnnaturalnesse of winter , it is hote & drie , because of the elementes were distramed with heate , by an extreame and vnnaturall course in the elementes the season before . Surely Dyoscorides very vprightly toucheth the mark , that the temperature of the spring time ought to be regarded and marked of naturall and vnnaturall properties in it selfe , and not by the comparison of another season .

Arnoldus de noua villa affirmeth , that the spring season is found neither hote nor moist , but temperate : so that neyther susuperfluous moistnesse nor exceeding drinesse doo abound : for the Spring indifferently seasoneth all thinges .

Ieremias Thriuerius saith , that Springe hath no perfect temperaunce , thorow which , eyther the winter before , or the sommer after haue lost their temperaunce in the heate of the earth : when as the vaines and sweet fountaines of the earth are decaied , hauing not onely lost their naturall progressions , but thorow strange exhalations the aireis distemptred and becommeth grosse , loathsome , and furiousin all open corrupitons .

So on the contrarie , al the partes of the earth may bee inraged with hot drinesse , for that the elementes exceedinglie doo sucke the ioyce of the earth , drawing in all filthye corruptions , which infester in the highest degree : seeing the spring time is then of propertie and nature most comfortable , and that in all naturall and wholsome temperanre , doth neuer bring forth sicknes , except by some former corruption , which hath forestalled the sweete refreshing ioy thereof .

It is good to consider then the temperances of the yeare● how they doo agree with the complections of men , both for the conseruation of health , and the auoiding of sicknesse : for collerick persons doe best take comfort and ioy in themselues in winter , for the heat of their complections is best delayed and tempered with the moistnesse of that season : Flegmatike persons do liue more safer in sommer , then in the spring time , for this temperature chiefly agree with their complecions : so may wee not forget that women doe liue in greater ioye of nature and : norwholsome in sommer , then either in winter , or spring season : and Hypocrates dooth simply graunt that women are both in the spring and sommer season most prone , and then principally esteemed with men , yet Rasis sayth , that chol●erike women both in winter & spring season are excessiuely stirred vp with natures inclinements , and then most of al possessed inwardly with great heate and very apt to digestion , and therefore their naturall courses and prouocations are then most apt and plentifull .

Arnoldus de noua villa affyrmeth , that there are superfluous humours , which of their owne malicious propertie , redilie are prepared to infect the flemmatique woman , and are open to many other vnnaturall accidents , and yet sometimes by a fauorable propertie of nature doo release themselues : Therefore Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , that if those accidentes did not performe great works of natures inclinements of moystnesse and heat , in the change and alteration of the moone , A woman were then colde and drie in the perfection of death . But yet those bodies which are of their owne propertie both temperate and long during in the perfectest constitution of a womans body , is hot and drie .

Now furthermore , it were a very good and special doctrin , somewhat most largely to discouer the properties and variable conditions of Autume : and the rather for that many haue fayled in the true explication thereof . Some affyrme that season to be hot and drie : other some say it is cold and drie : and some other some say , that the qualities and disposition of this season dependeth vpon daies , weekes , and monethes , and the diuersities thereof , happen not like as other times and seasons , as cold in the noone time , and hot in the morning and euening , al which ouerpasseth the right and equall proportion of temperance .

Cornelius Celsus saith , that in Autume there is a contrary motion of the Elementes in all superiour causes , so in these inferiour causes there is also a chaungeablenesse in all things : as from moystnesse and greenesse , to ripenesse and rottennes , thorow which distemperance many thinges doe drawe strange vapours of the aire into their qualitie , whereby many infections doe corrupt and take holde of the body , in gendring variable diseases . Besides which their is a contrarie motion of the elementes corruptly rouing abroad in those seasons : Not onely because heate and moysture are coniuncted in the variable partes of the elementes , but also for that there is no certaine nor constant induction of the weather for health and wholesomnesse , to comfort mans body withall . For first the planets are in their courses vtterly difframed one from an other , so the sunne vppon the nightlie and north passage , fretteth vpon the circle , deuiding the halfe spheare called horyzon , as also hauing entered vpon a contrary poynt of Ar●es , inforceth the mornings of those seasons to be hote , moyst , and soultrie . And after the dissolution of this ouerraging heate , the north groweth to a most extreame vapour of colde about the noone season . This may easily be gathered hereof , that the opposite poyntes of the north and the south , hauing strangely and diuersly altered both their properties and courses , the inferiour causes are so poysoned in a corrupt degree , as that ouerraging pestilences are inkindled in such like seasons , and there shal be perceiued great lightes and furious flames of heate arise in those partes of the north , all which foresheweth excessiue gluttes in the vnseasonable aboundance of raine the winter following .

Some new writers perswade the worlde that mans body is ouerweakened by those seasons : aswell because of the vnnatuturall distemperance , as also for that the vygent heate of bloud not onely descendeth , but eyther thereby decayeth , waxeth thin , or corrupteth in vnordered bodies .

It is a most high contemplation in the hearbes and plantes of the earth , whose fortitude and power is in the coldnesse and drinesse of this Autume greatly diminished and fallen away , so also subiect to putrifaction and corruption therewith . For the generation of humours which were cleerely nourished by the purenesse of the spring season , are nowe vtterly surprised , eyther by euacuation , corruption , or putrifaction .

Auycen sayth , that Autume is like a woman which when the time is come cannot conceale her trauell , so Autume cannot be couered or hid , which tryeth and approueth mans body , whether that it be with diseases infected , or no : which may be also

After threscore and tenne yeares , this fleame knitteth in the ioyntes , s●oppeth the vaines , ingrosseth nature , decayeth digestion . And in the canicular dayes this fleame becummeth ponderous , and by an excessiue and inordinate heate , odiously stencheth in the lower partes , especially vpon the legs , and that vntill putrifaction be perfected therein .

There is another watrish fleame , thicke and subtle most hard to be digested , gluttonous and dronken persons are much herewith infected , and this fleame about the fal of the leafe , is white , thicke , hard and corme : it offendeth the brames and nosteels verie much , except it be addressed with warmenesse : this fleame most of all offendeth in winter season , and by reason of outragious coldnesse and distemperance of weather , altereth at the same season more than anie other time , for that the cold and hot humours disagree one with another .

There is a most dangerous fleame called by Cornelius Celsus , Rallium , of others , Gibseum : this fleame setleth in the ioyntes , and sometimes in the arteries , drieth into hard kernels not onely ingendreth putrifaction , but remedilesse gowtes : and as all maling distemperatures haue conspired herewith , so doth it crase and breake forth in open libertie by all distemperate seasons of the yeare .

There is an other heauie and clammie fleame , proceeding from the lightes , and sheweth it selfe moste principally in the Autume season , like to yse , because the bloud discending , is ouertaken with coldnesse .

There is a fleame which manie times is incident to verie blacke and chollericke persons , and sheweth a dangerous nature in the finishing vp of Autume , it proceedeth chiefly by inordinate and euill customes of youth , as excessiue lecherie , and such like bloudie vnctious and greasie contagions . This fleame is ingendered vppon the heart , kidneys and raynes of the backe . There is a chollericke fleame , shewing moste of all in Autume , ingendred of salt meates .

This fleame moueth a belching hicket in the mouth of the stomacke , causeth great pensiuenesse and sorrow of minde , proceeding of greedie eating of rawe fruites before the naturall heat of the sun , be perfectly coagulated therein , and yet if there be pefect digestion hereof , it is conuerted to blood .

There is also an other humor annexed hereunto called choller , the which is either naturall or vnnaturall . Choller vnnaturall is an outward cause knowen thorow the whole body , and melancholiously mingled : it is cytrin , or like the collour of gold , Cytrin is the collour . of an O●renge . it is intermixed with subtle fleame , and sometimes of smaller substance , and in similitude of the yolkes of egges , and enterioyned with grosse fleame and naturall choller . There is a choller burn●ng in itselfe , and conuerted to ashes : there is also adioyned herewith a melancholious choller , which is of a reddy collour ingendred vpon the liuer . There is a choller ingendred vpon euill digestion of meates , & it is ingendred in the vaines by other euill humours , this is prassiue choller , like to the hearb Prassion : it burneth vntill there be no moisture left therein , and the drinesse thereof waxeth white .

Furthermore , as all these temperatures of the body , coneur with the temperatures of the yeare , and as yet no temperature certainly is found out at any time , which sheweth some great reproch to nature , both because she hath ordayned nothing certainly to continue , neither hath she perfourmed all things alike : & as many accidents of vnnatural influences do on some variable behalfe corrupt and distemper the vniuersal earth , so by greate murrayne in cattell , by excesse pestilence in mankind , and by putrifaction of earthly fruites , shew foorth a variable alteration of the foure elementes in all other liuing creatures . Therefore Hypocrates saith , it were more then reasonable in nature , if all seasons of the yeare were tempered or distempered alike , for therin the gouernment of mans complection oftentimes falleth out by the naturall or vnnaturall course of times : for the worke of nature cannot bee shewed or tempered in any thinge more glorious , or a greeable , then that temperance or distemperance are framed to serue equally in their places , as the foure seasons of the yeare fall out , vnder which mans complexion is best ordered , or worst disordered according to the proportions of the sayd times .

Galen calleth the estate of man in the spring time of the greeke word EVCRATON , which is that nothing can bee chaunged from his temperature .

The new writers haue indeauoured their wits to prooue , the most wholsommest and sittest estate for the health of mans body is that season , which is most best tempered vnder moysture and heat , and that the flemmatike man is beste delighted therewith : yet if we doo both approoue by experience , and also for our further doctrine vnderstand , what Hypocrates saith hereunto : that no seasons of the yeare are more corrupted , then those which happen vnder the estate of moyst and heat , And chiefly if the saide estate be either long or superfluous : vnder which said times , often falleth out great changeablenesse in nature : for that not onely simple corruptions are then easily taken hold of , but all generall infections of pestilences are ouerspread , in swalowing vp the life of men , for which cause moystnesse and heat , and of most excelling quicknesse and full of life : and yet distemperance therewith hath full and large coniunction and corruption to doo harme herein . For Galen himselfe confesseth , Humidissimam naturam esse vinacissimam , cum intemperatis , non autem temperata confert , The moist nature is most quickest in the state of intemperate thinges , but it nothing preuaileth in those thinges which are temperate : for certainly superfluous moistnesse , scarreth and breaketh naturall collour .

Some hold in opinion , that if heat by a strong proportion do superabound , cannot offend at all : as if it be tempered with excellent moistnesse dooth alwaies conserue a liuely temperance .

This opinion is much reprooues by Dyoscorides , who iudgeth those bodies which of necessitie exceed and ouerflowe in fleame , doo also exceede in heate and moystnesse : and in like sort , they are so deseperate one from an other , as that they cannot per●ake or comprehend any perfect quicknesse at all , considering that nature is rather hurt by the excesse of two properties then one : for there ought to be alwaies a medio●ritie and an indifferent estate in nature . Therefore it is necessarie that heat doo not extend in a sanguine man more then humiditie : for if moyst humour preheminentlie be placed , the intemperature of the sanguine complexion is more quicke then any other temperatures , and yet not in a temperate disposition . As such intemperatures are of a more quicker operation then the rest , so are they more vnwholsommer and esiest suspected of their vnsoundnes , and nature oftentimes speedily perisheth in them : especially for that contag●on is ouer powerful therein : although this may be true , yet was there euer any that searched the true vnderstanding thereof ? For surely these sanguine complexions , as they are hot and moyst , so their bones , sinewes , and vaines are couered with thicke flesh ingendring great aboundance of blood , many of them thorow exceeding great ryot , easily do intertaine many diseases , vntimely deuouring and ouerthrowing them .

And in very deed ther is in these sanguin complexions a contagion which falleth out , both by straunge and vnnaturall heat , which easily gathereth both because the same is forensical and improper , and also for that it hath a principall power in it selfe , so that the old pruerbe herein is verified : that smoke is next fire . And as it insulteth vpon moystnesse , so is it easily conioyned , & yet not nourished therwith . The reason falleth out , for that heat and mo 〈…〉 e were distemperatly vnited : Also drinesse verye hardly intertayneth heat . Yet if it be a hot drinesse , contagion is very greatly repugned and withstood thereby . Therefore it standeth with dayly experience , that whatsoeuer things can be preserued , sa●ored or tempered with vimger or salt , from corruption , is wholsome and pure . It is a most excellent workmanship in like sort to continue the sound estate of man , vnder good and perfect ordinance in the time of heat and moistnes . Yet some writers verily think such seasons can hardly be recouered from corruption , but that some one disease or other , falleth out vpon the distemperance of the weather .

Furthermore , the authority of Aristotle or Theophrastus shall not any thing herein preuaile , who wrongfully place the life of man between heat and moisture , in the definitiue sentence of death .

The old writers neuer did so thinke , hauing by three means gathered heat , cold , moistnesse , and drinesse : although the earth is more drier , notwithstanding the quality thereof is impermixt : their bodies forthwith decline . And surely the indowment of these sanguine complexions , are neyther hote nor colde , but temperate . They are men compounded of moste excellent dispositions : and for that they are of yellow whitish haire like flax , much good speach is vsed of them , both by Galen and Dyoscondes : they indure health strongly , and doe resist and beare out the danger of sickenesse familiarlie , withstand the furie of accidentall diseases , ( called infections ) most stifly , and the rather by reason of the varietie of their permixion and confused humours .

Furthermore , for that we are distinctly to handle not onely the constitution of mans body , but chiefly the seuerall complexion , vnder which euery man is gouerned : therefore are we next to consider of two sortes of melancholicke men , of the which one kinde hath a helpefull humour and is appropriat to nature , the other is improper , or rather vnnaturall . The disease of the melancholicke person , is ingendred of two parts : of which one entreth into bloud , and possesseth the vaines , and the other is conuered into the spleane . It is profitable if the bloud thereof be thicke , whereas it was before thinne , watrish and weake , being so conuerted doth muche strengthen all the members of mans bodie .

There is a melancholious humor ingendred vpon the liuer , which simple is neyther hote nor colde , but absolutely drie and cold . And as Galen reporteth Socrates to be a melancholicke person , and a man of a thin bloud , by reason he had no actiue increase in heat , & of a rough skin , because continuall vapours from the stomack moued intentiue coldnesse , because the comfortable bloud did not freely at all times returne to proper course , his bones , mouth and braine were drie , and his stomacke feeble .

Cornelius Celsus sayth , that Socrates was a melancholike person on the worst part , both for that the liuer bloud was not perfect , neyther had free and open passage or recourse vnto the vaynes , or yet was temperately conueyed vnto the spleane , in which places bloud should be plentifull , vigent and nutrimental , and by which meanes all melancholious superfluitie should be expelled .

Melancholy which is taken in good part manie wayes profiteth the body , to all wholesome comfortes , and hath a speciall regiment in the highest and best place to the spleane . But if it possesse the body on the worse behalfe , becommeth a dust , saltish , sower , and boyleth vpon the inward partes , and is altogether grose , rumous , and hath a finall inclinement to death .

A melancholike man is of countenance blacke and yellowe , and of nature in two degrees , & the one more tollerable in condicion then the other . The one sort are most vnconstant , and readily doe tergiuersat from euery perfect purpose . Whosoeuer readeth the opinion of Auycen in a certaine epistle supposed to be written to a noble Duke of Sabelayn Hispalis in Spaine , shall finde there described more certainly the properties of a melancholious person , then I purpose to intermedle withall . Yet Dyoscorides maketh a very commendable report of a certaine excellent potion , called Diospoliciton , first An excellent potion called Diospolic●ton . deuised and approued by Architas , Prince of Tarentum , a moste soueraigne remedie against all melancholious diseases . And Galen in his booke de sanitate tuenda , Speaketh moste deuinely , and reputeth those men to be me● of high happinesse , who in their dispositions vnderstand the wor●es of nature , do by inward contemplation , as by wisedome and experience continually consider , to instruct and reforme nature , to a better inclinement , vntill perfect grace , olde yeares , and gray hayres haue preuented the inconuenience of such desperat humours , and also to haue made an vtter conquest of all the euill practises thereof .

It is further to be noted , that many euil maners doe grow vpon the naturall disposition of man like weedes , and that aswell by dayly vse and custome , as by excessiue distemperance , dipt and coloured euery dayin wicked practises , from the purenesse of their first innoce●tie , as that sometimes they are become vnreformable . And Galen affirmeth , that no greater per●l happeneth vnto man , then when euill custome ouerruleth , ouerrunneth and ouerreacheth both disposition and temperance , which ought to vnderset and prolong the body with great fe 〈…〉 e and health : Therefore let vs herein following , set downe 〈…〉 two kindes of temperance . The first is obserued and referred to waight , or heaule burthen in respect of the elementes : as that no qualitie doe therein exceede another , both for that all bodyes are of equall wayght in the qualities of the elements called temperate : for it is impossible that temperance should be setled , eyther vnder excesse or defect . For as it seemeth the foure elementes are commixed within the comprehension of the same waight : And as fire hath his naturall qualitie , and actiue motion with the other elementes : so if there be a greater portion of fire then earth , surely heate with a preheminent dominion surpasseth coldnesse . Hipocrates is missensed or mistooke .

There are many which despise Hypocrates in his Aphorisines , altogether missensing his doctrine of heate , not vnderstanding simply heate , but a hot body , that is to say , the breath and bloud of the body . And doctor Measues sayth , that children haue more breath and bloud , according to the proportion of their body , then others of higher age : that euen as a fire of greene woode burneth moste strongly and vehemently , so the heate of the children , ( according to naturall measure and temperance ) ouerpasse higher ages .

Leoncenus sayth , neyther the one , nor the other stand with trueth , because both sortes are of one and the same degree according to proportion . But Galen by the way plainely admitteth children to haue more heate : not because heate is in them more intentiue , but more aboundant : the which is most certain and true . For seeing breath and bloud are of necessitie more aboundant in children , it cannot otherwise be , but that naturall colour ought more aboundantly to possesse them .

Galen putteth downe next hereunto a second maner of temperance to righteousnesse , as a positiue lawe to be obserued of all men : the which righteousnesse consisteth to pay euery man his right , as well in due deserts , as to him that receiueth it , as in discouering the glorious workes of naturall ▪ duetie in the payer : for herein not onely consisteth a simple temperance , for that it is a principall thing , agreeable with equitie , but also because it is begotten and brought foorth , as a fructifieng tree , from natures perfect inclination . Wherefore wee are to thinke of , and inquire , whether nature hath fauoured one place , and countrey more then an other , in the fauourable behalfe of temperaunce , not onely for dutie in righteousnesse , but for the perfourmance of all honest actions . In perfourming which purpose , Greece is magnified and highly regarded as a temperate countrie , both because famous and excellent wits haue sprong vp therein , as that experience hath tried them a famous people in ordinance of manners , and the workes of wisedome haue discouered them by their wholsome lawes both for martiall , polliticke , and ciuil gouernment , And the inclination of nature hath polished them to walk most temperately in their conditions , during the course of this life .

Demosthenes in his orations against Philip of Macedonia , perswadeth them to liue according to the temperate soyle of their countrie . And yet if we behold all liuing men in their order , there is not one so to be found , which attaineth that excelcellencie of wisedome and vnderstanding , as hee ought to the vttermost of natures indowmentes , except some few persons presigned thereunto . And yet euery liuing creature redily perfourmeth some temperate worke of nature : as some men in running swiftly , some men in resisting stronglie , and some men in agilitie , and some men in policie , but fewe men in learning , wisedome , grauity , and the naturall facultie of eloquent speaking : and the fewest of all in the confession of their creation : And yet euery one hath a seuerall worke of perfect temperance in the best behalfe .

So certainely all other vnreasonable creatures are framed out of this naturall mould , to some temperate propertie or purpose , or other , as the horse for swifenes , the Cow for fruitfulfulnes , the sheepe for profitablenesse , and many other pretious workes temperatly doo herein excell .

There is an other temperate creation in the plantes and hearbes of the fleld : although their vertue is quicke and vegetable , Vnequal qualities of diuers hearbes are made of one proper operation by the art of man . yet cannot skilfully vse their owne propertie , but their properties are knowen , vsed , and searched out by the art of man : and as many qualties exceeding one another , are so made and compo●nded one by an other , into one quality of medicine , as that they doo not swarne or exceede one aboue an other in operation . For as hot water and cold snowe commixed together , are made one perfect temperance of warmnesse , so all bodies or naturall qualities appereinent thereunto , are contayned or compaged vnder one bur●hen , stoope downe and take holde of seasonablenesse in euery kinde of coniugation or knitting together . Therefore the Phisitian not onely croppeth all these hearbes of the field , but taketh his best delight and ioy in the propertie and vertue thereof , for recoueryng , helping , and comforting his sicke patient by some confected medicine , aptly and wholsomely framed to the bodyly constitution : for which cause , surely , this man in all the partes and practises of honest duetie is a moste perfect temperate man ,

But let vs returne to our purpose , and insert vnder this volume a most high , and secrete workmanship touching the forming of mankind in his creation , which most sufficiently shall be prooued both by reason , argument & demonstration : and that mans proportion had a begunning by the insight of a deuine creature , first formed vnder an inuisible substance , and afterwardes visible , possessed vnder an anathomie of flesh and blood , yeeldeth to a naturall inclinement in euery one to some seuerall property or other ; so that one of them from thencefoorth hath from time to time increased in the flesh and blood of an other , and chiefly vnder the protection of the deuine prouidence , as wel as by the continuance both of the earth and elements in one due progresse and course of all things .

Hereby may be perceyued that mans generation hath growen vp from age to age , vnder temperance and distemperance of the foure elementes : not onely vntill euery seuer all office of the same , he perfourmed in quality and quantity of a proportion able body , as also to be perfected in fashion , that ●a●ure beginneth competently to pertake her wonderful & admyrable works , therewith vnder cause and effect .

Then herein is to be required a commoderate difference of these bodies , whether the substance , as the in●●●●ents appertaining hereunto be naturall or artificiall : if naturall , then their forme is vnder wholsome or vnwholsome temperance . The disagreements shall be herein most largely declared : for the first beginning of artificiall forme , was comprehended vnder the handes of man : as eyther by etuming caruing , or skilfull payating . The chiefe maisters of that facultie was Policletus or Apelles , their workmansh●p was without natural temperance , actiue motion , or sensible feeling : And for that the foure elemens had not tempered or vnited a motiue life or breath in them , the●r worke is not passiue , nor subiect either to temperance or distemperance , health nor sicknesse : they f●e●e neyther friendship nor hatred , good nor harme : when they are in tired they cannot reuenge , nor yet requite any good benefit bestowed vppon them : they are ignorant of the alterations and chaunges of seasons : They neyther feele the pleasure of life , nor the paine of death : Their complexion is without disposition or inclination , to any good or euill thinges , where as naturall forme , hath a most high place in the worke of a visible substance . So that Lyonicenus hereunder , placeth Physiognomy to bee conioyned and annexed vnder naturall forme , and therewithal the partes and gestures of the body are framed , accordyng to the manners of the minde . Aristotle in like sort dooth reckon the actions of the body , to be agreeable with most men , after the manners of the mind .

Fuchsyus saith , a temperate body is not considered or measured in the waight of the elements , but in the perfect action of euery seueral member . If which reason be true , then those bodies cannot be temperate , which are not fashionable : then also those actions which are done without forme , are neyther perfect nor effectual . No credite is assumed hereunto , eyther of learning , wisedome , or experience : for otherwise the head cannot conceiue any good purpose , if the ioyntes be peruerted from nature .

Surely the highest and happiest temperance appertaining hereunto , is when the mind in naturall propertie is prouided to all good deedes and perfect workes , and that nothing may hinder or entercept the honest intent thereof , this is perfect temperance . For otherwise if there wanted handes to doo a good seruice , in distributing : if the composition of the body were vytiate , eyther in the mothers wombe , or by the vnskilfulnesse of the Mydwife , in some one ioynt , shall this prooue the childe to bee disabled from all temperance , and vnperfect in all actions , and therefore in him all neighbourly beneuolence were to bee quite taken away , if in any such respect temperaunce did consist . This standeth far both from reason and iudgement , therefore seeing a temperate worke , frameth a temperate man , to be equall and measurable , we are to vnderstand , that formitie and fashion is an instrumentall cause , not effectual without the qualit●e of the minde , so that an elementall bodie measurably commixed in disposition , may be temperate although the same bee not fashionable .

Vlisses may be adioyned an example hereunto , who was far wyser then Achilles , notwithstanding he wanted outward induments & comely forme , which both Achylles & Nereus possessed . I wil possith foorth a liuely picture in the perfect discription of this matter , of one Acsop a Philosopher , of all men that liued in his age , was in all the partes of his body most deformed , as being goor-bellied , bowe-legged , crooked-backed , a mishapen head , with a crooked necke , the carootes thereof were both , short and slender , hauing also flat nostrels , and hanging lips ouerreaching their sights in all mishapen deformities : notwithstanding , nature indued him with a temperate brame , hee was most wittie , pregnant , fruitfull , and in setting foorth of fayned fantasies and sodaine deuises among al men then liuing most happy . Therefore it followeth , that the best fashion in body doth not attaine the best and wholsommest temperance , in the ornament of the mind . Manardus is deceiued , affyrning that outward forme is better then inward temperance : which if it should so fall out , forme is the principall and efficient cause , and inward temperance is a cause coniunctiue following . For Aiax was of a fashionable , strong , and mighty body : yet was he mad , raging and furious : so that it is to be prooued , that the outward frame and forme ( although it be neuer so faire and beautifull ) cannot be well directed and gouerned , where inward temperance wanteth . And Hypocrates affyrmeth that forme and fashion , with reasonable creatures , ought to be possessed vnder a proportion or measure of the inward qualities , and that temperance is a seasonable gift , from that heauenly workman , infused in man contriuing all inward qualities to become most splendant and vertuous in all metaphisica● . causes , farre beyond mans conceit .

The Philosopher sayth . Homo hominem generat & sol . Man and the sunne doe generat and bring forth man . Therefore inferiour causes doe not inforce the superiour causes from aboue .

And Galen sayth , that the deuine cause hath fashioned the proportion of the body , after the maners of the minde , and doe many times oen of them agree with an other , which if it doe so fall out , then corporall actions and naturall conditions , depend within themselues , one vpon another , by a mutuall consent in temperance .

Arnoldus de noua villa sayth , that euery member in a seruiceable body , obtaineth perfect temperance from the inward minde : and yet he doth further report that bloud and humours are more thicker in an vntemperate body , and therefore degenerate in conditions .

Auycen concludeth , that the foure elementes are congested into euery seuerall body , predominating euery man , in some speciall disposition of good or euill , touching the qualities of the minde , of what fashion or disfashion soeuer the body is : but the power of heauen ouerruleth all .

Dyoscorides sayth , innocencie hath begotten man , in a perfect Mans innocencie compared to a paynters tinsell . minde , in the beginning of his dayes , and was stayned afterwardes by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or larger corruption , like a paynters tinsell , from white to red , in the carnation of mans bloud , but the celestiall power by a regular order , reformeth all thinges .

Thus endeth the first booke of temperaments . The Lord made heauen and earth and all things therein , Blessed be the workes of his hands .

HERE FOLLOWETH THE SECOND Booke of Temperamentes .

SEing in this first booke wee haue spoken of the nature , number , and order of elementes , aswell of their proportion and substance in body , as their propertie in qualitie , haue found out not two , but foure compounded temperamentes . So also by delatiue circumstance , haue we distinguished , in the temperatures of times and seasons of the yeare : the one by vniuersall substance , the other by vniuersall nature : the one in temperature or distemperature of heate , drinesse , moysture and coldnesse , and the other touching purenesse in health , as corruptions in sickenesse , happening vnder the good or euill regiment thereof .

We are further now to proceede , vntill by rule and order we finde out , by an vttermost indeuour , the plenary parts of mans estate , and condition in this life , the comprehension thereof , is in one behalfe naturall , and the other animall : So that a temperat man is by rule and 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 kindo of worke , by good manuring , and ciuill framing of his outward members , made inwardly perfect , for that voluntary motion hath before performed many seuerall duties in the most excellent sences of a vertuous man . And yet it is a necessarie thing to discerne vnder these sences a common sence : so the insignes and renowmed tokens thereof are st●ntomaticke , for that all cogitations in the heart of man are shut vp vnder sleeping , and set at libertie vnder waking .

The excellencie hereof is incomprehensible in a perfect vertuous Cardo est cordis ienua . vt animantia motum a corde suscipiunt , it● fores a cardine . Tasting . Feeling . Touching . Hearing . Seeing . Melancholicke men naturallie excell in memorie . man . Yet among the Pythagorian philosophers , hee is accompted most vnhappie , which interdealeth any thing at all in those primarie faculties , vnder which is contayned phantasie , reason and memorie : as among the other senses is inserted a primary and perfect operation , thorow which , all the animall powers of a man are moued . And yet as a melancholicke person vnder his temperance , may be indewed with a strong and stiffe memorie , yet by the same propertie hee shall nothing preuayle eyther in imagination or conceit : so also some others may be insigned to preuayle in other good ornamentes , as abilitie of learning , or sharpenesse of wit and vnderstanding , except memorie which is not placed a like in all men : for no man is happie on euerie behalfe .

Surely sensible creatures ( as Auycen affirmeth ) on the greatest behalfe , doe followe the temperature of bloud , and that he alone is temperate , which is so measurable in all primarie powers , chiefly to satisfie all naturall workes , which ought of dutie to be performed .

For the more plainer vnderstanding the deepe reach hereof , there is to be considered foure speciall and naturall operations : atraction , retention , concoction , and expulsion . These are placed in double vse for the seruice of the whole body , not onely touching the inward parts , properly belonging to the stomacke and liuer , but there are some outwardly deputated , for continual vse to minister inward reliefe and nourishment , for the preseruation of the whole bodie : so that he which is perfect in euery worke hereof , is highly preferred in temperance .

These thinges are manifestly inough discouered , and their difference onely consisteth herein , for that euery one serueth hys place to some proper worke . And yet these inward workes manifest themselues to euerie one that outwardly , and seriously beholdeth them : as boldnesse , feare and such like . Therefore a temperate man is neyther bold , nor feareful , but strong : neyther headlong , nor slowe , but speedie : neither cruell nor soft , but gentle : neither enuious , nor yet a negligent despiser of other mens substance , but a louer of his owne estate : no tyrant , nor rashly mercifull , but righteous : neither full of hatred , nor loue , but a louer of his friends . These affections are possessed vnder the liuer and lightes , in which place loue and desire haue their chiefe and principall mansion : And therfore this prouerbe hath bene vniuersall among philosophers , that the liuer is the cause of loue , and the spleane moueth laughter , although oftentimes sadnesse draweth occasion from the spleane thereunto .

Galen in his third booke of affections , the fourth chapter , calleth these affections morall workes , and vnreasonable , for that they proceede from an vnreasonable soule . And Galen sayth that so long as the soule and the mind conflict within them selues , these differences are made : that the minde is increased with morall passions , and the soule with principall faculties .

The soule is a created substance , inuisible , hath no image nor fashion but onely of his creature : The minde after the opinion of the philosophers , possesseth the heart , forasmuch as from that place proceedeth boldnesse , valiantnesse , and stoutnesse , fearefulnesse , and cowardly dastardnesse .

There is no man that denieth , or may interdict the minde from participating with the heart : Therefore the minde and the heart mutually inhabite one with another , and sometimes the soule consenteth with all the passions of the minde , and passe ouer in mutuall agreement alike : hereby the soule is so humbled with the minde , that the supreame dignitie thereof , falleth downe into the morall partes .

And Dyoscorides sayth , that when the soule and the minde are vnited and compassed within the morall passions , sadnesse , feare , boldnesse and such like belongeth thereunto : all which doe season the perfect nature of a temperate man .

Ieremie Thriuerius sayth , the although the minde is possest with reason & vnderstanding vnder the power of the soule , yet if conceit eyther decayeth , or swarueth aside , from the right vse of the principall faculties , the wit is vanquished , and the minde wandreth at large , hauing neyther guide nor place : heereupon falleth out the disease of madnesse . Yet if the wits and the mind sometimes appeale to the primarie sences , and vncertainely retire againe , then the disease is lunaticalli following the temperance , or distemperance of the moone and the elementes . And also when the wit is apprehended by secret motions , and by sodaine alienations carried a farre off , the disease is then called Lethargye when the principall faculties are decaied and ouerrun by olde age , sicknesse or any such distemperance , so that the conceit is also ouer tyred , blunted or dulled , that the wit therby cannot perfourme any dutie or office of sharpnesse , or redynesse , in any perfect temperance , then this disease is called dotage , or a defection in the primary sences : for surely a measurable and moderate man , ought to bee perfect in all naturall , animall , primary and morall works , and euery one ought to perfourme them as from a moderate body , disposed to all temperance , and the signes of a seasonable substance are , that the body he neither hard , nor soft , warme nor c●lde . And although these insignes faile either outward or inward , yet certainlie , they may be true and approoueable in all temperate workes .

Galen conioineth vnto this temperature , a naturall , actiue , and contemplatiue motion : and saith , that a man which is composed of foure elementes ought to be indifferent in all these properties , aswell in collour , stature and smoothnesse , as courage , stoutnesse , and all other conditions belonging to mercifull temperance in a blessed mind .

Hereunto also is commended vnto vs , an excellent temperance in the hayre of the body , which is best agreeable to yoong men , natiuely brought vp in temperate regions : It largely sheweth the powerful and lustie gouernment of youth , adorning yoong yeares aswell in nature , as in complexion : For all other ages are intemperate . Wherefore in reckoning vp the drift of ages by dyuiding and directing the life of man into diuers and variable courses , from his first age to his last and finall end , we are first to consider of infancie , which hath continuance from the first natiuitie , to the springing of the teeth : Then childehoode afterwardes taketh place vntill yoongmanship , called adolescencie ( which is the ripenesse of time to generation , to bee perfourmed ) which age is commonly knowen by hayres , eyther about the chin , or priuie partes : this age is very hot and moyst .

Galen saith , this age beginneth in virgins at twelue or fourteene yeares , and continueth to twentie and somewhat beyond : And in this age drinesse hath his best place and chiefest felicity although heat and moystnesse in most part of them , continueth vntill thirtie and three , as the last and farthest drift of adolescencie . Petrus Galiensis calleth that age , the spreading , gathering and stretching foorth of the body , as then dooth it most chieslye lout in strength . Arnoldus de noua villa saith , that the most part , especiallie women , beginning their adolescencie before ripeneise of age hath geuen them libertie thereunto , doo afterwards ●iue like vntimely fruite : as peares , plummes , or apples gathered before scasonablenesse and ripenesse hath perfected them , doo most speedilie drie , rot , decay , and vtterly perish .

This commonly is well perceiued and knowen to fall out in south countries , where heat and moysture excessiuely ouermatcheth with many corruptions and diseases , in such rash ages .

Petrus Galiensis saith , that although the south countries bring foorth strong men , yet their age is not certainlie of hotte and moyst temperance , nor yet constant vnder drinesse , but rather most of all bendeth to extreame heat , which moistnesse being so much inflamed therewith , as that the yoong and tender skinne is vtterly vnable to containe the measure thereof , but naturally speweth and breaketh foorth without artificiall expulsion .

Next followeth mans estate , which standeth for a while at a stay . And although their bodies by little and litle decaieth , yet their sences continue vnbroken aboue fourtie yeares : and in some men of stong and sound complexion vntill threescore and aboue .

Then commeth olde age , alienating and declining aside , altogether replenished with melancholious coldnesse and drynesse , at which season , blood and heat are setled and commixed in the bottome of the arteries , and vaines like dregges : And the longer they are stayed and lodged , somuch the sooner the artion of blood is obstructed and combusted , and the strength infeebled and disabled : the which falleth out , aswell because of thicknesse in the shinne , growen and fastened with the bones and sinewes , as also because the excrementes haue bene there long staied and closed vp : The which calamitie many men in their decrepit , and extreame age , vndertake and sustaine . For their former impuritie of lustie youth , is not onely vanquished , but partched in ther bodies with fuliginous superfluities like soote to a chinmey , afflicting them with drie coldnes vnto death .

Therefore happy is lusty olde age , whose former puritie hath drawen comfort , ease and ioy vpon gray haires , whose bloud is odiferous and sweet , whose breath is easie and who som , wh●se bones vaines and sinews are direct , whose digestion is easy and light , whose expulsion is naturall , in whome the temperance of heate , as drinesse of bones , and moystnesse of blood , are to olde yeares most nourishable : that like as the dry hot ground is not corrupted with euery moysture of rayne , but the distemperance thicketh and freeseth aboue the ground , before it pearceth : euen so temperate hot bodies are not easily pearced with the contagion or distemperance of moyst coldnes , or any such like superfluous vapours .

Galen herewith concordeth that drie braines are lesse incumbred with super fluities , and moist braines naturallye appertaineth vnto ideotes and fooles , which lack diiscretion , for that their primary faculties , are ouerf●oted or intermixed with superfluous grosnes : so likewise a woman of moiste complexion is most menstruous , especially if she want the vse of man , yet this rule and order is manifested by Galen in these words , Si virago fuerit fortis pre caliditate & siccitate , nunquam hoc profluuium admittet . Therefore hot and drie bodies of some women , are euenmuch infarced with excrements and growe into many inward diseases for want of naturall deuoydance of their inconcocted super fluities : for which respect their piteous fulsomnes , vnnaturally gathered , yssueth by their nostrels , therefore by th●s reason women of moist complections are most wholsome for the vse of man .

It falleth out farre otherwise after the course of nature , in mens constitutions , for that Dioscorides holdeth his opinion after this maner , who saith , Mallem siceitatem plenitudinis , humiditatem , incoctarum superfluitatum , occasionem esse . I had rather drinesse should be the occasion of fulnesse , then moistnesse the occasion vndigested superfluities : For a moyst bodie in a man is easily ingurged , difflated , puffed , and as it dooth greedily desire sustenance , so dooth it redily nourish excrementes , transcormeth much blood into watrie matter , ouermuch insumeth and spendeth vpon nature : whereas on the contrarie , a dry body scarsly admitteth or indureth most nourishment , but that it doth presently comprehend thereby a pure blood into the vaines , drieth and vtterly consumeth al waterye and matery substance for drinesse in adolescencie , furnisheth the bodie with good blood , disouereth the body from raw excrementes , drieth , purgeth and perfecteth the bodie from all corruptions : As for exa●ple : Let vs distinguish between a flegmatick and a melancholike person , between a moyst and drie braine : that hereby a moist temperance in respect of a drie is perceiued & knowen to haue most superfluous humors abounding , and many times old men are more stuffed with excrementes then yoong men : the cause hereof is want of nourishing blood , which produceth coldnesse . For prooffe , if two olde men were placed vnder one ayre , did both feede ▪ vpon one diet , and were of one like age , surely hee which of them generateth a moyst temperance , shall abound with the greatest superfluities . For it cannot bee otherwaies found out , but that drinesse alwaies is the cause of puritie , and maystnesse the occasion of great impuritie . For all men doo obtaine the first partes of moystnesse by carnat generation and therefore children are nourished by sleepe in their mothers wombe .

The second part of cold superfluities , are obtained by moistnes of complexion , which naturally disfigureth many flegmatike old men , and draweth them subiect to euery vnconstant vapour .

Auycen assigneth the cause of these and such like piteous excrementes in olde men rather of an immoderate maner of diet , then of natures distemperance .

Galens opinion is most sauorie to our sences : and yet disagreeing from Auycen , who sayth , that although olde mens dyet , were much more dryer then the dyet of yong men , yet for that excessiue coldnesse puri●●eth them , must of necessitie abound with ouergreat excramentall superfluitie .

There are many which haue wandred very wide , both in the constitution of old men and children , especially Manardus first declaring that olde men be inforced with fleame , by reason of riotous youth and euerie variable accidence exhausteth their bodies , with moste perrillous pestilences . This is contrary to Galen , who plainely affirmeth , that after olde age draweth on , the body is set free from all accidence , and bringeth forth diseases of naturall propertie , for that nature eyther alienateth , or then weakeneth , or els quite decayeth .

And furthermore , whereas Manardus seemeth to conioyne coldnesse , as a naturall essence in children , his reason is proper , onely for that they tooke the substance thereof in the first place of generation , and their heate is afterwardes gathered rather by nourishable meates then of naturall substance . This is contrarie to Galen , who is fortified with experience on the one side , and standeth highly vpon the works of nature , on the other side , doth thinke that children are more hote and moyst then adolescency . Children are apt to increase bloud . And why is Galen moued so to thinke ? First , for that children hath multitude of bloud . Secondly , they haue greedinesse in appetite . And lastly , they haue a substantiall valour in concoction .

As these reasons shewe a great ground why there should be more aboundant heate in children , so he denieth their heate to be intentiue . For Dyoscorides verily affirmeth , that adolescencie hath more aboundance thereof , not according to the proportion of the body : For the body of a child , although in the small quantitie thereof hath not more intentiue heate , yet hath more coyious and intentiue bloud , then adolescencie . Surely children in their proportion obserued and considered , haue a greedie and quicke desire to sustenance , and are of redie digestion therunto . Therefore I thinke it extreame madnesse in Theophrastus Peracelsus , who absolutely granteth a larger sustenance to children , then adolescencie , seeing naturall operation refuseth to be more stronger in children , and yet there heate is most plentifull , and their digestion most redie . Yet I doe not mislike his difference made betweene children and infantes . For infantes in their first natiuitie , are colde , and therefore whollie giuen to sleepe : but growing vp to children , are euery day more sanguine , and therfore more hote and moyst : for as heate prouoketh appetite , so moystaesse , is the cause efficient , aswell to nourish great sleepe in the body , as to aduaunce therewith the office of good nourishment .

And truely Dyoscorides affirmeth , that children are vnder diuers inclinements , both of weakenesse and strength : And the same is well discerned vnder a double operation of their excrementes , as that the one being ouersoft , and the other vtterlie voyd of moystnesse . The first argueth moyst coldnesse , which stirreth vp a naturall desire and disposition to sleepe in children , the other prouoketh and increaseth bloud , releeueth and comforteth the vitall partes .

The Philosopher is woonted to declare , that moystnesse is the first cause of sleepe , and coldnesse is the second cause : And therefore when the humours of the body be de●ected eyther by nature or art , both moystnesse and coldnesse both in the first and second degree are possest in the body . Yet these colde humid de●ections vpward , manie times infeebleth the stomackes of children with cold distemperance , and doe egerly scower , wast and extenuate their bodyes downeward , as that thereby all their naturall vertues are quite weakened and their facultie of appetite , quite ouerthrowne .

Then surely we haue iust cause , to make further search & inquierie as touching the difference betweene adolescencie and In respect of naturall ch●ller adoleseencie exceedeth children in ●eate or els not . children in their heate , which is chalenged , that adolescencie exceedeth children in larger aboundance of heat in respect of naturall choller , which more sharpely inflameth and pursueth the body . And except the same be preuented , oftentimes in gluttonous und glassie corruption , excessiuely draweth the body to inflaming diseases therby : In this respect adolescencie surpasseth children in heate , or els not .

For the better vnderstanding hereof , let vs vse this comparison following , and agreeable hereunto : that if two cuppes being of vnlike quantity , filled with hot pure water , without slime or corruption put thereunto , the qualitie of the lesser , may exceed the quantitie of the greater in heat : and yet their equall quantity according to proportion is nothing diminished . Euen so blood may according to proportion be matched in children and adolescencie alike , & yet their heate may exceed one aboue another .

This is onely spoken , for that heate is established by bloud : for as in some dispositions , nature is earthly and colde from their conception , so heate of bloud aduaunceth and promoteth the same , to become vegetable and wholesome in the vniuersall partes of the body by nutrimentall meanes . For which respect if the qualitie be vnlike , yet the quantitie according to prportion may equally agree together . This proueth , heat in children and young men ought to haue seuerall proportions in substance , and yet in qualitie they doe exceede vnlike : for as heate in yoong menne may be more sharper , so in children more sweeter and tastefull . And whereas bloud is in Children more intentiue , so heat is in yong men more intentiue , as is aforesaid . For which cause , medicines prepared for yoong men , are of more higher degree , both in nature and operation , Otherwise vnforceable to reach the constitution of adolescencie , onely and because of their high courage and strength , which is in the substance of thetr intentiue heate : for which cause , the greatest skill that belongeth to the heedefull and wise phisitian is euermore , to consider aswell of the cause as the constitution , that temperance may thereby be perfected into good estate and condition , by qualitie , and that medicine and the body doe not exceede one another . For heate ought to be more sharper comprehended therein , not by a variable substance in it selfe , but by artificiall helpe aduaunced thereunto , so that sometimes bodies of cold and raw constitutions doe swiftly hasten towardes many dangerous diseases , except onely translated into some other more perfect nature , or otherwise reuiued both in substance of bloud , and strength of heate . As if a hote stone being dipped in a cold bath , or a colde stone in a hote bath of water , doth forthwith alter both the water and the ayre , to be of a like qualitie with the stone . So these distempered bodies are reformed by artfull knowledge to become in equall temperance alike : and yet not in operation , for want of bloud , so that heate may be restored , or the excesse thereof diminished . For like as difference is interposed betweene a cleere and grosse ayre , as hauing like qualitie of heate , yet not like neyther in substance nor naturall operaion , so diuers constitutions by this meanes may be l●ke in qualitie , and the variable estate thereof may become also of one temperance and operation .

There is a difference to be set downe in the outward estate of two temperat bodies together . As first , to regard their differences , by touching and feeling the substance , according to proportion of euery seuerall part by it selfe : for many times by the proportion of outward thinges , the good and euill estate of inward thinges , are knowne & beleeued , as onely by a supposed Hypothesis . For if the heate of adolescencie and childhood , may be found equall by teeling , then would it fall out , that the comparison of ages betweene adolescencie and children , were of necessitie equall : vnto which there must be adioyned both discretion , consideration and constant stay . For Cornelius Celsus saith , that yong men which are perfect in conceit & vnderstanding , are of hote dispositions , & haue verie little desire to sleepe , the which thing somewhat bendeth towardes drinesse : Hote braines are apt and inuentiue and small desire to sleepe . And yet nothing is in the obscure workes of nature to be discerned in them either by feeling or touching .

Galen in his booke de sanitate tuenda , rehearseth manie high and variable dispositions , both in adolescencie and children , and putteth forth moste excellent preseruations in eyther their defences .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , that heate belonging to children is increased and multiplied with nourishmentes , vntill adolescencie be perfected , and afterward shorteneth , decayeth , and falleth away , as the somme● dayes , vpon the approchment of winter : And therefore he sayth , that generation is colde and moyst . As a kernell throwne into cold earth , is by the naturall operation of the earth , nourished by one degree to another , vntill it become a plant , and so forth vnto a perfect tree , so is bloud and heate directed to increase , and arise from generation to conception , vntill a perfect birth be performed to infancie , and then forwardes to childhoode , vntill adolescencie be consummat . This reason standeth verie proper to manie dispositions .

As touching adolescencie , it is most largely set downe in the second of the Aphorisines , touching wormes in yoong men , proceeding of an intentiue heat , and by the same reason , adolescency more easily falleth into sharpe feauers than children . First , not onely because heat is in them more intentiue , but also sharpe and dry : all which is manifested by touching and feeling the complexion , whether in the course of blood , it be soft or hard : for those kindes of feauers are of diuers natures , which eyther by an extreame deuoydance , or defect of blood , doo aswell offend the arteries , as other principall members , the heart , the lyuer , the lunges , the stomach , and the raines , which in their vegetatiue nature are wasted and consumed : so that by the highest degree of daunger , the spirites vitall , naturall , and animall , are excessiuely infoizned : or in an other respect , the naturall humoures boyles and seethes about the stomach , or the braines , oftimes are vanquished by strong vapoures , so that both giddinesse distempereth the head , and disapetteth the stomach : and the rather if naturall heat be interdicted from all rightfull and due passage in the vaines : for which respect these rotten feauers doo growe vpon adolescencie in the contagion aforesaid : or els by reason of grosse blood , salt fleame , or prassiue choller , or melancholious sorrowe , or by distemperance of mordinate heat in the sunne , or putrified ayres , or inordinate surfets , or for lacke of exercises .

There are diuers sortes of these feauers , hauing diuers natural inconuemences attending vpon them : Some of them are called humerall , some are called Ephimerae , some are called Hecticae , some are called Capillares . These feauers haue diuers secreet perils depending vpon them , and oftentimes when their constitution is inwardly drie , doo denunciate great outward moystnesse . For as wax is moyst and drie , or colde and drie in one nature , so these feauers may be more noysome● , aduersible and impedimental , for that nature molested by cold drinesse is like soft clay congealed to drie hardnes , of a frozen compact substance : which reason declareth that colde drinesse taketh his first substance from colde moystnesse . In which dangerous degree immedicable corruptions depend hereupon , nature being transpersed in the first maner of comparison , as the elements reserue in themselues a perfect substance , and yet dispose and alter the qualitie an other way . For where the substance falleth away , there putrifaction beginneth a common calamity , nature vtterly desisteth , and leaueth of her common and operatiue course thereby .

These differences of moystnesse and drinesse ( by alteration of nature ) are knowen in sustance of all liuing things . For wher liquid propertie of fluxing hath power , there the course of corruption poysoneth and putrifieth all thinges : for fluxible things are moist , ouerflowe and run foorth , abroad to euery detrimental mischiefe , and those thinges which easilie concreat are speedilie drie , and will not afterwardes vnderbend to the qualitie of moistnesse . So after this manner the contrarieties of drinesse and moystnesse , are in their natures esteemed and accounted off . We are then to consider not onelie the humours , which euery man is best disposed vnto , but all the partes of a man , vnder what constitution , eyther of drinesse or moystnesse he doo wholly depend . As first , wee are to pleade vpon the highnesse and excellencie of fatnesse , which is so much aduanced in the bodie of man , As that thorow that mediocritie all voluptuous delightes are prospered , and by the exesse thereof the vitall blood is much corrupted : And as pure fatnesse is contayned vnder health and wholsomnesse , so fat which commeth of gluttonous ingurgitation is verie deceitfull to the body . And therfore fatnesse is contayned vnder diuers kindes , and after diuers complexons , so the propertie thereof is also diuers . For as faines inlarded vpon the flesh , is most purely congested into substance , so is it moistly nourishable in digestion . And yet the parchment skin called the membrans , as the calle This moistnes is like a running gutter which if the fountaine be stopped aboue the gutter forthwith drieth beneath . and fylme , wherin the guters or bowels are lapped , are most drie after the opinion of Theophrastus , both because their moistnesse swiftly is transported into the liuer vaines , and oftentimes deuoided away by the vrine , or ordour , and also for that all the inward partes continuallie , as also hotly and excessiuely breathing thereupon made thereby of necessitie drie : although hot moistnes reeketh thereupon , yet can it neuer growe into perfect substance therewith .

There is an other fatnesse impertinent from the temperature of man , called tallow , onely belonging to Oxen and other such like vnreasonable creatures , partible in the hooffe , the which is both drie and yearthly .

Likewise there is an other fatnesse called grease , which nothing appertaineth to man , except that which moystlie is gathered in the gall . And as that grease which is so gathered is moyst , so is it moistlie digested , and drawen into moist substance , especiallie vpon claw footed beastes and foules of the ayre .

Auycen assureth , that nothing is more preseruing to mans life then naturall grease , gathered vpon pure and perfect sustenance , yet many make no choise of their meates , but in their feeding doo groslie satisfie appetite , greedilie furnish their stomaches , and in pursuing their owne delightes , doo thereby vtterlie disfauour complexion , corrupt blood , and nourish diseases : And the fatnesse so gathered vppon such slymie and loathsome sustenance , is moyste in the highest degree : thorowe which the bodie is ingrossed , the guttes puffed , the braines inuapoured , and the stomach ingurged , Besides which , it dooth congeale into a variable viscous , and matery substance of waterie blood , inundating between the skinne and the flesh : so that swelling tympanies oftentimes breake foorth in the fulsome generation thereof .

Auycen sayth , that whosoeuer desireth health and long dayes , let him make his choyse of drye meates to feede vppon , and thereby to increase and gather perfect substaunce of fatte , so that the fleshe and the fatte may bee equallye inlarded-agreeable one together with an other , as that nothing may exceede therein one from another , vnder Natures temperaunce : And that the vitall bloud taking perfect liking and pleasure therewith , may fruitfully flowe into all the partes of man without opilation .

There is moreouer a fatte deeply couched in the bones , which Auycen calleth the pyth and kernell of the bones , it is hot and drie , and beeing melted , presently yeeldeth and spreadeth to bee liquid , and yet forthwith returneth to the same naturall substance as before .

This marrowe is of diuers qualities in the disposition of the The spinall marrow is the backe bone marrowe . Ther be two oments , one in the head , called P●a mater , and the other belonging to the open fat ouer the belly bones . As first in the braines , next in the fiat , broad , hollow and round bones .

Galen sayth , that the marrow of the bones is most drie , and the spinall marrowe moist in the second degree : for the bone marrowe is perfected and made pure , naturallye compacted within the hard shell of the bones , and the oment marrowe is liquid in the celles of the head , and void of all during substance , for that the humours haue such large accesse thereunto , that the same is thereby continually molified and verie highly weakened in operation .

Surely it is a wonderfull mysterie to consider , and thorowly weigh this excellent worke of nature , for the variable couching this pyth , in the deepe bottome of the bones , sowpling , scouring , renuing and fortifieng the strength and swiftnes of the body thereby .

Galen hath many degrees in the variable art of nature , touching marrow of diuers kindes and properties : and touching the vniuersall frame of the bones , is nothing els but an outward anathomie of the whole bodie , couered and set foorth with flesh , blood , s●i● , vaines & sinewes . So also there wanteth no necessarie office within , that appertaineth to the life of man . But touching measelled or kernelled flesh , with which we haue not to interdeale within the drift of this our purpose , both beccause it is a monstrous mishapen substance , gathered within the flesh , contrary to nature , and also because sundrie infections arise thereby , in mutuall consort one with an other , so that hauing this spoken of the inwarde worke in the outward temperance , are not to omit also the temperaunce of the inward motions .

Touching the lightes , spleane and raines which are of hot and moist dispositions , and yet their ordinances minister many drie effectes in the body : for there are some writers , as Petrus Brissotus , Petrus Galiensis , Iohannes Glarensis , Michell Scotus , or Cornelius Celsus , who suppose the loonges to be indued with lesser moystnesse then the liuer , and the rather , because cholericke bloud is not intermingled therewith , except that which perfectly purgeth the same .

Theophrastus Paracelsus concludeth the loonges to be a certaine spungie instrument in the side , and is of such hote propertie , as that most chiefly it is nourished by extracting moystnesse from the liuer : And also it is to be adiudged vnder the nature of drinesse , for that the spirite and breath hath such a forceable exhalation from the same . Therefore Auycen affirmeth That which is hote is easily corrupted with cold . that as all accidentall hearbes , doe much comfort the loonges , so all accidentall coldnesse , is most harmefull thereunto , as generating tysickes , coughes , belchinges , short breathinges . And yet the loonges are much comforted vnder a naturall choller , in these bodies which can best possesse & inioy the same : whereas the liuer bloud is moyst and earthly , and vnder a melancholious temperance , and a melancholious body is very thicke , and subiect to putrified corruptions in the ayre , and therefore subiect to pestilence , especially vnder euery colde and drie distemperance .

Galen speaketh of certaine hot moystnesse , in mucilaginous flesh , inclineable to the second degree : such bodies doe drawe from the loonges and liuer , by an excesse exhalation , eyther of temperance or distemperance , the corruption heereof is easily found out by a stincking and contagious breath , and other superfluous excrementes deuoyded by fleanie . And although the morning breath may be vnsauorie by filthie and hurtfull contagions , proceeding eyther by long fasting , emptinesse of the stomacke , or the breath closly detayned vnder long sleepe , gathereth excrementall filthinesse thereby : so surely all the fathers and best writers , doe attribute the efficient cause , vpon a slimie decay , and noysome corruption in the loonges , which necessarily falleth out by the moystnesse of the liuer , feeding the same .

It is a very hard thing to finde one member hote and drie together , except the hart , which standeth vpon the dyaphragm● , which maketh diuision vppon the spirituall partes : Therefore Auycen placeth the hart absolutely drie .

Dyoscorides somewhat doth contradict Auycen heerein , Who saith , that although the loonges giue breath , yet their comfort proceedeth from the heart , giueth heate and strength thereunto : And also breath by either partes adioyned thereunto , is made more hoter . So likewise the liuer bloud is deferued and strengthened in heate , by pursuing and searching vppon other parts of the body adioyned thereunto , otherwise it is earthly , especially when accidentall effectes in diseases are transferred beyond the power of nature : And as the breath followeth the nature of the loonges , so the bloud onely followeth the nature of the liuer , and yet in their propertie they doe both decline , for breath is most filthily corrupted aswel by inward excrements as inward diseases . So the bloud by sweete and delicious nourishmentes is conuerted to choller , and is then both hote and inflammatiue : So that discrepating from his first propertie , vtterly orrupteth , decayeth , becommeth absumpt in the degree of death .

Cornelius Celsus sayth , the spirite , the heart , the bloud , the liuer , the single flesh , the musculous fleshe , the spleane , the raynes , the arteries , the vaines , are hote by accidentall meanes , otherwise they are cold : this his meaning is left raw and vnseasoned : it is to be coniectured he meaneth those accidentes to be the nourishment which increaseth , prospereth and cherisheth those parts of the body , in qualitie and quantitie , which otherwise after the maner of the membrance , woulde debilitate and surcease their power . All this considered , as the spirite is more exquisite and searching so is it also in due propertie more warmer then bloud . Likewise and on the contrary , the arteries with the vaynes and fatnesse , are hote , and yet by all and euery euill and subtill accidents , colde , if the body infecting or touching be found soft , it is not forthwith moyst : for reason may not iudge such a bodie to be soft , which by vnnaturall humour is manie times fluxible . For euen as wax is not of his owne propertie onely moyst , as by the excesse of accidentall heate put thereunto , so cleere water , is thickned or hardened by accidentall colde . This proueth all thinges to be vnder some vnnaturall propertie , and reuertible from their first fresh florishing natural course . So that hitherto hauing defined temperance with all measurable moderation , so also haue we differenced ages and proportions of yoong men , from olde men : and olde men from children : and children from infantes .

Next , after the opinion of Galen we are onely to shewe the temperature of these accidentes , which verie highly varie many times from nature and become deformed and unproper in themselues : As slendernesse , thickenesse , corpulencie and a measurablenesse in the naturall condition of all men . And touching slendernesse , there are two euidences thereby signified , that is , aswell the small quantitie of flesh , as the pu●r fatnesse concreated vpon drie bodies , thorow which the dyaphragma is thereby safest preserued from contagion : as the reason and vnderstanding vnuanquished , so that a large and liberall life , with sondrie excellent indowmentes are appertayning to those bodyes . But corpulencie declareth the aboundance of fleshe , which ingrosseth and vapoureth vpon moistnesse , bringeth forth manie noysome and filthy diseases in the body : Whereas thinnesse and smalenesse of flesh , sheweth perfect drinesse , so corpulencie doth shew coldnesse and moystnesse .

Cornelius Celsus doth affirme , that a thinne body sheweth frugall fatnesse , nourished in the warmenesse of a thinne bloud . So these grosse bodies nurse vp thicke bloud , and venomed humours .

These men are in a most dangerous case , if there be a colde congealement in the vaines and other members , which belongeth to surfetting dronkardes and such like disordered persons .

Galen affirmeth , verie muche good appertaineth to those men , which are perfected vnder a measurable comprehension . First if their bloud be hote , thinne , and clearely recourseth in the vaynes : if their breath be sharpe , sweete and thinne : if their bloud be warme , sharpe and sweete , all which maketh indication of a perfect substance , except these natures be poysoned otherwise by some cold vaporous accidentes : for colde things doe easily concreate vppon a warme substance : or except also this vnnaturall , distemperat coldnesse , falleth out in melancholious complexions , whose bloud is thicke , slimie , and sower . And yet there are some sanguine complexions of inclineable fat , as they doe greatly fauour daintie meates , so doe they yeld good liking to euery seuerall office and portion in the body . And nature euermore fauoureth , comforteth , nourisheth and purgeth these complexions in her owne propertie .

These complexions doe neuer concord with anie earthlie exhalations , but speedily decay and perish therewith .

Galen sayth in his booke of simples , that the naturall fat in these men is both hote and tastfull : And the waterie fat , which is congested into substance vpon these men is sower , bitter , and exposed to innumerable perils . Also when thinne portions of this earthly bloud , thorow cold vapours is made thicke , and thorow slender vaynes falling downe , best liketh and desireth to possesse the coldest partes of the body , forthwith congealeth into cold fatnesse , not onely thereby pearceth the thinne substance of the body , but also hurteth the naturall actions in the senses , especially by the diseases of the crampe , stitches , feauers , rewnis , crickes , lamenesse , numnesse , painefull gripinges and such like : whereas otherwise , good nourishment , warmenesse , comfortable sweates , bathinges , opening the poores , electuaries , purginges , omission of bloud , choyse of meates , might be sufficient meanes , to chase away the intollerable hurtes and perilles that may insue heereof , as also by preseruing and nourishing of a more hotter and sweeter bloud .

Next followeth that whatsoeuer hath bin spoken heretofore , touching drinesse in the oment of the belly , which is a couerture aboue and beyond the filme , vnder which all the guttes are lapped , so there is another oment in the head which is moyst called the skinne or rim of the brayne and commonly called of the chyrurgians pia mater : It is coarcted in the middle partes of the head , with many offices and appurtenances thereto belonging . Therefore aswell such men as women , whose bodyes are inuested with corpulent and fattie flesh , are molested in the substance thereof with an interflowing inundation , so that their complexion is commonly moyst and there oment in the head moyster .

Yet surely there are some natures , so equally compacted in the order of the foure elementes , whose temperance is vnder the gretlie word EVCRATON , which is neuer changed or molested with any malignitie , but stand mightilie against all distemperances . And as their temperatures are indifferent in all measures , so are they neuer deprehended by any impropertie or euill accidence : if the bloud be thicke , then the vaines be straight and narrowe , and the blood slowlie interfloweth .

The which sort of men are troubled with giddines and swimming in the head , are vnable to indure any paines , or vndertake fasting or honger : Whereas the other temperatures vnder this word EVCRATON vndertake strongly , are swift in digestion , do wholsomly nourish al sustenance : into perfect substance their blood floweth and comfortablie interfloweth in the course of the whole bodie : Their sleep is sweete , chearable and restfull : they liue in health : Their yoong daies are ioyfull , and their old daies peaceable to their graue .

And seeing we are farther to pursue the bodie of man in hys whole and substantiall essence , wee are next to consider the temperatures of the ayre . And although Auycen reporteth , that the bones of man hath more drinesse then the hayres , yet I cannot otherwise reade , but that hayres haue encrease of an earthlie vapour , and the bones are vnder a sharpe thinne vegetation of blood : and the stronger nature is , there the increase is made more valourable , thicke and styffe : and as nature is insigned out in the worke hereof most perfect to the eies of all men , so doo they valiantly sustaine the trauels and miseries , which appertaine to this life .

Here might be a gathered coniunction in the temperatures of the gristles or the gristely lygumens , the tendons , which are the great sinewes , or the cordes of the body : as also the arterick vaines , where the spirit of life recourseth , and the hard and soft sinewes sensitiue , with the spinall marrowe . For the more softer these portions doo appeare , the rather doo they obtaine and generate an indifferent nature , both of moistnesse and drinesse , aswell of heat , as of colde : so that the good temperature of all these portions in the body , doo yeeld a perfect increase and nourishment to the hayr of the head , except they be distempered thorow any superfluous accidence otherwise .

Therefore Rasis sayth , that the haire is a materiall cause deriued from the humours of the inward partes of the body , as of the vaines . Ruellius saith , that strong is the officient and perfect cause of thicke haire , which somewat consisteth and ●ayeth vnder the estate and condition of the skinne , and is not generated of euery supersiuitie , ercept onely of that superaboundant temperature , which is gathered in the extreame partes of man : and those excrements are variable . As first , the excrementes in the bleather are of two sortes : the one cleare , and the other thick : the one is called Hypostasis , which by a perfect digestion The excrement of moisture is of two sortes . is aduanced in the substance of the brine , and either is in the blather or seroot , or strained and extenuated from the bodie , is passed ouer into vapours , for the increase of hayres : or els in styrring and chafing the body , is deliuered foorth by sweates , or els groweth into flegmatike inundations .

Galen auoucheth that there is one part thereof ascending vp and peacing the braines , deliuered and absumed away , by a dry rewmatike spyttell , an other part is deliuered away by common course of excrementes at the nostrels , and an other part is deliuered away by swea●es , an other part is deliuered away by sorrow of the eyes , in weeping , an other part is left for the increase of haires : so that whatsoeuer remaineth , is congested into the moist partes of the body . For although humours doo sometimes abide within those thin breathinges , yet haue they no due ordinance from nature : and therefore for that nature hath no power nor force in those degenerate humours , doo retire backe , and in respect of excesse moystnesse , cannot continue themselues within their poores , or breathing places , vntil there be a sufficient generation gathered together , arising vp into a fulnesse of hayres , in the head , beard , or priuie partes , in which Nature wolde not disornate the beautie of the face with h●iree , but place them in a seemlye orde● . places the humours doo longest abide and settle . And nature hath prepared a way and passage for those excrementes , to inflowe by the banke and brinkes of the cheekes , to the chinne , whereby there should be a comely grace in the haires , vpon the fauaur of the face .

There remaineth a probable coniecture for vs to thinke , that haires doe onely increase of excrementes thicklie congested : and the rather are we so to thinke and iudge herein , for that some part of those excrements sensiblie passe away by weaknesse , as also for that they are vniuersal throughout the body . For when the body is disturbed , by any fuliginous or smokie vapours , then the outward forme of the bodie altereth and changeth therewith : besides which , the haires doo eyther alter in their outward forme , and fall away , as leaues decay from the moysture of the tree .

And surely it is a high Philosophie to consider , that when the body is loose and purgatiue of nature , such excrementes foorthwith doo yeelde and deuoyd , that the poores therewithall open , waxe weake and loose , so that many times those open exhalations doo not onelie disturbe the bodie , but as ingrosers of pure bloude , discouer themselues , yet in stay of their malice become subiect both to naturall and artificiall purgation . Therefore Dioscorides saith , that excrementall exhalations are no cause of growth in the hayre , but good blood : and that as blood flourisheth and decayeth , so hayres both in youth and age , discouer and open themselues : and also for that sicknesse extenuateth blood , dooth also decay haires in the bodie , being extenuated from blood . Also as health increaseth blood and good liking in the body , so the haires therewithall prosper , flourish and growe foorth at large .

Auycen discourseth and trauelleth most highlie heerein , that blood is no cause of hayre , but rather a vaporous exhalation from blood : And as blood changeth , so exhalations doo herein alter : so that Avycen agreeth not with Dyoscorides . Yet Galen flatlie concludeth , that moistnesse is the cause of hayres : and although the bodie bee strooke asunder from the head , yet there is an increase of hayres , so long as there is moystnesse in the heade , and therefore deade men haue increase of hayres , vntill all moystnesse be absumed by putrifaction .

Let vs also in this treatise somewhat discouer the growth of hayres , which after the straightnesse or crokenednesse of the poores be either curled or straight .

These curled haires fall out of diuers causes : not because the skinne is soft of it selfe , neyther because the exhalation is weake , but because the passage of the exhalation is crosse , and the poors crooked , otherwise haires are inlarged in a right course , aswell by strong vapours , by temperate moistnes , and soundnes of the body .

Theophrastus Paracelsus reproteth an other cause of curled haires : as both because the rootes of the haires , are wrinkled in the right passage , thorow excesse drinesse , as also because exhalations are in their natures ouer drie , fuliginous and stretched : And ( as Rasis saith ) for that , moystnes is deuoured and swallowed vp by a contrarie effect of drinesse : Wherefore haires both in collour and curlednes , and playnnesse do differ according to these courses . And yet Rasis sayth , all hayres follow their natural complexion in collour , vntil old age conuneth on , and altereth all thinges ,

Let vs take better examples hereof , in the difference between the haires of a man , and a beast : for that the moystest skin is allowed by naturall course , to haue the thickest and shortest haire , & the rather for that hot moisture floteth and swimmeth between the skin and the flesh , is of like quality in all the parts , aswel of clouen hofed , as claw-footed beasts , so that the growth of haire in a beast , is like a flashie fresh medowe ouer floten with a shalow water in the rootes , and the grasse therewithall ouer florisheth : but cold frostes and alteration of weather decayeth and perisheth the roots thereof . Euen so intemperate calamities of times and seasons , ouerturneth the naturall temperance of haire , in all vnreasunable creatures . So likewise in these humain complexions , whose hayre although it be of most high qualitie in plentifull growing , yet thorow excesse benerie falling into cold diseases , their haire decayeth , waxeth thin , and vtterly looseth in the roots , especially when the poores in a mans body are ouer traueiled by a moyst exhalation .

Thophrastus Paracelsus putteth foorth these reasons , that footsteps in moist groundes , are easilie with euery storme washed away , but footsteps in drie groundes doo longest indure & abide . So that , as these moist exhalations in the flesh , do nourish and greatly comfort the haires , so also if those exhalations bee altered , either by malign vapours , or corrupt blood , or distempered by the contagion of colde diseases , the haires decline and vanish therewithall .

Now furthermore there are some bodies , whose drinesse exceedeth on the contrary , and yet vnder some moysture produce a competent number of hayres : but when their drinesse becommeth combust , are like to starched earth , which without some moysture cannot bring forth grasse . This drinesse vnder the diuers ages of men happeneth in the braines . So also there is another sorte of men who are like vnto moyst tempered clay in spring season , or beginning of sommer , yet partched vp and ouerdried in the latter end of the yeare , bring forth nothing but barrennesse and dust . So there is a most vnhappie sort of men , who by ex●esse drinesse in their adolescencie , become bald , bare and barrainous in their braines , towardes their latter age .

It is to be marked that hayres in al ages , follow the course and temperance of nature , and leaue off to shew themselues vnder those properties , vnto whome they doe appertaine .

Cornelius Celsus sayth , that a bald-headed man , is destitute of moystnesse in the braine pan , & the rather because the vaynes of the necke , beeing called the guides , are obstructed , doe not perfectly recourse , except vpon the hinder part of the head .

Ieremias Thriuerius sayth , that it is as vnpossible a thing , for lobsters or crab-fishes to beare feathers , or oysters wooll , as a bald-headed man to produce naturall hayre : not onely because there is both an opilation in bloud , but also because there is an extreame drinesse , and shrinking of the sinewes , in those materiall partes of the braine .

Surely all drie complexions of black chollericke inclination , are hearie in the highest degree , but falling into contagion and hote diseases thorowe the same , as they doe become bare and bald , so are they men of verie euill and dangerous maners . Yet Auycen greatly commendeth bald men , of sanguine complexion and flaxen hayre , to be trustie , honest , and verie precise and deuout : and yet manie of them haue reaching wittes in high causes .

Hypocrates sayth there can be no direct temperance in baldnesse : for that in the first place , those thinges which be hearie onely are hote and moyst : In the second place bald men are drie , and in the third place , bald men are in their extreames : so of sickenesse and diseases , doe swiftly approoue in the nature of cold and drie : therefore we are verely to coniecture , that all ages of men , denunciat their natures after the temperance of the regions and countries , vnder which they are borne , aswell as their owne priuate complexion and age : for as the ages of youth are hote drie and hayrie , so infancie is smooth colde and moyst and without hayre . Then seeing there must altogether fall out a perfect sympathie , or equall combination vnder the temperatures of countries , and that hayrie men natiuely appertaine vnder regions hote and drie : so then there must be a temperat cause in contrarietie hereof , for that Theophrastus Paracelsus holdeth in opinion that hote and drie countries , absinne and quite take away all the humours , which intentiuely nourish hayres .

Auycen sayth , that heate and drinesse in those bodyes , are not so easily nourished , and therefore heate and drinesse of those countries , are nothing profitable in the generation of hayres after the naturall simpathie , and mutuall combination in temperance of the bodies themselues .

Galen speaketh of young men of the Ethiopians , who of their owne complexion and naturall inclination , are hote and drie , in respect of other countries , the which propertie furnisheth their bodies with an excesse strength of hayres : And although curled , yet not diuersty coloured like other countries , which signifieth the superaboundant heate , vnder which they liue .

Surely I am perswaded , it is a moste direct poynt , not to compare nature with age , but to compare countries with ages , which in all the conditions of hayres , may be best accompted of : For the Ethiopian yoong men in temperance of hayres , both in multitude and strength , exceedes the yoong men of these our countries in the highest degree .

Let somewhat more , in this our treatise , be attended vpon , and diligently considered in the temperance of women , touching hayre , for that there are some who thinke the same farre disagreeing from this our purpose : that is , a woman of cold & moyst temperance , is indewed with a vecie thick hayre , who for the materiall substance of moystnesse following vpon her , hath not onely many hayres , but most long hayres , for which cause , women of moist complexions can neuer be bald . And a flegmatike woman following the temperance of the whole body , cannot in any respect , want hayres , and sometimes exceedes therein farre otherwise then common course , Except a woman of moderate and due temperance , which cannot ouer passe the boundes and limites of nature , in the ornature of the body : for those women are of pure feminine complexion , and are not bearded like men for two causes : the one , because the vapours of the matrix , are ranckly deuoyded by naturall profitmitie , as also for that the ascending moysture thereof , is subtilly occupied in the braines , for the plentifull generation of haires , so that the ●hin partes are vtterly barrained thereby . Then touching those hayres , which haue comely treases vpon the eye-lids , & bankes of the browes , doe shewe the excellent ornature and seemely grace of nature , by a certaine liberall benefite , in beautifi●ng the womans proportion , tarre aboue all other creatures : for as these hayres are outwardly planted , so are they regarded as increasing , and springing vp in their due disposition , by an outward view , for if they did follow the temperature of men , they should grow confusedly and without order . Then how greatly doe those women scandelize both nature and affection , which by colouring , crisping , platting or striking forth of their haires , doe deforme and disguise their fauour and countenance , in the open shame of the world : notwithstanding all which , are not able to alter the seemely shewes of nature , whose power both in the head , banckes of the browes , and eye-lids , is both absolutely and artificially expressed . And I would haue it further knowne and marked , that the difference of moystnesse and drinesse in natures goodly works , is vnlike : as if graine or seedes were planted , or sowed in earth of two natures , so that the one should be in temperance more fruitfull then another , so doth the haire followe the temperance of the skinne , both in substance , complexion and colour . In like sort , as the hayres in the heads of women , be moyst or drie after their temperance , so vniuersallie , both the hayres in the bankes of the browes and eye-lids are drie , because the continuall humectation of the eyes purgeth the same .

But twise and once is either man or woman happie , who safegard their head vnder a drie temperance : for that moyst corruptions within , do speedilie and dangerously alter the outward hayre , to become gray and grisly , and the rather , if the body be vnequally distempered , by any colde and vaporous disease .

Therefore two sortes of gray hayres are to be considered vpon herein . The first sort , thorow the rage of surfetting youth , in the vntimely age of man , especially when the temperance is altered by cold venerian vapours , the extreame malice whereof , suggesteth these colde and perfect diseases of feuers , bloudy eyes , flegmatike spittle , impostumations , short breathinges , head aches , as also the whirling and giddinesse of the braines . There are also gray hayres , which naturally fall vpon the pure olde age of man , signifyeng temperance , chastitie , soundnesse of body , as pleasure and health to the graue . As these graye hayres were attained and gotten by wisdome and good aduise , so are they preserued and continued , as an ornament of great and inestimable honour to olde age .

Likewise , after the temperance of hayre , the nayles of the hands and feete , are preserued or decayed in good or euill condicion and estate : and yet they doe not so speedily alter , by the interchange of the inward humours , as the hayre doth .

Dyoscorides sayth , that the increment of nayles , proceedeth of pure bloud : his reason is , for that if the nayles decline and putrifie , a freshe nourishment springeth thereof againe .

Cornelius Celsus sayth , because the vaines beginne and end in the fingers and toes , therefore nature sheweth an outward worke , like a comely pentise to couer the same .

Ruellius sayth , the flegmaticke and moyst man hathe a moste prolixe increment in the nayles , for that there is a continuall moyste interflowing vapour from the sinewes , feeding and nourishing the same . So the hot and chollericke man hath sharpe , thin and little nailes , because large moisture from the sinewes wanteth thereto .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , a moyst woman hath thinne short nailes , if shee bee aptlye menstruous , or els not .

Galen saith , if the plat , chest , or bulke of the bodie be wide and broade● , so that the heate of the hearte hath free and plentifull passage● , the increase both of the haires and nayles , are The heart hath a drie heat . much prospered therewith , especially if the heat of the heart bee both pure , excellent , and nourishable : Whereas if slendernesse and straightnesse bee in the bulke , dooth shew the naturall drinesse of the heart and chest from the byrth day , thorow which there is greate obstruction from the naturall course of good blood , offending the vegetation both of the nailes , haires , and all other partes . Therefore the straightnesse of the bulke , is perrilous to the wholsome ordinance of health , for those bodies are commonly preserued with naturall feuers all the daies of their life , doo not onely absume in the tenuity of their flesh , but many of them perish and decay in the substance of the heart . Some certaine , aswell by the strength of nature , as by yeare and time , ouergrowe the eager humour , and so escape the dangers hereof . And yet many of them after any such recouery , are greatlie incumbred with a tisich vpon the lunges . Although it is possible by medicinable art , to represse and reprooue the drinesse of these partes , yet not so perfectlie , but that a smache thereof will followe vpon them vnto their last end .

There is an other sort of men which are both of hotte stomaches and ranke liuers , as their red coloured countenances declare the same : they are also purple-nosed and hayrie about the breast : Auycen reporteth them to be men of forcefull stomaches , apt to warfare , and yet their courage very much subdued from inflamation , and desire to lecherie .

Dyoscorides saith , that a true martiall man is altogether without lustfull pleasure , or desire towards women : and yet ful of mercie and loue towardes them . And furthermore , alechemus man is not alwaies bolde : for both by qualitie as quantitie , his thighes and loines and other lineamentes , shewe the constitutione of a faint liuer . So also the broadnes of the breast , and length of the necke , are the outward signes of an inwarde troublesome minde .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , that a short necked man , is apt to conceiue , pregmaticall , and verie of dangerous disposition , and yet his body verie subiectiuelie is vanquished , vnder euery straunge accideniall disease . A wrie necked person , hath verie high conceites to accomplish , and their mindes are easilie infected vnder many dangerous practises .

Galen saith , that reason cannot instruct vs in these outward signes of nature , but an inward and direct constitution , maketh a perfect experience hereof .

Auycen saith , that if the outward complexion be cold , the inward constitution is hot . If euill maners bee outwardly discouered , the inward thoughtes are more easilie coniectured , which is more suffientlie prooued by the estate of seasons and countries , for that all men generallie are procliue and apt to shew the maners of their countrie , in their conuersation , whether it be in pouertie or pride : either in rudenesse , or ciuilitie . We are therefore the rather to suspect the wonderful and high constitutions of nature inwardlie , by these outward euill properties and dispositions : For in the south regions all outward things are hot , and all inward thinges colde . So on the other behafe , all outward thinges vpon the north partes are cold and freesing , when the inward estate is warme , and the temperance therewithall yeeldeth hot : whereby it commeth to passe , that the people borne in those partes of the world , are of most fierce courage : and although verie bolde , yet in all their enterprises headlong .

Auycen saith , those which be borne vpon the Meridian point , are vnmeete for warres . So Iustin reporteth , that men of the north partes of the world , are in the beginning stout and fierce to battel , but their heartes in the end , are soluble and melting with the snowe . For all outwarde temperaunces doo retire and flie backe to the inwarde partes of man , by reason of outwarde colde : wherefore they haue not a stronge digestion , but all inward thinges are in them thereby of great valour .

Some may think that Hypocrates reasoning with Galen , hath made a very vnlikely argument or proofte herein , as the Europians , are more fiercer then the Asians , for that they indure greater inequalities of seasons : and whereas summer is verie hot in the one , and winter verie colde in the other , so an inward heat is contemperated vnder the condition or estate of either temperance . Cornelius Celsus verily thinketh , that Hypocrates respecteth the experience which those countries approoue by by war , or by such great inequalities of seasons , are the better prepared to abide and suffer all interchangeable calamities of the bodie , which ought to be borne and suffered in warres , and therefore these sortes of pleople are more fitter for wars then other countries .

It is most certainlie to be credited that those which inhabite the Meridian point , are more hotter in the liuer and hart , then other countries : yet their heat is strange , not naturall : they haue plentie of good blood and breath : they are wise , but not valiant : And those which inhabite those cold regions , are therefore flerce , stout and apt for warfare , and haue a conioined substance of breath and blood aboundantlie in their bodies . And therefore Auycen reporteth , that those which inhabite vnder the Bear , doo in fiercenes , courage and valour giue place to no man . And Hypocrates doth call their temperance flerce and sharpe , because their heate is vnited and ouermatched with colde . Also in those temperate regions which inhabite the Meridian point , heat draweth and inforceth heat , as may be well perceiued and vnderstood in those extreame and hot seasons of the year , wheras strong and flerce corruptions , doo infect and draw vpon the bodie of man , by hotte and malicious contagions . So in these Europian countries , the times and seasons of the sommer , excessiuely inforceth heate vppon the extreame partes of man : and also their winters are ouer much colde and very bitter to the outwarde paries : so that their digestion in winter time is more stronge , and their naturall heate more aboundaunt .

There is a sufficient discourse in in the firste booke of these Chollerike men haue great tranquility in winter . Temperamentes of chollericke men , inhabyting these Europian countries , whose outrage hath the greatest domination in sommer , and doo liue at most pleasure , quietnesse , and rest in winter . So flegmatike men , haue their ioy in sommer & greatest distemperature in winter . Yet Theophrastus Paracelsus sayth , that seeing nature hath differenced the chollerike man from the fiegmatike , by vnequalnesse of seasons , so the inwarde heat in the time of winter , is more shorter in the one , & naturall heat in the time of winter is more stronger in the other , which if it be so , then all liuing creatures ( without exception ) are to haue a more pleasant and happie estate of life in winter then sommer , because naturall heat is the artificer and instrument of all liuing thinges .

Cornelius Celsus saith , that like as the sunne is lodged vnder the darke vaines of the clouds , in the night season , so heat is hidde and shrowded in the secrete vaines of all thinges in winter , and waxeth more outward and stronger with the increase of the yeare , vntill by the temperature of the sunne it bee powerfull and mightie .

Arnoldus de noua villa affyrmeth , that the complexion of man ariseth and falleth , with the temperature or distemperature of the yeare : so may we gather hereby that choller rageth and super aboundeth more in sommer then winter , only by an intentiue qualitie . Then fieam doth not argue no ful quantitie of heat in winter , but rather sheweth some remissiuenesse therein : for which we haue some opportunitie offered , to discouer these liuing creatures of the water , as the crab-fish , and other shel-fishes , whose outward vesiure is alwaies hard and drie , yet there inward temperance is moyst and soft , especiallie in winter .

The Phisitians doe minister these and suche like fishes to patients , which are wasted and consumed vppon the loonges and liuer , and other affected partes of the body , as a speciall nourishment and restoratiue . They are much deceiued herein : for the egredience thereof , proffereth litle moysture , is of saltish taste , and stubborne digestion . And those which are indangered and vexed with that disease , doe take best liking of easie , and light meates , which speedily doe digest .

There is another kinde of shell fishe , called an Oyster , is in operation easily conuerted to choller , the constitution therof is most wholesome in winter , vnder qualification of strong and eger fe●stes : they haue perfect digestion in the body of man , by the bountifulnesse of pure good wine , especially if the same It is an errour that rackt wines may be perfected by obseruing seasons of the yeare . wine be vertuous in odour , colour , sapour , and feruour , then doth it putrifie corrupt bloud , vnsetleth euill humours , refresheth the senses . But rackt wines are most vnwholesome for the body of man , although the seasons of the yeare be obserued , for perfecting them , in their degree .

And furthermore wee must make coniecture of the inward temperance of fishes , by their outward proportion and propertie , of which there is foure sortes : as chrustie , shellie , scalie , soft and sleeke skinned fish . Their inward causes doe most easily conuert into dangerous diseases , if that circumspectly they be not remedied and preuented in their strange operation . For whereas some kinde of fish , are in their naturall propertie cold , so are they flegmatike , nourishing , variable and grosse substance . Whereas some kinde of fishe are hote , so are they chollericke and of most churlish operation in the body of man .

Also there is some kinde of fish drie , vnnourishable , and returneth to slender excrementes . But Auycen affirmeth , that chollericke fish , is best brooked and digested in winter , and flegmaticke fishe in sommer .

And Ruellius with many other excellent writers , doe commend the Sammon king of fishes , which of verie nature ministreth If the S●mon be moderately eaten is easily digested . great safetie to the body of man , both in sickenesse and health , and hath a very perfect constitution to be resolued into pure bloud , especiallie being dronke with wine : as Cornelius Celsus sayth , is an approued medicine for costiuenesse in the loonges , and perfecteth the opilation of the liuer .

So also , a most high and singular commendation belongeth to the constitution of the Gurnet . And although fish is a lenitiue foode , being of an extenuatethinne slimie substance , yet are they of diuers temperatures and orders , and hardly coniectured vpon , in their seuerall operations : for flegmaticke and vaporous fish nourisheth hollow belching , immoderat thirst , sower & sharp fleame , and as manie haue a moste greedie desire thereunto , so their stomackes are mordicated and ouercharged vnder vilde , monstrous and vaporous humours , and not by the vnmeasurable meanes of anie distemperance otherwise .

And surely the stomacke indureth these vaporous humectations , rather by euill nourishmentes then anie distemperance of the bodie , or putrified corruptions in the ayre . And yet there are very great considerations to be herein vnderstood : whether these belchinges , or coughinges proceede of euill nourishments , or of naturall humours in the body , or from accidentall corruptions in the ayre . For if grosse feeding and euill nourishments , be cause heereof , then the vniuersall body is infected , with fuliginous vapours , of disposition , yeelding to be pituitous and flegmaticke : And if it proceede of naturall humours ; and the body inclined thereunto , then the fleshe abs●meth , and by litle and litle mynorateth , not onely in substance , but digestion waxeth weake , the guttes clung , the liuer and loonges waste , the sinewes and vaines in their naturall and iust course of bloud stoope . And also if it proceede of the corruption and interchange of the ayre , the euidence thereof is regarded in the alteration and deflowring of the excrementes , by a pituitous disposition of rewins in all partes of the body .

There is also another moste hote and contrary excrement , called choller : as it is deciued from the liuer , so doth it outrage , and superabound in the bodies of those men , ouer whom it beareth rule . If the strength thereof grow great , and troublesome it is best remedied by euacuation downeward , so that the humours be before vnsetled , by some preparatiue medicine : But if the stomacke be therewith ouercharged , it were not amisse , by moyst vomites , to be aduaunced vpward . And yet there be manie , which cannot be so helped : both for that they be naturallie disframed , as also for that their passage from the gall to the bowels , is ouer-little , and more larger about the stomacke , comprehending excessiue excrementes , which impureth vitall bloud ouer grosly . For vnto whome such choller is generated in the stomacke , cannot otherwise be withdrawne , except by naturall euacuation downeward : therefore it is both vnnaturall , and without arte , to purge them vpward , except there cannot be deuoydance otherwise , especially and the rather because of a greene rotten prassiue substaunce congested in the stomacke . There is a further and a more higher waight to be heere in respected , as not onely in putting a difference in knowing the diuers natures of this choller , but an artfull experience , in purging and putting away the same : For if it proceede from the liuer , it is yellow and pale : if it ingender vppon the stomack , it is greene , like to the colour of a Leeke : if it breede thorow a malicious corruption , it is ouerprassiue , and an enemie to all the naturall and sensible members of the body , deflowreth , discoloureth and defaceth mans natiue and perfect complexion , and in it selfe , fauoureth a venomous propertie .

Galens opinion is , that if a cold liuer be warmed vnder anie accidentall heate , it increaseth and ingendreth a profluous choller , exceedeth all the heates of stomacke , and all other partes of the body , although they be neuer so full of feruour and heate . And greene choller hath for his condition and qualitie , an exceeding heate , which thorowe any accidentall dislike , it be chased from the stomacke , doth forthwith recourse to the liuer , and desireth a perfection therein .

Although appetite delighteth to gnawe and whet vpon grose and fulsome meates , and to infarce and ingorge the stomacke therewith , so doe they contagiously breede , nourish and infester venomous choller to become high stubborne and vnuanquishable .

So also there are some meates which in their owne propertie , ( thorow their exceeding corruption in the stomacke ) doe euaporat and defume the braines , with greeuous swimming aches in the head , payneth & aggrauateth the eyes . So hard egges , honie , shell-fish and suche like , as great and perillous instruments of inforcing the danger hereof : And nature is also hardly and painefully occupied in digesting them , into a readie and perfect substance . As if it were sowes flesh , or buls flesh , which impresseth and setleth rawe humours moste deepely , to ouermelt & transspread the whole body of man , so that no medicineable meanes , neither vpward nor downeward , maketh expulsion thereof .

Surely the disposition of the head , ought to be alwayes regarded vnder some temperance : as whether it be cold or moist , hote or drie : for coldnesse bringeth foorth flegmatike humours , whose often and dayly distillations , absumpt the good indowmentes of the braine . For mordicat rewmes are hurtfull to all naturall operations , loosen the rootes of the hayres , discloseth the body to all pestiferous corruptions and stenches , dimmeth and obscureth the eyes , dulleth the sences , benummeth feeling , astonieth hearing , dissmacheth tasting , and stencheth smelling : yet many grosse contagious meates , are by wholsome sauces qualified and delayed in the artfull knowledge , and skifull handling of good cookes . So also redolent wines , if they be intertained A good cooke is in the nature of a good phisitian . into a perfect body , are both conuerted to fragrant bloud , and establishe the complexion , to become delightsome and remedious herein .

Ruellius affirmeth , that great operation consisteth in the vertue and propertie of a rawe or reare egge , especially for the rewme , if it be wholesomely taken : for then it purgeth foule bloud , strengthneth nature , clenseth the liuer , fortifieth the stomacke , sharpneth the sences , melloweth and increaseth appetite . And wine is much commended , if it be of good and perfect flauour and substance , to be dronke therewith in the morning . All which being equally tempered doth much preuayle against flegmaticke rewmes , for certainely these rewmes happen and fall out many times , by alterations and vncertainties of diets : Therefore it is to be distinguished , whether it be an issue from the braines downeward , or a vapour from the stomacke vpward : And yet manie times also , the body is inclinatiue to these rewmes vnder strange accidentes , by alterations and varietie of seasons : then is it vnpossible to ouercome the incomprehensible distemperances of nature .

And lastlie , there is a coniecture by some methood , to be outwardly discerned and regarded , not for inclinatiue dispositions onelie , but for sundrie naturall infirmities and diseases which most bodies vnder some elementall distemperan●ance are subiect vnto . Examples hereof may be taken from the primary reason , which is ioyned in propertie with fantasie , and groweth in custome both together to be bewrayed with Phisiognomy , or outward gesture , whether it be in countenance or body . And as they are altogether vnited , and inseperably magnified , to be of one perfect substance both in mind and maners , so euery man is thereby inwardly prooued or reprooued , in the whole vniuersall proportion of his said bodie : so that as Rasis affyrmeth , that a flat nosed man , is of drie complexion , and a man hauing a camoysed nose , indicateth much chollerike drinesse . If he be indued with hollowe eies , signifieth drinesse in the head : if he be of sallow and pale countenance , signifieth moistnesse : and yet many men are in formes and fashions contrarie to their dispositions . And that howsoeuer nature hath portrayed with thin and hayrie legs , sheweth a naturall drinesse in the liuer , so red and fierie eies declareth the purity and small quantitie of blood .

Blacke eies signifie the impuritie , thicknesse and superaboundance of blood : graie eies obserue the indifferent estate throughout the whole body : those eies which are blew like the skie , doo exceed in some season of the yeare , in great drinesse , and on the contrarie in some other seasons do surpasse in moistnesse : litle twinkling eies like Ferrets , signifie moistnesse : bleared eies haue diuers estates and operations in the bodie of man , both of flegmatike humours and chollerike vapours , digressing from their owne kind and propertie : the one proceedeth of cold moisture , and the other of a hot tyrannous fretting humour generated & contracted to the eyes in the superaboundant heat of the braines , or by and excesse heate in the stomach , vapouring to the cels of the head .

Rasis affyrmeth , that although greate inundations and intercourses , either of superfluous moistures in the head , or venomous vapours in the stomach , defluxing and galding the eies , yet the pretious eie-sight may long be preserued and continued without darknesse and decay : and yet confesseth that continuance vtterly ouerthroweth and sinketh the pearle to the bottome . The same Rasis saith , that a waall-eyed man is of drie dispotition vpon the liuer , and the liuer-blood thereupon is made most pure : yet these waall-eyed , squynt-eyed , and lame-eyed men , are most rumatike , are so far subiected in their owne nature , as that the whole vniuersall infections of rewmes concur vpon them .

But touching the dangerous conditions , and most villanous manners , which that sort of men are inclined vnto , are sufficiently portraied and painted foorth by Auycen .

I will not therein intermedle so largely as they deserue : and for that my purpose only tendeth to finde out the due temperance , which euerie man is subiect vnto . And yet Galen thinketh , that for asmuch as man hath a deuine beginning from his creation , temperaunce ought not to bee coniectured vpon .

Leonardus Fuchsyus saith , They which iudge vpon temperance of many ages , offend very much . For doo not the outward signes of haire , both by sicknesse and age , alter after the inward disposition ? And likewise , all members wrinkle and alter , after the inward corruption of naturall blood ? Then the easiest and perfectest iudgement that herein is to bee required vpon the seuerall temperatures of man is to coniecture vppon melancholike temperance , whose inclinement is colde and drie , and their blood soonest dooth corrupt , which is best outwardly regarded by the outward alteration , and disfashionment of hayres , which inwardly proceedeth of fuliginous blood and smokie humours : for the olde pouerbe is true , that soote is next smoke , and smoke next stre : & wax after it is tempered , is more easile imprinted vpon with a scale . So likewise infections alter the humours , and humours alter the outward estate of man : and after that nature is made subiect to coruption , a strong impression followeth euer after vntill death .

And furthermore , there are many which cannot be recouered from this errour , affyrming , that temperature ought not to bee adiudged vpon in old men , especially if they be flegmatik : for as old flegmatike men be cold an moist , so their excrements are vncertaine and subiect to bloody fluxes , scowring laskes , the vrine muddie , bloody , blacke , and thicke : and likewise a melancholike man , whose youthfull temperature consisteth vpon a perfect blo●● : but naturall complexion is drie and cold , when age commeth vpon them .

Theophrastus Paracelsus geueth counsell , and therewithall assureth , that no good scarch●r of mans disposition , after fourtie and sixe yeares of age , inderdealeth with the excrementes .

Arnoldus de noua villa geueth more larger libertie in perfect bodies , vntill fyftie and fiue yeares bee accomplished . For as many old men haue a hot drie bodies , so manye others haue yearthly and waterie bodies , vnder which , seuerall dispositions in old age falleth out .

Last of all , it is a doubtfull and vncertaine thing , to discerne the temperature of euerie olde man , in age and sicnesse .

Rasis holdeth in opinion , that in age nothing is to be gathered , neither from excrementes , neither from fourme , nor shape , nor scarse from operation : for operation of some part , by occasion of variable disposition , may be confounded in an other part .

I doo let passe the opionins and iudgmentes of manye Writers , how the signes of diuers ages differ in sicknesse , neither thorow out the whole ages of man doo they obtaine or continue any one perfect significatiue agreement . Therefore whosoeuer traueileth in the variable temperances of man , let his best direction bee taken from the pulses , as feeling euery office of the bodie in his proper worke : Yet surelye whatsoeuer is spoken against the view of excrementes in the sicknes of old men . Ruellius saith , that excrementes are not altogether to be reiected or dispised , but according to the straungenesse of the sicknesse and accidentes of the disease , duely to bee considered vpon .

To conclude , euerie practitioner hath a large field to trauell in , in the time of sickenesse . As first , to vnderstand the disease , by feeling the pulses . Nexte , to consider whether euerie office of the bodie laboureth alike or no. And thirdlie , whether the Accidentes doo stay in any one parte of the body , more then an other . And last of all , whether the duetie of the excrementes be perfourmed in a naturall course , or no.

Thus endeth the second booke of the Temperamentes . The Lord made heauen and earth , and all thinges therein : blessed bee the w●orkes of his handes .

HERE BEGINNETH THE THIRD booke of the Temperaments .

IN these former bookes there is set open , the differences , significations and accidentes of cold , hote , moyst and drie thinges in their actiue natures , and to finde out the reason not only why they should be approued in action , as also why they should obtaine their equall qualities to be comprehended and easily perceiued by touching . I will not much herein trauell . For as one of them hath no powerfull , nor perfect constitution without the equall trauell and furtherance of one another . So one constitution doth still appeale vnto another , vntill the occasion , ( which before was obscure and vnperfect ) be drawne vnto manifestation , power , strength and agreement , which ( as Galen sayth ) doth confirme all medicinable confections . And there must be hereunto also annexed not onely the sensible vnderstanding of these naturall causes , but a iust consenting of their forcible power and vertue to haue one successe . Also there must be a very high regard had , that medicines do nothing in nature digresse from the assenting inclination of suche bodyes , vnto which they owe their defence , helpe and succour . For contrary medicines dangerously doe imprint their malice & power , inforcing the griefe to become more outragious inflammatiue and vnsetled : Experience may instruct heerein , that a powerfull medicine in the fourth degree hote , cannot escape , or be driuen backe , from Causticke i● burning . some verie dangerous action . For these putrifactiue or corosiue playsters which in their causticke nature doe worke vpon outward sores , although they be sodainly taken away from that place , ouer which they did worke power and effect , yet their impression or action of heate , cannot sodainly or vnawares be taken away , for the deepenesse of the sore hath comprehended the power thereof . And therefore these inflammatiue actions , without more larger libertie and skill , cannot bee extinguished .

The same thing by colde medicines is more clearely perceiued and vnderstoode . For blacke popy cannot in the fourth degree , vnawares be intertained into the body , but that , by the same meanes , doth oftentimes forthwith alter the body , and the actiue mouinges sensible hindered , in the vnnaturall course and action thereof .

It is otherwise with hote medicines , which although they exceede from vs in common course of heat , yet the power thereof , many either be mitigated or vtterly put out .

As touching cold medicines , the reason and vnderstanding is not heereunto alike , because coldnesse , not onely deepely lurketh in the vaines , but stoppeth the vegetation and quickenesse of nature , hauing once ouercome the sensible partes of man : that although warme thinges be proffered for restoring , quickning , and lifting vp of that sleepie and deadly inuasion , either shal it nothing at all preuaile , or els the sensible and naturall partes cannot be recouered to a perfect , and due estate and disposition as before . For if colde water by a secret potentiall estate , be intertained into a warme body , and the body by a variable disposition therof , altereth into a more higher degree of coldnesse , doth extenuate nature , and decayeth the power of bloud , although the strength of the body exhausteth the sensible coldnesse thereof , yet there remaineth a sharpe impression for many diseases to insue .

Furthermore warme water , being receiued into a hote bodie , although it be possessed with the body for a whole dayes space , as it hath nourished vnder some naturall warmth by the strength of the body , so can it not be otherwise knowne or perceiued , but that the body is made more colder thereby , although vnder naturall warmnesse , it passeth from the bleather againe .

So doe we beholde the power of a cataplasma , which although it hath a naturall power of coldnesse , yet if it be remoued and the place touched , all inflammations shall sensibly appeare more subdued , moderated and seasoned , for inducement of a more higher and excellenter practise in the worke thereof , which as some holde in opinion is contrarie in powdred medicines , whose power is onely to purge , drie , and excoriat . Yet no doubt there are some powdred medicines which in reuealing an imagination of drinesse in substance , are in propertie altogether moyst . And except the body be of a drie chollericke disposition , shall nothing preuaile to accomplishe any drie action to become perfect and sound .

Some will maruell , why the qualitie of elementes shoulde minister health , ease , and safegard to one , And shewe no potentiall act , but rather offence , in another .

Certainely as all inferiour causes are subiect to the alteration of celestiall dispositions , so celestiall bodies are stable , firme , and perfect , and in their properties are voyd from alterations . Then no scruple herein neede to arise , whether this potentiall estate be ingendered or giuen to medicineable hearbs from nature , or from celestiall bodies .

I doe thinke not onely power , but all indicible properties inioy a metaphisicall effect . And surely forme or bodily shape , which heerewith is adioyned , hath an indifferent participation from the complexion of elementes , and the condition of celestial thinges . Yet the iudgement of olde writers is , that the propertie of these naturall causes , to be no other thing , than an indicible All indicible thinges haue a indicible temperance . temperature , hauing some indicible propertie : and forme is no other thing then a temperance in his owne nature , or the immediate and extraordinarie reason from the celestiall influence : therefore the naturall philosophers haue not spoken in vaine , that Man and the sonne did beget man : Then surely the starres are nothing at all occupied in the generation of mixt things , rather doe they claime a most great part to themselues of that which appertaineth to these immixt properties and powers : And it is no maruell , but that these vertues , powers and strength , are so opposite and manifest to our feeling and perceiuing , that heate and colde should also haue a singular prehemmence in the stars . Theophrastus Paracelsus sayth that all these medicineable hearbes are not elementarily ingendred . But brought forth , of some deuine power , from the pure celestiall estate aboue . But yet these elementall qualities so highly doe beare their force in the countenance of all inferiour thinges , and their powers are so full and large in all medicineable effectes , that no furtherance or meanes preuayleth , eyther to confirme them , or els bring them backe , to any other strange act , or vnusuall alteration .

Dyoscorides sayth , that the deuine power moueth the elementes to become eyther naturall , or vnnaturall to the earth : And the earth withall the bountifull creatures therein , do take their essence , increase , or decrease from the due course or alteration of the said elementes .

The chiefe Philosophers doe say , that the high fruitfull scituation of the sunne , worketh vpon all liuing creatures , that all naturall causes greatly preuayle thereby .

Then it is no maruell that single medicines , haue an appropriat inclination in themselues , but artificially qualified from their owne nature , haue a more clearer and peaceable effect : And although the sunne , doth in euery place east her seasonable power and strength , yet not with one indifferent qualitie of warmenesse and heate , to be intertained into all thinges alike , not for that there is any defect in the primarie propertie of the sunne , but because there is a seuerall propertie from the complexion of elements . For as no phisitian can frame one medicine , to be indifferently receiued and intertained into euerie seuerall constitution : So the sunne is shewed forth in one force , and potentiall estate alike , although the action vpon all inferiour causes vnlike for that , euery thing followeth the propertie of nature from the complexion of elements in generation and the propertie of the sunne in augmentation .

The vnseasonable elementes doe oftentimes darken the sun , and thereby distemper and disseason the inferiour causes of the earth . So also the confused courses and running together of the fl●●s , 〈…〉 oursing by an vnsingled and variable power within themselues , is the onely cause why all the hearbes and fruits of the stelde , are of medicionable and saluing condition ouer one , and nothing at all profiting but rather hurting vnto another .

Therefore the power of all these thinges are distinguished three maner of waies . As firste , their possibilitie hath one ordinarie power in themselues . Secondlie , that a supreame naturall substance , coagulateth in the power of all inferiour causes . Thirdlie , dooth in the same power obtaine and accomplish some effectuall propertie in it selfe , which by any forraine accidents can neither be interuented , nor altered , except inforced from one propertte to an other , to some supreame excesse within their owne naturall essence .

Therefore these medicines whose vertues are determined hot in the second degree , are most easily made hot in their action , and also most easily are they conuerted to fire in open extremitie , exceeding their natures : as vnflaken lune , rosenne , or gumme , which yssueth from the excesse vapours of trees .

But the greatest danger happeneth in colde medicines , especially if nature hath determined their operation hotte , and their action colde : as the Hemlock , which of Dyoscorides is called Cicuta ( a most poisonsome practise in the fourth degree , ) hath not onely a hot propertie and troublesome effect , but an impressiue action of a colde benumming the sences , which cannot bee afterwards rased out . And yet many times some strong & forcible complections will rather alter and subdue such strong medicines , to become inclinable to the body , then indure themselues to be altered or subdued af the body .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , it is no perfect opinion , neither of the olde nor new writers , that medicines ought to bee first drawen into actuall preheminence , before the corruption bee styrred and prepared by some preparatiue or gentle mollefaceion , the easier the power of of purgation is extended to mortifie and slay the disease : Alwaies prouided that medicines be matched with the nature of the bodie aswel in sicknesse as in health . Like as clear water contemperated with pure wine , doth much profite , and season a hot and inflammatiue bodie , to become ttmperate : After the same manner weake medicines , gentely are framed to doo their effect , then those medicines which are of high and grosse operation . For the more weaker medicines are composed , for slender bodies ▪ the easier their strength is euidently knowne , their limits and bounds discouered , and therby lesse feared . Whereas grosse , hot and strong medicines are subtill , fierce , easily doo insinuate and winde themselues into all the partes of man , and although they be most charily regarded , yet will they many times exceed art : wherefore medicine ought to be framed , and drawen after the measure of bodyly heate , otherwise it is no equall instrument of nature , neither can nature be vsed in her potentiall measure for the speedy ouerthrowe of the disease . For as medicine ought to be framed most like vnto nature , so the disease from time to time , is directed by nature : Therefore medicine ought to bee receiued into the body , vnder the warmnesse of newe milke , or mans blood , although Galen counselleth that medicines in sommer season bee proffered vnto some bodilie constitutions vnder the coldnesse of fountaine water .

But touching medicines outwardly applyed , some high and singular practise must be attained , for healing and curing such outwarde sores . First , by rubbing and searching the grieued place of the patient , whereupon sometimes the inflammatiue infection of the furious and hot humour increaseth , and far surpasseth the boundes both of medicine and nature , except peraduenture , it be corrected by some drieng drinke , or purgatiue potion inwardlye taken : or that the outwarde medicine bee of some very colde and slender power in operation , which sensibly is perceiued . For and if medicines be vnapt , they will contrarile wrastle , both against nature and the afflicted sore , as swiftlie , vncertainlie , and groslie winde in their power and strength . But if colde medicines be slowe , they may be remedied and preferred ( after the skill of the Chirurgian ) to a more fuller and larger estate and degree .

Yet hot searching and inflammatiue medicines , are necessarilie required in fulsome , putrified and cor●siue sores eyther for searching , searing , scowring and fadoming the deepenesse thereof , as for the staying and stopping of some further impendent danger . And as some medicines are changed in their own qualities , so there are also some medicines , which thorow their lenetiue nature passe ouer into the substance of the body .

Ther is also an other cause in the vniuersall participation of ioyning superiour causes together , into one perfect substance is so duly regarded in them , as that their qualitie in action hath no domination in it selfe , but their properties are rather deducted and brought downe from the starres into the power of hearbes . Otherwise this wandring desert hearbe Scanmionyum , which vnperfectly purgeth choller , and leaueth the constitution of the body in more worse estate then before , should be as familiar to the body , as Succorie , Endiffe , Buglosse , and such like hearbes of saluing and curing nature . And yet Dyoscorides saith , that Succory is of diuers kindes : one is cherished in Gardens as a pretious treasure , preserued for bodilie health , so the other is wilde and of more resisting vertue . Yet because they doo both alike drawe a naturall power from the starres , in one perfect kind and substance , doo equally agree in one manner of operation : for they are so indicible and euident , as that their propertie is not knowne onely by reason● , as by experience , as also highlie occupied in the gouernment of mans health although they haue a right and due propertie of euident vertue , which mans art cannot seperat or put away : & therefore action and passion are due vnto their qualities , aswel for that they haue a whole and perfect substance of moouing power , as also for that there is an easie transmutation of their nature , into the naturall substance of mans body .

There is also an hearbe called Molios , which draweth a power from the high gouernour of Spirites , called Amy , and hath sixteene legions vnder his dominion , as Dyoscorides reporteth in his third booke , and the fiftie two chapters in the Commentes of Barbarus , and Virgilius , that this hearbe is of an outward vertue most excellent , it hath great power against witchcraft , south saieng , and coniuration : it is not inwardly to be taken , but outwardly to bee caried about : it is of a propertie by it selfe , and wil not inwardly be changed into the substance of mans nature , neither doeth it preuaile in remedy of any disease , except the falling sicknesse .

And surely , all other hearbs haue some naturall or vnnatuturall portion , with our bodie . Yet it is vnpossibly , that they should be of one power and effect together , neither is there a like alteration one with an other : For if their properties were of equall agreement , then one substance could not haue equall operation into an other .

Euen as these prrperties doo verie much disagree within themselues , so can they not foorthwith passe ouer into mutuall substance of mans bodie , without artful knowledge , aptly composing them thereto . As fire sodainly without art , can not bee trasformed into water , nor ayre into earth .

So by the same difference medicines are distinguished and and knowen from nourishments . For as nourishmentys agree with the natural comfortes of men , so medicines haue their properties , differing from the properties of men . And as medicines are repugnant to the disease , so both the body and the disease not onely become subiect , but refourmed to medicine , for health and safetie thereby . And although Art domifieth them , to become gentle , kinde , and naturall : yet art neuer depriueth them from their free propertie : For how much the rather they are of contrarie substance , so doo they shew themselues the rather in the similitude of a more greater action : and yet for that one substance is passed ouer into an other , they are qualified also in power : therefore let vs once againe distinguish the estate and condition of medicines within themselues .

Although there is an artificiall forme in the constitution of all medicines , framed to some speciall appointed purpose , yet as Galen saith , there are some hearbes colde , which take a verye litle portion of change in the heate of mans blood : And many times , not onely because they are of colde nature , but venomed in some degree of poison , very notably do they corrupt mans body : As the mandragoron and such like . There are also some other poisoned hearbes , in a most hot degree of strong venym ▪ as the Daphnaydes the Coloci●tida●●the ▪ I●ios . As they do exceed the heat of mans body , so do they reach most highly beyond mans nature , do forthwith oppresse life , and entertaine death , if their strength be not artificially remedied .

There are also medicines , neither of hurting nor saluing power , neither of hote nor cold operation , neither doe they nourish nor yet destroy , but very indifferent to the body of man .

There are also composed medicines of honnie , butter , sweet oyle , as they are not of no pure nor cleere verdoue , so are they verie nourishable and restauratiue to nature : And as nourishmentes are easily changed into nature , so the power of all other medicines doe comprehend a worke in their owne properties , and therefore it is impossible , their power should be both kept and changed .

Galen doth make further report , that so long as medicines doe continue their nature and degree , vnder the equall condition of the body , are not onely gentle and fauourably incertayned , but changed into bloud with the nature of the body : are no more vnder the compasse of medicines , but rather followe the due course of vegetation , preseruation and simpathie , with natuturall operation , both in qualitie and power of the body .

Whether Galen hath extended his reasons to hote medicines , I know not , but I feare not to speake , that oftentimes both hote and cold medicines are vnder one propertie turned into bloud , when as the body meanely is subdued with coldnesse from the extremitie of heat , and aduaunced to heat , from the extremitie of coldnesse : for then is it impossible that any impropertie , should at all remaine , where many properties are duely changed .

And also it is a most hard and difficult estate , if substance in the nature of euerie one thing , should whollie be taken away or diminished , so neyther then , is any suche bloud left alone to doe good in absolute power : for humours , doe nourish themselues , where good bloud wanteth . And euery naturall thing hath no naturall operation nor measure , where any such defect is . For Where no naturall operati●is , there is no measure . surely there is no doubt , but whosoeuer ouer-largely feedeth vpon honnie , cannot escape , but that at length his complexion is discoloured , defiled & stayned with a hott flegmaticke bloud . So likewise in sommer season , some bodies , by eating of cold Lattice are drawne to ouer great comminution , and heate , nature and bloud are many times extenuated , weakened and altered in their due course . Let euery one therefore most highly call to memorie , that measure and moderation are much preferred vnder the constitution of mans health .

Thrusianus an old fatherly writer ( as one falfly perswaded ) doth say , that nothing is caryed , or conueyed beyond the heate of mans body , and that bodily heat congruently consenteth to all forraine heates , being of neuer so strong and high valour : and saith further , that single medicines cannot be changed , beyond their owne nature . The which wrongfull opinion and iudgement hee seemeth to consent with Paracelsus , who affirmeth that euerie thing is borne and brought foorth into this world , to aduouch his owne propertie in the actuall accomplishing of some effectuall vertue , for the helpe or hinderance of an other thing . And yet this nothing proueth why any qualitie either of heate or bloud should be aduaunced beyond his own nature , except by some inforced extremitie : or except only because the maner of dyet , is more stronger in one body then another : or except some bodies are disposed to feede vpon grosser sustenance then another : for that body doth inioy and obtaine greatest health which feedeth vppon the purest , cleerest and most choyse sustenance .

Surely as the body begetteth his portion of heate after the greatnesse , maner and meetnesse of sustenance , so warmenesse of bloud , equallie either by tenuitie , indifferencie , or fulnesse , is matched and aduaunced with the bodie : but the office of the liuer is not herewith compared , hauing no naturall indowment of heate from the affluence of heate , and bloud in the body .

There is a constitution of variable humours by the same temperance of the liuer , vnder which one is more colder then the liuer it selfe , and the other more hotter after the condition of some materiall cause , from whence the heate of the liuer is deriued , especially for that nothing is so single in nature , but that it is variably altered by the heate of the sunne : so that some bodies , in the variable disposition of man are like vnto waxe molified , or clay hardned by the vertue and strength of the sunne .

Dyoscorides reporteth , that the complexion of euerie man draweth vpon the sunne , and the grace of the sunne hath a differing action vpon all seuerall thinges variable , being comprehended in it selfe : and that euerie man is disposed alter the foure orders of the elementes . So that some men are white , some men blacke , some men red , some of one colour , some of another , thereby Galen saith that herein may be perceiued that all heates feede vpon the sunne . And furthermore doth say , that like as fire is stroke from the hardnesse , and secret vaynes of the flint , so the liuer is fed and nourished by an intentiue hote humour inforced from the sunne . For which cause and after this maner nourishment subtilly and moste secretly passeth into the naturall heate of mans body , chiefly when nature ioyneth in propertie therewith .

So nourishment nothing disagreeth from wood ioyned vnto fire , which first standeth at a state , then presently altereth into the nature of fire , and becommeth into one perfect substance therewith . And as heate is more weake in one body then another , so heate according to the copiousnesse of sustenance increaseth throoughout the whole body : And heat also more speedily flameth out after the constitution of a hot , high , and strong sustenance , then by a cold , thinne and weake dyet . And therfore foode ought with care and diligence to be wayed and regarded , both for the preseruation of mans life , as also for that some bodies are thorow euill regiment easier corrupted and ouertaken then others .

Then haue we iust cause to thinke that heate is not properly nourished of anie propertie in it selfe , but either violently drawn from some other inferiour and naturall causes of fire , or els from the supernaturall comfort of the sunne , which is the onely restauration of all inferiour causes , to become with them of one parmanent and firme operation .

Surely then nourishment is receiued into the body by three maner of meanes : as first , when an excesse quantitie of dyet is receiued into the body , bringeth forth some monsirous or vnnaturall disposition in it selfe : And such strange dispositions will not consent euer after , to follow the right direction of perfect nourishment . As wine although it be of excellent qualitie , and most easily retayned and digested downe into the body , yet being receiued by excesse quantitie , oftentimes doth benumme and ouercoole naturall temperance , and doth of it selfe conuert into cold humours , by some strange alteration , for that not onely the aboundance therof confoundeth heat , and the verdour being ouer charged by a surfetting distemperance , oppresseth both the power of heate and nourishment , and altogether therewithall surpriseth bodily constitution .

There may be also wayed a consideration in the second degree , how nourishment altereth and transferreth it selfe . For while it continueth , the stomacke hath the onely effect of foode : but being digested from the stomacke passeth from one office to another , vntill the substance , strength and power thereof , be distilled , conuerted and altered , to become of one vnion in mans body : and when the body is vnapt to intertaine perfect nourishment , both sheweth a degeneration of nature , and the distemperance of the body reclined to some forraine contagion .

There is an absolute comprehension in the third degree , which is moste perfect both to health , long life and the naturall substance of man , that is , when meate most sufficiently brooketh mans body , and the body taketh good liking and relishe of the meate , are foorthwith resembled into one similitude together .

And yet there are foure degrees , which are called second humidities , besides foure humours which participate vpon the liuer . The first cause is contained vnder the subtile vaines and arteries : and therefore because heate is not onely degenerated , but setled and concocted in a corrupt bloud , there is a plaine digression of nature , and all moystnesse doe waxe thinne thereby .

The second degree of these Humidities , is when a dispersed due interfloweth from sustenance , into all the partes of the bodie , the which if by alteration of strange humours it falleth into corruption , is the onely efficient cause of a third humiditie , and no nourishment is fauourable vnto the body , and all gluttonous Exanguit , that is without bloud . causes are quite separated from the body , by meanes it is exanguit , consumpted , and quite deuoyded from heat : yet it cannot be denied , but that there is some clammie matter impendent vpon the loonges , which gnaweth vpon the desire of sustenance , alwayes belonging to such humid diseases . The fourth humidity representeth a hungrie nourishment .

Galen in his sixt booke in the causes of Symptomatickes doth say , that although they haue diuers names , yet are they of one sharpe hurtfull operation in nourishment , except that which maketh some delay either in the stomach or in the maw , & that the vaines may extract a mouing comfort therefrom .

And also we must vnderstand , that this nourishment extendeth to the extreame partes . Otherwise truelie in my opinion , other parts need not to contract nor trauell with the stomach and lyuer for moysture to their better nourishment . Al which perfectly sheweth that nature draweth a potentiall substance for the strength of nourishment : and the more nearer there is a communion of substance in all the partes of the bodie , the more easier is there a returne of nourishment , except it otherwise happereth by meanes of any forraine accidence . For sowes flesh , although it hath great affinitie and nearnesse with mans flesh , yet by the good operation of wine , it is passed ouer into a perfect substance , and the digestion thereof is slowe , sower , and heauie , for because the vnion hereof is of a more thicke and growne substance , it is operatiue and ouerburthensome , then familiar , vsuall and accustomed . Therefore the power of hotte thinges , haue a double difference , for which cause ther are medicines of on operation , and nourishmentes of an other , the which nourishmentes ought to haue an easie gracious nature , eyther to helpe nature decaied , or to pacifie the troubles of any disease offending wholsom constitution , doo iustifie and continue the health and safegard of the bodie , are preferred before all medicines , and nature the more graciously , and easily dooth accept them to bee placed in some due ordinance with the body . For such like nutritiue medicines , as they haue an inward mollifieng operation , so haue they an outward application . And yet some , according to the demonstration of Galen doo thinke that nutritiue medicines inwardly taken , hauing possessed and matched their heat , vnder the fourme of a hot complexion , are of moore greater force and strength , and such medicines are easily reduced , and manifested in their owne nature and propertie more quicklie .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , that medicines outwardly ministred more speedily doo shew their nature , then those which be inwardly intertained , especially if in their action they be hotte and firme : and although vnder the skinne are more inwardlye tender , then is outwardly shewed , yet haue they a more ready dutie hereby , to search the deepnesse of the wound , and gri●ued place , and the deepnesse of the sore , more speedily doeth yeeld and open , if the inward humor be corrected by some purgatiue drieng drtnke , the diseased and grieued sore presently altereth his yssue , yeeldeth to a sound vnion , and is presently comprehanded vnder one fafe substance of the body .

Aristotle in his Probleames ( speaking of viniger and such like sharpe sauces ) dooth say , that the aswell inward , as outward applications , very sensibly doo freate , and if heat bee bewrayed of a more stronger power in the pacient , dooth growe to an inward excesse , and outwardlie offendeth : yet a strong and hot body will easily and verie much blunt and dull the power hereof . As first , by extenuation and comminution . Secondly , by concoction , and thirdly by motion , for that they are rouing , neuer continuing themselues in one estate , but dispose them selues into al other partes . As fourthly by seperation , especially of those partes ▪ which are more sharpe , as prepared , purged and sifted either by fluring , either by vrine , or vomite and breathing vapours from the stomach , rather then of those parts of the body , which are more calme , sound , bening and bountifull . In which it is to be marked whether nature be impaired , in the exclusion of one part more then an other , or remaineth wholly , sound , and perfect . Also whether the blood bee made cleare and kindly by a fresh and newe coiunction . Also whether the rind and barke of the vaines be wrinkled , dimished , and broken in peces , and whether medicine haue a naturall power to vnite , and conioine in the nature of the body , for if the medicine be blunted and dulled by the strength of the body , then the body is vtterlie vnable to defend it selfe from corruption , but presentlie infected with all kind of vlceration . And these kind of vlcers are comprehended either from ranke aboundaunce of melancholious corruption arising betweene the flesh and the skinne into some outward preposterous sore , or els most commonly by reason of some hotte fluxing humour vnnaturally setling in some part of the body , wherein some vnkindly worme breedeth and ouereateth , except some present stay and remedy be had , And Galen saith there are diuers sortes breeding in their kind according to the nature and disposition of the body .

And although the Chirurgians do giue them seueral names yet they ought not so to doo , because they are wormes gathered and mishapen according to the monstrousnesse of the humour , and neuer continue in one kind .

And yet some olde writers deuide these sortes of sores into foure names : Herpes , Phagedina , Chironia , and Telephia , The first is of verie affinitie with a plague sore . The second is some filthy blacke worme , or Fystula fretting betweene the flesh and the bones . The third is a foule sore , hard to be cured , and being poisoned with the melancholiousnesse of the humour is called , Noli me tangere . The fourth complecteth it selfe vnder the name of all Boyles or Carbunckles : and surly al sharp , sower , swift , styffe and cruell medicines , whether they be hotte , or colde , haue in themselues a naturall poyson to doe hurt hereunto : And they are more harmefull beeing eaten , then when they be outwardly applyed , for in their nature , they do not only intoxicate the primary partes of man , but deepely pearce the power of the heart .

We haue a manifest and rare example of Socrates , who liued in strong power of health , except by drinking that daungerous and murthersome hear be Cicuta , who sensiblie feeling the coldnes and power thereof to insinuate and wind it selfe , did vanquish the highnesse and mightines of his heart : confessed that Cicuta was the sting of death , and the venym of destruction .

Dyoscorides discribeth this hearbe Cycuta , to be both in nature and growth , like to our english Henilocke .

Surely these medicines do litle hurt being outwardly applied , but they are poisonsome and deadly , being inwardly taken , except the small quantitie thereof be such , as that the body bee of stronger power to vanquish and shake off the mortalitie thereof .

There is also a certain ioyce nowe in vse , strained & squeased out of the leaues of Lascrpitium . Antonius Musa saith , it is the gum of the tree it selfe called Rosen , or Belswyn , and Bewguyn .

There is no difference whether it proceed of the ioyce , or weeping teares and licour of the tree . But certainly , that Rosen which groweth into a gum , by meanes of teares and weeping of the trees , sheweth thorow an vnnaturall heat , in the elementes a generall infection and disease vpon the trees , either by vnnaturall heat in the elements , or by a distemperate and furious course in the stars , and the substance therewithall , is thickened , hardened and congealed .

As it is not our purpose to ioine together these differences , so neither are we to search out their particular power & stringth neither their forme , likenesse nor shape , ●or their good vse , or euill abuse therof . How much could I here vtter in disgrace of the Pandect , for false exposition of these and such like ioyces , or congealed gums , which of the common people are one for an other , falsly put in place : as the first misordering of Asa fetida , which the Arabians do rather seeme to put in place of Mumy , and many very ●sophistically doo frame the filth of men long dead to serue herein .

But there are two principall sortes of Mumy : the best sort proceedeth of the rich Ba●samum , Catabalsamum , frankensence , Oppobalsamum , Myrre , Alloes , Beniamyn , and many other sweete odours , imbalmed within the dead ▪ coorses of most noble personages which doo cendensate into substance with the flesh by long continuance , as is afterwardes taken vp for perfect Mumy . Ther is an other sort of Mumy which commeth by means of men trauelling ouer the high mountaines of Arabia , are oftentimes swallowed vp in the dangerous deepnesse of the sandes , & their flesh by large continuance of times , concreat therwith , growing to be of one perfect substance & nature together : the Arabian writers do much commend this kind of Mumy .

Now to returne to our purpose in the naturall causes of cold and heate , for that there was neuer anie able to shewe the action of colde and heate in one like qualitie of the same . And who was euer able to draw , the strength of hote causes to take effect , from mans naturall heate ? Or who was euer able , or yet would bring to passe , that cold thinges should take their action of colde and heate in one like degree , from mans naturall heate ? Except in suffocating the sences vtterly thereby . For cold medicines do in their owne propertie and nature follow their owne strength and qualitie in the bodie .

Galen proueth by the example of cold water , which if it be inuested with an accidentall heate , will by potentiall essence in it selfe , returne to a naturall propertie of coldnesse . For as water hath a secret interflowing from the vaines of the earth , which although it hath some secret heate by vapours , or the influent exhalations of the elementes , ascending and discending , yet is it in propertie altogether cold , without alteration , and therefore it is to be regarded that hote fire is extinguished and put out with scalding water , so medicines many times haue an action of heate , yet of their potentiall power they doe ouercoole and infrefe the body .

So likewise there is another degree of medicines of cold actions , which although they be altered by art , to become of a more hote power , yet doe they returne to the former first frigiditie , yet altogether without excellencie in it selfe . So water doth returne alwaies to a peculiar and naturall coldnesse . Therefore if medicines be ministred in anie degree to the body , and therewithall doe congeale and extreame with coldnesse , it is done in the propertie and nature of medicine , not because they are preferred beyond their accustomed action .

Now it is further to be inquired , whether medicines in the fourth degree , dronke vnder euident coldnesse , may in anie sort be quite translated from the naturall heate of man . For that it doth not much appertaine to our question , wee will not much here dispute with Galen , neither is it a matter of anie importance or waight .

It cannot be denied , but if these cold medicines be in small quantitie proffered vpon anie distemperance of the body , cannot escape altogether the worke of nature , but therewithall profiteth the bodie . For like as medicines framed and composed of fumitorie , much preuaile in helpe of the dropsie , so the disease called Hydros , that is , when the skinne is filled with water , is presently cured with blacke popie . And Galen somewhat touched in conscience , practiseth to wash away his former obiection against the preparation of popie , seemeth to admit the vse thereof against those hote vlcerations , so it be both artificially tempered and naturally composed with the complexion .

Then such medicines are not in same quantitie alwaies so deepelie foreset with cold , but that they may haue some naturall instinct of heate , especially such hearbes which are in the second and third degree colde , and may not altogether reiect and dispossesse themselues from the strength of heate : So doe they easily conuert themselues to become in vnion with bodily heate , and their wholesome kindly temperance , quietly , secretly and sodainly subdueth and appeaseth all extreame distemperances of heate in the bodie .

But Theophrastus Paracelsus on the contrarie affirmeth , that Galen is herein greatly deceiued . For he further sayth that cold medicines haue a priuate and effectuall nature of cooling and intertained into the body , as possibly to be indured , vntill it be regenerat with bodily heate . Paracelsus reason herein is , for that heate and cold may in both their properties obtaine a double distinction : as either are they to do some effect in their own properties , or els by accidentall meanes , the which hath bene sufficiently handled in the former books of these temperaments especially in the qualities of dry and moyst thinges .

We may finde out sufficient similitudes and testimonies of cold and hote things , as popie being of cold nature , so Henbane is of ho●e nature , although they be hotly tempered in their single natures together , without artfull confection into the body , are not of equall operation : so are their actions vnequall and discrepant one from another , and their accidentall heate , hath supreame intendment in the one , and disgraceth the other .

So likewise if Celledin be dronke in naturall kindnesse of it selfe , much profiteth the body , but being receiued into the body by an accidentall heate , doe greatly hurt and distemper the vital parts of man , not so much in respect of action as of operation . And certainly , as there may be a translation of all thinges beyond nature . So oyle is not simply called hote , because it is turned into a flame of fire , but because it hath a natural and powerfull heate in it selfe . For surely hote nourishmentes , although they be put into the bodie in the nature of fire , yet are they no fire : for such kinde of nourishmentes are oftentimes to profite the body in place of medicines , and yet the same trasferred beyond the common course of temperance , disprofiteth and distempereth the body . I would haue it to be heere vnderstoode , that whatsoeuer altereth the disease is a medicine , except onely that meate and sustenance which aduaunceth it selfe beyond common temperance : otherwise all foode ministred vnto the bodie should be medicinable , sheweth some naturall effect eyther of liking or disliking propertie . For some are of equall power to comfort and nourish the body , some doe alter the body to some vnkindly distemperance , some doe purge the bodie , some do surfet the body , and some doe poyson the body . We may not therefore coniecture , that all sortes of meates , suffered in the body are medicines , but we must certainly perswade our selues that all purgations ministred vnto the body , are poyson some for present operation , although not deadly : for purgatiue medicines are of three natures . In their first nature , lenitiuely doe approue and molifie the body : In their second propertie , vehemently doe search and strongly feede vpon the body . They doe in their third propertie , insume nature , vtterly oppresse the bodie by a sharpe adust fluxing of bloud , or cls a deadly benumming of the vitall partes .

As all naturall sustenance agreeing with the body , is conuerted to the substance of flesh and bloud , so all poysons of what condition soeuer they be , after they be chastised from their poisonsome malice , are most curable antidotes , and remedies against all venims and stenchfull corruptions , which eyther offend or ouercharge the wholesome estate of mans life . Yet Galen sayth that whosoeuer drinketh iuyce of the vyper or aspes , is deadly poysoned , can neuer be healed , nor the poyson thereof subdued , corrected or surprised , by any art in man . Yet Dyoscorides sayth , that the stone taken from the corse and sepulchre , of some ancient king , after hee hath bene long dead , is a speciall remedie against the poyson of vyper or aspes , and all other poysons in the highest degre .

Galen calleth euerie distemperate action ( in propertie ) deleterion , that is venomous , to which hee rehearseth two seuerall kindes of hote and colde poysons as aforesaid .

Dyoscorides reporteth that the natures of poysons , are of sondrie degrees to mans body : And this contrarietie not onely respecteth a most mischieuous operation for a peculiar qualitie in it selfe , but hath also an indicible propertie in his owne substance , which is not onely contrary , vncertaine and gathered from the most distemperat influences aboue , but of the moste contagious vaporations beneath , all which easily is knowne by a certaine ordinary mutation going betweene : so that all those which continently doe not passe ouer in agreement with nature , are contrarie in their power to bodily substance , although they doe in eyther qualitie disagree . As manie of these vnnaturall poysons , are within themselues , of one proper qualitie , so manie of them are of two qualities , one disagreeing from another , and yet are they not contrarie in their seueall operatiue malice .

There are on the other side , many poysons which in their owne proper qualities resist againe , and yet in their kinde are not contrarie : therefore some extraordinarie mutation may determine , and correct this onely contrarietie .

Yet I doe greatly maruell that Auycen holdeth opinion , that all colde poysons are whollie contrarie to mans nature , in their kinde and propertie , as that they may not be corrected , or delayed .

Dyoscorides reporteth , that an olde wife of Athens , made a contrarie experience hereof , transmuting the heath Cicuta , by litle and litle without danger agreeable to purge her owne nature . And Galen in his third booke of Simples the xxi . chapter doth say , that all cold poysons , shewe their venome not in nature , but in quantitie , neither can they be altered from their malignitie , nor yet passe ouer into substance .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , this opinion is very dangerous , neither can it be true , that poisonsome medicines obtain their force , rather from powerfull quantitie , then actiue malignitie : for the force of colde poysons beeing loste vnder the action of heate , manifestly doe infrigerate the body , which cannot be more notablie discouered , then if colde water being made of an accidentall heat , from a former propertie of cold , not onely returneth to nature , but becommeth more colder , then before .

So whosoeuer drinketh cold medicines , being drawen into accidentall heate , do in their operation return to former propertie , and not onely alter , in their owne power , but are preferred to a more greater manifestation . For oftentimes colde fieame is so discerned , as if the vrine be thicke and clammie by contemplation , or by some forraine corruption , hath an vsurping accidence of heat , which although natural medicine hath some operatiue inclinatio , nyet there may be a texgiuer sation to their former propertie and power of coldnesse , and thereby oftentimes greatly offend vs , except the strength of our nature ouertrauell the danger thereof , or that the quantitie be small , or because litle heat is obtained and gotten in the vertue thereof , is the more easier deiected .

We haue an example of the Salamander , who hath a continuall propertie of fire , and yet beeing of extreame naturall power of coldnesse , extinguisheth and quencheth all fire . Euen so this hearbe Cycuta and such like vnconstant poysons , haue an outward affynitie with fire : yet the practise thereof benummeth the most perfect heat of the body , to become vncertaine and wauering .

Dyoscorides affyrmeth , that although artificiall practise should delay this hearbe Cycuta to worke in a moderat propertie , yet wil it returne to a former affliction and euill disposition in it selfe : Which easily may be perceiued , in that al cold poysons are of contrary natures to hot poisons . So both of them are two dangerous contrarie●●es to the substance of the body : as also such medicines which work beyond common course are poisons , and all such medicines which hasten the disease to become more swift , sharp , and insult the spirituall partes are po●sons . And all such medicines which disgrace the disease , are ordinarie and of high condignitie with nature . And all such medicines whith purely frame and vnite with the body , are prepreseruations for the helpe , both of health and long life to the bodie .

Therefore in ministring of medicines , there is both an ordinarie and an extraordinarie composition : ministration and operation . For medicines are rather framed of an actiue , then passiue nature . As Pepper or Mustard seede are actiue : so wine and honnie are passiue in operation .

Also there be other simples of doubtfull propertie in their worke . As the Lettuce , which although Galen commendeth the propertie thereof , to bee wholsome against the heate of the the stomach , yet Theophrastus Paracelsus reporteth , that it hath an energiecall worke to moderate , coole , and season the body in the middest of hotte infectious diseases , but neither Valerius Cordus , neither the Pande●t , nor yet the Luminarie make any such rehearsall .

But Petrus Galiensis saith , that both the Lettuce , and hearbes of such like vertue , drawe vpon the north Pole : as some more nearer , and some farther off , and therefore in degrees they exceede one an other . And saith , all hearbes whose properties are leuied from the south hot , are mitigated , measured , and equally compounded by an increment of the north ●ind .

And he further saith , that all single hearbes , worke after the coastes of the elementes : except hearbes of cold propertie , which of themselues haue no elemental attraction , the Fusun notwithstanding hath a singular conflexion vpon them . And although it was before spoken in the first booke of these Temperaments that the Sun splendeth or diminisheth her force vpon all liuing creatures , yet there must bee vnderstood , that the Sun hath a permanent reflection in her owne power and nature , but onely that the heat of the Sun is styrred and prouoked to be of greater strength in sommer by meanes of certaine hot planets , which then haue speciall domination in the elementes . So on the contrarie , the coldnesse of the elements in winter doo weaken and infeeble the heat , and yet the sunne hath one like power both in winter and sommer : so that as the sunne arris●th in heat , by the temperance of the year a●so the fruits of the ground arise and ripen therewith : and as the sun with the course of the yeare falleth , so doo the naturall fruites of the earth recline .

Then are we rightlie to coniecture , that the hearbes of the field attract from the elements an operatiue power in the vniuersall estate of mans health : for the hearbe Peperites hath a wonderfull and excellent operation , against the commi●iall disease , called the falling sicknesse , and draweth vpon the full of the moone in the east : and the said hearbe in growth is alwaies ascendent and discendent , with the increase and decrease of the moone . So also there is an other hearbe called Scopa Regia , which draweth a most high dignitie from a starre , which followeth the newe moone , called Occulus Lunae , and is of right vertue to heale a swelling congesled blood in the throat , called the kinges euill .

Petrus Galiensis saith , the hearbe Dragon is of cold operation and draweth a vertue from the Lode star . The heate of the Sun without difference warmeth all thinges , yet in deeper penetration of one thing more then another .

Herewithall it is a most excellent thing to consider the propertie of Honie : the which honie is respected to be in the vse of man in one degree , and in the vse of a Bee in an other degree . For as the heate of the Sun is sincere and pure in nature and propertie , so dooth it conioine with the course of starres discending by a certaine mellifluous dewe , inseaseth it selfe vpon the hearbs of the earth by attraction . Neither is it of right iudgment that this hony , is naturall & indifferent to all the hearbs of the earth , although the Bee hath a generall portion thorowout . Therfore Dyoscorides saith , that the naturall Bee sucketh the most mellifluous fruites of the earth . But the vnnaturall Beeroueth and rangeth aswell vpon the one as the other , especially all wilde and sauage weedes .

And yet as the Magnet or Lode-stone is vnforceable to attract vppon euerye complexion , so all sortes of hearbes are not drawen from the Elementes : for theyr attractiue aptnesse many times fall out diuersly , after the complection of men . For as there be hearbes of thin and light operation , so there are thin and light humours in men . And as there be thick and grosse operations in hearbes , so are there also thicke and grosse humours in men . Therefore the power of hot thinges , may not be adiudged by touching , neither yet vnderstood by reason , for that al things are diuers in operation . For as hot things are not alwaies thin and light , so thicke things are not alwaies cold : yet doth it commonly fall out , that solutiue medicines are alwaies hot , sharpe , and bitter . But we may not iustlie affirme that all sweet medicines are hot , for that bitter medicines are shadowed many times with outward sweetnes , As Galen saith Sub melle venenum tegitur . Surely al hot things are of subtill extenuation , and yet oftentimes through a hotte substance in themselues , doo growe into sleshie thicknesse .

Hypocrates reporteth his helpe towardes a yoong man which was ouergrowen with fleshie thicknesse both of bellie and other partes of his bodie , did aboundantlie wash , bath , and soke himselfe in the middest of sommer in colde water : And whereas chieflie his face , and other partes of his body were styffened , thickened and bound with cold humours , and for the exceeding thicknesse of his skinne , the deflation of heate was repressed , foorthwith a righteous experience tooke a prooffe . For that , fresh vnion and naturall collection of heate did follow .

This excellent temperance followeth the elementes by a natural repercussion of all cold temperatures , into the sweete and medicionable springes of the earth : for that the hot sommer course , in the Elementes hath repressed all colde temperaments of morning dewes , into the vaines and hart of the earth , the water springes become thereby potatiue , wholesome and medicionable , and both within , as without the bodie of high operation . For now as the increase of heate is hereby styrred vp , so also the exteame coldnesse , and ouer great thicknesse of the skinne , conceiueth a free relaxation in the poores , whereas also both the bloud and breath were inwardly repulsed , so the one freely interfloweth the vaines , and the other hath a temperate and equall propertie from the loonges . And also the humours which were before halfe setled , doe become nowe more plentifull and are perfected into a regular order , and heate herewith regenerated , doth first spring vp and forthwith returne and strike backe againe , thereby at length heate ouercommeth colde in the extreame and vttermost partes , and permanently there doth settle .

Galen doth seeme to call this repercussion , onely the same repulsion , which is made after the concoction of humours . Neither is it to be maruelled if heate heereby , returne more plentifull , both because the bloud being increased and renewed , the heate also must of necessitie be increased .

Theophrastus Paracelsus saith , I doe esteeme heate to be borne out more euident and manifest to outward things by manie repercussions , although no increase of bloud shall follow in outward thinges ▪ for certain momentanie repercussions may hinder bloud anie more to bend , yet it may not be said , that the cause thereof hapneth in the ripenesse of vnperfect humours . For this cause doth it seeme to come to passe after this maner , that bloud cannot easily be drawne , when it is chased from the outward plentie and fulnesse , vncertainly to possesse the inward partes : after which beeing againe inforced to anie outward operation , draweth a portion of humours to pursue those vaynes euer after , as the old prouerbe is . Fluxus , fluxum prouocat .

Therefore it is a moste excellent ornament to beholde the signes of the elementes in all euacuations . For seeing inferiour causes do expresse and exercise the nature of superiour causes , it standeth with equitie they shoulde be obeyed : Especiallie the tides of the sea , drawing vpon the course of the moone : the sunne giuing increase to the vniuersal creation : The hearbs hauing an excellent , pure and secret vse in the starres : The plannets hauing their temperance or distemperance in the complexions of all thinges . So then it is a moste high assurance , that euerie sickenesse , which distempereth in offending the life of man , ought to be considered vpon , after the high temperance , or distemperance of the elementes , aswell as the complexion of the patient . I ende to the laud of God and profite of christian health .

Thus endeth the third Booke of the Temperamentes .

The Lord made heauen and earth and all thinges that therein is , blessed are the workes of his handes . At my next conuenient leysure three bookes more are to come forth vnder one volume as followeth . A booke of the Distemperamentes . An Apologie to the Plurisies . A discourse vpon the diseases in the Arteries . FINIS .