SIr , I haue here sent you an answer to your kinde letters , though not so soone as you expected , yet assoone as my businesse , and the large handling of the matter , protracted farre beyond my first purpose , would permit . Your request standeth vpon two seuerall parts : the one is , To set downe rules and directions out of our Art for the preseruation ofhealth , and preuenting of diseases : the other is , To deliuer my opinion concerning Empericks . Touching the former , though health be a precious thing , and the greatest blessing belonging to this life , yet the meanes of preseruing it are little thought of , and lightly regarded of most , that haue full fruition of it , and are in their flourishing yeeres . If this your request proceedeth from a resolution to obserue those things which you desire to heare , Dignus es Nestoris annis , & Crotonis salubritate : You are worthy oflong life and perfect health . Some place their felicitie in honour , some in wealth ▪ other in other things : a a Hippoc. de diaeta . lib. 3. but if health be not a continuall attendant vpon these , this supposed happinesse is soone changed into miserie . An ancient Poet sayth , b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. O blessed health , when thou art present , all things flourish as in the Spring ; without thee no man is happy . To this agreeth that of Pindarus ; c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. What health is . If a man possesse riches ioyned with health , and hath with them a good report , there is no cause why he should desire to be a god . Health is thus defined by Galen : d d Cont. Iulianum . Sanitas est calidi , frigidi , humidi , siccitemperies : an equall mixture or proportion of the foure elements : not equall by iust proportion ofweight of euery element alike ; which is called temperatum ad pondus ; but temperatum ad iustitiam : such a proportion as is most agreeable to the preseruation and continuance oflife and health ; and as it were due by the right ofiustice . The same author in another place Lib. 1. de sanit . tuenda . eam corporis constitution● , &c. sheweth more plainly what health is , in these words : We call that constitution of body health , wherein we are not vexed with paine , nor hindred in the actions of our life . This perfect constitution is altered & impaired two wayes ; the one by inward , the other by outward Three enemies to ▪ life . ward things : The inward are bred and borne with vs , and it is not in our power to resist them : they are in number three ; Drinesse , continuall decay or wasting of the substance of our bodies , and breeding of superfluous excrements . Of these Galen discourseth at large in the foresaid booke : but I omit them , as things out of our power , and come to the outward , which haue equall or greater force to ouerthrow our health , if they be lightly regarded : and much vertue to preserue vs from sicknesse , if we vse them rightly . These are almost in our power , and most of them may be obserued by vs , if we endeuor Qui lib●ram vitam nactus est , &c. to liue free from sicknesse . That they haue ability to effect this , it doth plainly appeare in the booke before cited , in these words : He Qui boni ha●itus sunt , &c. de feb. diff. li. 1. ca. 3. that leadeth a free life , and hath a care of keeping his health , shall neuer be troubled with so much as a bile . And in another place : They which haue a good state of bodie , and free transpiration , and vse not too violent exercise , and keepe their stomacke and liuer warme , it is impossible for them to haue an ague . This warrant of so great a Physician , to liue vntill extreame olde age without any disease , may moue you to a carefull and diligent obseruation of the rules required to this happy state of life . These outward things are in number six : The aire , meat and drinke , exercise and rest , sleepe and waking , expelling and retaining of superfluities , and the affections of the mind . All these are in our arte comprised vnder the name of Diet , as a a In Hippoc de morb. vulg. li. 3. 〈◊〉 . 3. 9. Galen doth testifie in plaine words . These are called things not naturall , because they are not of the essence or nature of the body . They are called by Galen , Causae couseruatrices , because they keepe and preserue the body in perfect health , vntill it commeth lege adrastriae , by ineuitable fate neere the graue , being withered and consumed for want 1. The aire . of moisture . Of these six , the aire hath the first place , because our life beginneth with that , and we haue a continuall vse of it as well by night as by day , both sleeping and waking : it is of it owne nature bot and moist ; but it is subiect to many alterations from the earth , from the waters , from the windes , and from the heauens : it ministreth nourishment to the spirits and cooleth them , and receiueth their superfluous fumes : it passeth by the mouth , nose and arteries , into the braine , lungs , heart , and all parts of the body : what substance or qualities soeuer be in it , those it infuseth first into the spirits , then into the humours , and so into the whole body . Cleere , subtile , pure , sweet and temperate aire lighteneth the spirits , clarifieth the blood , dilateth the heart , and lifteth it vp with ioy and delight : it preuenteth obstructions , stirreth vp naturall heat , increaseth appetite , perfecteth concoction , and inableth euery part to expell it superfluitie at fit times . These are the excellent properties , which Hippocrates , Galen , and other ascribe vnto a good aire . a a De re rustic● . lib. 1. Columella aduiseth them that buy land to regard principally the healthfulnesse of the aire lest they purchase the meanes of shortening their liues . Also b b P●lit . 7. 11. Aristotle counselleth that cities shuld be built in a pure & clere aire . Herodotus affirmeth the Egyptians to be the healthfullest of all nations , because the aire of that countrey is so pure and not subiect to alterations , as in other places . The best aire is commonly about the highest places , that a●e open towards the East ; for there the Sunne hath most perfection to clarifie it , and the winde most power to disperse the grosnesse and superfluitie of it , as Hippocrates testifieth . S. Lib. de aere , &c. Edmunds-Bury is the most famous place in this country for good aire : Sol non vidit vrbemsitu elegantiorem . Lelandus maketh it inferiour to no citie of the world for situation : and the Physicians of Cambridge do vsually send their Patients diseased in the lungs , to liue here ; whereby many haue recouered their health . On the contrary part , grosse , thicke and impure aire , receiuing continuall exhalations from moores , fennes , bogges , and such like ▪ or being barred from the benefit of the Sunne and winde by hilles , woods or other meanes , is an vtter enemie vnto health ; for it oppresseth the heart , infecteth the lungs , dulleth the wit , diminisheth naturall heat , hindereth appetite , weakeneth concoction , and subiecteth the body to many other infirmities . Therefore sith there is so great power in the aire both to preserue and ouerthrow a perfect state of body , you are to haue a speciall care to liue alwayes in a good aire , and also to auoid all obiects offensiue to the sense of smelling . Here I may fitly giue you a taste of Tabacco , for it is taken not Tabacco . much vnlike to the drawing in of aire by breathing ; and it hath great power to alter the body . This Indian simple is hot and drie Monard . almost in the third degree , as those that wrote first ofit affirme , and The first qualities of Tabacco . the smell and taste do confirme . In respect of the excesse of these first qualities it can not be safe for yoong and sound bodies , though it Not safe for youth . yeelded pure nourishment : for the diet of yoong men must be moist without excesse ofheat ; and in cholericke complexions , somewhat cooling , as Galen affirmeth : but it is a strong purger ( as hath beene Comment. in lib. de victu s●lub . often tried by experience ) and an vtter enemie to most stomacks ; for a small quantity of it infused , mooueth violently vpward ; and in many , downward also . In this respect it is very hurtfull to all sound Aphor. 2. 37. corpora salubri● difficulter feru● medic . bodies : for Hippocrates sayth , healthfull bodies do hardly beare any purging at all . And Celsus in the very beginning of his booke hath these words ; Nourishment is fit for them that are in health , and physicke Alimenta sa●● . medicamenta aegris , &c. for the sicke onely . What though it be vsually taken by fume , and not in substance , or infusion ? yet that way it worketh the same effect in many ; and in all it draweth thin and moist humours , which all beholders perceiue distilling , or rather flowing from the mouth , nose and eyes of the takers of it . But admit that it doth not purge ; Sound bodies need no alteration . which is very euident ; yet it altereth the body much : and how can that be done in yoong and strong men without hurt ? It consumeth the moisture , and increaseth the heat of perfect constitutions , as the fire and Sunne doe sensibly heat and drie things exposed to them . Heat and moisture , in their iust mixture , are the preseruers of life : if the proportion of heat be increased , it consumeth moisture the faster : Humiditas caloris pabulum . if moisture be diminished , there followeth a necessary decay of heat : for it is maintained and fed by that , as a lampe with oile : therefore Tabacco , being armed with the excesse of both these qualities , professed enemies to youth , doth exercise cruell tyranny vpon it . Qui maximè sunt bu●idi , maximè sunt long aeui . de san . tuenda . lib. 6. Breuioris esse vitae eos , qui calidas regiones incolunt . It shorteneth life . Galen sayth ; Moistest bodies liue longest . To this agreeth that of Aristotle ; They that inhabit hot countries are of shorter life : for the heat of the Sunne draweth out much moisture from the body , and the continuall drawing in of hot aire by breathing , doth dissipate and consume it , and consequently hasteneth a drie and withered distemper , the messenger of death approching . Doth not Tabacco then threaten a short life to the great takers of it ? The often drawing in of this hot and drie fume , maketh them somewhat like those that liue in hot regions : though this be not continuall , as that is , yet 2. de legibus : quia eos ad libidinem & iram praecipites reddat . the heat and drinesse of this doth farre exceed that . Plato would not allow yoong men to drinke wine , though moderatly , because it carieth them headlong to lust and anger . Doth not Tabacco this much more ? Wine is hot and moist : Tabacco exceedeth it farre in heat ; for from the excesse of that , it hath the strong smell and fretting taste , Siccitas caloris stimulus . and it hath drinesse associated to it in stead of the others moisture . Beside this , Wine nourisheth ; Tabacco purgeth . So it is euery way farre more hurtfull than Wine . It is in greatest request amongst our yoonger and stronger sort of gentlemen ; and the quicker spirits and Cereus in vitium flecti , monitoribus asper : sublimis , &c. hoter complexions are caried most violently to the often taking of it , being like to the yoong man that Horace describeth . Euery man , that hath but tasted of Naturall philosophy , may easily comprehend it to be a dangerous and pernitious thing to cholericke constitutions : It breedeth many diseases . it inclineth them to burning agues , phrensies , and hectikes ; or carieth them into an vntimely melancholy : for the vnkinde heat of it , exceeding the naturall heat of the bodie , doth waste and destroy that , and so breedeth a melancholicke distemper by the long continued vse of it . Choler is like to a coale burning cleere with his full heat , whose moisture as it consumeth , so the heat diminisheth , and It breedeth melancholy . in time it becommeth blacke , drie and cold : euen so the often drinking of this herbe , doth by his vehement heat burne the cholericke bloud , and maketh it grosse , thicke and blacke . This is wrought by Sens●n sine sensu . small degrees and insensibly , youth , together with often powring in of drinke ( which is vsuall with them ) not suffering such alteration to De sanit . tuenda . optimi temperamenti , optimi mores . be made in short time . Galen sayth , the best complexions haue the best maners : and he writeth a whole booke to prooue that the affections of the minde follow the temper and constitution of the body . What though that be specially vnderstood of the originall temperature that we haue from our parents ; yet as that changeth with our age naturally , or accidentally by Tabacco , or any other outward meanes ; so there is with that , great change of the affections , and inclinations It hurteth the minde . of the minde . As heat & sharpnesse increase in the blood , so do hastinesse and furie in the minde : and when the blood groweth thicke and grosse , the minde is dull and sad . This is too apparent in many , though it be obscured by discretion in some . I see not therfore how Tabacco can be acquited from procuring the ouerthrow of the perfect state both of body and minde : and that not onlie in It is ill for their issue . Tabacconists themselues , but in their posterity also ; for the temperament and constitution of the father is ordinarily transfused into the children , and the affections of the minde also , depending vpon the other . This is verified likewise in distempered and sicke bodies . Est in ●uuencis , est in equis patrum virtus . Quocunque morbo pater gene●ans afficitur , ider● i● prolem transit . Mas formam , foemina materian● dat . De semine . Fernelius saith , what disease so euer the father hath , that goeth into the childe . The father giueth the forme , nature and essence to the child , as Galen affirmeth . Therefore where the humours of the body haue contracted a sharpe heat and drinesse by drinking of Tabacco , there the father getteth a childe like to himselfe , wanting that kinde moisture that should protract his life vnto olde age , and incline him to an ingenuous , courteous and kinde carriage . But many take it , imagining that it doth inable them in some actions . I confesse that it putteth a sharpe and fretting heat into the blood , which doth incitare : but they shall the sooner faile in their course ; for heat can not be preserued without moisture : and Tabacco consumeth that , by infusing a drie qualitie into the body , by excesse of heat , and by drawing out of moisture . Therefore Tabacco ; though neuer so sparingly taken , can not be good for you , nor for yoong and sound bodies : and the often vse of it in such bodies , driueth them lentis gradibus into their graue long before that time that nature had assigned them . It shortneth life . Hippocrates sayth , that which is done by little and little , is done safely : Quod paulatim fit , tutò fit . Aphor. lib. 2. 4. de cib . boni & mali ▪ succi . ca. 2. and in diet as well as in other things , he commandeth all to be vsed with moderation . Galen speaking of gentle opening medicines , affirmeth that the often vse of them drieth vp the solid parts of the body , and maketh the blood thicke and grosse ; which being burnt in the kidnies , breedeth the stone . This may as well be verified of Tabacco ; for many take it oftener than euer such opening medicines were taken : and it hath also more heat and drinesse than those had ; and therefore greater power to hurt sound bodies . There may peraduenture be a profitable vse of it in cold & moist bodies : but it must be taken very seldome , and with great regard of sundry other circumstances . To conclude , sith it is so hurtfull and dangerous to youth , I wish ( in compassion of them ) that it might haue the pernitious nature expressed in the name , and that it were as well knowen Youths-bane . by the name of Youths-bane , as by the name of Tabacco . 2. Meat and drinke . Lib. 1. de sanit . tuend .

The second thing is meat and drinke . Our bodies , as Galen affirmeth , are in assiduo fluore , in a continuall wasting , the inward heat alwayes consuming part of the very substance of them . The vse of meat and drinke is necessarie for the restauration of this dayly losse . These rightly vsed according to the rules of physicke , haue great Lib. 1. de morb. causes cap. 14. Nulla calamitate , &c. power to preserue the body from diseases . This is verified by Galen in the same booke . To him Fernelius assenteth in these words ; He shall be troubled with no disease , that layeth temperance for the foundation of his life . And in the same chapter he addeth , That neither the aire , nor the affections of the minde , nor any other cause , doth breed diseases , vnlesse there be a disposition in the body proceeding from some errour in diet . There are fiue things to be obserued in the vse of meat : The substance , the quantity , the qualities , the times of eating , and the order . Touching the substance , Galen sayth , De cib . boni & mali succi , ca. 4. In victu salubri , &c. In healthfull diet the two chiefe things are meats of good iuice and not stopping . Here , to auoid tediousnesse , I passe ouer meats of good nourishment , most of them being well knowen to you , and I will speake only of some few that are badde . Meats of ill iuice fill the body with grosse humours subiect to putrifafaction , 2 2 Initio lib. 1. de sanit tuenda . & initio lib. de cibis boni & mali succi . which is one of the principall causes of most diseases . Galen reporteth , that when there was great scarsitie of corne thorowout the Romane Empire , the people being compelled to eat roots and hearbs of bad nourishment , fell into diseases of sundry kindes . 1 1 Initio lib. 5. de sanit . tuenda . This he doth further confirme by the example of his owne body ; for during the time of his eating of ordinary fruits , he was troubled with agues almost euery yeere : but after that he left them , and fed only on good meats , he protracted his life vntill extreame olde age without any sicknesse . Flesh . The worst meats that are in vse with vs are , of flesh , Bulles beefe , the blood whereof being accounted poison amongst Physicians , may iustly make the flesh suspected , specially for colde and weake stomacks . All olde beefe is of hard digestion , and breedeth grosse and melancholike blood . Bores flesh is much of the same nature , and the older and greater , the worse . There is the like reason of Bucks , Male-goats , and Rammes , in their kinde : their ill iuice increaseth with their yeeres , and those vngelt are of harder and grosser nourishment . Blood . Blood , howsoeuer it be prepared , is vtterly condemned by Galen : De aliment . facult. so are the inwards of beasts , and the feet also , specially of the greater sort of them . Fish . Of fishes the greater and older are the worst , and bring most labour to the stomacke : those that liue in muddy or standing waters are farre worse than those of the same kinde that keepe in grauelly or cleere riuers . Ecles are iustly excluded from the number of holsome meats , because they breed of putrifaction . Fruits . Most English fruits are forbidden in diet . Many of them are profitable in medicines : De cibis bon. &c. cap. 5. therefore Galen sayth , Apples , Peares and Medlers are not to be vsed as meats , but as medicines . Therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The sooner ripe and the sooner subiect to corruption , are most condemned , because they are easily turned into putrifaction in the body . Cucumbers are too vsuall with vs , being vtterly reiected by a a De aliment . facult. Galen for their ill iuice , and if they be not well concocted ( as they are neuer in a colde stomacke ) they are b b De cib . bon. & mal . suc. ●ap. 5. almost like to deadly poison . Our common raw salads are full of danger . Salads . Lettice is one of the best of their vsuall ingredients , which though it be good in a hot stomacke , yet being taken in a great quantity , it pierceth to the heart and killeth , as Galen affirmeth . De simp. medic . facult. lib. 3. It is not safe for any man in the vse of these bad meats to presume vpon his strong stomacke ; for though naughty meats be well concocted , yet a a De aliment . facult. li. 2. ca. 6. . Galen telleth vs , that when the iuice of them is caried into the veines , it reteineth the old nature . This point is more largely handled by Ludouicus Merca●us a learned Italian . De indicat . li. 1. ca. 1. But I conclude with Galen in the foresayd place ; we must abstaine from all meats of bad iuice , though they be easie of concoction : Omnibus praui succi ●dulijs abstin . for by the vse of them our bodies will be filled with matter ready to putrifie vpon euery light occasion ; whereupon maligne and dangerous agues will follow .

The second thing to be considered in eating is the quantity : The quantity . this must not be proportioned to the appetite , but to the strength of the stomacke to concoct it perfectly : for the fault or defect of the first concoction is neuer amended in the second or third : if the liuer receiueth the chylus or iuice of meats raw and inconcocted from the stomacke , it conuerteth it into grosse and impurel bood , and so sendeth it into the lesser veines , where there is no power to refine it . It were superfluous to speake of defect in this point , for gluttony , that Plures interimit crapula quàm gladius . great murdering tyrant of the world , hath subiected most of the richer sort , and lead them by pleasant variety to the cruell prison of sicknesse , and from thence to mercilesse execution . a a 2. Aphor. 17. vbi cibus , &c. Hippocrates sayth , Where meat is taken in too great quantity , there it breedeth diseases . b b 6. Epide● . 4. sanitatis stud●um , &c. Health requireth little meat and much exercise . Socrates maketh meat and drinke , taken beyond hunger and thirst , the breeders of sicknesse . c c De senect. tantum cibi & potionis , &c. Tully prescribeth meat and drinke in a small quantity , that we may thereby be refreshed and not oppressed . d d De morb. caus . lib. 1. ca. 14. Fernelius a learned French man maketh gluttony the mother of all diseases , though they haue another father . Of all the fiue things before mentioned , the error in quantity is most vsuall , and most dangerous , and therefore most carefully to be auoided . A full diet stuffeth the body with grosse humours , and with winde ; it breedeth obstructions , after which followeth putrifaction , and agues of sundry kindes : also it begetteth many colde diseases , as gouts , dropsies , palsies , and such like : it oppresseth both the outward and inward senses : it suffocateth & extinguisheth the natural heat , as a lampe with too much oile . In Hippoc. aphor. lib. 1. 3. Thus were some of the great champions , that vsed to contend at the solemne games of Olympus , suddenly choked with fulnesse , as Galen reporteth . Also it breedeth thicke & grosse spirits , whereby the wit is made obtuse and blunt , and the iudgement dull and weake . Finally , it maketh a man vnfit not only for naturall and ciuill actions , but also for diuine meditations , according to that of Galen : a a Animus sanguine & adipe suffocat . The minde choked with blood and fatnesse , can not meditate of heauenly things . b b Quin corpus onustum besternis vitijs , &c. sorm. li. 2 sat. 2. Horatius also speaketh to this purpose : The body being oppressed with the former errours in diet , cloggeth the mide , and presseth it downe to the ground . A slender diet bringeth forth contrary effects . Many of these are set forth by Galen c c Mores probos reddit . in his first booke De sanit . tuenda . d d Vna tempera●tia totius est iucundae , &c. Fernelius in the place aboue cited sayth , Only temperance is the gouernour of a pleasant and healthfull life . e e De sanit . tuenda , li. 5. Galen bringeth in sundry men that liued in health , with perfect vse of their outward and inward senses vntill extreme olde age , by the continuall vse of a slender diet . f f Philostrat . 9. li. 3. There is a memorable history of one Apollonius Tyanaeus in the reigne of Domitian , who hauing excellent gifts of nature , and confirming them by dayly hearing , reading and meditating , obteined such deepe and admirable knowledge , that he could tell many strange things , yea and foretell things to come : wherupon he was accused before the Emperor to haue conference with diuels : but he cleered himselfe with this answer ; That he did alwayes seed on light meats in a small quantity , and without variety : This kinde of diet , sayd he , hath giuen such an excellent perspicuity to my inward senses , that I doe cleerely see , as in a glasse , things past and to come . De bello Jud●ico . lib 2. Josephus reporteth that the sect called Esseni , inioyed life and health farre longer than other men , by their slender diet . Panem & mel Atticum . The great Philosophers of Pythagoras sect had for their vsuall diet only bread and hony . To conclude this point , variety of meats is the greatest meane to allure the appetite , and consequently to procure ouerfeeding : therefore all Physicians doe inhibit many sorts of meat to be eaten at one meale ; for beside the hurt of the quantity , the difference of their qualities procureth labour to the stomacke , and hindereth perfect concoction . Consil. 246. deterius est vti ciborum salub variet . quam vnico , v●cunq sit prauus . The opinion of Montanus is very strict in this point , for he doth rather allow one dish of meat , be it neuer so bad , than variety of good . One thing more is here to be obserued , that after you be past that flourishing state and full a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vigor . strength of body , which you now inioy , then as your yeeres increase , so the Sensim sine sens● . quantity of your meat must be diminished ; for there will be a decay of your naturall heat , which you shall not perceiue , and consequently of perfect concoction , if the vsuall quantity of meat be continued . Out of this the stomacke will breed raw b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and incocted iuice , which will fill the body with matter fit for diseases , before there be any sensible feeling of it . This is confirmed by c c 1. Aphoris. 14. Hippocrates in these words : Olde men haue little heat , and therefore should eat little meat ; for as an heape of greene wood quencheth a little fire , so , much meat extinguisheth the decayed heat of the stomacke . In this respect Montanus forbiddeth olde men to go to feasts , lest by long sitting and inticing variety of meats , they should eat much .

The qualities of meat . The third thing to be considered in meat is the quality : in which it shall be sufficient to obserue these two rules out of Hippocrates : Similiasimilibus conseruantur , and contraria contrarijs curantur ; an equall and perfect temper of the body is to be preserued by meats temperate , and without any excesse of heat , moisture , colde , or drinesse ▪ but if this eucrasia or perfect mixture of the elements be decayed , so , as some of these qualities haue obtained dominion , then the body is to be reduced to his former state by contraries ; as when it is too hot , the diet must be cooling ; and so of the rest . Also the diet in Summer must be much cooler and moister , than in Winter : for in that season we draw in by breathing farre hotter aire : the Sunne also infuseth into vs a burning heat , and sucketh out much of our moisture . Furthermore , yoong men and olde are to obserue this difference in respect of their yeeres : for that age is like to Summer , and this to Winter .

The times . The fourth thing that is to be obserued in eating , is the times . New meat may not be put into the stomacke before the former be thorowly concocted and digested ; for so should both be corrupted , as a a Initio lib. de dissol contin Galen affirmeth . I know that b b De indic . lib. 1. cap. ● . Lud. Mercat . counselleth otherwise , whereof a strong stomacke may make experience without hurt ; but I thinke it not safe for others to imitate . The iudgement of c c Lib. 1. de morb. causis , cap. 14. Fernelius is freer from danger , where he commendeth fasting as the best meanes to concoct crudity : Non se , sed suam perniciem alunt . They that are full of superfluous humors , sayth he , can hardly endure fasting : and yet while they endeuour to represse the violence and fury of the humour by taking meat often , they nourish not themselues , but their owne destruction : for all the offence that groweth by fasting , will soone be taken away by the continuance of it . The custome of our meales not agreeable to physicke . The custome of our nation , for the vsuall times of eating amongst the better sort , agreeth not with the rules of Physicke : for a large supper following so soone after a full dinner , heapeth vp crudity , fit matter for diseases . Breakfast and supper without any dinner , would agree farre better with those that haue cold and moist bodies , or that vse little exercise , as Lud. Mercat . affirmeth in the foresayd place . This opinion is confirmed by the custome of the ancients . a a De sanit . tu●nda , lib. 6. The champions diet . Galen vsed a piece of bread only for his breakfast , and abstained vntill supper . The great champions , that were purposely fed to be strong to fight at Olympus , vsed bread alone for their breakfast , and porke for their supper , without any dinner . b b Lib. de acre , &c. pransores . Hippocrates calleth gluttons diuers , in disgrace of their eating one meale in a day more than was at that time vsuall ; as c c In Hip. prognost . li. 2. 13. Heurnius noteth . Also d d Lib. 3. de di●tae . Two meales . Suid●● . Hippoc. setting downe a diet agreeable to Winter , alloweth but one meale in a day , except to those that haue drie bodies , that by two meales they may be more moistened . It can not be strongly obiected against this , that the Grecians at the siege of Troy vsed to eat foure times dayly ; or three of those meales were only of bread & wine in a small quantity , and their supper was far larger of flesh . It seemeth that this often eating was extraordinary , according to their extraordinary labour in the warres : for Galen , De sanit . tuend . lib. 6. speaking of the custome of the countrey , maketh mention but of a light breakefast or dinner , and a larger supper . Horat. coena d●bia . But to shut vp this point , sith you are continually at a plentifull table , and also at vnfit and vnequall distances of time , if you do not feed very moderately and sparingly at dinner , it were healthfull to inioyne your selfe a light penance by abstaining altogether from supper : for although the abundance of naturall heat , in these your flourishing yeeres , will not permit you any light feeling of this errour in laying one meale vpon another , yet this bad custome layeth a secret and hidden foundation for sicknesse , whereupon you shall dayly build without suspition , vntill it riseth to the full height of some dangerous disease . Li. 1. fen. 3. doct. 2. ca. 8. senectus luet adolescentiae peccata . This is confirmed by the testimony of Auicen : Old age shall smart for the errors of diet committed in youth .

The order . The fift and last thing to be obserued in diet ▪ is the order of taking sundry meats at one meale . Gal. in Hippoc. de vict. rat . com . 3. 22. The custome of this land differeth in this also from the common receiued opinion amongst Physitians , which is to eat those meats first that are lightest of concoction , that they may first passe out of the stomacke . But this opinion is reiected in a booke a a De dissol contin . ascribed to Galen , and a reason annexed to disproue it : therefore in this doubt , I hold it safest for you to follow your woonted custome , which , as Hippoc. sayth , 2. Aphor. 50. is not suddenly to be broken , though it be a little woorse . Custome not suddenly to be broken . Two dishes at one meale . The safest way to preuent all danger of disorder is , neuer to eat of aboue two dishes at one meale ; which is an excellent meane to preserue health . What though Epicures obiect , Qui medicè viuit , miserè viuit ? yet you shall thereby be happie in the fruition of your health , when they shall be wretched and miserable by the grieuances that follow the full pleasure and delight of the taste .

Of drinke . Touching drinke , there are three vsuall kinds of it with vs , as euery man knoweth , Wine , Ale , and Beare . Wine . Wine is first both in time and excellency : those which be sweet , are hot & moist : that which is white , sharpe and new , hath manifest power of cooling , as Galen affirmeth . De cib . bon. ca. 8. The older that wines are , the hoter they are . The benefit of wine is set forth by Galen : Lib. an animi mores , &c. it doth greatly helpe concoction , digestion , breeding of good bloud and nourishment . But this is to be vnderstood with distinction of wines , of complexions , and of yeres : Lib de cib . bon. cap. 8. for new wines haue in them a grosse and earthly substance , by reason whereof they are so farre from helping the concoction of meats , that they themselues are hardly concocted , as he sayth in another place . And hot wines are vtter enemies to all infirmities of the head . They are also very hurtfull to hot complexions ; therefore they are generally forbidden to youth and flourishing yeeres : as is plaine in sundry places in a a De sanit . tuend . a a De morb. caus . Galen . b b L● . ca. 14. fructum accelerat , sed arb●rem per●mit . Fernel . sayth thus of wine : It is to mens bodies as chalke to trees ; it hasteneth the fruit , but it killeth the tree . This is to be vnderstood of hot wines , in yoong men and hot constitutions . I omit Plato his strict allowance of wine , confuted by c c Lib. an animi mores . Galen . Ale is cooler than Beere , because it wanteth the hop ; it fumeth not vp to the head , as wine and beere doe : therefore it is most healthfull in infirmities of the head ; but it is windy . Hoppes , which make the difference betwixt ale and beere , are hot and drie ; therefore beere is farre hoter than ale , if they be equall in other things : it is also much more opening . The vse of drinke is to restore the moisture which the heat of the body dayly consumeth , as a a Li. 1. de sanit . tuenda . Galen sayth . b b In Hip. de vict. ratione lib. 3. It is also cibi vehiculum : it maketh the chylus or iuyce of the meat more liquid or thinne , that it may be the easier carried into the veines , and distributed into all parts of the body . c c Labor , cibus , potus , somnus , venus . Hippoc. sayth , exercise , meat , drinke , &c. and all in a meane . Heere is a plaine and manifest rule for the moderate vse of this : that it be neuer taken in great quantity . The words also conteine a more obscure rule for the time of drinking : that is , meales must begin with meat , and then drinke to follow : for so Galen expoundeth that place , that the order of the words is to be obserued , and the things performed accordingly : first labour , then meat , after that drinke . Not to drink betweene meales . Sacke before supper not allowed . This condemneth the common custome of drinking betwixt meales or immediatly before them . Sacke before supper is as hurtfull , as vsuall , it carrieth the vnconcocted relikes of the meat into the veines before the due time : also it procureth a false appetite , whereby new meat is taken before the former be digested ; which is a pestilent enemy to health . The quantity of drinke must be proportioned to the meat , with a regard of the temperature of the body , and season of the yeere : for leane and drie bodies are allowed more than fat and moist ; and a greater quantity in Summer than in Winter . Very little drinke hindereth concoction in some stomacks , and distribution in most . The hurt of much drinke . A great quantity oppresseth the stomacke , hindereth concoction , breedeth winde , offendeth the head , and filleth the whole body with superfluous moisture . Drinke betwixt meales . Drinke may sometimes be allowed betwixt meales to cholericke bodies , after the meat is concocted in the stomacke , as a a De indic . lib. 1. cap. 2 consil. li 1. Ludouic . Mercat . affirmeth ▪ Also b b Epist. Crato , a learned Germane , counselleth him that hath a hot liuer , to drinke after the first concoction . c c In Hipp. aphor. lib. 5. 27. Galen alloweth drinke in the night , but to those only that are extreamely thirsty : but this liberty of drinking betwixt meales procureth much hurt to flegmaticke bodies , and to those that drinke for pleasure or custome without great thirst . Hippoc. forbiddeth drinke to them that are ready to go to bed , because sleepe moisteneth sufficiently .