4. The other is this, let there be in use, especially in summer, baths of fresh water, and but lukewarm, altogether without emollients, as mallows, mercury, milk, and the like; rather take new whey in some good quantity, and roses.

5. But (that which is the principal in this intention and new) we advise that before the bathing, the body be anointed with oil, with some thickness, whereby the quality of the cooling may be received, and the water excluded: yet let not the pores of the body be shut too close, for when the outward cold closeth up the body too strongly, it is so far from furthering coolness, that it rather forbids, and stirs up heat.

6. Like unto this is the use of bladders, with some decoctions and cooling juices, applied to the inferior region of the body, namely, from the ribs to the privy parts: for this also is a kind of bathing, where the body of the liquor is for the most part excluded, and the cooling quality admitted.

11. But, in our judgment, the safer and more effectual way would be by the use of woods in infusions and decoctions; for there is in them sufficient to cause firmness of blood, and not the like danger for breeding obstructions; but especially, because they may be taken in meat and drink, whereby they will find the more easy entrance into the veins, and not be avoided in excrements.

12. The woods fit for this purpose are sanders, the oak, and vine. As for all hot woods or something rosiny, we reject them; notwithstanding, you may add the woody stalks of rosemary dried, for rosemary is a shrub, and exceedeth in age many trees, also the woody stalks of ivy, but in such quantity as they may not yield an unpleasing taste.

13. Let the woods be taken either boiled in broths, or infused in must or ale before they leave

8. And as for the use of filings of gold, leaf-gold, powder of pearl, precious stones, coral, and the like, we have no opinion of them at this day, unless it be only as they may satisfy this present operation. Certainly, seeing the Arabians, Grecians, and modern physicians, have attributed such virtues to these things, it cannot be altogether nothing, which so great men have observed of them. And, therefore, omitting all fantastical opinions about them, we do verily believe, that if there could be some such things conveyed into the whole mass of the blood in minute and fine portions, over which the spirits and heat should have little or no power, absolutely it would not only resist putrefaction, but arefaction also, and be a most effectual means to the prolongation of life. Nevertheless, in this thing several cautions are to be given; first, that there be a most exact comminution: secondly, that such hard and solid things be void of all malignant qualities, lest while they be dispersed and lurk in the veins, they breed some illconvenience: thirdly, that they be never taken together with meats, nor in any such manner as they may stick long, lest they beget dangerous obstructions about the mesentery: lastly, that they be taken very rarely, that they may not coagulate and knot together in the veins.

9. Therefore, let the manner of taking them be fasting, in white wine, a little oil of almonds mingled therewith, exercise used immediately upon the taking of them.

10. The simples which may satisfy this operation are, instead of all, gold, pearls, and coral; for all metals, except gold, are not without some

acum and the like) they would be infused a good while before the boiling, that the firmer part of the wood, and not that only which lieth loosely, may be drawn forth. As for ash, though it be used for cups, yet we like it not. And touching the operation upon the blood, thus much.

IV. The Operation upon the Juices of the Body. The history.

1. There are two kinds of bodies (as was said before in the inquisition touching inanimates) which are hardly consumed, hard things and fat things, as is seen in metals and stones, and in oil and wax.

2. It must be ordered, therefore, that the juice of the body be somewhat hard, and that it be fat or subroscid.

3. As for hardness, it is caused three ways: by aliment of a firm nature, by cold condensing the skin and flesh, and by exercise, binding and compacting the juices of the body, that they be not soft and frothy.

4. As for the nature of the aliment, it ought to be such as is not easily dissipable, such as are beef, swine's flesh, deer, goat, kid, swan, goose, ringdove, especially if they be a little powdered; fish is likewise salted and dried, old cheese, and the like.

5. As for the bread, oaten bread or bread with some mixture of pease in it, or rye bread, or barley bread, are more solid than wheat bread, and in wheat bread, the coarse wheat bread is more solid than the pure manchet.

6. The inhabitants of the Orcades, which live upon salted fish, and generally all fish eaters, are long-lived.

7. The monks and hermits which fed sparingly.

8. Also, pure water usually drunk, makes the juices of the body less frothy; unto which if, for the dulness of the spirits, (which no doubt in water are but a little penetrative,) you shall add a little nitre, we conceive it would be very good. And touching the firmness of the aliment, thus much.

9. As for the condensation of the skin and flesh by cold: they are longer lived for the most part that live abroad in the open air, than they that live in houses; and the inhabitants of the cold countries, than the inhabitants of the hot.

10. Great store of clothes, either upon the bed or back, do resolve the body.

11. Washing the body in cold water is good for length of life; use of hot baths is naught: touching baths of astringent mineral waters, we have spoken before.

12. As for exercise, an idle life doth manifestly make the flesh soft and dissipable: robust exercise (so it be without overmuch sweating or weariness) maketh it hard and compact. Also exercise within cold water, as swimming, is very good; and generally exercise abroad is better than that within houses.

13. Touching frications, (which are a kind of exercise,) because they do rather call forth the aliment that hardens the flesh, we will inquire hereafter in the due place.

14. Having now spoken of hardening the juices of the body, we are to come next to the oleosity and fatness of them, which is a more perfect and potent intention than induration, because it hath no inconvenience or evil annexed. For all those things which pertain to the hardening of the juices are of that nature, that while they prohibit the absumption of the aliment, they also hinder the operation of the same; whereby it happens, that the same things are both propitious and adverse to length of life; but those things which pertain to making the juices oily and roscid, help on both sides, for they render the aliment both less dissipable, and more reparable.

15. But, whereas we say that the juice of the body ought to be roscid and fat, it is to be noted that we mean it not of a visible fat, but of a dewiness dispersed, or (if you will call it) radical in the very substance of the body.

16. Neither again let any man think, that oil, or the fat of meat or marrow, do engender the like, and satisfy our intention: for those things which are once perfect are not brought back again; but the aliments ought to be such, which after digestion and maturation, do then in the end engender oleosity in the juices.

17. Neither again let any man think, that oil or fat by itself and simple is hard of dissipation; but in mixture it doth not retain the same nature: for as oil by itself is much more longer in con

longer, and is later dried, as we noted before.

18. To the irroration of the body, roasted meats or baked meats are more effectual than boiled meats, and all preparation of meat with water is inconvenient; besides oil is more plentifully extracted out of dried bodies than out of moist bodies.

19. Generally, to the irroration of the body much use of sweet things is profitable, as of sugar, honey, sweet almonds, pineapples, pistachios, dates, raisins of the sun, corans, figs, and the like. Contrarily, all sour, and very salt, and very biting things are opposite to the generation of roscid juice.

20. Neither would we be thought to favour the Maenichees, or their diet, though we commend the frequent use of all kinds of seeds, kernels, and roots in meats or sauces, considering all bread (and bread is that which maketh the meat firm) is made either of seeds or roots.

21. But there is nothing makes so much to the irroration of the body as the quality of the drink, which is the convoy of the meat; therefore, let there be in use such drinks as without all acrimony or sourness are notwithstanding subtile; such are those wines which are (as the old woman said in Plautus) vetustate edentula, toothless with age, and ale of the same kind.

22. Mead (as we suppose) would not be ill if it were strong and old; but because all honey hath in it some sharp parts, (as appears by that sharp water which the chymists extract out of it, which will dissolve metals,) it were better to take the same portion of sugar, not lightly infused into it, but so incorporated as honey useth to be in mead, and to keep it to the age of a year, or at least six months, whereby the water may lose the crudity, and the sugar acquire subtilty.

23. Now, ancientness in wine or beer hath this in it, that it engenders subtilty in the parts of the liquor, and acrimony in the spirits, whereof the first is profitable, and the second hurtful. Now, to rectify this evil commixture, let there be put into the vessel, before the wine be separated from the must, swine's flesh or deer's flesh well boiled, that the spirits of the wine may have whereupon to ruminate and feed, and so lay aside their mordacity.

24. In like manner, if ale should be made not only with the grains of wheat, barley, oats, pease, and the like, but also should admit a part (suppose a third part to these grains) of some fat roots, such as are potado roots, pith of artichokes, burre roots, or some other sweet and esculent roots; we suppose it would be a more useful drink for long life than the ale made of grains only.

Also, such things as have very thin parts, yet, notwithstanding, are without all acrimony or mordacity, are very good salads; which virtue we find to be in some few of the flowers, namely,

are used in broths, and flowers of betony. And, touching the operation upon the juices of the body, thus much.

V. The Operation upon the Bowels of their Extrusion of Aliment.

The history.

6. I do verily conceive it good that the first draught either of wine, or ale, or any other drink (to which a man is most accustomed) be taken at supper warm.

7. Wine in which gold hath been quenched, I conceive, would be very good once in a meal; not that I believe the gold conferreth any virtue thereunto, but that I know that the quenching of all metals in any kind of liquor doth leave a most potent astriction. Now, I choose gold, because, besides that astriction which I desire, it leave th nothing behind it of a metalline impression. 8. I am of opinion that the sops of bread dip

2. Touching the spleen, gall, kidneys, mesenteries, guts, and lungs, we speak not, for these are members ministering to the principal, and whereas speech is made touching health, they require sometimes a most special consideration, because each of these have their diseases, which, unless they be cured, will have influence upon the principal members. But, as touching the prolongation of life, and reparation by aliments, and retardation of the incoction of old age; if the concoctions and those principal bowels be well disposed, the rest will commonly follow according to one's wish.

3. And as for those things which, according to the different state of every man's body, may be transferred into his diet, and the regiment of his life, he may collect them out of the books of physicians, which have written of the comforting and preserving the four principal members; for conservation of health hath commonly need of no more than some short courses of physic, but length of life cannot be hoped without an orderly diet, and a constant race of sovereign medicines. But we will propound some few, and those the most select and prime directions.

better than wine itself, especially if there were infused into the wine in which the sops were dipped, rosemary and citron pill, and that with sugar, that it may not slip too fast.

9. It is certain that the use of quinces is good to strengthen the stomach, but we take them to be better if they be used in that which they call quiddeny of quinces, than in the bodies of the quinces themselves, because they lie heavy in the stomach. But those quiddenies are best taken, after meals, alone; before meals, dipped in vinegar.

10. Such things as are good for the stomach above other simples are these, rosemary, elecampane, mastic, wormwood, sage, mint.

11. I allow pills of aloes, mastic, and saffron, winter-time, taken before dinner, but so as the aloes be not only oftentimes washed in rose-water, but also in vinegar in which tragacanth hath been infused, and after that be macerated for a few hours in oil of sweet almonds new drawn, before it be made into pills.

12. Wine or ale, wherein wormwood has been infused, with a little elecampane and yellow sanders, will do well, taken at times, and that especially in winter.

5. I wonder much how that same calidum bibere, to drink warm drink, (which was in use amongst the ancients,) is laid down again. I knew a physician that was very famous, who, in the beginning of dinner and supper, would usually eat a few spoonfuls of very warm broth with much greediness, and then would presently wish

14. But, generally, all draughts in the morning (which are but too frequently used) of cooling things, as of juices, decoctions, whey, barley waters, and the like, are to be avoided, and nothing is to be put into the stomach fasting which is purely cold. These things are better given, if need require, either at five in the afternoon, or else an hour after a light breakfast.

15. Often fastings are bad for long life; besides, all thirst is to be avoided, and the stomach is to be kept clean, but always moist.

16. Oil of olives new and good, in which?

18. The liver, if it be preserved from torrefaction or desiccation, and from obstruction, it needeth no more; for that looseness of it which begets aquosities is plainly a disease, but the other two, old age approaching induceth.

19. Hereunto appertain most especially those things which are set down in the operation upon the blood; we will add a very few things more, but those selected.

20. Principally, let there be in use the wine of sweet pomegranates; or, if that cannot be had, the juice of them newly pressed; let it be taken in the morning with a little sugar, and into the glass into which the expression is made put a small piece of citron pill, green, and three or four whole cloves; let this be taken from February till the end of April.

21. Bring also into use, above all other herbs, water-cresses, but young, not old; they may be used either raw in sallets, or in broths, or in drinks; and after that take spoonwort.

22. Aloes, however washed or corrected, is hurtful for the liver, and therefore it is never to be taken ordinarily. Contrariwise, rhubarb is sovereign for the liver, so that these three cautions be interposed: First, that it be taken before meat, lest it dry the body too much, or leave some impressions of the sty picity thereof. Secondly, that it be macerated an hour or two in oil of sweet almonds new drawn, with rosewater, before it be infused in liquor, or given in the proper substance. Thirdly, that it be taken by turns, one while simple, another while with tartar, or a little baysalt, that it carry not away the lighter parts only, and make the mass of the humours the more obstinate.

23. I allow wine, or some decoction with steel, to be taken three or four times in the year, to open the more strong obstructions; yet so that a draught of two or three spoonfuls of oil of sweet almonds, new drawn, ever go before, and the motion of the body, especially of the arms and sides, constantly follow.

24 Sweetened liquors, and that with some fatness, are principally, and not a little effectual to prevent the arefaction, and saltness, and torrefaction; and, in a word, the oldness of the liver, especially if they be well incorporated with age. They are made of sweet fruits and roots; as, namely, the wines and julips of raisins of the sun new, jujubes,

with the mixture of liquorice sometimes. Also, a julip of the Indian grain, (which they call maize,) with the mixture of some sweet things, doth much to the same end. But it is to be noted, that the intention of preserving the liver in a kind of softness and fatness, is much more powerful than that other which pertains to the opening of the liver, which rather tendeth to health, than to length of life, saving that obstruction which induceth torrefaction, is as opposite to long life as those other arefactions.

25. I commend the roots of succory, spinage, and beets cleared of their piths, and boiled till they be tender in water, with a third part of white wine, for ordinary sallets, to be eaten with oil and vinegar. Also asparagus, pith of artichokes, and burroots boiled and served in after the same manner. Also broths in the spring-time of vinebuds, and the green blades of wheat. And touching the preserving of the liver, thus much.

26. The heart receiveth benefit or harm most from the air which we breathe, from vapours, and from the affections. Now, many of those things which have been formerly spoken, touching the spirits, may be transferred hither; but that undigested mass of cordials collected by physicians avails little to our intention; notwithstanding, those things which are found to be good against poisons, may, with good judgment, be given to strengthen and fortify the heart, especially if they be of that kind, that they do not so much resist the particular poisons, as arm the heart and spirits against poison in general. And touching these several cordials, you may repair to the table already set down.

27. The goodness of the air is better known by experience than by signs. We hold that air to be best where the country is level and plain, and that lieth open on all sides, so that the soil be dry, and yet not barren or sandy; which puts forth wild thyme, and eyebright, and a kind of marjoram, and here and there stalks of calamint ; which is not altogether void of wood, but conveniently set with some trees for shade, where the sweetbrier-rose smelleth something musky and aromatically. If there be rivers, we suppose them rather hurtful than good, unless they be very small, and clear, and gravelly.

28. It is certain, that the morning air is more lively and refreshing than the evening air, though the latter be preferred out of delicacy.

29. We conceive also, that the air stirred with a gentle wind, is more wholesome than the air of a serene and calm sky; but the best is, the wind blowing from the west in the morning, and from the north in the afternoon.

30. Odours are especially profitable for the comforting of the heart, yet not so, as though a good odour were the prerogative of a good air; for it is certain, that as there are some pestilential

airs which smell not so ill as others that are less hurtful; so, on the contrary, there are some airs most wholesome and friendly to the spirits, which either smell not at all, or are less pleasing and fragrant to the sense. And generally, when the air is good, odours should be taken but now and then; for a continual odour, though never so good, is burdensome to the spirits.

31. We commend, above all others, (as we have touched before,) odour of plants growing, and not plucked, taken in the open air; the principal of that kind are, violets, gilliflowers, pinks, bean-flowers, lime tree blossoms, vine-buds, honeysuckles, yellow wallflowers, musk-roses, (for other roses growing are fast of their smells,) strawberry leaves, especially dying, sweetbrier, principally in the early spring, wild mint, lavender flowered; and in the hotter countries, orange tree, citron tree, myrtle, laurel. Therefore, to walk or sit near the breath of these plants, would not be neglected.

32. For the comforting of the heart, we prefer cool sinells before hot smells; therefore, the best perfume is, either in the morning, or about the heat of the day, to take an equal portion of vinegar, rose-water, and claret wine, and to pour them upon a firepan somewhat heated.

33. Neither let us be thought to sacrifice to our mother the earth, though we advise that, in digging or ploughing the earth for health, a quantity of claret wine be poured thereon.

34. Orange-flower water, pure and good, with a small portion of rose-water, and brisk wine, snuffed up into the nostrils, or put into the nostrils with a syringe, after the manner of an errhine, (but not too frequently,) is very good.

35. But champing, (though we have no betel,) or holding in the mouth only of such things as cheer the spirits, (even daily done,) is exceeding comfortable. Therefore, for that purpose make grains, or little cakes of ambergris, musk, lignum aloes, lignum rhodium, orras powder, and roses; and let those grains or cakes be made up with rose-water which hath passed through a little Indian balsam.

gold and pearls work a good effect, not only within the veins, but in their passage, and about the parts near the heart; namely, by cooling, without any malignant quality.

38. Of bezoar-stone we believe well, because of many trials; but then the manner of taking it ought to be such, as the virtue thereof may more easily be communicated to the spirits. Therefore, we approve not the taking of it in broths or syrups, or in rose-water, or any such like; but only in wine, cinnamon-water, or the like distilled water, but that weak or small, not burning or strong.

39. Of the affections we have spoken before: we only add this, that every noble, and resolute, and (as they call it) heroical desire, strengtheneth and enlargeth the powers of the heart. And touching the heart, thus much.

40. As for the brain, where the seat and court of the animal spirits is kept, those things which were inquired before touching opium, and nitre, and the subordinates to them both; also touching the procuring of placid sleep, may likewise be referred hither. This also is most certain, that the brain is in some sort in the custody of the stomach; and, therefore, those things which comfort and strengthen the stomach, do help the brain by consent, and may no less be transferred hither. We will add a few observations, three outward, one inward.

41. We would have bathing of the feet to be often used, at least once in a week; and the bath to be made of lye with bay-salt, and a little sage, camomile, fennel, sweet marjoram, and pepperwort, with the leaves of angelica green.

42. We commend also a fume or suffumigation every morning of dried rosemary, bay leaves dried, and lignum aloes; for all sweet gums oppress the head.

43. Especially care must be taken that no hot things be applied to the head outwardly; such are all kind of spices, the very nutmeg not excepted; for those hot things, we debase them to the soles of the feet, and would have them applied there only; but a light anointing of the head with oil, mixed with roses, myrtle, and a little salt and saffron, we much commend.

44. Not forgetting those things which we have before delivered touching opiates, nitre, and the like, which so much condense the spirits; we think it not impertinent to that effect that once in fourteen days broth be taken in the morning with

37. Out of that unprofitable rabble of cordials a few ought to be taken into daily diet; instead of all, ambergris, saffron, and the grain of Kermes, of the hotter sort. Roots of bugloss and borage, citrons, sweet lemons, and pearmains, of the colder sort. Also, that way which we said, both

gelica seed, and calamus, which both fortify the brain, and in that aforesaid density of the substance of the spirits, (so necessary to long life,) add also a vivacity of motion and vigour to them.

45. In handling the comforters of the four principal bowels we have propounded those things which are both proper and choice, and may