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 [Page 42] 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 dis­couerWhich 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 [Page 43] 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 [Page 44] 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, [Page 45] which otherwise would in al the partes thereof languish and falWine 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 permixiō of elements. Therefore if it be possible that foure humours are confoundedManers 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 [Page 46] 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 ouer­troubled 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, shalbe then [...]old and moyst, because of the strong exhaltations of heate fol­lowing [Page 47] 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 [Page 48] 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 [Page 49] 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 vpō 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 shalbe 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 [Page 53] 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 accidēts 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 [Page 54] 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 [Page 55] 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: [...] [Page 58] 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 frō 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 [Page 59] 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, firstAn 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 [Page 60] 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, [Page 61] 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. [Page 62] 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 [Page 63] 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 elemēs 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 mēber. 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 [Page 64] 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, notwithstāding 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 [Page 65] 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 per­fectMans 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.

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 ver­tuousCardo est cordis ienua. vt animantia motū 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 [Page 67] 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 [Page 68] 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 substāce, 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, y^e although the minde is possest with reason & vnderstanding vnder the power of the soule, yet if conceit eyther decayeth, or swarueth aside, frō 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 [Page 69] 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 contēplatiue 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 [Page 70] vntill thirtie and three, as the last and farthest drist 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 [Page 71] 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 [Page 72] 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 y^• 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 [Page 73] 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 [Page 74] 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 andIn 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 quātitie, 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 [Page 75] 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 [Page 76] 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 [Page 78] being transpersed in the first maner of comparison, as the elements reserue in thēselues 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 calleThis 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 [Page 79] 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 [Page 80] 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 theThe 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 [Page 81] 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 affirmethThat 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 vpō the dyaphragm [...], which maketh diuision vppon the spirituall partes: Therefore Auycen placeth the hart absolutely drie.

Dyoscorides somewhat doth contradict Auycen heerein, [Page 82] 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 excremēts 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 frō his first propertie, vtterly orrupteth, decayeth, becōmeth 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 [Page 83] 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 thē ­selues: 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 [Page 84] 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 y^e 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 [Page 85] 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 [Page 86] 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 digestionThe 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 whichNature 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 [Page 87] 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 [Page 88] 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 [Page 89] 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 [Page 90] 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 discases, 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 cōsidered in the temperance of women, touching hayre, for that there are some who thinke the same farre disa­greeing [Page 91] frō this our purpose: that is, a woman of cold & moyst tēperance, 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 [Page 92] 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 [Page 93] 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, areThe 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, [Page 94] 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, [Page 95] 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 theseChollerike 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, [Page 97] 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 sameIt 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 mini­strethIf 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 constitutiō 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 [Page 98] 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 [Page 99] 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 [Page 100] 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 inter­tainedA 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 [Page 101] 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 [Page 102] 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 [Page 103] 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 [Page 104] 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.

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 cōsenting 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, fromCausticke 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 [Page 106] 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 dis­cases 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 [Page 107] 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, thē an indicibleAll 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 [Page 108] 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 [Page 109] 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 [Page 110] 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 [Page 111] 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. ForWhere 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 [Page 114] 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 [Page 115] 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 [Page 116] 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 glutto­nousExanguit, 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, [Page 117] 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 [Page 118] 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 [Page 119] 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, [Page 120] 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 & strīgth 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 [Page 122] 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 [Page 130] 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 [Page 124] 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 [Page 125] 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 [Page 126] 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, [Page 127] 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 [Page 129] 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 [Page 122] 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.