4915Century I.
of the nouriſhment, by Exhaling and Sweating:
And tnerefore if the Patient
be apt to ſweat, it muſt be gently reſtrained. But chiefly Hipocrates Rule is to
be followed, who adviſeth quite contrary to that which is in uſe: Namely,
That the Linnen or Garment next the Fleſh, be in Winter dry and oft
changed; and in Summer ſeldom changed, and ſmeared over with Oyl:
For certain it is, that any ſubſtance that is fat, doth a little fill the Pores of
the Body and ſtay Sweat in ſome degree. But the more cleanly way is to
have the Linnen ſmeared lightly over with Oyl of ſweet Almonds, and not
to forbear ſhifting as oft as is fit.
be apt to ſweat, it muſt be gently reſtrained. But chiefly Hipocrates Rule is to
be followed, who adviſeth quite contrary to that which is in uſe: Namely,
That the Linnen or Garment next the Fleſh, be in Winter dry and oft
changed; and in Summer ſeldom changed, and ſmeared over with Oyl:
For certain it is, that any ſubſtance that is fat, doth a little fill the Pores of
the Body and ſtay Sweat in ſome degree. But the more cleanly way is to
have the Linnen ſmeared lightly over with Oyl of ſweet Almonds, and not
to forbear ſhifting as oft as is fit.
The ſecond Means is to ſend forth the nouriſhment into the parts more
1156. ſtrongly, for which, the working muſt be by ſtrengthning of the Stomack;
and in this, becauſe the Stomack is chiefly comforted by Wine and hot
things, which otherwiſe hurt, it is good to reſort to outward applications to
the Stomack: Wherein it hath been tryed, that the Quilts of Roſes, Spices,
Maſtick, Wormwood, Mint, & c. are not ſo helpful, as to take a Cake of
New Bread, and to bedew it with a little Sack or Alegant, and to dry it, and
after it be dryed alittle before the Fire, to put it within a clean Napkin,
and to lay it to the Stomack: For it is certain, that all Flower hath a po-
tent Vertue of Aſtriction, inſomnch, as it hardneth a piece of Fleſh, or a
Flower that is laid in it. And therefore a Bag quilted with Bran, is like wiſe
very good, but it dryeth ſomewhat too much, and therefore it muſtnot lie
long.
1156. ſtrongly, for which, the working muſt be by ſtrengthning of the Stomack;
and in this, becauſe the Stomack is chiefly comforted by Wine and hot
things, which otherwiſe hurt, it is good to reſort to outward applications to
the Stomack: Wherein it hath been tryed, that the Quilts of Roſes, Spices,
Maſtick, Wormwood, Mint, & c. are not ſo helpful, as to take a Cake of
New Bread, and to bedew it with a little Sack or Alegant, and to dry it, and
after it be dryed alittle before the Fire, to put it within a clean Napkin,
and to lay it to the Stomack: For it is certain, that all Flower hath a po-
tent Vertue of Aſtriction, inſomnch, as it hardneth a piece of Fleſh, or a
Flower that is laid in it. And therefore a Bag quilted with Bran, is like wiſe
very good, but it dryeth ſomewhat too much, and therefore it muſtnot lie
long.
The third Means (which may be a branch of the former) is to ſend
2257. forth the nouriſhment the better by ſleep. For weſee, that Bears and other
Creatures that ſleep in the Winter, was exceeding fat: And certain it is, (as
it is commonly believed) that Sleep doth nouriſh much, both for that the
Spirits do leſs ſpend the nouriſhment in Sleep, than when living Creatures
are awake: And becauſe (that which is to the preſent purpoſe) it helpeth
to thruſt out the nouriſhment into the parts. Therefore in aged-men, and
weak Bodies, and ſuch as abound not with Choler, aſhort ſleep aſter dinner
doth help to nouriſh; for in ſuch Bodies there is no fear of an over-haſty
digeſtion, which is the inconvenience of Poſt-meridian Sleeps. Sleep alſo in
the morning, after the taking of ſomewhat of eaſie digeſtion; as Milk from
the Cow, nouriſhing Broth, or the like, doth further nouriſhment: But this
would be done ſitting upright, that the Milk or Broth may paſs the more
ſpeedily to the bottom of the Stomack.
2257. forth the nouriſhment the better by ſleep. For weſee, that Bears and other
Creatures that ſleep in the Winter, was exceeding fat: And certain it is, (as
it is commonly believed) that Sleep doth nouriſh much, both for that the
Spirits do leſs ſpend the nouriſhment in Sleep, than when living Creatures
are awake: And becauſe (that which is to the preſent purpoſe) it helpeth
to thruſt out the nouriſhment into the parts. Therefore in aged-men, and
weak Bodies, and ſuch as abound not with Choler, aſhort ſleep aſter dinner
doth help to nouriſh; for in ſuch Bodies there is no fear of an over-haſty
digeſtion, which is the inconvenience of Poſt-meridian Sleeps. Sleep alſo in
the morning, after the taking of ſomewhat of eaſie digeſtion; as Milk from
the Cow, nouriſhing Broth, or the like, doth further nouriſhment: But this
would be done ſitting upright, that the Milk or Broth may paſs the more
ſpeedily to the bottom of the Stomack.
The fourth Means is to provide that the parts themſelves may draw to
3358. them the nouriſhment ſtrongly. There is an excellent obſervation of Ari-
ſtotle, that a great reaſon why Plants (ſome of them) are of greater age than
Living Creatures is, for that they yearly put forth new Leaves and Boughs;
whereas Living Creatures put forth (after their period of growth) nothing
that is young, but Hair and Nails, which are Excrements, and no Parts.
And it is moſt certain, that whatſoever is young, doth draw nouriſhment
better, than that which is old; and then (that which is the myſtery of
that obſervation) young Boughs and Leaves, calling the Sap up to them,
the ſame nouriſheth the Body in the Paſſage. And this we ſee notably pro-
ved alſo, in that the oft outting or polling of Hedges, Trecs, and Herbs, doth
conduce much to their laſting. Transfer therefore this obſervation to the
helping of nouriſhment in Living Creatures: The Nobleſt and Principal
Uſe whereof is, for the Prolongation of Life; Reſtauration of ſomc de-
gree of Youth, and Inteneration of the Parts: For certain it is, that there
are in Living Creatures Parts that nouriſh and repair eaſily, and parts
3358. them the nouriſhment ſtrongly. There is an excellent obſervation of Ari-
ſtotle, that a great reaſon why Plants (ſome of them) are of greater age than
Living Creatures is, for that they yearly put forth new Leaves and Boughs;
whereas Living Creatures put forth (after their period of growth) nothing
that is young, but Hair and Nails, which are Excrements, and no Parts.
And it is moſt certain, that whatſoever is young, doth draw nouriſhment
better, than that which is old; and then (that which is the myſtery of
that obſervation) young Boughs and Leaves, calling the Sap up to them,
the ſame nouriſheth the Body in the Paſſage. And this we ſee notably pro-
ved alſo, in that the oft outting or polling of Hedges, Trecs, and Herbs, doth
conduce much to their laſting. Transfer therefore this obſervation to the
helping of nouriſhment in Living Creatures: The Nobleſt and Principal
Uſe whereof is, for the Prolongation of Life; Reſtauration of ſomc de-
gree of Youth, and Inteneration of the Parts: For certain it is, that there
are in Living Creatures Parts that nouriſh and repair eaſily, and parts