Two gross errors in our new lights about the exhibition of water XX. Whether water be a convenient Medicine in feavers and whether we may drink it against custom XXI Who may change custom that sick men may not change nor veletudinary men XXII Divers Cautions to be considered for the Drinking of Water XXIII A recapitulation of the former Chapter out of Riverius XXIV Whether water be good in the palpitation of the heart gout and dropsy XXV Three objections Answered XXVI The Epilogue Of drinking Water CHAP. I. The four considerations of water THere be four principall considerations of water First as an Element Secondly as an Aliment or nourishment Thirdly as a Vehicle of nourishment Fourthly as a medicine or medicament First as an Element water is the mother as heat is the father of all generation Hence the Ancient Poet Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which verse I thus turne From water as from an Ocean springs The great generation of all things Water also is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all-sperme or all-spawn as if all sublunary things had their original from water And when the divine Scripture saith that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water This spirit is fire as Valesius expounds or as others heat which is celestiall Aristotle call its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more divine attributing a divine efficacy to this heat which moves upon the water and nessles as a Hen upon egg to produce all living creatures but this consideration appertains rather to the Philosopher then to the Physitian therefore I passe to the second consideration Secondly Water is considered as an Aliment or nourishment and although according to Scaliger and Valesius water doth not nourish yet the better part of the learned hold the contrary And that water nourisheth is evident by these following arguments First Water turns to choler according to Hippocrates 3. acut 40. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water is cholerick to cholerick natures why may it not turne to other humors as well as to choler and consequently nourish Secondly Ayre nourisheth the spirits as Galen intimateth 12. Meth. cap. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And why may not water as well nourish the more humid parts as the ayer aeriall parts Thirdly Water nourisheth fish and why not men Fourthly Costaeus reports of a Maid in Germany that lived some years by only water by the command of Ferdinand the Emperour Fifthly The expresse testimony of Plato who was numbred among Physitians that were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is elegant and were opposed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to vulgar Physitians Plato's words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is drynourishment nourisheth the dry parts of the body so doth moyst and waterish nourishment the moyst Sixthly The authority of great Hippocrates the prince of all Physitians lib de diata 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is fire moves all things water nourisheth all things Seventhly Water maketh some men fat Ego inquit Hieronymus Mercurialis novi duos magnos principes aquae frigidae usu ping ue factos I knew saith Hieronymus Mercurialis two great Princes made fat with drinking of water Thirdly Water is considered as a Vehicle of nourishment or as I may say a Waggon to carry nourishment into all parts of the body and Hippocrases calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a Vehicle or Waggon of nourishment Valesius upon these words of Hippo. potus aut est tantum potus ut sola aqua non nutrit aut est alimentum in potut drink as only drink as water alone doth not nourish but serveth to temper the inward parts helps concoction for concoction is a boyling or elixation and distribution But as I proved before water doth not only carry down nourishment as a floud carrieth sticks stones rubbish c. but nourisheth The fourth and last consideration is that water is not only an aliment or nourishment but also a medicine or medicament and not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 medicamentum a bare medicine but in some cases the greatest meditine or remedy that can be and so t is called of Galen 9. Meth. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Certainly in Agues nothing better for thenatures of agues are hot and dry and therefore require cooling and moystening This is Galens discourse 9. Meth 14. In burning feavers which are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nothing is better or a more present remedy then cold water as Tangius and Alexander Massaria confirme In thirst nothing is comparable to cold water Thirst is hot and dry as all the learned confesse but water is actually and potentially cold and moyst ergo water is the best remedy for t is a rule eternally true in Physick contraries are cured by contraries Beside water is not only profitable in sicknesse but in health Gal. 8. Meth. 3. Ego vero calidas naturas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hot natures that are in health find great profit by drinking of water so that it be moderately taken For 2. de temperament Gal. saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moderate drinking of water is profitable Last of all water is convenient in all ages 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In very children that are hot and moist Galen doth not forbid water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Besides many experiencies may be produced of the novelists to prove water to be very healthfull Therefore we see that water is not only healthful in sicknesse but convenient in health and in all ages wherefore the novelists of this age seem with much reason to exhibite water very familiarly in our Country CHAP. II. Good nourishment and good medicines may be imployed sinisterly BUt all these Authorittes Reasons and experiencies will not serve their turnes there is no venemous medicine but may be so prepared that it may be healthfull in the highest degree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and there is nothing so good a nourishment or medicament but may be imployed to a mischeif if not exhibited with method which is guided by indications Medicines well used are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the hands of the Gods but ill used or misapplied are like swords in mad-mens hands as Erasistratus speaks in Galen Galen also quotes the same Erasistratus in these words following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Acut. 41. that is the strongest faculties of meats and drinks taken importunely bring great hurt but taken opportunely bring great profit All this is confirmed by Hippocrates in his book of Aliments Milk saith he is a nourishment to some to others not Wine is a nourishment to some to others not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What is convenieâ—â— to one mans nature is not convenient for another What is profitable for one Countrey is not profitable for another What is idoneus for one age is not idoneus and fit for another What is customarie to one Countrey is not customary to another Wherefore t is an happy use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 makes them good a sinister use makes them
meat but not very much nor without wine This is no more then to drink small wine or dilute wine called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And so Galen in the comment Hippocrates our great master teacheth us that after wine a man may drink water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Acut. And this is all that Cornelius Celsus meant For he did not intend that English men or Septentrionall countries should drink water at dinner after beer for that were madnesse and would derogate from the worth of Celsus Beside he speaks not of dinner in the place quoted but rather of supper as in the Text may easily be gathered CHAP. XI Old age and Children may not drink water NOw if young and hot men may not of necessity drinke water in our countrey for severall reasons alledged What shall we think of old men whom a perpetuall winter that is cold temper Phlegme Rheums Coughs Goute Palsie dogge at the heels And therefore water cannot be a convenient diet or medicine in this age An old man of above sixty years told me I can name the person that he was earnestly perswaded to drink water by a Doctor of Physicke against his custome and his age but would not be perswaded to drink it he was fearfull that it might do him hurt And good reason for old age is cold and moyst Old men want naturall heat and have plenty of excrementitious moysture senes si humidis rebus paveris efficies hydropicos si similibus duplo celerius senescunt saith Cardan If you feed old men with moyst things you will make them hydropicall if you feed them with the like to their temper they will be old twice as soone And therefore Galen commends wine to old men to correct their coldnesse contracted by years and to bring them to a moderate heat lib. quod animi mores cap. 10. Secondly to change custome in old age is to labour in vain and as it were to wash a blackamore and as much as if an old man should begin to learne a new art as Galen speaks word for word Thridly old men if they â—e not accounted among sicke men though Terence say ipsa senectus morbus yet to speak accurately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They are valethdinary bodies and therefore must not change their custome of old which is drinking of Beer or Wine especially in a cold Countrey lastly they have imbecill Spirits a poor concoction and have not strength to bear water which is hard of concoction For as Galen saith old men have not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11. Meth. 9. Therefore they must not drink water The same conclusion may hold in children in a cold region where there is no custome for it by reason of their naturall infirmities from their parents from their weaknesse and effeminatenesse of their nerves as Alexander Massaria proveth out of Galen 9. Met. 5. water hurts all nerves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And if the curious Criticke shall object Galen that water is agreeable to all ages I answer it is true in warme countries firme constitutions where they be accustomed and where the water is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very light which is not in England CHAP. XII Of custome that it hath a principall power in diet I Have given some hints of custom but now will handle it more fully Some Physitians despise custome as a poor inconsiderable thing vide quoddam theorema 6. Epidem 2.26 thinking no indication or manifestation to be taken from custome to change diet or cure of sicknesse So Thessalus that vaporing bragadocio made poor and slight account of custome Galen 5. Meth. 10. Thessalus may contemne custome but we must not saith Galen This was that Thessalus that bragged he could teach the art of Physick in six months and would have wrote upon his monument 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the conquerour of Physitians but let that passe Hippocrates 1. Aphor. 17. seems to speak but meanly of custome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we must attribute something that is some small thing to the season of the yeare country age and custome But he that is conversant in Hippocrates and Galen cannot lay such an aspersion upon the great Hippocrates of whom I may say without offence quot ejus verba tot mysteria so many words so many mysteries Scaliger calls him naturam loquentem nature speaking Galen saith that no Philosopher ever found fault with Hippocrates Therefore I thinke Hippocrates doth not derogate any thing from custome and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or something which Hippocrates attributes to custome is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some great thing So Galen 3. acut 33. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is custome can doe wonders This truth Aristotle in his problemes confesseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 custom is a great matter For it is another nature that is custome is so like nature that it seems the same with nature For Aristotle speaking more accurately and more proper 1. Rhetoricor 11. and elsewere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 custome is like to nature So Plutarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 custome after a certain manner is nature But whether custome be nature or like nature or how they differ I will not at present determine only I say that custome is the great Diana in diet in health and diseases Galen 9. Meth. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 affirmeth custome to be no small and poore Indication for the finding out of remedies for the preservation of health and in the same chapter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 custom hath no small but the greatest and most principall power The poet asserts the same nihil assuetudine majus If all this will not serve the turne but the impertinent Criticke will desire as much as can be said then I wil quote Galen in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11 Meth. 3. that custom is the greatest indicat on or clear reason in the world Therefore good reader give me leave to dwell a little longer on this subject For it is a maine and greatest argument for my purpose CHAP. V. The argument of custome is powerfull we have no custome of drinking water TO write all that I could of custome would seeme very large and prolix therefore I will select some choise observations of custom Herodotus relates the Persians to have thin sculs and as a man may say paper-sculs but the Aegyptians so hard that a man can hardly break them with a stone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the thinnesse of the Persians and the hardnesse of the Aegyptians came of custome because the Persians wore hats or cappes but the Aegyptians went bare-headed You may see by this the dominion of custome Further what is more contrary to nature then poyson which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 corrupting and deadly yet custome turneth or metamorphizes poyson into nourishment Scaliger in his exercitations reports that a kings son in Cambaia was educated with poyson and that being a young man he was so venemous that flies which suckt his
be given to children and never touch the brain potest dart pueris nec tentâ— caput Cardan lib. 1. Tractat 2. coâ—tradict 9. further to stop all novelistâ— mouthes for the present I produce a sufficient testimony out of Galen a killing authority that Oedipus cannoâ— answer to prove that wine is absolutely better then water Galen therefore expressely 8. Meth. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wine is better the water in every respect Galen sait◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in aâ—â— respects he means without question waterish wine such as Hippocrateâ— gave in hot tempers acute and fierce â—â—cknesses this wine is either dilute or â—ixt called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or els it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the one is naturall the â—ther is artificiall according to the â—â—me and constitution of the yeare puntrey custome But to conclude 〈◊〉 wine be better then water absoâ—â—tely then t is far better in our counâ—ry because it is septentrionall CHAP. XV. Our English beere is better then water ALthough we have neither shadow nor liniament among the â—ncient writers of our English beere â—et we may have sufficient authority of the nature of it out of later wriâ—ers therefore we must be content with these but to the matter If small wine or such as I mentioned in the former chapter be better then water then of necessary consequence our small beer or water skared out of its wits is better theâ— water in our countrey because it is familiar to our natures and thereforâ— better agrees with us Beside been vinum ex cerevisia that is imitate wine and hath the same effects wiâ— wine Ludovicus Mercatus testifietâ— that Cerevisia easdem obtinet vireâ— quas vina habent beer hath the samâ— strength and vertue that wine hath Cerevisia simplex or aquosa cosdemeffectus parit quos vinum quito sum smal beer hath the same effects that smal or waterish wine hath That it quencheth thirst we know by experience in the heat of summer and Andernacus witnesseth the samâ— thing quod si inquit calida aeris iâ—temperies aut sitis nimium urget potâ— ex frumento aqua paratus est in usâ— qui vulgo cerevisia vocatur clara tenâ—is non recens nec vetusta nimium naâ— haec acore stomachm offendit illa dissculter per meatus urinarios transit that is If there be a hot season of thâ— year as summer or very great thirst that urge the drink called beer is iâ— use that which is cleer thinne not new nor too old for this hurts the stomack with its vineger-quality the other passes hardly thorough the urinall vessels Secondly beer represseth vapourst So Petrus Monavius an excellent Physitian in plaine termes saith that our beere represseth vapours For quoting this old Proverbiall verse Potio finalis sit semper Cervisialis Let your last draught be beer the reason is saith he least vapours should be carried from the stomack to the brain and disturb it frigiditate enim cerevisiae reprimuntur vapores that is vapours are repressed by the coldnesse of beer You see that beer quencheth the thirst represseth vapours nay better then water For water performs its effects with danger Water is hard of concoction in cold countries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beere is easie of concoction water is hard to passe thorough 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but beer makes a man make water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quickly and passe sooner and nourish more there is a familiar acquaintance of beer with us We have no acquaintaince with water There is no danger in beer There is danger in water as shall be proved hereafter What madness is it then for English men to desert our customary drinke of beer which is in all respects better then water to follow a new fancy or chimera brought into the world not by a rationall but a phantasticall light or an Ignis fatuus Let it be therefore a perpetuall and confessed verity that which Table-Players commonly utter and as If it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a common notion When they throuw Cinque and Cater They cry Small beer is better then water CHAP. XVI The vertues of our English beer THere was an Aegyptian beer properly called Zythum as Strabo the Geographer Lib. 17. reports 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but Zythum was properly among the Aegyptians although 't is common to many and with every one a several preparation This Zythum or beer was not the same with ours The Britains terme it by an old word Kwrw whereof it read amiss in Dioscorides Curmi Camdeit Nor Dioscorides his Curmi which he saith the Britains used was our beer for our English beer was not known unto the ancients neither the way of praeparation nor the qualities Neither was Mault ever so much as named among them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among the later Graecians is found but whether praepared as our English Mault I much question but concerning the vertues of our English beer Our beer saith Dodonaeus in sweet of it self delicious and of good juice Est bera per se suavis dulcis as boni succi Our beer saith Lobel is sweet and healthful affords good nowrishment ber a est suavis salubris potio alimentum bonum praebet Our beer is compounded of water malt and hops Water is cold and moyst malt and hops correct the coldness and moysture and rawness being well boyled Ne ther can there be any fault attribuâ—ed to hops if they be well proportioned Lupulâ— slores non nocent qualitate sed quantitate as Lobel the flowers of hops hurt not in quality but in quantity as wine There is much difference in beer some have no hopps which is called ale and it is more flatulent then the other which have hops Aleis of Oela a Danish word somewhat wrested and not from Alica as Ruellius thus Camden Ale is obstructive beer is aperient and is wholsomer then ale Although ale be very pleasant in drinking Cardan Est hala quae fit in Anglia Scotia admodum suavior adeo ut meminerim bibisse in ingressu Scotiae quae dulci musto albo coÌ„parari possit The ale which is made in England and Scotland is very sweet that I remember when I went into Scotland such sweet ale that it might be compared to white new wine There be three sorts of beer Strong middle and small beer Strong beer is hot of this Cardan speaks Cerevisia si recte conficiendi modum perpendamus temperamenti calidi esse judicantus inebriat quod non parvum est argumentum caliditatis dum vapores caput ferientes replent beer if we consider the way of making it we may judg it to be of a hot temper for it makes drunk which is no small argument of heat whiles vapours striking the head fills But small beer is cold and moyst the quality and substance of water being predominant as Dodonaeus tenuissima cerevisia frigida humida
discoursed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of drinking cold water and have given many reasons that cold water is not convenient in cold Countries for water keeps a proportion with winter winter with old age old age with phlegme and all these conspire with a cold Countrey And therefore in some northern Countries as Swedeland Holland men drink the strongest wines and beers that may be got And that by the advise of their Physitians and not without good reason for this is the advise of their master Hippocrater whose consel is that in winter we drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strongest wine Now in this second Book I handle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of hot drink actually and determine against it But because I write against cold drink and warm drink some weak understanding or some prickeard critick will imagine or suppose that I am like the Satyre that did blow hot and cold Therefore I thought good to give the curteous Reader an account of the difference of these two Bookes For there is no jarring in these discourses but may stand both without contradiction or any opposition The first Book is against the Novellists This against an unknown Author Anonymus who may be was shamed of his name The first Book is of water only this is of any drink The first is limited to our Countrey This hath no limitation or bounds but is as I may say an ubiquitary the first is against water potentially cold This against drink actually warm And that the Reader may know what these termes mean I will set down briefly what is actually and potentially hot or cold if I can hit on 't Actually hot is that which is hot to the sense of feeling or touching so if a man drink broath that it doth amburere gusturem as Plautus saith this broath is actually hot For gustus est quidam tactus Actually cold is that which is cold to the touch so snow and yee are actually cold Potentially hot is that which is hot in operation in virtue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or hot in effect so wine in winter time is cold in Act but potentially hot vinum debet esse frigidum Arnoldus vill nov 1896. quoad actum non quoad effectum Potentially cold is that which cooleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in virtue effect or operation so water made hot by fire is cold in operation Now I have tould the Reader plainly what is actually and potentially hot or cold I will determine and conclude that to quench thirst which is one of the chiefest ends of drinking which is actually hot and dry t is necessary that our drink be cold and moyst actually Besides all nations drink actually cold drink ubique gentium saith Cardan Aphoris sect 3. vinum aquam bibere licet frigidissimam And t is better to follow the general consent of all nations and all Physitians then with an upstart Idiote drink warm drink And although a vaine conciept or a flie-net at the first conceit or first blush may please as Lycus his new opinion which Galen relates to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was well estemed for the present newness but worst of all and novelty is but a new itch of an old disease but at this day in hac scabie tenemus vungues we have a finger in the pie In new errours volutamour we wallow as a beetles in borsdung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are in the dregs of time sumus in faece amurca mundi and as Seneca saith Meliora praetervolant deteriora succedunt quemadmodum ex amphora primum quod sincerissimum effluit gravissimum quodque turbidum subfidit sic in aetate nostra quod optimum est primum Out of antiquity run the purest streams of literature In antiquity dwells the character of Gravity and Majesty as we may see not only in aedifices statues pictures but also in Learned tenets which get sure footing to the way of eternity For when centuries of years have given their general approbations and past their solid censures all rational men pass their vâ—tes and subscribe Miramurque nihil nisi quod Libitina sacravit And if our age were well vers'd in antiquity there would be none cheated with novelties And if we had but the solid light of reason we would not be hurried away with the vaine illunation of new lights New fancies are nothing else but posterioris aevi pejores aves ill birds of this later age that cannot live long but are as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 die assoon they are born And if they last a little longer time will discover their weakness and lightness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And although our age fortifie their imaginations with strong supposed arguments as bulworks and our new trepidations of late borrow their new moulded Religion from divine inspiration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so doth our Author support his aereal fancy with Peripatetical gravity and Galenicals solidity yet at last he must sing with Plautus Quasi solstitialis herba paulisper fui Repente exortus sum repentino occidi A Confutation of the treatise of VVarm drink ΠΕΡΙ ΘΕΡΜΟΠΟΣΙΑΣ I Know many trouble themselves with this question whether warm drink be better then cold Our Novelists though they administer cold water are wholy for warm drink This opinion they drew not from any ancient Fountaine but from a new discovered spring tanquam ex fonte Caballino or a new Hippocrene That is an English Book intitled A treatise of warm drink printed at Cambridge And this Book our countrimen follow as if the Author had been brought up as a man may say at the foot of Gamaliel or taught by the Oracle of Apollo It may be the whole University is totally converted to the drinking of warm drink by this our Author who like another Thessalus Method 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in the Doctors or Professors chayer dictates canons rules of Physick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if they were edicts of Kings and Princes without giving a reason and to speak truth our Author hath not so much as one positive reason but two or three poor objections out of Aristotle and Galen in which for want of judgment and literature he is mâ—serably mistaken as shall appear hereafter to any rational man But before I come to the maine battalia I will give you a character of our Authors grand Learning by which you may know him as Hercules by his foot ex pede Herculem For in his first page he saith that Homer with great dexterity of wit cals a Method of writing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a golden chaine He dreamt of Gold but tells us nonsense for where did Homer call Method a golden chaine Homer never wrote of Method his work it self is but a Rapsodie as the Criticks relate and of old they that sang Homer's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and rapsodoi because they sang patcht verses What madness is this I could not imagine
any face could have so much brass as to tell so bold a lye to the University For Homer speaks no more of Method then he doth de facie in orbe lunae or of the man in the Moon And if we believe the divine Plato this golden chaine is the Sun Plato hâ—s words declaring the golden chaine are these in his Theaeteto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the light of this Sun we may see the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or sparkes of our Authors understanding Who I easily believe did understand Greek no more then a Beast yet forsooth he must quote Homer's Greek words to no purpose at all Now I will come to his discourse which I think is as brutish and illiterate as the former of Method and will have as bad success for where as t is a manifest and firme conclusion never contradicted for these thousand years together by the Learn'dest all ages That cold drink is better to quench thirst then warm because thirst is a disposition hot and dry and therefore requires a cold and moist remedy to give it satisfaction so Aristoteles 2. de anima 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thirst is an appetite of moysture and coldness Therefore it must have drink cold and moyst This is an invincible argument I shall not need to put this argument into a Syllogistical forme Every proposition in Arist virtually is a syllogisme The Learned may know that the argument is grownded upon the great whoele of Physick which is that contraries are cured by contraries and that the conclusion must follow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of necessity Yet our incomparable Author brings this argument with great dexterity of wit as he said before of Homer to prove warm drink better to quench thirst then cold Thus he bringeth the greatest ratiocination against himself that can be possible as he himself in a manner confesseth so that he is urged to prove one of these results Either that drink actually hot doth better coole and moysten the body then cold drink Or else Aristotle his meaning is not directly as his words seem literally to pretend The first result is such an evident contradict on in it self that t is madness to confute and our Author passeth it over in silence as ridiculous The second result is so opposite to Aristotle that he saith t is no small impudence to oppose so great a Philosopher Therefore at last he begins to slubber over the matter and would make a nose of wax of Aristotle his text that his meaning is not directly as his words seem bringing neither reason or authority for his opinion but rather an objection or two to prove that thirst is only an appetite of moistness which he proveth out of the tenth section of the problems where the Philosopher inquiring saith he what the cause should be why other Creatures do sooner prey of and eat dry meat then moyst but man more often takes moyst things then dry which causeth him to desire to be cooled whereby t is to be noted that he only maketh mention of moysture to coole But to answere this frivolous objection and clear the Philosopher we will lay down his own words which are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is why other living Creatures take dry nowrishment but man takes drink or moyst nowrishment Is it because man by nature is hottest and desire more cooling By this discourse of Aristotle you may see if you have any poreblind eye of the understanding that the Philosopher teacheth how man because he is hot drinks more then he eats And indeed man is hotter calido innato with an imbred heat then other Creatures therefore he must defire more cooling from drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moyst nonrishment is nothing else but drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Plato and as Aristotle saith in his problemes man requires moysture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Galen in 5. Aphoris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so 2. Aphoris 11. And because our Author did not understand Aristotle's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he built the whole fabrick of his opinion upon his own ignorance therefore I must tell him that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 drink and moysture is all one Besides Aristotle in this very place cited by our Author seems to understand moysture to to coole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which can be nothing else but drink that is actually and potentially cold and so Gâ—â—stavinius upon this probleme interprets and if our Author had been in his wits he could not have understood this place of Aristotle otherwaies but I fear he hath too moyst and Phlegmatique a brain to understand the Philosopher Anima sicca anima sapiens sed est in udo Maenas Attin as saith Persius Again drink is simple and merely drink as water which is only our natural drink or as wine and ale are meat and drink so run our old English verses Ale was his meat his drink his cloth ale did the old man revive And if he could have drank his ale still he had been still alive So is wine meat as Galen de caus morb Vinum modice sumptum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he reckoneth wine for the best and the most nowrishing meat if it be moderately taken but properly drink which is water nourish little or very weakly and all weak nowrishment is cooling Hippocrates 6. Epidem 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So that drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is water cooleth because t is of little and weak nourishment Therefore Aristotle in the fore-mentioned place of the problemes by moysture understands drink by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and primarily water secundarily other drinks which are cold and moyst for simply water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and drink simply is water This is especially the moysture which Aristotle speaks of to quency thirst because man is hot and thirsty therefore he naturally requires such drink to coole Thirdly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moysture is twofold either aereal moysture or waterish moysture humidum aqueum est quod actu potestate frigidum a waterish moysture is actually and potentially cold and so saith Scaliger lib. 2. de Plautis Humidisatis aqueae natur a est frigida The very nature of waterish moysture is cold and so also Horatius Augenius disputes and such moysture is required in thirst for drink and moysture is all one for whereas Aristotle 3. sect problem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The loving of drink is a desire of some moysture there Plato makes mention of drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thirst is an appetite or desire of drink wherefore potus est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est potus drink is moysture and moysture is drink For seeing there is a perpetual flux of our bodyes the dryer solider part is refreshed with meat the moyster part with drink And this is the chief use of drink to make good that which is exhausted 1. San. tuend
3. but when the moyst part is exhausted then cometh dryness and consequently the necessity of drinking for as we grow dryer so we grow hotter which are the causes of thirst Galen 1. de Symptom caus c. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that heat and dryness is the cause of thirst for which drink is the best remedy and among drinks that which is cold and moyst for thirst being a disposition as I said before hot and dry or a natural disease for so Galen calleth it hot and dry it must of necessity challenge cold and moyst drink which is contrary for contraries are cured by contraries Therefore Galen saith that water is the remedy of thirst 1. Simp. med fac c. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And if thirst cometh of heat as all Philosophers and Physitians consent thē cold quencheth thirst best so Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So also Hippocrates de diat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whosoever are thirsty very much they must drink waterish wine and that very cold or extream cold what now will our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Warm-drinker say to Hippocrates that affronts so plainly and manifestly Besides if Aristotle should understand only moysture excluding cold to be the remedy of thirst he should be laught at and exploded in his own Peripatetick Schooles For cold cannot be seperated in our natural drink which is as cold as t is moyst Therefore Aristotle according to Philosophers and Physitians that is according to the dictates of reason saith admirably well and without contradiction and literally 2. de anim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thirst is an appetite of that which is moyst and cold And although in some places he mentioneth only moysture yet coldness is necessary included as it is also in Hippocrates Aphor. 1.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That moist diet profitable in agues who will find fault or cavil at Hippocrates for this certain none but some phlegmatike temperature And Hugo Senensis saith that Hippocrates made mention in this aphoris only of moysture not of cold quoniam de frigido dubitaver at nemo atque frigidi alimenti in febribus indicatio clarissima est for no man ever doubted of cold for the indication is cleer that a hot sickness requires cold nourishment Thus Galen Method 8. c. 9. Where he quotes this very Aphorisme saith that an ague is hot and dry and therefore requireth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cold and moyst diet that is water in hot Countries or warerish wine such as have the vertue and weakness of water and that very cold for nothing can be more ridiculous then to give warm drink in hot dispositions such as thirst and agues are for thirst requires the same proportionably that an ague doth Yet our Author will have all men in all conditions for he never so much as distinguisheth or excludeth any from his warm drink This is his Panacea that cures all men in all diseases or dispositions this is his calopodium a Coblers last that fits every mans foot and so much for the first objection The second objection is out of Galon in his Book of inequal tempers where he doth prove the occasion of thirst to be drought or dryness which is remedied per humidum not per frigidum that is by moysture not by cold for althoug it cannot be but that heat doth procure thirst yet look into the reason and you shall find it is propter inopiam humiditatis because it hath not his just proportion of moysture I reply first that this Author hath shewn his ignorance in Aristotle sufficiently but now he will shew as much in Galen Let us therefore take a view of this objection although it be the same with the former next set down Galens words and see whether they bear the same sence which our Author would have them The text which our Author cites out of Galen is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is In hunger the solid and dry substance is deficient in thirst the moist substance is wanting upon which place Vallesius thus comments Galen saith he signifies nothing else per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a moyst substance then drink for he calleth moystness drink which is water And in his Method lib. 1. c. 10. he affirmeth that vere potus ac nihil aliud quampotus est sola aqua That which is truely drink and nothing else but drink is water Thus Vallesius therefore Galen in this place doth not exclude cold but rather include it for drink properly and naturally which is understood by moysture is water and nothing that is simple cooleth and quencheth thirst better then water therefore this is the natural drink of all Creatures and satisfies every living Creatures thirst At this aimes Oppian when he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Vallesius further saith that gelidus potus magis attemperat proinde siti excrementorum acrimoniae melius occurrit That is water as cold as ice tempers the heat quencheth thirst better and blunts sharpness of excrements where we may note that cold drink quench thirst better then hot but to go and follow our Author But saith he to enter into further consideration of the matter Let us examine the reasons why cold should be necessary in allaying of thirst It appeares to me that it is either to extinguish or to mitigate it but extinguish it cannot for let any man that is exceeding dry eat any that is never so cold not having any thing moisture joyned with it and he shall find by experience that it may well choke him but in no sort allay his drought Thus far our Author who if he had purged his braines with Hellebore as Carneades did when he was to dispute with Zeno he could not discourse so madly for entring into further consideration of the matter he never comes near it The controversy being of drinking beer wine water and whether t is best to drink them hot or cold his mind is of gut-timber for he talks of eating saying if any man eat any thing never so cold it will not allay thirst not having any moysture joyned with it This is true but heavenly wide from the matter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And although cold meat cannot allay thirst yet cold drink cannot only allay it but extinguish it Cold and dry cannot cure thirst but cold and moyst can The true cure of thirst naturally is cold water As I said before out of Galen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore how sweet and pleasant is cold water to those that are thirsty the Poet expresseth in these verses Tale tuum carmen nobis divine Poeta Quale sopor fessis in gramine quale per aestum Dulcis aquae Saliente sitim restinguere rivo And Theocritus whom the Poet imiated thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oppian also commends water to the thirsty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus the Philosophers Physitians and Poets and if these testimonies will not
satisfie our Author I will quote him andeniable authority out of the Sacred Scripture Proverb 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As cold water is pleasant to a thirsty soule so is a good message from a far Countrey And if the Old Testament will not serve the turn we will produce the now for Joan 4. Our Blessed Saviour when he was thirsty what did he ask of the Samaritan nothing else but cold water to drink which admirable Nonnus express thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For this he did to coole as also Theophylact saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it was the heat of the day and let not our Author be so absurd to think of cold meat to quench thirst The Apostle will otherwise teach and better manners Rom. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If your Enemy be hungry feed him if he be thirsty give him drink Lastly saith our Author if it be alledged that drought having heat joyned with it requireth cold in respect of his heat as dryness doth moysture and so cold joyned with moysture doth best remedy both because contraria contrariis curantur contraries are cured by their contraries Yet it seemeth to me a matter far unfit for two causes The one although that be Galen's ground yet it is not so to be taken literally but it stands with that ground likewise which is that Omne repentinum natura inimicissimum All sudden alteraâ—ions are contrary to nature T is â—rue that thirst having heat requires drink that is cooling and is grounded upon this maxim Contraries are tured by contraries which is not only Galen's ground but Hippocrates also and all rational men and may appear to common sense But let us go to the great tribunal of Physick whose edict is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. Epidem And again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And yet again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every one of these texts prove that contraries are cured by contraries and three of them prove that cold water cureth not natures and hot dispositions neither is there any rule or canon that can possibly contradict them yet our Author like a true critick of this later age of new lights averreth that Galen's ground is not to be understood literally It seems when any authority cross our Author then this not to be understood literally sure enough all authorities are to be understood literally or mystically The mystical sense is either allegorical or anagogical ormoral And if Galen be not understood literally then he must be understood mystically But how ridiculous t is to run to a mystical sense in Physitians and Philosophers who are as clear as the Sun beames to the Learned let any man that hath but a dragme of reason judg such is that text 2. de anima 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thirst is a desire of cold and moyst I say this text is clear to the light of reason and yet our Author will not have it understood literally but mystically But it may be he may find some apocalyptical mysteries in Philosophy and Physick which a world of Learned men never so much as dreamt on before And for this rule contraries cure contraries may very well stand with that ground sudden mutations or changes are contrary to nature Hippocrates 2. Aphoris 51. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and too much and suddenly to evacuate to fill to heat to coole and is dangerous This Authority is as much against warm drink as cold But indeed touch neither of them in a direct line we see Beasts drink water with ice in it and so have men done Sâ—nâ—ca Necnive quidem contenti sunt sed glaciem velut certior illi ex solido rigor sit exquirunt ac saepe repetitis aquis diluunt Neither are they content with snow but they find out ice and dissolve it often in renewed water to coole the more But est modus in rebus there is a mean in all things The second reason is because saith our Author t is not possible that every man woman child who being hot and desire drink can upon every motion so proportion the cold that it shall just fit the degree of heat And then if it be too small by its anteperistasis it hurts where it should help if greater then the heat require instead of allaying the heat it utterly killeth it What an admirable ridiculous objection is this and nothing to the purpose to imagine that every man woman and child should give a due proportion of cold and who can give a due of warm drink Neither is it requisite for every one to apply contrariis contraria aequalia but he may apply contraries either greater or less or aequal as Vallesius witness in his controversies But saith our Author if it be too small by his antiperistasis it hurteth where it should help To see how men are bewitched to error and as I may say bedevild in their ratiocination when they forsake antiquity and follow their own own interpretation for then errour begets errour to the end of the Chapter for if he had read Theophrastus he would have told me another tale for he saith quite contrary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of potable waters cold is the best for it helpeth concoction best of all by an antiperistasis And if the cold saith our Author be greater then the heat requires instead of allaying the heat it utterly killeth it Here is no consequence for we may take drink very cold in summer in hot Countries and where custom is predominant without any hurt besides we need not take our drink too cold nor very little cold for there is degree between these two colds Again I may confess his consequence true That it should quench the heat that is kill it and so Hippocrates punctually speaks 6. Epidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cold killeth those things which are of heat for nothing is more contrary to fire then water because fire is hot and dry water is cold and moyst The very same reason is of thirst which is hot and dry and is quenched or killed by water which is cold and moyst These are our Authors foundations upon which he hath builded his new fabrick which being taken away all falls to the ground In ruinam prona sunt quae sine fundamentis crevere Seneca Now let us come to his authorities which are in his last Chapter for I handle only but two Chapters The first wherein he layes the foundation and the last where are his authorities Authorities out of the ancients for to prove the use of warm drink OUr Author in his last Chapter proves that the Gretians and the Romanes did use warm drink And first among the Grecians Phylostinus that excellent Physitian wrote unto his Countrey-men and Counselled them in the spring and all Winter to drink their liquor calidissimum most hot and in Summer time sukewarm so that at all times he shews that cold drink was not to be used 1. I answere that I
solent where sweet potions were sold which they had wont to drink hot as Lambinus upon Plautus and Adrtanus Junius witness and Plautus himself maketh manifest where he reckoneth Murrhinam passum defrutum mellinam Horatius also when he writes to Telephus in his third Book of Odes hath this saying Quo Chium pretio cadum Mercemur quis aquam temperet ignibus For Chian wine what men exact who 'll our water to warmth redact I answere that this place of Horace is nothing to the purpose for the Poet speaks of bathing so Bond upon this place quis balneum calefaciat nam veteres non nisi loti uncti discumbebant He speaks of heating of water for a bath for the ancients never sat down to meat unless bathed and oynted Lastly Juvenal in his fisth Satyr hath this saying Quando vecatus adest calidae gelidae minister When will the drawer come to give us hot and cold water And Martial in his verses made to Sextilianus the great dtinker saith thus Iam defecisset portantes calda ministros Si non potares Sextiliane merum They had lake hot water by this time Had not Sextilian drunk wine And in many other places especially Martial speaketh of Calda But I answere with Latinus Tancredus potus bifariaÌ„ intelligitur aut onim viribus ignis aut solis incaluit aut potus calidus est illa qua vel vinum quae nulla arte refrigerantur sed qualia contingit esse bibituris bibenda offeruntur Hinc Caldam Martilis appellat aquam nullo inâ—enio redditam-frigidam Drink is taken two wayes either that which is hot by fire or the Sun or warm drink is that water or wine which is are not cooled by art And so Martial calls water hot caldam that which by cunning or invention is not cooled Hieronymus Mercurialis Scribit Caldam fuisse aquam illam quae nulla arte refregeratur sed quae qualis suapte natura potituris porrigebatur Sic etiam Seneca in frigidam descendi hoc apud me vocatur parum calda Wherefore I conclude that water or wine or beer that is hot by fire or Sun is never to be given in haile and sound bodies because they be for no use but to cause nauscousness and vomiting for actual hot drink is contrary to nature which in thirst requires cold and moist drink which the nature of Beasts do make manifest for they by a natural instinct follow cold drink besides neither Galen or any other Physitian ever praescribed warm drink in the Regiment of health And if it can be proved among the ancients that they ever drank warm drink it was more for their pleasure and wantoness then for health and so L. Mercatus saith non sanitatis sed libidinis gratia potabant Calidam These are I think answeres sufficient against our Author There be other Testimonies which are by these things that have been said already answered and I will not chew my cud Occidit miseros crambe repetita magistros But I had almost past over the Chinenses which seems to be a matter of great moment That warm drink saith our Author is used at this day amongst whole nations I will prove by Giovani Petro Maffei the Jesuite who in his sixth Book of Histories writes that they of China do for the most part drink the strained liquor of an herb called Chia And Persino the Iâ—alian writes that he saw himself 3. Principes Grapponenses which came to kiss Pope Gregorie the 13. foot who drank nothing but water affirming it to be the custom of their Countrey I answere that custom hath a plenipotentionary power in diet especialy and those of China and Japonenses drink warm water from their infancie therefore natural because custom is another nature But to answere the Traveller with a Traveller and pay him in his own kind Audivi inquit Tancredus de nobiliss equite Vincentio Bune qui ea loca peragravit cos populos distillationibus obnoxios cui malo ut occurrant praesens inveniunt remedium calidam potionem So those of China and Japan are vexed with distillations and therefore drink warm drink as a remedy for their distillations So may any man that pleaseth if he be troubled with fluxes catarrhes and distillations and accustomed from their infancy may drink their drink warm And to wind up the bottom of all my discourse I will only insert a few verses out of Martial Setinum dominaeque nives densique trientes Quando ego vos medico non prohibente bibam Stultus ingratus nec tanto munere dignus Qui mavult haeres divitis esse Mydae Possideat Libycas messes Hermumque Tagumque Et potet calidam qui mihi laudat aquam When shall we drink rich wine with snow made cold Which with his glittring sparkles burnes in gold He is a foole ingrateful and not worth So great a blessing that 's Midas in s birth Let him have Iamaica gold nay much more Then Hermus Tagus and Liby an shore Let him drink cold that is discrete and waighes it And let only fooles drink warm that praise it Thus I end wishing not any of my Friends to drink warm drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ΠΕΡΙ ΘΕΡΜΟΠΟΣΙΑΣ I Am tandem coronidis vice conclusiones quasdam tanquaÌ„ tot bases dogâ— maticae veteris doctrinae contrâ— Medicinae navatores constiâ—uere ob oculo sponere decrevi in quibus no proletarios inferioris classis criticos sed eruditos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 provocare audeo neque enin is sum quirigidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 censuras ut decumanum fluctum aut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formido Conclusiones autem sunt hae sequentes Prima est Calidus potus aut tepidus nulli sano homini convenit Haec conclusio est Christoph a Vega omnium dogmaticorum cujus ratio est quod calida tepida debilitant stomachum relaxando causant vomitum ut recte Petrus Abanus Aqua calida ut etiam Gentilis super Avicennam corrumpit digestionem intelligit concoctionem nam digestio fit in fundo aqua autem calida dilatat cibum frigiditas constringit Idem docet Avicenna Galen 1. ad Glauconem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sic tepidaventriculi firmitatem dissolvunt 8. Method 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. tuend San. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cornel. Cels lib. 1. c. 3. qui vomere post cibum volet si ex facili faciet aquam tanquam tepidam ante debet assumâ—re Et quia Praesbyteriani hunc potum calidum aut tepidum solent propmare adferam pro illis Caput tertium Apocalypseos vers 16. in quem locum Arethas Caesariae Cappadociae Episcopus sic commentat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quare omnes quod sciam calidam tepidam poâ—ionem damnarunt sane neque Galenus neque ullus alius Medicus calidae potonis unquaÌ„ nisi in aegrotis mentionem fecre Unde recte Hieronymus Mercurialis Ego
contrahunt languorem that is the frailty of mans nature is such or come to that passe that few there be living that may drink water without hurt by reason of the weaknesse and languishing condition they got from their first principles or all ill course of drinking for he that drinks water must have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such strength as men had in the infancy of the world Otherwise cold water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7. Meth. that it works a secret cold to weak bodies And we cannot determine in our countrey because we are not accustomed whether our inward parts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. Meth. 5. may bear the familiarity of water for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the indication of parts that I may adde this to the former Indication requires most accustomed things as Galen 4. Meth. 7. his words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of custome we shall speak afterwards Hence I conclude that our bodies especially in England where luxurie and distempers are not esse but rather more then in Galens time are much effeminated and weakned and consequently cannot beare water And if our bodies could endure and were able enough to drink it yet our Countrey would not admit it as is proved in the next Chapter CHAP. V. Water is not good in cold Countries BY the way I must give my Reader notice that I handle of water as dieteticall or as it belongs to diet and afterward shal speak of it pharmaceutically that is belonging to physick therefore to goe forward There is another Indication taken from the Countrey wherein we live Hippocrates in his Aphorisms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we must consider and regard our Countrey for severall Countries require severall diets A hot region claimes a coole diet Therefore t is better to drink water in Africa and Lybia then in Northern Countries Wherefore Avicenna the Prince of the Arabian Physitians affirme regio frigida tolerat vinum calida non tolerat that a cold region may tolerate Wine a hot region will not allow of it But t is Galens letter that kills 8. Meth. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an intemperate time of the yeer the inclemency of the ayre and Countrey doe demonstrate the Contrary diet Valesius and Paparella confirme this saying that the diet of septentrionall and cold Countries must be like the diet of winter There may be two solid reasons given The first is because cold and phlegmatique humors are most frequently generated in cold and septentrionall Countries but water increaseth such plegmatique humors as Galen lib. de humoribus somnus inquit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inducunt pituitam sleep and drinking of water beget phlegme Therefore we must not drink cold water in cold Countries for as I said before the reason or indication demonstrate quite contrary which rely upon this great and the maynest foundation of our faculty Contraries are cured by contraâ—ies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the most generall scope of all distempered constitutions The second reason is because waters are not well concocted in cold Countries for waters rising towards the North and averse to the Sunne are of ill consequence So Cardan Aquae Pluviae fontanae fluminum solae optima in regionibus validis siccis Orientalibus pessimae in conirarils locis that is waters are best in hot dry and orientall Countries but worst in contrary Countries and harder to be concocted Let us therefore conclude with the ever admirable Gal. 11. Method ubi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non est aqua danda where the ayr is cold there water is not to be given And there is the same reason of the constiâ—ution or slate of the heavens the time of the year and region for all these are comprehended under the notion of ayr which Galen and Aristotle call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a hundred places And if any object that water in Summer time although I have seen Gentlemen drink cold water in Winter let them look to it is better and may be drank in our cold Countrey I answer with Plutarch in his naturall questions Water in Summer is more malicious the heat drawing or discussing the sweetest and lightest part of it for so sound these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Secondly If any more curious critick shall object that in cold Countries or Regions men are hotter and stronger inwardly therefore they may concoct water better in cold Countries and in Winter For the heat is concentrated by an antiperistasis But if this be true then the colder the Country the hotter and stronger the men for concoction therefore in the coldest Countreyes we may drink water and in the hottest we may drink wine Secondly if men be hotter and concoct better in cold Countries and Winter how then comes it to passe that we are subject to Rhewmes and fluxes and generally to all phlegmatique diseases in such Countreyes and it Winter time Therefore to give a full answer to this doubt we must understand that in these cases the naturall heat is increased in quantity but diminished in quality and this is the reason that phlegrne is begotten in such Countries and in winter For the remission of heat is a kind of cooling which great hunger and little thirst doe demonstrate Wherefore Hippocrates in his book of diet text 2. saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we eate much in Winter and drink little but our drink must be meracissimum strong wine And Galen gives the reason because winter is cold and moyst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore we must heat and dry the body by reason of the excesse of coldnesse and moystnesse of the temper of the time the very heart is colder the pulse is lesse slower and seldomer the braine abounds eatarches the liver generates phlegmatique bloud by which discourse we seethat water is not convenient in winter The samereasoâ— is of cold Countries in which water is hurtful Wine not mixt with water but pure wine and strong beere are more beneficiall to our natures Therefore by providence nature hath afforded us beer of necessity as Cardane saith very well At verò necessariò qui Boream inhabitant zythum ex hordeo siligine tritico faciunt lib. de subtilitate CHAP. VI. England is a cold Countrcy c. THat England is situated in the North part of the world I think no man will deny for not only Bodin and Cardan and other Neotericks affirme it but the old Geographers France is cold as the proverb witnesseth Gallicâ heyme frigidius in Euphormio colder then the French cold But England is more septentrionall or Northern then France As Stephanus de urbibus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Brittaine is an Iland imitating the continent after or beyond France so this preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be expounded which I could shew by diverse authorities but this is to trifle away the time For Strabe in his Geographie speaks plaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I think the Britaines to
be more septentrionall then the French Plutarch out of Asclepiades reports the Egyptians grow old at thirty yeares because they are burnt with the Sunne But the Brittains live 120. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the coldnesse of the place which conserves the natural heat The Aethiopian bodies are more spungious and rare but English men which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the North for so Galen who hath the same story expounds it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have bodies more compact and thick and therefore live longer Scaliger in his exercitations calls English men gluttons or great eaters Anglos voroces which Epithere proves England to be cold for cold Countries eat more then other Nations We may read in the Aphorisms 1.15 and 17. that in winter we eat most This much eating or gluttony cometh from the coldnesse of the Country Wherefore Argenterius doth not relish in my palate when he asserts voracity to proceed from a hot distemper of the liver Qui per nives incednÌ„t multnÌ„ commedunt Plut. 6. Sympos 8. for cold both externall and internall provoke the appetite Plutarch informes us that the ayre at Delphis a City in Boetia is sharp and biting which argue the concoction of meat his words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so doth water inwardly cause hunger therefore great Hippocrates Sexto Epidem as the oracle of Apollo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water is ravenous and very hungry because it maketh men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voratores for I think the latine hath his originall from the greek gredy-gâ—ts because t is cold for cold water and cold meat contract the tunicles of the stomack and in them the bloud which increase the appetite as Galen doth signifie 1o. de Symp. caus in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the same place he shewes that heat asswages and blunts hunger Therefore Argenterius his ratiocination is not well biassed in this matter Valesius also saith that water is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hungry hungry because it doth not nourish and coole the stomack But I will not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cut to the quick othermens errors At the present t is enough that externall cold causeth much eating If English eat much they must drink bâ—â—r or wine to help coâ—â—â—ction therefore English men have a good stomack therefore the Country is cold Cardan in his book of subtilities saith England hath no Serpents ob frigus immensum by reason of the extreme cold And saith further that sheep in England doe not drink water rore caeli sitim sedant ab omni alio potu arcentur quiaibâ—aquae sunt exitiales flocks of sheep quench their thirst with the dew of Heaven But sheep drink water in a hot and dry Summer because water in England is very evill and dangerous In other Countries Shepheards drive their Sheep to the water for t is their only drink as Aristotle Varro Plutarch c. and Virgil to boot Ad puteos aut alta greges ad stagna jubeto Nostra regio saith Cardan aquas bonas ob frigiditatem non admittit neque in Thaseo neque in Abderi nec Larissa quae omnes sunt urbes partim in Thessalia partimin Thracia aut Arcadia bonae erant aquae quoniam loca montosa haec Our Countrey affords us no good water because of the coldnesse and a all ther Countries that are mountanous have no good water because they are cold so is England cold both by reason that t is septentrioual northern and by reason of mountaines as Ludovicus Mercatus saying omnes regiones ad septentrionem vergentes montotosae sunt frigidae as England therefore called Albian ab altis alb is rupibus quas mare pluit from high and white Rocks which the sea washeth Now if some upstart Critick object Scaliger in his exercitations that Angliae coelum is temperatum that England's ayre is temperate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I answer that this opion of Scaliger does not favour the Novelists of this age for if England be temperate then it requires a temperate diet as Galen lib. de Meth. and libro de dieta text 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that if the Countrey be temperate as the spring Hippocrates commends a temperate diet and giveth a sufficient reason following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it behoveth to keep a temperate temper and to change a distemperate temper but water is not temperate in our Countrey but t is cold of its own nature and colder in cold Countries Secondly I answer that England is temperate in respect of Grontland an Island which comes neerer the pole and such as inhabite extremas Oceani glacialis terras the furthest parts neer the frozen sea But t is cold in respect of South Countries Now out of this chapter I deduce these following conclusions First if England be cold t is not good drinking of water in it because cold distempered Countries require hot drink Secondly The water in England is not wel concocted and will be hardly concocted of us for t is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thirdly If water be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hungry which make men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are all one that is devourers and eatalls especially in winter we may become hungerstarved on the contrary good ale or strong beer is meat drink and cloth as the old saying and soon satisfie hunger so doth wine which is more proper in cold Countries then water and an excellent remedy against hunger which water increaseth for so the sonne of Aesculapius great Hippocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Aph. 21. t is wine that cures hunger although it were from a doglike appetite Fifthly if Shepheards will not let their sheep drink in our Countrey because the water is pernicious I conclude that Shephards in England are more carefull of their sheep then the Novelists of their patients in this behalf for surely they intend to make them Arcadicum pecus beasts of Arcadia whose dulnesse Aesculapius and Apollo shall never cure CHAP. VII We may use stupifiing things to eat as well as drink water I See no reason but that we may as well give Narcoticks that is stupefying things as ppopy and opium as wel as water in our Countrey many Countries drink water without harme Soe the Mauritanians and Persians are so accustomed to eat opium that when they abstaine they are in fear of their lives As Garcius ab Horto and Christophorus a Costa testifie The Turks eat opium dayly Petrus Bellonius saw a Janisary eat a dram without hurt Rondeletius a prime Physition saw a Spaniard eat halfe an ounce without any prejudice of his health Beside opium in strong and hot bodies cannot hurt unlesse it be immoderately taken and out of season The same I say of water It cannot hurt strong and hot bodies in hot Countries where they be accustomed Opium in children and women in cold Countries where they be not accustomed is dangerous soe is water And if
we may not exhibite opium becase t is stupefying or narcotick by the same reason we must not give water because t is narcoticall or stupefying as appears 5. Aphoris 25. cold water cures the the Gout and takes away the paine because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moderate stupidnesse or stupefying dissoves paine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is benumming 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to benum Galen upon this Aphorisme noteth that cold water benums and stupefies the parts So Christophorus a Vega soe Fonseca Aqua frigida stuporem iuducit cold water brings stupidnesse and generally all cold medicines beâ—â—m and stupefie the senses Galen 3. de temperament c. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cold things coole and stupefie And water is cold as well as poppy Galen 3. de temp 3. speaking of those things which are cold as juice of poppy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the nature of poppy is cold as also is water But our Novelists object that opium is an narcoticall and narcoticks be hot If this proposition be true then it may be given in cold Countries better then water And if there be any accurate Criticks that can make it out that opium and narcoticks be hot then I promise upon my fidelity to eat as much opium as any Janisary or Spaniard and if they cannot prove it their punishment shall be to eat 10 or 5. graines But for the present Galens authority is greater then any Pigmie or Colos-critick can contradict although some of these Novelists report that Galen was not a competent judge which is as indiscrete as the former proposition Galen saith that the juice of poppy that is opium is cold in the forth degree for Galen esteems opium among poysons and nominates castorium which is hot to be its correcter Neither is the bitternesse any any certaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or note of heat as the novelists imagine for then Endive Succory and Roses are hot for all these are bitter But suppose for granted opium or juice of poppy to be hot then I would faine learn how it came to be a narcotick Here I expect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some strange arguments that is more then humane for no hot medicine can stupefie as a hot medicine Give me leave good Reader to make a digression I had an occasion given me to be with a Gentleman that was taken with a melancholy madnesse and because he could not sleep for many nights together but raved I would have administred syrup of poppies or a decoction of a poppy head but presently I was runne down by a Doctor of divinity that had a smattering in Physick who by noe meanes would admit of my judgement but affirmed confidently see how new lights can prevaile in this age those things which I advised were narcoticall or stupesying and would fix the humor or vapour in the braine causing the disease to be incurable Good God! to see the ratiocination of this new light for it narcoticks or stupefying medicines be hot as he and others have strongly defended against me how can they fix the vapour or humor The Philosopher can easily consute this unheard paradox Aristotle 5. de generatione 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heat makes thinner and subtiler And Galen is very frequent in this dâ—scourse 20. de simp Med. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so in his book de tremore palpit cap. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is in a word heate makes thinne dilates and rarifies nor only thick and grosse spirits but bodies but on the contrary t is cold that fix congeale's and makes Ice as every mechanick that is rationall know although he hath but a twilight of reason Secondly If opium be hot it cannot cause sleep for all sleep cometh of a cold cause 20. de locis affect 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cold causeth sleep not only naturall but praeternaturall Thirdly A hot naâ—cotick is as great non-sence as can be imagined t is a black Swan a cold fire or hot Ice Fourthly If all narcoticks be hot then water is hot for water stupefies as I proved before out of Hippocrates and Galen Now if out Neoterick be so wise and cautelous to forbid us the use of stupefying medicines Why will they have us drink water unlesse it be to stupefie our understandings and make us like beasts But to return to our Divine-Doctor in Physick was he not well read in Galens Method or did he ever read one jot of his Theory I imagine he never sounded that depth yet he dare Catechise us and give us Laws and Maximes nay he dare undertake to fathome the vast limits of two great faculties in the narrow compasse of his own understanding Let not Divines intermedle with Physick lest they prove bad divines and worse Physitians quod medicorum est promittant medici Let Physitians handle physick And that we may give stupifying and sleepy medicines which be narcoticall all practitioners approve of in phrensies madness and generaly in all diseases where the patient cannot sleep besides Galen is worth a thousand testimonies 13. Meth 21. speaking of those that cannot sleep 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we must make the principal part stupefied and sleepy In another place he saith that opium cures phreneticall madnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of those that cannot sleep 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that opium causeth sleepe marvelously and further if it be well corrected 't is a soveraigne and healthfull remedy Now see what a learned age we have that contradict so great a light to whom the world for above a thousand years together have subscribed but now without reading of Galen t is enough to sleep on Parnassus top one night and early in the morning rise new dubd Physitians by Oeron King of Faries like upstart mushrums guided and directed by the light of a glow-worm CHAP. VIII Whether we may not eat Acorns as well as drink water I Marvaile that some new light of this doting age doe not bring upon the stage the eating of Acorns as well as drinking of water for in the infancy of the world men and beasts had their meat and drinke in common They both eat acorns and both drank water Cardan de san tuend water saith he is the natural drink of all living Creatures Lucretius Ac sedare sitim fluvios fontesque vocabant for without doubt all the world drank water in the beginning of the world and that they cat acorns t is no lesse manifest Plutarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tasting and eating of acornes they danced for joy about the oake and beech Galen de aliment facult 2.34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in old time men lived of acorns alone and the Arcadians a long time after Hence the Ancient Oracles in Herodotus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Men in Arcadia eat Acornes for that 's their meat But if men did eat acornes in the infancy of the world why may they not cat them again in the
skin fell off dead Avicenna Prince of the Arabian Physitians tells us of a yong maid that was nourished with poyson Galen relates a story of an old Athenian woman that was nourished with hen-bane She began with a little quantity at first which nature overcame by degrees at length she came to a great dose and concocted that also For custome as Galen asserts had made it naturall Hippocrates de aere aqua locis proves that custome changes into nature for macrocephali or or long-heads are made by custome of the mid-wife or nurses stroaking and from them naturall long-heads are begotten although the first were made by custome Notandum quod de hominibus accidit ut Cardanus idem de mundo ut consuetudo omnia meliora essiciat nam quae singulis annis contingunt meliora sunt quam quae raro Nam Mundus consuetudine tenetur ut ipsi mortales it is to be noted that which happens to men the same falls out of the world that custome makes all things better Those things which happen every yeere are better then those which happen seldome For the whole world holds custom as well men and to prove further the power of custom Every thing in the world as much as is possible produces his species Man begets man The Sun produceth his species in a cloud which makes the rainbow Thus the species and formes of bodies are represented in a glasse meats and drinks continually accustomed beget a character image or similitude of it selfe in the stomacke liver and other parts which similitudes being imprinted in those parts they receive them readier because consueta sunt similia amica that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Hippocrates 3. Acut 3.33 They entertaine one another like brethren familiarly and consequently familiarity causeth sooner concoction And to draw to a conclusion thus our English beer or ale c. is received readier and concocted quicker then water because it is accustomed in our countrey water is not and therefore is not so easily received nor so familiarly concocted Nothing hinders so much the action of receiving and concocting as resistancy which consists in a dissimilitude or contrariety but things not accustomed have a contrariety and dissimilitude Such is water in our country beer is according to nature because accustomed Hippocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water in our country is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against nature because not accustomed upon which place of Hippocrates Galen hath these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which is accustomed is good that which is not accustomed is naught Therefore beer is good water is naught wherefore it is Herculeum argumentum an argument as strong as Hercules That no nation must drinke water against custome Galen uses this strong argument and hath it from the antient admirable Poet Homer who speaking of old men that they should after supper go to bed c saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for this is the custome of old men S. Paul ut prophanis sacra misceam uses the very same argument 1. Cor. 11.17 we have no such custome in the Church And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an old and inveterate custome is of grand authority in the church of God For so the great council of Nice cried out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let the old custome of the Church take place Ancient customes are lawes not onlyin physick and Philosophy but in civill and Ecclesiasticall matters If then custome be so great an argument in naturall civill and ecclesiasticall affairs Why may we not use this argument negatively as St. Paul and affirmatively as Galen It is as great an argument in the negative against water as can be possible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we have no such custome in England to drink water therefore we may not drink it And it is no lesse argument in the affirmative for beer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is the custome of English to drink beer Cerevisiam therefore we must drink beer and consequently no water CHAP. XIIII That wine is absolutely better than water THe divine and inaccessible light changes always for the best and man that is a glimpse divinae partiula aurae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that light changes for the best as far as human wisdome reacheth God out of darknesse and Chaos made light and order which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world Our blessed Saviour that Orientall light turned water into wine miraculously but our new lights the novelists ignorantly turne wine and beer into water which is as foolish a change as that of Diomedes and Glaucus which Homer describes thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which thus I turne very briefly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jove Saturns sonne had Glaucus made an Asse And chan'gd his armour that was gold for brasse Now we see these new lights are in the same condition with Glaucus they change wine and beer to water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is as much difference between wine and water as is between gold and brasse Wine not onely as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a matter of diet or aliment but as a medicament is better then water This conclusion is not of mine own invention but is the ancient opinion of our Antique lights Johannes Collâ— called Cosmitor wine saith he according to the authorities of the ancient writers is better then water But I prove it invincibly out of Galen for it is his authority that strikes dead all novelists He therefore in 6. Epidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non solum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wine saith he is better then water for concoction distribution to make good blood to nourish to make water to breath better But our noveâ—ists may well grant all this but it is not better First to quench thirst ' Secondly it is not better to repress vapours To the first I answer with Antonius Fumanellus that aqua cum vino exhibit a citiùs sitim extinguit water mixed with wine doth quench the â—hirst sooner And Galen himselfe hath the same sentence expressely â—rimo de simp med facult 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wine if it be mixt with water quencheth the thirst sooner then water alone for wine addes wings to the penetration and distribution of water in all parts To the second I answer that wine mixt with water or waterish wine tooles and represses vapours Hippocrates where the brain is touched gives water or waterish wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acâ—t 4. gives water or waterish wine For although wine be hoâ— and therefore is quicly carried up tâ— the brain and carrieth up hot humours which it yet waterish winâ— such as hath the nature or temper 〈◊〉 water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8. Meth. 3. in colour and vertue liâ—â— water is cold and represses vapours For if it hath the nature of water must have the same effects that water hath and cannot raise humors or vapours up to the brain It maâ—
sickness When I saith Sanctorius practized Physick in Hungaria there was a famous Earl which had been accustomed all his life time to drink vinum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong wine without mixture of water and being taken with a lassitude or weariness and paine in his head sent to me for counsel I advised him against the Laws of custom not to drink such strong wine but to mix it with water which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 weak wine The Earl put my advise in Practize and presently fell into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a swounding coÌ„dition Which when I perceived I changed my counsel and perswaded him to drink his accustomed strong wine without mixture of water and presently he came to himself and got strength But what had become of this Earl if Sanctorius had prescribed him water I say this had been ten times more dangerous and not only contrary to custom but to leap from one extream to another which nature abhorres Therefore our Countreymen must not driuk water contrary to their customes especially in sickness Galen himself dared not give sick men water before they were recovered of their sickness These be his words 8. Meth. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for water inaccustomed is not only against nature but the disease also against nature so that the Patient hath two adversaries First the disease Secondly the Physitian for he suffers from both at ne Hercules contra duos Hercules cannot fight against two Then how shall an imbecil and weak nature behave it self against two potent Enemies Lastly custom is not only diligently to be observed in sick men but also in valetudinary men which are neither well nor sick but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or valetudinary such as are not well pleased for so the Greek word signifies Galen 5. de San. tuend 11. These valetudinary men are not in the Catalogue of haile men 7. Meth. and are rather in the ranke of sick men then haile men as Cardan affirmes Therefore must keep the rule of custom as well as sick men For such valetudinary bodies are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwayes complaining Among these valetudinary bodies old men are esteem'd They alwayes complaine they cannot do as they have done fuimus Troes We have been brave fellows in our dayes but now they caÌ„not hope for a better custoÌ„ in that respect they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not like to see better dayes And of all these valetudinary bodies Galen speaks 8. Meth. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I think it better to change their diet when men are well and not when they be sick or valetudinary For nature rejoyces and delights in customes and 5. de San. tuend 11. Customes though evil are to be kept 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of valetudinary bodies The reason is because such bodies are weak and cannot suffer mutations And for the same reason old men ought not to change custom although it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 somthing hurtful Wherefore the proverb we must break the eye of custom is not to be understood of sick old and valetudinary bodies These therefore because they drink customaryly beer ale wine they must not drink water in our Countrey CHAP. XXII Divers cautions to be considered for the drinking of water in sickness VVE must not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diligently consider custom but many other circumstances for if water be dranke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 untimely and with excesse there may be many dangers and sometimes of death it self follow Scaliger in his Exercitations aqua epota frigida homini labore sole aestuanti venenum est water is of a poisonous quality to laboring men that are very hot and in Sommer so Consiliator called Petrus Abanus especially if it be taken in great quantity Hippocrates also 6. Epidem relates that one Sleneus wrastled with a stronger then himself fel down on his head drank much cold water the third day Mortuus est What do I talke of Hippocrates When Don Quixote although he had wind-mills and Chimeras in his braine yet was he not so sensless as to let his man Sanca Panca drink water when he was tossed in a blanket or coverlet Secondly water is not to be exhibited in agues where there is thick clammy or obstructive humors For although it seem to alleviate a man for the present and as it were extinguâ—sh the ague yet it increases the cause of the disease which the Eloquent Orater Cicero took good account of in one of his Orations against Cataline Saepe homines aegri morbo gravi cum aestu febrique jactantur si aequam gelidam biberint primo relevari videntur deinde multo gravius vehementiusque afflictantur which are almost the very words of Galen 9. Meth. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the present they find ease as if the fever were quenched but the cause of the disease remaining t is necessary that another fever or ague should be kindled And if water be of ill consequence in agues that have their original of thick and clammy humors Certainly it cannot be good as for diet in our Countrey where men eat Beef Pork Bacon Pudden Cheese c. which cause such clammy humors and consequently obstructions in which water is condemned Thirdly incrudities water is forbidden for where puâ—ried and inconcoct humors are water is very hurtfull Therefore Galens advise 9. Meth 5. is that when manifest signes of concoction appear you may give water not otherwise The same doctrine he hath 11. Meth. 9. But how shall they know these manifest signes of condoction that will not vought-safe to look upon an urine but let that pass As in Crudities we must not give cold water so neither must we bleed that I may give a kint but we must deferre bleeding as well as water until the meat and drink be concocted and the excrement descend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. Meth. 5. How prudent then is this nimble age that bleed men dead drunk and in a snoring sleep only to cure them dead-sure Thus died a Gentleman Neither ever found I any antique president that any man was bled in sleep he snored and fetcht his breath freely until he was bled and if he were in a dying sleep or dying condition then Galen gives this caution Non sunt infamanda remedia quae multis fuere auxâ—lia 11. M. 9. We must not slander those remedies which have helped many To speak truth the ancient went very far when they bled ad lipothymiam to a swounding but our age go a bar and half beyond them ad Syncopen admortem usque to the very death Fourthly water must not be given in cold distempers especially of the stomak neither is it commended in hot distempers where there is little flesh and blood Water in cholerick bodies begets choler and Galen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water is more dangerous in such Wherefore Hectick distempers do not require pure water nor much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because
they have extenuated bodies besides Hectick bodies are weak 2. Aphoris 28. Therefore cannot bear cold water nor alter their custom Fiftly water is not to be exhibited where any principal part is weak or have any tumor or swelling as inflammation oedema Scirrhus or any inward part distempered as weazand stomack liver the gut colon lungs midrife reines bladder for many by the unseasonable and much drinking of water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are presently taken with shortness of breath convulsious and tremblings as Galen notes There be other inconveniencies conveniencies but these are enough to make a man fearful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to give water CHAP. XXIII A recapitulation of the former Chapter out of Riverius IN this Chapter I will adde a recapitulation out of Riverius a later Author in his Book of Agues For as much saith he as belongs to cold water Galen commands to give so much as the patient may look pale and be cold all over the body and by that meanes the fiery heat of an ague may be extinguished the solid parts corroborated the unprofitable humors evacuated by sweats urin and stooles but concerning the exhibition of water Galen gives many cautions that is to say that in the vigour of an ague the signes of concoction appearing the patient be accustomed all the inward parts firme the body full of good juyce a temper quadrate and have strength there must be no gross and slimy humors or any tumor in the internal parts neither in the stomack weazon nor the nerves weak Other-wise if these conditions faile they that drink water are in danger to incur difficulty of breathing the dropsy lethargy and some other grevous disease But obsolevit hoc remedit genus this kind of remedy in this our age to observe is difficult and out of the praeposterous use much danger may ensue therefore 't is abolished Thus far Riverius who although he doth not cite Galens words punctually Yet any that have the eye of reason may plainly and evidently understand that this old course of drinking of water in agues is vanished into smoak and grown out of date as an old Almanack CHAP. XXIV Whether water be good in the palpitation of the heart gout or dropsy THe novelists are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they will do wonders with water and cure many diseases with it I know at this present a worthy Gentle man having the palpitation of the heart drinks water I know others that drink water in the gout and some have drank it in dropsies Therefore I will handle of these 3. diseases in order as they be propounded First Hierony nius Mercurialis monet ab aquae potu abstinendum esse in coâ—dis paltatione water is not good in the palpitation or beating of the heart For this disease is cold therefore requires rather hot then cold Medicines contraries are cured by contraries a cold sickness requires hot Medicines but the palpitation of the hart is a cold sickness Galen de tremore cap. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The cause of palpitation that is the substantial cause is a Spirit or wind the quality of this substance is waterish and thick Therefore t is cold but water cannot cure could and waterish nor the substance or essence of this Spirit which is cold For Galen in the same place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The cause of the palpitation is a gross clowdy dark and flatulent spirit Therefore colder ages are subject to this palpitation a cold temper cold region winter an idle life men given to repretion and much drinking meats cold and flatulent to conclude all in a word whatsoever cooles the body And Galen addes presently after that the ancient Physitians found out remedies for the palpation which do heat and extenuate and 4. de locis affectis he teacheth the very same handling of the palpitation of the heart But water hath not a heating and extenuating faculty Therefore it cannot be a good Medicine for this Symptome Secondly water is no good Medicine for the gout As for a cold gout I think no rational man will grant cold water a convenient remedy Then for an hot gout which is a kind of inflammation 't is probable that water may do well but all is not gold that glisters nor every argument that is apparently true is true For as I said before they that aime at a few circumstances are easily deceined There be many to be considered in the gout as Cardan teacheth 1. The weakness of the joynts 2. The latitude of the veines 3. A crude matter 4. An impulsive power But if in all gouts there be crudities water cannot be a good remedy Galen forbids water in crudities least it cause more crudities Wherefore Galen commends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 treacle which coÌ„sumes the superfluous moysture and cruditie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et statim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Besides although it be an hot gout the joynts are of a cold temper which are much damnified by water Last of all the gout happens for the most part to them that have a cold stomack and to men in yeares to both these water is no small adversary Thirdly in dropsies water is worst of all for all dropsies are of a cold distemper of the liver whence spring flegme water wind which are the brats of a distempered liver Alexander Massar aquae potio si quid aliud aqua inter cutem laborantibus est adversissima adeo ut Avicenna illius quoqu visionem prohibeat The drinking of water is most contrary to dropsies in so much that Avicen forbad to look upon water Massari had this from Galen as all rivolets have from the Ocean for he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Water is most adverse to hydropical men both as drink and bath CHAP. XXV Three objections Answered NOw I will answear to two or three objections and so make an end The first is that custom is not necessary in the exhibition of water in sickness and Alexander Massaria a famous Physitian of Padua is of opinion that custom is not to be esteemed among necessary conditions and if other conditions agree we may give cold water to those that are not accustomed This assertion is proved out of Galen 9. Meth. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scribendum where some that were not accustomed were compelled to drink cold water in a burning feaver they received no hurt at all I will adde another text 9. Meth. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We have often seen many that were in burning feavers when the humors are indifferently concoct freed from their feaver with drinking of cold water although they were not accustomed to drink it But to end this controversy and answere Massaria I distinguish that hot distempers are either moderate as Hecticks diaries and indifferent agues or they are such distempers as Hippocrates and Galen call fire absolutely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and such are 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 burning feavers Nothing quench fire better then water In these and such like we may give water to those that are not accustomed for as Galen saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and if the greatness 11. M. 9. or vehemency of the feaver praeponderate then custom is not a necessary condition the magnitude of a sickness Ecclips and shaddows custom and other inferiour indications This is also to be understood where water is drank in hot Countries but where the distempers are not so great custom hath a necessary condition Galen 9. Meth. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but to one that is not accustomed I will not begin to give cold water until his former health be recovered We see that Galen dare not give cold water to one that is not accustomed So 10. Meth. 5. speaking of Hecticks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The only cure is to give cold water moderately and timely and if was a custom in the time of his health Therefore we see that custom bears a necessary power in these distempers and especially in cold Countries The second objection is that water quencheth thirst better then wine this is the argument That which actually and potentially doth most coole and moysten quencheth thirst best but water doth both actually potentially most coole and moysten therefore quench thirst better then wine for small wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 although it moystens actually potentially yet heats potentially I Answere that this objectioÌ„ hath been answered before in part Chapter 14. where in I proved that wine quencheth thirst better because it addes wings to the penitration of water by reason of the thinness and tenuity of parts So sal Prunellae and sal tartari although they be hot coole more being mixed with cold water therefore the minor proposition is denyed for t is false And although Hippocrates 6. Epidem commends water in hot natures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nevertheless in another place for water he gives wine in hot natures and in extream thirst he giveth wine and that very cold Galens words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galen de dieta sanorum Hippocrates in this place seems better to praescribe waterish wine that is cold and yet obtaines the commodities of water Secondly to speak accurately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or dilute wine is one thing but waterish wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is another this is not hot but cold Galen 2. Acut. 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sitim tollit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 waterish wine asswageth thirst by coldness and moysture Again wine dilute is of two sorts thick and thin that which is thin cooleth and therefore all dilute wine that is wine mixt with water or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do not heat The third objection is that water is good for poor blind eyes or such as see obscurely and for this they quote Alexander Trallian But Hollerius citeth Aristotle in his Problemes that hydropotae acutius vident that water drinkers see more acutely the reason pretended is quia vapores mag is supprimit This authority I cannot yet find neither in Trallian nor in Aristotle And the reason if true may be applyed as well to beer and waterish wine but I could never find in antiquity that water repress vapours but rather contrary that in cholerick bodies it increaseth choler but wine is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. San. tuend tempereth cholerick humoâ—s Besides it helpeth forward all Evacuations 11. Meth. 9. therefore it helps to repel vapours Secondly water is no auxiliary to quickness of sight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither inwardly or outwardly as an efficient cause but by accident t is not excrementitious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippocrates and Rondeletius in this case gives nowrishment that is easy and not excrementitious such is dilute wine if it be thin and do not vapour up to the head Hieronymus Mercurialis in the distillation of the eyes where flies moats seem to be Aquam hoc casu a Rase ab Avicenna damnatam invenio I find water to be condemned Thirdly suppose it to be true that water drinkers have Argos or Linceus his eyes Surely the eyes of their understanding are not so quick for in cold Countries especially water begets flegme Besides elevated conceits or divine raptures come not from water drinkers The Poet can make out that Nulla placere diu neque vivere carmina possunt Quae scribuntur aquae potoribus Thus if that be true which Horacerehearses Small beer drinkers never make good verse T is wine that gives alas ingenio wings to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wine is the flying horse Pegasus As the Epigrammatist CHAP. XXVI The Epilogue I Could Gentle Reader dwell upon this subject a year and not be satisfied in any of these Chapters but would refine them every one and lick them over and over as they say beares do there whelps and be critical too But I fear they are difficult enough to vulgar capacities although but rudely polisht Therefore I desist and expect these new lights may shew more light Every man is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a light that hath but the light of reason I confess there is a great difference for some have a great light of reason others have as little and apter to be lighted then to give light Solid bodies give the greatest light Solid reasons are the best lights Hippocrates for humane light among Physitians was the greatest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Nicomedes His very words are the voice of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Galen that is Apollinis which was the Author of Physick and therefore stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the cause of health Apollo was also called absolutely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God These are Galens words But this by the way weak eyes cannot look against the Sun by reason of their own weakness and the incomparable light of the Sun Ignorant men that have not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a general literature cannot look upon Hippocrates writings by reason of their own ignorance and the admirable light that is in Hippocrates And Galen next to him is the greatest light his Dialect is as clear as the Sun his reasons are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as liquid and bright as fire His indications or demonstrations are such as dazle the understanding of the best Physitians And these are the lights whereby we have proved our opinion Now if there be any new light among the novellists that can shew me clearer reason authority for the drinking of water in England I will subscribe Et erit mihi Magnus Apollo Et nos cantemus quod clara voce camaenae Bistonia cecinere Lyra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He unto me Apollo shall be And we will sing that which the Muses plaid On there Biston Harps when they call'd for aide O Apollo O Apollo THE SECOND BOOK ΠΕΡΙ ΘΕΡΜΟΠΟΣΙΑΣ The the READER IN my former Book I have
am perswaded that this is the Authors own invention for he neither quotes Book nor Chapter nor Author right for there never was any such Physitian that ever I could learn 2. No Physitian ever gave calidissimum most hot drink at any time of the year and much less in the spring 3. No Physitian ever gave absolutely luke-warm drink in Summer or at any time of the year in haile constitutions 4. If Philostinus gave drink as hot in the Spring as in Winter he was in an errour for middle constitutions require middle temperatures of drink as Hippocrates de diet 3. His next authority is Athanaeus in his 8. Book speaking of Strationicus the Harper who called Rhodios delitiis exolutos calidum bibentes albos Cyrenaeos Rhodiumque oppidum civitatem porcorum That is Strationicus the Fidler for so H. Stephen and other expound Citharaedum although it signifie also a Harper but the word is more generally taken call them of Rhodes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 luxurious and warm drinkers comparing them to Hogs This considered the place is nothing to the purpose Luxurious men have drank warm drink but the question is not de facto but de Jure as the Lawyers speak whether or no haile men may drink it in the Regiment of health Luxurious men have drank and eat that which was not justifiable to reason Some have drank poison but who will warrant it upon good grounds In this answere we may note that our Author is mistaken when he compares the City of Rhodes to Hogs for in Athanaeus there is no such thing the Greek words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vocat a City of suters he mistakes procos pro porcis Thirdly Julius Pollux in his Onomasticon propounds this question whether the ancient drank their water hot and concludeth they did I answere That Pollux bringeth authority out of Homer and Hippocrates but confesseth them to be invalid and weak but at last he bringeth out of Philemon that calda solida est vendita 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hot water was sold for a forthin which saying as Pollux affirms doth manifestly argue the drinking of warm water I answere that this argument is not evident for two reasons First is not probable as also H. Mercurialis assert that boiled water was sold for so poor a price Secondly calda is potable water they called caldam therefore Philemon understands aquam potabilem Seneca Ab hac defatigatione mag is quam exercitatione in frigidam descendi Hoc apud me vocatur parum Calda But of this more in the tenth authority Fourthly Apulejus lib. 2. de aureo asino Fotis arripit poculum ac desuper aqua calida injecta porrigit ut biberem Fotis takes the Cup and from above pouring in warm water offers it me to drink I answere that calida aqua is not water hot actually but cold yet it was made hot purposely to receive the more coldness for the ancients drank their drink very cold So Beroaldus upon this place out of Plâ—nie Neronis Principis inventum est decoquere aquam vitroque demissam in nives refrigerare Ita voluptas frigoris contingit sine vi iis nivis Item calefactam magis refrigerari subtilissimo invento T is the invention of Nere the Prince to boile water and in a glass let it down into snow to coole it so the pleasure of the coldness is tasted without the offence of the snow for all water decocted or boiled is more profitable and that water made warm is made more cold by a very subtile invention You see they did not drink hot water but very cold putting the boiling water into snow And of this custom Galen speaks 7. Meth. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and I gave not only Fountaine water but such as was cooled with snow as they had wont to prepare it at Rome first heating the water which they call decoction But for further proof saith our Author I will prove it both by the ancient writers of prose and also Poets that the Romanes used it And first Varro defining this word calix saith it comes of the Latine word ealidus because in it calidus apponebatur potus hot drink was served I answere that thus we read in Varro Calix a caldo quod in ea calidus potus apponebatur caldum in eo bibebant Caldum is not here to be understood water hot actually but such as Neroes decoction was in the last answere Secondly calix is not a calda as Varro but rather a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macrobius or as Isidore because calices were made of wood for the Grecians call all kind of wood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. I ask why our Author amongst the Romanes begins first with Varro when before this he had proved it out of Apuleius Surely he takes Apuleius to be a Grecian not a Romane The sixth is Paulus the Lawyer speaking of the difference between the Vessels that they heated in saith there is no great difference between Cacabus and Ahenum for in the first they boâ—le their meat and in the other their water to drink I answere that the ancient boiled their meat not only in cacabis but in abenis Virgil. Pars in frusta secant virubusque trementia figunt Littore ahena locant alii flammasque ministrant Secondly they did not drink in ahenis but rather boiled their water in them for ahenus is a Vessel to prepare hot water and so is miliarium which word is expressed in the glossary very well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Vessel to heat water in Athenaeus calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But all this is nothing to the purpose we confess the ancients had Vessels to heat water in but that they drank actual hot drink we deny especially in the Regiment of health The next is Plautus in his Comedy of the Vaunting Souldier in these very words Quia enim absorbui Nam nimis calebat amburebat gutturem I supped it for it was so hot it burnt my throat Again the same Author in another Comedy brings forth Labrax speaking to Neptune in these words Edipol Neptune es balneator frigidus Cum vestimentis posteaquam abs te abis algeo Nec Thermopolium quident ullum ille instruit Ita salsam praebet potionem frigidam Truely Neptune thou art a cold bath-keeper Since I came from thee I freeze in my Clothes Neither doth he keep any hot water shop He gives us so salt and cold a potion I answere that Plautus doth not in any of these places handle of hot or warm water to drink or quench thirst but of warm potions which were sweet And Lambinus upon the words of Plautus affirms that the ancients delighted in warm potions which were mellitae and were to be sold in Thermopoliis Neither is Thermopolium a hot water shop as our Learned Author unfornately imagines but a place where dulces potiones vendebantur quas calidas bibere
Majesty in them or because they understand them not few will be troubled with their heathen Greek Language obscure Phrases intricate sentences and scrupulous Method as they suppose Yet all Physitians will pretend to draw from these Fountaines All Rivers come from the Ocean and to the Ocean return again All Physick is from Galen and Hippocrates and to them owe tribute as to the Founders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Bassus the Epigrammatist I confess reason teacheth me to make use of antiquity as from whence is all Canonical literature and so much the more because t is adverse to novelty I know all literature tota 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is immured in the Ancients The later Graecians Arabians Latines are but so many rivelets from these Oceans And that which the Novelists object is frivolous and absurd that a dwarfe standing upon a Gyants shoulder sees more then the Gyant but stay a little t is easier for a dwarfe to get upon a Gyants shoulders then for a pygmie or an ignorant Novellist to understand Hippocrates and Galen then how can they stand upon their shoulders The comparison cannot hold dwarfes can scarsly come so neer as to salute these Gyants Pettitoes Therefore how shall they rely upon their foundations And if they do they cannot see half so well as they He that can go cheeke by jowle with these Gyants in parallele is a brave fellow and he may as well span the circumference of the Heavens as go beyond them or see more then they twenty years is nothing to read and understand them and hardly sufficient to learn the Language without which they can not obtaine this difficult faculty Crato called Caesars Physitian although he was a very good Graecian cum essem inquit juvenis satis mihi erat si in quadam aviditateres prompte possem cognoscere ideoque versiones amabam nec putabam me plus visurum in Graecis quam vidissent doctiss interpretes Nunc saepe haereo in vocabulis saepe deploro quod in Gr. minus studiose versatus sum See how he deplores his unhappiness that he was no better instructed in the Greek tongue There is another objection as idle as the former they say Hippocrates and Galen are no competent judges It may be they expect new lights come from Sir Thomas Moores 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or from the Man in the Moon or what have we new Ranters and Quakers in Physick too for these are the newest lights I know of new natural reasons are as old as the world Philosophie and Physick is as old as nature her self but first written by Hippocrates nothing is new under the Sun saith the wise man There are no general notions canons axioms new coyned Yet every Farrier or any Mechanick may perchance find out some petty particular experiment Others object that there be new diseases unknown to Hippocrates and Galen as the scurvy and the French disease But I utterly deny it and so doth Julius Pacius and Langius and others of the Learned Again they object an ague ex spermate which is not in Galen Secondly that there be many symptomes which are not found in him These are tidiculous imaginations of novelty To the first I answear with Galens words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that some which conteine them selves have their head heavy forsake their meat and have agues To the second I answere that Galen would not have you deceived 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and all the interpreters confirme that Galen did not omit any symptome Nay I will be a little bolder peradventure the opinion of the circulation of the blood so highly cried up is not new though it be made more manifest by Doctor Harvie For Plato in his Timaeo seems to make mention of the circular motion of the blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Where we see that the blood is carried circularly in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And thus much for novelties Now Reader I will give an account of my intention in this Book and the subject of it why I cite the Greek text of my Method and translating the Greek and Latine I write against the Novelists by which I understand those that deny or decline the ancient authorities and have new opinions contrary to them without solid reasons The subject of this Book is water which is the best of things according to Pindar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Plato quotes Pindar for it Hence cometh when the Deity please Fountaines Rivers and sourging sease 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But in this large extent I do not treat my business is Physical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is of drinking cold water which I think is hurtful in our Countrey of England And although many have indangered themselves many have lost their lives by drinking of water yet because they find no present hurt they will venter what ever come on 't though it be for nothing else but to follow the new mode of drinking it But I shall prove it hurtful by divers reasons and authorities fetcht from Hippocrates and Galen and the best Physitians And if our Novelists give not other materials of Physick more judiciously they must kill more and play with as ill luck as Thâ—mison did and kill a multitude Quot Themison aegros Autumno occiderit uno Some will object that I interlace my Book with Greek texts more for oftentation then for any necessity I answer I regard not what folly may invent The quotations are very necessary for transiations do not only vary from the Greek Copies but many times are false Therefore t is necessary to produce the original word for word especially against Novelists and such this curious age expect which shew not only the verity but majorem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more efficacy more antiquity more Majesty and shews the dignity of the Author A testimony is not only measured by its own validity but by the Authors worth Thus the famous Oratour Cicero did mix Greek with Latin lib. 1. de officiis Ipse de meam utibitatem semper cum Graecis Latina conjunxi neque id in Philosophia solum sed etiam in dicendi exercitatione For mine own profit I alwayes joyned together the Greek with the Latine not only in Philosophy but also in the exercise of speaking Thus I imitate the great Criticks Scaliger Casaubon Schottus Mercurialis Julius Alexandrinus Langius and the Learned Duretus That I may say nothing of our own Country men who dayly quote Greek in their writings Lastly although I cite the Greek original Language yet if any man read but the English alone by it self he shall find the sense of the Greek and so of the Latine in most places Now for the Method I know it may be amended yet I fear not the juditious Critical censure as for Petty-Johns or dwarfe Criticks I regard not I know some Criticks long ago have been so bold as to find fault with the frame and order
of the great Fabrick of the world and called it blasphemously 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a confusion or confused mixture what mercy then shall I expect to find at their unmerciful censures Let them slight my Method to atomes or annihilate it I shall esteem as little of their censures And for my translation of the Greek or Latine although there may be faults yet not considerable I confess I turn most texts not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 word for word but Purposely keep the plaine sense and mind of the Author And so Plato understood Homer not as poor verbal Criticks do in these dayes non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not according to the words but according to the mind of the Author And if any mislike the translation let them translate it better if they can so long as men be of several tempers and fancies and words have divers interpretations t is impossible to please all men in translations Lastly t is a hard matter so long as we be men not to erre in many things some we are altogether ignorant of some we judge sinisterly some we write negligently As Galen saith whose words to close all are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore curteous Reader humane errors judge charitably THE DEDICATION TO THE Right worthy and his much honoured Friends MAURICE BARROW AND JAMES COLTHORPE Esquires GEntlemen the noble expressions of courtesie which I have received from your hands beyond all merit and expectation of mine have ingaged me to be so bold as to prefix your names in the frontispice of this little Book And although truth need no Patron and falsitie deserves none for an Army cannot defend falsity when truth of it self is murus aheneus a brasen Wall Yet I humbly crave that you will be pleased to give it protection Gentlemen I assure you upon my credit that I maintain ne treason against Philosophy or any heretical opinion against Physick but the ancient verity which Hippocrates and Galen have delivered unto us Therefore in this your protection you may deserve the henour of patronizing those antique worthies whom the universal world for many centuries of years have had in sublime estimation And if you expect any of Demosthenes his Rhetorique or Ciceronian Eloquence I crave pardon and make this apologie for my self That truth may be apparelled in plaine garments and need not curiosity Philosophy and Physick are as civil matrons which neglict rich attire and splendid ornaments Sophistry is many times in rich vestments It hath bin observed many years ago that the greatest Heretiques were the Eloquentest men And garments that are perfumed with must civet and amber many times hreed a suspicion Non bene olet qui bene semper olet And as Scaliger saith non in foro versamur aut Romano comitio sed in communi Theatro sapientum sub oculis veritatis cujus supellectilem atque apparatum non tam nitidum quam opulentum esse decet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Learning hath a plaine coat without welt or guard as they say Accept therefore I pray you these plaine lines drest in a homspun English sute And if this Tractate cannot deserve your worthy acceptance Yet may it be as a monument and Testimony of my affection Thus wishing you both not only a perpetual health that you need no Physitian but also eternal happiness I subscribe Your humble Servant R. SHORTE Doctor VENNERS OPINION OF DRINKING of WATER REader since I wrote this following Treatise I found my opinion seconded and confirmed by Thomas Venner Doctor of Physick in his Book intitled Viarecta ad vitam longam which I will here transcribe to give you my Reader more satisfaction then my self His question is whether it be not wholsome for Northern people that inhabite cold Countries to drink water at their meales instead of beer His answere is That although water be the most ancient drink and to those that inhabite hot Countries profitable and familiar by reason of the parching heat of the ambient aire which doth exceedingly heat and inflame and dry the body Yet to such as inhabite cold Countries and especially not accustomed thereunto nor the constitution intensively hot requiring and forcing the same it is by the contrary in no wise agreeable for it very greatly dejects the appetite destroys the natural heat and overthrows the strength of the stomack and consequently confounding the concoction is the cause of Crudities fluctuations and windiness in the body This is the Doctors opinion and is the same with others in cold Countries where they drink strongest wines and beers by the advise of their Physitians this is not without Hippocratical authority whose counsel is to drink 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in winter and there is the same proportion with winter and cold Countries And to conclude this Doctors opinions are almost the words of Galen 1. ad Glauconem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And thus much for Doctor Venners his opinion Authors cited in this BOOK A. ADrianus Junius Aetius Alexander Trallian Alexander Aphrodis Alexander Massaria Andernacus Antonius Fumanellus Apollonius Apulcjus Argenterius Aristoteles Arnoldus de Villa Arethas Episcopus Athenaeus Avicenna B. Beroaldus Bodin D. Dioscorides Dodonaeus E. Erasistratus Eswide Etymologicum Magnum F. Fonseca Fuchsius G. Galen Garzias a Horto Gentilis Glossarium Gr. Oxoniensis Graeca Epigram Guastivinius H. Herodotus Hen. Stephanus Hieronymus Mer-curialis Hippocrates Hollerius Homerus Horatius Horatius Augenius Hugo Senensis I. Isidorus Joubert Joannis Colle Juvenal Julius Pollux Julius Alexandrinus Julius Pacius L. Lambinus Latinus Tancredus Langius Lobel M. Macrobius Manardus Mathiolus Mercatus N. Nonnus Nunnius O. Oppianus Oribasius Ovidius P. Paparella Paulus Aegineta Paulus Iurisconsult Petrus Abanus Petrus Monavius Petrus Bellonius Persiu◠Pindar Plautus Plinius Plutarch Q. Quintus Serenus R. Riverius Rhasis Roger Bacon Rondelet S. Sanctorius Scaliger Scholiast Aristophanis Seneca Simon Simonius Simonides Stephanus de Urbibus Strabo V. Vallesius Valleriola Varro Virgilius Ulpianus Iurisconsultus THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS Following I. THe four considerations of water II. Good nourishment and good Medicines may be imployed sinisterly or to a bad use III. Of indication IV. The nature of our bodies V. What is not good in cold Countries etc. VI. England is a cold Countrey etc. VII We may use stupefying things as opium and poppy as well as water VIII Whether we may not eat acornes as well as drink water IX There is no necessity or convenience of drinking of water in cold Countries X. Whether we may drink water after dinner XI Old age and children may not drink water XII Of custom that it hath a principal power in diet XIII This argument is powerful We have no custom to drinkwater XIV That wine is absolutely better then water XV. That our English beer is better then water XVI The vertues of our English beer XVII Of experience that beer is healthful XVIII Of the ill qualities of water XIX
old doting age of it as well as drink water again senes bis pueri old men are twise children And if this decrepite age will eate acornes and drink water they may be as fat as bruit swine we know hoggs are fatted with acornes and water all Country blades know this but I will tell you as much out of Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hoggs eat sweet acornos drink water that Abundantly nourisheth their florid fat And if they nourish hoggs without question they wil nourish men for men have a similitudinary or proportionable temper to hoggs as Galen have left to posterity Therefore they will nourish men as well as hoggs But are not acornes hard of concoction and hard to passe thorough the stomack Let not that trouble your conscience for as acorns are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so water have the same attributes in Galen as shal appear aterward But they that forsake Wheat rie Barly c. for acornes and leave Wine Ale Beer for water I think they stand in their own natural light and if they had vulcanum in cornu a candle in their sconce they might peradventure see if they could find the way to Goteham But most men are the older the wiser and will not change their old custome in diet but make use of the old proverbiall saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When that the best we find We leave the worst behind Otherwise they must be branded with weaknesse of some chimericall notions in their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or principall part that will change a faire and delicate English Lady for a simple and course wench of Toboso or Mambrino's golden helmet for a Barbers bason CHAP. IX There is no necessity of drinking of water in our Countrey for hot men THere is no solid argument to evince that we should drink water although in heat of yeares First there is no necessity for God be thanked we have plenty of rich Wine gallant Beer and nappy Ale perry cidar c if these be too hot we may drink small-beer such as is water scar'd out of its wits small-ale small-wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nec est conveniens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nec 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nostratibus neither is it convenient or profitable or according to our natures but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contrary to nature because against custome Therefore it is a fancy which no excellent Physitian ever dreamt of in our Kingdome And although Galen 8. Meth. 3. saith that hot natures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that be haile are much helped thereby for young men are hot therefore require water necessarily to quench their heat nothing quenches a hot and dry distemper more then water and therefore in all such distempers as also in agues water is a perpetuall remedy 11. Meth. 9. Hippocrates confirmes this sentence 6. Epidem 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hot tempers or natures require cooling drinking of water and quietnesse These and such authorities are somwhat urging to abecedary criticks and in haile bodies nothing seems to speake more and nothing speaks lesse to the purpose concerning the drinking of water For Galen or Hippocrates speak not of our English water or England but is to be understood of hot countries where the custome of water is familiar and the water good and they cannot be understood otherwise And this is an answer to both Galon and Hippocrates but Galen gives Hippocrates words another answer for reciting Hippocrates words 8. Meth. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peradventure Hippocrates gave more water than wine and in the very comment where Hippocrates hath the words 6. Epidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he commands to drinke water or waterish wine So Hippocrates gave in agues and acute and fierce sicknesses water with wine or dilute wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or vinum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for wine doth not exclude water The custome of those dayes so prevailing that they mixed water more or lesse with wine as Julius Pacius notes very well Thus all the authorities for water-drinkers that are deduced out of Hippocrates or Galen or their ancient authors are to be understood of water mingled with wine in hot countries and where the custome is And if Galen had known our beer he would have prescribed our small beer So Simon Simonius Physitian to the Prince Elector of Saxony gives beer in feavers Nostris hominibus qui assneti cerevisiae sunt concedi largius illa poterit our men that are accustomed to beer may drink liberally of it So Andernacus and others And they that will not drink beer may take water and wine mingled which is called dilutum and it is far beter then water Johannes Colle admires the present age in which Physitians dare not give wine and yet they are so bold to give water which both Authors condemne But here our Novice Criticks may object that we may drinke water in the heat of Summer I answer that men that are drowning in water lay hold of every twig In summer Hippocrates gave the smallest wine not water And so Galen expounds Hippocrates in the booke of Diet. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippocrates for the most part bids us drink the smallest wine in summer CHAP. X Whether we may drink water after dinner THat we may drink water after dinner seems to have great probability And it is growne much in use now a dayes This opinion appears to be taken from Cornelius Celsus lib. 1. c. 2. Vbi expletus est aliquis facilius concoquit si quicquid assump sit potione aquae frigidae includit tum paulisper invigilat deinde bene dormit that is when any man is full he concocts his meat better if he shut up his body with cold water then to watch a little and after to sleep well This authority of Cornelius Celsus is pretended that we may drink water after dinner But this authority if righly considered or understood is nothing at all to our novelists purpose For the meaning is that he that drinks wine at dinner may shut the orifice of his stomack with a cup of cold water And this we may do with small beer as well and better And had Celsus known our small-beer without question he would have advised us to it But for them that drink wine as many of the Romans did it was very convenient to drink a cup or two of water after dinner For thus the fierce qualitie of wine is repressed and made gentle and the custome of drinking of water may be introduced This is that which Plutarch confirmeth in his booke called the Precepts of health These be his words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Oribasius that excellent Physitian ad Eunapium lib. 1. cap. 14. ad Julianum Imperatorem qui vehementer calidi sunt frigidam post cibum bibant non tamen affatim nec sine vino Those that are hot let them drink water after
supâ—rante in ea aquae qualâ—tate ac substantia And this is the beer which is better then water in every respect in our Countrey for this beer hath no ill quality in it But some Capricious fellow may object that Zythum facit Elephantiacos as Dioscorides seems to teach That is beer maketh the skin of a blackish rough of the colour of an Elephant Scaliger in his exercitations Answears that barly cannot do this mischief nor hops Lupulum dant medici ad sanguinis defaecationem Physitians give hops to purifie and clense the blood for it cannot be that beer should be so hurtful and unhealthful as the Ancients imagine as Valleriola Neque enim tam damnosa insalubris haec hordeacea potio quam prisci authores faciunt Among al other beers our English beer is as good as any if not outstrip al other beers Why then should we like so many Don Quixotes change our national drink for water Now let us come to experience CHAP. XVII Of experience that beer is healthful I Have proved before that water is not convenient in our Countrey And that beer is better which we may prove by experience I remember Hippocrates words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 experience of it self is slipery and ready to fall Therefore we speak of experience joyned to reason Vide Mercat Tom. 2. p. 17. ExperimeÌ„to sine ratione facto non video our mihi subscribendum I see no reason why we should subscribe to experience without reason There be two wayes of investigation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called the theory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is practice or experience Theory is the right-leg experience the left which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This opinioÌ„ of water in our Countrey is but of yesterday Tutiss judicari ab experientia 1 tuend san 11. then what experience can it have but ale wine beer are of longer standing and confirmed by experience for wine I wil not treat how long it hath been in use in our Countrey Beer and ale both are comprehended in this word cerevisia might be in Dioscorides his time but not well known to him Later Authors have more experience of our ale or beer Manardus lib. Epist 5.2 Experientia docet septentrionales homines qui nihil fere alind bibunt quam cerevisiam pulcherrimos saluberrimos robustissimos Experience teacheth us that septentrional men that drink almost nothing else but beer or ale to be the properest strongest and the healthfullest men Fuchius Cerevisia iis populis qui Aquilonares regiones incolunt potus non est ineptus quod verum esse septentrionalium locorum incolae abunde testantur quos robustissimos formo sissimos esse constat that beer is a convenient drink to those that dwel in the North regions those inhabitants abundantly testifie which to be the strongest and the fairest 't is manifest Valleriola Nos tamen sensuum fide experimur nullos aut corpore robustiores aut valetudine salubriores meliúsque habitos quam qui cervisia Zytho aut Curmi vocato pro vino utuntur We have experience by sense that none are stronger in body or more healthful and better habituated then those that drink beer or ale CHAP. XVIII Of the ill qualities of Water T Is a good argument which is deduced from the matter of diet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore t is convenient that I treat of the nature and qualities of water as well as of beer And I told you before of the virtues of beer so now I will relate the vices of water for it was not without great reason that the ancients mingled water with wine Homer makes mention of it in this verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The faire Penelope's suters sup Both Bachus and Neptune in one great cup. And Virgil imitates Homer for a haire Poculaque inveÌ„t is Achelcia miscuit uvis The reason is to correct the ill conditions and vices of water and to mitigate and asswage the heat of wine which Galen 3. Acut. affirmes in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vices of water are these which Galen sets down Meth. 7. in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Water stayes long in the belly especially under the short ribs and maketh a floting and wavering in the stomack 't is converted to wind 't is corrupted Lastly it dissolves the gallantrie and metle of the stomack And Galen further ads that water hath all these ill qualities or vices 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the coldness of it Therefore the colder water is the worse but water is colder in northern regions For waters which belong to the North and have the Sunne adverse to them are hardly concocted and consequently have these fore-mentioned vices Galen also 3. Acut. saith water is hard of concoction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and pass with difficulty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Although it be the best water His words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galen here comments upon Hippocrates who finds fault and least any Curiosity should object that Hippocrates speaks of naughty and water He takes away that objection saying that Hippocrates spake of the best water for Hippocrates uses to speak of the best and so we must understand him at this present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippocrates refers all his sayings to the best the purest water in that which is not mixt with any alien and strange quality And this although it be the best stayes a long time in the belly and makes fluctuations Therefore all these vices in water are to be understood of the best water and it hath all these faults from its coldness Water is cold of its own nature therefore of necessary consequence it must have the foresaid ill qualities so Galen 4. de rat vict Aqua est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is naturally cold and staying in the belly Therefore the best water hath these ill qualities naturally and more especially in cold Countries CHAP. XIX Two grosse errors in our new lights about the exhibition of Water IN muggy and foggy weather candles burn not so clear for then we see about them putres concrescere fungos that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spongious concrescence about the snuffe And our new lights burn dimme when a dampe or obscure sume clowds their braine but such lights must be snuffed debemus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They want a payer of snuffers I will be their servant if I can to take away two gross errors that be spungious Our novelists are as bold as Lions to give water against clear reason against Countrey custom and the nature of our bodies c. but beside all these they commit two gross errors in the exhibition of water For first they give well or pump water commonly as I have seen my self Yet this is a gross errour and condemned almost of all the Learned Galen condemnes fountaine water that runs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 towards the North and have the Sunne adverse
For such waters are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And for the same reason Lud. Mercatus saith that well-water is grosser cruder colder because the rayes or Sun-beames never come near them Therefore t is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cannot be overcome Mathiolus Putealis gravis estaegreque concoquitur nec statui potest quod sit putredinis expers well-Well-water is heavy and hardly to be concocted neither can we determine whether it be corrupt or no Heurnius Dura ac cruda est puteal is utpote sole fraudata Well-water is hard and crude as wanting the Sun-beames so Cardan Jul. Alexandrinus and others And pump-water is so much the worse because closer and sooner corrupts and putrifies Such water will corrupt in us as plants watered with unwholsome water degenerate Pomaque degenerant succos oblita priores The second errour is that they exhibite well-water and that raw without boyling But Hippocrates and Galen as Joannes Colle aquam crudam damnarunt quia manet in hypochondriis Condemn raw water because it remaines in the Lower belly Aqua quamvis optima hyemis tempore decoquenda Jouberl aquae potabiles aestate maliciores ergo decoquendae Plutarch the best water most be boyled in winter-time and sweet waters in sommer-time are the worse or more malicious Scaliger de Plantis Ex aestivis extractam puteis cum jumentis potui damus ne frigore suo noceat aut torminibus aut angana vexatam prius baculo exhibemus When we give water drawn out of sommer wells to our cattle least it should hurt by its coldness or fretting of the belly or squinsy we first move it with a stick or staffe before we give it For saith he al water gets a heat by agitation and stirring of it haurit enim multum aeris for it sucks or draws much aire into it Happocrates 6. Epidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and advise us to boile water least it do hurt and Galen calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a harmless preparation to those that will drink cold water and especially if it be hard of concoction Galen advise to boile it de san tuend Besides ripe fruit is better then raw so is water decocted better then raw Aqua coctione aerescit saith Scaliger water boiling growes atrie therefore the better Etiam aquam coctam qui damnarent medici nuper exorti sunt sensibus obnoxii cum apud Aristophanis Herodiani Subsellia nullam invenissent rationem nullam in Lyceo quae sivere There are risen of late Physitians that condemn boiled water Slaves to their senses when they could find no reason in Aristophanes and Herodians Gramatical seates they sought for none amongst the Peâ—â—patetick Schooles but to wind up the bottom of this conclusion Cardans words are worth consideration Omnium ergo doctissimorum consensu praestantiss atque nobiliss aquarum remedium est decoctio non solum caenosarum sive turbidarum atque alieno sapore odoreve infectarum verum etiam liquidarum atque splendidissimarum nam pleraeque ipso blandiuntur aspectu quae haustae magnas turbas in corpore concitant ventriculum statibus vehementer agitant mordent ac vellicant pariterque gravant in ipsis hypochondriis diutissime haerent Therefore by the consent of all Learned men the most excellent and the most noble remedy of waters is decoction or boiling not only of muddy and obscure waters and those that have a strang taste or smell but of most clear and dilucide waters which although they seem to flatter with their lookes yet they bring much trouble to the body they stir up much wind in the stomack they bite and pinch and lye heavy in the hypochondrials or lower parts of the short ribs and stick there a long time Here in this Chapter may start an objection of well-water which may be purer and better for concoction with often drawing sitularum verberatu the bucket beating the water and moving the aire Resp that this water is alwayes hard of concoction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the often going down of the bucker do not make the water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or easy of digestion but keep the aire from corrupting there CHAP. XX. Whether water be convement in feavers many things about custom THus far I have handled of water as diaiterical that is as drink belonging to diet In the next place t is convenient to speak whether water as Phatmaceutical or as a medicine be good in Agues I confess that Galen did give water in febribus ardentibus in burning feavers and in hecticks but multa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 usurpanda much curiousness is to be used and as Scaliger saith well qui ad pauca respiciunt facile falluntur They that respect a few circumstances are easily deceived for many have exhibited cold water imitating Galen but none touched the marke as Galen himself speaks 10. Meth. 5. T is true in feavers you may give water if you distinguish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accurately and curiously whether any hurt may follow or no and if little or no hurt follow you may administer pure cold water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and you may be the more bold if he that drinkes water be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a drinker of water that is accustomed to drink water but we are not accustomed to drink water in our Countrey Aristotle in his problems saith Fish cannot well live in the aire nor men in water so sick men that change an inveterate custom do it with difficulty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and turning to custom again have their health as if they turned to a naturall state and condition They that live with dainties and excesse must not leave their custom unless they intend to fall into consumptions for when they leave an accustomed dâ—et they are afflicted as if they took no diet at all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Dionysius the Tyr a Ì„t fell into a consumption for want of his accustomed drinking and returning to his drinking again recovered his health Crato a Learned man and Physitian to three Emperours and therefore called Medicus Caesareus Caesars Physitian in his Book stiled Perioche in 8. Meth. 3. Galen saith he handleth of drinking of water that is tho whom t is convenient to whom not and further shews manifestly that water is not to be drunk of those that are not accustomed 't is true hot natures are much releived thereby if they be accustomed to it Galen 9. Meth. 5. In giving of water in continual feavers we must especially consider custom saying that in such feavers we may give as much water as the patient please and so much the more boldly if he be used to drink water plainly signifying saith Nunnius that water is not to be drunk of them that are not accustomed to such drink Wherefore t is not to be wondred that one Aristotle a Mitylenian an archperipatetick as Galen relates lost his life by the ill counsel of Physitians that prescribed him water against his will