142 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING, [X. 10. 
10. But lest I grow to be more particular than is agree- 
Filum me- - 2ble either to my intention or to proportion, 
dicinale, sive 1 will conclude this part with the note of one — 
de vicibus deficience more, which seemeth to me ‘of 
seaiemnar greatest consequence ; which is, that the pre- 
rum, 
scripts in use are too compendious to attain 
their end: for, to my understanding, it is a vain and flat- 
tering opinion to think any medicine can be so sovereign 
or so happy, as that the receipt or use of it can work any- 
great effect upon the body of man. It were a strange 
speech which spoken, or spoken oft, should reclaim a 
man from a vice to which he were by nature subject. It 
is order, pursuit, sequence, and interchange of applica- 
tion, which is mighty in nature; which although it re- 
quire more exact knowledge in prescribing, and more 
precise obedience in observing, yet is recompensed with 
the magnitude of effects. And although a man would © 
think, by the daily visitations of the physicians, that there 
were a pursuance in the cure: yet let a man look into 
their prescripts and ministrations, and he shall find them 
but inconstancies and every day’s devices, without any 
settled providence or project. Not that every scrupulous 
or superstitious prescript is effectual, no more than every 
straight way is the way to heaven; but the truth of the 
direction must precede severity of observance. 
11. For cosmetic, it hath parts civil, and parts effemin- 
ate: for cleanness of body was ever esteemed to pro- 
ceed from a due reverence to God, to society, and to 
ourselves. As for artificial decoration, it is well worthy 
of the deficiences which it hath; being neither fine 
enough to deceive, nor handsome to use, nor wholesome 
to please. 
12. For athletic, I take the subject of it largely, that 
