* 



352 HISTORY OF 



much more, if some new teeth put forth in our elder 

 years. 



43. A broad breast, yet not bearing out, but rather bend 

 ing inwards ; shoulders somewhat crooked, and (as they call 

 such persons) round-backed, a flat belly, a hand large, and 

 with few lines in the palm ; a short and round foot, thighs 

 not fleshy, and calves of the legs not hanging over, but neat, 

 are signs of long life. 



44. Eyes somewhat large, and the circles of them inclined 

 to greenness ; senses not too quick ; the pulse in youth 

 slower, towards old age quicker; facility of holding the 

 breath, and longer than usual ; the body in youth inclined 

 to be bound, in the decline of years more laxative, are also 

 signs of long life. 



45. Concerning the times of nativity, as they refer to 

 long life, nothing has been observed worthy the setting 

 down, save only astrological observations, which we re 

 jected in our topics. A birth at the eighth month is not only 

 long lived, but not likely to live. Also winter births are 

 accounted the longer lived. 



46. A pythagorical or monastical diet, according to strict 

 rules, and always exactly equal (as that of Cornarus was), 

 seemeth to be very effectual for long life. Yet, on the con 

 trary, amongst those that live freely, and after the common 

 sort, such as have good stomachs and feed more plentifully, 

 are often the longest lived. The middle diet, which we ac 

 count the temperate, is commended, and conduceth to good 

 health, but not to. long life ; for the spare diet begets few 

 spirits, and dull, and so wasteth the body less; and the 

 liberal diet yieldeth more ample nourishment, and so re- 

 paireth more; but the middle diet doth neither of both; 

 for where the extremes are hurtful, there the mean is best; 

 but where the extremes are helpful, there the mean is no 

 thing worth. 



Now to that spare diet there are requisite watching, lest 

 the spirits, being few, should be oppressed with much sleep ; 

 little exercise, lest they should exhale; abstinence from 

 venery, lest they should be exhausted ; but to the liberal 

 diet, on the other side, are requisite much sleep, frequent 

 exercises, and a seasonable use of venery. Baths and 

 anointings (such as were anciently in use) did rather tend 

 to deliciousness, than to prolonging of life. But of all 

 these things we shall speak more exactly when we come to 

 the inquisition, according to intentions. Meanwhile that 

 of Celsus, who was not only a learned physician, but a wise 



