LIFE AND DEATH. 385 



taken at the midst of the meal, are better than wine itself, 

 especially if there were infused into the wine in which the 

 sops were dipped rosemary and citron pill, and that with 

 sugar, that it may not slip too fast. 



9. It is certain that the use of quinces is good to strengthen 

 the stomach, but we take them to be better if they be used 

 in that which they call quiddeny of quinces, than in the 

 bodies of the quinces themselves, because they lie heavy in 

 the stomach. But those quiddenies are best taken, after 

 meals, alone ; before meals, dipped in vinegar. 



10. Such things as are good for the stomach above other 

 simples are these, rosemary, elecampane, mastick, worm 

 wood, sage, mint. 



1 1. I allow pills of aloes, mastick, and saffron, winter time, 

 taken before dinner, but so as the aloes be not only often 

 times washed in rosewater, but also in vinegar in which 

 tragacanth hath been infused, and after that be macerated 

 for a few hours in oil of sweet almonds new drawn, before 

 it be made into pills. 



12. Wine or ale wherein wormwood hath been infused, 

 with a little elecampane and yellow sanders, will do well, 

 taken at times, and that especially in winter. 



13. But in summer, a draught of white wine allayed with 

 strawberry water, in which wine, powder of pearls, and of 

 the shells of crawfishes exquisitely beaten, and (which may 

 perhaps seem strange) a little chalk have been infused, doth 

 excellently refresh and strengthen the stomach. 



14. But generally, all draughts in the morning (which 

 are but too frequently used) of cooling things, as of juices, 

 decoctions, whey, barley waters, and the like, are to be 

 avoided, and nothing is to be put into the stomach fasting 

 which is purely cold. These things are better given, if 

 need require, either at five in the afternoon, or else an hour 

 after a light breakfast. 



15. Often fastings are bad for long life; besides, all 

 thirst is to be avoided, and the stomach is to be kept clean, 

 but always moist. 



16. Oil of olives new and good, in which a little mithri- 

 date hath been dissolved, anointed upon the backbone, just 

 against the mouth of the stomach, doth wonderfully comfort 

 the stomach. 



17. A small bag filled with locks of scarlet wool steeped 

 in red wine, in which myrtle, and citron pill, and a little 

 saffron have been infused, may be always worn upon the 

 stomach. And touching those things which comfort the 



VOL. XIV. C C 



