386 HISTORY OF 



stomach, thus much, seeing many of those things also which 

 serve for other operations are helpful to this. 



18. The liver, if it be preserved from torrefaction or de 

 siccation, and from obstruction, it needeth no more; for 

 that looseness of it which begets aquosities is plainly a dis 

 ease, but the other two, old age approaching induceth. 



19. Hereunto appertain most especially those things 

 which are set down in the operation upon the blood ; we 

 will add a very few things more, but those selected. 



20. Principally let there be in use the wine of sweet 

 pomegranates ; or, if that cannot be had, the juice of them 

 newly expressed; let it be taken in the morning with a 

 little sugar, and into the glass into which the expression is 

 made put a small piece of citron pill green, and three or 

 four whole cloves ; let this be taken from February till the 

 end of April. 



21. Bring also into use, above all other herbs, water- 

 cresses, but young, not old ; they may be used either raw 

 in sallets, or in broths, or in drinks; and after that take 

 spoonwort. 



22. Aloes, however washed or corrected, is hurtful for 

 the liver, and therefore it is never to be taken ordinarily. 

 Contrariwise, rhubarb is sovereign for the liver, so that these 

 three cautions be interposed. First, that it be taken before 

 meat, lest it dry the body too much, or leave some impres 

 sions of the stipicity thereof. Secondly, that it be mace 

 rated an hour or two in oil of sweet almonds new drawn, with 

 rosewater, before it be infused in liquor, or given in the 

 proper substance. Thirdly, that it be taken by turns, one 

 while simple, another while with tartar, or a little baysalt, 

 that it carry not away the lighter parts only, and make the 

 mass of the humours more obstinate. 



23. I allow wine, or some decoction with steel, to be 

 taken three or four times in the year, to open the more 

 strong obstructions ; yet so, that a draught of two or three 

 spoonfuls of oil of sweet almonds new drawn ever go before, 

 and the motion of the body, especially of the arms and sides, 

 constantly follow. 



24. Sweetened liquors, and that with some fatness, are 

 principally, and not a little effectual to prevent the arefac- 

 tion, and saltness, and torrefaction; and, in a word, the 

 oldness of the liver, especially if they be well incorporated 

 with age. They are made of sweet fruits and roots; as, 

 namely, the wines and julips of raisins of the sun new, 

 jujubes, dried figs, dates, parsnips, potatoes, and the like, 



