390 HISTORY OF 



the very nutmeg not excepted; for those hot things, we 

 debase them to the soles of the feet, and would have them 

 applied there only ; but a light anointing of the head with 

 oil, mixed with roses, myrtle, and a little salt and saffron, 

 we much commend. 



44. Not forgetting those things which we have before 

 delivered touching opiates, nitre, and the like, which so 

 much condense the spirits ; we think it not impertinent to 

 that effect, that once in fourteen days broth be taken in 

 the morning with three or four grains of castoreum, and a 

 little angelica seed, and calamus, which both fortify the 

 brain, and in that aforesaid density of the substance of the 

 spirits (so necessary to long life), add also a vivacity of mo 

 tion and vigour to them. 



45. In handling the comforters of the four principal 

 bowels we have propounded those things which are both 

 proper and choice, and may safely and conveniently be 

 transferred into diets and regiment of life ; for variety of 

 medicines is the daughter of ignorance; and it is not more 

 true, that many dishes have caused many diseases, as the 

 proverb is, than this is true, that many medicines have 

 caused few cures. And touching the operation upon the 

 principal bowels for their extrusion of aliment, thus much. 



vi. The Operation upon the Outward Parts for their 

 Attraction of Aliment. 



The History. 



1. Although a good concoction performed by the inward 

 parts be the principal towards a perfect alimentation, yet 

 the actions of the outward parts ought also to concur ; that 

 like as the inward faculty sendeth forth and extrudeth the 

 aliment, so the faculty of the outward parts may call forth, 

 and attract the same ; and the more weak the faculty of 

 concoction shall be, the more need is there of a concurring 

 help of the attractive faculty. 



2. A strong attraction of the outward parts is chiefly 

 caused by the motion of the body, by which the parts being 

 heated and comforted, do more cheerfully call forth and 

 attract the aliment unto themselves. 



3. But this is most of all to be foreseen and avoided, that 

 the same motion and heat which calls the new juice to the 

 members, doth not again despoil the member of that juice 

 wherewith it had been before refreshed. 



4. Frications used in the morning serve especially to this 



