38 NATURAL HISTORY. 



by making the parts a little hungry, and heating 

 them ; whereby they call forth nourishment the bet 

 ter. This frication I wish to be done in the morn 

 ing. It is also best done by the hand, or a piece of 

 scarlet wool, wet a little with the oil of almonds, 

 mingled with a small quantity of bay-salt, or saffron : 

 we see that the very currying of horses doth make 

 them fat, and in good liking. 



59. The fifth means is, to further the very act 

 of assimilation of nourishment ; which is done by 

 some outward emolliments, that make the parts 

 more apt to assimilate. For which I have com 

 pounded an ointment of excellent odour, which I call 

 Roman ointment ; vide the receipt. The use of it 

 would be between sleeps ; for in the latter sleep the 

 parts assimilate chiefly. 



Experiment solitary touching &quot; Filum medicinale.&quot; 



60. There be many medicines, which by them 

 selves would do no cure, but perhaps hurt ; but being 

 applied in a certain order, one after another, do great 

 cures. I have tried, myself, a remedy for the gout, 

 which hath seldom failed, but driven it away in 

 twenty-four hours space : it is first to apply a poul 

 tis, of which vide the receipt, and then a bath, or 

 fomentation, of which vide the receipt ; and then a 

 plaister, vide the receipt. The poultis relaxeth the 

 pores, and maketh the humour apt to exhale. The 

 fomentation calleth forth the humour by vapours ; 

 but yet in regard of the way made by the poultis, 

 draweth gently ; and therefore draweth the humour 



