CENTURY VIII, 391 



Generally, barbarous people, that go naked, do not 

 only paint themselves, but they pounce and raise 

 their skin, that the painting may not be taken forth ; 

 and make it into works. So do the West Indians ; 

 and so did the ancient Picts and Britons ; so that it 

 seemeth men would have the colours of birds feathers, 

 if they could tell how ; or at least they will have gay 

 skins instead of gay clothes. 



Experiment solitary touching the use of bathing and 

 anointing. 



740. It is strange that the use of bathing, as a 

 part of diet, is left. With the Romans and Grecians 

 it was as usual as eating or sleeping ; and so is it 

 amongst the Turks at this day : whereas with us it 

 remaineth but as a part of physic. I am of opinion, 

 that the use of it, as it was with the Romans, was 

 hurtful to health ; for that it made the body soft, and 

 easy to waste. For the Turks it is more proper, be 

 cause that their drinking water and feeding upon 

 rice, and other food of small nourishment, maketh 

 their bodies so solid and hard, as you need not fear 

 that bathing should make them frothy. Besides, 

 the Turks are great sitters, and seldom walk, where 

 by they sweat less, and need bathing more. But 

 yet certain it is that bathing, and especially anoint 

 ing, may be so used as it may be a great help to 

 health, and prolongation of life. But hereof we 

 shall speak in due place, when we come to handle 

 experiments medicinal. 



