CENTURY X. 533 



own water ; and then bound up close in fine linen, 

 and no more dressing renewed till it be whole. 

 Eighthly, the sword itself must be wrapped up close, 

 as far as the ointment goeth, that it taketh no wind. 

 Ninthly, the ointment, if you wipe it off from the 

 sword and keep it, will serve again ; and rather in 

 crease in virtue than diminish. Tenthly, it will cure 

 in far shorter time than ointments of wounds com 

 monly do. Lastly, it will cure a beast, as well as a 

 man, which I like best of all the rest, because it sub- 

 jecteth the matter to an easy trial. 



Experiment solitary touching secret properties. 

 999. I would have men know, that though I re 

 prehend the easy passing over the causes of things, 

 by ascribing them to secret and hidden virtues, and 

 proprieties, for this hath arrested and laid asleep all 

 tj:ue inquiry and indications, yet I do not under- 

 gftand, but that in the practical part of knowledge, 

 j/nuch will be left to experience and probation, 

 /whereunto indication cannot so fully reach : and this 

 /not only in specie, but in individuo. So in physic ; 

 / if you will cure the jaundice, it is not enough to say, 

 / that the medicine must not be cooling ; for that will 

 / hinder the opening which the disease requireth : 

 that it must not be hot ; for that will exasperate 

 choler : that it must go to the gall ; for there is the 

 obstruction which causeth the disease, &c. But you 

 must receive from experience that powder of Cha- 

 moepytis, or the like, drunk in beer, is good for the 

 jaundice. So again a wise physician doth not con- 



