20 Fifteenth-Century Herbals [ch. 



keeps it by their help. I considered further how that in 

 everything which arises, grows, lives or soars in the four 

 elements named, be it metal, stone, herb or animal, the four 

 natures of the elements, heat, cold, moistness and dryness 

 are mingled. It is also to be noted that the four natures 

 in question are also mixed and blended in the human body 

 in a measure and temperament suitable to the life and 

 nature of man. While man keeps within this measure, 

 proportion or temperament, he is strong and healthy, but 

 as soon as he steps or falls beyond the temperament or 

 measure of the four natures, which happens when heat 

 takes the upper hand and strives to stifle cold, or, on the 

 contrary, when cold begins to suppress heat, or man 

 becomes full of cold moisture, or again is deprived of the 

 due measure of moisture, he falls of necessity into sickness, 

 and draws nigh unto death. There are many causes of 

 disturbances, such as I have mentioned, in the measure of 

 the four elements which is essential to man's health and 

 life. In some cases it is the poisonous and hidden influence 

 of the heavens acting against man's nature, for from this 

 arise impurity and poisoning of the air ; in other cases the 

 food and drink are unsuitable, or suitable but not taken in 

 the right quantities, or at the right time. Of a truth I 

 would as soon count thee the leaves on the trees, or the 

 grains of sand in the sea, as the things which are the causes 

 of a relapse from the temperament of the four natures, and a 

 beginning of man's sickness. It is for this reason that so 

 many thousands and thousands of perils and dangers beset 

 man. He is not fully sure of his health or his life for one 

 moment. While considering these matters, I also remem- 

 bered how the Creator of Nature, Who has placed us amid 

 such dangers, has mercifully provided us with a remedy, 

 that is with all kinds of herbs, animals and other created 

 things to which He has given power and might to restore, 

 produce, give and temper the four natures mentioned above. 

 One herb is heating, another is cooling, each after the 

 degree of its nature and complexion. In the same manner 

 many other created things on the earth and in the water 

 preserve man's life, through the Creator of Nature. By 

 virtue of these herbs and created things the sick man may 

 recover the temperament of the four elements and the 



