Medicina Flagellata Part 3

I.

It is not good to eat too much, or fast too long, or do any thing else that is preternatural.

II.

Whoever eats or drinks too much, will be sick.

III.

If thou art dull and heavy after Meat, it's a Sign thou hast exceeded the due Measure, for Meat and Drink ought to refresh the Body, and make it chearful, not to dull and oppress it.

IV.

If thou findest those ill Symptoms, consider whether too much Meat or Drink occasions it, or both, and abate by little and little, 'till thou findest the Inconveniency remov'd.

V.

Pa.s.s not immediately from a disorder'd Life, to a strict and precise Life, but by degrees abate the Excess, for ill Customs arrive by degrees, and so must be wore off.

VI.

As to the Quality of the Food, if the Body be of a healthful Const.i.tution, and the Meat does thee no Harm, it matters little what it is; but all Sorts must be avoided that does Prejudice, though it please the Taste never so much.

VII.

After Diet is obtain'd, the Appet.i.te will require no more than Nature hath need of, it will desire as Nature desires.

VIII.

Old Men can fast easily; Men of ripe Age can fast almost as much, but young People and Children can hardly fast at all.

IX.

Let ancient People eat Panada, made of Bread, and Flesh Broth, which is of light Digestion; an Egg now and then will do well.

X.

Growing Persons have a great deal of Natural Heat, which requires a great deal of Nourishment, else the Body will pine.

XI.

It must be examin'd what Sort of Persons ought to feed once or twice a Day, more or less; Allowance being always made to the Person, to the Season of the Year, to the Place where one lives, and to Custom.

XII.

The more you feed foul Bodies, the more you hurt your selves.

XIII.

He that studies much, ought not to eat so much as those that work hard, his Digestion being not so good.

XIV.

The near Quant.i.ty and Quality being found out, it is safest to be kept to.

XV.

Excess in all other things whatever, as well as in Meat and drink, are to be avoided; excessive Heats and Colds, violent Exercises, late Hours, and Women, unwholsome Air, violent Winds, the Pa.s.sions, _&c._

XVI.

Youth, Age, and Sick require a different Quant.i.ty.

XVII.

And so do those of different Complexions, for that which is too much for a Phlegmatick Man, is not sufficient for the Cholerick.

XVIII.

The Measure of the Food ought to be proportionable to the Quality and Condition of the Stomach, because the Stomach is to digest it.

XIX.

The Quant.i.ty that is sufficient, the Stomach can perfectly concoct, and answers to the due Nourishment of the Body.

XX.

Hence it appears we may eat a greater Quant.i.ty of some Viands than of others of a more hard Digestion.