ESSAYS

XXX

Of Regiment of Health

THERE is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic : a man's own observation, what he finds good of, and what he finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health. But it is a safer conclusion to say, This agreeth not well with me, therefore I will not continue it, than this, I find 5 no offence of this, therefore I may use it. For strength of nature in youth passeth over many excesses which are owing a man till his age. Discern of the coming on of years, and think not to do the same things still; for age will not be defied. Beware of sudden change in any 10 great point of diet, and if necessity enforce it, fit the rest

There is a wisdome in this beyonde the rules of phisicke; a mans owne observation, what he findes good of, and what he findes hurt of, is the best phisick to preserue healthe, but it is a safer conclusion to say, this agreeth well wth me, therefore I will continue it: I finde no offence of this, therefore I may vse it for strength of nature in youth passeth over many excesses, wch are owing a man till his age; discerne of the comming on of yeares, and thinke not to doe the same thinges: still beware of any suddaine chaunge in any greate pointe of diet and if necessity inforce VOL. II.

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to it. For it is a secret, both in nature and state, that it is safer to change many things than one. Examine thy customs of diet, sleep, exercise, apparel, and the like, and 15 try, in anything thou shalt judge hurtful, to discontinue it by little and little; but so as, if thou dost find any inconvenience by the change, thou come back to it again: for it is hard to distinguish that which is generally held good and wholesome, from that which is good particularly, and 20 fit for thine own body. To be free-minded and cheerfully disposed at hours of meat and sleep and of exercise, is one of the best precepts of long lasting. As for the passions and studies of the mind, avoid envy, anxious fears, anger, fretting inwards, subtle and knotty inqui25 sitions, joys and exhilarations in excess, sadness not communicated. Entertain hopes; mirth rather than joy; variety of delights rather than surfeit of them; wonder and admiration, and therefore novelties; studies that fill the mind with splendid and illustrious objects, as histories, 30 fables, and contemplations of nature. If you fly physic in health altogether, it will be too strange for your body when you shall need it. If you make it too familiar, it will work no extraordinary effect when sickness cometh. I commend rather some diet for certain seasons, than 35 frequent use of physic, except it be grown into a custom. For those diets alter the body more, and trouble it less. Despise no new accident in your body, but ask opinion of it. In sickness, respect health principally; and in health, action. For those that put their bodies to endure

it, fit the rest to it: to be freeminded and cheerfully disposed, at howres of meate, and of sleepe, and of exercise, is the best precept of long lasting if you fly phisicke in healthe altogither, it will be to strong for your boddy when you shall neede it if you make it to familiar it will worke no extraordinary effect when sicknesse cometh despise no newe accident in the body, but aske opinion of it in sickness principally respecte healthe, and in