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 conclu-

sion to say, This agreeth not well with me, there-

fore, I will not continue it; than this, I find 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 great point of diet, and, if

necessity enforce it, fit the rest 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 try,

in any thing thou shalt judge hurtful, to discon-

tinue 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 fit for

thine own body.  To be free-minded and cheerfully

disposed, at hours of meat, and of 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 inquisitions; joys and exhilara-

tions in excess; sadness not communicated.  Enter-

tain 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, 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 extra-

ordinary effect, when sickness cometh.  I commend

rather some diet for certain seasons, than 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 prin-

cipally; and in health, action.  For those that put

their bodies to endure in health, may in most sick-

nesses, which are not very sharp, be cured only

with diet, and tendering.  Celsus could never have

spoken it as a physician, had he not been a wise

man withal, when he giveth it for one of the great

precepts of health and lasting, that a man do vary,

and interchange contraries, but with an inclina-

tion to the more benign extreme: use fasting and

full eating, but rather full eating; watching and

sleep, but rather sleep; sitting and exercise, but

rather exercise; and the like.  So shall nature be

cherished, and yet taught masteries.  Physicians

are, some of them, so pleasing and conformable to

the humor of the patient, as they press not the true

cure of the disease; and some other are so regular,

in proceeding according to art for the disease, as

they respect not sufficiently the condition of the

patient.  Take one of a middle temper; or if it may

not be found in one man, combine two of either

sort; and forget not to call as well, the best ac-

quainted with your body, as the best reputed of

for his faculty.