PDF format (1.55 Mb) - The Ex-Classics Web Site
PDF format (1.55 Mb) - The Ex-Classics Web Site
PDF format (1.55 Mb) - The Ex-Classics Web Site
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
THE ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY<br />
releases the skin until he is filled with blood.") Many of them, to get a fee, will give physic to<br />
every one that comes, when there is no cause, and they do so irritare silentem morbum, as<br />
Heurnius complains, stir up a silent disease, as it often falleth out, which by good counsel, good<br />
advice alone, might have been happily composed, or by rectification of those six non-natural<br />
things otherwise cured. This is Naturæ bellum inferre, to oppugn nature, and to make a strong<br />
body weak. Arnoldus in his 8 and 11 Aphorisms gives cautions against, and expressly forbiddeth<br />
it. "A wise physician will not give physic, but upon necessity, and first try medicinal diet, before<br />
he proceed to medicinal cure." In another place he laughs those men to scorn, that think longis<br />
syrupis expugnare dæmones et animi phantasmata, they can purge fantastical imaginations and<br />
the devil by physic. Another caution is, that they proceed upon good grounds, if so be there be<br />
need of physic, and not mistake the disease; they are often deceived by the similitude of<br />
symptoms, saith Heurnius, and I could give instance in many consultations, wherein they have<br />
prescribed opposite physic. Sometimes they go too perfunctorily to work, in not prescribing a<br />
just course of physic: To stir up the humour, and not to purge it, doth often more harm than good.<br />
Montanus consil. 30. inveighs against such perturbations, "that purge to the halves, tire nature,<br />
and molest the body to no purpose." 'Tis a crabbed humour to purge, and as Laurentius calls this<br />
disease, the reproach of physicians: Bessardus, flagellum medicorum, their lash; and for that<br />
cause, more carefully to be respected. Though the patient be averse, saith Laurentius, desire help,<br />
and refuse it again, though he neglect his own health, it behoves a good physician not to leave<br />
him helpless. But most part they offend in that other extreme, they prescribe too much physic,<br />
and tire out their bodies with continual potions, to no purpose. Aetius tetrabib. 2. 2. ser. cap. 90.<br />
will have them by all means therefore "to give some respite to nature," to leave off now and then;<br />
and Laelius a Fonte Eugubinus in his consultations, found it (as he there witnesseth) often<br />
verified by experience, "that after a deal of physic to no purpose, left to themselves, they have<br />
recovered." 'Tis that which Nic. Piso, Donatus Altomarus, still inculcate, dare requiem naturæ,<br />
to give nature rest.<br />
-22