Dutchmen, to whom he gave entertainment in his house, that [1380]in one
month's space were both melancholy by drinking of wine, one did nought
but sing, the other sigh. Galen, l. de causis morb. c. 3. Matthiolus on
Dioscorides, and above all other Andreas Bachius, l. 3. 18, 19, 20,
have reckoned upon those inconveniences that come by wine: yet
notwithstanding all this, to such as are cold, or sluggish melancholy,
a cup of wine is good physic, and so doth Mercurialis grant, consil.
25, in that case, if the temperature be cold, as to most melancholy men
it is, wine is much commended, if it be moderately used.
_Cider, Perry._] Cider and perry are both cold and windy drinks, and
for that cause to be neglected, and so are all those hot spiced strong
drinks.
Beer.] Beer, if it be over-new or over-stale, over-strong, or not
sodden, smell of the cask, sharp, or sour, is most unwholesome, frets,
and galls, &c. Henricus Ayrerus, in a [1381]consultation of his, for
one that laboured of hypochondriacal melancholy, discommends beer. So
doth [1382] Crato in that excellent counsel of his, Lib. 2. consil. 21,
as too windy, because of the hop. But he means belike that thick black
Bohemian beer used in some other parts of [1383]Germany.
———nil spissius illa
Dum bibitur, nil clarius est dum mingitur, unde
Constat, quod multas faeces in corpore linquat.
Nothing comes in so thick,
Nothing goes out so thin,
It must needs follow then
The dregs are left within.
As that [1384]old poet scoffed, calling it Stygiae monstrum conforme
paludi, a monstrous drink, like the river Styx. But let them say as
they list, to such as are accustomed unto it, 'tis a most wholesome (so
[1385] Polydore Virgil calleth it) and a pleasant drink, it is more
subtle and better, for the hop that rarefies it, hath an especial
virtue against melancholy, as our herbalists confess, Fuchsius
approves, Lib. 2. sec. 2. instit. cap. 11, and many others.
Waters] Standing waters, thick and ill-coloured, such as come forth of
pools, and moats, where hemp hath been steeped, or slimy fishes live,
are most unwholesome, putrefied, and full of mites, creepers, slimy,
muddy, unclean, corrupt, impure, by reason of the sun's heat, and
still-standing; they cause foul distemperatures in the body and mind of
man, are unfit to make drink of, to dress meat with, or to be
[1386]used about men inwardly or outwardly. They are good for many
domestic uses, to wash horses, water cattle, &c., or in time of
necessity, but not otherwise. Some are of opinion, that such fat
standing waters make the best beer, and that seething doth defecate it,
as [1387]Cardan holds, Lib. 13. subtil. It mends the substance, and
savour of it, but it is a paradox. Such beer may be stronger, but not
so wholesome as the other, as [1388]Jobertus truly justifieth out of
Galen, Paradox, dec. 1. Paradox 5, that the seething of such impure
waters doth not purge or purify them, Pliny, lib. 31. c. 3, is of the
same tenet, and P. Crescentius, agricult. lib.
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