2. Another story we shall give from the Authority of that learned Physician _Nicolaus Tulpius_ of _Amsterdam_ to this effect. A certain famous Painter was for a long time infected with black Choler, and did falsely imagine that all the bones of his body were as soft and flexible, that they might be drawn and bended like soft wax. Which opinion being deeply imprinted in his mind, he kept himself in bed the whole Winter, fearing that if he should rise, they would not bear his weight, but would shrink together by reason of their softness. That _Tulpius_ did not contradict him in that fancy, but said that it was a distemper that Physicians were not ignorant of, but had been long before noted by _Fernelius_, that the bones like wax might be softned and indurated, and that it might be easily cured, if he would be obedient: and that within three days he would make the bones firm and stable, and that within six days he would restore him to the power of walking. By which promises it was hard to declare, how much hope of recovering health it had raised up in him, and how obedient it made him. So that with Medicines proper to purge the atrabilarious humour within the time appointed, he was at the three days end suffered to stand upon his feet, and upon the sixth day had leave given to walk abroad: and so found himself perfectly sound afterwards; but did not perceive the deceit in his phantasie, that had made him lye a whole Winter in bed, though he was no stupid, but an ingenious person in his Art, and scarce second to any. [Sidenote: _Cent._ 1. _Hist._ 79. _pag._ 117.] [Sidenote: _Vt supr. Histor._ 85. _pag._ 125.]