For the benefit of mankind in general, I have taken pains to give the world an account of what I have found written in the works of the most eminent physicians, concerning the good that mankind may receive from the use of Common Water; and of the informations I have had concerning the benefits thereof from others by word of mouth; and of what I have discovered by my own experience, from frequent trials, during a time that hath intervened from that of thirty to seventy-four years of age: which is sufficient to confirm the stupendious effects thereof; especially in the many particulars that shall be mentioned as my own discovery with respect to this excellent remedy, which will perform cures with very little trouble, and without any charge, and is also to be had wherever there are any habitations, which can hardly be said of any other: So that in some sense water may be truly stiled, _an universal remedy_, since the diseases it either prevents or cures may have this remedy applied to all persons, and in all places where men inhabit. [Sidenote: _Excellency of Water._] The first commendation of Common Water I shall mention, is that of Dr Manwaring, in his _Method and means of enjoying health_; wherein he saith, that water is a wholesome drink, or rather the most wholesome--being appointed for man in his best state; which doth strongly argue that drink to be the most suitable for human nature--answering all the intentions of common drinks; for it cools, moistens, and quencheth thirsts; ’tis clear, thin, and fit to convey the nourishment through the smallest vessels of the body--and it is a drink that is a rule to itself, and requires little caution in the use of it, since none will be tempted to drink of it more than needs: And that, in the primitive ages of the world, water-drinkers, he says, were the longest livers by some hundreds of years--not so often sick and complaining as we are. [Sidenote: _Digestion to help._] Dr Keill, treating of the stomach, in his _Abridgment of the anatomy of human bodies_, saith, that water seems the fittest to promote the digestion of food; all spirituous liquors having a property by which they hurt, rather than help digestion; the sad effects of which they are sensible of, he saith, who by a long use thereof have lost their appetites, hardly ever to be restored without drinking water, which seldom faileth of procuring a good appetite and a strong digestion. With which Dr. Baynard agrees, affirming, “That water liquifies and concocts our food better than any fermented liquor whatever.” _Hist. of cold bathing_, p. 440. [Sidenote: _Diseases to prevent._]