Orderly living is, doubtless, a most certain
cause and foundation of health and long life; nay, I say it is the only true
medicine, and whoever weighs the matter well, will come to this conclusion.
Hence it is, that when the physician comes to visit a patient, the first thing
he prescribes is regular living, and certainly to avoid excess. Now, if the
patient after recovery should continue so to live, he could not be sick again,
and if a very small quantity of food is sufficient to restore his health, then
but a slight addition is necessary for the continuance of the same; and so, for
the future, he would want neither physician nor physic. Nay, by attending to
what I have said, he would become his own physician, and indeed, the best he
could have, since, in fact, no man should be a perfect physician to any but
himself. The reason is, that any man, by repeated trials, may acquire a perfect
knowledge of his own constitution, the kinds of food and drink which agree with
him best. These repeated trials are necessary, as there is a great variety in
the nature and stomachs of persons. I found that old wine did not suit me, but
that the new wines did; and, after long practice, I discovered that many things,
which might not be injurious to others, were not good for me. Now, where is the
physician who could have informed me which to take, and which to avoid, since I
by long observation, could scarce discover these things.
It follows, therefore, that it is impossible to
be a perfect physician to another. A man cannot have a better guide than
himself, nor any physic better than a regular life. I do not, however, mean that
for the knowledge and cure of such disorders as befall those who live an
irregular life there is no occasion for a physician and that his assistance
ought to be slighted; such persons should at once call in medical aid, in case
of sickness. But, for the bare purpose of keeping ourselves in good health, I am
of opinion, that we should consider this regular life as our physician, since it
preserves men, even those of a weak constitution, in health; makes them live
sound and hearty, to the age of one hundred and upward, and prevents their dying
of sickness, or through the corruption of their humours, but merely by the
natural decay, which at the last must come to all. These things, however, are discovered but by few, for men,
for the most part, are sensual and intemperate, and love to satisfy their
appetites, and to commit every excess; and, by way of apology, say that they
prefer a short and self- indulgent life, to a long and self-denying one, not
knowing that those men are most truly happy who keep their appetites in
subjection.
Thus have I found it, and I prefer to live
temperately, so that I may live long and be useful. Had I not been temperate, I
should never have written these tracts, which I have the pleasure of thinking
will be serviceable to others. Sensual men affirm that no man can live a regular
life. To this I answer, that Galen, who was a great physician, led such a life,
and chose it as the best physic. The same did Plato, Cicero, Isocrates, and many
other great men of former times, whom not to tire the reader I forbear naming;
and, in our days, Pope Paul Farnese and Cardinal Bembo; and it was for that
reason they lived so long. Therefore, since many have led this life, and many
are actually leading it, surely all might conform to it, and the more so, as no
great difficulty attends it. Cicero affirms that nothing is needed, but to be in
good earnest. Plato, you say, though he himself lived thus regularly, affirms
that, in republics, men often cannot do so, being obliged to expose themselves
to various hardships and changes, which are incompatible with a regular life. I
answer, that men who have to undergo these things, would be the better able to
bear such hardships by being strictly temperate in matters of eating and
drinking.
Here it may be objected, that he who leads this
strict and regular life, having constantly when well made use only of simple
food fit for the sick, and in small quantities, has when himself in sickness, no
recourse left in matters of diet. To which I reply, that, whoever leads a
regular life, cannot be sick or it least but seldom. By a regular life I mean,
that a man shall ascertain for himself, how small a quantity of food and drink
is sufficient to supply the daily wants of his nature and then having done this,
and Found out the kinds of food and drink best suited for its constitution, he
shall, having formed his plans, strictly adhere to his resolutions and
principles, not being careful at one time, and self-indulgent at others, for by
so doing, he would gain but little benefit; but making care always to avoid
excess, which any man can certainly do at all times, and under all
circumstances, if he is determined. I say then, that he who thus lives cannot be
sick, or but seldom, and for a short time, because, by regular living, he
destroys every seed of sickness, and thus, by removing the cause, prevents the
effect; so that he who pursues a regular and strictly moderate life, need not
fear illness, for his blood having become pure, and free from all bad humours,
it is not possible that he can fall sick.
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