So that (if there be cause) they may as well and
safely then purge, as at any other time: Or, if occasion shall urge, as
in plethoricall bodies, and many other cases, a veine may safely (or
rather most commodiously) be then opened and so much blood taken away,
as the skilfull Physitian shall thinke in his discretion and wisdome to
be needfull and requisite.
Let no man here think, that this is any strange position, or a new
paradoxe (for the learned know the contrary) or that I am studious of
innovation, but rather desirous to roote out an old and inveterate
errour, which in all probabilitie hath cost moe Englishmens lives, then
would furnish a royall army, in neglecting those two greater helpes or
remedies, to wit, Purging, and Blood-letting in hot seasons of the
yeare: which in all likelihood might have saved many of their lives,
while expecting more temperate weather, they have beene summoned in the
meane time, or _interim_ by the messenger of pale death to appeare in an
other world.
Wherefore let all those who are yet living, bee admonished hereafter by
their examples, not obstinately and wilfully to eschue and shunne these
two remedies in hot seasons, and in the time of the Dog-dayes, (much
lesse all other manner of physicall helpes) not once knowing so much as
why, or wherefore, and without any reason at all, following blind and
superstitious tradition, and error, haply first broched by some unworthy
and ignorant Physitian, not rightly understanding _Hippocrates_ his
saving in all likelyhood, or at least wise misapplying it.
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