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Of Regiment of Health
by Francis Bacon |
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There is a wisdom in this; beyond the rules of physic: a man's own
observation, what he finds good of, and what he finds hurt of, is
the best physic to preserve health. But it is a safer conclusion to
say, This agreeth not well with me, therefore, I will not continue it;
than this, I find no offence of this, therefore I may use it. For
strength of nature in youth, passeth over many excesses, which are
owing a man till his age. Discern of the coming on of years, and think
not to do the same things still; for age will not be defied. Beware of
sudden change, in any great point of diet, and, if necessity inforce
it, fit the rest to it. For it is a secret both in nature and state,
that it is safer to change many things, than one. Examine thy
customs of diet, sleep, exercise, apparel, and the like; and try, in
any thing thou shalt judge hurtful, to discontinue it, by little and
little; but so, as if thou dost find any inconvenience by the
change, thou come back to it again: for it is hard to distinguish that
which is generally held good and wholesome, from that which is good
particularly, and fit for thine own body. To be free-minded and
cheerfully disposed, at hours of meat, and of sleep, and of
exercise, is one of the best precepts of long lasting. As for the
passions, and studies of the mind; avoid envy, anxious fears; anger
fretting inwards; subtle and knotty inquisitions; joys and
exhilarations in excess; sadness not communicated. Entertain hopes;
mirth rather than joy; variety of delights, rather than surfeit of
them; wonder and admiration, and therefore novelties; studies that
fill the mind with splendid and illustrious objects, as histories,
fables, and contemplations of nature. If you fly physic in health
altogether, it will be too strange for your body, when you shall
need it. If you make it too familiar, it will work no extraordinary
effect, when sickness cometh. I commend rather some diet for certain
seasons, than frequent use of physic, except it be grown into a
custom. For those diets alter the body more, and trouble it less.
Despise no new accident in your body, but ask opinion of it. In
sickness, respect health principally; and in health, action. For those
that put their bodies to endure in health, may in most sicknesses,
which are not very sharp, be cured only with diet, and tendering.
Celsus could never have spoken it as a physician, had he not been a
wise man withal, when he giveth it for one of the great precepts of
health and lasting, that a man do vary, and interchange contraries,
but with an inclination to the more benign extreme: use fasting and
full eating, but rather full eating; watching and sleep, but rather
sleep; sitting and exercise, but rather exercise; and the like. So
shall nature be cherished, and yet taught masteries. Physicians are,
some of them, so pleasing and conformable to the humor of the patient,
as they press not the true cure of the disease; and some other are
so regular, in proceeding according to art for the disease, as they
respect not sufficiently the condition of the patient. Take one of a
middle temper; or if it may not be found in one man, combine two of
either sort; and forget not to call as well, the best acquainted
with your body, as the best reputed of for his faculty.
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contact: morgan at [email protected] page last modified: thu jan 12 01:37:48 2006 |
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