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the reins； aperitive things are dangerous for a man subject to the stone；
by reason that； opening and dilating the passages； they help forward the
matter proper to create the gravel toward the reins； which by their own
propension being apt to seize it； 'tis not to be imagined but that a
great deal of what has been conveyed thither must remain behind；
moreover； if the medicine happen to meet with anything too large to be
carried through all the narrow passages it must pass to be expelled； that
obstruction； whatever it is； being stirred by these aperitive things and
thrown into those narrow passages； coming to stop them； will occasion a
certain and most painful death。 They have the like uniformity in the
counsels they give us for the regimen of life： it is good to make water
often； for we experimentally see that； in letting it lie long in the
bladder； we give it time to settle the sediment； which will concrete into
a stone； it is good not to make water often； for the heavy excrements it
carries along with it will not be voided without violence； as we see by
experience that a torrent that runs with force washes the ground it rolls
over much cleaner than the course of a slow and tardy stream； so； it is
good to have often to do with women； for that opens the passages and
helps to evacuate gravel； it is also very ill to have often to do with
women； because it heats； tires； and weakens the reins。 It is good to
bathe frequently in hot water； forasmuch as that relaxes and mollifies
the places where the gravel and stone lie； it is also ill by reason that
this application of external heat helps the reins to bake； harden； and
petrify the matter so disposed。 For those who are taking baths it is
most healthful。 To eat little at night； to the end that the waters they
are to drink the next morning may have a better operation upon an empty
stomach； on the other hand； it is better to eat little at dinner； that it
hinder not the operation of the waters； while it is not yet perfect； and
not to oppress the stomach so soon after the other labour； but leave the
office of digestion to the night； which will much better perform it than
the day； when the body and soul are in perpetual moving and action。 Thus
do they juggle and trifle in all their discourses at our expense； and
they could not give me one proposition against which I should not know
how to raise a contrary of equal force。 Let them； then； no longer
exclaim against those who in this trouble of sickness suffer themselves
to be gently guided by their own appetite and the advice of nature； and
commit themselves to the common fortune。
I have seen in my travels almost all the famous baths of Christendom； and
for some years past have begun to make use of them myself： for I look
upon bathing as generally wholesome； and believe that we suffer no little
inconveniences in our health by having left off the custom that was
generally observed； in former times； almost by all nations； and is yet in
many； of bathing every day； and I cannot imagine but that we are much the
worse by； having our limbs crusted and our pores stopped with dirt。 And
as to the drinking of them； fortune has in the first place rendered them
not at all unacceptable to my taste； and secondly； they are natural and
simple； which at least carry no danger with them； though they may do us
no good； of which the infinite crowd of people of all sorts and
complexions who repair thither I take to be a sufficient warranty； and
although I have not there observed any extraordinary and miraculous
effects； but that on the contrary； having more narrowly than ordinary
inquired into it； I have found all the reports of such operations that
have been spread abroad in those places ill…grounded and false； and those
that believe them （as people are willing to be gulled in what they
desire） deceived in them； yet I have seldom known any who have been made
worse by those waters； and a man cannot honestly deny but that they beget
a better appetite； help digestion； and do in some sort revive us； if we
do not go too late and in too weak a condition； which I would dissuade
every one from doing。 They have not the virtue to raise men from
desperate and inveterate diseases； but they may help some light
indisposition； or prevent some threatening alteration。 He who does not
bring along with him so much cheerfulness as to enjoy the pleasure of the
company he will there meet； and of the walks and exercises to which the
amenity of those places invite us； will doubtless lose the best and
surest part of their effect。 For this reason I have hitherto chosen to
go to those of the most pleasant situation； where there was the best
conveniency of lodging； provision； and company； as the baths of Bagneres
in France； those of Plombieres on the frontiers of Germany and Lorraine；
those of Baden in Switzerland； those of Lucca in Tuscany； and especially
those of Della Villa； which I have the most and at various seasons
frequented。
Every nation has particular opinions touching their use； and particular
rules and methods in using them； and all of them； according to what I
have seen； almost with like effect。 Drinking them is not at all received
in Germany； the Germans bathe for all diseases； and will lie dabbling in
the water almost from sun to sun； in Italy； where they drink nine days；
they bathe at least thirty； and commonly drink the water mixed with some
other drugs to make it work the better。 Here we are ordered to walk to
digest it； there we are kept in bed after taking it till it be wrought
off； our stomachs and feet having continually hot cloths applied to them
all the while； and as the Germans have a particular practice generally to
use cupping and scarification in the bath； so the Italians have their
'doccie'； which are certain little streams of this hot water brought
through pipes； and with these bathe an hour in the morning； and as much
in the afternoon； for a month together； either the head； stomach； or any
other part where the evil lies。 There are infinite other varieties of
customs in every country； or rather there is no manner of resemblance to
one another。 By this you may see that this little part of physic to
which I have only submitted； though the least depending upon art of all
others； has yet a great share of the confusion and uncertainty everywhere
else manifest in the profession。
The poets put what they would say with greater emphasis and grace；
witness these two epigrams：
〃Alcon hesterno signum Jovis attigit： ille；
Quamvis marmoreus； vim patitur medici。
Ecce hodie； jussus transferri ex aeede vetusta；
Effertur； quamvis sit Deus atque lapis。〃
＇〃Alcon yesterday touched Jove's statue； he； although marble；
suffers the force of the physician： to…day ordered to be transferred
from the old temple； where it stood； it is carried out； although it
be a god and a stone。〃Ausonius； Ep。； 74。
and the other：
〃Lotus nobiscum est； hilaris coenavit； et idem
Inventus mane est mortuus Andragoras。
Tam subitae mortis causam； Faustine； requiris