Because this humour is so malign of itself, and so hard to be removed, the reliques are to be cleansed, by alteratives, cordials, and such means:  the temper is to be altered and amended, with such things as fortify and strengthen the heart and brain, [4295]"which are commonly both affected in this malady, and do mutually misaffect one another:”  which are still to be given every other day, or some few days inserted after a purge, or like physic, as occasion serves, and are of such force, that many times they help alone, and as [4296]Arnoldus holds in his Aphorisms, are to be “preferred before all other medicines, in what kind soever.”

Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives, I do not find a more present remedy, than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used.  It makes a man bold, hardy, courageous, [4297]"whetteth the wit,” if moderately taken, (and as Plutarch [4298]saith, Symp. 7. quaest. 12.) “it makes those which are otherwise dull, to exhale and evaporate like frankincense, or quicken” (Xenophon adds) [4299]as oil doth fire. [4300]"A famous cordial” Matthiolus in Dioscoridum calls it, “an excellent nutriment to refresh the body, it makes a good colour, a flourishing age, helps concoction, fortifies the stomach, takes away obstructions, provokes urine, drives out excrements, procures sleep, clears the blood, expels wind and cold poisons, attenuates, concocts, dissipates all thick vapours, and fuliginous humours.”  And that which is all in all to my purpose, it takes away fear and sorrow. [4301]_Curas edaces dissipat Evius_.  “It glads the heart of man,” Psal. civ. 15. hilaritatis dulce seminarium.  Helena’s bowl, the sole nectar of the gods, or that true nepenthes in [4302]Homer, which puts away care and grief, as Oribasius 5.  Collect, cap. 7. and some others will, was nought else but a cup of good wine.  “It makes the mind of the king and of the fatherless both one, of the bond and freeman, poor and rich; it turneth all his thoughts to joy and mirth, makes him remember no sorrow or debt, but enricheth his heart, and makes him speak by talents,” Esdras iii. 19, 20, 21.  It gives life itself, spirits, wit, &c.  For which cause the ancients called Bacchus, Liber pater a liberando, and [4303]sacrificed to Bacchus and Pallas still upon an altar. [4304]"Wine measurably drunk, and in time, brings gladness and cheerfulness of mind, it cheereth God and men,” Judges ix. 13. laetitiae Bacchus dator, it makes an old wife dance, and such as are in misery to forget evil, and be [4305]merry.

       “Bacchus et afflictis requiem mortalibus affert,
        Crura licet duro compede vincta forent.”

       “Wine makes a troubled soul to rest,
        Though feet with fetters be opprest.”