The same Hollerius goeth on in the exposition and interpretation of the said Aphorisme, and confidently saith:  Over & besides that we have benigne medicines which we may then use, as Cassia, &c. Wee know and finde by experience no time here with us more wholsome and more temperat (especially when the Etesian, or Easterly, winds do blow) then the Canicular dayes:  so that, wee finde by observation, that those diseases which are bred in the moneths of June and July, doe end in August, and in the Canicular dayes.  Wherefore, if a disease happen in those dayes, we feare not to open a veyne divers times, and often, as also to prescribe more strong purging medicines.

Wherefore away henceforth with the scrupulous conceit, and too nice feare of the Dogge-dayes, and let their supposed danger be had no more in remembrance among us.  And if any will yet remaine obstinate, and still refuse to have their beames pulled out of their eyes, let them still be blinde in the middest of the cleare Sun-shine, and groape on after darkness; and let all learned Physitians rather pitty their follies, then envy their wits.

CHAP. 13.

_=At what time of the yeare, and at what houre of the day it is most fit and meet to drinke this water.=_

To speake in generall tearmes, it is a fit time to drinke it, when the ayre is pure, cleare, hot and dry:  for then the water is more tart, and more easily digested, then at other times.  On the contrary, it is best to forbeare, when the ayre is cold, moist, darke, dull and misty:  for then it is more feeble, and harder to be concocted.

But more specially, the most proper season to undertake this our English Spaw dyet, will be from the middest or latter end of June to the middle of September, or longer, according as the season of the yeare shall fall out to be hot and dry, or otherwise.

Not that in the Spring-time, and in Winter it is not also good, but for that the ayre being more pure in Sommer, the water also must needs be of greater force and power.  Notwithstanding it may sometime so happen in Sommer, that by reason of some extraordinary falling of raine, there may be a cessation from it for a day or two.  Or if it chance to have rained over night, it will then be fit and necessary to refraine from drinking of it, untill the raine bee passed away againe:  or else (which I like better) the fountaine laded dry, and filled againe, which may well be done in an hower, or two at most.

Touching the time of the day, when it is best to drinke this water, questionlesse the most convenient hower will be in the morning, when the party is empty, and fasting, about seaven aclocke:  Nature having first discharged her selfe of daily excrements both by stoole and urine, and the concoctions perfected.  This time is likewise fittest for exercise, which is a great good help, and furtherance for the better distribution of the water, whereby it doth produce its effects more speedily.