The tastes are six: viz.
| Sweet, | Increasing | Semen, milk, eye-sight, asthma, obesitas,worms, and affections of the throat. |
| Curing | Wind and bile. | |
| Cool and stomachic; creating appetite. | ||
| Acid, | Increasing | Mucus, bile, emaciation, fermentation of theblood. |
| Curing | Wind. | |
| Salt, | Increasing | Appetite, digestion, mucus, bile, wind, anddisorders of blood. |
| Curing | or decreasing aphrodisia, and generallyrelaxant. | |
| Light. | ||
| Bitter, | Increasing | Bile, wind, dryness, and heat. |
| Decreases | Milk. | |
| Dry and light. | ||
| Pungent, | Increases | Appetite and milk. |
| Decreases | Thirst and fever. | |
| Dry. | ||
| Astringent, | Increases | Wind and flatulence. |
| Decreases | Wounds, ulcers, and laxities. |
The general prescriptions and favorite formulæ, mentioned throughout the work, are Tonics, which preserve health, lengthen life, and strengthen the system.
The principal secretions or humours are four in number; viz. mucus (or phlegm), bile, wind, and blood. When three of these are said to be increased or diminished, it is to be understood, that blood is not to be included. In fact, it never is, unless particularly specified.
Degrees.
“The Yunani physicians, in specifying the different degrees of virtue, or power of their medicines, include in the
“First Degree.—All those whose effects are not felt in common doses.