Of Rabbets

Those rabbets are best that are bred in warrens, and feed upon odoriferous herbs, which frequently grow wild in such places. Rabbets are best when middle aged, for when they are too young, they breed viscous humours, and when too old, the flesh is dry, hard, and not easy of digestion. They agree with all ages and constitutions, provided they are used with moderation. Tame-rabbets are more rank, and not so well tasted as the wild, because their feeding is different, and these last ramble about at pleasure, which renders their flesh. more wholesome and fit for nourishment.

Of Milk

Milk differs greatly with respect to the animal from which it is taken; the age of that animal, the nature of its feeding, and the time of the year wherein it is used. In medicine, the milk of a sound woman is most wholesome; next to this the milk of an ass, which is sound to be of great use in consumptions, and other disorders of the lungs. Goat's milk is not so serous, and therefore is more suitable to persons of moist constitutions, being very proper to restore the decays of nature. Ew's milk yields more cheese and butter than either of the former, and is never used but when other milk is wanting. Cow's milk is more generally used for aliment than any other, because it abounds with oily particles, which renders it very proper for nourishment, besides, it has a more agreeable taste than the milk of other animals. Mare's milk is more serous than any, and contains less of the cheesy and buttery parts. The hords of Tartars, who wander from place to place, have it in the highest esteem, and after it has undergone a fermentation, they frequently drink it till they are intoxicated.

The milk of every animal is more or less whole-some according to the different seasons of the year. In the spring and summer it is more serous, less thick, and more easy of digestion than at any other time, because the animal feeds on more juicy grass. Likewise when the animal is in its strength and vigour, its milk is more concocted, better conditioned, and more easy of digestion. In general, all sorts of milk, when they are good in their kind, are easy of digestion, nourish much, increase the seminals fluids, restore the health of the meagre, attenuated and consumptive, take off heat of urine, and the pains of the gout; sheathe acrimonious humours in the breast and other parts; for which reason it is good in loosenesses, the bloody flux, and when persons have swallowed corrosive poi-sons. In this last case, it must be mixt with oil, and drank plentifully.

The greatest inconvenience is its curdling in the stomach, for then it will cause tensions of belly and gripes, especially in children. For the same reason, it it not good in fevers, pituitous catarrhs, nor for persons troubled with obstructions. Therefore all those that abound with acids in the stomach and first passages, should be careful how they use it till they are corrected.

When milk has flood for some time, a cream will rise to the top, which being whipt whith rods will become rarified, thin, and easy of digestion. This is called whipt cream.