y will
themselves, upon every toy or small discontent, and when he comes, they
make it worse than it is, by amplifying that which is not. [2864]Hier.
Capivaccius sets it down as a common fault of all "melancholy persons to
say their symptoms are greater than they are, to help themselves." And
which [2865]Mercurialis notes, _consil. 53._ "to be more troublesome to
their physicians, than other ordinary patients, that they may have change
of physic."

A third thing to be required in a patient, is confidence, to be of good
cheer, and have sure hope that his physician can help him. [2866]Damascen
the Arabian requires likewise in the physician himself, that he be
confident he can cure him, otherwise his physic will not be effectual, and
promise withal that he will certainly help him, make him believe so at
least. [2867]Galeottus gives this reason, because the form of health is
contained in the physician's mind, and as Galen, holds [2868]"confidence
and hope to be more good than physic," he cures most in whom most are
confident. Axiocus sick almost to death, at the very sight of Socrates
recovered his former health. Paracelsus assigns it for an only cause, why
Hippocrates was so fortunate in his cures, not for any extraordinary skill
he had; [2869]but "because the common people had a most strong conceit of
his worth." To this of confidence we may add perseverance, obedience, and
constancy, not to change his physician, or dislike him upon every toy; for
he that so doth (saith [2870]Janus Damascen) "or consults with many, falls
into many errors; or that useth many medicines." It was a chief caveat of
[2871]Seneca to his friend Lucilius, that he should not alter his
physician, or prescribed physic: "Nothing hinders health more; a wound can
never be cured, that hath several plasters." Crato _consil. 186._ taxeth
all melancholy persons of this fault: [2872]"'Tis proper to them, if things
fall not out to their mind, and that they have not present ease, to seek
another and another;" (as they do commonly that have sore eyes) "twenty one
after another, and they still promise all to cure them, try a thousand
remedies; and by this means they increase their malady, make it most
dangerous and difficult to be cured." "They try many" (saith [2873]
Montanus) "and profit by none:" and for this cause, _consil. 24._ he
enjoins his patient before he take him in hand, [2874]"perseverance and
sufferance, for in such a small time no great matter can