others object, thus I may conceive out of the weakness of my
apprehension; but to say truth, there is no such fault, no such ambition,
no novelty, or ostentation, as some suppose; but as [4177]one answers, this
of compound medicines, "is a most noble and profitable invention found out,
and brought into physic with great judgment, wisdom, counsel and
discretion." Mixed diseases must have mixed remedies, and such simples are
commonly mixed as have reference to the part affected, some to qualify, the
rest to comfort, some one part, some another. Cardan and Brassavola both
hold that _Nullum simplex medicamentum sine noxa_, no simple medicine is
without hurt or offence; and although Hippocrates, Erasistratus, Diocles of
old, in the infancy of this art, were content with ordinary simples: yet
now, saith [4178]Aetius, "necessity compelleth to seek for new remedies,
and to make compounds of simples, as well to correct their harms if cold,
dry, hot, thick, thin, insipid, noisome to smell, to make them savoury to
the palate, pleasant to taste and take, and to preserve them for
continuance, by admixtion of sugar, honey, to make them last months and
years for several uses." In such cases, compound medicines may be approved,
and Arnoldus in his 18. aphorism, doth allow of it. [4179]"If simples
cannot, necessity compels us to use compounds;" so for receipts and
magistrals, _dies diem docet_, one day teacheth another, and they are as so
many words or phrases, _Que nunc sunt in honore vocabula si volet usus_,
ebb and flow with the season, and as wits vary, so they may be infinitely
varied. _Quisque suum placitum quo capiatur habet._ "Every man as he likes,
so many men so many minds," and yet all tending to good purpose, though not
the same way. As arts and sciences, so physic is still perfected amongst
the rest; _Horae musarum nutrices_, and experience teacheth us every day
[4180]many things which our predecessors knew not of. Nature is not effete,
as he saith, or so lavish, to bestow all her gifts upon an age, but hath
reserved some for posterity, to show her power, that she is still the same,
and not old or consumed. Birds and beasts can cure themselves by nature,
[4181]_naturae usu ea plerumque cognoscunt quae homines vix longo labore et
doctrina assequuntur_, but "men must use much labour and industry to find
it out." But I digress.

Compound medicines are inwardly taken, or outwardly applied. Inwardly
taken, be either liquid or sol