The Secret of Secrets and Other Philosophical Treatises

Then you shall fumigate yourself with fumigations original: "subfumigationibus," the practice of inhaling or surrounding the body with medicinal smoke or vapors
appropriate to the season. For this is very
beneficial; it opens the passages of the brain,
makes thick fluids light, and makes the neck and
limbs healthy and robust The Latin "pinquescere" usually means to grow fat, but here implies becoming physically sound. It clears the face,
strengthens the sight, and delays hunger.
After this, use the best and most fragrant
ointments suitable for the current season,
for the soul is restored by nothing so much as these, and
sweetest scent is its food. And when the soul
has been restored, strengthened, and comforted, the body
will be invigorated, and then it will rejoice. The blood
will begin to flow through the veins out of the joy of the soul
because it has been set free. After this, you shall take an
electuary original: "electuario," a medicinal paste made by mixing powders with honey or syrup of aloeswood original: "lignum aloes," a fragrant wood used in medieval medicine to strengthen the heart and stomach
which is found in medical books. Then take
four silver-weights original: "quatuor argenteos," likely referring to a specific weight of coin used as a measure of rhubarb original: "reubarbaro",
because this is very beneficial; for it draws away
phlegm original: "flegma," one of the four humors, associated with cold and moisture from the opening of the stomach,
excites the heat of the body, drives out
gas original: "ventositatem," literally windiness, and makes the mouth taste good and smell
sweet. Then sit with nobles and speak with
them according to the custom of kings and nobles, and
do what is fitting for you to do regarding your meals.
And when the desire to eat according to your
custom arrives, engage in a moderate amount of physical
labor—namely, by riding a horse, or walking,
or doing something similar—because this

greatly helps the body. For it drives out the body's gases,
prepares and strengthens the body and lightens it, and
ignites the heat of the stomach. It binds the
joints and liquefies the remaining and superfluous
humors The internal fluids that govern health, and causes the phlegm to descend upon the
sharp stomach—that is, the hot and dry one.
Then, many foods are prepared before you, and you
shall eat from those you choose according to your
desire, which has first been properly raised and perfectly
fermented Referring to the preparation of leavened bread, recently baked, cleaned of
bran, and moderately seasoned with salt. And take
from those which you especially ought; for example, if
in one meal you first take a
dish original: "pulmentum," a generic term for a dish, pottage, or stew that softens the belly,
and another dish that binds the belly follows it, if the
softening one comes first and the retaining one follows,
it produces better digestion. If, however, the retaining
or binding one is taken first, they will
confuse each other ruinously. If you, as a man, take
many soft dishes that can be quickly digested,
it is necessary that something should precede them which is
retaining or binding at the bottom of the stomach, because
the depth of the stomach is hot and strong for
softening or digesting, as in that part
there are fleshy sections, and it is near the liver original: "epati"
from whose heat the food is cooked.
After eating, however, you must lift your hand—that is... This likely refers to stopping the meal before becoming overfull