Chapter Five

Note that in this work, when several things are placed under one and the same weight: understand ana [of each], that is, of each thing [take] as much as the whole weight amounts to.

During the time of the plague, you must abstain from things that inflame and open [the pores] significantly, because they cause one to quickly catch the poison, which are: great heat from outside, from the sun, fire, and clothing; and inside, much salt, many spices, and hot medicines, and very hot herbs, and potent garlic, and many citrus fruits, except for a little onion or radish with vinegar, because these are against poisons. Avoid things that are very smoky from exercise after eating, and in hot weather, and from sweat, because it alters the humors; and in the infected air, it is not suitable to take in much air, nor [perform] strong exercise in the open, because by heating and opening the pores, one immediately takes in much infected air. Also, you must abstain from things that cause obstruction and, at the same time, putrefaction, because they provide matter for the pestilential fever, which are viscous things that are at once cold and moist, especially when they take on accidental heat. Furthermore, [avoid] viscous, hot, and moist things where the moisture overcomes the heat and is poorly digested. In sum, humidity is the mother.