And therefore Cardan concludes out of Galen, Consuetudinem utcunque ferendam, nisi valde malam, Custom is howsoever to be kept, except it be extream bad: he adviseth all men to keep their old customs, and that by the authority of Hippocrates himself, Dandum aliquid tempori, ætati, regioni, consuetudini, and therefore to continue as they began, be it diet, bathe, exercise, &c. or whatsoever else.

Another exception is delight, or appetite, to such and such meats: Though they be hard of digestion, melancholy; yet as Fuchsius excepts cap. 6. lib. 2. Instit. sect. 2. The stomack doth readily digest, and willingly entertain such meats we love most, and are pleasing to us, abhors on the other side such as we distast. Which Hippocrates confirms, Aphorif. 2. 38. Some cannot endure Cheese, out of a secret Antipathy, or to see a rosted Duck, which to others is a delightsom meat.

The last exception is necessity, poverty, want, hunger, which drives men many times to do that which otherwise they are loath, or cannot endure, and thankfully to accept of it: As Beverage in ships, and in sieges of great Cities, to feed on Dogs, Cats, Rats, and Men themselves. Three outlaws in Hector Boethius, being driven to their shifts, did eat raw flesh, and flesh of such fowl as they could catch, in one of the Hebrides for some few moneths.

These things do mitigate or disannul that which hath been said of melancholy meats, and make it more tolerable; but to such as are wealthy, live plenteously, at ease, may take their choice, and refrain if they will, these viands are to be forborn, if they be inclined to, or suspect melancholy, as they tender their healths: Otherwise if they be intemperate, or disordered in their diet, at their peril be it. Qui monet amat, Ave & cave.