In this edition. “studied physick” → “studied medicine” (DJR-003-09); “kitchin Physick” → “kitchen remedies” (DJR-098-45); “Apothecaries Physick” → “apothecaries’ medicines” (DJR-098-45); “Pharmaceutice” → “pharmaceutics” (DJR-098-40). Medicine and remedies follow the different grammatical and practical contexts. Pharmaceutics preserves the named branch and its contrast with regimen.

See also. Empiric; Mountebank; Paracelsian; Simples; Receipt; Prognostics.

Physiognomy

Source forms: physiognomer

The word. A physiognomer claims to read character from bodily features. The selected example concerns Zopyrus’s judgment of Socrates from his appearance.

In Burton. Burton uses the story to argue that tendencies assigned to nature can be corrected. Socrates admits faults yet overcomes them; the Christian reader is then urged to govern similarly unwanted inclinations.

The places. Zopyrus’s judgment introduces the example of self-correction. (p. 348; DJR-095-44.)

In this edition. “Zopirus the Physiognomer” → “Zopyrus the reader of faces” (DJR-095-44). Reader of faces describes the claimed practice directly. The argument’s focus remains the capacity to reform rather than the independent validity of that practice.

See also. Astrology.

Pine apple

Source forms: pine-apple; Pinas

The word. Pine-apple can mean a pine cone in the older English usage. Pinas in the travellers’ food list means pineapples. The similar names therefore refer to different objects in the two passages.

In Burton. The heart’s pyramidal shape is compared with a cone in the anatomical account. The American food list instead names edible produce alongside palm hearts and potatoes. Shape and diet establish the respective senses.

The places. The pine-apple comparison describes the heart’s shape. (p. 18; DJR-024-14.) Pinas appears among reported American foods. (p. 77; DJR-035-47.)

In this edition. “Pine-apple” → “pine cone” (DJR-024-14); “Pinas” → “pineapples” (DJR-035-47). The distinct equivalents prevent the anatomical comparison from silently becoming the tropical fruit. The food list retains that fruit where its context supports it.

See also. Herbal; Organical parts.

Plausible

Source forms: plausible

The word. Plausible means pleasing, acceptable or agreeable here. It describes a manner of dealing with a distressed person, rather than the probability of a statement.

In Burton. Burton recommends kind words and gentle persuasion, forbidding mockery and contempt. Plausible means of restoring the sufferer belong to this compassionate manner of approach.

The places. Plausible qualifies the means of bringing the sufferer back to health. (p. 297; DJR-084-28.)

In this edition. “all plausible means” → “every agreeable means” (DJR-084-28). Agreeable preserves the emphasis on reception and treatment. Bring back to health explains reduce in the same sentence.

See also. Secure.

Pleasure

Source forms: voluptas; summum bonum

The word. Voluptas means pleasure; summum bonum means the highest good. In Burton’s defence of Epicurus, they describe freedom from pain and care and tranquillity of mind.

In Burton. The discussion of correcting passions begins by making a quiet mind the principal aim. Burton rejects the reduction of Epicurean pleasure to eating and drinking and protests that the teaching has been unfairly blamed for excess.

The places. Pleasure and the highest good are identified with mental quiet. (p. 289; DJR-083-02.)

In this edition. “voluptas” → “pleasure” (DJR-083-02); “Summum bonum” → “highest good” (DJR-083-02). The Latin terms are translated, and the following explanation preserves the restrained sense Burton wishes to defend. Want cares means to lack cares.

See also. Aqua vitae; Appetite; Love; Luxurious and riot.

Plethora and repletion

Source forms: cacochymia; plethora; Cacexia; repletion; inanition; Cachexia

The word. Plethora is excessive bodily fullness or an excess of humours. Repletion and inanition name opposed conditions of overfilling and depletion. Cacochymia concerns corrupt humours, while cachexia names a poor or wasted bodily condition.

In Burton. The first catalogue places excess, corruption and wasting together among harmful consequences. The account of study emphasizes wasting and digestive trouble. The dietary discussion then warns against both too much food and complete fasting: opposite extremes can harm.

The places. Plethora and related terms occur in a catalogue of bodily disorders. (p. 72; DJR-035-04.) Cacexia is associated with excessive study and sitting. (p. 128; DJR-046-26.) Repletion and inanition describe the opposed dietary extremes. (p. 235; DJR-071-04.)

In this edition. “Cacochymia” → “corrupt humours” (DJR-035-04); “Plethora” → “an excess of humours” (DJR-035-04); “Cachexia” → “a wasted constitution” (DJR-035-04); “Cacexia” → “wasting ill health” (DJR-046-26); “repletion and inanition” → “overfilling and emptying the body” (DJR-071-04). The equivalents distinguish excessive quantity, corrupted quality and wasted condition. Emptying the body retains the opposition to overfilling, with depletion explained in the note.

See also. Humour.

Policy

Source forms: policy; policie; politick

The word. Policy or policie can mean government and public order. Politick can describe skill or shrewdness in affairs of state. The noun need not denote one particular rule or programme.

In Burton. The debate about spirits’ mortality extends their supposed changes to religion and government. The polemic against forced celibacy invokes good government alongside religion and humanity. Commines’s political experience then lends weight to advice for distressed rulers, including prayer and the help of friends.

The places. Policy names government in the reported claim about mortal spirits. (p. 42; DJR-029-10.) Policie names public order within the attack on enforced celibacy. (p. 204–205; DJR-063-13.) Politick praises the historian’s skill in state affairs. (p. 223; DJR-068-13.) Politick again characterizes Commines’s counsel. (p. 294; DJR-083-43.)

In this edition. “religion and policy” → “religion and government” (DJR-029-10); “policie” → “good government” (DJR-063-13); “politick historiographer” → “historian skilled in affairs of state” (DJR-068-13); “politick Commineus” → “politically shrewd Commynes” (DJR-083-43). Government, public order and political skill keep the institutional and personal senses distinct. Apparently retains Burton’s belike in the first Commines account.

See also. Commonwealth; Temporize.

Precise

Source forms: precise; Precisians; preciseness

The word. Precise can describe religious strictness, often with a polemical reference to Puritans. Precisians are religious rigorists; preciseness is excessive scrupulosity in religious observance.

In Burton. The dependent chaplain must conform to the patron’s strictness or Catholic allegiance. Burton later attacks rigorists within his own religious camp. In the proposed response to disturbed prophets and dreamers, preciseness appears among causes to be addressed through changes of life and medical management.

The places. Precise identifies the patron’s religious position. (p. 142 [printed 128]; DJR-049-33.) Precisians names the rigorists attacked within Burton’s own camp. (p. 676; DJR-160-14.) Preciseness is included among the causes assigned to particular sufferers. (p. 682; DJR-161-24.)