it for an only cause, why Hippocrates was so fortunate in his cures, not for any extraordinary skill he had; [2869]but “because the common people had a most strong conceit of his worth.”  To this of confidence we may add perseverance, obedience, and constancy, not to change his physician, or dislike him upon every toy; for he that so doth (saith [2870]Janus Damascen) “or consults with many, falls into many errors; or that useth many medicines.”  It was a chief caveat of [2871]Seneca to his friend Lucilius, that he should not alter his physician, or prescribed physic:  “Nothing hinders health more; a wound can never be cured, that hath several plasters.”  Crato consil. 186. taxeth all melancholy persons of this fault:  [2872]"’Tis proper to them, if things fall not out to their mind, and that they have not present ease, to seek another and another;” (as they do commonly that have sore eyes) “twenty one after another, and they still promise all to cure them, try a thousand remedies; and by this means they increase their malady, make it most dangerous and difficult to be cured.”  “They try many” (saith [2873] Montanus) “and profit by none:”  and for this cause, consil. 24. he enjoins his patient before he take him in hand, [2874]"perseverance and sufferance, for in such a small time no great matter can be effected, and upon that condition he will administer physic, otherwise all his endeavour and counsel would be to small purpose.”  And in his 31. counsel for a notable matron, he tells her, [2875]"if she will be cured, she must be of a most abiding patience, faithful obedience, and singular perseverance; if she remit, or despair, she can expect or hope for no good success.” Consil. 230. for an Italian Abbot, he makes it one of the greatest reasons why this disease is so incurable, [2876]"because the parties are so restless, and impatient, and will therefore have him that intends to be eased,” [2877]"to take physic, not for a month, a year, but to apply himself to their prescriptions all the days of his life.”  Last of all, it is required that the patient be not too bold to practise upon himself, without an approved physician’s consent, or to try conclusions, if he read a receipt in a book; for so, many grossly mistake, and do themselves more harm than good.  That which is conducing to one man, in one case, the same time is opposite to another. [2878]An ass and a mule went laden over a brook, the one with salt, the other with wool:  the mule’s pack was wet by chance, the salt melted, his burden the lighter, and he thereby much eased:  he told the ass, who, thinking to speed as well, wet his pack likewise at the next water, but it was much the heavier, he quite tired.  So one thing may be good and bad to several parties, upon diverse occasions.  “Many things” (saith [2879] Penottus) “are written in our books, which seem to the reader to be excellent remedies, but they that make use of them are often deceived, and take for physic