（Q.）'What is the best time for cupping？'（A.）'One should be cupped fastingfor this fortifies the wit and the memory. It is reported of the Prophet thatwhen any one complained to him of a pain in the head or legshe would bid him be cupped and not eat salt [meat] fastingfor it engendered scurvyneither eat sour milk immediately after [cupping].'（Q.）'When is cupping to be avoided？'（A.）'On Wednesdays and Saturdaysand let him who is cupped on these days blame none but himself.
Moreoverone should not be cupped in very hot nor in very cold weather；and the best season for cupping is Spring.'（Q.）'Tell me of copulation.'
At this Taweddud hung her headfor shame and confusion before the Khalif；then said'By AllahO Commander of the Faithful，it is not that I am at faultbut that I am ashamedthough，indeedthe answer is on the tip of my tongue.'SpeakO damsel，'said the Khalif；whereupon quoth she'Copulation hath in it many and exceeding virtues and praiseworthy qualities，amongst which arethat it lightens a body full of black bile and calms the heat of love and engenders affection and dilates the heart and dispels sadness；and the excess of it is more harmful in summer and autumn than in spring and winter.'（Q.）
'What are its good effects？'（A.）'It doth away trouble and disquietcalms love and chagrin and is good for ulcers in a cold and dry humour；but excess of it weakens the sight and engenders pains in the legs and head and back： and beware，beware of having to do with old womenfor they are deadly.
Quoth the Imam Ali（whose face God honour）'Four things kill and ruin the body： bathing on a full stomach，eating salt meatcopulation on a plethora [of blood] and lying with an ailing woman；for she will weaken thy strength and infect thy body with sickness；and an old woman is deadly poison.'And quoth one of them'Beware of taking an old woman to wifethough she be richer in goods than Caroun.''
（Q.）'What is the best copulation？'（A.）'If the woman be youngwell-shapedfair of faceswelling-breasted and of honourable extractionshe will add to thee strength and health of body；and let her be even as saith the poetdescribing her：