32951The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The Operation upon the Purging away of old Juice, and Sup-
plying of new Juice; or of Renovation by Turns. 10.
The Hiſtory.
plying of new Juice; or of Renovation by Turns. 10.
The Hiſtory.
ALthough thoſe things which we ſhall here ſet down have been, for themoſt part,
ſpoken of before; yet becauſe this Operation is one of the principal, we will
handle them over again more at large.
ſpoken of before; yet becauſe this Operation is one of the principal, we will
handle them over again more at large.
It is certain that Draught-Oxen which have been worn out with working, being put
111. into freſh and rich paſtures, will gather tender and young fleſh again: and this will ap-
pear even to the taſte and palat; ſo that the Inteneration of fleſh is no hard matter.
Now it is likely that this Inteneration of the fleſh being often repeated, will in time reach
to the Inteneration of the Bones and Membranes, and like parts of the body.
111. into freſh and rich paſtures, will gather tender and young fleſh again: and this will ap-
pear even to the taſte and palat; ſo that the Inteneration of fleſh is no hard matter.
Now it is likely that this Inteneration of the fleſh being often repeated, will in time reach
to the Inteneration of the Bones and Membranes, and like parts of the body.
It is certain that Diets which are now much in uſe, principally of Guaiacum, and of
222. Sarſaperilla, China, and Saſſafras, if they be continued for any time, and according to
ſtrict rules, do firſt attenuate the whole juice of the body, and after conſume it and
drink it up. Which is moſt manifeſt, becauſe that by theſe Diets the French-Pox,
when it is grown even to an hardneſs, and hath eaten up and corrupted the very mar-
row of the body, may be effectually cured. And further, becauſe it is manifeft that
men who by theſe diets are brought to be extream lean, pale, and as it were ghoſts,
will ſoon after become fat, well-coloured, and apparently young again. Wherefore
we are abſolutely of opinion, that ſuch kind of diets in the decline of age, being uſed
every year, would be very uſeful to our Intention; like the old skin or ſpoil of Ser-
pents.
222. Sarſaperilla, China, and Saſſafras, if they be continued for any time, and according to
ſtrict rules, do firſt attenuate the whole juice of the body, and after conſume it and
drink it up. Which is moſt manifeſt, becauſe that by theſe Diets the French-Pox,
when it is grown even to an hardneſs, and hath eaten up and corrupted the very mar-
row of the body, may be effectually cured. And further, becauſe it is manifeft that
men who by theſe diets are brought to be extream lean, pale, and as it were ghoſts,
will ſoon after become fat, well-coloured, and apparently young again. Wherefore
we are abſolutely of opinion, that ſuch kind of diets in the decline of age, being uſed
every year, would be very uſeful to our Intention; like the old skin or ſpoil of Ser-
pents.
We do confidently affirm, (neither let any man reckon us among thoſe Hereticks
333. which were called Cathari) that often Purges, and made even familiar to the body, are
more available to long life than Exerciſes and Sweats: and this muſt needs be ſo, if that
be held, which is already laid for aground, That Unctions of the body, and Oppletion
of the paſſages from without, and Excluſion of air, and Detaining of the ſpirit within
the maſs of the body, do much conduce to long life. For it is moſt certain, that by
Sweats and outward Perſpirations not only the Humours and excrementitious vapours
are exhaled and conſumed, but together with them the juices alſo and good ſpirits,
which are not ſo eaſily repaired: but in Purges (unleſs they be very immoderate) it is
not ſo, ſeeing they work principally upon the Humors. But the beſt Purges for this
Intention are thoſe which are taken immediately beforemeat, becauſe they dry the body
leſs; and therefore they muſt be of thoſe Purgers which do leaſt trouble the belly.
333. which were called Cathari) that often Purges, and made even familiar to the body, are
more available to long life than Exerciſes and Sweats: and this muſt needs be ſo, if that
be held, which is already laid for aground, That Unctions of the body, and Oppletion
of the paſſages from without, and Excluſion of air, and Detaining of the ſpirit within
the maſs of the body, do much conduce to long life. For it is moſt certain, that by
Sweats and outward Perſpirations not only the Humours and excrementitious vapours
are exhaled and conſumed, but together with them the juices alſo and good ſpirits,
which are not ſo eaſily repaired: but in Purges (unleſs they be very immoderate) it is
not ſo, ſeeing they work principally upon the Humors. But the beſt Purges for this
Intention are thoſe which are taken immediately beforemeat, becauſe they dry the body
leſs; and therefore they muſt be of thoſe Purgers which do leaſt trouble the belly.
Theſe Intentions of the Operations which we have propounded (as we conceive) are
moſt true, the Remedies faithful to the Intentions. Neither is it credible to be told (al-
though not a few of theſe Remedies may ſeem but vulgar) with what care and choice they
have been examined by us, that they might be (the Intention not at all impeached) both
ſafe and effectual Experience, no doubt, will both verifie and promote theſe matters.
And ſuch, in all things, are the works of every prudent counſel, that they are Admi-
rable in their Effects, Excellent alſo in their Order, but ſeeming Vulgar in the Way
and Means.
moſt true, the Remedies faithful to the Intentions. Neither is it credible to be told (al-
though not a few of theſe Remedies may ſeem but vulgar) with what care and choice they
have been examined by us, that they might be (the Intention not at all impeached) both
ſafe and effectual Experience, no doubt, will both verifie and promote theſe matters.
And ſuch, in all things, are the works of every prudent counſel, that they are Admi-
rable in their Effects, Excellent alſo in their Order, but ſeeming Vulgar in the Way
and Means.
The Porches of Death.
WE are now to enquire touching the Porches of Death, that is, touching thoſe things
which happen unto men at the point of Death, both a little before and after; that
ſeeing there are many Paths which lead to Death, it may be under ſtood in what
which happen unto men at the point of Death, both a little before and after; that
ſeeing there are many Paths which lead to Death, it may be under ſtood in what
zoom in
zoom out
zoom area
full page
page width
set mark
remove mark
get reference
digilib