31537The Hiſtory of Life and Death.
The ſame Iriſh uſe to wear Saffroned Linen and Shirts:
which though it were at
1115. firſt deviſed to prevent Vermin, yet howſoever I take it to be very uſeful for length-
ning of life; for Saffron, of all things that I know, is the beſt thing for the skin,
and the comforting of the fleſh, ſeeing it is both notably Aſtringent, and hath beſides
an Oleoſity and ſubtle heat, without any Acrimony. I remember a certain Engliſhman,
who when he went to Sea carried a bagg of Saffron next his ſtomack, that he might
conceal it, and ſo eſcape Cuſtom; and whereas he was wont to be always exceed-
ing Sea-ſick, at that time he continued very well, and felt no provocation to
vomit.
1115. firſt deviſed to prevent Vermin, yet howſoever I take it to be very uſeful for length-
ning of life; for Saffron, of all things that I know, is the beſt thing for the skin,
and the comforting of the fleſh, ſeeing it is both notably Aſtringent, and hath beſides
an Oleoſity and ſubtle heat, without any Acrimony. I remember a certain Engliſhman,
who when he went to Sea carried a bagg of Saffron next his ſtomack, that he might
conceal it, and ſo eſcape Cuſtom; and whereas he was wont to be always exceed-
ing Sea-ſick, at that time he continued very well, and felt no provocation to
vomit.
Hippocrates adviſeth in Winter to wear clean Linen, and in Summer foul Linen and
2216. beſineared with Oil. The reaſon may ſeem to be, becauſe in Summer the Spirits ex-
hale moſt, therefore the pores of the skin would be filled up.
2216. beſineared with Oil. The reaſon may ſeem to be, becauſe in Summer the Spirits ex-
hale moſt, therefore the pores of the skin would be filled up.
Hereupon we are of opinion, that the uſe of Oil, either of Olives or ſweet Al-
3317. monds, to anoint the skin therewith, would principally conduce to long life: The
anointing would be done every morning when we riſe out of bed, with Oil in which a
little Bay-ſalt and Saffron is mixed. But this anointing muſt be lightly done with
Wool, or ſome ſoft ſponge, not laying it on thick, but gently touching and wet-
ting the skin.
3317. monds, to anoint the skin therewith, would principally conduce to long life: The
anointing would be done every morning when we riſe out of bed, with Oil in which a
little Bay-ſalt and Saffron is mixed. But this anointing muſt be lightly done with
Wool, or ſome ſoft ſponge, not laying it on thick, but gently touching and wet-
ting the skin.
It is certain that Liquors, even the Oily themſelves, in great quantities draw ſome-
4418. what from the body; but contrarily, in ſmall quantities are drunk in by the body: there-
fore the anointing would be but light, as we ſaid, or rather the ſhirt it ſelf would be be-
ſmeared with Oil.
4418. what from the body; but contrarily, in ſmall quantities are drunk in by the body: there-
fore the anointing would be but light, as we ſaid, or rather the ſhirt it ſelf would be be-
ſmeared with Oil.
It may happily be objected, that this anointing with Oil, which we commend,
5519. (though it were never in uſe with us, and amongſt the Italians is caſt off again)
was anciently very familiar amongſt the Grecians and Romans, and a part of their Diet;
and yet men were not longer-liv’d in thoſe dayes than now. But it may rightly be an-
ſwered, Oil was in uſe onely after Baths, unleſs it were perhaps amongſt Champi-
ons: now hot Baths are as much contrary to our operation, as Anointings are
congruous, ſeeing the one opens the paſſages, the other ſtops them up: therefore
the Bath, without the anointing following, is utterly bad; the anointing without the
Bath is beſt of all. Beſides, the anointing amongſt them was uſed onely for delicacy,
or (if you take it at the beſt) for health, but by no means in order to long life; and
therefore they uſed them with all precious Ointments, which were good for deliciouſ-
neſs, but hurtful to our intention, in regard of their heat: So that Virgil ſeemeth not to
have ſaid amiſs,
5519. (though it were never in uſe with us, and amongſt the Italians is caſt off again)
was anciently very familiar amongſt the Grecians and Romans, and a part of their Diet;
and yet men were not longer-liv’d in thoſe dayes than now. But it may rightly be an-
ſwered, Oil was in uſe onely after Baths, unleſs it were perhaps amongſt Champi-
ons: now hot Baths are as much contrary to our operation, as Anointings are
congruous, ſeeing the one opens the paſſages, the other ſtops them up: therefore
the Bath, without the anointing following, is utterly bad; the anointing without the
Bath is beſt of all. Beſides, the anointing amongſt them was uſed onely for delicacy,
or (if you take it at the beſt) for health, but by no means in order to long life; and
therefore they uſed them with all precious Ointments, which were good for deliciouſ-
neſs, but hurtful to our intention, in regard of their heat: So that Virgil ſeemeth not to
have ſaid amiſs,
----Nec Caſiâ liquidi corrumpitur uſus Olivi,
That odoriferous Caſia hath not ſupplanted the uſe of neat Oil-Olive.
That odoriferous Caſia hath not ſupplanted the uſe of neat Oil-Olive.
Anointing with Oil conduceth to health, both in Winter, by the excluſion of the
6620. cold Air, and in Summer, by detaining the ſpirits within, and prohibiting the Re-
ſolution of them, and keeping off the force of the air which is then moſt pre-
datory.
6620. cold Air, and in Summer, by detaining the ſpirits within, and prohibiting the Re-
ſolution of them, and keeping off the force of the air which is then moſt pre-
datory.
Seeing the anointing with Oil is one of the moſt potent operations to long life, we
7721. have thought good to add ſome cautions, left the health ſhould be endangered: They
are four, according to the four Inconveniences which may follow thereupon.
7721. have thought good to add ſome cautions, left the health ſhould be endangered: They
are four, according to the four Inconveniences which may follow thereupon.
The firſt Ineonvenience is, that by repreſſing ſweats, it may ingender diſeaſes from
8822. thoſe excrementitious humours. To this a remedy muft be given by Purges and Cly-
ſters, that evacuation may be duly performed. This is certain, that evacuation by
ſweats commonly advanceth health, and derogateth from long life; butgentle Purgers
work upon the humours, not upon the ſpirits, as ſweat doth.
8822. thoſe excrementitious humours. To this a remedy muft be given by Purges and Cly-
ſters, that evacuation may be duly performed. This is certain, that evacuation by
ſweats commonly advanceth health, and derogateth from long life; butgentle Purgers
work upon the humours, not upon the ſpirits, as ſweat doth.
The ſecond Inconvenience is, that it may heat the body, and in time inflame it;
for
9923. the ſpirits ſhut in, and not breathing forth, acquire heat. This inconvenience may be
prevented, if the Diet moſt uſually incline to the colder part, and that at times ſome
proper cooling Medicines be taken, of which we ſhall ſtraight ſpeak in the operation
upon the Bloud.
9923. the ſpirits ſhut in, and not breathing forth, acquire heat. This inconvenience may be
prevented, if the Diet moſt uſually incline to the colder part, and that at times ſome
proper cooling Medicines be taken, of which we ſhall ſtraight ſpeak in the operation
upon the Bloud.
The third is, that it may annoy the head;
for all Oppletion from without ſtrikes back
101024. the vapours, and ſends them up unto the head. This inconvenience is remedied by
Purgers, eſpecially Clyſters, and by ſhutting the mouth of the ſtomach ſtrongly with
Stipticks, and by combing and rubbing the head, and by waſhing it with convenient
Lies, that ſomething may exhale, and by not omitting competent and good exerciſes,
that ſomething alſo may perſpire by the skin.
101024. the vapours, and ſends them up unto the head. This inconvenience is remedied by
Purgers, eſpecially Clyſters, and by ſhutting the mouth of the ſtomach ſtrongly with
Stipticks, and by combing and rubbing the head, and by waſhing it with convenient
Lies, that ſomething may exhale, and by not omitting competent and good exerciſes,
that ſomething alſo may perſpire by the skin.
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