proper, to publish particular directions for different constitutions of body, or the various kinds of life, and ages; so as to shew what methods are most agreeable to each; in what order one thing is to be taken after another; and how the whole praxis and regimen is in every case to be conducted and observed.

In our table of enquiry we have laid down three general intentions; viz. The prevention of waste; the perfecting of recruit: and the renovation of decay but as what we have to propose upon these heads is real matter, not words, we shall draw out the three intentions into ten operations; viz. 1. The operation upon the spirits, with a view to their rejuvenescency. 2. The operation for excluding the air. 3. The operation upon the blood; and the best heat for sanguification. 4. The operation upon the juices of the body. 5. The operation upon the viscera, for protruding the aliment. 6. The operation upon the external parts, for attracting the aliment. 7. The operation upon the food itself, for making it insinuate. 8. The operation upon the last act of assimilation. 9. The operation for mollifying the parts, after they begin to dry. And, 10. The operation for discharging the old juices, and supplying their place with new. The four former relate to the first intention; the four next to the second; and the two last to the third intention.

And as this enquiry of intentions is directed to practice, we shall now comprise experiments, observations, admonitions,. remedies, the explanation of causes, positions, and whatever belongs to the subject, under the name of history.*

I.

THE HISTORY OF OPERATING UPON THE SPIRITS; SO AS

TO RENEW, AND CONTINUE THEM IN A YOUNG
AND VIGOROUS STATE.

THE spirits are the agents and fabricators that produce all the effects in the body; as appears from numberless circumstances.

If new and young spirits could be put into an old body; 'tis probable that this grand wheel might give motion to the rest, and turn the course of nature back.

In all consumption, whether by fire or age, the more the heat or the spirit of the subject preys upon the moisture, the less durable that subject becomes; as is every where plain and obvious.

The spirits are to be put into such a temper and degree of activity, as not to drink and drain, but barely to sip the juices of the body.

There are two kinds of flame, the one brisk

* Observe, that the whole was afterwards intended to be adjusted, recomposed, verified, and improved, according to the directions given in the second part of the Novum Or ganum.

but feeble; which consumes and evaporates light bodies, as straw or shavings, without much affecting the harder: the other strong and constant; which exerts a force even upon hard and obstinate subjects: as large wood and the like.

A brisk but weak flame dries bodies up, and renders them hard, decayed, and juiceless; and a stronger softens and dissolves them.

Some discutient medicines also breathe out only the thinner parts in tumours, and therefore indurate; whilst others discuss more powerfully, and therefore soften.

So some purging and detersive remedies suddenly carry off the more fluid parts; whilst others draw away such as are more obstinate, and viscous.

The spirits should be possessed of such a heat as fits them rather to prey upon and undermine the hard and stubborn parts, than to discharge and carry off such as are fine and prepared: for by this means the body remains fresh and firm.

The spirits should be so prepared and wrought as to become dense in their substance, and durable in heat, without growing sharp; of such a quantity as suffices for the offices of life without redundancy; and of an easy, equable, and not subsultory motion.

"Tis manifest that vapours have a great effect upon the spirits, from the sleep, the intoxication,

the melancholy and mirthful passions they procure; and the recovery of persons in fainting fits, by odours.

The spirits are condensed four ways; viz. 1. by flight: 2. by cooling; 3. by appeasing; and 4. by quelling. And first for the condensation by flight.

1. Whatever compresses on all sides, drives the body towards its centre, and therefore condenses.

Opium is an exceedingly powerful and effectual remedy for condensing the spirits by flight or compressure; and next to this, other opiates and soporiferous medicines in general.

The virtue of opium is very remarkable for condensing the spirits; as about three grains thereof may presently so congulate or drive them together, that they shall not recover; but be suffocated and rendered immoveable.

Opium and the like medicines, do not put the spirits to flight by their coldness; for they contain parts that are manifestly warm: but on the contrary, cool by putting the spirits to flight.

This flight of the spirits by opium and opiates, appears clearly from the external application thereof: upon which the spirits immediately withdraw themselves, and return no more; but leave the part to gangrenate and mortify.

Opiates give ease in violent pains; as in those

of the stone, or the amputation of a limb; prin cipally by putting the spirits to flight.

Opiates have a good effect from a bad cause: for to disturb the spirits from their seat is bad; but the condensation of them by that disturbance is good.

The Greeks laid great stress upon opiates, both for the preservation of health, and the prolongation of life; and the Arabians still more: insomuch that their capital medicines have opium for the basis and principal ingredient; with the addition of other things to abate and correct its noxious qualities, as in venice-treacle, mithridate, &c.

Whatever is successfully used in the cure of pestilential and malignant diseases, to check and curb the spirits, and keep them quiet, may be advantageously transferred to the prolongation of life; as the same thing, viz. the condensation of spirits, is effectual in both cases: and this end is chiefly procured by opiates.

The Turks find opium, even in a large quantity, innocent and cordial; insomuch that they take it before they go to battle, as a means of inspiring courage: but to us it is mortal, unless in a small dose, and well corrected.

Opium and opiates are found to excite venery; which manifests the power of strengthening the 'spirits.