But for bezoar, though by reason of the numerous instances of its virtues, we cannot wholly reject it; yet doubtless its preparations should be such as may make it easily impart its virtue to the spirits so that we cannot approve of taking it in broths, syrups, simple-waters, or the like; but rather in wine, cinnamon-water, or the like spirituous ard distilled liquors, though not made hot and strong.

We have already spoke to the passions of the mind, and have only here to add, that all great, lasting, noble, or heroical desires, strengthen and enlarge the powers of the heart.

With regard to the brain, the seat and office of the animal spirits, what we have above delivered of opium of nitre, and their substitutes, and again, of procuring quiet sleep, have some right to this place also. And as it is certain that the brain is under the influence of the stomach; what is before said of defending and preserving the stomach, may likewise be understood of the brain by consent. We shall, however, propose a few remedies for the brain in its own particular; three of them external, and one internal.

And first, we recommend the practice of bathing the feet, at least once a week; the bath being prepared of a decoction of sage, camomile, fennel, sweet marjoram, costmary, the green leaves of angelica, and hay-salt.

We likewise recommend a suffumigation, or fume, to be used every morning; the ingredients thereof being dried rosemary, dried bay-twigs, and lignum aloes; omitting the sweet gums which oppress the head.

Great care must be taken of applying hot things externally to the head; as spices, or even nutmeg itself: such hot things are only fit for the soles of the feet, and should be no where else applied. Yet we recommend a gentle anointing of the head with oil, made by the infusion of roses and myrtle; with the addition of a little salt and saffron.

Considering what is above delivered of opiates, nitre, and the like, which greatly condense the spirits; we judge it proper once in a fortnight, to take three or four grains of castor, with a little angelica seed, and calamus aromaticus, in the morning; for these ingredients strengthen the brain, and excite a vivacity and vigour in that density of spirits, which is so necessary to long life.

In these methods of supporting the four principal viscera, we have offered such things as are well adapted, culled out by a deliberate choice, and capable of being brought into diet and regimen, with safety and convenience for multiplicity of medicines is the child of ignorance. Nor is it so certain, that many dishes cause many

diseases; as that many medicines perform few cures. And so much for operating upon the principal viscera, with regard to protruding the aliment.

VI.

THE HISTORY OF THE OPERATION UPON THE EXTERNAL PARTS; FOR ATTRACTING THE ALIMENT.

ALTHOUGH it be the capital thing towards a perfect alimentation of the body, to have concoction well performed in the internal parts; yet the external also must contribute their action; that as the inward faculty propels and sends out the nutriment; so the faculty of the outward parts may attract and lay hold of it: and the weaker the digestive faculty proves, the more occasion it has for the concurring assistance of the attractive one.

A powerful attraction of the external parts, is principally caused by the motion of the body; whereby the parts being heated and cherished, eagerly invite, and attract the aliment to them.

But great care must be had, that the same motion and heat which calls forth the new juices to the parts, do not at the same time too much rob those parts of the juices they were before supplied with.

Frictions highly conduce to answer this intention, being used particularly in the morning; but this operation should always be immediately succeeded by a slight motion of the body; lest otherwise the attrition should exhaust and dry up the external parts, by making them perspire too much.

What approaches nearest to this is exercise, by which the parts mutually rub and chafe each other; but it ought to be moderate, not too quick, nor above the strength, or productive of lassitude. And here, as well as in the case of frictions, care must be had that the body perspire not too much: and therefore exercise is better in the open air than under cover; and better in winter than in summer. But exercise should not only, as well as frictions, be succeeded, but also, when vehement, preceded by unction; in the manner of the ancient wrestlers.

That exercise may not too much consume the spirits, or dissolve the juices, it is best to be used upon a stomach not quite empty: and therefore, that it may not be practised upon a full stomach, which is very prejudicial to health; nor fasting, which is very prejudicial to long life; a proper kind of breakfast should be used, consisting both of meat and drink; though in a very moderate and sparing quantity.

Exercises for distributing the juices through the body, should affect all the limbs equally; and not so as to move the legs, and rest the arms, but so as that every part may have its share of motion: and it greatly conduces to long life, that the body be never long kept in the same posture; but to change it at least every half hour, except in sleep.

The things commonly used by way of mortification may be employed to prolong life; for hair-shirts, scourging, and all severities used to the external parts, increase their attractive power.

Cardan recommends the external application of stinging-nettles, even in the case of melancholy; but we have little certain knowledge of their efficacy and suspect the practice of giving some venomous quality; as the nettles by frequent use, may breed exulcerations and tettery humours in the skin.

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VII.

THE HISTORY OF OPERATION UPON THE FOOD; SO AS

TO MAKE IT INSINUATE INTO THE PARTS OF

THE BODY.

THE vulgar censure of luxury, or variety in diet, becomes the mouth of a reformer better than of a physician: an uniform, sparing table