therefore these ought to stand first in the intention of prolonging life. We may add, that there is an easier and more compendious way of altering the spirits than the other parts: for the operation upon the spirits is of two kinds; the one by aliment, which is slow, and effected by a circuit; the other by vapours, which is sudden, and reaches the spirits directly and immediately. To this also may be added, the way of operating by the affections, or passions of the mind.

AXIOM xx.

Hardness or firmness, and roscidity or balminess in the juices of the body, contribute to prolong life.

EXPLANATION.

The reason hereof is plain; since as we have above observed, hard or firm, and balmy or unctuous bodies, are dissipated with difficulty. There is however this difference, that though hardish and firm juices are less dissipable, they are at the same time less reparable; which adds an inconvenience to a convenience; and therefore nothing extraordinary can be performed by meaus of hard juices: but a balmy juice will answer both intentions; and therefore great regard must be had to the procuring of it.

AXIOM XXI.

Balmy juices are procured by such things as penetrate, through their subtilty or fineness of parts; yet corrode not by their acrimony.

EXPLANATION.

This axiom, or the canon it affords, is easier to understand than to practice: for it is plain, that whatever penetrates kindly, but at the same time has a stimulating virtue or pungency, (which is the case of all acid and biting things), leave, wherever they pass, some impression of dryness or corrosion; so as to indurate the juices, and vellicate the parts: whereas such as penetrate by mere subtilty, steal in and insinuate themselves, without violence; whilst they moisten and bedew the parts in their passage. And some such remedies as these, we have described under the fourth and seventh of our ten operations.

AXIOM XXII.

Assimilation is best performed upon the cessation of the local motion.

EXPLANATION.

This axiom stands sufficiently explained by what is delivered under our eighth operation.

AXIOM XXIII.

External alimentation, at least such as is not performed by the stomach, if it could be procured, would prove very serviceable in prolonging life.

EXPLANATION.

We see that every thing performed by nutrition, is performed by long circuits; but much quicker by the way of imbibing a similar substance, as in the case of infusions: a method, therefore, of alimentation from without, would be extremely useful; the rather because the digesting faculties fall off, and fail in old-age.. Whence if there could be any auxiliary ways of nutrition contrived, by bathing, anointing, or by glysters; they might prove serviceable, by a proper conjunction of some of them, which separate would be of less significance.

AXIOM XXIV.

Where concoction is weak, so as not to protrude the aliment, the external parts should he excited; in order to attract the aliment outwards.

EXPLANATION.

The sense of this axiom is not the same with that immediately foregoing; for it is one thing

to attract the aliment inwards, and another to draw it from within outwards: though they both agree, in supplying the weakness of the internal concoctions another way.

AXIOM XXV.

All quick renovation of the body, is procured either by the spirits, or by malaxing.

EXPLANATION.

The body consists of two things; spirits and tangible parts; both which are but slowly reached by nutrition: whilst the short way to the spirits is by vapours, and the passions of the mind; and to the parts, by supplying and mollifying applications. But we must well distinguish between alimentation by external means, and malaxing for the intention of malaxing is not to nourish the parts; but only the better to prepare them for being nourished.

AXIOM XXVI.

Malaxing is performed by substances similar to the body: substances that insinuate into it; and substances that close it up.

EXPLANATION.

It is evident, that similar substances to the

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body, are properly mollifying; whilst such as easily insinuate, help others forward; and such as close up or constringe, help to keep in and prevent perspiration, which is a motion opposite to malaxing. This operation, therefore, cannot be well performed at once; but should be attempted in a series and method: 1. By excluding the liquor externally applied for the purpose, in the way of coating the body over with some thick unctuous matter: because all extraneous and gross immersion, as in common bathing, does not well consolidate the body; but what is designed to enter it, should be subtile, and a kind of vapour; according to the observation delivered in our ninth operation. 2. By mollifying, through a consent of substances of like kind; for bodies open themselves, and relax their pores, when they come in contact with things very agreeable to them, 3. By using proper insinuating matters as vehicles, that in some measure may convey and carry forwards the substances of like nature with the body: These vehicles also being lightly impregnated with gentle constringents, that at the same time may a little check and prevent perspiration. And, 4. B following these operations with a great astriction, or shutting up of the pores, by an emplastic coating; and afterwards gradually by anointing; till