CHAP. XII.
NExt to Vegetables, let us contemplate the efficacy of Animal Sulphurs, as they please indulge, and compose the Page 97 Spirits; These are acquired from the parts of Living Creatures inward or outward con∣tained within the verge of Vitality, or ex∣communicated therefrom.
A great part of our Aliment is taken from the Sulphurious Juices of Animals, best main∣taining Man in vigour, affording a very Ro∣bust Nutriment for Augmentation and Pro∣creation. I find generally the most able Bo∣dies, Magnanimous Souls, and the stoutest Souldiers to be Sarcophagi: and the nigher of Consanguinity the Sulphurious Food is to the Crasis and Constitution of our Bo∣dies, the more effectually it Corroborates. For this reason Swines Flesh doth copiously nourish, encreasing the strength of those in Health, and quickly restoring those who are emaciated, if the Ferment of the Stomach be by proper means rectified. The Broath of Pork, as I am informed, hath done notable things for the reparation of the decayed Strength of some, who have suffered an A∣trophy for many Months. Doubtless were it by the Authority of Diaeteticks brought in∣to more frequent practice, many would be better cured of Consumptions by help here∣of, than by those Gummous, Clogging Gel∣lies, and Lacteous Excrementitious Prescrip∣tions of the Galenists. Anthropophagi or Can∣nibals earnestly covet Mans flesh, esteeming Page 98 it most delicate Food, pittying us as Ioh. Le•rius the Burgandian declares, that we in thi• part of the world are unacquainted with suc• dainty meat, for as much as they find thi• Humanum Sulphur so nigh kin to their ow• to be earnestly coveted by the Appetite, de•lectable to Nature: therefore easily convert•ed into their own substance. Hereby Sanity and longaevity are advanced.
Creatures of a Musculous Robust Consti∣tution, though (more than others) remote from our Nature, yet through custome, and seminal participation become familiar, and most grateful: so that the Sulphur of the Flesh and Blood of Horses, yield strong Ali∣ment to the Tartars whereby they are made more Fierce, Hardy and Valiant.
In general, the Sulphur of the Inward parts of Living Creatures are prized more for nourishment than Physick: yet some are not wanting to do us great service, as those taken from the Gaul, whose singular gifts in healing are often recorded. The Sul∣phur of the Liver and Gaul of an Adder or Eel expedite a slow Birth. The Gaul of some Fishes clarifie the Eye-sight, remove a Fistu∣la, Pin, or Web off the Eye: It killeth Worms, it openeth, cleanseth, attenuates gross matter. The Sulphur of the Blood of a Cat profits in the Rickets; of a Goat, in a Page 99 Pleurisie; of a Mouse in the suffocative Cough.
The exactly purified Sulphur of the bones of certain Animals, are conducible for divers Diseases: did not their foetour annoy us, we should by often taking them find them far more profitable.
The Dung of Creatures, although proscri∣led from having a share of Vitality, yet do their Sulphur afford us great relief in sickness: Horse dung against a Pleurisie whose acute dolour is asswaged thereby: Peacocks Ex∣crement against an Epilepsie: Goose dung against the Jaundices, &c.
The Sulphur of the Outward parts of Ani∣mals, as the horns, hair, skin, hoofs, nails, teeth, testicles, also various superfluous ex∣crescences of Living Bodies is to be had in estimation for Physical use. All these if they be so ordered that no igneous stinking taste offend, nor any clammy viscous impurity re∣main in them, if withal their seminal virtues be preserved, are of notable force to allay in some measure the tempest of the Archeus.
