Dr. Willis's practice of physick being the whole works of that renowned and famous physician wherein most of the diseases belonging to the body of man are treated of, with excellent methods and receipts for the cure of the same : fitted to the meanest capacity by an index for the explaining of all the hard and unusual words and terms of art derived from the Greek, Latine, or other languages for the benefit of the English reader : with forty copper plates.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Motion of Fermentation, which is observed in the Death, also in the Putrefaction and Corruption of Bodies.

NAtural Bodies in which Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, are found in but a mean quantity, do not stay long in the same state: for these active Principles are employed perpetually in motion: As soon as they come together, they tend from Crudity and Confusion to∣wards Perfection, for the sake of which, when they have reach'd the height, they are able to come to, they are not quiet in this point; but from thence they make hast towards the dissolution of that thing. Those which are more volatile do first of all break forth from the loosened bond of the mixture; then the rest separate into parts, until the form of the mixture wholly perishes: The Spirit being carried forth to the top, flies away first with the water, and the more pure Sulphur, and by its expiration, diffuses a very grateful odour; afterwards the more thick Sul∣phur, with the Salt, being loosened from the band wherewith they were tyed, and having gotten a flux, by degrees evaporate, and together disperse a very stinking smell: together with these, the watery parts flow forth, and the frame of the subject breaks, or falls down into Earth, or a Caput Mortuum.

This kind of process may be observed both in natural things, and also in Subjects prepared by Art: Concerning Natural things, the disjunction of the Elements, and their separation into parts, may be seeh both in the death of living Bodies, or the extinction of life and vegetation; and also in the corruption of them being dead, and in their reduction to a rot∣tenness.

As in Vegetables, the growth and maturity depend on the combination and mutual cleaving together of the Principles, so the decay and death depend on their going asunder, and separation, in Plants and Fruits; being by degrees exalted from a crude and sowr Juice by Spirit and Sulphur, they come to maturity; to which a sweet tast and smell, and a pleasant colour happen: then presently the same matter, the Spirit and Sulphur, and the rest of the Elements leisurely flying away from the subject, is soon reduced to a filthiness and rottenness: If after the subtil and more pure Particles of Spirits and Sulphur are flown away, there still remain plenty of Earth and Salt, with some Sulphur, the matter does not putrifie, but grows dry with an hoariness: but if the thick Salt and Sulphur, having gotten a flux, break forth from the Subject, together with the rest, the bond of the mixture being loosened, presently the external humidity, possesses the spaces left by these, and the Body is resolved into rottenness.

Also all Animals whatsoever, have set bounds of their growth and duration: For they ascend from their beginning, by slow increase, to motion and sensation; then to the strength and exal∣tation of Nature: in which point they stay not, but from thence, by equal steps, make hast towards their fall.

If the cause of this kind of limitation be required, we say that Mother Nature hath placed in the primigenious seed of every thing, such a stock of Spirit, Salt and Sulphur, which might suffice for the producing the utmost thrids or lineaments of Bodies: so that the growth and ascent of the thing, t•…•… its height or achme is only an evolution, or unrowling of that radical matter, and protension or stretching it self forth into a greater dimension; in the mean time the little spaces and vacuities, which are made by the protraction of this matter, are filled up by the active Particles, supplied by Nutrition, which also by a continual series of motion are ri∣pened, exhaled, and give place to others succeeding. As soon as this seminal matter is unfolded and exalted to the height, that it cannot be moved, or expanded further, the matter is then brought to the state of its perfection: from thence some Particles of this Radical substance, to∣gether with the secondary supplied from the Nourishment, begin to evaporate; and others daily, and then others, being after this manner consumed, both the solid parts, by degrees decrease in their substance, as also the Nutritious Juice and Blood, even decline for the worse, till by a long wasting, the props of the Body, are made dry or withered, and the Blood so de∣pauperated, that it will not suffice for sustenance to the vital fire: just as it may be perceived in a Lamp, if the Oyl being continually consumed, in its place be put Water, the Liquor is rendered poor, and diluted, that it is not able any longer, to cherish at all the flame of the Wick.

When the Life of Animals perishes, (either it expires after the aforesaid manner leisurely, and like a Candle or Lamp is extinguished, the Oyl or Tallow being consumed; or it is choaked by a hasty death, being snatched away by Fate, or the violence of a Disease) presently the Spi∣rits, with Salt and Sulphur, flowing together in the blood; and also planted in every part, cease from their regular motion, and are moved into confusion: then they partly exhale from the pores, with the vanishing heat, and partly being shut up within in the Cavities, inordinately ferment, with the remaining Particles, and make a swelling up of the inwards, and of the whole Body. But afterwards the frame of the solid parts being by degrees loosened, and the Sulphu∣reous Particles, together with the Saline, having gotten a Flux, begin to evaporate; from thence a strong stink and corruption arise. The active Principles, breaking forth by heaps, do often mutually take hold of one another, and being combined in the superficies of the Carcase, produce Worms: at length when they are wholly exhaled from the Subject, what remains falls into dust.

It is a usual thing for Worms to be generated in Vinegar when it is corrupted and lost its strength, which being exceeding small; and somewhat long and smooth like Eels, swim in the Liquor, and may by the help of Glass be exposed to our Eyes; these being seen, it is commonly said, that the sharpness and pricking of the Vinegar proceeds from these little Creatures, which is a vain thought that deserves not a refutation; for they are only to be found in dead Vinegar; and I pray from whence have they their teeth sufficient for the gnawing of Iron? But the whole corrosive force of Vinegar is more truly referred to the Salt having gotten a Flux: in the mean time those little Creatures seem to be begotten by this means; it is sufficiently known, that when very many Subjects are brought to putrefaction, the active Principles being thrust out of doors, yet still affecting their old dwelling, remain somewhere about the neighbourhood, and being joyned together, do often produce living Bodies; wherefore, when moist things put•…•…ifie, most often little Worms grow on their Superficies; but in Vinegar the business is a little different, to wit, because the Elementary Particles are more fixed, therefore when the mixture of the Liquor is wholly dissolved, the active •…•…rinciples, although loosened, yet breaking very hardly and difficultly from the substance, mee•…•… together in the bowels of the Subject, and there mutually cherishing one another, cause those little Creatures in the midst of the waters.

Also the Bodies of living Creatures, being prepared for our Food, are disposed towards putrefaction, if they are put up for some days, till the active Particles are loosened, and begin to be in motion, tending to exhalation; wherefore both the Flesh becomes more flaccid, and in eating more tender and soft: and if they are kept longer, till the Saline and Sulphureous parts being carried forth into a Flux, do break out, presently a stinking smell and putrefaction is induced.

There are many ways whereby flesh is wont to be kept from putrefaction; the chief of which are, that it be pickled with Salt or Spices. Things are kept a long time incorrupt and very grateful to the tast, with Salt: Dead Carkases are imbued with Spices, that they may remain a long while in their Sepulchers. As to the first, Brine or salt Pickle hinders the eruption of the Sulphur, and fixes it in the Subject by its embracement, and retains it. Spices, as they consist of very active Principles, stir up a new Ferment in the Subject, the dead Carcase; and the im∣planted Elements of this, joyn into the society of their motion, and retain many of their Particles flying away, yet longer in the Body: As Salt and Spices are made use of for the preserving long flesh, and Sulphureous things, (which also preserve all other things from Putrefaction) so Vegetables, and their Flowers and Fruits are better conserved with Sugar: for this by cherifhing the active Particles of the Subject, restrains them within, and besides, renders the Confections of a very grateful tast.

Minerals, chiefly the solid and hard, because they are indued with plenty of Salt and Earth, with little of Sulphur, and with a less quantity of Spirits, therefore they rarely, or not at all conceive Putrefaction: there is the same reason for resinous things, which tho' they abound in Sulphur, with Salt and Earth, yet because there is but a small portion of Water and Spirits, therefore their frame is not easily loosened, neither are they obnoxious to Putrefaction. Among Minerals, common Water only, falls under this rank: for this, if it stand still, or is kept long in a Vessel, its Salt and Sulphur, though but in a little quantity, having gotten a Flux, begin to evaporate, and together to induce Putrefaction: but so long as water is in motion, these Particles are still involved with others, and so by their mutual embrace, are detained from evaporation.

Artificial things and preparations, are no less subject to Putrefaction than Natural things; for Bread, and all manner of Eatable things or Food, Wine, Beer, and other Drinkable Liquors, also Medicinal Confections, being long kept, first lose their strength and vigor, and then after∣wards are Corrupted: concerning which, we may observe these following things.

The more the things are Compounded, and have all the Principles conjoyned together, the sooner, and the easier, do they enter into Putrefaction; wherefore Eatable things, prepared of Flesh, Broths, Decoctions of Herbs, also many Medicines made after the Galenical way, are wont (unless preserved with very much Salt or Sugar) to be Corrupted in a short time: In the mean time, Distillations, and Chymical Preparations, which consist of Homogeneous, or not much different Particles, are kept sound a long while.

In Compounded things, if there be too great quantity of Water, things sooner putrifie, for so the frame of the mixture is too loose; so that the fixed Principles cannot take hold of the Volatile, or keep them back from flight: but those in which Spirits abound with moderate Salt and Sulphur, if they are kept in a close Vessel, that they may evaporate but little, continue a long time, as may be perceived by strong or generous Wine. The next to these, are those things which are preserved with Hony or Sugar, or in which the Saline Particles are in great plenty by nature.

Many of these, whilst they are corrupted, are either made Mouldy or Rank, or they grow sowr, or degenerate into a vapidness, or without taste: things are made Mouldy, when the subtil Particles in the exhaling, are detained by the more thick, and cleaving together by their mutual embrace on the superficies of the Body, grow into a soft Down or Hoariness, even as Moss is brought forth by Stones, or Wood exposed to moisture.

Rankness or unsavory Taste, happens chiefly in Sulphureous things, for Oily and Fat things, by Heat or Age, become Musty or Unsavory, to wit, when the Spirit being very much exhaled, the Sulphureous Particles are too much exalted, and begin to evaporate.

Sharpness or Acidity is induced from the Salt, being too much carried forth and loosened; for when the Spirit is depressed, or exhaled, the Salt being fused, conceives a Flux, and so brings in a sowrness: hence Wine, Beer, Cyder, also Milk, very many Eatable things, and the Juices of Herbs, when they are long kept, or if they are moved by too immoderate heat of the Air, or shaking, do easily grow sowr.

Liquid things, degenerate into a vapidness or tastlesness, when the active Principles, are for the most part gone forth, and nothing eminent besides Water and Earth, or of the subtile parts, is left in the subject.

That I may contract what is aforesaid; the corruption of every thing, is only the separa∣tion and departure of themselves from one another into parts of the Principles before combined, (the bond of the mixture being loosened) which motion, by reason of the diverse disposi∣tion of their breaking forth, (either with or without a stink) ends in Putrefaction or Rot∣tenness.

Where Spirits abound, and that there is also plenty of Sulphur and Salt, and the Particles being loosened from their bonds, break forth in heaps; the mixture putrefies with a stink; also if it consist of a thick substance, so that all the parts are not rightly ventilated, it conceives a heat from the Putrefaction: in such a Corruption, the stink proceeds from the exhalation of the sharp pointed Sulphur, or made pricking with the Salt: Putrefaction follows, for that the external hu∣midity enters into the place of the Particles flying away: But the heat is produced by the Sulphu∣reous Particles being moved together in heaps, and being shut up within the subject, that they gather together, and being united, act more strongly. But if there be in the subject a lesser pro∣portion of Salt and Sulphur, so that when the mixture is loosened, the Particles are moved more slowly, and evaporate leisurely, the Body grows dry, and is reduced to a wasting, without any ill smell, putrefaction or heat.

It will not be from the purpose to inquire in this place, from whence some empty Vessels, and more moist bodies, by lying long, conceive a certain stink without Putrefaction; also other things being put into them, or lying near them, are wont to partake of their Evil; for which affection, a proper Latin word is not easily to be met with; in our Idiom it is called Mustiness, and in some sort seems to be designed by the word Mucor, unless that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Mucor, points at

Bodies infected with a certain Down or Hoariness, (which we call Mouldiness) which here ne∣ver happens. The consideration of this matter is not improperly referred to the Doctrine of Fermentation, for this Tincture or Impression of a stink, unfolds it self far abroad, as if it were a certain Ferment, that the Vessel but lightly imbued with it, infects whatever Li∣quors are put into it, and infusions of them, even new and often iterated; we may observe a twofold effect of this thing: For sometimes the Vessels being almost empty, at first vitiated, afterwards infect most Liquors, which they by chance receive, with a musty odour: sometimes more moist compacted, and solid things, being kept long, somewhat close in a Cellar, contract this vice of their own accord; when in the mean time the contagion is not perceived to be in the place where they were kept; which things either may become musty, not because they are cor∣rupted, for in most Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, being yet contained, in the bond of mixture, the frame of the matter is kept whole, but the vice only consists in this, that from the subjects after this manner disposed, effluvia's, as it were, aculeated or sharpned, fall off, and therefore become ungrateful to our smell and tafte.

First, that any Vessel may conceive a mustiness, there seems to be required in the first place, that its inward hollowness be large, and its mouth narrow; to wit, whereby a passage may lie open to the outward Air, and rest may be granted to it, being entred in: for Juggs with broad mouths, also Bottles close shut, do not easily get this fault. Secondly, that besides the more ample inward hollowness, the sides of the Vessel be indued with pores, and very small passages; for in these kind of little spaces besmeared with humour, the Air being strictly shut up, remains more quiet, and is apt to stagnate: Wherefore Glass Bottles are not so apt to suffer this evil, as Wooden, or Stone Bottles. Thirdly, that some moisture, tho' very little, stick about the sides of the Vessel, or in its bottom, whereby the Air being entred may be intangled: for if the Bottles be hung up, with their mouth downwards, that all moisture may drain out, they will never be musty.

In the second place: when Bodies, without any contagion of a Vessel, contract a mustiness or mouldiness of their own accord, we may observe, first, that they are of that kind, which consist of Heterogeneous Particles, that is, a mixture of all the Elements together; because the parts of Vegetables and Animals, and preparations of them, easily receive this evil; Minerals for the most part remain free from it: Secondly, that there be plenty of humidity in the concrete, for the more dry continue a long while without any hurt: Thirdly, that the Bodies be either kept in a heap unmoved for a long time, or else in some close Cupbord, or Cellar, without Air; for so Wheat or Grain, in a heap, unless it be often moved, as also all Eatable things, being put up in a close place, quickly grow musty.

According to these positions we conjecture, that mustiness is made an affection to a moist ina∣nimate Body, from the ambient Air, being admitted within its pores, and being got in, there stagnating, whereby the Elementary Particles of that mixture, being combined together with those sent in by the Air, are exalted into the Nature of a Ferment; that they diffuse themselves on every side with wonderful activity, and their effluvia's, as it were sharpned, ungratefully strike against the sensories of the taste and smell. When therefore, some Subject becomes pri∣marily musty, a certain portion of the Air placed near, and hindred from ventilation, enters into its pores and passages, and there being intangled with a tenacious matter, is wholly shut up within the substance of that Concrete. From the mixture of the shut-up Air, the implanted little Bodies of the matter, especially the sulphureous and saline, acquire new heads; that after∣wards, when they are exactly to be mixed with no other Body, yet very greatly Fermentative, tho intermingled with any other thing, retain their own Nature, and being diffused through the large substance of the matter, infect the whole; to wit, they dispose by that means, the Particles of that new matter, that they being armed with sharp points, bring in like manner a trouble to our senses: But in the mean time, from the mustiness, whether primarily arisen, or received by contagion, the mixture of the thing is not dissolved, nor the Principles dissipated; yea, those things which are wholly tastless, do scarce at any time become musty: the musty smell depends chiefly on the active Principles, disposed by a peculiar right, by the involved Air and their effluvia's; wherefore, if they almost wholly fly away from any subject, that is rendred almost incapable of this affection.

There may be observed a certain likeness between mustiness and an Empyreuma, or taste of fire or burnt-too, for as in this, the Particles of the fire being intangled, and included by a tenacious matter, by their long stay there, pervert the implanted little Bodies of Salt and Sul∣phur, from whence their effluvia's, strike our senses with an ingrateful sharpness; moreover, being mingled with other things, they affix to them, the disposition of their pravity; so in mustiness, the Particles of the Air, being obvolved with a viscous matter, and stagnating, they change by their presence the saline and sulphureous little Bodies, from their due temper, where∣by they being as it were gifted with sharp prickings, do strike bitterly our sensories, and being exceeding fermentative, diffuse their odour to others: the alteration being either way contra∣cted, can scarce be blotted out, by any mixture with other things, or emendation by Art: The

chief means of helping of either, is by placing it in a reciprocal trajection, viz. Empyreuma∣tical things, or tasting of the fire, are to be a long while exposed to a more moist Air, whereby the Particles of the fire may exhale: and musty things are to be held to the fire, or put to such things which may sweeten their Nature, to wit, quick Lime, Sulphur, or Stygian Waters, by which the parts of the included Air are driven away, and so the remaining little Bodies of the mixture are wont to recover their pristine state; wherefore, if musty Liquors are distilled, the Water falling into the Receiver, will be deprived of that stink: But the smatch of Fire, or Em∣pyreuma, is not so easily mended by this Artifice.

So much for Fermentation, and the motion of the Principles, for as much as within the Con∣fines of the same Subject, they dispose it, either to maturity and perfection, or towards disso∣lution and corruption. It now follows to treat of the motion of the same kind of Particles and Principles, for as much as some of one Body do act on others of another Body, and by dissolving the mixture, do wholly draw them forth, and send them outward, or by precipitating it causeth them to go into parts.