The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

HIISTORY OF LIFE AND DEATH. 499
put in their rooms. And let these clysters be re- malignant quality in the dissolutions of them,
tained, if it may be for an hour or more. neither will they be beaten to that exquisite fine4. The other is this, let there be in use, espe- ness that leaf-gold hath. As for all glassy and
cially in summer, baths of fresh water, and but transparent jewels, we like them not, (as we said
lukewarm, altogether without emollients, as mal- before,) for fear of corrosion.
lows, mercury, milk, and the like; rather take new 11. But, in our judgment, the safer and more
whey in some good quantity, and roses. effectual way would be by the use of woods in
5. But (that which is the principal in this in- infusions and decoctions; for there is in them suftention and new) we advise that before the bath- ficient to cause firmness of blood, and not the like
ingf, the body be anointed with oil, with some danger for breeding obstructions; but especially,
thickness, whereby the quality of the cooling may because they may be taken in meat and drink,
be received, and the water excluded: yet let not whereby they will find the more easy entrance
the pores of the body be shut too close, for when into the veins, and not be avoided in excrements.
the outward cold closeth up the body too strongly, 12. The woods fit for this purpose are sanders,
it is so far from furthering coolness, that it rather the oak, and vine. As for all hot woods or someforbids, and stirs up heat. thing rosiny, we reject them; notwithstanding,
6. Like unto this is the use of bladders, with you may add the woody stalks of rosemary dried,
some decoctions and cooling juices, applied to the for rosemary is a shrub, and exceedeth in age
inferior region of the body, namely, from the ribs many trees, also the woody stalks of ivy, but in
to the privy parts: for this also is a kind of bath- such quantity as they may not yield an unpleasincr, where the body of the liquor is for the most ing taste.
part excluded, and the cooling quality admitted. 13. Let the woods be taken either boiled in
7. The third counsel remaineth, which belong- broths, or infused in must or ale before they leave
eth not to the quality of the blood, but to the sub- working; but in broths (as the custom is for guaistance thereof, that it may be made more firm and acum and the like) they would be infused a good
less dissipable, and such as the heat of the spirit while before the boiling, that the firmer part of the
may have the less power over it. wood, and not that only which lieth loosely, may
8. And as for the use of'filings of gold, leaf-gold, be drawn forth. As for ash, though it be used for
powder of pearl, precious stones, coral, and the cups, yet we like it not. And touching the operalike, we have no opinion of them at this day, un- tion upon the blood, thus much.
less it be only as they may satisfy this present
operation. Certainly, seeing the Arabians, Gre- IV. The Opecation upon the Jzices of the Body.
cians, and modern physicians, have attributed The history.
such virtues to these things, it cannot be altogether 1. There are two kinds of bodies (as was said
nothing, which so great men have observed of before in the inquisition touching inanimates)
them. And, therefore, omitting all fantastical which are hardly consumed, hard things and fat
opinions about them, we do verily believe, that if things, as is seen in metals and stones, and in oil
there could be some such things conveyed into and wax.
the whole mass of the blood in minute and fine 2. It must be ordered, therefore, that the juice
portions, over which the spirits and heat should of the body be somewhat hard, and that it be fat
have little or no power, absolutely it would not or subroscid.
only resist putrefaction, but arefaction also, and 3. As for hardness, it is caused three ways: by
be a most effectual means to the prolongation of aliment of a firm nature, by cold condensing the
life. Nevertheless, in this thing several cautions skin and flesh, and by exercise, binding and comare to be given; first, that there be a most exact pacting the juices of the body, that they be not
comminution: secondly, that such hard and solid soft and frothy.
things be void of all malignant qualities, lest 4. As for the nature of the aliment, it ought to
while they be dispersed and lurk in the veins, be such as is not easily dissipable, such as are
they breed some illconvenience: thirdly, that they beef, swine's flesh, deer, goat, kid, swan, goose,
be never taken together with meats, nor in any ringdove, especially if they be a little powdered;
such manner as they may stick long, lest they fish is likewise salted and dried, old cheese, and
beget dangerous obstructions about the mesentery: the like.
lastly, that they be taken very rarely, that they 5. As for the bread, oaten bread or bread with
may not coagulate and knot together in the veins. some mixture of pease in it, or rye bread, or barley
9. Therefore, let the manner of taking them be bread, are more solid than wheat bread, and in
fasting, in white wine, a little oil of almonds wheat bread, the coarse wheat bread is more solid
mingled therewith, exercise used immediately than the pure manchet.
upon the taking of them. 6. The inhabitants of the Orcades, which live
10. The simples which may satisfy this opera- upon salted fish, and generally all fish eaters, are
tion are, instead of all, gold, pearls, and coral; for long-lived.
all metals, except gold, are not without some 7. The monks and hermits which fed sparingly.