LIFE AND DEATH. 365 



earth ; for this is most certain, that any earth, though pure 

 and unmixed with nitrous matter, if it be so laid up and 

 covered, that it be free from the sunbeams, and putteth 

 forth no vegetable, will gather nitre, even in good abun 

 dance. By which it is clear, that the spirit of nitre is not 

 only inferior to the spirit of living creatures, but also to the 

 spirit of vegetables. 



49. Cattle, which drink of nitrous water, do manifestly 

 grow fat, which is a sign of the cold in nitre. 



50. The manuring of the soil is chiefly by nitrous sub 

 stances ; for all dung is nitrous, and this is a sign of the 

 spirit in nitre. 



51. From hence it appears, that the spirits of man may 

 be cooled and condensed by the spirit of nitre, and be made 



| more crude and less eager. And, therefore, as strong wines, 

 j and spices, and the like, do burn the spirits and shorten 

 I life ; so on the contrary side, nitre doth compose and repress 

 them, and furthereth to life. 



52. Nitre may be used with meat, mixed with our salt, 

 to the tenth part of the salt ; in broths taken in the morn 

 ing, for three grains to ten, also in beer; but howsoever 

 it be used, with moderation, it is of prime force to long 

 life. 



53. As opium holds the preeminence in condensing the 

 spirits, by putting them to flight, and hath withal his 

 subordinates less potent, but more safe, which may be 

 taken both in greater quantity and in more frequent use, of 

 which we have formerly spoken. So also nitre, which 

 condenseth the spirits by cold, and by a kind of frescour 

 (as we now a days speak), hath also his subordinates. 



54. Subordinates to nitre are, all those things which 

 yield an odour somewhat earthy, like the smell of earth, 

 pure and good, newly digged or turned up ; of this sort the 

 chief are, borage, bugloss,langue deboeuf, burnet, strawberry 

 leaves, and strawberries, frambois, or raspis, raw cucumbers, 

 raw pearmains, vine leaves, and buds, also violets. 



55. The next in order, are those which have a certain 

 freshness of smell, but somewhat more inclined to heat, 

 yet not altogether void of that virtue of refreshing by cool 

 ness ; such as are balm, green citrons, green oranges, rose- 

 water distilled, roasted wardens ; also the damask, red, and 

 musk roses. 



56. This is to be noted, that subordinates to nitre do 

 commonly confer more to this intension raw, than having 

 passed the fire, because that the spirit of cooling is dissi- 



