LIFE AND DEATH. 379 



left out, and the juices of borage and endive, and the like, 

 be put in their rooms. And let these clysters be retained, 

 if it may be for an hour or more. 



4. The other is this, let there be in use, especially in 

 summer, baths of fresh water, and but luke warm, altoge 

 ther without emollients, as mallows, mercury, milk, and 

 the like, rather take new whey in some good quantity, and 

 roses. 



5. But (that which is the principal in this intention and 

 new) we advise that before the bathing, the body be 

 anointed with oil, with some thickness, whereby the qua 

 lity of the cooling may be received, and the water excluded : 

 yet let not the pores of the body be shut too close, for 

 when the outward cold closeth up the body too strongly, it 

 is so far from furthering coolness, that it rather forbids, 

 and stirs up heat. 



6. Like unto this is the use of bladders, with some de 

 coctions and cooling juices, applied to the inferior region 

 of the body, namely, from the ribs to the privy parts : for 

 this also is a kind of bathing, where the body of the 

 liquor is for the most part excluded, and the cooling qua 

 lity admitted. 



7. The third counsel remaineth, which belongeth not to 

 the quality of the blood, but to the substance thereof, that 

 it may be made more firm and less dissipable, and such as 

 the heat of the spirit may have the less power over it. 



8. And as for the use of filings of gold, leaf-gold, pow 

 der of pearl, precious stones, coral, and the like, we have no 

 opinion of them at this day, unless it be only as they may 

 satisfy this present operation. Certainly, seeing the Ara 

 bians, Grecians, and modem physicians, have attributed 

 such virtues to these things, it cannot be altogether no 

 thing, which so great men have observed of them. And 

 therefore omitting all fantastical opinions about them, we 

 do verily believe, that if there could be some such things 

 conveyed into the whole mass of the blood in minute and 

 fine portions, over which the spirits and heat should have 

 little or no power, absolutely it would not only resist putre 

 faction, but arefaction also, and be a most effectual means 

 to the prolongation of life. Nevertheless in this thing 

 several cautions are to be given ; first, that there be a most 

 exact comminution : secondly, that such hard and solid 

 things be void of all malignant qualities, lest while they 

 be dispersed and lurk in the veins, they breed some illcon- 

 vcmen.ee : thirdly, that they be never taken together with 



