LIFE AND DEATH. 395 



fectual, is somewhat freed and stirred up by the heat and 

 neighbouring spirit, so that it is then actuated ; which is 

 the only cause why inanimates assimilate not, and animates 

 assimilate. 



3. This also is certain, that the harder the consistence 

 of the body is, the more doth that body stand in need of a 

 greater heat to prick forward the assimilation ; which falls 

 out ill for old men, because in them the parts are more 

 obstinate, and the heat weaker, and therefore either the 

 obstinacy of their parts is to be softened or their heat in 

 creased. And as touching the malacissation or mollifying 

 of the members we shall speak afterward, having also for 

 merly propounded many things which pertain to the prohi 

 biting and preventing of this kind of hardness. For the 

 other, touching the increasing of the heat, we will now 

 deliver a single precept, after we have first assumed this 

 axiom. 



4. The act of assimilation (which, as we said, is ex 

 cited by the heat circumfused) is a motion exceeding 

 accurate, subtile, and in little; now all such motions do 

 then come to their vigour, when the local motion wholly 

 ceaseth which disturbeth it. For the motion of separation 

 into homogeneal parts, which is in milk, that the cream 

 should swim above, and the whey sink to the bottom, will 

 never work, if the milk be never so little agitated ; neither 

 will any putrefaction proceed in water or mixed bodies, if 

 the same be in continual local motion. So then, from this 

 assumption we will conclude this for the present inquisition. 



5. The act itself of assimilation is chiefly accomplished 

 in sleep and rest, especially towards the morning, the dis 

 tribution being finished. Therefore we have nothing else 

 to advise, but that men keep themselves hot in their sleep ; 

 and further, that towards the morning there be used some 

 anointing, or shirt tincted with oil, such as may gently stir 

 up heat, and after that to fall asleep again. And touching 

 the last act of assimilation, thus much. 



ix. The Operation upon the Inteneration of that which begins 

 to be arejiedj or the Malacissation of the Body. 



We have inquired formerly touching the inteneration 

 from within, which is done by many winding and circuits, 

 as well of alimentation as of detaining the spirit from issuing 

 forth, and therefore is accomplished slowly. Now we are 

 to inquire touching that inteneration which is from without, 

 and is affected, as it were, suddenly ; or touching the mala 

 cissation and supplying of the body. 



