418 HISTORY OF 



CANON XVII. 



The speedy flying forth of the watery humour conserves 

 the oily the longer in his being. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



We said before, that the watery humours, as being con- 

 substantial to the air, fly forth soonest ; the oily later, as 

 having small agreement with the air. Now whereas these 

 two humours are in most bodies, it comes to pass that the 

 watery doth in a sort betray the oily, for that issuing forth 

 insensibly carrieth this together with it. Therefore there is 

 nothing more furthereth the conservation of bodies, than a 

 gentle drying of them, which causeth the watery humour to 

 expire, and invite th not the oily ; for then the oily enjoyeth 

 the proper nature. And this tendeth not only to the inhi 

 biting of putrefaction (though that also followeth), but to 

 the conservation of greenness. Hence it is, that gentle 

 frications, and moderate exercises, causing rather perspi 

 ration than sweating, conduce much to long life. 



CANON XVIII. 



Air excluded conferreth to long life y if other inconveni 

 ences be avoided. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



We said a little before, that the flying forth of the spirit 

 is a redoubled action, from the appetite of the spirit, and 

 of the air and therefore if either of these be taken out of 

 the way, there is not a little gained. Notwithstanding 

 divers inconveniences follow hereupon, which how they 

 may be prevented we have showed in the second of our 

 operations. 



CANON XIX. 



Youthful spirits inserted into an old body, might soon turn 

 nature s course back again. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



The nature of the spirits is as the uppermost wheel, 

 which turneth about the other wheels in the body of man ; 

 and therefore in the intention of long life, that ought to be 

 first placed. Hereunto may be added, that there is an 

 easier and more expedite way to alter the spirits, than to 

 other operations. For the operation upon the spirits is 

 twofold ; the one by aliments, which is slow, and as it 

 were, about ; the other (and that twofold), which is sud 

 den, and goeth directly to the spirits, namely, by vapours, 

 or by the affections. 





