422 HISTORY OF 



CANON XXX. 



Curing of diseases is effected by temporary medicines ; 

 but lengthening of life requireth observation of diets. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



Those things which come by accident, as soon as the 

 causes are removed, cease again ; but the continual course 

 of nature, like a running river, requires a continual rowing 

 and sailing against the stream, therefore we must work 

 regularly by diets. Now diets are of two kinds ; set diets, 

 which are to be observed at certain times, and familiar 

 diet, which is to be admitted into our daily repast. But 

 the set diets are the more potent, that is, a course of medi 

 cines for a time; for those things which are of so great 

 virtue that they are able to turn nature back again, are, for 

 the most part, more strong, and more speedily altering, 

 than those which may without danger be received into a 

 continual use. Now in the remedies set down in our inten 

 tions, you shall find only three set diets, the opiate diet, 

 the diet malacissant or suppling, and the diet emaciant 

 and renewing. But amongst those which we prescribed for 

 familiar diet, and to be used daily, the most efficacious are 

 these that follow, which also come not far short of the 

 virtue of set diets. Nitre, and the subordinates to nitre ; 

 the regiment of the affections, and course of our life ; refri 

 gerators which pass not by the stomach ; drinks roscidating, 

 or engendering oily juices ; besprinkling of the blood with 

 some firmer matter, as pearls, certain woods, competent 

 unctions to keep out the air and to keep in the spirit. 

 Heaters from without, during the assimilation after sleep ; 

 avoiding of those things which inflame the spirit, and put 

 it into an eager heat, as wine and spices. Lastly, a mode 

 rate and seasonable use of those things which endue the 

 spirits with a robust heat, as saffron, crosses, garlick, 

 elecampane, and compound opiates. 



CANON XXXI. 



The living spirit is instantly extinguished, if it be de 

 prived either of motion, or of refrigeration, or of aliment. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



Namely, these are those three which before we called the 

 porches of death, and they are the proper and immediate 

 passions of the spirit. For all the organs of the principal 

 parts serve hereunto, that these three offices, be performed ; 



