CENTURY IV. 10.9 



and running waters putrify not ; and in men s bodies, 

 exercise hindereth putrefaction ; and contrariwise, 

 rest and want of motion, or stoppings, whereby the 

 run of hnmours, or the motion of perspiration is 

 stayed, further putrefaction ; as we partly touched a 

 little before. 



345. The fifth is the breathing forth of the ad 

 ventitious moisture in bodies ; for as wetting doth 

 hasten putrefaction, so convenient drying, whereby 

 the more radical moisture is only kept in, putteth 

 back putrefaction ; so we see that herbs and flowers, 

 if they be dried in the shade, or dried in the hot sun 

 for a small time, keep best. For the emission of 

 the loose and adventitious moisture doth betray the 

 radical moisture, and carrieth it out for company. 



346. The sixth is the strengthening of the spirits 

 of bodies ; for as a great heat keepeth bodies from 

 putrefaction, but a tepid heat inclineth them to pu 

 trefaction ; so a strong spirit likewise preserveth, 

 and a weak or faint spirit disposeth to corruption. 

 So we find that salt water corrupteth not so soon as 

 fresh : and salting of oysters, and powdering of 

 meat, keepeth them from putrefaction. It would 

 be tried also whether chalk put into water, or drink, 

 doth not preserve it from putrifying or speedy sour 

 ing. So we see that strong beer will last longer 

 than small ; and all things that are hot and aroma- 

 tical, do help to preserve liquors, or powders, c. 

 which they do as well by strengthening the spirits, 

 as by soaking out the loose moisture. 



347. The seventh is separation of the cruder 



