264 Mayow 



ised by sleepiness, rather remiss respiration suffices for 

 sustaining life. For in these diseases the respiration 

 seems quite suppressed, and the wretched patients 

 have not unfrequently been buried for dead. For as 

 in such diseases the nitro-aerial particles are carried 

 to the cerebellum only, and thence to the nerves 

 dedicated to the natural functions, and even then 

 natural offices are very remissly performed, it follows 

 that the expenditure of nitro-aerial particles is the 

 very smallest, and that for the reparation of this the 

 least trace of respiration suffices. 



CHAPTER V 



OF THE FERMENTS OF THE STOMACH, THE PAN- 

 CREAS, AND THE SPLEEN. INCIDENTALLY, OF 

 DISEASES WHICH HAVE REFERENCE TO THE 

 ANIMAL SPIRITS 



From this hypothesis of ours it is possible conveniently 

 enough to explain not only the effervescence set up 

 in the motor parts, but also how the fermentations 

 and concoctions of whatever sort are carried on in 

 the viscera of animals. 



For, in the first place, as to the digestion made in 

 the stomach, the vulgar opinion is that there is in 

 the stomach a certain acid ferment. But whence 

 that acid should derive its origin one cannot very 

 readily say, for anatomical observation establishes 

 that no acid at all resides in a healthy stomach ; and 

 as to acid eructations, they seem to come from ill- 

 digested food and not from any natural acid liquid. 

 We havC; then, to inquire how it comes about that 

 iron filings, taking in by the mouth, are corroded in 

 the stomach and turned into a sort of vitriol ; and 



