168 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [bOOK IV 



preA'ented two ways; viz., by making these agents less pre- 

 datory, or the patients, that is the juices of the body, iesa 

 apt to be preyed on. The spirit is rendered less predatory, 

 if either its substance be condensed ; as, 1. by the use of 

 opiates, preparations of nitre, and in contristation ; or, 2. if 

 it be lessened in quantity, as by fasting and diet ; and 3. if 

 it be moderated in its motion, as by rest and quiet. The 

 ambient air becomes less predatory, either when it is less 

 heated by the sun, as in the cold couiitries, caves, hills ; or 

 kept from the body, as by close skins, the plumage of birds, 

 and the use of oil and unguents, without spices. The juices 

 of the body are rendered less subject to be preyed on, if made 

 more hardy, or more oleaginous, as by a rough astringent 

 diet, living in the cold, robust exercises, the use of certain 

 mineral baths, sweet things, and abstaining from such as are 

 salt or acid ; but especially by means of such drinks as con- 

 sist of subtile parts, yet without acrimony or tartness. 

 II. Eepair is procured by nourishment, and nourishment is 

 promoted four ways : 1. by forwarding internal concoction, 

 which drives forth the nourishment, as by medicines that 

 invigorate the principal viscera ; 2. by exciting the external 

 parts to attract the nourishment, as by exercise, proper 

 frictions, unctions, and baths ; 3. by preparing the aliment 

 itself, that it may more easily insinuate, and require less 

 digestion ; as in many artificial ways of preparing meats, 

 drinks, bread, and reducing the effects of these three to one : 

 again, 4. by the last act of assimilation, as in seasonable sleep 

 and external applications. III. The renovation of pai'ts 

 worn out is performed two ways ; either by softening the 

 habit of the body, as with suppling applications, in the way 

 of bath, plaster, or unction, of such qualities as to insinuate 

 into the parts, but extract nothing from them ; or by dis- 

 charging the old, and substituting new moisture, as in season- 

 able and repeated purging, bleeding, and attenuating diets, 

 which restore the bloom of the body. 



Several rules for the conduct of the work are derivable 

 from these indications ; but three of the more principal aro 

 the following. And first, prolongation of life is rather to be 

 expected from stated diets, than from any common regimen 

 of food, or the virtues of particular medicines ; for those 

 things that h\\e force enough to turn back the course of 



