The Hifiory of Life and Death. 



Medicines for Long Life. 



J 



THe An o/Phy lick, which we now have, looks no further, commonly \ than to Con- 

 fervation ^Health, and Cure of Difeales : As for thofe things which tend properly 

 to Long t\\t,there is but (light mentioned byt he way onely. Notwithftanding we 

 will propound thofe Medicines, which are notable in this kinde, I mean, thofe which art 

 Cordials. For it is confonant to Reafon, that thofe thingsjvhich being taken in Cures,<fo 

 defend andfertifie tbe Heart ; or, more truly, the Spirits, againfi Poifons, and Difeafesi 

 being transferred with judgement and choice, into Diet, fkould have a good effett , in 

 fort, to wards the Prolonging of Life. This we will do, not heaping them promtfeuously 

 together ( as the manner is ) but JeleBing the be ft. 



Gold is given in 3 forms, either in that which they call Aurum potabile ; or in Wine 

 wherein Gold hath been quenched ; or in gold in the fub fiance , fuch as are he aft (jtld, 

 and the Filings of Gold. As for Aurum potabile , it is ufed to be given indefperate or 

 dangerous Difeales ; and that not without good fuccefTe. But we fuppofe that the Spirits 

 of the Salt , by which the Gold is diflblved,do rather minifter that vertue, which is found 

 in it, than the Gold it feife : though this feerct be wholly fupprefled. Now if the body of 

 Gold could be opened, w ithout thefe Corrofive waters, or by thefe Corrofive waters,({o 

 the venomous quality were wanting) well walhed, we conceive it would be no unprofi- 

 table medicine. 



Pearls are taken either in a fine powder, or in a certain Mafle , or Dilfolutionj by 

 the juice of fowr and pew Limons : And they are given lbmetimes in Aromatical Con- 

 fc&ions, fometimes in Liquor. The Pearle, no doubt, hath fome affinity with the 

 Shell, in which it groweth, and may be of the fame quality with the Shels of Crey-pfhes* 



Amongft the Tranfparent precious Stones, two onely are accounted Cordial ; The 

 Emeraald and the Jacinth ; which are given under the fame forms, that the Pearls are j 

 favc onejy that the diffoludons of them, as far as yfz know* arrnot in ufe." But we fuf- 

 pc& thdcGlaJfie Jewels, left they fhould be cutting. 



Ofthe[e which we have mentioned, hm far , arid in what manner they are helpfully 

 fbai be f vokfn hereafter. 



Bezoar Stone is of approved vertue , for ffcfrefhing the Spirits) and procuring a gen- 

 tle Sweat. As for the Vnicorns Horn , it hath loft the credit with us ; yet fo , as it 

 may keep Rank with Harts Hornt ; and the Bone in the heart olzHart, and Ivory, 

 and fuch like. 



Amber G. rife, is one of the beft to appeafe and comfort the Spirits. 



Hereafter follow the Names onely of the Simple Cordials , feeing their Vermes are 



.iufficiently known. 



Hot, 

 Saffron. 

 Folium Indum. 

 Lignum Aloes. 

 Cnron Pill , or 



%indc. 

 Balme. 

 Baftl. 



Hot. 

 Clove Gillyflowers 

 Orenge Flowers. 

 %ofemary. 

 Mint. 

 Betony, 



Qarduu.s Bentdi- 



Cojd. 

 Nitre. 



Rofes. Violets. 

 Strawberry- 



leaves. 

 Strawberries. 

 Juice offweet 



Limons, 



Cold, 

 Juice of fweet 



Orcnges* 

 Juice tf PearmainSi 

 Borage* 

 Bugloffe. 

 Burnet. Sanders i 

 Camphire. 



Seeing ourfpeech now is of thofe things, which may be transferred into Diet; AH Hot 

 waters) and Chimical Giles ; (which , as a certain Trifler faith, are under the Planet 

 Mars ; and have a Furious and Defiruclive Force i ) As alfo, all hot, and biting Spie'es 

 are to be rejeEled : and a Confideration to be had , how Waters and Liquours may be 

 made of the Former Jimples ; not thofe Phlegmatick^difttlled waters ; Nor again thofe 

 burning waters of Spirits of (Vine: But fuch as may be more temperate , and yet lively i 

 and fending forth a Benigne V ipour. 



I make lomc queltion touching the frequent letting of Blood, whether itconduceth 

 to long life , or no ; and I am rather in the opinion that it doth , if it be turned into a 

 Habit , and other things be well difpofed : For it letteth out the old Juice of the Body, 

 and bringeth in new. 



F I 



To tbe tmh 



Article* 



