C495) 
Now to anfwer to all this in order, I fay in the firft place^ 
that fuch a great intemperature, from whence *tis faid the 
blood can never recoverj is either rare or very common. If 
very rare, it requires not much coiifideration, and if the mix- 
ture of laudable blood fi.fBce not to reftore it to irs due tem- 
perament, I would gladly learn other meanes to do it. But 
iffach intemperature be ordinary in all difeales andin al! de« 
dining old Ages, I demand to what end ferve the altmerits 
which Phy[ic\ allows , or the Medicaments it prefcr^bes iii 
thefe occafions > Can thefe things enter into the body with- 
out mingling with the blood within an houre? And if by lo 
minghng they contradl the ill temperament of the blood, atid 
impart not to the fame any of their good qualities, is it not 
loffe of time to ftudyPhyfick , and to reduce into pr^6tice 
what we are taught touching the choice of all thofe things f 
For my part, I am fo far from having fuch a thought, that I 
doubt not bat theftrcngth & goodnefs of the meats & drinks 
we take, is able to correct the ill temperament of the blood 
and render it better: If there be any impediment of this ef- 
fedit, 1 fliould not fo much look for it in the blood it felf, or in 
the parts which elaborate the fame, as in thofe through which 
the aliments paffe bisfore they arrive at the heart. For 'tis 
fufficiently manifeft that if there be any irregularity in the fto- 
mack, if thedigjeftion be not well made, ifthejuycesof the 
Gall and Pancreas ( which fervc for DifTolvents in the Inte- 
ftines) be not well tempered, if there be any Obftruftion or 
AbfcelTe in the Glandules of the Mefentery which flrain the 
purer portion of the Chyle ; the beft and moft excellent 
things become fo transformed before their mixture with the 
bloodj that no good nourifhment or refrelliment to the fick 
can with reafon be expected from them. 
Now in this way of Transfufion all thofe inconveniences are 
avoided s the blood communicated is not made to paffe 
through thofe many turnings and windings, where the leaft 
corruption ofapartdeftroysinan inftant whatever good the 
foundnefs of the reft can produce^ The good blood enters 
