(1182; 
in the Spring. We muft therefore inquire into other more 
true caufes ot old Age and Death^which to me fcem to be the 
following, 
I fuppofe^that the Blood is the principle of life , as far as 'tis 
vital, that IS J in motion by the hot particles contained therein 5 
fo that ihofe, who expire by Age, do not dye for being deftitute 
of blood, which is found abundant and laudable enough in their 
veffels, and which hath been fufficiently repaired till then 5 but 
becaufe it ccafeth to be vital, by rcafon of the too eafie diflipa- 
tionof the igneous particles, which make it fuch; Which, in 
my opinion, comes to pafs, as it doth in Wine,which evaporates 
and lofeth its ftrength by the fault of the Veflel^ which by fome 
opening or other gives paffage to what gives vertue to the Wine. 
TheTunicles and Membranes of the Veins and Arteries which 
inclofe the bloody wear in time away and wax thin, and their 
Texture gives, and breaks in feveral places, at which apertures 
the igneous particles abandon the blood : As in Stuffs and 
Cloth ( whofe woof is in a manner like that of theTunicles) 
the Threds by wearing do loofen and break, infomuch that ma- 
ny holes are made in it as in a Sieve. Sothat, if wehadtheArt 
to reinforce and to ftrengthen anew thofe Coats and Mem- 
branes, that they might not let flip what maketh the blood vi- 
tal, the life would be preferved perpetually. For a proof of 
whichj this may ferve for the prefent, tha t the life of many dy- 
ing perfons is maintained, for fome time, by making them fwal- 
low fome hot and fpiritu : us liquor, as fpirit of Wine , or fome 
Effence,by which the blood is fortified and quickned for fome 
* moments:But as this reinforcement of life, conveyed to the heart, 
and running into the Veins, foon flips out, foalfo this new vigor . 
paflfeth away quickly. 
As there is no reafon to defpair of finding out fuch Medicins, 
or Aliments, as are proper to ftrengthen khe Coats and Mem- 
branes of the Veflels,fo as they may at all times retain the fiery 
and fpirituous corpufcles of the blood, as well as in the time of 
Youth 5 We may alfo hope to be enabled to maintain the blood 
in a condition alwayes to furnifli alike, as in our vigorous Age, 
forall thefundiions of life : The; Engineof.Qur body being not 
unlike to a Chymifts Eumacc, whi^hat fit A well retaining the 
