C 662 ] 
this way into a Poifon, a Venom, or a contagious 
Vapour. Hence ftagnating Waters are poifonous 
and detrimental j and hence perhaps the vipereal 
Venom, or any other, may derive its Force ; for 
thele undoubtedly are all animal Secretions. Hence 
perhaps alfo arife contagious epidemical Didempers, 
from a Leaven thrown into the Blood by Exhala- 
tions of: this kind. I am the more perfuaded of the 
1 ruth ol this, from the Conlideration of Dr. Mead's 
Obfervations upon the Venom of the Viper: And 
iwift moving Bodies, which fubfide and fhoot into 
Filaments, feem manifeftly to imply all thefe Con- 
iequences. I had myfeif propos'd lad Summer to 
try the Effeds of fome of my mod exalted Infufions, 
by indill ing them into the Veins of Animals ; but 
as yet I have had no Opportunities for' thefe Expe- 
riments. 
I might add other plaufible Conjedures, that 
feem to be the natural Confequences of thefe Dif- 
coveries, relating to the Origin of Afcarides, Tenia, 
Agaricks , &c. nay, perhaps I could maintain them 
with Arguments that would feem convincing to 
mod Naturalidsj I might even further fuppofe, with 
fome Probability, that the mufeuiar Force, which 
ads againd the interftitial Air in my Friend Dr. 
Tarfonss mod ingenious Sydem, in one Word, 
that all the mechanical Forces of the Body, and the 
Impreflions which affed the Soul, may be derived 
from, and aferibed to, this vegetating adive Force 
when confined : But I am tired with extending my 
Views fo far, nor do I at prefent fee an End of the 
Confequences j the Subjed and Principles appear fo 
bound lefs. 
§ 3T 
4 
