[ 553 ] 
Putrefadion confifts in a Separation or Difuivon of 
the Parrs. But as there are other Cafes, in which 
Aftringency is lefs wanted, we may find in Contra- 
yerva-root, Snake-root, Camphirc, and other Sub- 
ftances, a highly antifeptic Power, with little; or 
none of the other Quality. And fince feveral of 
thefe Medicines are alio diaphoretic, their Operation 
is thereby render’d more fuccefsful. 
I come now to the laft thing propofid, which 
was, to give an Account of fome Obfervations made 
on Subftmces haftening or promoting Putrefadion ; an 
Inquiry not lefs ufcful than the former. For, fetting 
afide the ofFcnfive Idea commonly annexed to the 
Word, we mud acknowledge Putrefadion to be one 
of the Inftruments of Nature, by which many great 
and curious Changes are brought about. With re- 
gard to Medicine, we know, that neither animalnor 
vegetable Subftances can become Aliment , i without 
undergoing fome Degree of Putrefadion. Many 
Diftempers proceed from a Deficiency of this Adion. 
The Qrifes of Fevers feem to depend upon it; and 
perhaps even animal Heat, according to a late inge- 
nious Theory *. 
But, in the Profecution of this Subjed:, I have met 
with very few real Septics ; and found many Sub- 
ftances, commonly accounted fuch, of a quite oppofite 
Nature. The moft general means of accelerating Pu- 
trefadiion is, by Heat, Moiftu're, and ftagnating Air; 
which being fufficie'ntly 'known and afeertained, I 
* An Efiay on the Caufe of animal Heat, by J. Strvenfon, 
M. D. Vid* Medical Eflays, Voi. V. 
