a_o key_n to_o helmont_n or_o a_o short_a introduction_n to_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o the_o theory_n and_o method_n of_o the_o most_o profound_a chemical_a physician_n london_n print_v for_o john_n starkey_n at_o the_o mitre_n near_o temple-bar_n 1682._o i_o shall_v not_o afford_v so_o short_a a_o discourse_n as_o this_o the_o solemnity_n of_o a_o preface_n be_v it_o not_o chief_o design_v to_o apologise_v for_o its_o brevity_n for_o i_o doubt_v i_o shall_v be_v blame_v for_o endeavour_v to_o wrap_v up_o or_o rather_o hint_n at_o so_o great_a and_o useful_a truth_n in_o so_o few_o word_n without_o many_o argument_n or_o much_o circumlocution_n though_o i_o produce_v some_o here_o and_o there_o and_o enough_o as_o i_o conceive_v to_o convince_v the_o considerate_a and_o impartial_a i_o confess_v i_o have_v assiduous_o avoid_v run_v into_o long_a controversy_n and_o take_v up_o only_o what_o lie_v in_o my_o way_n and_o be_v necessary_a for_o a_o very_a short_a elucidation_n of_o my_o hypothesis_n and_o this_o i_o choose_v to_o do_v for_o two_o reason_n first_o that_o my_o reader_n may_v in_o short_a see_v helmont_n and_o other_o the_o able_a and_o true_a adeptist_n chief_a foundation_n main_a aim_n and_o method_n of_o cure_v without_o lead_v he_o into_o the_o confusion_n which_o a_o labyrinth_n of_o argument_n may_v do_v and_o second_o sith_o i_o intend_v this_o only_a as_o a_o preliminary_a discourse_n to_o a_o epitome_n of_o helmont_n which_o i_o design_v if_o god_n send_v i_o life_n and_o health_n to_o prepare_v for_o the_o press_n in_o some_o time_n i_o think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o anticipate_v or_o rob_v that_o noble_a author_n but_o let_v he_o speak_v for_o himself_o since_o he_o abound_v with_o so_o many_o so_o excellent_a and_o so_o clear_a argument_n as_o will_v beyond_o controversy_n evince_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n and_o all_o its_o dependency_n neither_o will_v i_o have_v you_o think_v that_o i_o esteem_v helmont_n to_o be_v the_o only_a man_n that_o be_v master_n of_o the_o noble_a arcana_n but_o that_o i_o have_v the_o like_a veneration_n for_o a_o great_a many_o other_o man_n medicine_n but_o i_o rather_o choose_v to_o call_v this_o a_o key_n to_o he_o because_o he_o have_v write_v more_o full_o of_o the_o chemical_a theory_n and_o method_n of_o cure_v than_o any_o other_o i_o know_v the_o discovery_n of_o which_o to_o the_o world_n be_v my_o chief_a design_n and_o though_o i_o here_o promise_v the_o reader_n that_o i_o will_v render_v these_o part_n of_o he_o which_o be_v fundamental_o theorical_a as_o plain_a short_a and_o as_o intelligible_a as_o possible_o i_o can_v yet_o expect_v not_o that_o i_o will_v prostrate_v those_o medicine_n of_o his_o which_o i_o understand_v to_o every_o vulgar_a capacity_n but_o shall_v faithful_o report_v they_o in_o his_o own_o word_n since_o i_o be_o very_o sensible_a that_o such_o prostration_n in_o set_v the_o ignorant_a careless_a and_o covetous_a to_o work_v will_v speedy_o be_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o noble_a arcana_n and_o though_o it_o be_v say_v that_o helmont_n be_v good_a in_o pull_v down_o and_o not_o in_o set_v up_o i_o presume_v that_o what_o be_v say_v in_o this_o little_a discourse_n the_o ground_n and_o reason_n whereof_o i_o borrow_v from_o he_o be_v well_o consider_v and_o due_o prosecute_v will_v convince_v the_o partial_a world_n that_o there_o be_v never_o so_o true_a so_o sound_v so_o commodious_a and_o so_o useful_a a_o structure_n build_v in_o physic_n i_o shall_v only_o desire_v thou_o reader_n impartial_o to_o consider_v it_o and_o operate_v according_o and_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o thou_o will_v never_o want_v medicine_n to_o satisfy_v thyself_o and_o all_o that_o will_v see_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n though_o perhaps_o thou_o may_v not_o attain_v to_o medicine_n of_o the_o high_a class_n now_o know_v that_o it_o may_v prosper_v for_o the_o good_a and_o relief_n of_o miserable_a mortal_n be_v and_o shall_v ever_o be_v my_o main_a end_n and_o endeavour_v whilst_o i_o remain_v william_n bacon_n from_o my_o house_n in_o winchester-street_n london_n chap._n i._n what_o be_v the_o true_a principle_n of_o natural_a body_n the_o gross_a error_n of_o the_o school_n concern_v principle_n and_o their_o useless_a philosophy_n be_v so_o well_o know_v and_o explode_v by_o this_o inquisitive_a and_o therefore_o sagacious_a age_n that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o endeavour_v to_o confute_v they_o as_o for_o the_o other_o opinion_n of_o some_o chemist_n who_o will_v have_v the_o quinta_fw-la or_o tria_fw-la prima_fw-la to_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o body_n since_o it_o have_v have_v and_o perhaps_o yet_o have_v very_o learned_a favourer_n of_o this_o age_n i_o shall_v according_a to_o my_o intend_a brevity_n only_o offer_v this_o that_o if_o they_o be_v principle_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v unalterable_a whereas_o these_o be_v easy_o alter_v and_o turn_v one_o into_o another_o so_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o such_o and_o such_o a_o manner_n of_o operation_n produce_v such_o a_o product_n and_o such_o and_o such_o a_o manner_n produce_v another_o guise_n and_o there_o be_v some_o bodies-that_a no_o art_n yet_o know_v can_v extract_v these_o principle_n erroneous_o so_o call_v from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o they_o obtain_v such_o texture_n from_o the_o fire_n and_o be_v not_o pre-existent_a in_o the_o concrete_a as_o for_o that_o opinion_n of_o tachenius_n and_o some_o other_o concern_v the_o principle_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o will_v have_v to_o be_v acid_n and_o alcali_n though_o more_o intelligible_a and_o useful_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o physic_n than_o either_o of_o the_o former_a yet_o be_v not_o real_o so_o be_v reducible_a in_o water_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o christian_n who_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n whole_o rely_v on_o the_o scripture_n and_o firm_o believe_v all_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o that_o be_v either_o ecclesiastical_a political_n successive_a or_o professive_a shall_v take_v very_o little_a or_o no_o notice_n of_o the_o hint_n to_o natural_a history_n that_o be_v in_o in_o it_o especial_o since_o moses_n do_v profess_o give_v we_o a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o natural_a body_n which_o though_o short_a be_v abundant_o more_o satisfactory_a to_o sense_n and_o consequent_o reason_n than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o opinion_n we_o believe_v therefore_o with_o he_o and_o the_o profound_a helmont_n that_o water_n be_v the_o sole_a material_a principle_n of_o generation_n and_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n that_o move_v on_o the_o water_n or_o as_o the_o latin_a have_v it_o spiritus_fw-la dei_fw-la incubabat_fw-la superficiei_fw-la aquae_fw-la as_o a_o bird_n on_o her_o egg_n for_o procreation_n sake_n be_v the_o formal_a cause_n indeed_o moses_n do_v not_o say_v positive_o that_o that_o incubation_n of_o the_o spirit_n on_o the_o water_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o creation_n but_o we_o find_v the_o creation_n follow_v in_o the_o next_o word_n and_o consider_v the_o brevity_n of_o that_o history_n the_o manner_n of_o expression_n in_o other_o place_n i_o presume_v it_o be_v plain_o imply_v that_o god_n by_o his_o infinite_a power_n make_v these_o the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o the_o creation_n pray_v think_v not_o this_o too_o precarious_a since_o sense_n itself_o do_v prove_v the_o material_a principle_n of_o it_o especial_o in_o animal_n who_o mucilaginous_a seed_n do_v speedy_o dissolve_v into_o water_n of_o themselves_o nay_o a_o child_n imperfect_o bear_v will_v in_o a_o little_a time_n dissolve_v into_o water_n and_o the_o hard_a seed_n of_o vegetable_n become_v like_o a_o jelly_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o procreation_n who_o gelly-like_a substance_n by_o a_o easy_a digestion_n be_v turn_v into_o water_n also_o and_o the_o great_a philosopher_n tell_v we_o that_o by_o their_o liquor_n alcahest_n they_o can_v converr_v the_o hard_a into_o liquid_a substance_n and_o experience_n tell_v we_o that_o many_o vegetable_n may_v be_v sole_o nourish_v from_o water_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o several_a experiment_n of_o this_o nature_n by_o many_o worthy_a modern_a author_n think_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o from_o water_n such_o hard_a body_n shall_v be_v produce_v since_o it_o will_v not_o only_a cause_n body_n to_o petrefie_v but_o be_v petrefied_a itself_o as_o to_o subterrane_n body_n as_o metal_n mineral_n etc._n etc._n we_o be_v tell_v they_o be_v feed_v and_o augment_v by_o a_o green_a and_o viscous_a water_n now_o here_o i_o understand_v not_o by_o the_o spirit_n move_v on_o the_o water_n a_o absolute_a immaterial_a substance_n or_o the_o rational_a soul_n of_o man_n but_o the_o sensitive_a common_a to_o we_o and_o beast_n and_o only_o comparative_o immaterial_a in_o respect_n of_o grosser_n substance_n i_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v such_o a_o active_a brisk_a aetherial_a substance_n as_o be_v
affect_v our_o sensory_n common_a water_n who_o atomous_a part_n we_o conceive_v to_o be_v globular_a and_o smooth_a pass_v smooth_o and_o cool_v the_o spirit_n though_o as_o cold_a in_o themselves_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o subtle_a penetrate_a pungent_a and_o sharp_a texture_n of_o their_o part_n prick_v and_o stimulate_v our_o tender_a part_n and_o sensory_n thereby_o cause_v heat_n inflamamation_n and_o intoxication_n now_o as_o the_o water_n consist_v of_o too_o dull_a particle_n to_o join_v with_o or_o assist_v our_o vital_n so_o the_o spirit_n of_o themselves_o be_v too_o pungent_a and_o sharp_a to_o agree_v with_o our_o juice_n as_o they_o be_v be_v but_o several_a part_n of_o body_n make_v pure_a and_o consequent_o can_v have_v particle_n of_o analogous_a texture_n with_o all_o the_o pure_a part_n unite_v as_o the_o refine_a part_n of_o our_o juice_n be_v but_o if_o these_o body_n be_v first_o separate_v for_o purification_n sake_n and_o then_o in_o a_o due_a proportion_n according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o the_o blood_n conjoin_v which_o though_o it_o be_v no_o small_a art_n to_o perform_v yet_o i_o will_v assure_v you_o very_o feasible_a to_o be_v attain_v by_o the_o industrious_a will_v no_o long_o prick_v stimulate_v or_o inflame_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a will_v join_v so_o amicable_o with_o the_o vital_n as_o immediate_o to_o strengthen_v refresh_v and_o agitate_v they_o advancing_z natural_a heat_n and_o vigour_n and_o thereby_o enable_v nature_n to_o debellate_v all_o preternatural_a heat_n fermentation_n acidity_n and_o what_o not_o that_o be_v offensive_a in_o the_o body_n if_o you_o take_v any_o pure_a part_n of_o it_o itself_o in_o quantity_n it_o will_v offend_v for_o sulphureous_a spirit_n will_v inflame_v and_o intoxicate_a saline_a stimulate_v acid_n corrode_v oleaginous_a nauseate_n and_o inflame_v whereas_o a_o pure_a body_n for_o so_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o call_v it_o have_v none_o of_o these_o ill_a effect_n in_o it_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o intoxicate_v that_o it_o retrieves_z the_o intoxicated_a person_n even_o in_o the_o very_a act_n of_o drink_v from_o stimulate_v and_o much_o more_o corrode_a that_o it_o be_v the_o speedy_a healer_n of_o wound_n scald_v burn_n soreness_n of_o mouth_n throat_n or_o stomach_n that_o ever_o i_o see_v from_o nauseat_v as_o to_o eradicate_v it_o i_o have_v always_o observe_v upon_o drink_v spirit_n of_o wine_n or_o brandy_n that_o it_o affect_v the_o mouth_n throat_n and_o stomach_n too_o with_o a_o burn_a heat_n whereas_o a_o pure_a body_n do_v affect_v the_o mouth_n and_o upper_a part_n of_o the_o gula_fw-la only_o but_o be_v never_o find_v to_o give_v the_o least_o offensive_a heat_n to_o the_o stomach_n away_o then_o with_o declaim_v against_o hot_a thing_n since_o they_o may_v be_v so_o compose_v as_o to_o refresh_v quench_v thirst_n and_o cool_v and_o sure_o the_o vital_a spirit_n by_o no_o other_o volatile_a mean_n can_v be_v so_o true_o speedy_o and_o inoffensive_o assist_v as_o by_o such_o a_o pure_a incorruptible_a balsamic_a and_o analogous_a body_n i_o will_v not_o presume_v to_o say_v that_o this_o be_v the_o volatile_a hermophradite_n of_o the_o ancient_n though_o according_a to_o my_o best_a construction_n or_o if_o you_o will_v conjecture_n of_o their_o aenigmous_a say_n and_o the_o effect_n i_o conceive_v it_o be_v they_o tell_v we_o that_o body_n purify_v and_o conjoin_v produce_v a_o hermaphrodite_n which_o be_v wonderful_o assistant_n to_o nature_n they_o only_o say_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n and_o what_o effect_n it_o have_v but_o i_o can_v find_v the_o least_o footstep_n in_o they_o to_o lead_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o ever_o know_v the_o reason_n or_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v so_o do_v but_o if_o i_o have_v hit_v any_o thing_n near_o the_o mark_n we_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o two_o forename_a excellent_a author_n for_o it_o thus_o have_v i_o shoot_v my_o bolt_n earnest_o beseech_v the_o most_o judicious_a and_o inquisitive_a philosopher_n to_o consider_v it_o that_o so_o useful_a a_o phaenomena_n may_v be_v improve_v to_o the_o utmost_a correct_v my_o error_n so_o you_o inform_v my_o judgement_n for_o i_o be_o as_o eager_a to_o be_v full_o satisfy_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o i_o be_o certain_a by_o a_o world_n of_o experience_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chap._n vi_o whether_o there_o may_v be_v a_o universal_a medicine_n or_o no._n i_o know_v that_o it_o be_v hold_v negative_o in_o the_o school_n and_o true_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n it_o seem_v impossible_a for_o allow_v so_o many_o formal_a cause_n of_o disease_n as_o they_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v a_o adequate_a removal_n of_o they_o all_o but_o according_a to_o my_o hypothesis_n i_o conceive_v there_o may_v for_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o formal_a cause_n of_o disease_n and_o that_o that_o cause_n in_o itself_o be_v homogeneal_a and_o a_o enemy_n to_o disease_n and_o be_v force_v into_o this_o disorder_n through_o affront_n without_o or_o diseasie_a matter_n within_o and_o still_o whilst_o curable_a incline_v to_o return_v to_o his_o regular_a wont_a and_o due_a composure_n and_o government_n why_o may_v not_o the_o spot_n and_o idea_n which_o deprave_v the_o same_o be_v though_o of_o different_a colour_n obliterated_a by_o one_o medicine_n which_o be_v true_o adapt_v to_o assist_v its_o homogeneity_n and_o natural_a addiction_n and_o thereby_o enable_v it_o to_o cast_v off_o its_o enemy_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o as_o a_o weapon_n that_o defend_v and_o make_v a_o man_n victorious_a though_o to_o be_v use_v in_o several_a manner_n and_o to_o several_a purpose_n as_o the_o combatant's_a exigency_n shall_v require_v all_o tend_v to_o the_o main_a end_n of_o self-preservation_n and_o victory_n i_o will_v not_o be_v here_o understand_v that_o i_o mean_v by_o a_o panacea_fw-la a_o medicine_n that_o infallible_o cure_v all_o disease_n for_o to_o such_o i_o presume_v there_o be_v no_o sober_a man_n ever_o pretend_v to_o though_o our_o adversary_n will_v so_o construe_v it_o and_o thereby_o impose_v on_o the_o ignorant_a and_o credulous_a but_o such_o a_o one_o that_o will_v cure_v all_o disease_n curable_a we_o see_v sometime_o disease_n of_o the_o mild_a denomination_n to_o be_v so_o circumstantiate_v as_o to_o admit_v of_o no_o remedy_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n many_o of_o the_o most_o feral_a that_o be_v list_v among_o the_o incurable_a to_o be_v conquer_v it_o sometime_o though_o rare_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o vital_a spirit_n be_v so_o subjugate_v that_o art_n can_v raise_v they_o again_o now_o there_o be_v medicine_n of_o universal_a tendency_n and_o of_o universal_a potency_n by_o universal_a tendency_n i_o understand_v a_o medicine_n that_o adjuvate_v nature_n to_o do_v in_o some_o case_n for_o the_o best_a and_o as_o i_o former_o say_v so_o strengthen_v the_o vital_n a_o particular_a case_n as_o to_o supply_v the_o exigency_n of_o the_o patient_n though_o by_o contrary_a effect_n and_o be_v universal_o good_a though_o specifical_o potent_a as_o for_o instance_n the_o same_o medicine_n that_o prevent_v miscarriage_n even_o when_o the_o wise_a midwife_n think_v it_o impossible_a be_v give_v in_o equal_a dose_n and_o same_o vehicle_n when_o labour_n come_v expedit_v it_o nay_o it_o empower_n nature_n to_o turn_v the_o child_n in_o the_o womb_n and_o bring_v it_o away_o even_o when_o hope_n be_v almost_o past_a and_o without_o a_o hand_n save_v half_o the_o pain_n make_v the_o after-pain_n as_o nothing_o suffer_v neither_o fever_n or_o any_o other_o ill_a accident_n to_o happen_v invigorate_n the_o person_n and_o promote_a all_o thing_n for_o the_o best_a insomuch_o that_o i_o never_o see_v the_o least_o danger_n in_o any_o woman_n lying-in_n that_o use_v it_o and_o the_o like_a contrary_a effect_n it_o will_v produce_v in_o other_o feminine_a case_n a_o medicine_n that_o general_o very_o gentle_o purge_v yet_o of_o itself_o without_o purge_v safe_o cure_v venereous_a or_o cruentous_a dissentery_n the_o like_a i_o may_v say_v in_o some_o case_n or_o other_o of_o all_o other_o i_o prize_v '_o they_o such_o as_o these_o be_v so_o necessary_a that_o i_o wonder_v how_o man_n can_v practice_v untouched_a in_o conscience_n without_o they_o be_v it_o to_o gain_v the_o world_n i_o will_v not_o give_v a_o medicine_n but_o be_v so_o endow_v but_o for_o those_o of_o universal_a potency_n i_o fear_v there_o be_v none_o now_o in_o be_v though_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o i_o have_v see_v such_o a_o thing_n and_o that_o within_o this_o twenty_o year_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v the_o rather_o believe_v the_o ancient_n assertion_n that_o it_o be_v attainable_a and_o true_o i_o have_v a_o medicine_n of_o my_o own_o and_o have_v see_v
and_o be_v able_a to_o rend_v pliable_a water_n into_o infinite_o different_a corpuscle_n and_o thereby_o to_o mould_v they_o into_o as_o different_a form_n or_o texture_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o world_n and_o as_o it_o form_v we_o it_o go_v along_o with_o we_o and_o preserve_v our_o texture_n and_o several_a kind_n as_o long_o as_o possible_a but_o here_o i_o foresee_v that_o i_o shall_v meet_v with_o a_o objection_n of_o some_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a philosopher_n who_o opinion_n be_v that_o the_o diversity_n of_o natural_a operation_n be_v the_o product_n of_o different_a texture_n and_o those_o texture_n to_o arise_v from_o the_o position_n or_o figure_n of_o the_o constitutive_a corpuscle_n i_o ready_o grant_v they_o both_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o the_o aptness_n or_o unaptness_n of_o texture_n make_v thing_n grateful_a or_o ungrateful_a hot_a or_o cold_a to_o we_o and_o so_o of_o all_o other_o quality_n yet_o pardon_v i_o if_o i_o can_v conceive_v that_o either_o vegetable_a or_o animal_n thing_n that_o beget_v their_o like_a can_v possible_o be_v produce_v by_o the_o fortuitous_a coincidence_n of_o corpuscle_n without_o the_o help_n of_o a_o guide_a spirit_n nay_o i_o suppose_v that_o dead_a body_n will_v i_o say_v not_o can_v not_o be_v generate_v without_o the_o assistance_n of_o such_o a_o spirit_n also_o which_o coagulate_v or_o mould_v such_o different_a texture_n for_o though_o there_o be_v many_o excellent_a and_o luciferous_a production_n of_o this_o nature_n mechanical_o obtain_v which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n in_o nature_n yet_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v without_o the_o art_n and_o guidance_n of_o the_o humane_a soul_n and_o if_o so_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o the_o world_n have_v not_o a_o aura_n vitalis_fw-la or_o guide_a spirit_n in_o it_o now_o as_o spirit_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o sensory_n that_o have_v a_o distinguish_a faculty_n in_o they_o embrace_v good_a and_o reject_v offensive_a thing_n to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n be_v affect_v so_o it_o act_n for_o good_a or_o evil_n otherwise_o how_o can_v it_o be_v that_o the_o same_o medicine_n which_o be_v but_o a_o dead_a thing_n of_o humane_a facture_n at_o the_o same_o time_n give_v in_o the_o same_o quantity_n and_o vehicle_n shall_v act_v contrary_n in_o several_a body_n nay_o in_o the_o same_o body_n at_o several_a time_n nay_o in_o the_o same_o body_n at_o the_o same_o time_n as_o in_o woman_n case_n it_o may_v happen_v the_o spirit_n be_v assist_v exalt_v and_o thereby_o enable_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n for_o the_o best_a and_o to_o supply_v nature_n in_o her_o several_a indigency_n for_o the_o better_a and_o long_a preservation_n of_o the_o concrete_a i_o can_v produce_v you_o many_o other_o instance_n but_o for_o brevity_n sake_n i_o pass_v they_o by_o presume_v that_o this_o one_o be_v enough_o to_o convince_v the_o considerate_a if_o it_o be_v so_o de_fw-mi facto_fw-la ofw_v which_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o hereafter_o now_o what_o sort_n of_o water_n this_o be_v it_o matter_n not_o to_o my_o design_n since_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o support_v my_o hypothesis_n if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v of_o spirit_n and_o matter_n chap._n ii_o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o action_n of_o the_o vital_a spirit_n as_o tend_v to_o our_o purpose_n if_o the_o vital_a spirit_n form_v we_o according_a to_o the_o omnipotent_a decree_n i_o presume_v it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v that_o the_o same_o spirit_n preserve_v we_o in_o that_o form_n and_o be_v the_o sole_a active_a and_o sensitive_a part_n of_o the_o body_n for_o have_v take_v its_o flight_n from_o we_o we_o be_v no_o long_o capable_a of_o disease_n or_o cure_n i_o shall_v presume_v to_o give_v my_o sentiment_n how_o that_o spirit_n do_v universal_o act_v for_o we_o and_o against_o we_o and_o thereby_o hope_v to_o elucidate_v that_o say_n of_o helmont_n that_o the_o cause_n of_o life_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o death_n i_o must_v first_o premise_v that_o all_o creature_n in_o the_o universe_n be_v sustain_v by_o nourishment_n which_o i_o call_v the_o conversion_n of_o some_o other_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n into_o a_o symbolise_n nature_n to_o the_o creature_n nourish_v which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v alter_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o ferment_n but_o what_o nature_n the_o leven_n of_o these_o ferment_n be_v be_v rather_o guess_v at_o than_o know_v it_o have_v be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v describe_v by_o manifest_a quality_n as_o heat_n acidity_n acid_n and_o alkali_n but_o the_o coldness_n of_o fish_n and_o sweetness_n of_o healthy_a ventricles_n be_v sudden_o and_o without_o terror_n destroy_v overthrow_v the_o two_o former_a and_o if_o acid_n and_o alcali_n be_v unequal_o mix_v it_o will_v be_v taste_v also_o if_o equal_o i_o can_v never_o find_v out_o of_o the_o body_n that_o it_o have_v any_o power_n to_o digest_v corrode_v or_o putrify_v but_o be_v e_fw-la contrà _fw-la agreat_a preserver_n of_o body_n from_o putrefaction_n preternatural_a heat_n and_o acidity_n be_v the_o usual_a concomitant_n of_o disease_n and_o we_o well_o know_v that_o a_o disease_a person_n can_v digest_v well_o according_a to_o hippocrates_n aphorism_n corpora_fw-la impura_fw-la quò_fw-la magis_fw-la nutrias_fw-la eo_fw-la magis_fw-la laedas_fw-la a_o rule_n as_o little_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o many_o physician_n as_o unknown_a to_o nurse_n who_o think_v they_o can_v never_o do_v the_o sick_a right_o long_a than_o they_o be_v suggest_v something_o to_o eat_v little_o think_v whatever_o gross_a substance_n they_o take_v that_o be_v the_o object_n of_o digestion_n be_v convert_v by_o a_o deprave_a ferment_n into_o filthy_a matter_n fit_a to_o feed_v the_o disease_n for_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o what_o we_o eat_v or_o drink_v as_o how_o our_o alterative_a faculty_n be_v the_o same_o joint_n of_o meet_v that_o nourish_v the_o well_o load_v the_o sick_a nay_o will_v be_v convert_v into_o dogs-flesh_n swines-flesh_n fish-flesh_n and_o birds-flesh_n in_o a_o word_n into_o the_o several_a species_n of_o all_o creature_n that_o will_v eat_v of_o it_o and_o we_o see_v the_o poor_a that_o feed_v on_o the_o course_v of_o fare_n as_o vigorous_a and_o as_o strong_a as_o those_o that_o feed_v most_o opiparous_o but_o pardon_v i_o this_o digression_n i_o lament_v therefore_o that_o so_o many_o ingenious_a and_o industrious_a man_n have_v and_o do_v still_o spend_v so_o much_o precious_a time_n to_o find_v out_o the_o cause_n of_o vital_a ferment_n think_v it_o to_o be_v so_o material_a as_o to_o be_v discover_v by_o their_o sense_n whereas_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o most_o rational_a that_o that_o which_o give_v we_o our_o formation_n shall_v also_o prepare_v our_o aliment_n and_o distribute_v to_o we_o fit_a juice_n for_o our_o preservation_n and_o so_o to_o unform_v the_o aliment_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v it_o to_o form_v something_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o its_o own_o concrete_a out_o of_o it_o if_o so_o we_o shall_v never_o know_v it_o a_o priori_fw-la be_v too_o subtle_a for_o our_o most_o assist_v sense_n but_o must_v be_v content_v to_o guess_v at_o it_o a_o posteriori_fw-la by_o its_o effect_n and_o part_n it_o inhabit_v in_o however_o i_o confess_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o these_o ingenious_a inquirer_n have_v find_v cut_v several_a curious_a and_o different_a part_n in_o the_o ventricles_n and_o other_o part_n of_o thing_n of_o different_a species_n undoubted_o filth_o adapt_v to_o work_v with_o to_o alter_v food_n of_o such_o and_o such_o a_o texture_n to_o such_o a_o end_n but_o i_o must_v beg_v their_o pardon_n that_o i_o can_v think_v they_o the_o cause_n of_o fermentation_n since_o of_o themselves_o they_o be_v but_o dead_a thing_n long_o than_o they_o be_v animate_v by_o the_o vital_a spirit_n but_o conceive_v they_o as_o engine_n stupendious_o fit_v for_o the_o vital_a spirit_n to_o operate_v withal_o we_o see_v that_o creature_n of_o different_a specist_n delight_n in_o different_a food_n which_o no_o doubt_n be_v such_o that_o best_a agree_v to_o the_o texture_n of_o their_o body_n and_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o be_v digest_v by_o their_o peculiar_a ferment_n now_o since_o it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o we_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o sensitive_a soul_n we_o be_v uncapable_a of_o sickness_n and_o health_n and_o all_o sensation_n whatsoever_o and_o all_o ferment_n except_o the_o putrefactive_a one_o cease_v though_o when_o present_a and_o active_a the_o small_a prick_n of_o a_o pin_n or_o any_o other_o the_o least_o injury_n give_v to_o the_o remote_a part_n offend_v all_o the_o whole_a body_n by_o startle_v the_o vital_a spirit_n who_o resentment_n of_o injury_n and_o disturbance_n thereby_o cause_v they_o to_o form_v morbific_a idea_n either_o through_o
its_o own_o passion_n or_o other_o external_a accident_n or_o deprave_a matter_n so_o we_o say_v with_o helmont_n that_o though_o there_o may_v be_v million_o of_o irritative_a material_a cause_n or_o external_a accident_n yet_o the_o sole_a formal_a cause_n be_v the_o vital_a spirit_n which_o either_o be_v enrage_v transport_v or_o suppress_v frame_v disease_n according_o patient_n be_v alter_v according_a to_o the_o energy_n and_o design_n of_o the_o agent_n now_o in_o all_o body_n the_o vital_a spirit_n must_v be_v the_o agent_n as_o the_o excellent_a sir_n francis_n bacon_n say_v in_o his_o natural_a history_n lib._n 1._o exper._n 98._o be_v the_o only_a active_a part_n of_o the_o body_n the_o rest_n be_v but_o a_o dead_a lump_n when_o that_o be_v go_v or_o become_v unactive_a absolute_o insensible_a and_o consequent_o uncapable_a of_o disease_n or_o cure_n when_o this_o agent_n act_v vigorous_o placid_o and_o without_o disturbance_n he_o do_v all_o thing_n for_o the_o best_a but_o if_o disturb_v it_o stir_v up_o such_o a_o hurry_n and_o disorder_n in_o he_o that_o he_o mould_v pretern_a ural_a form_n or_o texture_n and_o thence_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o life_n and_o health_n when_o in_o order_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o sickness_n and_o death_n when_o in_o disorder_n now_o the_o vital_a spirit_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o disease_n of_o itself_o as_o it_o admit_v of_o ill_a impress_n or_o idea_n by_o the_o sense_n from_o without_o as_o we_o see_v the_o same_o spirit_n that_o be_v now_o pleasant_a and_o sedate_v will_v on_o a_o sudden_a degenerate_a into_o passion_n of_o different_a nay_o contrary_a effect_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o irritative_a cause_n from_o without_o or_o the_o disease_a matter_n disturb_v the_o free_a exercise_n and_o government_n of_o the_o vital_a spirit_n within_o various_o according_a to_o the_o quantity_n quality_n and_o texture_n of_o such_o morbific_a matter_n but_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v first_o or_o last_o in_o point_n of_o time_n they_o be_v as_o agent_n and_o patient_n and_o therefore_o corival_n and_o co-existent_a though_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o irritative_a cause_n we_o compute_v they_o one_o before_o another_o for_o the_o vital_n can_v be_v no_o soon_o from_o their_o duty_n but_o matter_n will_v in_o some_o measure_n degenerate_a for_o want_v of_o its_o due_a preserver_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o offensive_a matter_n in_o the_o body_n but_o must_v in_o some_o degree_n affect_v the_o vital_n though_o many_o time_n it_o be_v so_o little_a that_o we_o can_v discern_v it_o hence_o come_v the_o insensible_a creep_v on_o of_o chronic_a disease_n chap._n iii_o where_o and_o how_o the_o vital_n do_v perform_v their_o chief_a operation_n i_o conceive_v the_o chief_a and_o regular_a operation_n of_o the_o vital_n be_v extend_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o concrete_a which_o be_v by_o assimulate_a thing_n out_o of_o other_o body_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o body_n it_o inhabit_v now_o this_o great_a work_n be_v do_v principal_o in_o the_o stomach_n where_o meat_n be_v convert_v into_o aliment_n and_o excrement_n and_o as_o hypocrates_n say_v a_o good_a crasis_n in_o this_o first_o digestion_n be_v seldom_o or_o by_o accident_n pervert_v in_o the_o second_o but_o never_o amend_v this_o be_v the_o place_n in_o which_o the_o juice_n of_o our_o body_n take_v the_o main_a impress_n and_o be_v either_o make_v good_a or_o evil_n pardon_v i_o reader_n if_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n the_o thing_n i_o bring_v thou_o this_o homely_a comparison_n i_o look_v on_o the_o vital_a spirit_n to_o be_v the_o cook_n and_o the_o stomach_n the_o cook-room_n or_o kitchen_n wherein_o our_o juice_n be_v prepare_v and_o according_a to_o the_o crasis_n of_o they_o to_o impress_v our_o nourishment_n with_o a_o good_a or_o evil_a texture_n now_o if_o either_o the_o cook_n be_v sluggish_a froward_a or_o forgetful_a or_o the_o kitchen_n or_o its_o vessel_n be_v foul_a we_o can_v never_o expect_v well_o dress_v victual_n and_o indeed_o a_o bad_a cook_n make_v a_o bad_a kitchen_n and_o a_o foul_a kitchen_n injure_v the_o best_a cook_n here_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o vain_a humour_n of_o some_o man_n who_o cry_v out_o the_o blood_n be_v foul_a purge_v the_o blood_n purge_v the_o blood_n and_o never_o endeavour_v to_o rectify_v the_o fountain_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v which_o make_v their_o endeavour_n so_o ineffectual_a the_o wise_a people_n of_o marah_n throw_v salt_n into_o the_o fountain_n not_o into_o the_o rivulet_n be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o foul_a and_o disturb_a fountain_n can_v afford_v clear_a rivulet_n or_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o drain_n of_o the_o rivulet_n shall_v purge_v the_o fountain_n if_o not_o away_o with_o the_o common_a use_n of_o phlebotomy_n issue_n cupping_n and_o scarification_n unless_o it_o be_v at_o a_o pinch_n to_o gain_v a_o little_a time_n until_o so_o potent_a a_o medicine_n as_o may_v rectify_v the_o disorder_n of_o the_o vital_n can_v be_v obtain_v i_o say_v away_o with_o those_o delude_a mean_n which_o too_o often_o god_n know_v by_o minoration_n do_v so_o palliate_v for_o it_o can_v meliorate_v for_o the_o reason_n abovesaid_a that_o it_o cause_v abundance_n to_o rely_v on_o they_o until_o they_o become_v incurable_a and_o sometime_o relieve_v they_o of_o a_o acute_a disease_n and_o leave_v they_o in_o a_o cronick_a as_o too_o often_o we_o see_v in_o quinancy_n and_o pleurisy_n etc._n etc._n sometime_o alter_v the_o disease_n from_o one_o shape_n to_o another_o make_v good_a hypocrates_n his_o opinion_n in_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n to_o king_n demetrius_n viz._n that_o one_o disease_n degenerate_v into_o another_o which_o i_o rather_o conceive_v to_o proceed_v from_o the_o defect_n of_o art_n than_o nature_n it_o be_v also_o manifest_a that_o the_o common_a cure_n of_o mad_a people_n be_v effect_v by_o draw_v away_o their_o spirit_n and_o so_o make_v they_o sottish_a and_o foolish_a now_o when_o the_o office_n of_o the_o stomach_n be_v well_o perform_v we_o need_v not_o doubt_v the_o other_o part_n unless_o deprave_v through_o natural_a deformity_n or_o external_a accident_n because_o there_o be_v no_o bad_a chyle_n come_v to_o offend_v they_o but_o that_o be_v pervert_v the_o offensive_a chyle_n that_o it_o send_v out_o do_v by_o degree_n pervert_v all_o the_o other_o ferment_n and_o then_o we_o call_v it_o a_o high_a scurvy_a until_o it_o have_v beget_v daughter_n or_o daughter_n as_o dropsy_n astma_n vertigo_n colic_n and_o iliack_a passion_n etc._n etc._n and_o then_o the_o lurk_a scurvey_n have_v lose_v its_o name_n again_o and_o the_o daughter_n give_v their_o mother_n their_o own_o denomination_n i_o can_v conceive_v that_o any_o disease_n can_v befall_v a_o man_n without_o passion_n or_o undue_a digestion_n except_o it_o be_v by_o external_a accident_n and_o true_o i_o think_v a_o disease_n occasion_v by_o such_o accident_n attain_v their_o height_n by_o disturb_v the_o vital_n and_o thereby_o cause_v a_o disorder_a and_o vicious_a ferment_n so_o that_o undue_a digestion_n though_o hardly_o perceptible_a at_o first_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o all_o internal_a disease_n chap._n iu._n what_o be_v the_o object_n of_o the_o digestive_a faculty_n the_o object_n of_o the_o digestive_a faculty_n i_o conceive_v to_o be_v all_o gummous_a viscous_a and_o solid_a body_n that_o be_v digestible_a or_o agree_v to_o such_o and_o such_o a_o species_n not_o spirituous_a or_o incorruptible_a thing_n which_o the_o ferment_n have_v no_o power_n to_o alter_v these_o thing_n if_o friendly_a and_o pure_a be_v as_o it_o be_v snatch_v away_o by_o the_o vital_n nay_o though_o impure_a yet_o the_o vital_a spirit_n do_v so_o delight_n in_o the_o spirituous_a part_n of_o they_o that_o it_o immediate_o attract_v they_o to_o himself_o as_o we_o see_v in_o swoon_a people_n hence_o i_o conceive_v the_o reason_n to_o be_v as_o i_o have_v often_o observe_v that_o brandy_n though_o very_o good_a in_o its_o kind_n will_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o hurt_n and_o inflame_v more_o than_o due_o rectify_v spirit_n of_o wine_n because_o the_o vital_n greedy_o embrace_v the_o noble_a spirit_n draw_v into_o its_o curious_a recess_n upon_o the_o wing_n thereof_o foulness_n and_o lavid_n phlegm_n wherewith_o the_o best_a brandy_n abound_v which_o afterward_o do_v grate_n and_o disturb_v the_o vital_n not_o that_o i_o commend_v the_o use_n of_o either_o for_o i_o think_v even_o the_o best_a spirit_n of_o wine_n very_o hurtful_a as_o it_o be_v of_o itself_o i_o mean_v to_o be_v take_v inward_o if_o this_o be_v so_o what_o course_n then_o shall_v we_o take_v to_o restore_v a_o decay_a ferment_n since_o whatever_o be_v give_v that_o be_v the_o object_n of_o digestion_n be_v putrify_v rather_o than_o digest_v