Embalming is likewise particularly useful in Anatomy, inasmuch as it teaches how Bodies may be preserv’d, that the most minute Parts may be Dissected, and such Preparations made as will remain to Posterity, and serve instead of Books, Sculptures or Pictures, by which the Disposition of the Human Fabric may be more accurately distinguish’d, and the Names and Uses of the Parts easier retain’d in our Memories.

It is also particularly useful to Physicians and Surgeons, First, In that by opening such Bodies, they may presently see the Nature and Cause of Diseases. And, Secondly, by understanding what Fermentation and Putrefaction are, together with the Virtues and Qualities of Embalming-Drugs that prevent and resist them, they may be better able to cure malignant Feavers, Mortifications, &c. See p. 3, 4. for no sooner is there a Separation of the Soul from the Body, but an immediate tendency to Putrefaction follows: The florid colour of the Face vanishes, the Belly swells, the Entrails turn green and fœtid, and the extreme Parts become shrivel’d and contracted; when we may well cry out, Quantum mutatus ab illo! So suddain an Alteration ensues without a previous Balsamation. What obdurate Hearts and pitiless Eyes can then bear such a miserable Object, when Embalming so easily prevents it, by rendring the Body sweet and decorous, retaining still its natural Form, Feature and Shape? Again, if we consider the natural and innate Desire most People have of being bury’d in their own Tombs and Countries, |Necessary for Transporting Bodies.| we shall find there is a necessity of Embalming such Bodies, the better to convey those that die in Foreign Parts to their Native Soil. Thus Jacob and Joseph were transported from Egypt to Canaan, whereas, had their Bodies not been embalm’d, they must necessarily have corrupted in their Journey; but as for the Greeks and Romans, who were not well acquainted with this Art, they were forc’d to burn such Bodies as dy’d abroad, and were contented only to bring home their Ashes, which Ovid seems so very desirous of in the following Verses:

Now certainly they would have thought it much better to have brought over the whole Body than part of it, had they been but skillful enough to have embalm’d it; for there is no other difference between Incineration and Putrefaction, than length of Time, therefore both are equally to be avoided. Nay, some of the Heathens themselves have judg’d it an Impiety towards the Dead, either to commit them to the Fire, or to Worms and Corruption, therefore they endeavour’d, as much as in them lay, to Embalm and Preserve them thereby from both. Now nothing is more evident, than that those who intend to preserve a Body entire, ought neither to burn nor bury it, but keep it in a proper Repository, contriv’d to resist the Injuries of Time and Weather, and which is neither expos’d nor obnoxious to Putrefaction.

To Conclude, Embalming not only prevents the Plague and Putrefaction, and consequently frees from the Terror and Deformity of Death, page 9, 11, 12. |Secures from the Insults of Animals, &c.| but likewise defends and secures dead Bodies from Insults of Brutes and Insects, by reason of its bitter ungrateful Taste: Yet considering the antient Way of the Egyptians by rowling, and the modern by wrapping up in Cerecloaths, so obscure the Object, and also are so imperfect on several other Accounts; I have endeavour’d to shew a possibility of inventing a Method, how to preserve the whole Compages of the Body for ever without Putrefaction, in such manner, that its Texture and Structure may remain entire, of the same Proportion as before, and of the same Colour and Flexibility, without any visible contraction, diminution or unconformity of the Parts whereby the dead Corps may be handled by the Anatomists without any offensive Smell or fastidious Mador. St. Jerome, in Epitaph. Paul. Eustoch. speaks thus of Paulina a Roman Lady, Quodq; mirum sit nihil Pallor mutaverit Faciem, sed ita Dignitas quædam omnia compleverat, ut putares non mortuam sed dormientem. And what is wonderful, Paleness had not in the least alter’d her Countenance, but Majesty was so preserv’d (by Embalming) in every Feature, that you would not have thought her dead but asleep. Thus to preserve any heroic Prince or great General, any noted Professor of some Science or Faculty, &c. would sure be a finer sight than their Effigies in Wax, and withal be as durable as their Tomb in Marble. I say, if we can arrive at this Perfection, without Exenteration or Incision, so as to preserve a dead Body after the manner aforesaid, it were reasonable to believe it would not only less terrifie all scrupulous Persons, but likewise be of greater Use to the Common Wealth. Yet least I should fail herein, it being an unbeaten Path, I presume thro’ your Conduct and Guidance, that whilst I am endeavouring to find it out, you will neither suffer me to lose my self, nor lead others out of the Way. This is my only fear (well knowing too many Examples of those that in making new Discoveries have Shipwreck’d themselves) and the principal Request of,