its _Water_, serenity of its _Air_, and warmth of its _Climate_, but
also derives a yet farther Benefit in regard of _Embalming_, [Sidenote:
_Sand_ how useful in _Embalming_.] from the Nature of its _Sand_ and
_Soil_, the usefulness of which has in this respect been sufficiently
experienc’d by Modern Artists. Thus it is reported curious Florists
preserve both the form and colours of beauteous Plants, by laying them
in Sand, drying them in an Oven, or the like; and thus some modern
_Embalmers_ have, by hot Sand laid on prepar’d Bodies, dry’d up the
superfluous Moisture, and reduc’d their _Embalming_ Matter to a just
Consistency: ’Tis likewise observable some Sands will naturally _Embalm_
without any addition of Balsamic Ingredients. Moreover, ’tis probable
the Sea-Sands may have the like Effect, provided they be not too often
wet; for thus a Body being first pickl’d or salted, as it were with the
Sea-Brine, may afterwards, when dry’d by the Wind or Sun, remain firm
and durable as long as it shall be preserv’d free from Wet or Moisture;
and partly of this Opinion perhaps was Mr. _William Glanvill_ of the
_Temple_, who having so order’d it in his Will, was bury’d in the
_Goodwin-Sands_, which tho’ they cannot preserve him, as before
alledg’d, because so often wet, yet he being inclos’d in a leaden
Coffin, that must in Time sink to the bottom, they may by their coolness
help to keep his Corps entire for many Years; or at least by being so
secur’d, he will be defended from the rapine of Animals, or disturbances
of Sextons: But the Sands of _Egypt_ being much more hot, from the
reflection of the scorching Sun, are capable of Preserving Bodies
without either Salination or _Embalming_, and that only by exhaling and
drying up the Humidities and adventitious Moisture, insomuch that it has
occasion’d no small Contests among some Authors, which of the two is the
truer Mummy, that dry’d in the _Sands_, or that which is _Embalm’d_ with
Balsams and Aromatics. _Le Fevre_ in his _Chymistry_, p. 138. is
entirely of the first Opinion; but I shall refer such Disputes to their
proper Places.
[Sidenote: _Mummies_ found in the _Sands_.]
Of those sorts of _Mummies_ there have been many casually found in the
Desarts of _Egypt_, _Lybia_, _Arabia_, &c. suppos’d to have been
Travellers suffocated by great drifts of Sand, rais’d by sudden
Tempests; for it sometimes so happens, that contrary Winds arising of a
sudden, agitate the Sands with such impetuosity, that they over-whelm
Passengers and Beasts with their Burthens, who perishing thus unawares,
are thro’ the power of the hot Sun and parching Sand so dry’d, they
become fix’d and for ever undissolvable.
[Sidenote: _Drying Quality_ of the _Earth_.]
Next as to the Medicinal Virtue of the Soil of _Egypt_, and how far it
may be serviceable in _Embalming_ and preserving Bodies, every one, who
does but consider its great Stipticity and drying Nature, will be very
well satisfy’d: Besides this Earth is never much dampt by Rains or
Springs, but kept constantly dry by the warmth of the Sun. _Aetius_ and
_Galen_ commend it as good against _Phlegmons_, _Oedematous_ Tumors, and
immoderate Fluxes of the _Hæmorhoids_; also that it cures Dropsies
meerly by anointing with it, of which see more in _Olaus Borrichius_, p.
146. Thus having consider’d the _Water_, _Air_ and _Earth_ of _Egypt_, I
will next add some Observations of Father _Vansleb_ on the Seasons of
the Egyptian Year, with their Computation of Time, calculated according
to the Account of the _Copties_.
[Sidenote: _Seasons_ of the _Year_.]
The _Egyptians_ reckon their _Autumn_ from the 15th of _September_ to
the 15th of _December_. _Winter_ begins with them the 15th of
_December_, and ends the 15th of _March_. _Spring_ begins the 15th of
_March_, and ends the 15th of _June_. _Summer_ begins the 15th of
_June_, and ends the 15th of _September_. They allot every _Season_ just
Three Months, and begin their Year in _September_, as I observ’d before.
Every Month has Thirty Days, which in Twelve Months make Three hundred
and sixty Days; but because there yet want Five to complete the Year,
they add those at the end of all, and call them _Epagomene_, which
signifies _added_.
[Sidenote: _Temperate Season._]
The most temperate Season, has still somewhat of _Spring_ or _Autumn_ in
it, which two last cannot well be distinguish’d in _Egypt_. Now the mild
Weather commences in _September_, then they begin to breath the fresh
Air, but, as about this Time, the Fields are all so cover’d with Water,
one cannot Walk nor Travel by Land; an Abode there is not pleasant till
the middle of _November_, for then the Country’s dry, the Ways free, the
Waters run into their Channels, the Air pleasant, the heat of the Sun
supportable, the Fields green and sweet, and refreshing Gales blow
every-where. In short, the Season is then very comfortable, and so
continues ’till the middle of _April_.
[Sidenote: _Cold Season._]
The cold Season, answerable to our _Winter_, begins about the middle of
_December_. It is a delightful Time, unless in those seven Days which
the _Arabians_ term, _Berd il agiuz_, (_the cold of the old Hag_.) They
begin about the 7th of _February_, and continue to the 14th. The
Mornings are then exceeding cold, the Sky cloudy, Rains fall, and the
Winds are continually boisterous. Now tho’ Winter be in this Country
extream mild, yet do Persons of Quality always wear furr’d Gowns from
the Month of _November_ to that of _March_, not on account of any great
cold, for there is hardly any at this Time; but because the Weather is
then more variable, and the _Egyptians_ fear to be incommoded by
Distempers, which such a changeable Time occasions.
[Sidenote: _Intemperate Season._]
_Summer_ is the worst and most troublesome Season, by reason of the
excessive heat of the hot Winds, and the perilous Diseases that are rife
about this Time, which the _Egyptians_ term _Camsins_, and we _Easter_:
This dangerous Season begins about the _Easter_-Monday of the _Copties_,
and ends with their _Whitson_-Monday. About this Time the Winds, the
_Arabians_ term _Merissi_, are boisterous; they are so hot and
troublesome, People are ready to be stifl’d by them, and raise in the
Air so much Straw and Sand, the Sky is almost darkned with it: This Sand
is so subtile, it penetrates every little chink and cranny. About this
Time _Malignant Fevers_, _Dysenterys_, and many other Diseases commonly
reign, the least of which is incurable if not resisted by necessary
Remedies timely apply’d; nay, when these Winds blow, Bodies that were
healthy before, will sicken and grow out of order.
[Sidenote: The _Winds_ which blow most in _Egypt_.]
These Southerly Winds blow not every Day in this Season, nor every Year
in the same manner, or with a like impetuosity. ’Tis not possible to
express the Peoples Joy when they favour them by becoming mild. Besides
the two chief Winds which blow in _Egypt_, viz. _Merissi_ and _Maltem_,
I must farther take notice, that not only the Southern Winds are term’d
_Merissi_, but also the Eastern. These blow commonly twice every Year,
at _Easter_, call’d, as I have already said, _Camsin_, and from the
Month of _November_ to the middle of _February_. The Winds call’d
_Maltem_ or _Teijah_ are Westerly ones; they begin about Twelve Days
before the Rains fall, and last ’till the Month of _November_, during
which Time scarce any other Wind blows. The Winds _Merissi_ are hot and
spoil the Corn, whereas these nourish and refresh it, and not only so,
but prove comfortable both to Man and Beast, since they are cooling and
afford strength.
[Sidenote: _Rains_ or _Mists_ of _Egypt_.]
The ordinary Time for _Rains_ and _Winds_, which might be compar’d to
our _Autumn_, begins in the Month of _December_, and lasts ’till
_January_ or _February_, tho’ at _Rosetta_ and _Alexandria_ the Rains
fall at other Times, by reason of the propinquity of the Sea, nay
sometimes it happens to be misty and moist at a Season when none expect
it, which often proves so considerable as to wet ones Cloaths, as much
as a shower of Rain: But these moist Mists are more frequent about
_Cairo_ than any where else. They usually begin about _November_, before
the rising of the Sun, and continue all _Winter_. Some happen in other
Seasons, and many times in _Summer_, as _Vansleb_ observ’d in the Year
1672. at the beginning of _August_, when returning back from _Fium_ to
_Mocanan_, a Village about Four Hours from _Cairo_, he saw over that
City so thick a Mist, he could neither see the Buildings there, nor the
_Pyramids_ that are near, tho’ the Air was clear where he stood.
[Sidenote: _Dew_ of _Egypt_.]
Throughout all the Seasons of the Year, when the Nights are serene, so
much Dew falls it may well be taken for a moderate Shower, whereas when
ever the Sky is cloudy no Dew must be expected. Were it not for these
Dews, there would neither be Grass nor Corn in _Egypt_; the Trees would
bear no Fruit, nor could the wild Beasts in the Desarts live, here being
neither Fountains nor Rivers, and the Rains falling but seldom.
[Sidenote: _Thunder_ seldom heard.] _Thunder_ is rarely heard, for in
all the Time _Vansleb_ liv’d in _Egypt_, he says, he heard that noise
but twice, _viz._ on the First of _January_ and the Fourth of _May_,
1673.
[Sidenote: _Seasons_ why to be observ’d in _Embalming_.]
These Things are to be regarded the more particularly, in that the
temperature of Seasons conduces much to the preservation of Bodies,
which is so far to be consider’d, as it acquaints us when is the best
and most proper Time for Pickling, Preserving or _Embalming_ Bodies;
what Time of the Year, Day or Moon is best for gathering Fruits,
Flowers, Plants, _&c._ in order to the well preserving and laying them
up, as also what Places are fittest for Repositories for them after they
are gather’d and prepar’d; for there are some, both Places and Airs,
where Sweet-Meats will give and dissolve, bak’d Meats, Pyes, _&c._
gather mould, Liquors mother, and Flesh or Fish corrupt sooner than in
others, wherefore such Places are to be avoided as exceeding prejudicial
to _Embalm’d_ Bodies, in as much as they will dispose what is not
preserv’d, to Putrifaction, and what is, to Relaxation. For this Reason
my Lord _Bacon_ advises us well, to be very careful in our choice of
Places for this purpose, and to the end the aptness or propensity either
of the Air or Water, to corrupt or putrifie, may be easier found out,
proposes the following Experiments: [Sidenote: _Experiments_ of the
_Air_.] _First_, To lay Wool, Sponge or a piece of Bread in a Place one
would make Tryal of, and then to observe whether it be wetter or more
ponderous than the same was when laid in other Places, by which one may
judge whether the Place design’d be in a moist or gross Air. _Secondly_,
To expose raw Flesh or Fish to the open Air, or lay them on the Earth,
when if they quickly corrupt, ’tis a sign of a disposition in that Air
to Putrifaction. _Thirdly_, The quick Putrifaction of Waters or Dews may
likewise disclose the Qualities of the Air and Vapours of the Earth more
or less corrupt: ’Tis good also to make Trial not only of the moisture
and dryness of the Air, but of the Temper thereof in heat or cold; for
that may concern Health variously, and whatever in this respect conduces
thereto, the same is to be observ’d in _Embalming_. _Fourthly_, The
goodness of Airs is likewise to be known by placing two Weather-Glasses
in several Places, where no shades or inclosures are, and then remarking
their difference, and the like. Now these sorts of Experiments serve for
a natural Divination of Seasons, shewing them much better than any
Astronomers can do by their Figures. They also inform us of the
wholsomness or unwholsomness of Dwelling-Places, and where to erect
Granaries for Corn, Store-Houses for Fruits, Green-Houses for Plants,
Vaults for Wine, and Conservatories for other Things which require
keeping either hot, or cold and dry.
[Sidenote: Of the _Water_.]
Next as to Waters, this may serve for one Trial of their goodness,
_viz._ To observe which will keep sweet the longest, for such likewise
denote the Healthfulness of any Place: Now, how far the goodness of
Waters tend to the preservation of Bodies and Things, may well enough be
observ’d from Brewing, Washing, Baking, and the like; for those that
make the strongest Drink, are ever the best concocted and most
nourishing; those that bear Soap well, fret not out Cloaths like those
that are hungry, but are fat, smooth and soft in Taste, which is also
allow’d to be a general sign of good Water; so likewise such as are
lightest and most apt quickly to boil away, are always best. Now these
are the most useful in making Bread, Pyes, _&c._ and will keep them
longest without moulding; but of all _European_-Waters that of the River
_Thames_ is the most noted for making Sea-Beer and Bisket, which are
carry’d the longest Voyages, and into the hottest Countries of both
_East_ and _West-Indies_.
[Sidenote: The _Air_ and _Water_ of _Egypt_ very good.]
By these Considerations on the Air and Water, we may see the great
advantage _Egypt_ receiv’d from the clearness and dryness of the one,
and sweetness and softness of the other, to which _Herodotus_ chiefly
attributes the Health and long Life of those People, as we, in some
measure, may the continuance and duration of their _Embalmings_; for, as
inequality of Air is pernicious to Health, so it is also to _Embalming_,
therefore we find the Winter-Seasons are not so proper for this Art as
the Summer, as producing much Rain, with misty or foggy Weather, which
disposes all things to Putrifaction, in so much that Flesh is then
hardly to be kept from being musty or stinking, by reason it will not so
well take Salt at that Time. Things preserv’d with Sugar relax, and
dry’d Things, imbibing the moisture, either rot or mould, which
Mouldiness is a beginning of Putrifaction, that afterwards turns to
Worms or odious Stinks. [Sidenote: Inequality of _Air_ bad for
_Embalming_.] Now as inequality of Air produces Putrifaction, so does
also an interchangeableness of heat and cold, wet and dry, as may be
observ’d from the mouldring of Earth in Frost and the Sun, or in the
more hasty rotting of Wood that is sometimes wet and sometimes dry; so
likewise a certain degree of heat or cold preserves and keeps Bodies
from Putrifaction, whereas a tepid heat inclines them to it; for, tho’
such a weak degree of heat may put the Spirits in a little motion, yet
is it not able to digest the Parts, or rarifie them, as may be seen by
Flesh kept in a Room that is not cool, whereas in a cold and wet Larder
’twill keep much longer, and we observe that Vivification, as the Lord
_Bacon_ says in his _Nat. Hist._ p. 74. (whereof Putrifaction is the
bastard Brother) is effected by such soft Heats, as the hatching of
Eggs, commonly practis’d at _Cairo_, the heat of the Womb, _&c._ whereas
such a heat as breaths forth adventitious Moisture best preserves
Bodies; for as wetting hastens Corruption, so convenient drying (whereby
the more radical Moisture is only kept in) puts back Putrifaction: So we
may also observe that Herbs and Flowers, when dry’d in the shade or hot
Sun, for a small space keep best. For these Reasons the warm Climate of
_Egypt_ must needs conduce best to the preservation of Things and
_Embalming_ Bodies, provided it be not attempted in the extream heat of
the Summer, which is between _Easter_ and _Whitsontide_, at which Time
the hot Southerly Winds blow, which bring malignant Fevers, Plagues and
great Putrifactions. Thus much as to the temperature of the Air shall
suffice; next we must speak of the _Egyptians_.
[Sidenote: The antient _Egyptians_.]
The antient and true _Egyptians_ were the _Copties_ or _Copts_, so
call’d, as I have formerly shown, p. 126. from _Coptus_, Son of
_Misraim_, who became King of _Egypt_ upon the Decease of his Father,
and his Conquest over his Brothers; for those who now inhabit that
Country, according to _Sandys_, _Heylin_ and others, [Sidenote:
_Character_ of the modern _Egyptians_.] are much degenerate from the
Ingenuity and Worth of their Ancestors, being not only Ignorant but
Barbarous, devoted to Luxury and Venery, and naturally addicted to
detract from what is Good and Eminent, nay, in a word, they are both
Cowardly and Cruel. In their Dealings they are more Observant than
Faithful; of a Genius much inclin’d to Craftiness, and very eager of
Profit. Such as inhabit the Cities apply themselves to Merchandize, grow
Rich by Trading, are reasonably well Habited, and not very differing
from the _Turks_ in Dress and Fashion. Those in the Country, who follow
Husbandry, are affirm’d to be a brutish and nasty People, crusted over
with Dirt, and stinking of Smoak and their abominable Fuel; for they
burn their own Dung, and that of Cattle, instead of Wood, which is here
so scarce it is sold by weight, and us’d only by Foreigners and the
richer sort. Nothing now remains among them of the laudable Arts of
their Ancestors, but a ridiculous affectation of Divination and
Fortune-telling, in which, and some other cheating Tricks, they are very
well vers’d, great numbers of them wandring from Place to Place, to get
their Livelihoods that way. This occasions Vagabonds and Straglers of
other Nations, who pretend to the same false Arts to assume their Names.
The whole Body of the present Inhabitants is an hotchpotch or medly of
many foreign Nations, such as _Moors_, _Arabians_, _Turks_, _Greeks_,
_Jews_, _Franks_, &c. the natural _Egyptians_ making the least part of
the number.
[Sidenote: The _Make_, _Complexion_ and _Temper_ of the _Egyptians_.]
Now as concerning the Make, Complexion, Temper and Constitution of the
_Egyptians_ in general, that varies according to the different Quality
or Employ of the Person or Sex. Those that dwell in _Cairo_ and other
Cities are gross, corpulent and sanguine, whereas the wandring
_Arabians_ and Husbandmen are meagre and slender, very active and
nimble, yet withal hairy, sweaty, and almost scorcht and burnt up with
the Sun. The People in general are of a mean Stature, tawny Complexion,
and spare Bodies, and this is remarkable of them, that tho’ their
Country be in the same Climate with _Barbary_, yet are they not black,
but tawny or olive-colour’d. The Women are of the same Complexion with
the Men, yet well shap’d and featur’d, did not they too much affect a
seeming Corpulency, which if they cannot get in Flesh they will be sure
to have in Cloaths. [Sidenote: Their _Women_ fruitful in _Children_.]
They Marry at Ten, or at farthest at Twelve Years of Age, being very
fruitful, some bearing Three or Four Children at a Birth; and those that
are born in the Eighth Month live to a good Age, and are not in such
danger of Death, as in other Countries.
[Sidenote: Their _Constitutions_ and _Habits_ of _Body_.]
As to the Constitutions of the _Egyptians_, they are hot and dry, being
by nature very wakeful and little inclin’d to sleep. They are of a
chearful Temper, yet delight much in an idle and lazy kind of Life,
being immoderate Votaries to _Venus_. Their continual Bathing, drinking
the Waters of _Nile_, and using cold Food, mightily lessen and alter
their heat and drought; but then this inconveniency ensues, that they
have cold and raw Stomachs full of Phlegm, which not only proceeds from
such cold Dyet, but also from the extraordinary heat of the Air, whereby
the natural heat is overcome.
[Sidenote: Are very long _liv’d_.]
They are nevertheless said to be longer liv’d than those of other
Countries, it being common to find among them People of above a Hundred
Years of Age. The reason of this longœvity Phisicians differ greatly
about, yet assign, as the chiefest Cause of it, next to the Air, the
spare way of living of that People, they eating little Flesh, but store
of Roots, Fruits and Herbs, nor often drinking any Wine, but commonly
Water, and sometimes Beer, which _Herodotus_ Lib. 1. Sect. 77. assures
us the antient _Egyptians_ made. On the contrary, all _Europeans_, who
drink abundance of Wine, and eat much Flesh, are for the most part short
liv’d. [Sidenote: A _Problem_ concerning _Diet_.] _Therefore whether it
were not better for us to conform to the simple Diet of our Forefathers?
Whether pure and simple Waters be not more healthful than fermented
Liquors? Whether there be not an ample sufficiency in the Food of Honey,
Oil, and several parts of Milk; in the great variety of Grains, Pulses
and all sorts of Fruits, since either Bread or Beverage may be made
almost of all of them? Whether Nations have rightly confin’d themselves
to peculiar Meats? Whether the common Food of one Country be not more
agreeable to another? How indistinctly all Tempers apply to the same,
and how the Diet of Youth and old Age is confounded, are Considerations
worth our notice_, says Sir _Thomas Brown_ in his _Vulgar Errors_, p.
138. _and might not a little prolong our Days_; yet must not this
Discourse, therefore I will proceed to speak of some Diseases the
_Egyptians_ have been always liable to. [Sidenote: Their _Diseases_.]
These are occasion’d either by the intemperate Air, the Summers here
being exceeding hot and sultry, or else by reason the Poor, who are very
numerous, are necessitated to eat foul and unwholsome Food, such as the
flesh of Camels, of Crocodiles, (by some worshipp’d and consequently
held Irreligious) rotten salt Fish, and mouldy stinking Cheese, by them
call’d _Gibnehalon_. They are also accustom’d to drink muddy and corrupt
Waters, whereby is ingendred much Choler, thick and adust Blood, gross
and crude Humours, which create many Distempers, the chief of which, and
most to our purpose, are _Sore Eyes_ and _Blindness_, _Scabs_ and
_Leprosie_, _Dropsie_, _Frenzie_, _Malignant Fevers_, _Poxes_ of both
kinds, _Plague_ and _Pestilence_, &c. which tho’ other Nations are
likewise subject to, yet it being not so constantly or grieviously,
these may properly enough be nam’d, _The Plagues of_ Egypt; wherefore I
shall a little expatiate upon them, with a suitable Application to our
Subject of _Embalming_.
[Sidenote: _Sore Eyes_ and _Blindness_.]
_First_, I shall take notice of the incredible number of blind People in
_Egypt_, but more-especially in _Cairo_, where sore Eyes or _Opthalmia_
are so common, scarce half the Inhabitants escape them. Nay, new-born
infants are so troubl’d with this Distemper, that it is sometimes hardly
to be cur’d, for it seems a Disease lodg’d in the Blood, of which the
Natives give this Reason, _viz._ That the subtile Particles of the Lime,
wherewith their Houses are built, being carry’d about by the Wind, stick
so close to the Eyes, that they not only cause Inflammations, but
likewise insensibly mixing with the Blood, occasion this Distemper to be
Hereditary; to which _Sandys_ adds, as other Causes of this Disease, the
reflecting heat of the Sun, the salt Dust of the Soil, and the
Inhabitants excessive Venery; wherefore did they not use frequent
Bathings in this Country, the stinking Sweat of their Bodies, mix’d with
this Dust, which so continually rises and adheres to them, wou’d, by
stopping their Pores, not only render them nasty and frowzy, but also
their Blood becoming Pruriginous, and exalted by the salt and corrupt
Diet, [Sidenote: _Scabs_ and _Leprosie_.] wou’d, as it often does,
produce _Mange_, _Scabs_ and _Leprosies_; so that to keep themselves
sweet, clean and free from these Diseases, they are wont to use constant
Bathings, and refrain from salt Meats, which are very unwholsome to
these _Eastern_ Nations. _Herodotus_ assures us they in his Time
abstain’d from Swines Flesh, as particularly apt to beget _Leprosie_ in
hot Countries, if salted, and if not, or well roasted, infallibly brings
a _Diarrhæa_, or else turns to some dangerous Fever or Surfet.
_Hippocrates_, Lib. _Poss._ _p._ 5. observes, it throws some People into
a _Cholera Morbus_, that is, It works vehemently upon them by Choleric
Vomits and Stools. _Plutarch_ likewise remarks, that the very Milk of
this Beast being drank, produces the _Scab_, &c.
[Sidenote: _Dropsie._]
The _Egyptians_ also from their too frequent use of _Colocasia_,
_Bammia_, _Melochia_, _Beets_, and such like Herbs as occasion thick and
tough Flegm, are often troubl’d with the _Dropsie_, which swells and
puffs up their Legs, with abundance of hard and gross Humours, like the
Legs of an Elephant, tho’ indeed they feel no pain, but are only
unweildy to walk.
[Sidenote: _Apoplexy._]