Nine Books on the Nature of Things

Flesh and blood, which putrefy and become rancid very quickly, can likewise be preserved in cold spring water. More than that, through the cooperation of renewed fresh spring water they can be changed into a quintessence and preserved forever from decay and bad smell without any balsam. This not only preserves flesh and blood but also preserves other flesh and blood, so to speak, and furthermore protects the human body from all putrefaction and many diseases arising from putrefaction, better than common mummia. To preserve blood by itself from putrefaction and offensive smell, rather than as a quintessence, and so that it may preserve other blood as just described, use this process. Separate the blood from its phlegm, which moves of itself and is expelled to the upper part. Draw this water off by gently tilting the vessel, and add an equal quantity of salt water to the blood: we teach how to prepare that water in our Surgery. It immediately mixes with the blood and preserves it so that it never putrefies or becomes rancid, but remains fresh and beautifully red for many years, as on its first day. This is a great miracle. If you do not know how to prepare the salt water, or do not have it ready, pour on the same quantity of the best and most excellent balsam, which accomplishes the same thing. Such blood is now the balsam of balsams and is called the arcanum of blood. It is so marvellous and so powerful as to be incredible to tell; therefore conceal it as a great secret in medicine.