and a Contagion. 4B fatal, by means of the putrid and damp Exhalations. FURTHERMORE, this nitrous Prin- ciple may be fometimes changed in its own Repofitory by too intenie a Heat from within, as well as without ^ for by fb hafty a Sublimation its Spirit may be deadned -, that is, being robbed of its balfa- mick Quality, (which is no Abfurdity to fuppofe) and kindled into too rapid a Mo- tion, it may receive a kind of Emfyreuma; and from which Aduftion there may arife feveral Sorts of Diftemperature - as Blafts ijpon Trees, and Difeafes amongfr. Cattle , and at lafl end in a Peftilence amongrr. Man- kind. FOR further Illuftration hereof it may be obferved, that the nitrous Spirit which circulates through the fubterraneous Ca- verns may, inftead of Obtaining a fur- ther Purification, take along with it cor- rupt and poifonous Vapours from arfenical or other Minerals - and loaded therewith, break out into the open Air : And this we have confirmed from common Obferva- tion in the Weftem Climes of Africa, that lye under the Equator, wherein the very Showers
