Book I CONTAGION 11

separates them. Hence when heat and moisture are produced
within and evaporate, the result is dissolution of the combina—
tion, and this was our definition of putrefaction. We must
therefore suppose that the hot moist particles,—moist either
independently or in combination,—that evaporate from the
first fruit, are the principle and germ of the putrefaction that
occurs in the second fruit. I use the term ^moist in combina—
tion', because, in evaporations that occur in putrescent bodies,
it nearly always happens that very small particles are inter—
mingled, and thus become the principles of certain generations
and of new corruptions; and this combination of hot and moist
particles is most apt to convey putrefactions and contagions.
We must therefore suppose that it is by means of these prin—
ciples that contagion occurs in fruits. But in all other bodies
also that are in contaect and putrefy, if they are analogous with
one another, it is reasonable to suppose that the same thing
happens, and by means of the same principle. Now the prin—
ciple is those imperceptible particles, which are hot and sharp
when they evaporate, but are moist in combination. In what
follows they are called Germsö of Contagions.