INTRODUCTION original: "Prooemium"

...most pure original: "purissima", completing the word from the previous page and the most noble among all seeds. Second, it is proven: that thing is best which, in its various parts, is made similar to the most noble body. But man is of this kind; therefore, etc. The major premise is clear, because this similarity follows the nature of the thing. The minor premise is proven because man is made like the heavens, in terms of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Three of these are "virtually" hot In medieval science, "virtually" means possessing the power or quality of heat, even if not physically burning., namely Aries, Gemini, and Leo; to these correspond three members in man, namely the heart, the liver, and the testicles. Likewise, three are cold, namely Cancer, Taurus, and Virgo; and to these correspond the intestines, the bladder, and the diaphragm. Likewise, three are moist, namely Scorpio, Aquarius, and Pisces; to which correspond the brain, the stomach, and the lung. Likewise, three are dry, namely Capricorn, Sagittarius, and Libra; to which correspond the spleen, the gallbladder, and the kidneys.

Hence he says in the 12th book of the Metaphysics referring to Aristotle's work on the nature of reality that the whole heaven is like a single contiguous composite. Therefore, we ought to be inclined toward the knowledge of this present book, which treats of human generation. Its efficient cause The person who authored or produced the work. is said to have been Albertus Magnus Albert the Great (c. 1200–1280), a Dominican friar and one of the most influential medieval scientists and philosophers., who was sufficiently practiced original: "tritus" or rather, well-read in experiments original: "experimentis"; here meaning observations or practical knowledge., and informed by women Medieval medical texts often cited the practical knowledge of midwives and women as a source for understanding childbirth and generation.. This is seen especially in the book On Animals, which he composed after he traveled the whole world with Alexander Medieval legends often falsely claimed that Albertus Magnus traveled with Alexander the Great to observe the world's nature.. And it is supposed