Problemata Aristotelis

...lice. This is evident in childhood. For the head of children is abundantly moist, and it is often afflicted either with heaviness or with a profusion of blood. Furthermore, that age is accustomed to have more lice.

Why, from the setting of the Pleiades Vergiliae the Seven Sisters/Pleiades to the blowing of the west wind Favonius Zephyrus, do those who labor under a long disease, and the elderly more than the young, perish especially? Is it because two causes of perishing are maximally present: cold and excess? For life is fostered and preserved by heat. But this time attains both of those. For it is cold, and winter then presses most sharply, for the following season is spring. Or is it because those who labor under long-standing vices have become no different than the elderly? For a long disease is seen to be present, as if it were old age. For those bodies are dry and cold. One, indeed, because of age; the other because of languor. It is certain that winter and frost are the height of cold and moisture. Wherefore it happens that when bodies are exposed to the rigor of winter, even for a small moment, it is as if fire is joined to fire and thus destroys.

Why, in full and impure bodies, are ulcers of the head healed without great difficulty, but those of the shins with difficulty? Is it because their humor, because it is earthy and heavy, and every heavy thing tends downward, therefore the upper parts can be cured easily? Because the humor has departed downward, the inner parts are therefore unable to heal because they grow too much and lie open to rot.

Why, if after a winter of northern winds and a southern and rainy spring, the summer was very dry, is it dangerous for everyone, and the autumn approaches, and especially for children? For intestinal difficulties and long quartan fevers are accustomed to happen at that time to others also. Is it because if moderate water has passed during the summer...