Aristotle's Problems

Why do swine delight in filth? According to physicians, they delight in it by their very nature, as they possess a very large liver in which desire resides; but as Aristotle thinks, it is because they have a thick snout and mouth, and thus a widely diffused sense of smell, which accepts even a foul odor.

Why, when ulcers are healing and inflammation is ceasing, do itches arise? Because after the place that was ailing has recovered and become healthy, it keeps away the remaining humor that is contrary to nature and was feeding the ulcer; this humor, exiting through the skin and being dispersed, causes the itching.

Why are diseases of one of the two eyes more severe and of longer duration? For a twofold reason: either because the phlegm accumulates in only one eye—for that which is divided is always rendered weaker and less effective, and the more it is dispersed, the more inert it is—or because the movement of the healthy eye during activity continually forces the other to be moved just as many times. We have indeed learned that the most immediate remedy is to keep the entire ailing part immobile.

Why does man sneeze both perpetually and more intensely than other animals? Because he consumes a greater variety of food and drink, and more than is sufficient; and for this reason, he cannot even digest it as is proper. On account of this great moisture, he gathers much spirit, which, being very thin, ascends to the brain and continually impels and rouses it to expulsion and sneezing. Therefore, a noise is made by breaking out in a rush through the narrow passages of the nose, as if ejected from its seat; just as a belch occurs through the stomach, the voice through the throat, a sound likewise through the ears, and a rumbling is excited through the intestines.

Why do hair and nails grow on the dead for a certain time? Because when the flesh has decayed, the parts hidden around their roots then spring forth and deceive those watching into thinking they possess the appearance of growth. Some say they truly grow, since they are produced from redundant humor. For dead bodies are from the beginning resolved into a very great superfluity because of the corruption that has occurred; this, breaking out from the body through the pores and the extremities of the body, increases the growth of those things mentioned.

Why are what are called pustules produced on the fingers of the hands rather than the feet, and in children rather than in those of perfect age? Because they have their origin in a phlegmatic redundancy; and phlegm abounds in children, as they are more gluttonous and more idle. But the nails of the feet, being more exercised in movement and walking, disperse the superfluities.

Why does the hair on the feet not turn gray suddenly? Surely for the same reason. For the feet, in constant and continual walking, scatter and disperse the phlegmatic redundancy flowing into them, which is foreign to grayness. Moreover, even the pubic hair turns gray late, because it arises warmer and disperses phlegm during intercourse.

Why are voice and reason perfected late in men? Reason [is perfected] immediately from its parts, or at least within a short time, because it is more varied and more skillful, and more worthy of instruction. Or the [voice] of irrational animals is much simpler and more natural than animalistic.

Why do most animals wag their tails when seen by those they are accustomed to, but the lion strikes his sides when enraged, and likewise the bull? Because they have a muscle of the back extended all the way to the tail, containing animal and mobile force. Therefore, the soul, recognizing the accustomed sight, as if it were a hand, compels them to wag the tail—just as is seen in men—which reveals its hidden intent within and knows it ought to recognize [them]. But in the minds of lions and bulls, when the soul is equally agitated by nature, it compels them to shake the tail violently, just as we observe men incensed with great anger clap their hands or strike another part of the body. For since the soul cannot quickly remove what grieves it, it devises consolation for itself in another way, soothing the affection with a roar and an outburst.

Why, when dry toasted barley is sprinkled on the ulcers of horses, do white hairs no longer grow from the scars, but are of the same color as the rest of the hair—that is, such as nature had produced? Because since they possess the power of wrinkling and drawing together, they cleanse and dissipate the underlying phlegmatic redundancy and the bad operation compelling the ulcer to rawness and the weakness of that part.

Why does hair grow in the scars of the skin on horses, but not on men? Because the skin in men is denser, as indicated by the soft and thin hairs, and the scar, having been made even denser, blocks the pores. But in horses, if compared, it is rarer, as the thick hairs show; and for this reason, the scar cannot close all the pores of the skin. Accordingly, the underlying and gathered superfluities, breaking out through the thin pores left below, being joined and hardened, produce hairs.

Why is it that for those bitten by a dipsas and having intolerable thirst, theriac—which is hot and dry—quenches the thirst when brought, rather than increasing it? It must be said that it quenches thirst not by reason of its temperament, but rather by an opposite passion and by a certain natural reason. For the matter is as follows. This antidote...