Aristotle's Problems

...is [the worst]: and it brings about a very great change. This may be conjectured from the fact that those whose flesh is moist around the upper arms, the neck, and the shoulders are tubercular, in which places very many measles [hailstone-like cysts] also arise. But if it has few, the meat turns out sweeter, which is a conjecture based on its being a state of repletion, as has been said. Furthermore, when there are many, since it is very moist, it will also be tasteless; for undigested nourishment—which must be very abundant—is neither driven by nature nor digested. Therefore, measles emerge chiefly on account of food, and the nature of the nourishment also matters; but just as pustules are not born in children or the old, so measles do not occur in well-fed pigs, nor in suckling pigs, nor in the delicate or the somewhat larger ones, except in very few cases, and then when the mother had many; nor even in the very old, though they occur in those of long life.

Why, among other animals, do pigs especially foam at the mouth both when mating and when hurrying, and boars more so than barrows and castrated ones? Truly, it is because they have a narrow throat and because their nature is fatty. Consequently, since their breath is dense and abundant, it moves slowly; and because the animal is moist, it pours out its seething fat. On account of the narrowness, however, it is breathless; yet foam is made of dense breath floating in moisture. For this reason, those seized by the falling sickness [epilepsy] also eject foam, for when the breath is recently suffocated in the lung, it forcefully gives off moisture. Therefore, in those fighting, fury inflames the breath; in those running, motion; and in those mating, the effort; but it makes it dense. Moreover, on account of the narrowness, the thickness ignites the suffocation, and the suffocation produces the foam.

Why, when pigs are rushing into lust, if someone pours vinegar on their genitals, do they cease from coitus for some time? Is it because, on account of the labor, it cuts off that which was irritating the lust, for when poured out it stings? Or is it because the heat of the affection is caused by heat—since lust is excited by heat—and vinegar extinguishes the heat, which is the cause of the affection?

Why do other quadrupeds, such as horses, donkeys, mules, and even the dog around seven months, as well as goats and sheep, and likewise man, cut teeth, but the pig is born almost toothless? Either because it has a broad and strong snout, or because it supplies its needs with the front teeth, which are the only ones it puts forth, for they dig with the snout.

Why does a pig when mating eject foam from its mouth? Because it has a narrow throat and tubes; wherefore even its voice sounds as if it were strangled. Therefore, when in the act of coition the breath passes through narrow passages, foam arises even with the moisture, for in such a condition it foams up.

Why do wild pigs generally bear fewer young than tame ones, for wild ones often bear seven, but tame ones thirteen? Truly, it is because tame ones bear frequently on account of the abundance of food and the warmth of their surroundings; for this reason, they also produce more offspring.

Why do fattened pigs lose their offspring? Truly, because once fattened they turn out more corpulent; when they are such, they concoct more; but by concocting more, they leave behind less superfluity; and yet offspring are generated from superfluities.

Why are wild offspring for the most part all black, while tame ones are not? Is it because those that are perpetually in stagnant waters, under mud, and in wallows are made black? This may be conjectured from the fact that mud stains things; for even the whitest sticks, when immersed in it, turn out black. But very few of the tame pigs live in such a manner.

Why do nursing pigs not emit milk unless they grunt, on which account those wishing to milk them shake them? Truly, because all things are emitted by the breath, and all things that compress the breath make a sound; but in the pig, milk is not easily separated. For since there is little, it is divided among many teats; consequently, there is need of effort for it to flow out.

Why are the foremost teats of the pig, which are toward the chest, the best for nursing, and then the others in order? For this reason, the piglet that raises itself to nurse rushes to the first teat, and they maintain themselves in this order while nursing, unless a stronger one drives another away. Is it because the place around the chest is warmer, and is the cause of heat for the others? For that is the source; and since the warmest part draws the most food and concocts it first, and this part is especially of such a nature, it is necessary that the milk there be most abundant and sweetest. Or is this not the cause, but rather that milk is concocted blood? The place around the chest is the most purified and refined, where the milk will also be the most excellent.

Why does the pig delight in foul-smelling things? Truly, because those having a wide gape are not capable of perceiving subtle odors; but those which are not capable of that sense delight in sharper ones, for these they perceive alone or especially. The same thing happens to those whose sense of smell is corrupted, who take pleasure in some foul odor, such as the dressers of hides and those who clean sewers.

Why do pigs afflicted with measles not grow fat? Truly, because their bodies store food less. This may be conjectured from the fact that more superfluity is born in them, since measles arise from superfluities; but an animal that consumes its food grows much more fat.

Why do pigs remain more silent when carried on their backs? Truly, because when carried thus they cry out with less force; which when