Aristotle's Problems

¶ Why those grieving and lovers:
Macrobius in the book of the Saturnalia.
Tell me, I pray, what cause makes the minced-meat dish [isicium] difficult of digestion? It is said to be named from "cutting" [insectio], through the loss of a letter; it afterwards obtained the name it now has, though its thorough grinding would greatly aid the digestion to come, and it has taken up whatever was heavy in the meat, and largely completed its preparation. The lightness which the grinding provides causes it to float on top of the food which it finds in the middle of the stomach, and it does not adhere to the lining of the stomach, from whose heat digestion is promoted; thus also, once ground and firm, when it is cast into water, it floats: from which it is understood that it does the same

Why do many drunkards die? Because a further inundation of wine drowns the natural and vital power, as well as the heat. Indeed, those especially suffer this who have an innate heat that is scanty and weak; for that which is great and strong is better able to resist and to overcome that inundation by its duration, just as a very large flame can also bear a very great pouring of oil.

Why do the elderly tremble? Because the sinews and muscles of the limbs, by no means receiving a sufficient supply of the motile force of the animal powers, do not equally set themselves against the weight of the body placed upon them to sustain it. Tremor of the body occurs when the weight of the limbs pulls downwards and the animal force lifts them upwards towards itself; and this happens again and again, and by doing so perpetually. And thus, I say, trembling follows and it happens that those hastening on prone look toward the ground, where nature also compels them. Hence also the elderly support and steady themselves with staves, just as old walls are propped up with pillars. For this same reason, on account of the weakness of their powers, they involuntarily discharge dung and urine in public.

Why do those grieving turn pale? Because nature, sensing the sorrow, gradually strives inward with the blood that made the skin red; however, they turn less pale than those who are afraid.

Why do those overtaken by sudden and remarkable joy sometimes even collapse breathless? Because the vital force and innate heat, immoderately poured out in delight, is dispersed and faints; hence it is that they both sweat and blush from the arrival of the blood. For the innate heat and the internal fervor itself, joined to external matter, is moved toward the upper and outer parts by its heat and by its desire to transfer itself from its own place; and the same is carried downwards by a further desire for nourishment. Therefore, when either of these motions is consumed, the end of life follows.

¶ Why do the grieving, and lovers, and the angry sigh much and often? Because the grieving have a soul dismayed in sorrow; lovers in desire; and those incensed in the anger by which they are carried away. Therefore, the dismayed soul neglects to move itself and to rouse itself, and as if forgetting, it ceases to supply motile power to the muscles of the chest. Consequently, neither receiving air by the expansion of the chest—to be inhaled and cooled—nor exhaling foul superfluities by its contraction—which the burning has produced from the blood—it must necessarily produce no breath; then, by remembering, it is compelled to administer a great deal of motion to the muscles, and to effect a greater inhalation and exhalation to take in a multitude of cold air and to thrust out the abundance of superfluities. Thus, what ought to have been done in small and constant respirations, it effects in one large one; and this among the ancients is called "to sigh" [suspirare] on account of the narrowing of the heart. They also sigh heavily for some time, and they do this frequently because the soul is always turned away from that which moves it. Therefore, it is necessary for nature sometimes, for the sake of the heart, to send a greater motor force into the muscles of the chest. Moreover, what respiration is in the chest, the pulse is in the body through the arteries; and it is seen in inspiration because of expansion, but in expiration because of contraction; yet in both contraction and expansion the pulse is proven to exist, as certain younger physicians say. Just as the radish and the pear are mentioned in Alexander, yet there is the minced-meat dish [isicius]: Donatus says "fartores" are those who stuff minced-meat and sausages.

Why is the minced-meat dish difficult to digest? Because, since it is light, it floats in the stomach while the moist nourishment settles in the middle, and it does not adhere to the body itself; whereas concoction is produced from adherence. And the appetite overflows around the throat and the gullet. It is truly a laborious thing, for it is not digested while it floats upon the water within and is not immersed inward; because in the friction of the body it receives a light spirit which lifts the body up while swimming among the moist things. On account of this, however, it is loose and large by the participation of the spirit.

Why is intense heat very pleasing to those who itch much? Because the thick and cold phlegm producing the itch makes the skin very sensitive.

Why are those who are itching soothed in baths? Because the heat burns away the phlegm, which the nails tear apart.

Why do backs itch most? Because these parts, being colder than the anterior parts, have more phlegm; hence this ailment abounds more in the elderly, as they are cold.

Why are those short in body for the most part more prudent than the tall? Because the soul is compact and compressed in the whole body, but in the large it is extended and thinned out by the space. Wherefore Homer also says that Ulysses was somewhat gathered and short, and prudent; but Ajax was tall and more foolish. In this manner, smaller things are stronger than larger and more vast ones.

Why do those who are less prudent walk with their heads high? Because just as a pilot who is not very strong does not guide a heavy ship, so the body does not guide a corrupt and intemperate soul.

Why do many fools procreate very prudent children, but many very prudent people procreate fools? Because the duller ones in coition, being vehemently overcome by pleasure, have the soul deeply immersed in the body; and consequently the seed also participates more in the rational and natural power; therefore those whom they beget turn out more prudent. Furthermore, the prudent, and especially the learned, are always providing for something and discussing something even in the act of coition, and they measure by reason those things which are necessary from the outside, and they rouse themselves. Therefore, their seed as it exits is void of much vital power. Hence the solution is that the dull and unlearned procreate those stronger in body, but the learned procreate the weaker.

Why does the dung of wild animals stink less? Because it is dry, and they eat very little superfluous food and exercise more. But the dung of goats and certain other animals smells somewhat like spices; whereas human dung stinks more than that of all animals and smells grievously. For humans eat food that is both manifold and moist, and more than is sufficient or proper, and they exercise less; and they are far less hot than irrational animals; therefore they do not [concoct] exactly...