On the Marvelous Occurrences in the World

senses occur. Note how there are different tastes for different men, just as they are delighted in different ways, due to many things: sometimes due to different imaginations, sometimes due to the different complexions the balance of bodily humors of the organs or of the persons. For a moderate disposition in the beginning, or a moderate error, makes a maximum difference in the effects, which is very much to be considered. And therefore, although Sortes a traditional placeholder name for an average person and Plato might seem of almost similar complexion in other members, nevertheless, due to a very moderate difference in the stomach or tongue, one will desire one flavor, another another, due to a small distance in the principles of tasting, just as in the pupil of the eye, a small indisposition will subvert the judgment of sight. If you wish to know what the organ of taste is, and where the appetite for foods and flavors lies, consult the physicians, Avicenna Ibn Sina and Galen Greek physician, on simple medicine. And by the aforesaid, the reason is clear why some can never drink wine, there are those who can for a time, others other drinks; there are those who do not eat fatty things, and there are other wonderful fantasies. Indeed, it would be more wonderful if everyone desired in the same way, in such a diversity of complexions and organs or instruments which the appetite requires. What of the fact that certain pregnant women and children delight in eating coals, or tiles, or ashes, because the organ is outside its proper disposition?