ON THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD,

so that in 20 years no greater loss occurs than is accustomed to happen in one, two, or three days, does not seem impossible. For many things regarding diverse appetites and the mode of nourishment are to be wondered at, the causes of which are unknown to us. It is also certain that in the veins and intestines, much matter is sometimes reserved, although it does not appear outwardly. Hence it happens that some sometimes emit blood most abundantly through the nostrils, or have an excessive flux of the bowels, and cast out much matter from themselves, while eating nothing or almost nothing for many days, and we marvel that they persist in life. But this is because the heat of the heart attracts little by little as much as is sufficient for life, just as it appears in those animals which lie hidden in caves in winter. The pores, therefore, in our case are closed in bodies of this kind, so that almost nothing is resolved from them. Secondly, there can be much matter in them, and many humors, at least proportionally to their complexion. Thirdly, there is a weak heat. Fourthly, the interior paths are narrow. With these and similar things proportioned, the case is possible. There is no one besides God who is able to limit the causes of effects point by point. Perhaps it is not more to be wondered at that a man can fast for a long time, than that he must eat so often every day, except that it is not so accustomed. Where there is to be given more and less, and more things...