A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE COMMENTARY.

Introduction.

SECTION I.

Certain preliminaries regarding the temperaments. §. 1-5.
The innate temperament of the body depends upon the varying vital force. §. 6.
The primary causes of this diversity are not to be sought in the fluids, nor in the soul, whose character must be distinguished from the temperament of the body. §. 7.
The varying irritability and sensibility of the body are most noteworthy in the doctrine of temperaments. §. 8.
The principal causes of their congenital diversity. §. 9.
The congenital temperament of the body ought to be distinguished from the acquired. §. 10.
The innate diversity of the soul's temperament seems to depend upon the structure and shape of the brain, the nerves, and the skull. §. 11.
The temperaments of body and soul are not always changed by the same causes. §. 12.
The character of the mind can vary in individuals endowed with the same bodily temperament. §. 13.
The principal classes of bodily temperament. §. 14.

SECTION II.

A change of temperament depends upon altered vital forces. §. 1-2.
Why is this change of temperament denied by some? §. 3.
A total conversion of temperaments seems possible. §. 4.
Many factors concur to change, in part, the bodily temperament, and in part, the character of the soul. §. 5.
A. Age. §. 6.
B. Climate. §. 7.
C. Education. §. 8.
D. The diverse manner of food and drink. §. 9.
E. Way of life. §. 10.
F. The constitution of republics, religion, and public offices. §. 11.
G. Increases in knowledge. §. 12.
H. The diverse character of the mind. §. 13.
I. Abundance and scarcity of things necessary for life and culture. §. 14.
K. Diseases. §. 15.