[De epidemia et peste]

disposition, and bodies are then more prepared due to the weakness of heat caused by resolution dissipation of bodily humors, and consequently due to indigestion, since the weakness of digestion follows the weakness of natural heat, and due to the consumption of fruits. I have often seen that well-complexioned, sanguine, and choleric men died more during that time, and this is because of the great resolution that occurred within them. And those whose humors are subtler and have a rarity of pores perish more quickly, as the spirits dissipate in them along with the natural heat. Therefore, a great resolution occurs in them, to which weakness follows. And although an epidemic happens to these people sooner because they are more prepared, the disease is still contagious. And thus, it can infect others, whatever their complexion may be, since bad and poisonous fumes proceed from them, corrupting the air and the humors. The air breathed out by them is already corrupt, and it corrupts the air surrounding them or that which others inhale. From this, it follows clearly that those in attendance must turn their face away from them toward a fire, or toward a window or door, so that they do not inhale the air breathed out and corrupted by them. Secondly, it follows that, given the infected condition of the sick, it would be good if the sick changed often, not only their bed, but their chamber and house, so that they might draw in new air, not just the infected air, as is the case where they would always stay.

Also, the place should not be narrow but spacious, and its air should always be altered toward a state of coldness. An epidemic also sometimes comes at the end of autumn, such as if the summer were very rainy, or if a south wind blows for a long time, and the autumn, which by its nature should be cold and dry, is made hot and dry, or if a subsolan east wind blows for a long time, which is the same thing.