De somno et vigilia theses ad disputandum propositae

immoderate thoughts, attentive and long reading, phlebotomy bloodletting, purgation, sexual intercourse, weeping, labor, fasting, summer heat, baths.

XXIX.

For these and similar reasons, the spirits rest within until, once the nourishment—if any is present—has been converted into blood and spirits, they are increased and refreshed, so that they may later return to carry out the senses and other animal actions.

XXX.

In the moving agent, the cause of sleep consists in three ways. First, indeed, when there is nothing that introduces a motion to the spirits worthy of note. Hence, in silence, darkness, with the objects of the senses removed, with thoughts cast aside, with the perturbations of the mind—anger, joy, laughter, grief—or the passion of any part sedated, sleep is captured more easily. Refer here also to the purgation caused by aloe a bitter purgative resin, which removes or diminishes acrid humors so that they no longer disturb the spirits.

XXXI.

Second, when a moving agent is present, but it rouses only a gentle motion while calming a stronger one. Thus, custom (which is second nature), our will, soft noise, singing, the murmuring of waters, gentle titillation, reading and thinking that is not very attentive, the movement of cradles, and whatever else is of the same kind, placidly stabilize the spirits and invite them from motion to rest, and thus prevent them from flowing away.

XXXII.

Third, when there is something that compels inward and, as it were, concentrates the spirits: such as refrigerants and astringents, winter, rain, oxyrhodinum a mixture of vinegar and oil of roses.

XXXIII.

But those things that move more vehemently, agitate and provoke