Disputatio de phrenitide

XL.
Regarding the first, I feel that these actions are performed in the brain itself, not in the ventricles, insofar as it is something composed of spirits and the substance of the brain itself, and formatted in a certain way. For the brain serves these operations not as a simple body, but as something composite: and the reason is because actions belong to composites, not to the components: for how could the ventricles, which are the receptacles of excrements, be the instruments of so many most excellent operations.

XLI.
What I have said is confirmed by Galen, On Affected Places 3, chapter 7, when he asserts: "Truly, when we accurately consider those things that are accustomed to appear through dissections, it seemed consonant with reason that the Soul obtains its seat in the body of the brain, and that in it resides both the power of Reason and the Memory of sensible images, and that the primary instrument of it, in all sensible actions as well as in those that proceed from counsel and will, is the spirit." He himself also testifies to the same in On the Medical Art, chapter 12, when he says that the promptness of the intellect indicates a subtle substance of the brain, but slowness indicates a thick one, etc.

XLII.
It remains now for us to demonstrate what kind of disposition is contrary to nature which harms this Action. For all physicians agree on this, that the operations are harmed by inflammation of the brain: but since inflammation is a disease composed of instrumental and similar, it is doubtful from which disease these actions are offended.

XLIII.
There have not been wanting most distinguished men who dared to affirm that these operations are harmed by a similar, that is, by a bad temperament, persuaded by the authority of Galen, On the Use of Parts 8, chapter 13, where, disputing against Erasistratus, he says that these operations proceed from temperament. He taught the same in On Affected Places 3: where he writes that phrenitis is caused by the intemperance of the whole substance of the brain: Whence they deduce such