bee more hot then iâ— Winter A. Because that in Summeâ— the ayre is heated by the double reflection of the Sunnes rayes and the heat of the fire finding the ayre affected with the same quality extends and spreads and so is much more weakened iâ— winter on the contrary the aire â—eing cold the fire gathereth inâ—o himselfe all his heat to make â—esistance to this great cold with which it is besieged of all parts So that all his forces being thus united his heat is much more sharpe Q. Wherefore is it that the fire is lesse hot when the Sunne shines upon it A. It is the same reason that I have formerly brought upon the precedent question Q. Wherfore is it that the fire gos out if there be not matter which â—e can take to its nourishment A. It is that his heat is so active and subtile that it cannot bee retayned nor entertained without matter but quickly dissipateth Q. How is it then that fire being cover'd with ashes conserves it selfe so long a time A. It is because his vertue so subtill and active is retained as â— prisoner being hindered to worke by the meanes of the ashes wherewith it is cover'd Q. Wherefore is it that wee see not the element all fire which is above the ayre as we doe here below the materiall fire seeing that according to the Philosophers it is ten times more vast then the ayre and yet wee see the Starreâ— of the heavens which are above it A. It is because the Elementary fire is a body very much more simple then the ayre and without any colour if we then cannot see the ayre which wee sucke and breathe and with which wee are environed although it is more grosse then the fire elementary how can wee see then the fire elementary it selfe but wee see well eâ—ough our fire materiall beâ—ause it is coloured and a yelâ—ow reddish glow and white â—ame because of its mixture â—ith terrestriall exhalations â—hich proceed from the matter â—y which it is nourished and enâ—ertained Fevers Q. WHerefore is it that those which are furious by the exâ—eame fits of a burning Fever are â—o very strong and robust during â—heir fury and a little after beâ—ome extreamely weake and lanâ—uishing when the fit is past A. It is that the extreame â—eate and drynesse which is in â—heir bodâ—es bandeth their â—erves for a little while which by and by after loosing the body becomes againe weak stretched out and languishing Q. From whence comes it that in winter which is the most coldest season of the yeare burning fevers reigne most and on the contrary the shaking fits are most rigorous to the aguish A. In Summer the cold afflicts more the feverous and the heat in Winter because of the Antiperistasin for in Summer the the heat shuts up the cold within the body and on the contrary in Winter when the cold is more strong in the without the heat gaineth the within so that the one exciteth the shaking fits and the other the burning being besieged by his contrary within the body as within a Dungeon from whence he resists him and doth all his power to maintaine and defend himselfe there Q. Vpon what reason is it that the Physitians iudge that that the Fever will bee more long and dangerous when the Feverous are hungry then when they are thirsty and desire drink A. The cause is saith they that the Fever proceeding fom a sweete Phlegme in those which have great drouth or thirst and of a Phlegme sharp and salt in those whicâ— are hungry and because that the acrimony of this Phlegme exciteth the appetites to eat but this Phlegme beeing very holding gluing and viscous it is in asmuch more harder to purge Q. Wherefore is it that they give great draughts and but now and then to the dry feverish not often and little sips A. So prescribe the Physitians although Aristotle seems to hold a contrary opinion but experience and reason together makes us beleeve the Physitians for as burning coales in the smiths forges being sprinkled by little and little with water flames and burns the more likewise the burning and Ardour of the Fever is augmented if the sick drinke by little and little Aristotle neverthelesse hath said very well that if the sick drink suddenly the draught doth not sprinkle his entrayles but it runneth into the Bladder like a grosse raine that wets the earth much lesse then a small because that it stayes not but runnes and wets upon the surface most but the Physitians intend that giving a great draught to the patient to drinke hee should drinke softly by little little without hasting or gulping lit downe all at a breath or pull Q. From whence comes it that those which are afflicted with the Fever are ordinarily thirsty and have not appetite to eat and on the contrary being wel they are hungry and not so thirsty A. It is because that the heat or ardour of the Fever makes them so dry during their sicknesse and the great quantity of evill humours wherwith they are filled takes away their appetite of eating on the contrary beeing well healed and these evil humors purged and consumed they are extreame hungry for the body being refreshed by the expulsion of the strong heate of the Fever they are very thirsty Q. From whence comes it that our bodies being composed of foure divers humours and all being subiect to corruption during our life there is for all that but three which can cause the Fever A. It is that the blood which is one of the foure humours being a great friend of Nature and furnishing nourishment to the body if it comes to recule and to be too abundant ingenders not onely the Fever but a repletion which the Physitians call Plethora corrupting and putrifying it selfe with a Fever and it remaines no more blood but yellow choler whereas the super-abundance of the other three humours the Phlegme the Melancholy and the choler without corruption of putrifaction of any of them may beget the Fever Q. Wherefore is it that the Fever quartane dures longer then the other Fevers although shee gives more of release A. It is because it proceeds of a grosse and terrestriall matter neverthelesse viscous holding and if one may so say opinionating the which is the cause that it lasts more long time although it bee with more intervall and relax for it doth in long time that which the others more sharpe doe in few dayes Q. Wherefore is it that it is more hurtfull to old folkes then to young A. Because that old folkes being very dry the Fever dries them more and often conducts them to the grave or tombe and young folkes being more humid finde them not so ill the Fever having more wherewith to betake him to and a great quantity of humidity to resist his fervency Q. Wherefore is it that the Physitians hold that wee must entertaine a Fever quartane sweetly and with gentle remedies cum quartana
beards on their chinnes Q. How comes it that Eunuches are so extreamly moyst A. In that their seed which they cannot thrust out or consume by naturall heat so well as perfect men spreads through all their bodies and are moyst excessively by which they have their cheeks blowne up and their Paps great even as women Q. But since the excessive humidity is the cause that they have no beard from whence comes it that they have hayre as well as entire men and besides become not too much bald A. Because that this excessive himidity which is in them falls by his weight below upon the other parts of the body hindreth not the haire from being thrust out besides the neighbourhood to the brayne which is temperate and besides the aboundance of the Spirits which are in the head moderateth it very much neverthelesse because that it remaines alwaies to nourish the haire more then in ful men that become seldome or rarely bald Q. Wherefore is it that their legges are feeble and crooked A. Because they are very moist and by consequence fleshy and weak and besides they make a great weight upon the body which is the much more heavy and more charged with humours then that of perfect men even as green wood is lesse proper to serve the bearing up and portage of a great burthen because it stoopes under the burthen by the same cause also great drinkers and bathers are lesse strong Q Wherefore is it that the Eunuches become more gray hayrd then those which have all their peeces A. Because they cannot discharge the moyst humours by the Venerian act or that they cannot consume it as well as others because they have the lesse heate and this white humidity blancheth also sooner their haires whereas others become white in their Age which aboundeth then in that humour if it be not by accident as we shall declare in its place Q. Wherefore is it that the Evnuches cannot swallow the splean of any Animal A. Because that the spleane is extreamly spungeous and swells alwaies more and more being chewed so that the gelded having the throat pipe narrow because of their greace of their moysture cannot swallow a morcell great or spongeous Q. Wherefore is it that they have the voyce whining and sharp A. Because as I intend to say the grease and the humidity stopping the conduit or pipe of the voice and narrowing it it must of necessity make the voice sharpe and small as the Oaten pipes the more smaller they are yeeld the most smallest sound together with having the respiration more weak then full man and mooving by that cause lesse ayre their voyces are more close and sharpe and so it is with sick folkes Q. But wherfore is it then that Oxen low more grosly then Bulls and Capons have their voyce more bascthen Cocks A. It is because that Bulls do bellw and Cockes do not sing but with great strength and contention of voyce the cause wherefore their voyce is more sharp and high as also more strong the which we may prove in our selves for when we would cry the most strongliest wee lift up our voyces as we doe in the most base song grave and low Q. From whence comes it that gelded men are not afflicted with the gout and Capons are extreamly subiect to it A. It is because that pullen is extreamly lascivious and aâ—oundant in sperm so that Capons being too much moyst by their retention of the same seed become gouty being that Capons also excessivly eat seeing that heat is little in them but gelded men according to the proportion of their bodies are not so moyst so as the Capons â—re not so subject to the gout in the contrary those which have all their peeces and that play too much with women and too often become gouty by the to much emission of their seed and so the perfect man is gouty too by the Evacuation of the genitall humour and the Capon by the retention of the same seed in the contrary the gelded man is not subject to the Goute because of the retention of the same humour and the Cocke because of the evacuation of the same and this in all is because that Pullen is of a nature much more moist then man Q. Wherefore is it that gelded Animals as the Wether Sheepe or gelded sheepe and the Capon are better and more tender then those that have all their pieces A. Because that the gelded lose not their better humours with females and are more delicate and more fat Q. Wherefore is it that the gelded Animals are sooner tamed and easily brought more gentle then those which have their genitall parts A. Because they are deprived of their heat and of the abundance of spirit that is ingendred in the spongious vessels the which heate and spirits amove and lift up the courage and embolden those which have all their parts Q. Wherefore is it that gelded Animals become more fat then others A. Because they lose not their better humours and doe not runafter the Females For the like reason the Hornes increase more in Animals that are horned Q. From whence comes it that the Hornes of gelded Deere fall not as of the others nor the feathers of Capons as those of Cocks A. Inasmuch as the Deere amongst all other horned Animals having onely their hornes solide and massive it is needfull they have a great quantity of humidity to entertaine their branches as also to fill moisten and nourish the feathers of the Pullen Now the gelded Deere and Capons being more moist then those which are perfect Animals because of the retention of their seed have by the same meanes wherewith better to moisten and entertaine the one their Hornes the other their Feathers and by the same cause gelded men seldome become bald as I have said before Q. From whence comes it that we are sometimes benumb'd and asleepe in our members but principally in our feete and our hands by gouts crampes or otherwise A. This proceeds of the cold which infinuateth into the body by the absence of the blood which is retired and forasmuch as the feete and the hands are parts of the body most farre from the heart where the source and siege and as it were the spring of the naturall heate is and that those exterior parts are least fleshy they are the most apt to be seized on by the cold to be benumb'd and asleepe Q. How is it possible that the fish called a Torpedo benumbeth so the armes of the Fisher without touching him so as he is not able to helpe himselfe but seemes as it were insensible A. It is because this Fish exhales a certaine humour and vapour the which hath this naturall vertue to benumbe but Pliny in a few words saith that it is by his odour and a certaine winde or vapour of his body which so affecteth the members of man Q. From whence comes it that we desiring to rest our selves and fall asleepe and
resting upon one of our armes it will be benumb'd and become as unsensible A. It is because that in pressing upon it the blood retires and runnes to the other parts of the body with the blood the natural heate its inseparable coÌ„panion and with them both the animal spirits causers of the feeling so that the member left of the blood of the naturall heate and of the animall spirits and seized with the cold remaines as insensible and immoveable Grafting Q. FRom whence comes it that trees grafted or inoculated be are better fruite then the wilde ones and yet more those which are againe inoculated beare yet better those which have bin twice I meane A. It is that Nature perceiving some want betakes her suddainely to repaire by a more ample and better nourishment so that the Tree being cut or slit to graffe in shee sendeth so much food as is necessary and of the best to that part slit and cut the which she fortifies in as much more as shee was sluggish before and produceth more faire and better fruite the same likewise hapneth to ruptures which being well joyned and set the Callus becomes more hard then the bone it selfe Q. Wherefore is it not good to graffe and inoculate in all times but onely in the Spring A. Because that in the Winter the over-much cold makes the Trees to dye by insinuating into the opening or incision of the graffe and in Summer the excessive heate withers the tree and kills it Likewise in Autumne it profiteth not neither in respect of the colds neerely comming which are enemies to Natures productions but in the Spring time because there is no very great frosts after the grafting is made but a temperate heate the friend of nature ayding to their increase and perfection Egges Q. WHerefore is it that Egges are such a good nourishment to the humane body A. Because that they are hot and give ayde by their owne decoction without much borrowing of naturall heate neverthelesse those which are roasted in the imbars and eaten without so me liquor as Verjuice Vineger or other the like are not good for aguish people because they are affected with a strange heat by the fever they doe adde yet more heat to the fever Sneezing Q. WHerefore is it that men sneeze more strongly and more often then any other Animals A. It is because they eate ordinarily more then need and of many sorts of meat too which is the cause that they cannot so well digest as other Animals so great quantity of vapours mounting to the braine which moveth and provoketh them to discharge it which they doe by the means of sneezing which proceedeth as saith the Philosopher by the force of the Spirits then when the humiditie forceth them to exhale and distill or by the strength or expulsion of some raw and undigested humour or as the Philosopher likewise saith man having the conduits of his nostrils more ample and open in respect to the proportion of his body he lodgeth more winde and spirits there which provoke him to sneeze I will adde hereunto that man having according to his temporall masse more brain then any other Animall so hath he more humiditie so as he growing cold great quantity of humours fill the conduits the which thrusting out by the effect of the spirits it makes that hee sneezeth strongly in and by this conflict and with great noise Q. Wherefore is it that old folkes sneeze with more pain then young A. Because they have the conduits of their nose more shut and more straight and as it were taken and clos'd together Q. But why have they the conduits of their nose more shut then the young A. Because they are cold and cold restraines and shuts Q. From whence comes it that sneezing wee shake shrug and tremble A. It is because the vaines voyd themselues of a certaine humour or heated spirit and fill them againe with fresh ayre for they cannot remaine empty it is that which maks us to shake the same happeneth to us in emptying the bladder Tickling Q. WHerefore is it that wee tickle not our selves A. Because that our touch is to us naturall and familiar and things familiar and ordinary mooves nor affects us much Q. Wherefore is it that we are very ticklish in the soles of our feet and under our arme-pits A. Because that the skinne in those parts is stretched and very delicate as also they are parts that we are seldome touched by which as I have formerly said give more cause of motion and effection Q. Wherefore is it that we are very ticklish about the place of the Spleen A. Because that the Spleene being a part spongeous and delicate it is also more easily affected so that men the which feeling the body shot through that part of the body have dyed laughing Heate Q. WHerefore is it that hot things are sooner cold in the Sun then in the shadow A. Because in the shadow the cold locks up the heat and hindreth it from dilating or exhaling which is the cause that it is more strong and vigorous And in the Sunne by the contrary the heat is extended or exhaled by the Ayre which is his neighbour which being heated by the reflection and stroke of his rayes so that it is much more weak and feeble for the same cause the fire is lesse hot in Summer where the Sunne shineth upon it then it is in Winter or in the shadow Q. From whence comes it that a peece of Iron red hot in the fire is much more hot and burnes much more then the fire it selfe seeing that the Philosophers hold that that wich is such by the meanes of another that which is the cause ought to be much more it selfe A. That the fire being a body simple and nothing solide cannot worke so powerfully as the Iron or some other body that is solide thick and grose unto which the fire hath imparted his quality Baldnesse Q. WHerefore is it that we become more bald in the fore part of the head then behinde it A. Because that the fore part of the head is more soft and more thinne and divided by many seames as we may see in the sculs of the dead and the hinder part is in the contrary very hard and close by reason whereof the humidity which is the nourishment of the hayre is exhaled more eaâ—â—ly from the parts before whereby it loseth the haire sooner then of that behinde Q. Wherefore is it that those which have curled locks become soonest bald and later gray then others A. They become sooner bald because that they are of complection hot and dry so that the hayre the which is also dry falls of for want of moysture which is its nourishment they are also later gray then others because their heat consumes the moist humour which is the cause of whitenesse of the hayres being it selfe of the same colour Q. But wherefore is it that Eunuches become seldome bald A.
Philosopher that by comming old the naturall humiditie is exhal'd and the corrupt humours affect more easily their haire Q. From whence proceedeth the the divers colours of the haire A. From the divers temperaments of the humours whereof they are composed nourished for example those which have their humours much boyled have black haire as the Ethiopians Egyptians Moores Affricans and others those which have them indifferently boyled are red or deep yellow according as the matter is more or lesse boyled or according to the mixture of Phlegme with choler but these which abound in Phlegme and Crude humours have flaxen haire Q. From whence comes it that some have naturally their haire curled A. Galen yeelds many reasons saying that frizling of the haire is caused by the temperature hot and dry of the person as wee see that little long and straight bodies when we dry them at the fire they bend and reply or it may proceed saith he from the weaknes of the matter of the haire which cannot remain streight streached all a long but turneth up againe and frizells below or we may with Aristotle attribute the same with a double mooving from the matter of the haires which are but of sooty exhalations the which being something hot and dry and by the same holding of Terrestriate and firy quality the earthly fals downe below and the fire affects the height it falls then of necessity that by this double and contrary motion the haire frizels and curles all which reasons are sufficiently receiveable Q. Wherefore is it that those which have their haire rough grosse and harsh are ordinarily more strong robust and couragious then those which have it soft smooth and subtile A. Intruth the same may bee noted in many sorts of Animals as in Sheepe in Hares and in such other cowardly and flying Animals which have all their wooll or haire downish and lies smooth but in the contrary Lyons Boares and Bares have it rough and staring the which is found by experience also true amongst men and not without reason for haire which is harsh rough and grose testifieth that there is great aboundance of naturall heat mixed with the humiditie the which opening the pores giveth passage to the humours which are the matter of the haire to this purpose saies very well a Latine Poet A thick beard and curled locks Shewes a soldier fit for knocks Q. Wherefore is it that those which have curled locks are ordinarily camesd or the nose turning up A. Because they have the blood very hot and boyling and heat hindreth superfluous matter to strech and extend for the nose is of Cartilages and a Cartilage is a kinde of bony substance and the bone is of a superfluous matter for this cause also little children having boyling blood have their noses also turning up Q. Wherefore is it that such complexionated persons are more watchfull then others A. In as much that they are dry and the humidity dryed up hindreth the sleepe upon the contrary reason those which abound in moyst humors as little children women and drunkards and those which often wash and bath themselves are very much given to slee ping Q. Wherefore is it that those which have red haire are deemed commonly naughty boyes A. Because they are of a fiery nature hasty and cholerick but those which are well bred knowe how to moderate and rule their passions Q. Wherefore is it that those which have the haire of their head of one colour and their beard of another are ordinarily dangerous A. Because that it marks in them an inequality of their humours and complections which makes them naturally variable deceivers and disguised if they correct not their evill nature by good discipline from whence ariseth this common saying A black head and a red beard Take him with a good turne and chop ofâ— his head Dogges Q. WHerefore is it that the Dog excels in smell more then all other Animals A. The cause is that according to the proportion of his body he hath the Nerve of that sence more great then any other Animal And man in the contrary hath it very little so that he smells not very much Q. Wherefore is it that a dog of all other Animals remaines lynde or fastned within to the female after coupling without being able easily to unloose and undoe A. Alexander Aphrodeisea saith the cause is that the bitch in her native waies is very straiâ—â—â— and the verge of the dog being swolne within by the Ebullition of the spirits he is hardly able to withdraw it after the coupling HEAVEN Q. HOw is it that we have some small perceivance of the number of Heavens A. By 2 principall meanes the one is by the eclipses defaults or obscurity of the stars are eclipsed and hidden from us a certain time by others it is a firme argument that they finde betwixt our sight and those which they eclipse and make defalling of light to us that they are in some more low stage of the Heavens for if they were not below they would not robbethe other light from our sight The other proofe is drawne from the diversity and different mooving of the Heavens for all naturall bodies have one onely proper and particular motion yet neverthelesse they note divers movings in the Heavens and more great number in the inferiour Orbes then in the superiour for it is infallible that the inferiour receive this diversity of moovings besides their owne naturall from the superiour Orbes and therefore it is of necessity that there should be as many Heavens as there be divers motions Q. How is it that they have a little learned that the Heavens are round A. I have brought out to that purpose many reasons in my Physicke of which I will repeat heere the principall in few words First that the Heavens inclosing and containing all the other bodies of the universe ought to have the figure thereto most capable is round Sphearick or circular secondly that the Heauens being the bodies most mooveable of the world as wee may perceive by the continuall motion we ought therefore to attribute this figure to them as most proper to the motion thirdly that if the Heauens were of any other figure but round they would be jumbling and dashing or piercing and penetrating with their angles corners and extremities in turning and rowling the one within the other or â—else there must rest some vacuity or voydnesse betwixt the angles corners or extremities of their bodyes which were absurdities in and against nature fourthly that if they were of any other figure but round in one selfe day the Sunne the Moone and the other Starres which are carryed by the rapidity or incogitable swiftnesse of the primum mobile or first mover should make in foure and twenty houres the Center of the Universe to appeare at certaine houres more great then at other times from measure taken when they approach neare the earth which being not it must be concluded that the Heavens
are of figure round Q But how see wee not many times in one selfe same day that the Sun and Moone appeares more great one time then another especially at morning and evening A. That seemes so but it is not so for all that but the exhalations and vapours which are betwixt us and these great globes deceive our sight and represent them more great then of custome as it comes to those which regard any thing in the bottome of the water or with Spectacles Q. Wherefore is it that the Heavens remaine alwayes in an equall intervall and distance from the earth A. Because they have not in themselves neither lightnesse nor weight whatsoever in respect whereof they bouge nor stirre not at all from their naturall place but if they were of a fiery nature as some would have them they should descend to the firy circular which is under the Moone as tending to their naturall place or else they must since the creation of the world have alwaies still mounted and that it incessantly as it is the nature of fire to aspire alwayes in height Q. From whence comes it that the Heavens being of the same matter that the Starres are according to the agreement of all the grave Philosophers we see them not for all that and yet we see the Starres A. It is because that the Starres are more solid and massie then the Heavens which makes that they appeare more easily to our sight and the Heavens not because of their rarity and thinnesse neither more nor lesse then as wee see well enough thicke and grosse vapours and smoakes and see not the â—ost subtill and likewise as wee see the water but not the Ayre Q. From whence comes it that this great and vast space or extent which is betwixt us and the heavens to see the heavens themselves which seeme of a blewish and azure colour A. Neither the ayre nor the fire which are betwixt us and the heavens nor the heavens themselves in as much as they are all simple bodies are neither coloured nor susceptible of any colour neverthelesse because of the great distance there is betwixt us and the Heavens all those bodies there which are very rare simple and thinne seeme to condense and thicken and this condensation makes that all this immense extent seemes coloured with Azure Q. From whence comes it that certaine Starres twinkle to our eyes and others not A. Those which are in the Firmament and above the 7 Planets as most farre from us twinkle to our respect as doth a Torch farre off in like man-ner the little Starres more then the most great because that little objects rob more easily our eyes then the great but the Planets twinkle not or very little because they are more low then other Stars every one in his Orbe and likewise that they are more great neverthelesse Mars twinkleth also although that he is below other Planets that twinkle not but that is because hee is more reddishbrowne and by consequent lesse visible Q. But wherefore is it that the Starres more high and further from us twinkle more then the others A. This proceeds from the rayes of the fixed Stars which are in the Firmament and above the Planets their light descending in the Ayre as it were broken in our sight by the motion of the Ayre which is the cause they seem twinckling nor more nor lesse then the pibbles which are under the water seemes to tremble by the mooving of of the water the which cannot bee attributed properly to the Planets by the reason aforesaid because of their rayes comming more neere and that they are greater bodies to resist more strongly the mooving of the Ayre Q. Wherefore is it that wee see not the stars in the day time A Because that the middle meanes or the betwixt both which is the Ayre receives the impression of the light more strong and shining which is that of the Sunne in such manner that that of the other Stars remaines as offusked as being confused with that of the Sun so as we cannot distinguish it Q. Wherefore is it that the other Starres appeare not sometimes in forme of encreasing as the Moone doth A. Because that the Moone shines not by her proper light as doth all the other starres but onely by that of the Sunne so that according as she is diversly infused shee represents her selfe to us in divers figures but when shee is of all deprived by the interposition of the earth she is eclipsed and darkned Q. From whence comes it that the starres seeme to goe before us then when we goe of the same side that they runne and likewise on the contrary a merâ—â—ailous thing they seeme to follow us then when we goe the contrary course of their way A. It seemeth to us that they goe before when wee goe the very same way before and that whirle in because of their celerity and incomparable swiftnesse but when they seeme to follow us going on the contrary side of their course it is because of their immense greatnesse of their bodies in respect of the place where wee are although we go of the one side and they of the other they are alwayes seeming before us which cannot neverthelesse be well marked but that they remaine alwaies either neere to us before us or following us Bells Q. WHerefore is it that Bels of silver are more resounding then those of any other metall whatsoever they bee aad those of Iron lesse then any others A. That siluer holds most of ayre and Iron most earth and as ayry things are most resounding so are earthly things lesse then all others Q. Wherefore is it that Bells covered with cloathes be it of wollen cloath Silke or whatsoever other thinge like yeelds little or no sound A. Because that these bodies are soft and repercusse not the ayre which is the cause of sound Q. Wherefore is it also that a Bell filled with earth or some such like matter seemeth to yeeld no sound A. Because that the Ayre which as I come to say is cause of the sound and is choaked or suffocated by this other body where with he is filled Heart Q. WHerefore is it that the heart is set or placed in the middle of the Animall A. Because that it being the treasury of the naturall heat and magazine of the â—itall Spirits it is most commodiously placed in the middle of the body from thence to expand and to distribute over all the parts of the body as the Sunne in the middle of the 7 Planets Q. Wherfore is it that being so in the middle neverthelesse chafeth nor heateth not so much the back and the parts behinde us as those before A. Because that the bones that are in the back hinders that the heat cannot worke so lively together the coldnesse of the back bones and the temperament also of the heat which proceedeth from the heart is not so forcible to penetrate those parts there Q. Wherefore is it that
in them which makes that they first loosen and then fall for that which is set upon too much moisture is not firme Q. VVherefore is it then that from old persons they also fall seeing that they are very dry A. No too much is neither friend of nature nor of perfection so old folkes losing their teeth with too much drinesse and children with too much humidity is neither more nor lesse then as a wall built of dry earth and sand instead of good morter cannot long endure no more then if it were founded upon a place too moist Q. VVherefore is it that the teeth still increase and become large above in aged persons and on the contrary thinne cleare and small below towards the rootes although that they have beene other wayes well stopt A. They become large above in as much as they increase well neere all their life time but that they cleare it is by their grinding besides they grow barâ— in their drying by their age which is the cause they are more cleare and small below then above Q. Wherefore is it that the teeth increase so well neere all the length of the life being that they are bones and the other bones increase not but with the members of the body A. Nature hath it so wisely ordained well foreseeing that other wayes within a little time the teeth would consume themselves by their grinding of their food Q. Wherfore is it that the teeth fall from old folkes A. By the lack of humiditie as doth the leafes from the trees as also Rumes Catars makes them hollow rot and at last fall from yong folks likwise Q. Wherefore is it that they iudge shortnesse of life in those that have their teeth thinne cleare and not firmly set A. Because it is a certaine signe of the thicknesse of the bone of the head the matter of defailance in the teeth being turned into the thicknesse of that bone the which is the cause that the braine cannot so easily discharge himselfe hee makes within the head great corruption and putrifaction of the humidity whereof followeth mortall maladies this is the resolution of the Philosopher but I wil say further those which have their teeeth so thinne are of weake complection and of a feeble nature for if they were of a nature robust and vigorous shee had planted in the gums teeth firmly and thick set for the fertile and well bearing earth makes the graine grow thicke without leaving vetle void places neverthelesse the learned Scaliger noteth upon this purpose that if the chawers were too hard set the matter feeding the teeth could not pierce them which should be an argument rather of long then of short life Descending and Ascending Q. WHerefore is it that wee Descend more easily and more nimbly then wee Ascend A. Because that wee beeing naturally heavy our bodies with their proper weight and naturall motion bears vs belowe when wee descend on the contrary then when wee ascend they load and keepe us backe in this motion being against nature by the same reason a stone thrust from high to low runnes much more swiftly then she can mount from below to high although throwne with a strong hand moreover I say that all bodies heavy and weighty tend naturally to their center below Q. Wherefore is it that we wallow much more going upwards then downewards A. Because that we have more paine in mounting then in descending by the reason deduced in the precedent question which is because that the interiour ayre heateth sooner then when wee goe at our ease for wee often then blow and respire for quicke breath Q. Wherefore is it that water being heavy may neverthelesse be made to mount as high as its spring A. The vulgar holds this commonly as a great marvaile and likewise Cardan hath put it amongst his subtilties without yeelding any reason but onely he saith that nature hath so ordained it with much providence if she had not given it this faculty and property to the water the course of Brooks and Rivers should be arrested and stayed at all the encounters of bodies a little height from whence it should have followed inundations which would have covevered the earth on all sides but if we consider that the first Sources of all waters comes from the Sea and that all ebbe and return into the Sea as teacheth the divine Oracle wee shall â—inde that this reasoÌ„ is more false â—hen common since that expeâ—ience her selfe shewes us ordiâ—inarily the contrary for we may â—urne easily the water by ditches and bankes of earth which we may oppose to their courses â—he true cause is then that the â—odies of the most soft and most â—uple being pressed or repulsed by the most hard yeeld not place plumne downe or perpendicularly but lift up and inâ—ance themselves for example presse your foot amongst dirt or Ouse and it will swell and rise â—n height insteed of falling of the sides if one would say to me it is because of his humidity I shall answere that one doing the same to a heap of sand it hapens not or shall it not so doe so then the water hath his way falling from an high and eminent place the flux of that which is behind shaâ— incess antly thrust still on thaâ— which is before pressing upoâ— and thrusting one another which is the cause that finding resistance or hindrance in his course and that which is thrust cannoâ— penetrate or pierce the body iâ— encounters gives place so as it iâ— forced by that which followeâ— it to lift it selfe up mount and the other likewise that followes him if it findes not some easie meanes to extend and spread iâ— selfe for in asmuch as it is liquid the extention defusion is naturall to it and the descent also because of his heavinesse and its mounting is contrary caused by vyolence for it extends in breadth and descends sooner more easily then it mounts by the hindrances that it encounters by its course but suppose that the water bee so well inclosed within a pipe of lead that it cannot extend side waies yet it cannot for al that be so limited in his course but that it will mount to the height of the place from his course this depends upon the force impulsion weight of the body which thrusts him behinde of it that resists before for if the repulsion weight of the body pressed by the behinde is more weak then the resistance of the body which is in the before the water wil not mount so high as if the impulsioÌ„ weight of the body pressing by the behinde surmounteth it must be as is said forced by him that resisteth in him before this may bee seen in the pipes of fountains that one may cause the water to mount as high as one will by the Artifice of weight but here let us stay fix't I havâ— dwelt the longer upon the resolution of this question to destroy the popular errour
proposed in the same and by the same meanes to establish the truth oâ— the cause Q. From whence comes it that throwing in a perpendicular line a chippe or other piece of wood equally bigge within the water the upper end which first entereth within the water shall bee â—ooner remounted upon the water then that above shall sinke to the bottome A. It is certaine that wood being a thinne body containes very much ayre the naturall place whereof is above the water by reason whereof being thrust by violence under the water he riseth above by his owne nature in lesse time then the violence which thrusts him downe because it was but accidentary Q. Wherefore is it that a ball blowne full of winde being thrust downe by force under water sudâ—ainly mounts up againe upon the top of it A. Because that the Ayre or winde wherewith it is full comes to his naturall place which is above the water Q. Wherefore is it that a piece of wood being cast from high to low within the water with a piece of lead stone or any other hard or solid body of the same weight they shall both descend and fall in the same time upon the water yet neverthelesse the lead or stone shal sinke into the water and the wood shall swimme upon the top of the water A. The wood sinks not within the water because it is ayerie and the place of the Ayre is above the water the other sinks because they are earthly watery but in the ayre the wood descends as swiftly as the terrestriall and watery bodies because that the ayre as all other Elements excepting the fire weighs in his naturall place Finger Q. FRom whence comes it that the fourth finger of the left hand next to the little finger hath beene so esteemed amongst the Egyptians Greeks and Romans that they have onely adorned it with a gold Ring A. Because in making Anatomies dissections of the body they have found that there is a little nerve in the same which stretcheth and reacheth even to the heart and for the conjunction and ligature it hath with that noble part they more honoured it then the others and more they call it the medicinable finger Sleepe Q. WHerfore is it that Physitians forbid us to lie in our beds upon our backes and our bellies aloft A. The cause is that lying in that sort the Reines heate and the Phlegme which is there hardeneth whereby is ingendred the stone in the reines it chafes also the blood that is in the veine called Cave and the spirits that are within the great Artery and it likewise shuts and stops the conduits of the excrements whereof ensueth and proceedeth as saith Avicen Apoplexies Phrensies and Incubus Q. Wherefore is it that the morning sleepe is more pleasant then that of the night A. Because that the Sunne remounting in our Hemispheare and comming neare us mooveth sweetly in our bodies such vapours as provoke us to sleep Q. But wherefore is it that sleep after dinner is hurtfull A. If one have watched the night before I doe not condemne him to sleep in the day but having sufficiently rested the night and to take a nappe betwixt the two meales it corrupts the digestion looseth and slakes the members too much dulleth and makes the head heavy and brings one to be carelesse and unprofitable I will say neuerthelesse that although the Physitians permit old folkes to sleepe sometimes in the day because they cannot well rest in the night therefore they may take a nap when they desire it but it is not good to use it too soone after meat or if then but a short one with the Proverb Somnum Meridianum aut brevis aut Nihil Q. Wherefore is it that little children are very sleepy and old folkes on the contrary very watchfull A. Because that little children are very moist and neverthelesse abounding in naturall heat the which evaporates great quantitity of the humidity sendeth it to the brain so as the conduits by which the animal spirits flow from the brain to the other parts of the body being stoppen they sleepe easily Old folkes on the contrary are dry have besides litle natural heat in them is the cause that the matter efficient cause of sleep fails in them that they cannot long sleep whereas I say that aged folkes are dry I mean they have little of radicall moisture although they abound in ill humours the which neverthelesse are not the cause and matter of sleep Q. Wherfore is it that those which have their veines very small are more sleepy then those which have them great A. Because as Aristotle saith very well that the fumes and vapours which have their mouÌ„ture to the brain have their stopping by the conduits of the sence cannot easily flow nor be dissipated by the natural heat so easily as if the wayes were large and ample so then it is requisit they have more time to take away the cause of sleepe as also the effect lasteth n t long Q. From whence comes it that Harmony and a sweet consort of a well agreeing musick be it of voice or of instruments yea a sweet murmur of waters and Rivers the chirping of birds the humming of flyes and other such obiects of the hearing provoke sleep A. The same procedeth from that as the soule is greatly affected as it were seized charmed by the hearing gathereth all his forces for to send up great quaÌ„tity of spirits so as the other sences being altogether deprived remain as filled the Agitation of the same spirits mooving the vapours fumes to the Organes and conduits of the hearing provoke a sweet and pleasant sleep Q. How can it bee that sorrow breakes the sleepe and yet neverthelesse sleepe allaies sorrow anâ— griefe A. It is that sorrow and griefe troubles and hinders so much the concoction that imagination it selfe breaks the sleepe and neverthelesse rest increaseth the motion of the troubled spirits and releaseth the anguish and sorrow Q. How can it be that labour provoketh sleepe seeing it expandeth and throweth abroad naturall heate through all the body and neverthelesse naturall heate amasseth from the interiour is the efficient cause of sleepe making to vapour the fumes from the stomacke to the braine the which turning them into water stoppeth the conduits of the sense which remaines by this meanes filled and bound A. Sleepe comes not from the labour but by accident and mediately not as the nearest cause because labour ingenders wearinesse and wearinesse constraines us to rest so that during the rest naturall heate retires within and worketh so with that shee findes within the stomacke and inwards that it exhales the fumes and vapours to the braine the which provokes sleepe and stops the conduits of the Senses Q. Wherefore is it that the first sleepe is more strong more profound and holds the sense more bound and more drown'd in sleepe A. Because that then it sends
being extreame hot it conceives easily his like and yet entertaines freely what he hath of matter Q. Wherefore is it that it is more light then any other liquour and likewise that it will swimme upon oyle A. It is because that it holds both of ayre and of fire which are the two light and subtill elements for all that is earthly and grosse in the wine whereof it was made and drawne by the Alembicke was separated from it Q. Wherefore is it that it being mixed with any other liquour it hinders it from freezing even during the extremity of thewinter A. Because that it is exteamly hot of it selfe and therefore it is called burning water the cause whereby it resists so the cold be it never so sharpe and vehement Q. VVherefore is it that it is not profitable to a leane and dry person A. Because it drieth and burneth the humours which be not superfluous but rather defailing in leane and dry persons it were better therefore they did conserve them then consume them Echo Q. WHerefore is it that the Echo reports more clearely to our hearing the last syllables then the first A. It is because that the first are broken by the last or that we are too neare or that wee speake the last in measure â—onger then the Echo giveth us the first and so we cannot so well understand them Elements Q. HOw can it be that the Elements which haue their qualities so contrary may be hoâ—den with so straight and perfect a bond together without destroying the one the other by their neighbourhood A. It is that their qualities are so justly and perfectly ballanced and proportioned that they themselves are the band which most strictly ties them the one being not able to undertake nothing too much upon the others for even as a consort of foure good voyces discordant in tone neverthelesse agreeing in their Systeme is much more harmonious then if they all agree'd in the unison likewise the accord of the foure Elements consisteth in their discord by the just proportion of their forces Infants Q. WHerefore is it that Infants which are borne in the 7 moneth after their conception many times live those which are borne in the 8 seldome doe A. Some attribute this to the order of the seaven planets and hold that the first moneth answers to Saturne the second to Iupiter and so according to the order of the Planets in descending towards us and although that the seaventh moneth bee past wee must beginne againe with Saturne which is a cold Planet and Symboliseth with weaknesse therefore children borne in the eight moneth cannot well live although that Aristotle and after him Pliny testifieth that sometimes they lived as well as the others and especially in Egypt because of the continuall serenity of the Ayre which is in that Region but the foresaid reason seemes to me more subtile then veritable Fracastorius the Italian thought better how to deale then others upon this question hee saith that the children of the seventh and ninth moneth may live but not on the eight in as much that as there are kindes of corne which comes in three moneths others in seven out of these times they are worth nothing so there is of the sorts of humane seed the one of seven and the other of nine and out of these times the children cannot live the which resolution is yet more impertinent then the precedent for even as the corne of seven moneths is worth nothing at three so to follow his manner of saying those that beget children of nine moneths know not how to beget for seven that may live on the contrary or to traverse it those which are begotten for seven moneths cannot beget for nine and neverthelesse experience every day sheweth us the contrary for my owne part I see well enough that neither the one nor the other sayes any thing of value neverthelesse I will adjoyne although it is possible enough that I shall say nothing to the liking of another but so much I love to attribute to the perfection of the Septenarie number the which by a certaine occult and secret vertue accomplisheth all things This number is very perfect because it is composed of the two first perfect numbers par and impar to wit of the third and fourth for the second being not composed but of an unite repeated the which is no number nor is perfect for his occult vertue I esteeme that it worketh upon all the things sublunary because that the Moone changeth her forme from seven to seven dayes that is every seventh day and shee is more apparent and manifest in man then in any other thing whatsoever For first being borne seven moneths after his conception hee may live in the seventh moneth after his birth his teeth beginne to come out at seven yeares hee beginnes to have the use of reason at twice seven yeeres hee enters into the age of Puberty and to bee capable of generation at three times seven yeares hee enters likewise into the flower of his Age at foure times seven yeares hee beginnes to enter into the Age of Virility and full perfection of his naturall vigor and manhood from seven to seven if wee take heed a man receives ordinarily some alteration and change in his spirit or body or in his temporall goods or in his fortune be it in adversity bee it in prosperity such a change is principally remarkeable in his complection and after all which is full of admiration the climatericall yeare which is the three score and third yeare of the age of man now count seven times nine or nine times seven the which is ordinarily reduced to some extreamity perill of his life which the Emperour Augustus well noting rejoyceth marvellously to have past that very yeare not without apprehension though without danger of his life then as by the number of seven and of nine multiplied the one by the other wee are in danger of death so the very same numbers are also happy for the prolongation of our lives now to cut short this question the Lawyers approving this doctrine from the Phisitians have judged that children borne the seventh month with perfection ought to be allowed as legitimate if by adventure the father had beene absent Q. Wherfore is it that children as as soone as they are out of their mothers wombs begin to cry A. The cause is they feele a great change in passing out of a place so close and hot to enter into an ayre free and cold together with clarity which dazeleth their weake eyes which causeth them to cry if we shal yet further enter into the profound mysteries of our beeing be it that they presage the miseries of their future life which is but a passage and a way not a life to goe to a true and immortall living Q. Wherefore is it that little children have their noses turned up A. It is as saith Aristotle that they have their blood boyling
and digest their victuals better then those which are sluggish and given too much to their ease A. It comes that Exercise moves the naturall heate concocteth and digesteth better then if the victuals were asoped and crude like a drown'd toast so as the digestion and former repast not put over but laying load upon load against the Faulconers rule Extremities Q. WHerefore is it that the extreame parts of the body as the feete the hands the nose the eares are more chilly and cold then the others A. It is because they are more nervy lesse fleshy and by consequent more sencible and besides that they have the lesse of blood so they have lesse heate to resist the cold moreover that they are farther from the heart which is the fire and heater of the body Q. Wherefore is it that they esteeme it a signe of good health if there be no other sinister accident to be cold in the extremities of the members farthest from the heart after repast A. Because it shewes that the naturall heate is shot within the body Q. Wherefore is it to those extreame sicke they often apply extreame remedies A. Because it must bee that the remedy bee proportioned and answerable to the sicknesse being for a certaine that a sharpe and violent malady cannot bee healed by benigne and gentle remedies in as much that they cannot vanquish neither more nor lesse then as a Fort well amunitioned and defended by couragious men cannot bee wonne without great and strong forces Of the Face Q. WHerefore is it that Nature hath made Man with a Face upright and looking towards heaven A. To the end that he should ordinarily contemplate celestiall things the originall of his Soule and the eternall seate that he ought to ayme at after the passage from this life which the Pagan Poets themselves have knowne Vpreared lookes God onely granted man The other Animals he curbed downe But he to judge the earth heaven to scan Ha h only power besides to smile orfrown To laugh and weepe and all this in the face The high Creator plac't to mans high grace Q. Wherefore is it that wee sweate more in the face then in any other part of the body being that the face is uncovered A. Because that it is more humid as its hairinesse shews which is nourished by humidity and that the braine which is very moist being within the head dischargeth it selfe on all sides by divers conduits as also that the humidity is descending and mounteth not as in the parts below Q. Wherefore is it that the face is not cold although it is uncover'd and that other parts of the body although they are well cover'd are cold and chilly A. Because that the face being ordinarily bare the cold stopps the pores which is more the head being full of spirits which are hot and heateth therefore it is lesse cold but I beleeve that custome of keeping the face uncover'd doth more then all for we see in the like that those which goe commonly bare legged feele no cold and an ancient Hermite that went all naked was used to say that he was all face to shew that custome and the habitude of going naked was the cause that he fear'd no more cold unto the other parts of the body then to the face Q. Wherefore is it that little swellings and pimples come out more in the face then in any other part of the body A. In as much as there is more humidity in the Head then other where and that these little pimples and pushes are no other thing then an evacuation of a crude and undigested humour Females Q. WHerefore is it that amongst all the kinds of Animals the females are ordinarily the most subtil scape more cunningly and craftily from mens ambusbes then the males A. It is that being for the most part more weak then the males nature to repaire that defect hath given them more wily craft for the conservation of their lives Q. But wherefore then amongst the Serpents the fishes the be ares the Tigers the Panthers and such other kindes of Animals the females are commonly more great and furious then the males A. It is that nature so pleaseth her selfe with diversity for the ornament of the world as also that it was expedient for the good of humane kinde that the males of some of the foresaid kindes should bee something gentler for if they were ful as furious as the females they should be well neere all invincible Women Q. WHerefore is it that women have no beards and arâ— not so hairy or downy as men A. Because that they are of a nature cold and moist and the cold which restrains is the cause that the pores of the flesh being shut up the haire cannot peirce nor get out but onely in some parts of their bodies where there is a particular heat also their too great moystnesse likewise hinders that their haire cannot spring out as it is in the gelded and in children and no otherwise then a ground too moyst becomes infertile Q. Wherefore is it that women become sooner gray haird then men A. Because as I intend to say they are naturally cold and ordinarily more idle and lesse given to labour and violent exercises by which reason they gather together great quantities of evil humours the which whiten their haire Q. Wherefore is it that they beare more easily cold then men for ordinarily they are thinner cloathed in winter then men A. Because that they being cold they feele cold the lesse for every like is least affected to his like in example he which hath his hands cold feeles not so well the coldnesse of a nother by as if they were hot Q. But how blood being alwayes accompanied with heat and women having much more blood then men as their natural purgations make proofe doth it not follow then that they should have more blo od then men A. No for on the contrary leaving to speake further of that blood with my modesty in the rest they have lesse good blood then men for not the crude blood but the good is accompanied with heat Q. VVherefore is it that Women are sooner capable of conceiving then begetting because the lawes permit them marriage at twelve and men at foureteene and not before these ages A. It is certaine that women increase in all things sooner then men because that nature striveth to conduce sooner to perfection things of least lust recompencing in that course what shee tooke away in the other so then men being still capable of generation at threescore ten women ceasing at fifty it is no great marvaile though nature advanced women in the beginning since shee sooner failes them then men in the end Fire Q. FRom whence comes it that fyre doth yeeld lesse heat in Summer then in winter seeing that in Summer it seemes that its heate were ioyned to that which comes from the double reflection oâ— stroke of the Sunnes â—ayes it should
are so short breathed A. It proceeds of some rhume that it dischargeth it selfe upon the Lungs or it is some other indisposition of the Lunges of which wee can make but judgement according to the effects Q. From whence comes it that â—ommonly being fasting our breath â—s sharp and strong A. It is because that from the stomack issue and evapourate fumes of an evill savour if they are not tempered with fresh victuals this comes priâ—cipally to much sitting persons to the sick and those which have eaten too much because both the one and the other have crudities in their stomacks or that they cannot wel and intirely decoct and â—igest their victuals although this also may proceed from too great heat and adustion for things over cuted and adust have an unpleasing smell violent sharp or stinking or else according to Aristotle it is because that the aire which is within the body voideth doth not moove after the digestion being that heat corrupts the Phlegmy excrements by his immobility or it appeares that it is overmuch heat for it ordinarily ingenders thirstinesse Q. From whence comes it that in winter we see the breath of men and other animals as it comes fuming out of their mouthes and nostrils and as they respire it and in Summer wee cannot see or discerne it A. It is because that in Summer the exteriour ayre being more subtill and more hot then in another season the breath which issueth from the interiour parts of the body is so heated that it spreads suddenly through the ayre affecting the same quality spreads I say with so much attenuation that it cannot bee perceived and contrarily in the winter finding the ayre more thicke grosse and very cold it eepes it selfe unite and close in â—suing to resist the coldnesse in â—e ayre which is its contrary The hic-up Q. WHerefore is it that the hic-up especially if it â—e not very violent ceaseth in holling the breath or else if we are â—uddenly frighted or afflicted with â—ome opinionate unhappinesse A. Because that the hic-up proceedeth of a sudden difficulty in breathing and that in holding our breath it must bee of necessity that we shall a little after respire by course likewise we being made attentive to that which feared us banded us against that which frighted us of some unhappines makes us hold our breath and sometimes with a profound sigh fetcht from the stomacke it hinders the cause of of the hic up so reasoneth Alex. Aphrod but Aristotle yeeldeth another reason not much different from this it is saith he that the hic up proceedeth from a chilly cold and the retention or holding of the breath heating the inward part the hic up ceaseth from his cause by means of a contrary cause Q. Wherefore is it that Vinegar also stayeth the hic up A. Because that Vinegar heateth the stomack and the hic up proceedeth from a certaine cold humour which stayes the ayre and the breath this humour being so heated and thinned exhaleth and by the same meanes giveth free way to the respiration Man Q. WHerefore is it that Man amongst all other Animals is borne naked A. To the end that he should acknowledge his frailty and misery and otherwise that hee should praise God that although he hath made him to bee borne naked yet neverthelesse he hath created all things for him and therefore if hee should be afterwards covered that he may cover and cloath himselfe as it seemes good to him bee it modestly or proudly lightly or heavily according to the temperature of the place of his habitation and the divers seasons of the yeare Q. Wherefore is it that men resemble not their fathers and mothers as doe the beasts A. In as much as men in the venerian act use it in all times as also because of the vivacity of their spirits which is divine have some divertisment and thought of divers things whereas the beasts are wholly attentive to their couplement and also that men often mingle indiscreetly with women and with much heating themselves in the businesse which the beasts doe not Q. Wherefore is it that men twinkle their eyes more often and more quicke then any other animal A. Because that as noteth the Philosopher some Animals have no eye-lids as the Fishes and others have none but underneath as the birds and foure-footed beasts which engender Egges not a living animall and those which have both above and below as well as men have their skinnes more hard which is the cause that they have them not so moveable and flexible Q. Wherefore is it that commonly little men are more prompt more subtill and cholericke then â—he great A. It is because that the vertue and naturall vigour together with the forces of the spirit being more united in a little body then in a great and not having to sustaine so great and heavy a masse have also their motions more prompt and more subtill and for this same cause the Physitians hold that men which are great and fat are not so healthfull as those which are of little or middle stature Shame Q. WHerefore is it that shame makes us to blush red A. Because there is a respect and reverence of those of which we have that shame retaining oâ— our actions as in suspence the blood hath leasure to spread and run more easily by all the body and especially to the exteriouâ— parts the rednesse whereof wee suddenly marke because it is not ordinary or else it is that nature as to cover us sends the blood to the exteriour parts of the body and being it cannot sufficiently cover teacheth us in the same case to put our hands before the face as the little children doe for nature will doe it although they were never shewed it Q. Wherefore is it that shame being a kinde of feare we should not rather grow pale then red A. Shame is not an absolute feare not feare of receiving any hurt in our bodies or in our health but onely a feare to be mock't misprized or blamed by reason whereof nature makes the blood to mount up and cover the face and teacheth us to carry the hand before the visage and to bow downe the head something to hide us when we are ashamed but when wee feare to receive some hurt in our bodies or to lose our lives nature sends the blood to the heart which is the principle of life to fortifie it and the other parts during that time disprovided remaine pale and wan Q. Wherefore is it that they esteeme young men to bee of a good nature when they have failed in any thing which dâ—e blush for the same A. Because that they acknowledge their fault and that they acknowledging it have shame which is a true signe and testimony that they are sorry which gives a hope of amendment Oyle Q. WHerefore is it that that part of the oyle which is most high within the vessell that of the wine which is in the
the lightning breakes the bones within the body without any way touching or offending and produceth many other strange effects as I have shewed elsewhere Q. Wherfore is it that the leafe of a Laurel cracks in the fire A. It is for the reason aforesaid that it greatly holds of the ayre â—he which is extreamly humid and pressed by the fire cracks in goeing out because that it takes is way by force and ontrance as doth the humidity of the chesse-nut when it is put under the embers without being cut on the top Moone Q. WHerefore is it that Physitians the labourers the Mariners and others observe so strictly in the exercise of their Arts the constitution of the Moone A. Because she hath a particular vertue and predomination upon the things here below and which is more shee is more neerer to us then any other oâ— the Planets and having a lesse â—urne and circuit to make shee changes more often her constitution and this frequent change ought to bee more exactly considered and observed especially by those men which are to prove every day the events Q. Wherefore is it that victuals corrupt sooner in the shine of the Moone then of the Sunne A. Because that the Moone hath her heat weake and moysteneth more then shee dries and the Sunne on the contrary dryes much Now excessive humidity being cause of corruption it is no marvaile if the Moone which extends dilates and spreads humidity and likewise augments it and aydes corruption Q. Wherefore is it that wood cut in the full of the Moon is more subiect to be worme eaten and to rot sooner then if it were cut in any other time A Because the Moon then being in her most strong vigour dilates so much more the bodies as well sensible as insensible which yeeldeth them more subject to putrifaction Q. From whence comes it that those which sleepe in the rayes of the Moone comming to wake finde themselves all besorted bebenummed and as troubled in their understanding A. Because that as I intend to say the Moone dilates the humours of the body and especially and notedly those of the head the which mingling with the Animal spirits troubles the braine Sick folkes and Sicknesse Q. FRom whence comes it that people more often fall sick in â—ummer and that the sick dye â—ore often in Winter A. It is that in Summer there â— more causes of sicknesses then â— winter because that the natuâ—all heate is spread and diffused â—rough all the body by reaâ—on whereof the interiour being â—sse heated the stomack is â—lled with crudities and undiested humours and to the me also adde the great quanâ—y and diversity of fruites that â—eople are accustomed to eate â—ves ayd also as also that the â—res being open and the â—inne being loose by this diffuâ—n of the naturall heate they 〈◊〉 ordinarily subject to take cold from whence ensâ—eth many maladies to the contrary in Winter the naturall heate being inclosed within the interiouâ— parts by Antiperistice wee digest more easily our meate and therefore if we doe fall sicke iâ— must come from some great and violent cause Q. From whence comes it thaâ— the Spring-time and the Autumnâ— which are the most temperate seaâ— sons bring us neverthelesse morâ— maladies then either Winter â— Summer A. It is because that goinâ— out of an intemperate and weâ— risome season to enter into temperate and an agreeable thâ— evill humours gathered togâ—ther during the intemperaâ— season beginne to stirre aâ— move by this change and 〈◊〉 fect also the body and make â— sicke and therefore the Spring-time and the Autumne are two unhealthfull Seasons and yet more by accident and inconsequence then the Winter or Summer which brings them of themselves Q. But why is it yet that Autumne is more unhealthfull then the Spring-time A. Because that comming out of Winter and from the cold we enter into the Spring-time and into the heate which is a friend to Nature And on the contrary wee goe out of the Summer and heate and enter within the Autumne and approach to the cold which is an enemy to Nature Q. Wherefore is it that sicknesses are many times infectious to those which approach neere the sicke and health cannot be so communicated A. Because that health as saith well the Philosopher is as rest and sicknesse is a mooving or stirring which is many times comunicable according to the disposition of the subject and quality of the disease for all maladyes are not infectious but onely those which they call contagious and striking which proceeds from some corruption of the spirits or which corrupt the spirits and which comming to exhale outwardly infecting the neighbour aire communicates so their corruption Q. Wherefore is it that according to the doctrine of the Physitians it is not good for sick folkes to eate much A. Because they cannot well digest it by reason that their naturall heate is in them so weakned and hindred by the evill humours and the sâ—perfluous nourishment miâ—gâ—ed with their evill humours easily corrupt so that the sicknesse is aided and prolonged to the perill and danger of the subject Eating and Drinking Q. VVHerefore is it that as the proverb saies one shoulder of mutton will pluck on another and that the appetitâ— comes in eating A. It is that the pores and subtile eoâ—duits of the body being stuffed with some thick humour grosse or gluing are opened by the victualls especially if they have some little pointing or sharpnesse the which like a tickling excites the appetite or naturall heate as also dissolves or consumes the humours the repletion of whom hinders the appetite Q. From whence comes it that hunger passeth away in drinking and thirst augmenteth in eating A. It is because that the drinke temperateth all that it findes dry and unprofitable by its hardnesse and weight within the stomack the which digesteth better or more easily being so temperate and then after by the other concoctions the same is distributed to all the parts of the body and so hunger passeth in this sort but thirst which proceedeth for want of humidity augments the more in eating because that victualls if they be solid dry up the humidity which resteth within the stomack Q. Wherefore is it that in Summer one drinkes more and in Winter they eat more then in any other season of the yeare A. It is because that the Summers heate drying our bodyes we must moysten and liquour them more then is usuall and by Antiparisticis it comes that in Summer the externe or outward heate is the cause that wee have lesse of naturall heate within the stomack to digest and on the the contrary in Winter the cold predominating upon the exteriour the naturall heate enforceth himselfe and gathers all into the interiour by reason whereof we eate and digest our victualls better Q. Wherefore is it then that in Autumne wee eate many times yet better then in winter A. It is not that in Autumne we have interiourly more
lifted up unto the middle region of the Ayre which as wee have formerly sayd is cold in Summer by reason whereof the Snow is there conserved which falls not so to the lower parts where in in Summer the heate is predominant Q. How can it bee that hot water cover'd with strawe conserves and retaines his heate and that Snow covered also with straw in a fresh place remaines inâ—ire without resolving or melting retaining his coldnesse seeing that heat and cold are two qualities diametrally contrary A. It is because the straw is not properly of himselfe neither hot nor cold nor dry nor moyst and for this cause it is called of the Greeeks Apoion that 's to say exempt of quality and neverthelesse is susceptible of qualities of the subject to which it is applied to in as much more easily that if it participates of any of them it is therefore it conserves and entertaines hot things in their heate and cold things in their coldnesse from thence comes it also that it is very proper to conserve the fruits and to keepe them from corruption and rottennesse Drowning Q. WHerefore is it that the bodies of drowned folkes come againe to swimme upon the water after few dayes and notedly as they have observed upon the ninth day A. Some say that nine dayes after the body is drown'd and sunke under the water the gall splits and breakes and the bitter liquor which was therein contained being runne out the body lifteth it selfe upon the water Others hold that the gall crackes not for all that but that all the parts of the body being attenuated and thinned by the moisture of the water and the grosse humours being evacuated it is then more suple and comes againe upon the water some dayes after it is drowned But it seemes to me that it is rather because of windes which ingender within the caules filmes or membranes which cover the intestines and the belly called of the Physitians Omentum peritonium as an excessive swelling of the belly shews us for all corruption and rottennesse is ingender'd of heate and heate dissolves humidity and it ingenders winde the which reason is subtilly brought forth by Cardan Q. Wherefore is it that the bodyes of drowned men comming up upon the water swim upon their backs and those of women upon their bellies A. To attribute this as some have doe to the prudence of nature which hath a will to cover the secret partes of the one Sexe more then of the other seemeth to mee a reason too light and I will like better to say that it is because of the difference of the parts of the one and of the other for women have the vessells of before more ample large and capable then the men as the naturall parts the matrixe and the conduits of the Urine which is the cause that they are lesse subject to the stone and beare their children in their flancks besides that their breasts are spungeous and drink up a great quantity of water which weigheth and heavieth much more the fore parts of their bodyes and by consequent drawes it downeward for it is certaine that the most heaviest parts still incline downeward on the contrary men have their shoulders more grosse and large then the women and the bones and ligatures of the vertebres or back bones more strong great and firme by reason whereof those parts incline downeward as also that they have the organes and conduits of the voyce and of their respiration and breathing more ample as it appeares in this that they have the voyce more grosse and more strong which being filled with ayre lifts their bodies upward and the face towards the Heaven and the back upon the water Night Q. WHerfore is it that in the night time griefes wounds and other of our maladies gather together and increase A. Because that in the day we see heare breath smell taste runne and have many other divertments which allayeth our griefes and in the night the sence of the touch is onely busied and is also more affected with griefes together the excessive cold and moysture of the night aydes to it also very much Q. Wherefore is it that wee heare better and more further in the night then in the day A. Because that the noyse of Animals and an infinite of such like things ceaseth in the night and all beeing still in silence and in rest the hearing peirceth better upon his objects and moreover our other sences and especially the sight distracts us much in the day not exercising then their functions the hearing being then the most sharp Q. Wherefore is it that we rest sooner and better in the night then in the day A. The reason politick is that the day is more proper to us for travell and labour because of the light but the reason naturall is that the night is more cold and moyst then the day and the cold and the humidity provokes sleepe as also that having travelled hither and thither in the day we repose and rest better in the night Smells and Smelling Q. WHerfore is it that man excels not in smelling as many other Animals doe A. Because that man in regard of his corporall masse having much more of braine then any other Animal and the braine being cold and moyst and the Odours on the contrary holding more of hot and dry is the cause that the smelling of men is weakned by the neighbourhood of the braine for the faculty of smelling lies principally in certaine little bosses or rundells of flesh which the Physitians call Mamelles which are above the nares or nostrills joyning to the braine Q. Wherfore is it that those which have the braine tempered with hot and dry excell in smelling above others A. Because the odours are of the temperament of the hot and of the dry Q. Wherefore is it that those which excel in smelling have also ordinarily spirits good and subtile A. Because that their brain being of the above said temper the heat serves them to the prompt conception of the objects and the dry to retaine them which are the qualities of a faire spirit Q. Wherefore is it that they have seldome a good sight A. Because that the instrument of the sight is watrish and moyst and that of the smell is of the contrary temperature by reason whereof they cannot much excell in both the two together Q. Wherefore is it that Arabia Felix Africa and other hot regions are very aboundant and plant plentifull in all Oderiferous and Aromatick things A. Because that being hot and dry they have the same temperature as the odours are of Q. Wherefore is it that the flowers which grow neere to Oignions have a more violent smell then otherwise they would have A. Because that the Onyon dry and heate the earth and communicate by that meanes those two qualities to the flowers the which qualities fortifie the odours Q. Wherefore is it that those which are Rheumatick smell very little or
the Oyle hee drawes that which is there terrestriall and our flesh being wholly terrestriall cannot he heated without blacking of it Q. From whence comes it that the heate of the Sunne melts wax and dryes durt or mud A. We must not onely consider but also the disposition of the agent as also of the subject or patient so then though the heate of the Sunne or of the Fire which melts wax bee the very same that hardens the mudde or the Earth but so it is that the disposition of the subject is very divers for the Wax being fusill that is to say apt to melt melts and runnes liquid in the Fire or in the Sunne the heate mooving the humidity even the same that is within it for wax is very moyst but the mudde and the Earth beeing of their selves very sandy and dry the same heate drawes out all the humidity which is to them a stranger and so it is hardened and dry in drying and dryed in hardning neverthelesse the fire may bee so violent and sharp that it may consume the waxe and reduce it into a cinder or ashes or extreamely harden the clay Q. From whence comes it that sometimes wee see a forme of a crowne or roundle about the Sunne or the Moone and likewise two or three sunnes at a time A. It comes from the reflection or beating back of the rayes or light of the Sunne by the opposition of some dewie clowd that is ready to melt Sorcery Q. HOw is is it that Sorcerers can transforme men into Wolves and other kindes of Animals A. Errour for that they cannot doe but they charme the eyes of men and especially of those which are in an evill estate of their soule or which have a weake and wavering faith for they cannot change forme without dying Q How can it bee that certaine wicked persons can be-witch with their onely looke and especially doe mischiefe to little children A. This is not as holds the Platonists and the Opticks by the rayes of their eyes but by some wicked and venemous vapour that goes out of their eyes or rather from all their body which hurts more the little children then perfect men because that the children being more soft and tender they are more easily affected and infected yet thinke I further that the same may be done more by charmes and spells or other detestable meanes that the sorcerers learne of the authour of all accursednesse Sweating and to sweat Q. VVHerfore is the sweat salt A. Because the most sweete and benigne part of the foode turnes it selfe into nourishment and the remainder into the excrements of which the hardest to digest retaining their crudities have also some pricking and saltnesse as the sweate and the urine Q From whence comes it that the sweat of the head smells not so ill as that of the other parts of the body A. Because that being lesse constrained it exhales more easily now it is lesse constrayned from the head then the others as it is easie to judge for that the haires grow there and increase by opening the pores of the skinne with more facility so then where the sweate of the head sents not so ill or at least smells not so ill as the other parts of the body it is because that it exhales more easily and doth not strive so to get out Q. Wherefore is it that when one wrestles when one leapes or doth some other violent exercise they sweate lesse then when they doe rest after such exercise A. Because that by these exercises they move the humours with violence and neverthelesse they give them not the leisure to gather together during the agitation as they doe when they rest after so great motion and stirring or else that it is because that wee retayne our breath forcibly within during that time wee so travell and labour which is the cause that the nervs streatching and spreading the Spirits stop the Conduits for the sweate and when wee repose suddenly after wee breath and blow so that the Nerves unbend and the spirits retire letting at liberty the sweate to issue for the sweating then so these two reasons besides many others are brought by the Philosopher upon this question but these two seeme to mee to bee sufficient Q. Wherefore is it that the Sunne heates more those which are naked then those which are cloathed and yet those which are naked sweat more then those which are cloathed A. Because that it dryes the humours of the bodyes of them which it heates naked and the cloathes turnes the heat of the Sunne retayning by that meanes the humours and hindring that they shall not be so easily dryed and consumed Q. From whence comes it those which rubbes and dryes themselves sweate yet much more then if they left the sweat still upon their bodyes A. Because that the drops of the sweat which are upon their bodyes stoppes the pores and hinders the issue of the sweat which is within but drying away the sweat which is upon their bodies they give liberty for that which is within to againe issue out Q. Wherefore is it that after wee have drunke fresh coole drinke especially in the Summer wee sweate more then if wee had not drunke it so coole and fresh A. Because that fresh and coole drinke thrusts out the heate the which constraineth with him the humours and dilates the pores making them issue to get forth Q. Wherefore is it that wee sweate more sleeping then waking Ans Because that the heate retiring into the interiours by the meanes of the sleepe during the which the parts exteriour are seized with cold and so it thrusteth out the superfluous humidity which hee sendeth also to the braine Que. Wherefore is it that in stewes or hot houses or within hot bathes they sweate more when it is cold weather then when it is hot An. This is by an Antiperistasis for the cold thrusting and shutting the heate within the body it makes to exhale the humidity without by the pores Q. Wherefore is it that wee doe sweate more going up a hill then comming doâ—ne A. The reason is very easie for naturally our bodies are heavy and incline downeward by reason whereof having more paine and that wee breath with more difficulty in mounting then in descending wee also sweate the more Q. Wherefore is it the Physitians hold that cold sweate is a certaine index or signe that the body is in an indisposition and hold not so of the hot sweats A. Because that sweate is a kinde of excrement the which being but in a little quantity may easily be heated but when it is in abundance not For on the contrary it remaines cold now the superfluities of excrements being the ordinary cause of sicknesses it must bee that when it is in great quantity as is judged by the coldnesse the body is then in a great in disposition Q. Wherefore is it that the Physitians call â—th sweating of aguish folkes unprofitable if after the
same the Fever torments them strenger then it did before A. Because that such sweats are rather indices of weakenesse then of health as also that the excrements and the most subtill parts of the evill humours evaporate onely by the sweate the more grosse and dangerous remaining still within Spots Q. VVHerefore is it that little white spots come oftner upon the nailes of the hands then of those of the feete and sooner to little children then to men of perfect age A. It is because the feete by the continuall travell and exercise of going consume the flegme which is the cause of these white spots and on the nailes of the hands of little children sooner being they are more flegmaticke and more moist then men of perfect age they are therefore more subject thereto Q. From whence proceeds that the spots which appeare in the round of the Moone make arepresentation of a humane visage A. It is because the Moone hath some parts more thinne more smooth and simple then others the which for this cause are so much the more cleare and transparent the other parts which are more thicke remaine to our aspects as shaddowie cloudy and spotted shewing to us darkely which are the cause that the parts more cleare seeme to rise up and to make a resemblance of a humane visage being for certaine that things darke appeare not so far off so raised up as those which are white or cleare Plutarch hath made a Treatise upon this subject where hee hath many words without any reason or truth or truth-like but the solution before is of that great Arabian Philosopher Averroes Q. But wherefore is it that wee perceive it rather with a humane face then with any other image A. It is because of the roundnesse of this Planet especially when she is in the full for then representing to us a humane head shee after represents to us the face The Earth Q. HOw is it that the earth can subsist in the other Elements without tumbling or falling towards unto the other Hemispheare seeing that a little peece of it cannot be sustained neither in the Ayre nor in the VVater but descends alwayes downeward A. A little piece of Earth tends alwaies downeward because it is not in its owne naturall place as doth all this great and heavy Masse which maintaines it selfe in his natural place by his proper waight and cannot shrink nor tumble to the other side of the Hemispheare or Antipodes no more then from ours for that were to mount not descend or to fall downward Q. Wherefore is it that the â—arth sometimes smells and yeelds a certaine pleasant odour A. That happens not alwayes nor in all earths but onely in â—hose which are good and ferâ—ile and that after long drinesse and heates there fals some small â—aine for the humidity of the Earth being well decocted by â—he heates and drynesse minâ—les it selfe with the raine and â—hen comming to exhale it â—eelds a certaine pleasing sweet â—dour as things well decocted â—rdinarily yeeld a good smell Q. From whence proceed the earth-quakes A. They either proceed from exhalations or from windes â—nclosed within the Cavernes of the earth which if they cannot get out strive to give themselvs way by force grumbling and murmuring within and in the end violently opening and bearing up the earth Winde Q. WHerefore is it that the winde is more vehement in a straight place then in a vast or open place A. Because that in a straight and shut up place his forces are more united and heaped together and in a vast place they are diffused and by the same meanes more loose Q. VVherefore is it that when the South-winde blowes wee finde our selves loose and sluggish A. Because that winde by his heat and humidity looseth and weakens the body Q. Wherefore is it that when the south-winde blowes the plants thrust out grow flowrish and fructifie more hasâ—â—ly then with other windes A. Because as I have formerly sayd this Winde is hot and moyst and heate and humidity are the efficient causes of generation Q. Wherefore is it that the falling starres I meane the exhalaâ—ions which being inflamed in the â—yre and fall to the Earth when â—hey are made very hot are a cerâ—ain index or signe of great windes comming A. Because that such fires which resemble starres in falâ—ing so high are ordinarily thrust downward by the winde which beginnes sooner to blow aloft then below Q. From whence comes it that the Windes blow from that side where there are few on â—â— clouds A. It comes from this that the winds themselves chase the clouds before them or dissipate them Q. Wherefore is it that the most cold windes dry the most A. Because they carry away with them the vapours and humidities whereupon they blow Q. From whence comes it that the windes are more weake in places where they begin to blow and in extending they fortifie themselves alwayes more and more A. Because that all things have their beginning ordinarily little and weake and especially things moving as then the Rivers increase to a measure and runne over or overflow the fields in receiving the Rivers of all sides so the windes augment them with the matters of exhalations and neverthelesse fortifie themselves by blowing more strongly as they still extend for the after-movings are fortified by the precedents Sight or seeing Q. See wee or as speake the Philosophers the vision or is it made by the emission or sending out of the rayes of our eyes or by the reception in our eyes of the species or images of obiects belonging to the sight For example when I see a house a man or a horse is it that the rayes of my eyes glancing upon those obiects bring backe the image to the sight or is it that the image diffuseth it selfe through the ayre and sometimes by the water which is the medium betwixt our eies the obiect and so is received into the sight A. This hath beene a very great dispute agitated â—long amongst the Ancients and even to this day is amongst the Opinionists but I will resolve it onely thus that the vision making in an instant it selfe the object of things most farre it is impossible that it can make it selfe by the emission of the rayes of the eyes because that in an instant it cannot penetrate to the objects as in example even to the very Stars and then to retire backe againe and to bring the images to the sight therefore it must be of necessity that the vision is made by the reception of the species or images from the objects the which representeth themselves in all the space of the medium which is betwixt the objects and our eyes if some opacous body hinder it not Q. Wherefore is it that comming out of darknesse and going into the light or on the contrary going out of a very cleare light place and entring into a shadowed place we see not very clear but as it were