compressing the lips； and still more by using a tube； you can
readily draw in whatever you wish。 And thus； too； the instruments
which are used for cupping are broad below and gradually become
narrow； and are so constructed in order to suck and draw in from the
fleshy parts。 The nature and construction of the parts within a man
are of a like nature； the bladder； the head； the uterus in woman；
these parts clearly attract； and are always filled with a juice
which is foreign to them。 Those parts which are hollow and expanded
are most likely to receive any humidity flowing into them； but
cannot attract it in like manner。 Those parts which are solid and
round could not attract a humidity； nor receive it when it flows to
them； for it would glide past； and find no place of rest on them。
But spongy and rare parts； such as the spleen； the lungs； and the
breasts； drink up especially the juices around them； and become
hardened and enlarged by the accession of juices。 Such things happen
to these organs especially。 For it is not with the spleen as with
the stomach； in which there is a liquid； which it contains and
evacuates every day； but when it （the spleen） drinks up and receives a
fluid into itself； the hollow and lax parts of it are filled； even the
small interstices； and； instead of being rare and soft； it becomes
hard and dense； and it can neither digest nor discharge its
contents： these things it suffers； owing to the nature of its
structure。 Those things which engender flatulence or tormina in the
body； naturally do so in the hollow and broad parts of the body；
such as the stomach and chest； where they produce rumbling noises； for
when they do not fill the parts so as to be stationary； but have
changes of place and movements； there must necessarily be noise and
apparent movements from them。 But such parts as are fleshy and soft；
in these there occur torpor and obstructions； such as happen in
apoplexy。 But when it （the flatus？） encounters a broad and resisting
structure； and rushes against such a part； and this happens when it is
by nature not strong so as to be able to withstand it without
suffering injury； nor soft and rare； so as to receive or yield to
it； but tender； juicy； full of blood； and dense； like the liver； owing
to its density and broadness； it resists and does not yield。 But
flatus； when it obtains admission； increases and becomes stronger； and
rushes toward any resisting object； but owing to its tenderness； and
the quantity of blood which it （the liver） contains； it cannot be
without uneasiness； and for these reasons the most acute and
frequent pains occur in the region of it； along with suppurations
and chronic tumors （phymata）。 These symptoms also occur in the site of
the diaphragm； but much less frequently； for the diaphragm is a broad；
expanded； and resisting substance； of a nervous （tendinous？） and
strong nature； and therefore less susceptible of pain； and yet pains
and chronic abscesses do occur about it。
23。 There are both within and without the body many other kinds of
structure； which differ much from one another as to sufferings both in
health and disease； such as whether the head be small or large； the
neck slender or thick； long or short； the belly long or round； the
chest and ribs broad or narrow； and many others besides； all which you
ought to be acquainted with； and their differences； so that knowing
the causes of each； you may make the more accurate observations。
24。 And； as has been formerly stated； one ought to be acquainted
with the powers of juices； and what action each of them has upon
man； and their alliances towards one another。 What I say is this： if a
sweet juice change to another kind； not from any admixture； but
because it has undergone a mutation within itself； what does it
first become？… bitter？ salt？ austere？ or acid？ I think acid。 And
hence； an acid juice is the most improper of all things that can be
administered in cases in which a sweet juice is the most proper。 Thus；
if one should succeed in his investigations of external things； he
would be the better able always to select the best； for that is best
which is farthest removed from that which is unwholesome。
…THE END…