第4章

类别:其他 作者:Plato, Benjamin Jowett字数:17680更新时间:19/01/03 08:17:39
Butourcreators,consideringwhethertheyshouldmakea longer—livedracewhichwasworse,orashorter—livedracewhichwas better,cametotheconclusionthateveryoneoughttoprefera shorterspanoflife,whichwasbetter,toalongerone,whichwas worse;andthereforetheycoveredtheheadwiththinbone,butnot withfleshandsinews,sinceithadnojoints;andthustheheadwas added,havingmorewisdomandsensationthantherestofthebody,but alsobeingineverymanfarweaker。Forthesereasonsandafterthis mannerGodplacedthesinewsattheextremityofthehead,inacircle roundtheneck,andgluedthemtogetherbytheprincipleoflikeness andfastenedtheextremitiesofthejawbonestothembelowtheface, andtheothersinewshedispersedthroughoutthebody,fastening limbtolimb。Theframersofusframedthemouth,asnowarranged, havingteethandtongueandlips,withaviewtothenecessaryandthe good,contrivingthewayinfornecessarypurposes,thewayoutfor thebestpurposes;forthatisnecessarywhichentersinandgives foodtothebody;buttheriverofspeech,whichflowsoutofaman andministerstotheintelligence,isthefairestandnoblestofall streams。Stilltheheadcouldneitherbeleftabareframeofbones, onaccountoftheextremesofheatandcoldinthedifferent seasons,noryetbeallowedtobewhollycovered,andsobecomedull andsenselessbyreasonofanovergrowthofflesh。Thefleshynature wasnotthereforewhollydriedup,butalargesortofpeelwasparted offandremainedover,whichisnowcalledtheskin。Thismetandgrew bythehelpofthecerebralmoisture,andbecamethecircular envelopmentofthehead。Andthemoisture,risingupunderthe sutures,wateredandclosedintheskinuponthecrown,formingasort ofknot。Thediversityofthesutureswascausedbythepowerofthe coursesofthesoulandofthefood,andthemorethesestruggled againstoneanotherthemorenumeroustheybecame,andfewerifthe strugglewerelessviolent。Thisskinthedivinepowerpiercedall roundwithfire,andoutofthepunctureswhichwerethusmadethe moistureissuedforth,andtheliquidandheatwhichwaspurecame away,andamixedpartwhichwascomposedofthesamematerialas theskin,andhadafinenessequaltothepunctures,wasborneupby itsownimpulseandextendedfaroutsidethehead,butbeingtoo slowtoescape,wasthrustbackbytheexternalair,androlledup underneaththeskin,whereittookroot。Thusthehairsprangupin theskin,beingakintoitbecauseitislikethreadsofleather, butrenderedharderandcloserthroughthepressureofthecold,by whicheachhair,whileinprocessofseparationfromtheskin,is compressedandcooled。Whereforethecreatorformedtheheadhairy, makinguseofthecauseswhichIhavementioned,andreflectingalso thatinsteadoffleshthebrainneededthehairtobealightcovering orguard,whichwouldgiveshadeinsummerandshelterinwinter, andatthesametimewouldnotimpedeourquicknessofperception。 Fromthecombinationofsinew,skin,andbone,inthestructureofthe finger,therearisesatriplecompound,which,whendriedup,takes theformofonehardskinpartakingofallthreenatures,andwas fabricatedbythesesecondcauses,butdesignedbymindwhichisthe principalcausewithaneyetothefuture。Forourcreatorswell knewthatwomenandotheranimalswouldsomedaybeframedoutofmen, andtheyfurtherknewthatmanyanimalswouldrequiretheuseofnails formanypurposes;whereforetheyfashionedinmenattheirfirst creationtherudimentsofnails。Forthispurposeandforthese reasonstheycausedskin,hair,andnailstogrowattheextremities ofthelimbs。Andnowthatallthepartsandmembersofthemortal animalhadcometogether,sinceitslifeofnecessityconsistedof fireandbreath,anditthereforewastedawaybydissolutionand depletion,thegodscontrivedthefollowingremedy:Theymingleda natureakintothatofmanwithotherformsandperceptions,and thuscreatedanotherkindofanimal。Thesearethetreesandplants andseedswhichhavebeenimprovedbycultivationandarenow domesticatedamongus;ancientlytherewereonlythewillkinds,which areolderthanthecultivated。Foreverythingthatpartakesoflife maybetrulycalledalivingbeing,andtheanimalofwhichwearenow speakingpartakesofthethirdkindofsoul,whichissaidtobe seatedbetweenthemidriffandthenavel,havingnopartinopinionor reasonormind,butonlyinfeelingsofpleasureandpainandthe desireswhichaccompanythem。Forthisnatureisalwaysinapassive state,revolvinginandaboutitself,repellingthemotionfrom withoutandusingitsown,andaccordinglyisnotendowedbynature withthepowerofobservingorreflectingonitsownconcerns。 Whereforeitlivesanddoesnotdifferfromalivingbeing,butis fixedandrootedinthesamespot,havingnopowerofself—motion。 Nowafterthesuperiorpowershadcreatedallthesenaturestobe foodforuswhoareoftheinferiornature,theycutvarious channelsthroughthebodyasthroughagarden,thatitmightbe wateredasfromarunningstream。Inthefirstplace,theycuttwo hiddenchannelsorveinsdownthebackwheretheskinandtheflesh join,whichansweredseverallytotherightandleftsideofthebody。 Thesetheyletdownalongthebackbone,soastohavethemarrowof generationbetweenthem,whereitwasmostlikelytoflourish,and inorderthatthestreamcomingdownfromabovemightflowfreelyto theotherparts,andequalisetheirrigation。Inthenextplace, theydividedtheveinsaboutthehead,andinterlacingthem,theysent theminoppositedirections;thosecomingfromtherightsidethey senttotheleftofthebody,andthosefromthelefttheydiverted towardstheright,sothattheyandtheskinmighttogetherforma bondwhichshouldfastentheheadtothebody,sincethecrownof theheadwasnotencircledbysinews;andalsoinorderthatthe sensationsfrombothsidesmightbedistributedoverthewholebody。 Andnext,theyorderedthewater—coursesofthebodyinamannerwhich Iwilldescribe,andwhichwillbemoreeasilyunderstoodifwe beginbyadmittingthatallthingswhichhavelesserpartsretain thegreater,butthegreatercannotretainthelesser。Nowofall naturesfirehasthesmallestparts,andthereforepenetrates throughearthandwaterandairandtheircompounds,norcan anythingholdit。Andasimilarprincipleappliestothehuman belly;forwhenmeatsanddrinksenterit,itholdsthem,butit cannotholdairandfire,becausetheparticlesofwhichthey consistaresmallerthanitsownstructure。 Theseelements,therefore,Godemployedforthesakeofdistributing moisturefromthebellyintotheveins,weavingtogethernetworkof fireandairlikeaweel,havingattheentrancetwolesserweels; furtherheconstructedoneofthesewithtwoopenings,andfromthe lesserweelsheextendedcordsreachingallroundtotheextremities ofthenetwork。Alltheinteriorofthenethemadeoffire,butthe lesserweelsandtheircavity,ofair。Thenetworkhetookand spreadoverthenewly—formedanimalinthefollowingmanner:—Helet thelesserweelspassintothemouth;thereweretwoofthem,and oneheletdownbytheair—pipesintothelungs,theotherbytheside oftheair—pipesintothebelly。Theformerhedividedintotwo branches,bothofwhichhemadetomeetatthechannelsofthenose, sothatwhenthewaythroughthemouthdidnotact,thestreamsofthe mouthaswellwerereplenishedthroughthenose。Withtheothercavity (i。e。ofthegreaterweel)heenvelopedthehollowpartsofthe body,andatonetimehemadeallthistoflowintothelesser weels,quitegently,fortheyarecomposedofair,andatanothertime hecausedthelesserweelstoflowbackagain;andthenethemade tofindawayinandoutthroughtheporesofthebody,andtherays offirewhichareboundfastwithinfollowedthepassageoftheair eitherway,neveratanytimeceasingsolongasthemortalbeing holdstogether。Thisprocess,asweaffirm,thename—givernamed inspirationandexpiration。Andallthismovement,activeaswellas passive,takesplaceinorderthatthebody,beingwateredandcooled, mayreceivenourishmentandlife;forwhentherespirationisgoingin andout,andthefire,whichisfastboundwithin,followsit,and everandanonmovingtoandfro,entersthroughthebellyand reachesthemeatanddrink,itdissolvesthem,anddividingthem intosmallportionsandguidingthemthroughthepassageswhereit goes,pumpsthemasfromafountainintothechannelsoftheveins, andmakesthestreamoftheveinsflowthroughthebodyasthrougha conduit。 Letusoncemoreconsiderthephenomenaofrespiration,and enquireintothecauseswhichhavemadeitwhatitis。Theyareas follows:—Seeingthatthereisnosuchthingasavacuumintowhichany ofthosethingswhicharemovedcanenter,andthebreathiscarried fromusintotheexternalair,thenextpointis,aswillbedearto everyone,thatitdoesnotgointoavacantspace,butpushesits neighbouroutofitsplace,andthatwhichisthrustoutinturn drivesoutitsneighbour;andinthiseverythingofnecessityat lastcomesroundtothatplacefromwhencethebreathcameforth, andentersinthere,andfollowingthebreath,fillsupthevacant space;andthisgoesonliketherotationofawheel,becausethere canbenosuchthingasavacuum。Whereforealsothebreastandthe lungs,whentheyemitthebreath,arereplenishedbytheairwhich surroundsthebodyandwhichentersinthroughtheporesofthe fleshandisdrivenroundinacircle;andagain,theairwhichis sentawayandpassesoutthroughthebodyforcesthebreathinwards throughthepassageofthemouthandthenostrils。Nowtheoriginof thismovementmaybesupposedtobeasfollows。Intheinteriorof everyanimalthehottestpartisthatwhichisaroundthebloodand veins;itisinamanneroninternalfountainoffire,whichwe comparetothenetworkofacreel,beingwovenalloffireand extendedthroughthecentreofthebody,whilethe—outerpartsare composedofair。Nowwemustadmitthatheatnaturallyproceeds outwardtoitsownplaceandtoitskindredelement;andasthere aretwoexitsfortheheat,theoutthroughthebody,andtheother throughthemouthandnostrils,whenitmovestowardstheone,it drivesroundtheairattheother,andthatwhichisdrivenround fallsintothefireandbecomeswarm,andthatwhichgoesforthis cooled。Butwhentheheatchangesitsplace,andtheparticlesat theotherexitgrowwarmer,thehotterairinclininginthatdirection andcarriedtowardsitsnativeelement,fire,pushesroundtheair attheother;andthisbeingaffectedinthesamewayand communicatingthesameimpulse,acircularmotionswayingtoand fromisproducedbythedoubleprocess,whichwecallinspiration andexpiration。 Thephenomenaofmedicalcupping—glassesandoftheswallowingof drinkandoftheprojectionofbodies,whetherdischargedintheair orbowledalongtheground,aretobeinvestigatedonasimilar principle;andswiftandslowsounds,whichappeartobehighandlow, andaresometimesdiscordantonaccountoftheirinequality,and thenagainharmonicalonaccountoftheequalityofthemotionwhich theyexciteinus。Forwhenthemotionsoftheantecedentswifter soundsbegintopauseandthetwoareequalised,theslowersounds overtaketheswifterandthenpropelthem。Whentheyovertakethem theydonotintrudeanewanddiscordantmotion,butintroducethe beginningsofaslower,whichanswerstotheswifterasitdies away,thusproducingasinglemixedexpressionoutofhighandlow, whencearisesapleasurewhicheventheunwisefeel,andwhichto thewisebecomesahighersortofdelight,beinganimitationof divineharmonyinmortalmotions。Moreover,astotheflowingof water,thefallofthethunderbolt,andthemarvelsthatare observedabouttheattractionofamberandtheHeracleanstones,—in noneofthesecasesisthereanyattraction;buthewhoinvestigates rightly,willfindthatsuchwonderfulphenomenaareattributableto thecombinationofcertainconditions—thenon—existenceofavacuum, thefactthatobjectspushoneanotherround,andthattheychange places,passingseverallyintotheirproperpositionsastheyare dividedorcombined Suchaswehaveseen,isthenatureandsucharethecausesof respiration—thesubjectinwhichthisdiscussionoriginated。Forthe firecutsthefoodandfollowingthebreathsurgesupwithin,fireand breathrisingtogetherandfillingtheveinsbydrawingupoutof thebellyandpouringintothemthecutportionsofthefood;andso thestreamsoffoodarekeptflowingthroughthewholebodyinall animals。Andfreshcuttingsfromkindredsubstances,whetherthe fruitsoftheearthorherbofthefield,whichGodplantedtobe ourdailyfood,acquireallsortsofcoloursbytheirinter—mixture; butredisthemostpervadingofthem,beingcreatedbythecutting actionoffireandbytheimpressionwhichitmakesonamoist substance;andhencetheliquidwhichcirculatesinthebodyhasa coloursuchaswehavedescribed。Theliquiditselfwecallblood, whichnourishesthefleshandthewholebody,whenceallpartsare wateredandemptyplacesfilled。 Nowtheprocessofrepletionandevacuationiseffectedafterthe manneroftheuniversalmotionbywhichallkindredsubstancesare drawntowardsoneanother。Fortheexternalelementswhichsurroundus arealwayscausingustoconsumeaway,anddistributingandsending offliketolike;theparticlesofblood,too,whicharedividedand containedwithintheframeoftheanimalasinasortofheaven,are compelledtoimitatethemotionoftheuniverse。Each,therefore,of thedividedpartswithinus,beingcarriedtoitskindrednature, replenishesthevoid。Whenmoreistakenawaythanflowsin,thenwe decay,andwhenless,wegrowandincrease。 Theframeoftheentirecreaturewhenyounghasthetrianglesof eachkindnew,andmaybecomparedtothekeelofavesselwhichis justoffthestocks;theyarelockedfirmlytogetherandyetthewhole massissoftanddelicate,beingfreshlyformedofmarrowandnurtured onmilk。Nowwhenthetrianglesoutofwhichmeatsanddrinksare composedcomeinfromwithout,andarecomprehendedinthebody,being olderandweakerthanthetrianglesalreadythere,theframeofthe bodygetsthebetterofthemanditsnewertrianglescutthemup, andsotheanimalgrowsgreat,beingnourishedbyamultitudeof similarparticles。Butwhentherootsofthetrianglesareloosenedby havingundergonemanyconflictswithmanythingsinthecourseof time,theyarenolongerabletocutorassimilatethefoodwhich enters,butarethemselveseasilydividedbythebodieswhichcome infromwithout。Inthiswayeveryanimalisovercomeanddecays, andthisaffectioniscalledoldage。Andatlast,whenthebondsby whichthetrianglesofthemarrowareunitednolongerhold,andare partedbythestrainofexistence,theyinturnloosenthebondsof thesoul,andshe,obtaininganaturalrelease,fliesawaywithjoy。 Forthatwhichtakesplaceaccordingtonatureispleasant,butthat whichiscontrarytonatureispainful。Andthusdeath,ifcausedby diseaseorproducedbywounds,ispainfulandviolent;butthatsort ofdeathwhichcomeswitholdageandfulfilsthedebtofnatureis theeasiestofdeaths,andisaccompaniedwithpleasureratherthan withpain。 Noweveryonecanseewhencediseasesarise。Therearefour naturesoutofwhichthebodyiscompacted,earthandfireandwater andair,andtheunnaturalexcessordefectofthese,orthechangeof anyofthemfromitsownnaturalplaceintoanother,or—sincethere aremorekindsthanoneoffireandoftheotherelements—the assumptionbyanyoftheseofawrongkind,oranysimilar irregularity,producesdisordersanddiseases;forwhenanyofthemis producedorchangedinamannercontrarytonature,thepartswhich werepreviouslycoolgrowwarm,andthosewhichweredrybecomemoist, andthelightbecomeheavy,andtheheavylight;allsortsof changesoccur。For,asweaffirm,athingcanonlyremainthesame withitself,wholeandsound,whenthesameisaddedtoit,or subtractedfromit,inthesamerespectandinthesamemannerand indueproportion;andwhatevercomesorgoesawayinviolationof theselawscausesallmannerofchangesandinfinitediseasesand corruptions。Nowthereisasecondclassofstructureswhichare alsonatural,andthisaffordsasecondopportunityofobserving diseasestohimwhowouldunderstandthem。Forwhereasmarrowandbone andfleshandsinewsarecomposedofthefourelements,andtheblood, thoughafteranothermanner,islikewiseformedoutofthem,most diseasesoriginateinthewaywhichIhavedescribed;buttheworstof allowetheirseveritytothefactthatthegenerationofthese substancesstancesinawrongorder;theyarethendestroyed。For thenaturalorderisthatthefleshandsinewsshouldbemadeof blood,thesinewsoutofthefibrestowhichtheyareakin,andthe fleshoutofthedotswhichareformedwhenthefibresare separated。Andtheglutinousandrichmatterwhichcomesawayfromthe sinewsandtheflesh,notonlygluesthefleshtothebones,but nourishesandimpartsgrowthtothebonewhichsurroundsthemarrow; andbyreasonofthesolidityofthebones,thatwhichfiltersthrough consistsofthepurestandsmoothestandoiliestsortoftriangles, droppinglikedewfromthebonesandwateringthemarrow。 Nowwheneachprocesstakesplaceinthisorder,healthcommonly results;whenintheoppositeorder,disease。Forwhentheflesh becomesdecomposedandsendsbackthewastingsubstanceintothe veins,thenanover—supplyofbloodofdiversekinds,minglingwith airintheveins,havingvariegatedcoloursandbitterproperties, aswellasacidandsalinequalities,containsallsortsofbileand serumandphlegm。Forallthingsgothewrongway,andhavingbecome corrupted,firsttheytainttheblooditself,andthenceasingtogive nourishmentthebodytheyarecarriedalongtheveinsinall directions,nolongerpreservingtheorderoftheirnaturalcourses, butatwarwiththemselves,becausetheyreceivenogoodfromone another,andarehostiletotheabidingconstitutionofthebody, whichtheycorruptanddissolve。Theoldestpartofthefleshwhichis corrupted,beinghardtodecompose,fromlongburninggrowsblack,and frombeingeverywherecorrodedbecomesbitter,andisinjuriousto everypartofthebodywhichisstilluncorrupted。Sometimes,whenthe bitterelementisrefinedaway,theblackpartassumesanacidity whichtakestheplaceofthebitterness;atothertimesthebitterness beingtingedwithbloodhasareddercolour;andthis,whenmixedwith black,takesthehueofgrass;andagain,anauburncolourmingles withthebittermatterwhennewfleshisdecomposedbythefire whichsurroundstheinternalflame—toallwhichsymptomssome physicianperhaps,orrathersomephilosopher,whohadthepowerof seeinginmanydissimilarthingsonenaturedeservingofaname,has assignedthecommonnameofbile。Buttheotherkindsofbileare variouslydistinguishedbytheircolours。Asforserum,thatsort whichisthewaterypartofbloodisinnocent,butthatwhichisa secretionofblackandacidbileismalignantwhenmingledbythe powerofheatwithanysaltsubstance,andisthencalledacidphlegm。 Again,thesubstancewhichisformedbytheliquefactionofnewand tenderfleshwhenairispresent,ifinflatedandencasedinliquidso astoformbubbles,whichseparatelyareinvisibleowingtotheir smallsize,butwhencollectedareofabulkwhichisvisible,and haveawhitecolourarisingoutofthegenerationoffoam—allthis decompositionoftenderfleshwheninter—mingledwithairistermedby uswhitephlegm。Andthewheyorsedimentofnewly—formedphlegmis sweatandtears,andincludesthevariousdailydischargesbywhich thebodyispurified。Nowallthesebecomecausesofdiseasewhen thebloodisnotreplenishedinanaturalmannerbyfoodanddrinkbut gainsbulkfromoppositesourcesinviolationofthelawsofnature。 Whentheseveralpartsofthefleshareseparatedbydisease,ifthe foundationremains,thepowerofthedisorderisonlyhalfasgreat, andthereisstillaprospectofaneasyrecovery;butwhenthatwhich bindsthefleshtothebonesisdiseased,andnolongerbeing separatedfromthemusclesandsinews,ceasestogivenourishmentto theboneandtounitefleshandbone,andfrombeingoilyandsmooth andglutinousbecomesroughandsaltanddry,owingtobadregimen, thenallthesubstancethuscorruptedcrumblesawayundertheflesh andthesinews,andseparatesfromthebone,andthefleshypartsfall awayfromtheirfoundationandleavethesinewsbareandfullof brine,andthefleshagaingetsintothecirculationoftheblood andmakesthepreviously—mentioneddisordersstillgreater。Andif thesebodilyaffectionsbesevere,stillworsearetheprior disorders;aswhentheboneitself,byreasonofthedensityofthe flesh,doesnotobtainsufficientair,butbecomesmouldyandhot andgangrenedandreceivesnonutriment,andthenaturalprocessis inverted,andthebonecrumblingpassesintothefood,andthefood intotheflesh,andthefleshagainfallingintothebloodmakesall maladiesthatmayoccurmorevirulentthanthosealreadymentioned。 Buttheworstcaseofalliswhenthemarrowisdiseased,either fromexcessordefect;andthisisthecauseoftheverygreatest andmostfataldisorders,inwhichthewholecourseofthebodyis reversed。 Thereisathirdclassofdiseaseswhichmaybeconceivedofas arisinginthreeways;fortheyareproducedsometimesbywind,and sometimesbyphlegm,andsometimesbybile。Whenthelung,whichis thedispenseroftheairtothebody,isobstructedbyrheumsand itspassagesarenotfree,someofthemnotacting,whilethrough otherstoomuchairenters,thenthepartswhichareunrefreshedby aircorrode,whileinotherpartstheexcessofairforcingitsway throughtheveinsdistortsthemanddecomposingthebodyisenclosed inthemidstofitandoccupiesthemidriffthusnumberlesspainful diseasesareproduced,accompaniedbycopioussweats。Andoftentimes whenthefleshisdissolvedinthebody,wind,generatedwithinand unabletoescape,isthesourceofquiteasmuchpainastheair cominginfromwithout;butthegreatestpainisfeltwhenthewind getsaboutthesinewsandtheveinsoftheshoulders,andswells themup,sotwistsbackthegreattendonsandthesinewswhichare connectedwiththem。Thesedisordersarecalledtetanusand opisthotonus,byreasonofthetensionwhichaccompaniesthem。The cureofthemisdifficult;reliefisinmostcasesgivenbyfever supervening。Thewhitephlegm,thoughdangerouswhendetainedwithin byreasonoftheair—bubbles,yetifitcancommunicatewiththe outsideair,islesssevere,andonlydiscoloursthebody, generatingleprouseruptionsandsimilardiseases。Whenitis mingledwithblackbileanddispersedaboutthecoursesofthehead, whicharethedivinestpartofus,theattackifcomingoninsleep, isnotsosevere;butwhenassailingthosewhoareawakeitishardto begotridof,andbeinganaffectionofasacredpart,ismostjustly calledsacred。Anacidandsaltphlegm,again,isthesourceofall thosediseaseswhichtaketheformofcatarrh,buttheyhavemany namesbecausetheplacesintowhichtheyflowaremanifold。 Inflammationsofthebodycomefromburningsandinflamings,andall ofthemoriginateinbile。Whenbilefindsameansofdischarge,it boilsupandsendsforthallsortsoftumours;butwhenimprisoned within,itgeneratesmanyinflammatorydiseases,aboveallwhen mingledwithpureblood;sinceitthendisplacesthefibreswhich arescatteredaboutinthebloodandaredesignedtomaintainthe balanceofrareanddense,inorderthatthebloodmaynotbeso liquefiedbyheatastoexudefromtheporesofthebody,noragain becometoodenseandthusfindadifficultyincirculatingthroughthe veins。Thefibresaresoconstitutedastomaintainthisbalance; andifanyonebringsthemalltogetherwhenthebloodisdeadand inprocessofcooling,thenthebloodwhichremainsbecomesfluid,but iftheyareleftalone,theysooncongealbyreasonofthesurrounding cold。Thefibreshavingthispowerovertheblood,bile,whichisonly staleblood,andwhichfrombeingfleshisdissolvedagainintoblood, atthefirstinfluxcominginlittlebylittle,hotandliquid,is congealedbythepowerofthefibres;andsocongealingandmadeto cool,itproducesinternalcoldandshuddering。Whenitenterswith moreofafloodandovercomesthefibresbyitsheat,andboilingup throwsthemintodisorder,ifithavepowerenoughtomaintainits supremacy,itpenetratesthemarrowandburnsupwhatmaybetermed thecablesofthesoul,andsetsherfree;butwhenthereisnotso muchofit,andthebodythoughwastedstillholdsout,thebileis itselfmastered,andiseitherutterlybanished,oristhrust throughtheveinsintothelowerorupper—belly,andisdrivenout ofthebodylikeanexilefromastateinwhichtherehasbeencivil war;whencearisediarrhoeasanddysenteries,andallsuch disorders。Whentheconstitutionisdisorderedbyexcessoffire, continuousheatandfeveraretheresult;whenexcessofairisthe cause,thenthefeverisquotidian;whenofwater,whichisamore sluggishelementthaneitherfireorair,thenthefeverisatertian; whenofearth,whichisthemostsluggishofthefour,andisonly purgedawayinafour—foldperiod,theresultisaquartanfever, whichcanwithdifficultybeshakenoff。 Suchisthemannerinwhichdiseasesofthebodyarise;the disordersofthesoul,whichdependuponthebody,originateas follows。Wemustacknowledgediseaseofthemindtobeawantof intelligence;andofthistherearetwokinds;towit,madnessand ignorance。Inwhateverstateamanexperienceseitherofthem,that statemaybecalleddisease;andexcessivepainsandpleasuresare justlytoberegardedasthegreatestdiseasestowhichthesoulis liable。Foramanwhoisingreatjoyoringreatpain,inhis unseasonableeagernesstoattaintheoneandtoavoidtheother,is notabletoseeortohearanythingrightly;butheismad,andis atthetimeutterlyincapableofanyparticipationinreason。Hewho hastheseedaboutthespinalmarrowtooplentifulandoverflowing, likeatreeoverladenwithfruit,hasmanythroes,andalsoobtains manypleasuresinhisdesiresandtheiroffspring,andisforthemost partofhislifederanged,becausehispleasuresandpainsaresovery great;hissoulisrenderedfoolishanddisorderedbyhisbody;yethe isregardednotasonediseased,butasonewhoisvoluntarilybad, whichisamistake。Thetruthisthattheintemperanceofloveisa diseaseofthesoulduechieflytothemoistureandfluiditywhich isproducedinoneoftheelementsbythelooseconsistencyofthe bones。Andingeneral,allthatwhichistermedtheincontinenceof pleasureandisdeemedareproachundertheideathatthewicked voluntarilydowrongisnotjustlyamatterforreproach。Fornoman isvoluntarilybad;butthebadbecomebadbyreasonofanill dispositionofthebodyandbadeducation,thingswhicharehatefulto everymanandhappentohimagainsthiswill。Andinthecaseof paintooinlikemannerthesoulsuffersmuchevilfromthebody。 Forwheretheacidandbrinyphlegmandotherbitterandbilious humourswanderaboutinthebody,andfindnoexitorescape,but arepentupwithinandmingletheirownvapourswiththemotionsof thesoul,andareblended,withthem,theyproduceallsortsof diseases,moreorfewer,andineverydegreeofintensity;andbeing carriedtothethreeplacesofthesoul,whichevertheymay severallyassail,theycreateinfinitevarietiesofill—temperand melancholy,ofrashnessandcowardice,andalsoofforgetfulnessand stupidity。Further,whentothisevilconstitutionofbodyevil formsofgovernmentareaddedandevildiscoursesareutteredin privateaswellasinpublic,andnosortofinstructionisgivenin youthtocuretheseevils,thenallofuswhoarebadbecomebad fromtwocauseswhichareentirelybeyondourcontrol。Insuchcases theplantersaretoblameratherthantheplants,theeducatorsrather thantheeducated。Buthoweverthatmaybe,weshouldendeavourasfar aswecanbyeducation,andstudies,andlearning,toavoidviceand attainvirtue;this,however,ispartofanothersubject。 Thereisacorrespondingenquiryconcerningthemodeoftreatmentby whichthemindandthebodyaretobepreserved,aboutwhichitis meetandrightthatIshouldsayawordinturn;foritismoreour dutytospeakofthegoodthanoftheevil。Everythingthatisgoodis fair,andtheanimalfairisnotwithoutproportion,andtheanimal whichistobefairmusthavedueproportion。Nowweperceivelesser symmetriesorproportionsandreasonaboutthem,butofthehighest andgreatestwetakenoheed;forthereisnoproportionor disproportionmoreproductiveofhealthanddisease,andvirtueand vice,thanthatbetweensoulandbody。Thishoweverwedonot perceive,nordowereflectthatwhenaweakorsmallframeisthe vehicleofagreatandmightysoul,orconversely,whenalittle soulisencasedinalargebody,thenthewholeanimalisnotfair, foritlacksthemostimportantofallsymmetries;butthedue proportionofmindandbodyisthefairestandloveliestofallsights tohimwhohastheseeingeye。Justasabodywhichhasalegtoo long,orwhichisunsymmetricalinsomeotherrespect,isan unpleasantsight,andalso,whendoingitsshareofwork,ismuch distressedandmakesconvulsiveefforts,andoftenstumblesthrough awkwardness,andisthecauseofinfiniteeviltoitsownself—inlike mannerweshouldconceiveofthedoublenaturewhichwecallthe livingbeing;andwheninthiscompoundthereisanimpassionedsoul morepowerfulthanthebody,thatsoul,Isay,convulsesandfills withdisordersthewholeinnernatureofman;andwheneagerinthe pursuitofsomesortoflearningorstudy,causeswasting;oragain, whenteachingordisputinginprivateorinpublic,andstrifesand controversiesarise,inflamesanddissolvesthecompositeframeofman andintroducesrheums;andthenatureofthisphenomenonisnot understoodbymostprofessorsofmedicine,whoascribeittothe oppositeoftherealcause。Andoncemore,whenbodylargeandtoo strongforthesoulisunitedtoasmallandweakintelligence,then inasmuchastherearetwodesiresnaturaltoman,—oneoffoodfor thesakeofthebody,andoneofwisdomforthesakeofthediviner partofus—then,Isay,themotionsofthestronger,gettingthe betterandincreasingtheirownpower,butmakingthesouldull,and stupid,andforgetful,engenderignorance,whichisthegreatestof diseases。Thereisoneprotectionagainstbothkindsof disproportion:—thatweshouldnotmovethebodywithoutthesoulor thesoulwithoutthebody,andthustheywillbeontheirguard againsteachother,andbehealthyandwellbalanced。Andtherefore themathematicianoranyoneelsewhosethoughtsaremuchabsorbed insomeintellectualpursuit,mustallowhisbodyalsotohavedue exercise,andpractisegymnastic;andhewhoiscarefultofashionthe body,shouldinturnimparttothesoulitspropermotions,andshould cultivatemusicandallphilosophy,ifhewoulddeservetobecalled trulyfairandtrulygood。Andtheseparatepartsshouldbetreatedin thesamemanner,inimitationofthepatternoftheuniverse;foras thebodyisheatedandalsocooledwithinbytheelementswhich enterintoit,andisagaindriedupandmoistenedbyexternalthings, andexperiencestheseandthelikeaffectionsfrombothkindsof motions,theresultisthatthebodyifgivenuptomotionwhenina stateofquiescenceisovermasteredandperishes;butifanyone,in imitationofthatwhichwecallthefoster—motherandnurseofthe universe,willnotallowthebodyevertobeinactive,butisalways producingmotionsandagitationsthroughitswholeextent,which formthenaturaldefenceagainstothermotionsbothinternaland external,andbymoderateexercisereducestoorderaccordingtotheir affinitiestheparticlesandaffectionswhicharewanderingabout thebody,aswehavealreadysaidwhenspeakingoftheuniverse,he willnotallowenemyplacedbythesideofenemytostirupwarsand disordersinthebody,buthewillplacefriendbythesideoffriend, soastocreatehealth。 Nowofallmotionsthatisthebestwhichisproducedinathing byitself,foritismostakintothemotionofthoughtandofthe universe;butthatmotionwhichiscausedbyothersisnotsogood, andworstofallisthatwhichmovesthebody,whenatrest,in partsonlyandbysomeexternalagency。Whereforeofallmodesof purifyingandreunitingthebodythebestisgymnastic;thenext bestisasurgingmotion,asinsailingoranyothermodeof conveyancewhichisnotfatiguing;thethirdsortofmotionmaybe ofuseinacaseofextremenecessity,butinanyotherwillbe adoptedbynomanofsense:Imeanthepurgativetreatmentof physicians;fordiseasesunlesstheyareverydangerousshouldnot beirritatedbymedicines,sinceeveryformofdiseaseisina mannerakintothelivingbeing,whosecomplexframehasan appointedtermoflife。Fornotthewholeraceonly,buteach individual—barringinevitableaccidents—comesintotheworldhaving afixedspan,andthetrianglesinusareoriginallyframedwithpower tolastforacertaintime,beyondwhichnomanprolonghislife。 Andthisholdsalsooftheconstitutionofdiseases;ifanyone regardlessoftheappointedtimetriestosubduethembymedicine, heonlyaggravatesandmultipliesthem。Whereforeweoughtalwaysto managethembyregimen,asfarasamancansparethetime,andnot provokeadisagreeableenemybymedicines。 Enoughofthecompositeanimal,andofthebodywhichisapartof him,andofthemannerinwhichamanmaytrainandbetrainedby himselfsoastolivemostaccordingtoreason:andwemustabove andbeforeallprovidethattheelementwhichistotrainhimshallbe thefairestandbestadaptedtothatpurpose。Aminutediscussionof thissubjectwouldbeaserioustask;butif,asbefore,Iamto giveonlyanoutline,thesubjectmaynotunfitlybesummedupas follows。 Ihaveoftenremarkedthattherearethreekindsofsoullocated withinus,havingeachofthemmotions,andImustnowrepeatinthe fewestwordspossible,thatonepart,ifremaininginactiveand ceasingfromitsnaturalmotion,mustnecessarilybecomeveryweak, butthatwhichistrainedandexercised,verystrong。Whereforewe shouldtakecarethatthemovementsofthedifferentpartsofthesoul shouldbeindueproportion。 AndweshouldconsiderthatGodgavethesovereignpartofthehuman soultobethedivinityofeachone,beingthatpartwhich,aswesay, dwellsatthetopofthebody,inasmuchasweareaplantnotofan earthlybutofaheavenlygrowth,raisesusfromearthtoour kindredwhoareinheaven。Andinthiswesaytruly;forthedivine powersuspendedtheheadandrootofusfromthatplacewherethe generationofthesoulfirstbegan,andthusmadethewholebody upright。Whenamanisalwaysoccupiedwiththecravingsofdesireand ambition,andiseagerlystrivingtosatisfythem,allhisthoughts mustbemortal,and,asfarasitispossiblealtogethertobecome such,hemustbemortaleverywhit,becausehehascherishedhis mortalpart。Buthewhohasbeenearnestintheloveofknowledge andoftruewisdom,andhasexercisedhisintellectmorethanany otherpartofhim,musthavethoughtsimmortalanddivine,ifhe attaintruth,andinsofarashumannatureiscapableofsharingin immortality,hemustaltogetherbeimmortal;andsinceheisever cherishingthedivinepower,andhasthedivinitywithinhimin perfectorder,hewillbeperfectlyhappy。Nowthereisonlyoneway oftakingcareofthings,andthisistogivetoeachthefoodand motionwhicharenaturaltoit。Andthemotionswhicharenaturally akintothedivineprinciplewithinusarethethoughtsand revolutionsoftheuniverse。Theseeachmanshouldfollow,andcorrect thecoursesoftheheadwhichwerecorruptedatourbirth,andby learningtheharmoniesandrevolutionsoftheuniverse,should assimilatethethinkingbeingtothethought,renewinghisoriginal nature,andhavingassimilatedthemshouldattaintothatperfectlife whichthegodshavesetbeforemankind,bothforthepresentandthe future。 Thusouroriginaldesignofdiscoursingabouttheuniversedownto thecreationofmanisnearlycompleted。Abriefmentionmaybemade ofthegenerationofotheranimals,sofarasthesubjectadmitsof brevity;inthismannerourargumentwillbestattainadue proportion。Onthesubjectofanimals,then,thefollowingremarksmay beoffered。Ofthemenwhocameintotheworld,thosewhowerecowards orledunrighteouslivesmaywithreasonbesupposedtohavechanged intothenatureofwomeninthesecondgeneration。Andthiswasthe reasonwhyatthattimethegodscreatedinusthedesireofsexual intercourse,contrivinginmanoneanimatedsubstance,andinwoman another,whichtheyformedrespectivelyinthefollowingmanner。The outletfordrinkbywhichliquidspassthroughthelungunderthe kidneysandintothebladder,whichreceivesthenbythepressureof theairemitsthem,wassofashionedbythemastopenetratealsointo thebodyofthemarrow,whichpassesfromtheheadalongtheneck andthroughtheback,andwhichintheprecedingdiscoursewehave namedtheseed。Andtheseedhavinglife,andbecomingendowedwith respiration,producesinthatpartinwhichitrespiresalively desireofemission,andthuscreatesinustheloveofprocreation。 Whereforealsoinmentheorganofgenerationbecomingrebellious andmasterful,likeananimaldisobedienttoreason,andmaddenedwith thestingoflust,seekstogainabsolutesway;andthesameisthe casewiththeso—calledwombormatrixofwomen;theanimalwithin themisdesirousofprocreatingchildren,andwhenremaining unfruitfullongbeyonditspropertime,getsdiscontentedandangry, andwanderingineverydirectionthroughthebody,closesupthe passagesofthebreath,and,byobstructingrespiration,drivesthem toextremity,causingallvarietiesofdisease,untilatlengththe desireandloveofthemanandthewoman,bringingthemtogetherand asitwerepluckingthefruitfromthetree,sowinthewomb,asin afield,animalsunseenbyreasonoftheirsmallnessandwithoutform; theseagainareseparatedandmaturedwithin;theyarethenfinally broughtoutintothelight,andthusthegenerationofanimalsis completed。 Thuswerecreatedwomenandthefemalesexingeneral。Butthe raceofbirdswascreatedoutofinnocentlight—mindedmen,who, althoughtheirmindsweredirectedtowardheaven,imagined,intheir simplicity,thattheclearestdemonstrationofthethingsabovewasto beobtainedbysight;thesewereremodelledandtransformedinto birds,andtheygrewfeathersinsteadofhair。Theraceofwild pedestriananimals,again,camefromthosewhohadnophilosophyin anyoftheirthoughts,andneverconsideredatallaboutthenatureof theheavens,becausetheyhadceasedtousethecoursesofthehead, butfollowedtheguidanceofthosepartsofthesoulwhicharein thebreast。Inconsequenceofthesehabitsoftheirstheyhadtheir front—legsandtheirheadsrestingupontheearthtowhichtheywere drawnbynaturalaffinity;andthecrownsoftheirheadswere elongatedandofallsortsofshapes,intowhichthecoursesofthe soulwerecrushedbyreasonofdisuse。Andthiswasthereasonwhy theywerecreatedquadrupedsandpolypods:Godgavethemoresenseless ofthemthemoresupportthattheymightbemoreattractedtothe earth。Andthemostfoolishofthem,whotrailtheirbodiesentirely uponthegroundandhavenolongeranyneedoffeet,hemadewithout feettocrawlupontheearth。Thefourthclassweretheinhabitantsof thewater:theseweremadeoutofthemostentirelysenselessand ignorantofall,whomthetransformersdidnotthinkanylongerworthy ofpurerespiration,becausetheypossessedasoulwhichwasmade impurebyallsortsoftransgression;andinsteadofthesubtleand puremediumofair,theygavethemthedeepandmuddyseatobe theirelementofrespiration;andhencearosetheraceoffishesand oysters,andotheraquaticanimals,whichhavereceivedthemost remotehabitationsasapunishmentoftheiroutlandishignorance。 Thesearethelawsbywhichanimalspassintooneanother,now,as ever,changingastheyloseorgainwisdomandfolly。 Wemaynowsaythatourdiscourseaboutthenatureoftheuniverse hasanend。Theworldhasreceivedanimals,mortalandimmortal,and isfulfilledwiththem,andhasbecomeavisibleanimalcontainingthe visible—thesensibleGodwhoistheimageoftheintellectual,the greatest,best,fairest,mostperfect—theoneonlybegottenheaven。