The Art of Physick
Section A. Of the 7 Naturals
1. Of the Elements
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D. What is an Element? C. An Element is the smallest part of that, of which it is an Element, Galen of Elements. Now he calls the smallest part of the most simple, which cannot be divided into other parts different in species. An Element is therefore the most simple part of a mixed body. By others an Element is divided into a simple Body, of which any thing is first made, and into which at last it is again dissolved. D. By this reason the Bones, Muscles, Flesh, and other Simple parts shall be said to be the Elements of Human Bodies, because they are Simple Bodies of the Organic Members, are first constituted, and into which they are every one divided. C. Not so: For though they appear Simple to the Sense, yet are they really composed of the Four Elements; and dissolved at length into them again; in regard the last dissolution of mixed Bodies stops in the Elements. D. How! Are not the Elements themselves, the common beginnings of Natural Bodies, dissolved into Matter and Form? C. In thought it seems to be so, but not in reality. For the Elements are only to be divided by Reason, and not by actual Operation. D. What Difference is there between Principles and Elements? C. The Difference in twofold: First, The Elements proceed out of others before them, and out of one another. But Principles proceed neither from others, not from themselves, but out of themselves produce all Natural things. Secondly, The Elements are of the same Genus with those things of which they are Elements: But Principles cannot be of the same Genus with those things of which they are Principles; Wherefore in regard that Elements are Bodies, it is apparent, that those things of which they are Elements are Bodies: but the Principles of Bodies are Incorporeal. D. How many Elements are there? C. Four: Fire, Air, Water and Earth, which frequently by Hippocrates are called Hot, Moist, Cold and Dry. D. By what Arguments are the Elements proved to be Four? C. Chiefly by Three. First, because they are the first four Elements liable to the sense of Feeling, and so many real Agreements of Tangible Qualities. Next, because the Four Elements concur to the forming of mixed bodies. Lastly, because all mixed Bodies are dissolved back into the Four Elements. D. I would have thee demonstrate how Human Bodies are composed of these Four Elements. C. It is the general assent of all that our bodies are composed of Organic Members in the first place; then those Organic Members are perfected out of a Composure of similar parts, which similar parts deduce their Original from the Seed and Maternal Blood, both proceeding from a mixture of Humors; which mixture arise from the Meat and Drink put into the Body; the product of which, whether the flesh of Land-creatures, or of Fish, whether Fruit-Trees, or Herbs and Flowers, is only the promiscuous concourse and mixture of the Elements. Seeing then out Nourishment proceeds from the Elements, from our Nourishment the Humors, from the Humors the Similar Parts, from the Similar parts the Organic Members; from the Organic parts of Human Body, it is manifest that the same is composed according to the method of Nature, out of Four Elements. Moreover the Human Bodies consist of those first Elements, is plain from their last Dissolution; for that when a man dies, all things return from whence they came. Thus the innate heat dissipates and flies away to the Element Fire. His Breath returns partly to the Fire, partly to the Air. The flowing Humor becomes Water again. The more solid, thick and firm parts, when once the Moisture is exhausted, dry up and moulder to dust. This the most admired Hippocrates first gave us to understand, where he declares, that when Man expires, every thing returns to those Elements of which it was at first composed. The Moist to the Moist; the Dry to the Dry; the Hot to the Hot; and Cold to the Cold. D. Tell us more plainly how the human Body is generated out of the Four Elements. C. The Body of Man is not composed of the Bodies of the Elements alone, but of their conjoined Qualities, nor these neither pure, but intermixed and tempered, according as they act of suffer among themselves. D. Repeat the Qualities of the several Elements. C. Fire is hot in the extreme, remissly dry. Air is moist in extremity, remissly Hot. Water cold in the Extreme, remissly Hot. The Earth dry in the Extreme, remissly Cold. So that the first Four Qualities are Heat, Cold, Moisture and Drought. Of which the Elements are the first subjects, and out of their Mixture and Temperaments our Bodies are composed, which while the Mixture and Temperament remain equal and just, are in perfect Health. But when that Mixture and Temperament fails, or is altered by some Accident, the Body becomes distempered. D. What is mixture? C. Mixture is the Union of Altered things apt to be mixed. D. How is mixture made, either according to the Qualities or the Forms, or in the whole? C. Qualities are altered, Forms united, the whole Elements mixed with the whole. D. Show me more distinctly the Reason of mixture. C. Alteration precedes Mixture, or rather the Conflict of contrary Qualities precede the acting and suffering of the Touch; for all Physical Agents act by the touch. And therefore all Elements that concur to constitute a mixed Body, touch one another in the first place; then act one upon another by their Repugnancy and Contrariety, and so by their mutual acting and suffering, divide themselves into the smallest parts imaginable, make way and enter every where, and this is called Mixture in the whole. D. Then you say, Substances are mixed with Substances? C. Why not? D. Because no Mixture is made without Repugnancy; but substance is not repugnant to Substance. C. Substance is not Repugnant to Substance of itself, as it is substance; but in respect of its Qualities. So Fire in its whole Form and Substance does not resist Fire; but one in its Quality; Fire being Hot, and Water Cold. Alteration is not a mutation or change of Forms, but Qualities. The Elements through their mutual contests are altered in their Contests, are altered in their Qualities, and are tempered by their being broken and pierced; taking away the Repugnancy, they are easily united. But from the Union of the Forms of every Element, one Form of a mixed Body arises. |
The Art Of PhysickSection A.
OF THE 7 NATURALS
(Physiology)
Introduction to the 7 Naturals
1. Elements
2. Temperaments
3. Parts
4. Humors
5. Spirits
6. Faculties
7. Actions
Section B.
OF THE 6 NOT-NATURALS
(Preservation of Health)
Introduction to the 6 Not-Naturals
1. Ambient Air
2. Food and Drink
3. Sleep and Waking
4a. Exercise &
4b. Rest
5. Excrements
6. Emotions (Passions of the Mind)
Section C.
OF THE 3 PRETER-NATURALS
(Pathology)
1. Diseases
2. Causes
3a. Symptoms &
3b. Signs