The Hermaphrodite as of a doubtfull nature and in the middle of both sexes seemes to participate of both Male and Female.
The Colour which is predominante in the habite and superficies of the body and lyes next under the skinne, shewes the temperament of what kinde soever it be; for as Galen notes in Comment. ad Aphor, 2. sect. 1. Such a colour appeares in us, as the contained humor hath. Wherefore if a rosie hew coloure the cheekes, it is a signe the body abounds with blood, and that it is carryed abroad by the plenty of Spirits. But if the skinne be dyed with a yellow colour, it argues Choler, is predominante; if with a whitish and pallide hew, Phlegme; with a sable and dusky, Melancholy. So the colour of the excrements which are according to Nature is not of the least consideration. For thus, if an ulcer being broken send forth white matter, it argues the soundnesse of the part from whence it flowes; but if sanious or bloody, greene, blackish, or of divers colours, it shewes the weaknes of the solide part, which could not assimulate by concoction the colour of the ex∣crementitious humor. The like reason is of unnaturall Tumors; For, as the colour, so the Dominion of the Humor causing or accompanying the swelling commonly is.
The Conformitie, and integrity of the Organicall parts is considered by their figure, greatnesse, number, situation and mutuall connexion. Wee consider the figure, when wee say almost all the externall parts of the body are naturally round, not onely for shew, but for necessitie, that being smooth, and no way cornered, they should be lesse obnoxious to externall injuries; wee speake of Greatnesse, when wee say, some are large and thicke, some lancke and leane. But wee consider their number, when we observe some parts to abound, some to want, or nothing to be defective or wanting. Wee insinuate site and connexion when wee search, whether every thing be in its proper place, and whether they be decently fitted, and well joyned together.
We have handled the varyeties of the foure seasons of the yeare, when we treated of Temperaments. But the consideration of Region (because it hath the same judg∣ment that the Aire) shall be referred to that disquisition, or enquiry which we entend to make of the Aire, amongst the Things not naturall.
The Manner of life and order of Diet are to be diligently observed by us, because they have great power either to alter, or preserve the Temperament. But because they are of almost infinite variety, therefore they scarse seeme possible to fall into Arte, which may prosequute all the differences of Diet and vocati∣ons of life. Wherefore if the Calling of Life be laborious, as that of hus∣bandmen, Marriners, and other such trades, it strengthens and dryes the parts of the body. Although those which labour much about Waters, are most com∣monly troubled with cold and moyst diseases although they almost kill them∣selves with labour.
Againe, those which deale with Mettalls, as all sorts of Smithes, and those which cast and worke brasse, are more troubled with hotte diseases, as feavers. But if their Calling be such as they sit much, and worke all the day long sit∣ting at home, as shooemakers; it makes the body tender, the flesh effeminate and causeth great quantity of excrements. A life as well idle and negligent in body, as quiet in minde, in all riotousnes and excesses of Dyet, doth the same. For from hence the body is made subject to the stone, gravell and Gout.
That calling of life which is performed with moderate labour, clothing and dyet, seemes very fit and convenient to preserve the naturall temper of the body. The Ingenious Chirurgeon may frame more of himselfe that may more parti∣cularly conduce to the examination of these things. Therefore, the things na∣turall, and those which are neere or Neighbouring to them being thus briefly declared, the Order seemes to require that wee make enquiry of Things not Naturall.