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THe matter of a Content, * 1.1 or Sediment in the Vrines of such as are sound (for in Vrines of those that are exactly well, there is scarce any Content save onely a sediment) is some part of aliment which escaped concoction; for since it neither
can be changed into perfect blood, nor into the nutriment of any part, after the third concoction it is sent to the Reins and cast cut through the Bladder, and there is scarce found a Vrine of a sound man, * 1.2 wherein the natural sediment doth not appear; because scarce any body is so exactly sound which doth not ge∣nerate some such excrement; and no nourishment is to be found which cannot afford matter for such an excrement. Whence according to the diversity of meats, and natures there∣of there ariseth diversity of Contents: For although the Con∣tents settle in the bottome, and in those that are exactly sound; yet in those which do not enjoy most perfect health, * 1.3 or do not eat the best meats, it doth not enjoy its natural place; but in some, and those which eat grosser food more then is convenient, it doth settle in the bottome; in others it ascends higher then is fit, by reason of the heat which cannot subdue it.
A Sediment is naturally white and takes this colour from the veins and parts which are wont to impress a white colour on those things which they change: Equal and continued is not divided by reason of heat rightly concocting and rendring this excrement equal, and obtains the figure of a Pyramid, which although all parts seem to the senses to be equally thick; yet in truth some are thicker, which settle underneath, others thinner which consist in the superiour part.
A great sediment is through plenty of crude juice which af∣fords matter for a sediment; * 1.4 whence boyes through much ea∣ting, and those that live in idleness, and those whose accu∣stomed evacuations are suppressed, and females also have a more plentiful sediment; but men because they are hotter, and have not so many crude humors, have less sediment: the same hap∣pens in Summer through fasting, too great evacuations, and o∣ther causes consuming the humors, also obstructions, and much and thin drinks, which are distributed and cast forth before it can receive any mixture, or digestion with meat.
The matter of a sedi∣ment in sound men.
The causes of diversity of Contents
The cause of the qua∣lity of the sediment.
Quantity.