As for those Diseases that are named the _Fits of the Muther_, the _Spleen_, the _Scurvy_, and the like; although they are the most general Diseases, especially amongst the Females; yet, each particular sort is so various, and hath such different Effects, that, I observe, they puzzle the most Learned Men to find out their jugling, intricate, and uncertain Actions. But this is to be observed, That the Richest sorts of Persons are most apt to these sorts of Diseases; which proves, That Idleness and Luxury is the occasion. CHAP. XVIII. Of Food, or Digestions. As I have said, _Digestions_ are so numerous, and so obscure, that the most Learned Men know not how Food is converted and distributed to all the Parts of the Body: Which Obscurity occasions many Arguments, and much Dispute amongst the Learned; but, in my opinion, it is not the Parts of the Human Body, that do digest the Food, although they may be an occasion (through their own Regularities, or Irregularities) to cause good or bad digestions: but, the Parts of the Food, do digest themselves; that is, alter their actions to the Property and Nature of a Human Body: so that Digestive Parts are only Additional Parts; and, if those Nourishing Motions be Regular,they distribute their several Parts, and joyn their several Parts, to those several Parts of the Body that require Addition. Also, the Digestive Motions are according to the Nature or Property of each several Part of the Human Body, As for example, Those Digestive Parts alter into Blood, Flesh, Fat, Marrow, Brains, Humors, and so into any other Figurative Parts of the Sensitive Body. The same may be said of the Rational Parts of the Mind: but, if those Digestive Parts be Irregular, they will cause a Disorder in a well-ordered Body: and, if the Parts of the Body be Irregular, they will occasion a Disorder amongst the Digestive Parts: but, according to the Regularities and Irregularities of the Digestive Parts, is the Body more or less nourished. But this is to be noted, That according to the Superfluity or Scarcity of those Digestive Parts, the Body is opprest, or starved. CHAP. XIX. Of SURFEITS.