emptying, but are sensible of the replenishment; and so they
occasion no pain, but the greatest pleasure, to the mortal part
of the soul, as is manifest in the case of perfumes. But things
which are changed all of a sudden, and only gradually and with
difficulty return to their own nature, have effects in every way
opposite to the former, as is evident in the case of burnings and
cuttings of the body.
Thus have we discussed the general affections of the whole body,
and the names of the agents which produce them. And now I will
endeavour to speak of the affections of particular parts, and the
causes and agents of them, as far as I am able. In the first
place let us set forth what was omitted when we were speaking of
juices, concerning the affections peculiar to the tongue. These
too, like most of the other affections, appear to be caused by
certain contractions and dilations, but they have besides more of
roughness and smoothness than is found in other affections; for
whenever earthy particles enter into the small veins which are
the testing instruments of the tongue, reaching to the heart, and
fall upon the moist, delicate portions of flesh—when, as they are
dissolved, they contract and dry up the little veins, they are
astringent if they are rougher, but if not so rough, then only
harsh. Those of them which are of an abstergent nature, and purge
the whole surface of the tongue, if they do it in excess, and so
encroach as to consume some part of the flesh itself, like potash
and soda, are all termed bitter. But the particles which are
deficient in the alkaline quality, and which cleanse only
moderately, are called salt, and having no bitterness or
roughness, are regarded as rather agreeable than otherwise.
Bodies which share in and are made smooth by the heat of the
mouth, and which are inflamed, and again in turn inflame that
which heats them, and which are so light that they are carried
upwards to the sensations of the head, and cut all that comes in
their way, by reason of these qualities in them, are all termed
pungent. But when these same particles, refined by putrefaction,
enter into the narrow veins, and are duly proportioned to the
particles of earth and air which are there, they set them
whirling about one another, and while they are in a whirl cause
them to dash against and enter into one another, and so form
hollows surrounding the particles that enter—which watery vessels
of air (for a film of moisture, sometimes earthy, sometimes pure,
is spread around the air) are hollow spheres of water; and those
of them which are pure, are transparent, and are called bubbles,
while those composed of the earthy liquid, which is in a state of