out, then the heart beats
and swells; and the creating powers, knowing this, implanted in the
body the soft and bloodless substance of the lung, having a porous and
springy nature like a sponge, and being kept cool by drink and air which
enters through the trachea.

The part of the soul which desires meat and drink was placed between the
midriff and navel, where they made a sort of manger; and here they bound
it down, like a wild animal, away from the council-chamber, and leaving
the better principle undisturbed to advise quietly for the good of the
whole. For the Creator knew that the belly would not listen to reason,
and was under the power of idols and fancies. Wherefore he framed the
liver to connect with the lower nature, contriving that it should be
compact, and bright, and sweet, and also bitter and smooth, in order
that the power of thought which originates in the mind might there be
reflected, terrifying the belly with the elements of bitterness and
gall, and a suffusion of bilious colours when the liver is contracted,
and causing pain and misery by twisting out of its place the lobe and
closing up the vessels and gates. And the converse happens when some
gentle inspiration coming from intelligence mirrors the opposite
fancies, giving rest and sweetness and freedom, and at night, moderation
and peace accompanied with prophetic insight, when reason and sense are
asleep. For the authors of our being, in obedience to their Father's
will and in order to make men as good as they could, gave to the liver
the power of divination, which is never active when men are awake or
in health; but when they are under the influence of some disorder or
enthusiasm then they receive intimations, which have to be interpreted
by others who are called prophets, but should rather be called
interpreters of prophecy; after death these intimations become
unintelligible. The spleen which is situated in the neighbourhood, on
the left side, keeps the liver bright and clean, as a napkin does a
mirror, and the evacuations of the liver are received into it; and being
a hollow tissue it is for a time swollen with these impurities, but when
the body is purged it returns to its natural size.

The truth concerning the soul can only be established by the word of
God. Still, we may venture to assert what is probable both concerning
soul and body.

The creative powers were aware of our tendency to excess. And so when
they made the belly to be a rec