PART 11
But let us inquire what are the causes of these things which happened
to them. To him, then, who was accustomed to take only one meal in
the day, they happened because he did not
[p. 8]wait the proper time, until
his bowels had completely derived benefit from and had digested the
articles taken at the preceding meal, and until his belly had become
soft, and got into a state of rest, but he gave it a new supply while
in a state of heat and fermentation, for such bellies digest much
more slowly, and require more rest and ease. And as to him who had
been accustomed to dinner, since, as soon as the body required food,
and when the former meal was consumed, and he wanted refreshment,
no new supply was furnished to it, he wastes and is consumed from
want of food. For all the symptoms which I describe as befalling to
this man I refer to want of food. And I also say that all men who,
when in a state of health, remain for two or three days without food,
experience the same unpleasant symptoms as those which I described
in the case of him who had omitted to take dinner.