History of Monsters. 248

malignant humor is contained, which can infect others through habit. In the vein of human life, the blood of evil affection also lurks, bringing in the rot of sin; from this, one's associates are later offended by both words and examples.

The mass of blood is contained in the veins, which physicians divide into four humors: blood, bile, phlegm, and melancholy. Regarding blood, it is generated in the liver for the nutrition of the entire body; in moral teaching, it is called the memory of Christ’s blood and passion, which is contained in the liver—that is, in the affection—to nourish the soul. Furthermore, when the body overflows with excessive blood, wise Nature fends off ill health by expelling it through a hemorrhage. This blood represents voluptuous desire; thus, wise Nature—that is, reason—must evacuate it through the "hemorrhage" of repentance. Indeed, whenever any part of the body is injured, blood immediately flows there to bring aid. In the same way, a friend burning with charity should imitate the nature of this blood so that, as much as possible, he may bring help to a needy friend. Finally, menstrual blood is not without a poisonous quality; for a woman affected by this flow does not look upon anyone without harm. Thus, he who is gripped by dishonest and pernicious lust is compared to such a woman, since his affection is poisonous and makes others prone to debauchery. Just as the aforementioned blood is evacuated at a set time to keep the body in fertile health—whereas if it is retained in the veins, many illnesses are born—so too is such blood a symbol of sin. When diligently evacuated through penitential confession, it confers perfect health upon the soul; if retained, many illnesses of vice flow from it.

Bile is a humor reflecting fiery matter, making a person swift and bold in action. In perfect men, bile is nothing other than a zeal for justice; therefore, it incites them toward right actions. Yet, when bile dominates the other humors in the human body, it makes a person fickle, irritable, and cruel. In this teaching, bile represents a lethal crime, by which a person is stirred up and rendered light-minded, angry, and unmerciful.

Phlegm is a cold and moist humor that gradually acquires the nature of blood within the veins so that it may eventually nourish the limbs. Similarly, within the veins—that is, in the Church—God has placed not only blood (namely, perfect men) but also phlegm (namely, imperfect men), so that as the perfect fall away, others might attain perfection. Alternatively, we might interpret phlegm as the "unconcocted" humor of a sinner, whose affection is raw and imperfect; for this reason, Isaiah said: "I have refined you, but not as silver."

Finally, melancholy in the human body is a black humor that produces constant fear; thus, it is no wonder that physicians report that the melancholic person is afraid without any manifest cause. This humor can undoubtedly be called a symbol of sin, which, lacking the splendor of grace, partakes in blackness. Therefore, those infected by such a humor are blackened by vices, and, driven by their stings, they always live in fear.

Flesh and fat are generated from the mass of humors. Flesh is soft, as well as warm and moist; it covers the bones and fills the empty spaces of the muscles. By "flesh," we should understand the perfected mind, which, filled with the moisture of piety and the warmth of charity, provides a covering for the "bones"—that is, the needy. It is also said to fill the empty spaces of the muscles when it satisfies the empty pockets of the poor. Furthermore, because of its softness, flesh is said to be impatient of labor; hence, animals with fleshy feet, such as man, cannot endure long-lasting toil unless they put on shoes. In the same way, "fleshy" men—those wrapped in luxuries—endure the labor of calamities with difficulty, as we read in Matthew: "But the flesh is weak." Therefore, it is necessary to take refuge in the "shoes" of the examples and teachings of the Saints.

Fat, generated under the skin, softens it, but as it increases, it obstructs the passages, compresses the veins, and finally serves as fuel for fire. Likewise, the "fat" of pleasures softens the skin and so obstructs the passages of the affections that divine grace cannot penetrate to the innermost hiding places of the heart. Indeed, as it grows, it dominates the powers of the soul, compresses the veins of the will, and ultimately feeds the fire of greed.

Finally, excessive fat usually prevents a woman from being able to conceive; and those who are overwhelmed by too much fat, if they fall ill, are restored to health only with the greatest difficulty.