Source edition
Theophrastus. Theophrasti Eresii Opera, Quae Supersunt, Omnia. Wimmer, Friedrich, editor. Paris: A.F. Didot, 1866.
Source data
Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This treatise is a scientific and physiological inquiry into the mechanism and properties of human sweat. The author begins by examining the factors behind the components of sweat (such as saltiness and acidity) and its odor, analyzing how these are influenced by age, health condition, bodily parts, and ventilation. It also explores the relationship between internal bodily impurities and skin diseases, as well as the differences in skin and moisture characteristics between children and the elderly. Furthermore, the work analyzes how external and physical factors—such as seasons, temperature, exercise, respiration, and environment (like shade, sunlight, or proximity to fire)—affect perspiration, including the phenomenon where warm water hinders sweating. Finally, it explains the physiological causes of sweating during sleep, anxiety, or when running while clothed, offering a comprehensive overview of the dynamics of heat and moisture within the human body.