Their questions concerning nature.
Many of the questions raised by Peter are concrete enough, however, and supply, not only some definite information on the history of domestic science and of the medieval table, but also interesting illustration of the scope of that medieval curiosity concerning nature to which we have more than once adverted. Such questions continue the type of natural science of which the Problems of Aristotle and the Natural Questions of Adelard of Bath are earlier instances. Those of Peter are the more impressive in that some of them are far removed from the subject of diet at all strictly interpreted. The following is a list of such representative questions picked out here and there throughout the commentaries on both the works of Isaac on diet.
Can natural death be retarded?
Is a well-balanced constitution the best preserved, or is it easily overcome by the causes of disease?
Is bad food more injurious than bad air?
Why do we employ foods hot in the fourth degree and not those cold in the same degree?
What should be the diet of those taking mental exercise, like students?
Why is man less hairy and of weaker constitution than the brutes?
Why does nature sustain a multitude of medicines, but not of foods?
Are medicines always contraries?