B II. Opisthotonos is a vice of the rational nature, by which it becomes inflexible toward virtue and the knowledge of God.
III. Sphacelism is the heat and motion of anger, disturbing the rational part of the soul.
IV. Blindness is an ignorance of the mind not directed toward the active virtues or the contemplation of created things.
V. Paralysis is a difficulty of movement in the rational soul toward the active virtues.
VI. Gonorrhea is the sloth of the rational soul, by which it is accustomed to cast away the words of spiritual doctrine.
VII. Apo-kathisis is an infirmity of the rational soul, by which it is accustomed to cast away the virtues that contribute to the formation of Christ.
B VIII. Leprosy is infidelity of the rational soul, by which it does not become fully persuaded while touching and scrutinizing the words.
IX. Ecstasy [or mental disturbance] is the backsliding of the rational soul toward malice after virtue and the knowledge of God.
X. Contusion [or bruising] is the worst state of the rational soul, because of which it pursues the virtues not for the sake of the good itself.
XI. Mutilation of the nose is the privation of virtue, which used to perceive the fragrance of Christ.
XII. Mutilation of the ears is the hardness of the rational soul, resisting C spiritual doctrine as if by pulling against it.
XIII. Ephelis [or a spot] is the falling away from spiritual contemplation, or an untrue understanding of the contemplation of created things.
XIV. Stammering is a passion of the rational part of the soul, through which, being scandalized by things that happen, it is unable to give thanks to God for everything.
XV. Lameness is an infirmity of the rational nature toward the working of virtue.
XVI. Dropsy is an irrational decline of the soul, by which, when the virtues are extinguished, malice and ignorance gain the upper hand.
XVII. The ant is the practical man, preparing his own food in this age.
XVIII. The porcupines [or hedgehogs] are impure nations that have received the commandments of our Savior Christ.
XIX. Locusts having no king are rational souls which are not shaken by death and are nourished by seeds.
XX. The lizard is the practical mind, supported by virtues and dwelling in the knowledge of the heavenly powers.
XXI. A lion’s cub is the man without passions who has reigned over the beasts that have come to be within him. D