Aphorisms (Hippocrates)  

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Aphorisms is a collection of aphorisms by Hippocrates. The oft-cited first sentence of this work (see Ars longa, vita brevis) is:

"Life is short, [the] art long, opportunity fleeting, experience deceptive, judgment difficult."

Full text

Th e only translations which I have seen of the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, is th^t of M. Pariset, printed in 1816;* and the English translation of C. I. Sprengell, done in 1708. The reader, by reverting to the French version, will perceive much of para- phrase, and some tournures de phrase^ by no means correspondent with the original text of the author, which I have frequently subjoined in the margin. Were it not for these objections, this attempt would be, in a measure, supererogatory. I have preferred the version of Verhoofd, as adopted by Pa» riset, not only on account of the elegance of its latinity, but from its being next to Heurnius, the most literal of many which I have had recourse to. That of the learn- ed Villebrune, of 1779, however correct in the original text, is too diffuse and free in

s Aphorisma D' Hippocrates L 2tin-FraDcai5>

X PREFACE.

its latin version, to be again transfused into the stiil more copious English : and there was some danger, lest in recurring to a para- phrastic, instead of a literal translation, that not only the spirit, but some of the original matter might be lost.

The Lejden edition of Johannes Heur- nius, * possesses, perhaps, the most close and literal translation of any I have yet seen, and is in its style, so analagous to that of Verhoofd, that the reader, by comparing them, will be irresistibly led to the inference, that the latter is no more than a revision of the former. But what the various commen- tators have differed most upon, is the genuineness of some portions of this work. While some condemn the seventh and eighth sections as altogether spurious, and as differing in style from the terse, Ionic dialect of the original ; others view them as genuine in the main, but as containing many mterpolations and alterations. Among these, Villebrune has given, as genuine, six sections, and the greatest part of the seventh (down to Aphor, 66,) observing at the conclusion,—

• Hipp. Coi Aphor. Grscce etLatine. Lug. Batav. 1627.

PREFACE. XI

" Reliquos ut absurdos, inutilcsve, cum Me- letio, Philotheo, Arabibus, pluribus Graeci neglexi."

But although Villebrune has arrayed on his side some stout oppositionists, yet there are others, equaiiy strong, who maintain the integrity of the work handed down to us. Amidst so many contradictory, and yet re- spectable authorities, the Medical Tyro stands bewildered, and like the devout Mus- sulman, knows not wherein consists the ve- ritable part. Besides, this *' ratio sufficiens*' of Villebrune, might be equally extended to many Aphorisms throughout the work ; and the gleaner of absurdities might derive as fine a harvest from the works of the Coan -Sage, as from any of the ancients extant, not excepting the divine Plato, or the critical Aristotle. No one will seriously attempt to defend, although he may palliate the errors, imperfections and absurdities of Hippocrates; — they were incident to the age in which he lived, when the influx of scientific light which beams on the present day, was yet in the antipodes.

Xli PREFACE.

I obtained the English translation of C. L Sprengell,* after I had nearly conripleted my labours, and, in adverting to it, was more than ever convinced of the neces- sity of a more correct, literal, and elegant translation; in attempting which, it is left for others to decide, how far I have sue- oeeded.

• In the Library of the New- York Hospital.

STRICTURES

ON THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

HIPPOCRATES,

Hippocrates, distinguished by the titles of Father of Medicine and Prince of Phy- sicians, was born in the island of Cos, in the first year of the 80th Olympiade, and 460 years before the Christian era. Of his history, Hke that of most fnen of science^ very little seems to be perfectly known ; and indeed the whole of it is so involved in doubt, so interwoven with intentional fraud and anachronism, that it is only by collating the testimony of the many authors who have spoken of him, that the critical Biographer is enabled to arrive at any thing like the truth. * He was cotemporary with the greatest men of Greece, — Socrates, Hero. dotus, Thucydides, Democritus, and others ; and was of the family of the Asclepiades, being himself the eighteenth lineal descendant from iEsculapius, and the seventeenth from Por

• See Cydopsedia Edin. Art. Hipp.

2

XIV LIFE AND WRITINGS

dalirius, the latter of whom, with Machaon^ accompanied the allied Greeks against the Trojans.'^ By his mother's side he also claimed lieneage with the Hcraclidae. From j^sculapius downwards, the family of the As- clepiades were devoted to the cultivation of medicine, and, like the Levites of the Jews^ were unwilling that the inheritance of their fathers should depart from their house. It was thus, that the learning and science of the age were successively tranmitted from one generation to another, and were as tenaciously guarded from the votarist of wisdom, as were the Apples of the Hesperides, or the Fleece of Colchis, from the adventurous heroism of the times. The art of printing, w^hich, in after ages, gave so wide a range to observation and facts, which established as it were a commu^ nion of knowledge, and transmitted to a sue» ceeding age the labours of that which had pre- ceeded, was then unknown. Consequently there was a monopoly of ideas as there was of power, although in the present enlightened age, they are the most opposite principles in tlie elements of civil and political govern^ ment.

» IlUade, B. IL

OF HIPPOCRATES. XV

We may then easily conceive how a fami- ly like the Asclepiades, directing all their energies to the cultivation of a particular science, and making all their learning and observation contributive to its advancement^ should, with each succeeding generation, find new truths developed, and a new series of facts to act upon. Yet it does not detract from the glory of Hippocrates, that his were the materials of a long line of ancestry — that the tide of knowledge which he poured in up- on the v/orld, should have been the contri- butions of successive auxiliary streams, which, falling into one channel, had rolled on- ward through a space of five centuries. How- ever gigantic be the manhood of Science, its infancy is not always the infancy of a Hercu- les ; however potent be its final energies, it is, in its origin, for the most part, feeble, and in its progress to maturity, tedious, slow, and interrupted. In tracing the gradual ad- vance of any art, how small a proportion does each individual contribution bear to the grand result ; — how great the difference between the rough-hewn, mishapen Hermes of the Egyp- tian, and the breathing, speaking, animated Marble of the Greek ! The poet and era-

XYl LIFE AND WRITINGS

tor may start up a giant, but Science, like the mythological world of the ancients, has had its origin from an Egg-shell.

Althousrh the sacred mantle of the Ascle- piades descended upon the shoulders of Hip- pocrates, yet he possessed too enlarged and philanthropic a mind to aim at confining the mass of knov/ledge bequeathed by his ances- tors solely to his own family. With the em- pirical practice of his predecessors he combi- ned the gymnastic medicine of Herodicus, under whose brother, Gorgias, lie is said to have studied philosophy and eloquence. He was, however, both in his practice and wri- tings, a true eclectic, admitting or rejecting what preceding ages had offered to his notice., only as they accorded or differed with his own observation and experience. The ab- stract theories of Sectarian philosophy were carefully seperated from what he considered the rational principles of practice.

" Hippocrates Cous primus quidem, ex omnibus memorise dignis, ab studio sapiential disciplinam hanc (philosopham) separavit^ ^ir et arte et facundia insignis.*

« Celsu'^.

OF HIPPOCRATES, XVII

Like the philosophers of that age, he ad= ded to the traditionary knowledge he had re- received, the instruction which travel, obser» vation, and an intercourse with the most en- lightened men of his time afforded. Deriv- ing new accession of facts from the various countries which he visited, he made the tour of Greece and Asia Minor, and took up his abode in Larissa, the capital of Thessaly. Most of the stories, so highly interesting^ re» lated of him bv Soranus and others, are'disf carded by the critics ; such as his discover- ing, by his art, that the illness of the young Perdiccas was owing to the love he bore to Phila, the mistress of his father, king of Macedon ; and his visits to the philosopher Democritus, of Abdera, at the solicitation of the Abderites, whom they deemed insane ^^ but whom Hippocrates pronounced the wi- sest and most sane man of Abdera. The supposed letter of the Abderites to Hippo- crates, on this occasion, is still extant. The cure of the young Perdiccas,^ is, however, by most writers, ascribed to another physician (Erasistratus,) and his visit to Democritus appears to be altogether a fictitious drama, wrought up by some writer who flourished

XVIU LIFE AND WRITINGS

long after him. The account given by Ae» tins, of the part he took in the dreadful plague- which visited Athens in the time of Pericles^, has met a refutation from the judicious Le Clerc* Plutarch ascribes the actions there- in related of Hippocrates, to one Acron of Agrigentum; and Dr. Ackerman thinks that these fictitious circumstances were conjured up long after the death of Hippocrates by the Dogmatic Sect who regarded him as their founder.

But the fame of Hippocrates does not con- sist in a few interesting incidents, heightened by classical feeling, and rendered prominent by classical association ; — it rests upon a more stable and imperishable base ; on the vast accession he made to the science which he professed, and on his endeavours to form a co'mplete system of medicine, founded upon observation and rational deduction. After a life spent in the most useful labours, and de- voted to the purposes of humanity, he died at Larissa, in Thessaly, at the advanced age of one hundred and nine. The epithet, di- vine, was affixed to his name ; statues and-

• Vids Cyclopsed. Edin. Art. Hippr

OF HIPPOCRATES» SIX

temples were erected to his memory ; and in= eense was offered up on altars dedicated to his divinity.

It is by comparing the medical knowledge of Hippocrates, with what it was previous to his time, that we shall be enabled to form an estimate of the services which he has render- ed the science, of which he has been consid- ered the fotmder. The limits of a work^ like the present, w ill not permit our entering upon a critical analysis of the peculiar doc- trines of Hippocrates, or a general detail of the subjects upon which he has written.^'" We merely purpose to advert to a few of the leading principles upon which his gene- ral doctrines rest, as they serve to illustrate some of his pathological observations, in the folio vving work,.

He supposes a principle, '7. (pvn^, Vv^hich per- vades the material creation, and which serves, as the motive pawer of elementary matter» This principle is the cause of animal life and motion, and through it, the blood and spirits receive heat, life, and sensation. It will be per- ceived, that the ^' nature," g'^fs's of Hippocra-

'- Vide" Ojjinia Qpera Jocsii." etCyclopxd. Edip, .Art», Hippi

XX LIFE AND WRITINGS

tes, is the " Archeus — the ** Vital princi- ple," — the Sensorial Power," — " The Excitability," — and the "Vis Medicatrix Naturae" of succeeding writers. The Dog- matic Sect, who clainried Hippocrates as their founder,* paid the greatest deference to his 'sj^'i'?'?, and viewed her as the vis con- servatrix in all derangements of the animal economy. Their practice was, therefore, passive^ not operative. The symptoms of disease were so many preservative efforts of the vis medicatrix to throw off the morbific matter, after being duly concocted. We may trace the spirit of this erroneous doc- trine, through sucessive ages, down to our ovvn time. It was maintained and defended by the illustrious Sydenham, though very little influencing his practice^ and forms, at this day, the basis of the Theory of the French School. Its tendency in Medicine, like the doctrine of predestination in Ethics, goes to paralize every intellectual effort ; and its a- doptionby the most scientific nation in Europe ean only be ascribed to that classical mania which measures every species of excellence

• See this claim refuted, Cyclopaed : Edin. Art Medicine,

OF HIPPOCEATES. XXI

by a Greek and Roman scale. But it does not appear, in recurring to the writings of Hip- pocrates, that he gave the same indefinite scope to the curative agency of Nature in diseases, as was deputed to ker by his reput- ed followers, who, like true sectarians, dis- regarding the spirit, adhered religiously to the literal bodt/.

The anatomical knowledge of Hippocrates was necessarily circumscribed by the age in which he lived, when a jnaterial theology^ combined with the grossest superstition, for- bade a recourse to dissectiojis ; and when the superficial knowledge which the student ob- tained of the structure of the human body, was derived from comparative anatomy, and the opportunities which accident afford- ed. To this may be ascribed most of his physiological and pathological errors ; and if, to this, we add the extreme deficiency of the age, in the Quxiliary sciences of medicine, so far from ^vondering at the errors which we encounter in his writings, we shall be lost ia admiration, at the sagacity and almost in- tuitive wisdom which he evinces in his knowledge of the nature and seat of diseases.

We shall not advert to the many singular

XXU LIFE AND WRITINGS.

and ridiculous notions, which, like spurious veins of earth amidst the metallic splendour of the mine, may be found interspersed among the writings of Hippocrates. Long after him, when the anatomical labours of Erasistratus and Herophilus threw a con- siderable light on the structure of the human body, most of these errors and absurdities were maintained and defended ; and we have only to turn over the pages of Aristptle and of Plato, to observe these anomalies of ge- nius, modified into form, and extended into system. The curative plan of Hippocrates was extremely simple. He depended much on the resources of nature, but not to the ex- tent afterwards adopted by his followers ; and recommends a reliance upon her^ in prefer- ence to a dependance on a rash and uncertain remedy. The most simple plan of treatment was sometimes alternated with the use of the most violent and active medicines, such as Hellebore, Elaterium, Colycinth, and Scammony. Avoiding indecision on the one hand, and a rasli precipitancy on the other, he appears to have been prompt, yet judicious i; decisivCj and yet calm.

o:F HIPPOCRATES. Sxlil

But it is chiefly in matters of fact and ob- servation, that the greatness of Hippocrates consists. The technical language of our own times, is, in a measure, drawn from his writings. He first divided diseases into epidemic^ endefitic, and sporadic, according to the present acceptations of these terms ; and these diseases he again divides into acute and chronic. The duration of an acute disease was distinguished by the beginning, height, decline^ and termination. In the third stage of the disease, decoction took place ; and the crisis was placed between this and the last stage. As he observed the crisis to supervene, for the most part, on particular days, he institu- ted his dies critici, and thence deduced his prognostica symptomnta. Besides devoting; his pen to the various departments of medi«  cal knowledge, he paid much attention, in the education of his pupils, to what may be called ethical medicine. His ideas of the dignity of his profession, were as fully ex- emplified in his life, as they are elegantly given in his writings :

" Decet etiam moribus honestis elegantem esse. Et cum talem se praestiterit, crga

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omnes insuper et gravis et humaniis esto, Promptitudo enim et facilitas medendi ef. fuse oblata, ab asgris contemnitur : quamvis alioqui siimmas benignitatis officium illud sit."*

Indefatigable and successful in his re- searches, he greatly enlarged the empire of medicine. His pathology and principles of cure are, with a few exceptions and modifi- cations, those of our own times. Yet how few who pronounce his name with reverence and respect, have ever consulted his oracles. Satisfied with doing hom^age to his wisdom, they have dispensed with its precepts. When the Goths, in the recesses of their forests, had tasted, for the first time, the vintage of Italy, they eagerly marched forward in quest of the land which had produced it : how much less ardour does the student evince, who is satisfied with receiving at secondary and ter- Bary sources, that wisdom which may be ob- tained at the fountain-head, pure and unadul- terated.

The name of Hippocrates has become

• D€ Medic©, Hipp.

CF HIPPOCRATES. XXV

identified with the science which he pro= fessed. His was the ambition which seeks the aggrandizement of self in encompassing the happiness of others ; his the wished for glory, whose throne is cotemporary grati- tude, and whose crown — -the blessings of af- ter ages. His object was to enlarge the do= mains of Medicine by multiplying her re= sources, and by exciting an emulation among her votariese Before his tim^e, Medicine was the art of priests and of jugglers : he rescued her from the degrading thraldom into which she had fallen, and raised her to the dis^nit^^ of a Science. Greece listened with reverence to his precepts — his sentences were heard amidst the groves of the Academus and the assemblages of the Porch, and Philosophy herself was proud to enlist beneath the ban- ners he had elevated.

Independent of the advantages to be de- rived from the study of the ancient Authors^ there is connected with the enthusiasm whicli urges us on to the pursuit, a spirit- stirring curiosity, which prompts us to seek for the sources of those streams of knowledge, thst^ in our own times, dispense their blessings to

3

XXvi LIFE AND WRITINGS, &C.

mankind. Added to this, the energy and vigour which characterize their attempts, may serve to impart a nerve to our own ex- ertions, and furnish examples to incite us on to similar undertakings. However ample be the forces of genius, they need some rallying point to impart to them confidence, and some authority to marshal their numbers, and give direction to their efforts. The memories of Hippocrates, Aristotle, Galileo, Harvey, Ba- con, Newton, Franklin and Fulton, would live in the gratitude of after- ages, were even their individual contributions lost to pos- terity. Each, as it were, gave a fulcrum to the human mind, and enlarged the sphere of its exertions. Their very names will serve as w^tch- words to animate the timid votary of Science onward, and to nerve him up for the encounter; and their memories, like signaL iires, blazing from afar, and streaming through the lapse of ages, will, in the darkest night of the human intellect, serve to assemble the few scattered p?trtisans of wisdom, and bid tliem hope !

HIPPOCRATIS

SECTIO I.

1. Vita brevis, ars longa, occasio prse- ceps,* experientia fallax, judicium difficile. Oportet autem non modo se ipsum exhibere qujs oportet facientem, sed etiam aegrum^ et

pra^sentes^ et externa.

2. In perturbationibus alvi, et vomitibus Sp«)!ite evenientibus, siquidem qualia oportet piirgari, purgentur, confert, et facile ferunt ; sill minus, contra. Sic et vasorum eva- ciiatio, siquidem qualem fieri decet, fiat, con- fert, et facile ferunt; sin minus, contra. Respicere igitur oportet, et regionem, et teiiipestatcm, et ^tatem, et morbos, in qui- biis convenit, aut non.

'- VillebrunCj in his version of 1779, has rendered Kaipog oipt ^:'2omsntit}n urgens \ but most translators agree with Verhoofd.

THE

OP

HIPPOCRATES.

SECTION I.

1. Life is short, art long, occasion brief^ experience fallacious, judgment difficult. It is requisite that the Physician exhibit what is essential, and that the patient, attendants^ and all which surrounds him, concur therein.

2. In diarrhoea and spontaneous vomiting, if the matter voided be of a nature that ought to be expelled, let the patient be purged, for in this case, the evacuations are beneficial and are easily supported; but if the effect be otherwise, the contrary is indicated. The same rule obtains in vascular depletion; when it is judiciously had recourse to, it is beneficial and is easily supported: but if it be othervv^ise, the contrary is indicated. We ought, therefore, to bear in mind the climate, the season, the age and the disease^ and thence infer whether these things be be- tieficial or otherwise.

3t

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50 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

3. In exercitantibus boni habitus ad sum- mum progress!, periculosi, si in extremo fiienPit.^" Non enim possunt in eodem ma- nere, neque quiescere. Cum vero non qui- escant, neque ultra possint in melius profi= cere, reliquum est igitur ut in deterius. Ho- rum igitur causa, bonum habitum baud cunc- taoter solvere confert, quo rursus renutri- tionis principium sumat corpus. Neque con- sidentii© ad extremum ducend^e ; periculo- siiKi enim : sed qualis natura fuerit ejus qui perferet, eo usque ducenda3. Sic et eva- cuationes ad extremum ducentes, periculosi ; et iursiis refectiones, cum extremse fuerint, periculosss.

4. Tenuis et exquisitus victus, et in loiigis morbis semper, et in acutis, ubi non convenit, periculosus. Et rursus, ad ex^ tremum tenuitatis progressus victus, difficilis. Nam et repletiones ad extremum progress^, diiEciles sunt.

• Sensum hujus loci recte dat Celsus lib. i. " Sed at hujns generis

esereitationes cibique necessarii sint, sic athletic! supervacui, c, i. Ac ae his quidem athletarum exemplo, immodicus esse labor debetf c„ I. Lmplet autem corpus modica exercitatio." Fillebrane^ Nos^

C'riticsB.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 31

3. In those having an excess of health, violent exercise is dangerous; for in such con- stitutions an equilibrium of health cannot be maintained. And as their temperament of health is neither stationary nor progressive, it must, of necessity, have a retrograde tendency. For these reasons, therefore, we should speedily set about reducing this extreme of health, in order that the body may take upon itself a new principle of nutrition. Neither should this reduction be carried too far, for we should be guided by the strength and constitution of the patient. Thus the extrem.es of reple- tion and depletion are equally to be avoided^ as both are attended with danger,

4. In protracted ilfness, a severe and thin regimen is always dangerous, and it is equally so in acute maladies, where it accords not with the constitution of the patient. And again,— an attenuated regimen carried too far is as difficult to support,, as an excess . of repletion».

BOSTON COLLEGE

FACULTY LIBRAP'! 1

CHESTNUT HU :ASS. ^

32 IIIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

5. In tenui victu delinquunt aegri; ob id magis Iseduntur. Omne enim delictum^ quod committitur, multo majus fft in tenui, quam in paulo pleniore victu.* Propterea etiam sanis periculosus est valde tenuis, et constitutus, et exquisitus victus, quia de- licta gravius ferunt. Ob hoc igitur tenuis et exquisitus victus periculosus magis, quam paulo pienior.

6. Ad extremes morbos^, extrema remedia exquisite optima.

7. Ubi igitur peracutus est morbus, sta- tini extremos habet labores, et extreme te- nuissimo victu uti necesse est. Ubi vero iion, sed pleniorem victum exhibere iicetj tantum a tenui recedendum, quantum mor-> bus remissior extremis fuerit.

8. Cum morbus in vigore fuerit, time vel tcnuissimo victu uti necesse est.

9. Considerare oportet etiam gegrotantem, ,

• Hic carpit et monet auctor medicos aui temporls, qui gr^viter,

ut plurimum. errebant in tenui ori dista prsescribcnda, - Fillehrunt,

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 33

5. The sick frequently err in the adoption of a spare diet. They are therein the more injured. In the choice of regimen, more evil results from abstraction than from a small excess. A thin, frugal, and over- exact regimen accords not even with the man in health, who grievously supports the privation. Hence, in general, the superiority of a due refection over that w^hich is de- ficient.

6. The greater the evil — ^the more vigo= rous the remedy.

. 7. In acute diseases the most violent symptoms supervene : the severest regimen is, therefore, to be observed. But if these symptoms be wanting, a more generous diet is to be permitted ; only w^e are to have re- course to it, in proportion to the subsidence of the malady.

8. When the disease attains most vigour-— then it is, that the severest regimen is re- quired.

9. In the prescribing of regimen, we are to consider, whether it be sufficient to sup- port the patient until the disease attain its height ; whether before this period, the patient

34 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

num ad morbi vigorem victu sufficiat, et an prius ille deficiat, et victu non sufficere possit, vel morbus priiis deficiat, et obtun- datur.

10. Quibus igitur statim vigor adest, sta- tim tenuiter alendi. Quibus vero in pos- terum vigor, his ad illud, et paulo ante illud tempus, subtrahendum. Antea vero ube- riiis alendum, ut sufficiat aeger.

11. In exacerbationibus cibuni subtra- here oportet : exhibere enim, noxium est, Et qusecunque per circuitus exacerbantur, in exacerbationibus subtrahere oportet.*

12. Exacerbationes autem et constitu- tiones indicabunt morbi, et anni tempora, et periodorum collata inter se incrementa, sive quotidie, sive alternis diebus, sive longiore fiant tempore. Quin etiam et per ea, qua3 mox apparent, eadem indicantur, yelut in pleuriticis sputum, si statim circa

• Aph. n. desumkur e lib. Diat. Act/t. p. 68,69. BinaB sunt partes huju3 aph. Prior de morbis cum febre, longis vel acutis; posterior de morbis periodicis-cum vel sine febre. P^illsbruns,

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 3-5

may sink from an inability to support the regi- men ; or, whether the malady will, thereby^ be previously broken and overcome,

10. In those diseases which quickly ar- rive at thei^ climax, a thin regimen should immediately be adopted. In those which attain it at a somewhat later period, we should at, or before that period, subtract from their diet : but until then, sufficient nourishment should be allov/ed, that the strength of the patient may be supported.

11. During the exacerbations, food is to be suspended : to administer it at that time would be injurious. When the returns are periodical, the diet is to be withdrawn on the coming on of the paroxysms.

12. The nature of diseases, with their paroxysms, are ascertained by regarding the time of the year — the comparative succession of periods ; — observing also, whether the exacerbations occur each day, or on alternate days, or at greater intervals.^ The same result is obtained by attending to present

• The foIJoT^-ing distich comprehends the general heads from

ftliich indications arc taken :

" Ars, aetas, rcgio, complesio, virtus,

"' Mos et symptoina; repletio, teaipns ct osus."

36 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

initia subappareat, morbum brevem ; si vero posteriiis, longum futurum denunciat. Et urinas, et alvi excrementa, et sudores, ciim apparent, vel judicatu faciles, vel difficiles^ v.el breves, vel longos fore mor bos indicant.

13. Senes facillime jejunium ferunt; se- cundo astate consistentes minime adoles- centes, omnium minime pueri ; ex his autem, qui inter ipsos sunt alacriores.*

14. Qu^ crescunt, plurimiim habent ca- lidi innati ; plurimo igitur egent alimento ; sin miniss, corpus consumitur. Senibus au- tem paucus calor ; propterea paucis fomiti- bus indigent, a multis enim extinguitur. Idcirco etiam febres senibus non similiter acutae. Frigidum enim est corpus.

15. Ventres hyeme et vere natura sunt

• The ancients distinguish six different stages of existence.

JStas pueritias, childhood ; to the 5 th year. - adolescentiee, youth ; to the 25th year.

juventntis ; from the ajth to the 35th year.

virilis, manhood ; from the 35th to the 50th year.

— — senectQtis, old age ; from the 50th to the 6oth year — — crepita, decrepitude ; ending in death.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. &f

symptoms ; as in pleurisy, if the flow of sa«  liva take place at the commencement, the duration of the disease will be short ; if at a later period — it will be more extended» The alvine, urinary, and cutaneous excre- tions, serve to indicate whether the disease will be mild or severe, short or protracted.

13. Old men bear abstinence best; next, those who have attained their climacteric ^ adolescence, less; and infancy, least; — but of all these, the vivacious support it most easily.

14. The growing body has most of innate heat, and, therefore, requires most aliment ; otherwise the constitution suffers. Old men have less heat, and, therefore, needless food. An over quantity would injure them. It, there- fore, folio wsjthat fevers have not that acute ten- dency with the aged which they have with the youthful; with the former the body is cold.

15. In winter and in spring the stomach is necessarily warmer, and the sleep more extended. In those seasons, therefore, a more generous diet is to be permitted ; for the augmentation of innate heat demands a

4

58 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

callidissimi, et somni longissimi. In his igitur temporibus copiosiora cibaria exhi= benda sunt ; innatum enim calorem majorem habent; ideoque copiosiore indigent ali- mento. Indicio sunt states et Athletse.

16. Victus humidus, cum febricitantibus omnibus, tiim maxim e pueris, et alliis tali victu uti consuetis, confert.

17. Animadvertendi sunt etiam quibus semel, aut bis, et quibus plura vel pauciora, et per partes exhibenda. Concedendum au- tem aliquid et consuetudini, et tempestati, et regioni, et setati.

18. ^Estate et autumno cibos difficillime, ferunt: hyeme facillime ; '^einde vere.

19. Quibus per circuitus exacerbantur, nihil dato, neque cogito, sed de appositioae detrahito ante judicationes.

20. Quae judicantur, et judicata sunt per- fecte, ea neque mo veto, neque medicamen- tis, neque aliis irritamentis innovato, sed sinito.

21. Quae ducere oportet, quo maxime

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 59

more plentiful aliment. This is observable m youth, and in the habits of the Athletse.

16. A moist aliment accords well with fe- brile constitutions — remarkably well with children — and with all those to whom use has made it essential.

17. Note well the constitution, w^herein food is [^iaily) required either once, or twice — in greater or less quantities, or by a gra- duated allowance. But we are to take into consideration habit, season, country, and

age.

18. In summer and autumn, digestion is difficult ; in winter, vigorous ; in spring, in*- different.

19. In those diseases wherein the exacer- bations are periodical, neither give nor force any thing, but let the food be withdrawn be- fore the coming on of the paroxysm.

20. When the paroxysm is well ascertain- ed, do not disturb it either by medicines or any new irritation : leave it to itself.

21. That which is excrementitious, should

40 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!.

vergant, eo ducenda, per convenientia loca.

22. Concocta piirgare et movere oportet, non cruda ; neque in principiis, nisi tur- geant ; piurima vero non turgent.

23. Quse prodeunt non copia sunt sesti- manda, sed si prodeant qualia oportet, et facile ferat. Et ubi ad animi deliquium ducere oportet, id etiam faciendum, si seger sufficiat.

24. In acutis afFectionibus raro, et per initia, purgantibus utendum, idque diligenti prills adhibita cautione faciendum.

25. Si, qualia purgari oportet, purgentuFj confert, et facile ferunt; si vero contraria, difliculter.*

• HIc e secundo dcsumtiis, ncc hue male adductus, ctsi non ab

Hippocrate, ut puto. Villebruns,

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 41

be drawn off at the point to which it most tends, by the most convenient outlets.

22. Purgatives should be administered af- ter the food on the stomach is concocted, not while it is yet crude; neither should they be given at the commencement of disease, lest turgescence ensue ; though the latter rarely occurs.

23. Depletion is not to be estimated by its copiousness, but by its being judiciously used, and easily supported. When it is ne- cessary to extend it ad deliquium animi^ let it be done, but previously consult the re- sources of the patient.

24. In acute affections, and especially at their commencement, purgatives ought rarely to be used, and when permitted, are to be administered with care.

25. If the matter voided be of a nature that ought to be expelled, let the patient be purged, for then, the evacuations are benefi- cial, and are easily supported ; but if the effect be otherwise, the contrary is indicated. (Vide Aphor. 2. Sect. 1.)

4*

42 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMr,

SECTIO IL

1. Quo in morbo somnus laborem facit^ kthale; si vero somnus juvet, non est lethale.

2. Ubi somnus delerium sedat, bonum.

S. Somnus, vigilia, utraque modum ex- cedentia, malum.

4. Non satietas, non fames, neque aliud quicquam bonum est, quod supra naturae modum fuerit.

5. Lassitudines sponte obortae morbos de- nuntiant.

6. Quicumquc aliqua corporis parte do- lentes dolorem fere non sentiunt, iis mens aegrotat.

7. Attenuata longo tempore corpora lente reficere oportet ; quae vero brevi, celeriter.

8. Si a morbo quis cibum capiens non roboretur, copiosiore alimento corpus uti sig-

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 43

SECTION IL

i. In disease, a laborious sleep presages ^ great danger ; but if the slumber be refresh- ing, it is favourable.

2. When sleep sooths deleriiim, it be- tokens well.

3. Excessive sleep, or wakefulness, are alike injurious

4. Neither hunger nor satiety, nor any excess which oversteps the bounds of nature can be beneficial.

5. Spontaneous lassitude foreshows dis» ease,

6. Whosoever hath pain in any part of his body, without being sensible thereof, is diseased in mind.

7. Where the waste of the body has been gradual, it should be gradually restored; where it is rapid, our applications should be prompt.

8. If the convalescent acquire not strength from the food he takes, it shows that the body

44 HIPFOCRATIS APHORISMI.

nificat. Si vero cibum non capienti istud eveniat, evacuatione indigere sciendum est*

9. Corpora, ubi quis purgare voluerit, fa- cile fluentia reddere oportet.

10. Impura corpora quo magis nutriveris, eo magis laedes.

11. Facilius est potu repkri quam cibo.

12. Qua5 in morbis post crisim relin- quuntur, recidivas facere solent.

13. Qurbus crisis fitj iis nox ante exacer- bationem gravis est ; sequens vero levior plerumque..

14. In alvi profluviis dejectionem muta- tiones juvant, nisi in prava mutentur.

15. Ubi fauces aegrotant, aut tubercula in corpore exoriuntur, excretiones inspicere oportet ; si enim biliosse fuerint, corpus una aegrotat ; si vero similes sanis fiant, corpus nutrire tutum est.

16. Ubi fames^ non oportet laborare.

17. Ubi cibus prseter naturam copiosior

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES, 45

needs a more plentiful supply. But if the same effect arise from an inability to partake of food, it sufficiently evinces the necessity of purgatives.

9. When it becomes necessary to purge, the evacuations ought to be loose and free.

10. Impure constitutions^ when most nou- rished, are most injured.

11. Liquids replete more easily than solids.

12. The matter remaining in the body af- ter the crisis is past, often produces a re- lapse.

13. The night preceding that in which the crisis takes place, is distressmg ; that which follows, is more comfortable.

14. In alvine fluxes, a change in the de- jections, unless they assume a vicious ap- pearance, is beneficlah

15. When the fauces are affected, and tubercles arise therein, we ought to examine the excretions ; when they are of a bilious na- ture, the entire body is affected ; but if they be as in health, w^e may safely impart nou- rishment-

16. Daring hunger, labour is injurious.

17. Excess of food produces disease^

46 HIPPOCRATIS A PH OR I SMI.

ingressus fuerit, id morbum creat. Ostendit autem sanatio.

18. E or urn quae confertim et- celeriter nutriunt, celeres etiam fiunt egestiones.

19. Morborum acutorum non omnino tutae sunt prsedictiorxes, neque mortis, neque sanitatis.

20. Quibus, dum sunt juvenes, alvi sunt humid V, iis senescentibus siccanfur; qui- bus vero, dum sunt juvenes, alvi siecae sunt, his senescentibus humectantur.

21. Famem vini potio solvit.

22. A repletione quicumque fiunt morbi, evacuatione sanantur-; et quicumque ab eva- cuatione, repletione j sicque aliorum con- trarietas.

23. Acuti morbi in quatuordecim diebus judicantur.

24. Septimorum quartus est index^ Al- terius septimanae octavus est initium. Notan- dus vero undecimus ; is enim est quartus alterius septimanae. Notandus rursum de- cimus Septimus : hie enim quartus est qui^

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 47

and, at the same time, points out the re- medy.

18. Those aliments which quickly and agregately nourish, are soonest egested.

19. In acute diseases, predictions of death or recovery are not always unerring.

20. Those whose dejections, in youth, are humid, have with them more of siccity in age ; but if, on the contrary, the dejections have a siccity in youth, they acquire hu- midity with age.

21. A potion of wine allays hunger.

22. The sickness which arises from re- pletion, is cured by evacuation ; and that which arises irom evacuation, by repletion. Thus opposites are counteractive of each other.

23. Acute maladies determine themselves within fourteen days.

24. The fourth day is the index of the seventh ; the eighth, that of the fourteenth. The eleventh is to be noted, as being the fourth day of the second week. We are, again, to notice the seventeenth: it is the

48 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

dem a decimo-quarto ; septimus vero ab undecimo.*

25. Quartange jestivEe plemmque fiunt breves ; automnales vero longas, et maxime quae prope hyemem inciduiit.

26. Febrem convuisioni supervenire me- lius est, quam convulsionem febri.

27. His qua? non secundiim rationem le- vant, credere non oportet ; neque timere Vaide quae prreter rationem prava Hunt. Ho- rum enim multa inconstantia sunt, nee ad- modum permanere, neque durare solent.

28. Eorum qui non omnino leviter febri- citant, permanere et nihil remittere corpus, aut etiam magis quam pro ratione colli- quefieri, malum est. Illud enim morbi longi- tudinem significat, hoc vero infirmitatem.

29. Incipientibus morbis, si quid moven- dum videatur, move ; vigentibus vero, qui- escere melius est. f

• " The Ancients put too much confidence in Pythagorick num-

bers, whereas, the Physician ought not to number the days, but observe the exacerbations themselves." Gels. Lib. iii. c. v.

f Et hoc ctiam intelligendum de motu e loco ad locum. Filk.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 49

fourth day, beginning with the fourteenth, and the seventh day, beginning with the eleventh.

25. Summer quartans are, for the most part, short ; those of autumn, long ; espe- cially when they manifest themselves at the commencement of winter.

26. It is much better that convulsions precede than that they should succeed fever,

27. We should distrust an apparent fa- vourable change which cannot be accounted for : neither ought we despair in those which^ without anv reasonable cause, are unfa- vourabie ; for most of these transitions are uncertain, transient, and variable.

28. In fevers of a serious aspect, where the body remains stationary without suffer- ing any emaciation, — and also, in those where the waste is extreme, — the appearances are, alike, unfavourable. The former indicates a protracted illness — the latter an extreme de- bility.

29. In the commencement of illness, if motion be allowable, the patient may use it ; but in the height of the disorder, rest is es- sential.

FAC

%^ COLLEGE I

so HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!.

30. Circa principia et fines omnia sunt debiliora ; circa vigores vero, vehementiora.

31. A morbo belle comedenti nihil pro- licere corpus, malum est.

32. Ut plurimiim omnes male habentes^ circa initia quidem bene comedentes, et nihil proficientes, ad finem rursiis cibum non appetunt ; qui vero circa initia cibos fastidiunt, postea autem bene appetunt,. melius liberantur.

33. In omni morbo, mente valere, et bene se habere ad ea quas oiFerunter, bonum est ; contrarium vero, malum.

34. In morbis minus periclitantur ii quo- rum naturae, et setati, et habitui, et tempori magis cognatus fuerit morbus, quam ii qui» bus horura nulli similis fuerit.

35. In omnibus morbis, partes quse sunt ad umbilicum et imum ventrem, crassitudi- nem habere melius est ; valde autem tenues et eliquatas esse, pravum. Periculosum yero illud est etjam ad infernas purgationes.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 51

30. At the commencement and termina- tion of disease, all is debility — at its height^ all is vigour.

31. If the convalescent gain not strength^ notwithstanding that he eats well- — it shows unfavourably.

32. Almost all that suffer from indisposi- tion, w^ho have at first a good, but an un- profitable appetite, become, in the end, dis- gusted with food ; those, who, at the com- mencement of illness, loathe their victuals, afterwards regain a relish for it, and re- establish their health soonest.

33. In all diseases, if the patient evince a sane mind, and be well disposed to all which is offered, it is favourable : the contrary is unfavourable.

34. If the disease be peculiar to the age, constitution and habits of the patient, and also to the season in which it occurs, it is less dangerous than that wherein the circum- stances are different.

35. In all diseases in which the umbilical and hypogastric regions maintain their usual plumpness, it is favourable ; but if they be- come flaccid and emaciated, it is otherwise ; the latter is the more dangerous when ac- eompanied with diarrhoea.

52 HIPPOCRAXrS APHORISMI.

36. Qui Sana habent corpora, pharmacis purgati citd ex solvuntur, ut et qui pravo utuntur cibo.

37. Qui bene valent corporc, purgatu sunt difficiles.

38. Paulo deterior et potus et cibus, ju- cundior autem, eligendus potius quam me- liores quidem, sed ingratiores.

39. Senes ut plurimum quidem juvenibus minus asgrotant ; quicumque vero ipsis mor- bi,^,ti^t diuturni, pierumqu^commoriuntur.

40. Raucedines et gravedines in valde senibus non coquunfur,

41. Qui ssepe et vehementer, citra rnani- festam causam, animo iinquuntur, ex im» proviso moriuntur.

42. Solvere apoplexiam, vehementem qui- dem, impossibile : debilem vero, non facile,

43. Ex strangulatis et dissolutis, necdimi mortuis, ii non se recoUigunt, quibus spuma circa os fuerit.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 5o

36» They whose constitutions are healthy, are as speedily broken down by purgatives, as those who use an unwholesome diet.

37. With those who enjoy bodily health, purgatives do not easily operate.

38. Those aliments which are grateful, although somewhat objectionable, are to be preferred to those which are more whole- some, yet less grateful.

39. The aged are, for the most part, less disposed to fall into disease than the young ; but, with them, protracted diseases generally prove fatal.

40. Catarrh and coryza, in those who are much advanced in age, do not attain concoction.

41. Those who frequently and suddenly, without any apparent cause, fall into as- phyxia, are suddenly taken off.

42. In violent fits of apoplexy, relief is impossible ; in those of a lighter nature, difficult.

43. Those who are suffocated, and those who have all the appearances of dissolution, without being really dead, are never resus- citated, when they have a froth surrounding the mouth.

5*-

54 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

44. Qui natura valde crassi sunt, magis subito moriuntur, qiiam qui graciles.

45. Epilepticis pueris, mutationes, max- ime aetatis, et regionum, et vitas, liberationem faciunt.

46'. ^Duobus doloribus simul obortis, non in eodem loco, vehementior obscurat aL terum.

47. Circa puris generationes, dolores et febres magis accidunt, quam ipso facto,

48. In omni corporis motu, quando dolere coeperit, interquiescere, statim lassitudinem curat.

49. Qui solitos iabores ferre consueve- srunt, etiamsi debiles fuerint aut senes, in- suetis robustis licet et juvenibus, facilius ferunt.

50. A iongo tempore consueta, etiamsi fuerint deteriora, insuetis minus turbare so- tent; oportet egitur etiam ad insolita se vertereo

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 55

44. Those who are, by nature, very cor- pulent, expire more suddenly than those who have a spare habit.

45. Epilepsy in children is removed by, changes ;* especially by those of age, climatej and mode of living.

46. Two painful sensations arising at the same time, though not in the same place, the greater obscures the less.

47. When pus is about forming, there is greater pain than when suppuration is complete.

48. If pain ensue from bodily motion^, in- termit ; rest is the onlv cure.

49. The aged, and even the weak, who are inured to labour, bear it more easily than the young and robust w^ho are not ha- bituated to it.

50. Long accustomed and even vicious habits are less hurtful, than those which are in themselves preferable, but to which we are unaccustomed ; we ought, therefore, gra- dually to adopt the latter.

• This translation is literal, and,, we believe, conveys the exact

sense of the original; vide Af. (j^h. TM. jS. The French Trans- lator renders it somewhat different. Tff.^u^Mu.roi ^«."kXav^ " phis exposes aux morts.

56 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

51. Multiim et derepente vacuare, aiit replere, aut calefacere, aut frigefacere, aut alio quocunqiie modo corpus movere, peri- culosum est : Omne siquidem multum na- turae inimicum. Quod vero paulatim fit tutum est ; turn alias, tiim si quis ex altero ad alterum transeat.

52. Omnia secundum rationem facienti, et non secundiim rationem evenientibus, non ad aliud transeundum^ manente eo quod ab initio visum est.

53» Quicunque alvos habent humidas. dum quidem juvenes sunt, melius liberantur his qui siccas habent. Ad senectutem vero, pejus liberantur ; siccantur enim ut pluri- mum alvi senescentibus.

54. Procero corpore juventutem quidem degere, liberale est, nee deforme : insenescere veroj inconimodum, et parvis deterius.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 57

51. Evacuation, repletion, refrigeration and calefaction — these or any other corres- pondent modifications of body, when ex- cessive, or too suddenly accompiished, are dangerous, — nature being ever opposed to extremes. That which is g-raduallv done? is safely done, whether we pass from one extreme to another, or otherwise.

52. Every thing which is judicious being done, without success, we are not, therefore, to recede from our plan, while we still en- tertain the same views as we did at first.

S'^, Those who have hismid dejections, when young, are sooner released from illness than those with whom they are arid ; old men do not fare so well, because the alvine excretions in age are generally dry.

54. An erect body accords well with youth, and is both proper and graceful ; but it is inconvenient in age, and becomes it less than a more humble carriage.

58 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!»

SECTIO IIL*

1. Mutationes anni temporum maxime pariunt morbos ; et in ipsis temporibus mu- tationes magnte tiim frigoris tiini caloris, et csetera pro ratione eodem modo.

2. Naturarum alise quidem ad sestatem, alise vero ad hyemem bene aut male con- stitutas sunt.

3. Morborum alii ad alios bene aut male se habent ; et states qujedam ad tempora^ et regiones, et victus.

4. In temporibus, quandp eadem die modo

• In this section the author treats of the seasons, their peculiar

modifications as affecting the constitutions of health and disease, and as predisposing to peculiar maladies. That we may the better understand his division of the year, we shall here subjoin a transla- tion from Riegerus. (Vide Gaien. Aph. 15. Sect. 3.) "The ancient Hippocratic Physicians distinguished four seasons : i. Springy commencing from the equinox and extending to the rising of the Pleiades, i. e. the last of April, which space does not compre- hend two months. 2. Smnmer^ commencing from the rising of the Pleiades, and which consisted of two parts, the first called

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 59

SECTION III.

1. The mutations of seasons are greatljr productive of diseases ; and those great changes of heat and cold which occur at their stated periods, act, from similar rea- sons, in the same manner.

2. There are some constitutions which summer either improves or injures, and others again on which winter produces si- milar effects.

3. Some diseases accord better with some constitutions than others ; and this also ob- tains with certain ages, as connected with season, climate, and aliment.

4. In the various seasons, if cold and heat.

M^a extending to the rising of Arcturus ; the latter, a/^o^a, from the rising to the setting of Arcturus; so that the summer con- fflsted in all of four months; i.e. from the latter end of April to the beginning of September. Autumn commenced with the setting of Arcturus, and is finished with the falling of the Pleiades, which time comprehends September and October. Here Winter com- menced, which consisted of more than four months, and was divided into three part*; i. from the first of November to the winter solstice; a. comprehended the winter solstice; 3. ex- tended to the rernal equinox."

60 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

calor, modo frigus fit, autumnales morbos exspectare oportet.

5. Austri auditum gravantes, caliginosi, caput gravantes, segnes, dissolventes. Ciim hie dominatum tenucrit, talia in morbis pa- tiuntur. Si vero acquilonium fuerit, tusses, fauces asperse, alvi durae, urinas difficultates, horrores, dolores costarum, pectorum. Ciim sic invaluerit, talia in morbis exspectare oportet*

6. Quando ^stas veri similis est, sudores in febribus multos exspectare oportet.

7. In siccitatibus febres acutss fiunt. Et si quidem annus majore ex parte talis fuerit, qualem fecit constitutionem, ut plurimiim tales etiam morbos exspectare oportet,

8. In constantibus temporibus, si tern- pestiva tempestive reddantur, constantes et judicatu faciles fuint morbi : in inconstan- tibus autera, inconstantes, et judicatu diffi- ciies»

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 61

frequently alternate with each other in the same day, we must look forward to au«  tumnal diseases*

5. The south wind produces thickness of hearing, dimness of sight, heaviness of head,^ and is, on the whole, oppressive and relax- ing ; srich are the effects in sickness, during the prevalence of such winds. That from; the north, brings with it coughs, sore throats^ dysury, constipation, shiverings, and pains of the side and breast : these are the symp- toms which take place in sickness when this wind holds dominion,

6. When summer takes upon itself the character of spring, we are to expect much, perspiration in fevers.

7- In long droughts, fevers assume as acute type; and if the year be, for the greater part, dry, it is so very apt to bring about such a febrile character, that we are, in ge=* neral, to expect it.

8. Where the seasons are constant and regular, diseases assume an uniform aspectg and are easilv ascertained ; but where the seasons are irregular, the diseases are als» irregular, and are with difficulty understood«.

6

62 HIPPOCRATXS APHORISMI.

9. In autumno morbi acutissimi, et max- ime exitiales: ver autem saluberrimum, et minime lethale.

10. Autumnus tabidis malus.

11. Quod ad anni tempora, siquidem hyems sicca et aquilonia fuerit, ver autem pluviosum et australe, aestate necesse est fe- bres acutas oriri, et ophthalmias, et dysen- terias, maxime autem muiieribus, et viris natura humidis.

12. Si vero hyems australis et pluviosaj et placida fuerit, ver autem siccum et aqui- lonium, mulieres quidem, quibos partus in ver incidit, ex quitvis occasione abortiunt : qu^ vero pepererint, infirmos et morbosos pariunt pueros, ita ut vel statim pereant, vel tenues et valetudinarii vivant, Cseteris vero mortalibus dysenterise et ophthalmiae siccse oriuntur ; senioribus autem catarrhi brevi perimentes.

13. Si vero sestas sicca, et aquilonia fiat, autumnus autem pluviosus et australis, ca- pitis dolores ad hyemem fiunt, et tusses, et

APHOEISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 63

9. In autumn, diseases are most acute, and are extremely fatal ; the spring is, in general, very healthy and diseases are then less fatal.

10. Autumn is injurious to phthisis.

11. As it respects the seasons, — if a dry winter, attended with northern winds, be fol- lowed by a wet spring, and a prevalence of southern winds, it must necessarily follow, that the summer will produce acute fevers, ophthalmia, and dysentery, and thesf. more especially, with women, and men of a lax fibre,

12. If the whiter be austral and rainy, but otherwise calm, and the spring dry and boreal, wcmen who expect to bring forth in the spring, miscarry from the slightest causes; and even those who go their full time, brijig forth weak and sickly children, w^ho eitiier immediately perish or linger on, through life, infirm and emaciated. Other maladies resulting from this disposition of the seasons, are those of ophthalmia and dry dysentery ;- — the aged generally dying of violent catairhs.

13. But if, indeed, the summer be dry and boreal, and the autumn wet and austral, there arise, in winter, cephalalgia, coughs

64 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

raucedines, et gravedines ; nonnuilis etiam et tabes.

14. Si vero aquilonius et sine pluviis fuerit aiitumnus, iis quidem qui natum sunt liumidi, et mulieribus, commodus erit ; re- liquis vero ophthalmias erunt siccae, et fe- bres acutae, et diuturniB gravedines ; qui- busdam vero et meiancholige.

15. Ex anni vero constitutionibus, in uni» yersum quidem siccitates pluviosis sunt sa«  lubrioresj et miniis lethales.

16. Morbi autem in pluviosis quidem ple- rumque fiunt, et febres longae, et alvi lluxiones, et putredmes, et epiieptici, et apo- plectici et anginae : in siccitatibus vero ta- bidi, ophthalmiae, arthritides, urin3e stillici^ dia, et dysenteriae.

17. Quotidian3£' autem constitutiones, aqui- lonise quidem corpora compingunt, et ro- busta^ et facile m^)bilia, et bene colorata, et melius audientia faciunt, alvos etiam sic- cant, et oculos mordent ; et dolorem circa thoracem, si quis praeexistat, majorem fa-» ciiint. Austrinas vero corpora dissolvunt, iiumectant, et auditus graves, et capitis gra-

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 6B

hoarseness, and coryza ; and also some cases of phthisis.

14. If the autumn be dry and boreal,, those who are by nature of a humid consti- tution, as also women, will generally enjoy good health ; those of different constitu- tions will be afflicted with dry ophthalmia, acute fevers, and obstinate coryzas ; and some will be affected with melancholia.

15. As it regards the general constitution of the year,— droughts are. for the most part^^ more healthy, and are less attended with dis- ease, than excessive rains.

16. The diseases which attcud on exces- sive rains, are, for the most part, protract- ed fever, diarrhoea, putrefaction, epilepsy,, apoplexy and angina ; those which arise from long droughts, are tabes, ophthalmia^ gout, dysuria and dysentery.

17. Next, as to the quotidian eonstitution of the atmosphere, — -we observe that northern winds serve to brace the body, rendering it strong, agile and florid, and giving great faci^ lity of hearing, — although, at the same time, it produces constipation of the bowels, and in- flammation of the eyes ; and, where a predis- position to pectoral disease exists^ it tends.

6^-

HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!»

Yitates faciunt, et vertigines in oculis, et corporibus motum difficilem, et alvos hu- mectantc

S8. Secundimi tempora autem, vere qui» dem, . et prima aestate, pueri, et his eetate prokimi, optime degunt, et maxime sani sunt, instate vero, et parte quadam aii^ tiimni, senes. Reliquo sed autumno^ et liyeme, qui medii sunt aetate.

19. Morbi autem quilibet fiunt quidem in quibus libet anni temporibus ; nonnulli vero in quibusdam ipsorum potius et fiunt, et exacerbantur.

20. Vere quidem^ insania?, et melancho- liae, et epilepsias, et sanguinis lluxiones, et anginae^et gravedines, et raucedines, et tusses^ et leprae, et impetigines, et vitiligines, et pus- tular ulcerosae plurimce, et tubercula, et ar- ticulorum dolores»

21. iEstate vero, et horum nonnulla, et febres continuae, et ardentes, et tertian ae plurimse, et quartafi^e, et vomitus^ et alvi

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 67

to aggravate it. Southern winds, on the other hand, produce lassitude and humi- dity of body, render the hearing thick, the head heavy, and impart dizziness of sight, sluggishness of body, and laxity of bowels.

18. In the succession of seasons — the spring and beginning of summer are ge- nerally favourable to children, and those ap- proximating to youth, who then enjoy excel- lent health. The summer and early part of autumn agree well with the aged ; but with those of a middle age, the wniter and latter part of autumn appear to suit best.

19. Although diseases occur at various periods of the year, yet there are peculiar diseases, which appear, and seem most to pre^ vail, at peculiar seasons.

20. The spring is frequently attended with mania, melancholia, epilepsy, hemor- rhage, angina, defiuxions of the head, hoarseness, cough, leprosy, cutaneous affec- tions, white leprosy,^ ulcerative pustules, tubercles, and arthritic pains.

21. The summer, besides many of the above affections, is attended with continued

• - We have here followed Coxe's definition of FHiligo. Vide.

Med. Diet.

G8 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!.

fiuxuSj et ophthalmice, et auriom dolores, et oris exulcerationes, et pudendorum putre- dines, et sudamiaa.*

22. Autumno autem, et ex sestivis multay. et febres quartans, et erraticas, et lienes, et hydiopes, et tabes, et urin^ stiilicidia, et lienterise, et dysenterise, et coxae dolores, et angina, et asthmata, et volvuli, et epilepsic^y et insani e, et melancholia.

23. Hyenie vero, pleuritides, peripneu- moniae, lethargi, gravedines, raucedines, tus- ses, dolores pectorum, et laterum, et lum- borum, et capitis dolores, vertigines, apo- plexicc.

24. In setatibus aiitem talia eveniunt. Par^ vis quidem et recens natis pueris aphthsSj, vomitus, tusses, vigilise, pavores, umbilici inflammationes, aurium humiditates.

25. Ad dentitionem vero accedentibus gin- «ivarum pruritus, febres, convulsiones, alvi profluvia ; et maxime ubi caninos dentes

Sttdanaina, hydros, Vide Coxe*s Med. ."DkU-.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 69

and inflammatory fevers, frequent tertians and quartans, aivine fluxes, spontaneous vomitings, ophthalmia, otalgia, ulcerations of the mouth, putrid affections of the geni- tals, and miliary eruptions.

22. Autumn, with many of the diseases of summer, has, also, quartan and erratic fevers, spleen, dropsy, tabes, strangury, lien- tery, dysentery, sciatica, angina, asthma, iliac passion, epilepsy, insania and melancholia.

23. In winter there arise pleurisy, pe- ripneumony, lethargy, catarrh, hoarseness, cough, pains of the breast, side, loins and head, vertigo and apupiv xy,

24.* The following diseases obtain with different ages : 'witk early infancy^ — aphth^^ vomiting, cough, v>^atchfulness, terrors, um- bilical inflammation, and humidity of the ears.

25. At the commencement of dentition, there arise irritation of the gums, fevers, convulsions and diarrhoea ; — -these, more es- pecially, take place on the appearance of the

• This, and the seven following Aphorisms, treat of the va-

rious diseases to which the several periods of life are peculiarly predisposed.

70 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

producunt, et ils qui inter pueros sunt eras- sissimi, et qui alvos duras habent.

26. lis autem qui aetate sunt majores, ton- sillse inflammatae, vtrticuli in occipitio in- trorsum extrlisiones, asthmata, calciilorum generationes, iumbrici rotundi, ascarides, verrucae pens' les, satyriasmi. (strangurias,) strumas, et csetera tuber cuia, maxime vero suprct dicta.

27. iEtate vero adhuc provectioribus, et jam ad pubertatem progressis, horum qui- dem multa, et febres diuturn^, et ex nari- bus sanguinis fiuxiones.

28. Plurim£8 quidem affect'ones in pueris judicantur, aii^ in quadraginta diebus, al- iae in septem mensibus, alis in septem annisj alise ipsib ad pubertatem accedentibus. Quae vero in pueris permanserint, neque solutae fuerint circa pubertatem, aut in ioeminis circa menstruorum eruptiones, diu perseverare so- lent.

29, Juvenibus autem, sanguinis spuitiones^ tabes, febres acutae, epilepsiae, et caeteri mor-^ bij maxime vero supra nominati.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 71

canine teeth, and are aggravated in those children who are of a gross constitution, and, also, in those of a constipated habii".

26. A more advanced age is attended with tonsillary inflammation, exostosis within the occipital vertebra, asthma, calculus, lum- brici, ascarides, pensile worts, satyriasis, strangury, scrophula, and other tumours, specified, for the most part, above.

27. Still advancing onward, until we ar- rive at puberty, we observe that with most of the above diseases, are joined protracted fevers, and nasal hemorrhages. (Vide note, p. 69.)

28. Most of the diseases of children mani» fest themselves within forty days ; others in seven months : the former determine them- selves in seven years ; the latter frequently extend to puberty. But those which con- tinue during childhood, and which do not arrive at a crisis with puberty, or (in fe- males) with the first appearance of the menses, are apt to assume a permanent and chronic character.

29. Those who have attained puberty, are subject to sanguineous expectorations, tabes, acute fevers, epilepsies, and many other af- fections, but more particularly the above.

72 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

SO. Ultra banc setatem vero progressis, asthmata, pieuritides, peripneumoniae, lethar- gi, phrenitides, febres ardentes, alvi proflu- via diuturna, cholerse, dysenteriae, lienterisSj haemorrhoides.

31. Senibus autem, spiraiidi difficultatesj catarrh! tussiculosi, stranguriee, dysurise, ar- ticulorum doiores, nephritides, vertigines^ apoplexi^, mali corporis habitus, pruritus totius corporis, vigilise, alvi, et oculorum, et narium humiditates, visus habetudines, glaucedines, auditus gravitates.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES» 73

30. As we proceed onward (till ive ar- rive at the climacteric point) — asthma, pleu- risy, peripneumony, lethargy, phrenitis, ar^ dent fever, chronic diarrhoea, cholera, dy» sentery, lientery and hsemorrhoides»

31. Age brings with it dyspnoea, catarrhal affections, strangury, dysury, painful articu«= lation (of the joints)'^ likewise, nephritis^ vertigo, apoplexy, cachexy ; as also, itch, af- fecting the whole body, watchfulness, humi- dity of stomach, eyes and nose, dimness of sight, cataract, and diffiulty of hearing.*

• See note. Sect. I. Apor.13.

74 HIPPOCRATXS APHORISMI

SECTIO IV,

1. Pr^gnantes purgandse, si materia tur- geat, quadrimestres, et usque ad septimum mensem : hse vero minus. Juniores autem^ et seniores foetus, caute vitare oportet.

2. In purgationibus talia e corpore sunt ducenda, qualia etiam sponte prodeuntia utilia sunt : contrario autem modo prodeun- tia, sistenda.

3. Si quidem qualia purgari oportet, pur= gentur, confert, et facile ferunt : contraria vero, difficulter.

4. Purgandum, aestate quidem, magis su«  periores ventres ; hyeme vero, inferiores»

5. Sub cane, et ante canem, difficiks sunt> purgationes.

6. Graciles, et facile vomentes, sursam purgandi, vitantes hyemem.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 75

SECTION IV.

1. If there be much turgescence in preg- nant women, they may be purged from the fourth to the seventh month ; though seldom extending to the latter period. We should carefully avoid injuring the very young, or the more advanced foetus.

2. In purgations— such matter is to be eliminated from the body, whose sponta- neous expulsion appears to be beneficial: but if the latter produce a contrary effect, we are not to have recourse to it.

3. Vide Aphor. 25. Sect. 1.

4. In summer, we should prefer evacuating the stomach upwards ; in winter, down- wards.

5. Preceding and during the canicular period, purgatives are with difficulty sup- ported.

6. When the delicate easily bear vomiting, they may have recourse to it ; but they are to avoid it in winter.

^b HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!.

7. Difficulter, autem vomentes, et medio- criter carnosi, deorsiim, vitantes sestatem.

8. Tabidi vero, vitantes (purgationes) siirsum.

9. Melancholicos autem, uberius deor- sumpurgabis. Eadem ratione^ coiitraria ad*

hibens.

10. Purgandum in valde acutis, si tur«  geat materia, e^Idem die ; morari enim in ta- libus malum est.

11. Quibus tormina, et circa umbilicum dolores, et lumborum dolor, qui neque pur- gante, neque aliter solvitur, in hydropem siccum firmatur.

12. Quibus alvi sunt lientericge, eos hyeme sursum purgare, malum. ^

13. Ad elleboros, qui non facile sursiim

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 77

7. But with those with whom vomiting does not well agree, and who are inclined to fulness of habit, it is, particularly, to be avoided during the winter season. '^

8. Those suffering from phthisis should avoid vomits.

9. The melancholic should be copiously evacuated downwards ; and, from the same principle of reasoning, those of a contrary temperament should be differently treated.

10.- In very acute affections, attended with turgescence, purgatives are immediately to be used : to procrastinate here, is dan- gerous.

11. Those w^ho are tormented with severe gripings, pains about the umbilicus, and in the region of the loins, and who are neither relieved by purgatives, or any other means^ usually fall into tympanites.*

12. It is dangerous to vomit those whose evacuations are lienteric, especially in win- ter.

13. Those who are not easily vomited by

• The Latin version, both of Verhoofd and Villebrune, literally

fbUows the original ; but we are disposed, here, to regard the spirit rather than the letter of the Author. We have, therefore, j'Cndered ut^w^» '^vfov^'tympanites.

7*

78 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI,

purgantur, iis ante potionem corpora prae- humectanda, copiosiore alimento, et quiete.

14. Ubi biberit quis elleborum, ad mo- tiones quidem corporum magis ducito : ad somnos vero, et quietem, minus. Declarat autem etiam navigatio, quod motus turbat corpora.

15. Quando vis magis ducere elleborum, moveto corpus : quando vero cessare, som- iium facito, et non moveto.

16. Llleborus periculosus est sanas car- lies habentibus : convulsionem enim inducit.

17. Non febricitanti appetitus dejectiis, et oris ventriciili morsus, et tenebricosa ver- tigo, et OS amarescensj sursum purgante opus esse, indicat.

18. Supra septum transversum doloresp qui purgatione egent, sursum purgante opus esse indicant ; qui vero infra, deorsum.

19, Qui in purgantium potionibus pen

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES, 79

hellebore, should, previous to taking it, re- fresh the system by rest and a more copious aliment.

14. Motion of body favours the action of hellebore ; rest and sleep render it less active. The eft'ect of sailing is an instance of the influence of motion on the body,

15. When it becomes necessary to assist the action of hellebore — have recourse to motion : when we wish to lessen it, endeavour to promote quiet and sleep.

16. To those who are sound of body, hellebore is dangerous, and has a tendency to induce convulsions.

17. Want of appetite, uneasy sensation of the upper orifice of the stomach, attended with vertigo and obscure vision, and bitter- ness of mouth ; all these symptoms existing, without the presence of fever, indicate the necessity of vomiting.

18. If there be pain immediately above or beloiv the diaphragm, wherein evacuation is essential ; the former demands vomiting, the latter, purging.

19. Those who during the operation Qf

80 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

sitiunt, diim purgantur, non cessant, prius- quam sitiverint.

20. Non febricitantibus si fiat tormen, et genum gravitas, et iumborum dolor, deorsum purgante opus esse indicat.

21. Dejectiones nigrae, qnalis sanguis niger, sponte prodeuntes, et cum febre, et sine febre, pessimae \ et, quanto colores de- jectionum piures fuerint pejores, eo deterius ; cum purgante vero, melius ; et quanto co- lores piures non mali sunt.

22. Morbis quibus vis incipientibus, si bilis atra, vel sursum, vel deorsum pro- dierit, lethale.

23. Quibus cumque ex morbis acutis, aut ex diuturnis, aut ex vulneribus, aut aliter quocumque modo extenuatis, bilis atra, vel qualiscumque sanguis niger prodierit, pos- tridie moriuntur.

24. Dysenteria, si ab atra bile inceperitj lethale.*

• Dejectio nigra velut sanguis, et cum febre et sine febre, mala

est : malae item omnes variorum colorum ; et abundc bile aaCU' rat», pravae. Coasts Frcenot : Aph. 17. Cap. xjtviii.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 81

purgatives have no thirst, ought to be purged until thirst be induced.

20. Pain in the lower region of the ab- domen, with griping, and aching of the knees, unattended with fever, indicate the necessity of purgatives.

21. Dark coloured dejections, resembling black blood, coming on spontaneously, ei«  ther with, or without fever, is very unfa- vourable ; and, the more so, if the colour of these dejections become, with their conti- nuance, still more depraved : but if the eva- cuations assume a more favourable com- plexion, or, if their dark colour be the ef- fect of purgatives, less evil is to be appre- hended.

22. At the commencement of all diseases, of whatever nature they may be, the purging or vomiting of atrabilious matter is fatal.

23. In those wasted by acute or chronic diseases, by wounds or any other received injury, the evacuation of atrabilious matter, or of a matter resembling dark blood, is fol- lowed, on the succeeding day, by death.

24. Dysentery, proceeding from atrabili* ous matter, is fatal.

B6sTON COrLEGE

FACUtrV LIBRARY

82 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

25. Sanguis sursiim quidem, qualiscum- que sit, malum : deorsum vero, bonum, ni- ger subtiis secedens.

26. Si a dysenteria detento velut carun- Guljfi cecesserint, lethale est.

27. Quibus per febres sanguinis copia undecumque eruperit, his in refectionibus alvi humectantur.

28. Quibus biliosss sunt egestiones, sur- ditate superveniente, cessant : et, quibus surditas est, biliosis supervenientibus, cessat.

29. Quibus per febres sexta die rigores fuint, difficuiter j udicantur.

30. Quibus exacerbationes fiunt, qui- eumque hora dimiserit febris, postridie eadem hora si corripuerit, difficuiter judi- ©antur.

31. Lassatis per febres ad articulos, ct circa maxillas maxime, abscessus fiunt.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 83

25. The expectoration of blood, how small soever in quantity, is injurious : but the evacuation of black blood downwards is (frequently) advantageous.

26. If, during dysentery, there come away by evacuation, substances resembling small pieces of hesh, the disease will prove fataL

27. A profuse haemorrhage taking place in fevers,* ironi whatsoever part, is generally followed, during recovery, by a humid stomach.

28. With those whose dejections are bi- lious, if deafness supervene, a cessation of the former will take place : and with those who are deaf, a coming on of bilious eva° cuation generally removes it.

29. In fevers, where rigors take place on the sixth day, the result is not easily de^- termined.

30. Where fevers, attended with pa- roxysms, go off at a certain hour, and return the following day, at the same hour, it is dif= ficult to determine the crisis.

51. Fevers, attended with lassitude, in- dicate a deposition of matter about the joints ; and more especially near the maxillary ar- ticulation.

• ■ The observations from the ayth to the 73d Aphor, &r the

most part, treat of pyrexial symptoms.

84 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!.

32. Quibus ex morbo resurgentibus aliquid dolet, ibi abscessus fiunt.

33. Sed et, si quid doluerit ante morbum, ibi se figit morbus.

34. Si a febre detento, tumore in fauci- bUs non existente, suffocatio ex improviso su- perveniat, lethale.

35. Si a febre detento collum derepentc inversum fuerit, et vix deglutire possit, tu- more non existente, lethale.

36. Sudores febricitantibus si incesserintj boni sunt die tertia, et quinta, et septima, et Bona, et undecima, et quarta decima, et sep- tima decima, et vigesima prima, et vigesima septima, et trigesima prima, et trigesima quarta. Hi enim sudores morbum judicant* Qui vero ita non fuint, laborem significantj €t morbi longitudinem et recidivas,

37. Sudores frigidi, cum acuta quidem febre evenientes, mortem ; cum mitiore veroj suorbi longitudinem significant.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES, 85

32. If in those recovering from indisposi» tion, there occur any local pain, it foreshows the formation of an abscess.

33, But, if local pain immediately precede disease, it foreshows a determination of the disease to that part.

34. When suffocation suddenly comes on in fever, without any tumour being present, it immediately proves fatal.

35, When, iii consequence of fever, such an inversion of the action of the oesophagus takes place, that, notwithstanding the absence of tumour, deglutition can scarcely be per- formed, it is fatal.

36, Perspiration, in fever, is favourable^ when it comes out on the third, fifth, seventhj ninth, eleventh, fourteenth, seventeenth, twenty-first, twenty-seventh, thirty -first and thirty-fourth day ; for these several periodic €al sweats are indicative of the disease. But if they do not occur in this ord«^^r, it fore- shows a tedious and protracted disease, at- tended with many relapses.

37. Cold sweats coming on with acute fe- ver, annourice a speedy dissolution; when they exist but in a slight degree, they foretd protracted illness.

8

86 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

38. Et qua corporis parte inest sudor, ibi morbum esse indicat.

39. Et qua corporis parte inest calor, aut frigus, ibi morbus est.

40. Et ubi in toto corpore mutationes, et si corpus perfrigeretur, aut rursus calefiat^ aut color alius ex alio fiat, morbi longitudi«  nem significat.

41. Sudor multus a somno, citra causam manifestam factus, corpus uberiore alimento uti significat. Si vero cibum non capienti hoc flat, evacuatione indigere significat.

42. Sudor multus, frigidus aut calidus, semper fluens, frigidus quidem majorem, ca- lidus vero minorem morbum significat.

43. Febres quaecumque non intermitten- tes tertia die vehementiores fiunt, magis |iericulos8e : quocumque autem niodo inter» mittant, quod sine periculo siiit significat.

44. Quibus febres longse, his tubcrcula ad articulos, aut dolores fiunt.

45. Quibus tubercula ad articulos, aut dolores et febribus iongis fiunt, hi pluribus Utuntur cibis.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 87

38. From whatsoever part of the body sweat breaks forth, it foreshows a determina- tion of the disease to that part.

39. In wliatever part of the body heat or cold arises, — there the disease seats itself.

40. Where there occur alternate changes of cold and heat, and the complexion under- goes various changes of colour, we may pre- dict extended illness.

41. Profuse sweats, during sleep, without any manifest local aiFection, may arise from a too plentiful diet ; but if it take place, not- withstanding tlie observance of a frugal regi- men, it shows the necessity of evacuations.

42. Profuse sweats, either cold or hot^ continually present, — the former denotes a greater, the latter, a less disease.

43. Continued fevers, that increase in vio- lence on the third day are, in consequencCj the more dangerous ; but if they, in any way, assume an intermittent form, the danger entirelv ceases.

44. Protracted fevers bring with them tu- mours and pains of the joints.

45. Those vv^ho, from extended fevers, have tumours or pains of the joints, are in- clined to excess in their food.

88 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

46. Si rigor incidat febri non intermittently debili jam existente aegro, iethaie.

47. Exscreationes in febribus non inter- mittentibus lividse, et cruentae, et graveolen- tes, et biliosee, omnes malse sunt. At probe secedentts, bona?, ht eadem ratio est quod ad alvi egtstiones, et quod ^d uriuas. Si vero nihil ex conducentibus excernatur per hsec loca, malum.

48. In non intermittentibus febnbus, s! externa quidem frigida sint. interna veru uran- tur, et sitim habeant, lethale.

49. In lebre non intermittente, si labium, aut supercilium, aut oculus, aut nasus perver- tatur, si non videat, si non auaiat, corporc jam debili existente, quicquid horum fiat, in propinquo mors est.

50. Ubi in febre non intermittente diffi- ultas spirandi et delirium fit, Iethaie.

c

51. In febribus, abscessus qui non sol- vuntur ad primas judicationes, morbi longi- tudinem significat.

52. Quicumque in febribus, aut in cgete-

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 89

46. Rigors coming on, in those enfeebled by long continued fever, prove fatal.

47. Livid, bloody, foetid and bilious stools^ coming on in continued fevers, are alike un- favourable ; but a timely appearance of them is beneficial. The same observation may be applied to the alvine and urinary discharges ; but if the matter offending be not thrown out along with the excretions — these excretions are injurious.

48. In continued fevers, if the external parts be cold, aiid the internal hot, with much thirst, the disease will prove fatal.

49. In continued fever, if the lip, the eye and eyebrow, and nose, become distorted — if the sight and hearing fail — if debility pre- vail over the whole system ; — all and each of these symptoms foretel the near approach of death.

50. In continued fever, delirium, accom- panied with difficulty of breathing, proves fatal.

51. In fever, where abscesses have not ht^n dispersed, during the primary stages of the disease, they foreshow extended ill- ness.

52. When, in fever, or in any in other af-

8^

90 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

ris inlirmitatibus, ex proposito lachrymantur^ nihil incoiiveniens : qui vero non ex propo- sito, magis inconveniens.

53, Quibus in febre ad dentes viscosa cir- cumnascuntur, his febris fiunt vehemen- tiores.

54. Quibus diii tusses siccse, pauh'im irri- tantes, in febribus ardentibus, non admodum siticulosi sunt.

55, In bubonibus febres, omnes malse, prseter ephemeras.

56. Febricitanti sudor superveniens, febre non reniittente, malum. Prolongatur enim morbus, et copiosiorem humiditatem indicat.

57. A convulsione aut tetano detento, fe- bris superveniens solvit morbum.

58. A febre ardente detento, rigore super- veniente, solutio (fit).

59. Tertiana exquisita in septem ad sum- mum circuitibus judicatur.

60. Quibus in febre aures obsurduerint, his sanguis e naribus effluens, aut alvus ex- turbata, morbum solvit.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 91

fection, the patient sheds tears voluntarily, it is not unfavourable ; but if they flow invo- luntarily, it is somewhat alarming.

53. When, during fever, sordes collect around the teeth, it denotes the violence of the disease.

54. Those who, in ardent fevers, are trou- bled for a long time with dry cough, and somewhat of irritation, have not much thirst,

55. Buboes arising in fever are always dan- gerous, except in ephemera.

56. Perspiration coming on in fever, with- out a remission of the disorder taking place, is an unfavourable circumstance ; for in that case, it denotes a too copious humidity of the system, and foreshows a prolongation of the disease.

57. If in convulsion or tetanus, fever su- pervene, he disease goes off.

58. When rigors come on in ardent fever, they prove critical.

59. Severe tertians determine themselves, at farthest, in seven paroxysms.

60. Wnen deafness comes on in fever, it is generally removed by nasal haemorrhage, ©r diarrhoea.

92 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

61. Febricitanti, nisi in diebus imparibiis dimiserit febris, reverti solet.

62. Quibus in febre morbus regius snper- venit ante septimum diem, malum est.

63. Quibus in febribus quotidie rigores iiunt, quotidie febres solvuntur.

64. Quibus in febre septima, aut nona, aut undecima, aut quart a decima morbus re- gius supervenit, bonum est : nisi dextrum hypochondrium durum sit ; alioqui, non bo- num.

65. In febribus circa ventrem sestus vehe- mensj et oris ventriculi dolor, malum.

66. In febribus acutis convulsiones, et circa viscera doiores vehementes, malum.

67. In febribus, ex somnis pavores, aut convulsi >nes, malum.

68. In febribus spiritus ofFendens, malum : eonvulsionem enim significat.

69. Quibus urinse crassae, grumosse, pau- eae, non sine febre, copia ex his succedens tenui, juvat. Tales autem iis maxime pro- deunt, quibus ab initio morbi^ aut brevi post, subsidentiam continent.

APHORISMS OP HIPPOCRATES. 93

61. Unless fever depart on an irregular day, it is apt to return.*

62. If, in fever, jaundice supervene be- fore the seventh day — it is unfavourable.

63. Those fevers which have daily rigors^ have dailv remissions.

64. Jaundice supervening, in fever, on the seventh, ninth, eleventh and fourteenth day — is favourable: but if the right hypochon- drium be indurated, it is not so.

65. If, in fever, a violent heat arise about the stomach aud upper orifice of the stomach? it is unfavourable.

66. Convulsions and violent pains of the viscera, in acute fever, are unfavourable.

67. If, in fever, the sleep be disturbed by convulsion or terror, it denotes danger.

68. An interrupted respiration in fever is unfavot-rable — it precedes convulsion.

69. When, with existing fever, a thick, grumy, scant urine, is followed by a thin and copious discharge — it is beneficial ; but it is the more so, when, at the commencement of disease, or a little time after, the urine depo«  sits a sediment.

• See Aphor. 24. Section II.

94 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

70. Quibus autem in febre uriiise contur- batae, quails ju mentor um, his capitis doloreSj aut ads Lint, aut aderunt.

71. Quibus morbi septima die judicantur, lis nubeculam rubram urina die quarta con- tinet, et csetera secundum rationem.

72. Quibus urinee pellucidse, albae, malae, Maxime autem in phreneticis observatur»

73. Quibus hypochondria elevata sunt murmurantia, dolore lumborum superve- niente, his alvi humectantur : nisi flatus eru- perint, aut urinse copia prodierit. In fehri- bus autnii ^'(ec.

74. Quibus spes est abscessum fore ad ar- ticulos, eos abscessu iiberat urina multa ; et crassa, et alba reddita, qualis in febribus cum iassitudine quarta die quibvisdam fieri inci- pit. Si vcrj etiam ex naribus sanguis eru- perit, brevi admpdum solvit.

75. Si quis sanguinem, aut pus mingat, renum, aut vesicae exulcerationem significat.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 95

70. When, in fever, the urine has a tur= bid appearance, such as is wont to take place in labouring animals, it denotes either pre- sent, or approaching pains of the head,

71- When the disease determines itself on the seventh day, the urine contains a red ne* bulous matter, and assumes other character^ istic appearances.

72. When the urine assumes a white pel- lucid appearance, it is unfavourable, for such is a distinguislied character of phrenitis.

73. When distention of the hypochondria, attended with borborygmus, takes place, if pain of the loins supervene, diarrhoea follows ; unless there be a discharge of wind, or copi° ous issue of urine. Tkus much of/ever.^

74. Where there is any expectation of ab- scess being about to take place in the joints, it is prevented by a plentiful emission of urine, of a thick, white consistence, such as is voided in the fourth day of fevers attended with lassitude. But if there be combined with this, a haemorrhage from the nose^ the relief is still more sudden.

75. A micturition of blood or pus de- notes ulceration of the kidneys or bladder»

96 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI,

76. Qiiibus in urina crassa existentc ca«  runculae parvse, aut veluti pili una exeunt., his de renibus excernunturo

77. Quibus in urina crassa existente fur- furacea simul minguntur, iis vesica scabie laborat.

78. Qui f^^ponte sanguinem mingunt, his 1, renibus vci ge ruptionem significat.

79. Quibus in urina, arenosa subsidentj illis vesica calculo laborat.

80. Si quis sanguinem mingat, et grumos^ @t urinas stiiucidium habeatj et dolor incidat ad imum ventreni, et perinseunij partes eirca vesicam laborant»

81. Si quis banguinem et pus raingat^ et squamas, ti odor gravis sit, vesicae exuicera^ tionem signiiicat.

82. Quibua in urinaria fistula tuberculuna Bascitur, bib, bupparato eoet perrupto, solu-^^ tic fit,

83. Mictio noctu multa contingens^ par- Vatn alvi dtjectioncm significat.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 97

76. When a thick urine is voided with small caruncles, resembling short pieces of hair, the excretion proceeds from the kid- neys,

77. A micturition of thick urine, together with a furfuraceous matter, shows an ulcera- tion of the bladder,

78. A spontaneous micturition of blood, shows the rupture of a renal vein.

79. A sandy deposit in the urine proceeds from a calculus in the bladder.

80. If a micturition of blood and grumous matter, be connected with strangury and pain in the hypograsirmm and perinseum, it mdi- Gates an affection about the bladder.

81. If there be a micturition of blood, pus an squamse, accompanied with a disagreea- ble odour, it denotes an ulceration of the blad- €ler.

82. If a tubercle, arising in the urethra^ suppurate and break, the disorder ceases.

83. A copious emission of urine, during the night, is indicative of a less copious al- vine dejection,

9

98 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMIa

SECTIO V.

1. Convulsio ab elleboro lethale.

2. Vulneri convulsio superveniens, le- thaie.

3. Sanguine multo effuso, convulsio, aut singultus superveniens, malum.

4. Purgationi immodicae convulsio, aut singultus superveniens, malum.

5. Si quis ebrius ex improviso mutus fiat, convulsus moritur, nisi febris corripuerit^ aut ubi ad horam qua crapulae solvuntur, pervenit, locutus fuerit.

6. Qui a tetano corripiuntur, in quatuor diebus pereunt ; si vero hos efFugerint, sani fiunt.

7. Quibus epilepsise ante pubertatem con- tingunt, mutationem habent. Quibus vero accidunt viginti quinque annos natisj his- plerumque commoriuntur.

8. Qui pleuritici facti, non repurguntui? superne in quatuordecim diebus, is in sup- purationem convertitur.

APHORISMS OV HIPPOCRATES. 99

SECTION V.

1. Convulsion, arising from hellebore, is fataL

2. Convulsion, arising from a wound, is fatal.

3. Convulsion, or hiccough, proceeding from haemorrhage, is dangerous.

4. Convulsion, or hiccough, proceeding from immoderate catharsis, is dangerous.

5. If aphonia come on suddenly from ine- briation — death ensues, — unless fever super- vene, or the speech return, on the intoxica- tion going off.

6. Those who are seized with tetanus, expire within four days ; but if they survive the fourth day, they generally recover.

7. Those who are attacked with epilepsy before the age of puberty, have a chance of cure ; but when the disorder comes on after the twenty-fifth year, it ceases only with life.

8. In pleuritic affections, if expectoration Gome not on in fourteen days, suppuration commences.

100 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

9. Tabes maxime fit aetatibus ab anno oc- tavo decinio usque ad quintum trigesimunie

10. Quibus anginam effugientibus ad pul- moneni vertitar, in septern diebus tnoriuntur. Si vero hos efFugerint, suppurati fiunt.

11. A tabe vexatis, si sputum quod ex- tussiuntj^prunis superfusum, graviter oleat, et capiiii ^e capite defiuant, letiiaie.

1% Quibus tabe laborantlbus capilli de capite ciefiuuut, hi alvi iiuxu super veniente, moriuntur.

13. Qui sanguinem spumosum ex spuunt, his ex pUiUione talis rejectio lit.

14. A tahe detento alvi proilavium super- veniens, lethale.

15. Qui ex pleuritide suppurati fiunt, si intra quadraginta dies, ex quo ruptio fuerit facta, repurgentur superne, liberantur : si vero minus, ad tabem transeunt.

16. Calidum, eo frequenter utentibus, has affert noxas : carnis effeminationem, ner- vorum impotentiam, mentis torporem, san- guinis eruptiones, iuiimi deiiquia : hsec qui- bus mors.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 101

9. Phthisis manifests itself, for the most part, from the eighteenth to the thirty-fifth year.

10. When angina translates itself to the lungs, the patient dies in seven days ; if he escape this period, suppuration com- mences.

11. In phthisis, if the matter expectorated, when thrown upon live coals, emit a foetid odour ; and if the hair fall from the head, the disease is fatal.

12. In phthisis, if the hair fall from the head, and diarrhoea ensue — the disease is fatal.

13. The expectoration of a spumous blood proceeds from the lungs.

14. In phthisis, diarrhoea proves fatal.

15. When empyema comes on in pleu- risy, — if, after the abscess breaks, the mat- ter be expectorated within forty days, the disorder ceases : but, if it happen otherwise, the disease assumes the character of phthisis.

16. Excess of heat induces debility of tiie muscular fibre, impotence of nerve, tor- por of mind, haemorrhage, fainting, and, lastly, death.

102 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI,

17. Frigidum autem, convulsiones, te- tanos, nigrores, et rigores febriies.

18. Frigidum inimicum ossibus, denti- bus, nervis, cerebro, spinali medullae : ca- lidum vero utile,

19. Quse perfrigerata sunt, excalefacere oportet, prseterquam quae sanguinem pro- fundunt, aut sunt profusura.

20. Ulceribus frigidum quidem mordax, cutem obdurat, dolorem non suppurantem facit, nigrores, rigores febriles, convulsiones, et tetanos.

21. Est vero, ubi in tetano sine ulcere, juveni bene carnoso, sestate media^ frigidae multse afFusio caloris revocationem facit; calor autem hsec solvit.

22. Calidum suppuratorium, non in omni ulcere, maximum signum ad securitatem ; cutem emollit, attenuat, dolores sedat, ri- gores, convulsiones, tetanos mitigat : capi- tis vero gravitatem solvit : plurimum autem confert ossium fracturis : max i me vero de- nudatis : ex his quidem maxime, qui in capite ulcera habent : et quae a frigore mo- riuntur^ aut ulcerantur : et herpetibus exe-

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 103

17. Excess of cold induces convulsion, tetanus, petechiae, and febrile rigors.

18. Cold is prejudicial to the bones, teeth, nerves, braia, and spinal marrow : heat, on the contrary, is beneficial to them.

19. Those pvirts which have suffered from cold, ought to be warmed, — except when haemorrhage takes place, or is about to take place.

20. Cold proves corrosive to ulcers, tends to harden the skin, causes pain by sup- pressing suppuration, and induces petechias, febrile rigors, convulsions and tetanus.

21. When tetanus takes place, without previous ulcer, in the middle of summer, in those of full habits, — cold affusion serves to recall the absent heat, and, thereby, termi- nate the disease.

22. In most wounds (with few excep- tions) heaty^ by favouring suppuration, tends greatly to their cure : it softens and at- tenuates the skin, subdues pain, mitigates rigors, convulsions and tetanus,, and relieves the attendant heaviness of head : it is, for the most part, beneficial in fractures, particularly those in which the bone is de- nuded, and is, furthermore, greatly ser-

^ Te ^egjCtov— however, CaliJa A^aa ought, here, to be understood^

104 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

dentibus, sedi, pudendo, utero, vesicae. His ealidum quidem amicum et decretorium ; frigidum vero inimicum et occidens.

23, In his autem frigido uti oportet unde sanguis erumpit, aut erupturus est : non super Ipsa, sed circa haec unde influit. Et quajcumque inliammationes, aut flammei ar- dores ad rubrum et sanguineum coiorem ver- gentes novo sanguine, super ipsos : nam inveteratos nigrefacit : erysipelas etiam non exulceratum (juvat) : quoniam exulceratum Igedit,

24. Frigida velut nix, glaeies, pectori

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 105

viceable in wounds of the head : it, alsOg does good when applied to parts ulcerated or mortified by coid ; and, also, to that spe- cies of ulcerative tetter affectnig the anus, pudendum, womb and bladder ; — with all these, therefore, /ie«^* is beneficicii and ju- dicious in its application ; whereas cold is highly prejudicial and even atal.

23. In those instances where haemorrhage takes place, or is about to take place, the application of cold f is necessary, not ac- tually to the h emorrhage itseif, but to the parts circumjacent. But wheresoever in- flammation exists, or when, from a new ac- cumulation oi blood, the parts affected, ac- quire a preternatural heat, and assume a flame-coloured appearance, the application of cold is to be made immediately to the part itself ; otherwise, by a long continuance of the inflammation, discolouration of the parts will take place. In erysipelas, unat- tended with ulceration, cold applications are beneficial, but when ulceration is present, they are injurious.

24. Cold applications, such as snow and

• See note, p. loj. f Aqua friglda.

106 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

inimica, tusses movent, sanguinis eriiptiones ac catarrhos induciint.

25. Tumores autem in articulis et dolores absque ulcere, et podagricos, et convulsiones; horum plurima frigida multa afFusa, et levat et attenuat, et dolorem solvit. Torpor enim inodicus doloris solvendi vim habet.

26. Aqua, quae cito calefiat, et cito re- frigeratur, levissima.

27. Quibus autem bibendi appetentise noc- tu, iis valde sitientibus, si obdormierint, bonum.

28. SulEtus aromatum muliebria ducit,* ssepiiis autem et ad alia utilis esset, nisL ca- pitis gravitates induceret.

29. Pr ipgnantes purgandse, si t orgeat ma» teria, quadrimestres, et usque ad septimum mensem : hae vero minus. Juniores autem, et semores foetus, cautevitare oportet.

30. Mulierem in utero gerentem ab acuto aliquo morbo corripi, lethale.

• Villebrune understands here " aromatum sufposHorum,^'

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 107

ice, are injurious, to the breast, producing cough, catarrh, and hasmorrhage.

25. Tumours, and pains of the joints, un- attended with ulcer; also, convulsive and podagrical aiFections, are, for the most part, benefitted by frequent cold affusions, which have a tendency to mitigate and throw off the complaint : for a moderate degree of torjjor has the eftect of subduing pain.*

26. Tiat water is lightest which is soon- est heated and cooled.

27. With those who need much drink du- ring the night, — if sleep succeed great thirsty it is a favourable symptom.

28. Aromatic fumigations bring on the menstrual flux : they are, also, serviceable in other instances ; but we should discontinue them where they induce heaviness of head.f

29. See Aphor. 1. Sect. iv.

30. With pregnant women, acute diseases generally prove fatal.

• From the inference here drawn, it will appear that Hippo» crates considered cold, in every stage, as a sedative.

f We have our doubts, whether his suggestion (so oftefl ridieuled^ J}e, indeed, ridieuleut.

108 HIPPOCRAIIS APHORISMI.

31. Muiier in utero gerens secta vena abortit, et magis, si major fuerit foetus.

32. Mulieri sanguinem evomenti, men- struis erumpentibus, solutio fit,

33. Mulieri, menstruis deficientibus, e naribus sanguinem fiuercj bonum.

34. Mulieri in utero gerenti, si alvus muU tiim fiuxerit, periculum ne abortiat.

35. Mulieri ab uterina passione vexatse^ aut difiicuiter parienti, sternutatio superve- Biens, bonum.

S6, Mulieri menses decolores, neque se- cundum eadcm semper prode antes, purga= tione opus esse significant.

37. Mulieri in utero gerenti si mammae ex improvibo graciles fiant, abortit.

38. Mulieri in utero gerenti, si altera liiamma gracilis fiat, gemellos gestanti, alter- litrum abortit, et si quidem dextra gracilis iat^ marem : si vero sinistra^ feminam.

APHORISMS OF aiPPOCR ATES. 109

31, With pregnant women, venesection produces abortion ; especially if gestation be far advanced.

32. When vomiting of blood takes place, in women, it ceases on the appearance of the menses.

S3, When a deficiency takes place in the menstrual discharge, nasal haemorrhage is be- neficiaL

34. When diarrhoea comes on, in preg>- nant women, there is some danger of abor- tion.

35\ In hysterical affections, or difficult par- turition, sternutation is beneficial.

36, Discoloured and irregular menses in- dicate the necessity of purgatives.

37, A sudden subsidence of the breast% during pregnancy, is followed by abortion.

38, In pregnancy, where twins stre pres^n% a subsidence of either breast foreshows the death of one of them ; a male foetus — if it be the right breast, and a female, if it be the reft.

10

110 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

39. Si mulier qnx nee prasgnans est nee peperit, iac habeat, ei menstrua defecerunt, .

40. Mulieribus quibus in mammas san- -guis convertitur, insaniam significat,

41. Mullerem si velis cognoscere an pr^g- iians sit, iibi dormitura est (incoenatsej aquam mulsam bibendam dato, et si quidem tormen habeat circa ventrem, prsegnans est : si ver© minus, prsegnans non est.

42. Mulier pryegnans, si tjuidem marem gestat, bene colorata est : si vero feminam, male colorata.

43. Si mulieri prsegnanti erysipelas in Htero fiat, lethale.

44. Quae prtaeter naturam tenues existentes- in utero gerunt, abortiunt, priusquam cras- sescant.

45. Quae vero mediocriter corpus haben- tes abortiunt bimestres et trimestres ; sine causa manifest», his uteri acetabula muco

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. Ill

39. A secretion of milk, in the breasts of those who are not pregnant, and have never had offspring, proceeds from a suppression of the menstrual discharge.

40. A secretion of blood (instead of 7tiilk) in the breasts (of puerperal women ^) is folio w^- cd by mania.

41. In order to ascertain whether a wo- man be pregnant or not, administer hydromel, on her retiring supperiess to bed : — if it pro- duce griping, she is pregnant — otherwise, not.*

42. In pregnancy — a fine complexion in- dicates a male, and the contrary — a female foetus.

43. An erysipelatous affection of the ute- rus, during pregnancy, proves fatal.

44. Women who, during pregnancy, be- come exceedingly thin, miscarry until they begin to grow fat.

45. When women of a tolerable full ha- bit of body, miscarry, without any manifest cause, about the second or third month of

• The philosopher, the extent of whose Mid/was in a direct ratio

with his douks ("• credo, quod impossibile est") must have been a staunch sectarian ! — As we profess no particular professional creed? Wje leave this Aphorism as " un morceau" for the critic.

il2 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI»

plena sunt, et non possunt continere fostmn^ prae gravitate^ sed abrumpuntur.

46. Qugeprseter naturam crassae existentes non concipiiint in utero, his omentum os uteri comprimit, et, priusquam attenuentur^ praegnantes non fiunt.

47. Si uterus coxi incumbens suppuratus fuerit, necesse est, ut pure prof uso, vicmia in mniem colllquescant.^

48. Foetus, mares quidem in dextris, fe- minse vero in sinistris magis.

49. Ut secundse excidant, sternutatorio 'indito, nares et os apprehendere oportet.

50. Mulieri menstrua si velis cohibere. cucurbitam quam maximam ad mammas ap- pone.

• In the latter part of this Aphorism we have preferred tht

Latin version of Villebrunc j which the original text seems to war rant.

AFH02irSMS OF HIPPOCRATES. il3

pregnancy, it denotes a too copious mucosi-- tv in the pelvis of the uterus ; the womb, therefore, becomes incapable of retaining the foetus, which latter detaches itself by its own weight.

46. Women excessively corpulent do not conceive, on account of the omentum com- pressing the mouth of the uterus ; they 3. therefore, cannot become pregnant until the system be reduced,

47. (In prolapso uteris) where the womb rests upon the ischia, should suppuration commence, the pus soon degenerates into sanies, and the parts adjoining are melted down.

48. The male foetus inclines to the right — ■ the female^ — -to the left side.

49. In order to hasten the rejection of the secundine, a sternutatory is to be adminis- tered, at the same time the mouth and nose are to be closed.

50. To restrain the menstrual; discharge^ a large cupping-glass is to be applied to tlio breasts,-

m

^

114 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

51. Quae in utero gerunt, harum os uteri clausum est.

52. Mulieri in utero gerenti si multum lactis ex mammis fluxerit, infirmum foetum significat. Si vero solidse fuerint mammsej saniorem foetum sfgnificat.

53. Quae perditurae sunt foetus, his mam- mse graciles fiunt. Si vero rursiis durae fiant, dolor erit, aut in mammis, aut incoxis^ aut in oculis, aut in genibus, et non perdunt.

54. Quibus os uteri durum est, his ne- cesse est OS uteri clausum esse.

55. Quaecumque in utero gerentes a febri^ bus corripiuntur, et vehementer attenuantur, absque manifesta occasione, difficulter et periculose pariunt, aut abortientes pericii* tantur,

56. Si fluxui muliebri convulsio et animi deliquium superveniat, malum,

57. Mensibus copiosioribus prodeuntibus, morbi contingunt : non prodeuntibus^ ab *it€^ ro fiunt morbi*

58. Recto intestino inflammato, et uter^

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. Il5

51 During gestation, the mouth of the womb is closed.

52. If a great flow of milk from the breasts take place during gestation, it denotes the weakness of the foetus ; but if the breasts maintain their firmness, it is indicative of a healthy child.

53. A subsidence of the breasts is follow- ed by abortion ; but, if they resume their usual firmness and become painful, accom- panied also with pains in the hips, eyes and kneesj the result will be favourable.

54. When the mouth of the uterus is hard to the touch, it is necessarily closed.

55. Those who, during pregnancy, are seized with fever, attended with great waste of body, and that, too, without any manifest cause, have a difficult and dangerous partu- rition, or an abortion, followed by alarming consequences.

56. If, in menorrhagia, convulsion and fainting supervene, the case is alarming.

57. A too copious menstrual discharge in- duces (general) disease ; a suppression, on the other hand, causes a (local) affection of the uterus.

56. Inflammation of the rectum and tite-

116 HIPPOCRATXS APHORISMI.

infiamniato^ et renibus suppuratis, iinnse stjliicidium hupervenit i hepati autem iniiam» mato, singultus supervenit.

59. Mulierj si in ventre non concipiat, velis aiitem scire an conceptura sit, vestibus circumtectam subter suffito ; et si quidem procedere tibi videatur odor per corpus ad nares et ad os, scito hanc, non propter se ip- sum, iofecundam esse.

60. Si mulieri in iitero gerenti purgationes prodeant, fcetum sanum esse impossibile.

61. Si mulieri purgationes non prodeanty neque horrorcj neque febre supervenicntCj cibi auteni fastidia ipsi accidant ; hanc in Htero gerere putato.

62. Qu^ frigidos ac densos uteros ha- bent, non concipiunt ; et quce prsehumidos habent uteros, non concipiunt ; extinguitur enim ipsis genitura : et quae siccos magis et adurentes : alimenti enim inopia semen cor- rumpitur. Qua? vero ex utrisque tempera- mentum habent moderatum, hae ipsae pro- Jiferae fiunt.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 117

rus, and suppuration of the kidneys, are suc- ceeded by strangury ; but inflammation of the liver is followed by hiccough.

59. In order to ascertain whether a wo- man, who has not conceived, be capable of conception, let her be completely enveloped hi her garment, and fumigated from beneath ; if the odour, pervading the body, be percep- tible at the nose and mouth, it is an evi- dence that her non- conception proceeds from no impotence on her part.*

60. If the menstrual discharge occur du- ring pregnancy, it is a sure indication of an unhealthy foetus.

61. If there happen a suppression of the menses, unaccompanied with horrors and fe- ver, but attended with loathing of food, we may conclude that conception has taken place.

62. Conception does not take place where the uterus is cold, dense or humid, — for here, the generative fire is extinguished ; — neither does it take place where the uterus has too much of heat or siccity, — for here^ the seed is destroyed for want of due ali- ment : those only who are removed from.

• Vide note accompanying Aphor. 41. p. iii»

118 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

63, Similiter autem etiam in masculis. Aut enim propter corporis raritateiii spiritus extrti fertur adeo et semen nun eniittat : aut propter ciensitatem humidum non pervadit foras ; aut propter frigiditatem liOn incalescit, ut ad hunc locum congregetur ; aut propter caliditatem hoc idem contmgit.

64. Lac dare capita dolentibus, malum* Malum vero etiam febricitantibus, et qui» bus hypochondria elevata sunt, nmrmnran- tia, et siticuiosis. Malum autem et quibus dejectiones biiiosse, et iis qui in acutis sunt febribvss : et quibus copiosi sanguiias facta est egestiO. Convenit vero tabidis non ad- modi Ui vaidL febricitantibus (lac) dare, et in febribus iongis et ianguidis, nuilo ex su- pradictis sigrus praesente ; et prteter rationem quideni cxienuatis.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 119

cither extreme, and who are possessed of a moderate temperament, are prolific.

63. The same circumstances equally ob- tain with males ; — scmttimes, from the per- meability of the body, the subtile spirit escapes outward, in so much, that no emis-^ sion of semen takes place (in coitu) ^ or from the impervious nature (of the ex^ eretiiig orgcmj the fluid cannot escape ex- ternally : impotence may also arise from a frigidity of the parts, whereby they cannot be excited to emission (during coition) ; excessive heat may also produce the same effect.

64. Milk is injurious to those who are afflicted with headach, fever, and distention of the hypochondrium, attended with bor-< borygmus,— also, where great thirst exists ; it is, furthermore, injurious in bilious de-- jections and acute fevers, and where much blood is voided in egestion : it is, however, beneficial in phthisis, when little fever is pre- sent, — also, in slow protracted fevers, at- tended with great emaciation ; in the ad-, ministration of it, we are, therefore, to ob- serve, that none of the foregoing symptoms fee present.

120 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

65. Quibus tumores in ulceribus apparent, ii non valde convelluntur, neqiie insaniunt* His autem derepente disparentibus, quibus in postica quidem parte fuerint, convulsiones fiunt et tetani : quibus vero in antica, in- saniie, aut lateris dolores acuti, aut suppu- ratio, aut dysenteria, si rubicundi fuerint tu- mores,

66. Si magnis et pravis existentibus vuL neribus, tumores non appareant, ingens ma- lum.

67. Laxi tumores, boni ; crudi vero^ mali.

68. Postica capitis parte dolenti, recta in fronte vena secta juvat.

69. Rigores incipiunt, mulieribus quidem^ ex lumbis magis, et per dorsum ad caput ; viris autem postica magis parte, quam an- lica corporis, velut ex cubitis ac femoribus, Sed et cutis viris rara est. Hoc quidem gilus indicat.

70. A quartanis eorrepti, h, convulsioae

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES» 121

65. Tumefaction supervening in wounds^ prevents both spasm and delirium ; but in wounds of the back, if the tumefaction sud- denly disappear, tetanus and convulsions follow : wounds received on the fore-part; of the body are attended with delirium, or acute pains of the side ; also with suppura- tion, or dysentery, — and this more especially if the tumefaction be very red,

66. If in large and bad conditioned wounds, tumefaction does not take place^ the danger is considerable,

67. Tumours which have a soft feel are l^eneficial ; those which are hard and callous are unfavourable,

68. Pain in the back part of the headj is^ relieved by opening the frontal vein.

69. Rigors commence differently with men and women ; — -with the latter, they begin at the loins, and extend along the vertebrae to the head ; with the former, they originate rather at the posterior than the anterior part of the body, — for instance, at the back of the fore- arm and thigh. The cutis of men is thinnest, as is evident from the hairs inserted in it.*

70. Quartans are never attended with

• We cannot perceive what connection tiic lattcff part of ^is

iYpborism has ^ith the former.

11

122 HIPP0CRATI$ APHORISMI.

non admodiim corripiuntur ; si vero prius Corripiuntur, et postea quartana supervenerit, liberantur.

71. Quibus cutis obtenditur arida ac dura, it sine sudore moriuntur ; quibus vero lax^ ac rara, ii cum sudore moriuntur.

72, Icterici non admodum flatulenti sunt*

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 12

n

convulsions ; on the contrary, the latter disappear, on the coming on of the former.

71. When the cuticle appears tense, dry and hard, — -death occurs without perspira- tion taking place ; but when, on the contrary, it is lax and thin, dissolution is accompanied with sweat.

72» The icterical are never flatulent»

12.4 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!.

SECTIO VI.

1. Diuturnus intestinorum Isevitatibus ructus acidus superveniens, qui prius noii fuit, sigiium bonum.

2. Quibus nares natura humidiores, et genitura humidior, imperfectius sani sunt :; quibus vero contraria, perfectiuSo

3. In iongis dysenteriis appetitus prostra- tus, malum : et cum febre pejus.

4. Uicera circum-glabraj maligna.

5. Dolores et in lateribus et in pectoribus^ et in caeteris (partibus), si multum difFerant* considerandum»-

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 125

SECTION VL

1. Acid eructations supervening, for the first time, in long protracted lientery, is a fa- vourable symptom.*

2. A preternatural humidity of the nos- trils and of the seminal liquor, is indicative of imperfect health ; but when the contrary is the case, the indication is favourable.

3. A total loss of appetite, in long conti- nued dysentery, is unfavourable ; but the danger is great, when it is accompanied by fever.

4. Ulcers which have a smooth circumfe- rence, are of a malignant nature.

5. Pains of the side, breast, and of other parts, often varying, demand attentive obser* vation.

^ " For It denotes, (observes Van Swieten, in his commentary tip- on this Aphorism), that the contractile force of the stomach and in- testines is in some measure returned, whereby the ingested aliments, may be retained, at least, so long in the stomach a; to degenerate fetf a. spontaneous csrrupthn,^'

11^

1.26 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMX-

6. Renum et vesicae dolores difficulter sa- rantur in senibus.

7. Dolores qui in ventre fnint, elati qui- dem^ leviores : non elati vero vehementiores.

8. Hydropicis ulcera in corpore orta non facile sanantur,

9. Efflorescentiae latae non admodum pru- liginosae.

10. Caput laboranti, et circum circa do^ ientij pusj aut aqua, aut sanguis effluens per iiares, aut per os, aut per aures, solvit mor- bum.

1 i . Melancholicis, et nephriticis, haemor- rhoides supervenientes, bonum.

12. Ab haemorrhoidibus sanato diuturnisj nisi una servata fuerit, periculum est ne hy- drops super veniat, aut tabes.

13. A singultu detento, sternutationes sti- l^ervenientes, solvunt singultum.

14. Ab hydrope detento si aqua secun- dum venas in alvum fiuxerit^ solutio fit*

15. A diuturno alvi profluvio detento^, sponte superveniens vomitus^ alvi profluvi'^-

Aim solvit.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 12'?^

6. Pains of the kidneys and bladder, in- eld men, are of difficult cure.

7. When distention accompanies pain of the belly, the latter is, by no means, severe ; but if there be no distention present, the pain is greater.

8. In dropsical patients, ulcers are of dif- ficult cure.

9. Large exanthematas are never prurigi- nous.

10. Pains of the head and neighbouring parts are relieved by an efflux of pus, or wa= ter, or blood, from the nostrils, mouthy or; ears.

11. In melancholia and nephritis, the coming on of the heemorrhoides is beneficiaL

12. In long continued haemorrhoids, a to- tal cure is frequently followed by dropsy or phthisis.

13. Sternutation removes hiccough,

1,4. In dropsy, if the water pass off into the intestines, by means of the veins, the disease ceases.

15. Long continued diarrheea is arrested h^ spontaneous vomiting.

128 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISM!,

16. A pleiiriticle, aut a peripneumonia de^ tento, alvi profluvium superveniens, malum.

17. Ophthalmia laborantem alvi profluvio corrissi, bonum.

18. Cui persecta est vesica, aut cerebrumj aut cor, aut septum transversum, aut ali- quod ex intestinis tenuibus, aut ventriculus, aut hepar, lethale.

19. Ubi dissectum fuerit os, aut cartilage, autnervus, aut gense pars tenuis, aut prsepu- tiunij neque augetur, neque coalescit.

20. Si in ventrem sanguis elFusus fuerit prseter naturam, necesse est suppurari.

21. Insanientibus si varices, aut hsemor- rhoides supervenerint, insanise sokitio lit.

22. Qu?e ruptiones es dorso ad cubitos descendunt, venae sectio solvit.*

23. Si metus et tristitia multo tempore per- aeverant, melancholicum hoc ipsum.

• In the text used by Vlllebrune we have 5 aKyrifAara^f^idQlarest)

which we have given in the translation.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 12§

16. Diarrhoea supervening in pleurisy, or peripneumonia, is unfavourable.

17. Diarrhoea supervening in ophthalmia^ is beneficial.

18. A lesion of the bladder, brain, hearty diaphragm, stomach, liver, or any of the small intestines, proves fatal.

19. When an entire section takes place of a bone, cartilage, or nerve ; or of the pre- puce, or thin portion of the cheek, no after- growth or adhesion of the parts can take place.

20. If an effusion of bL')od take place with- in the abdomen, suppuration necessarily fol«  lows.

21. When varices or haemorrhoids super* vene in mania, the disorder ceases.

22. Sudden pains, extending from the back to the fore-arm, are relieved by venesec^ tion,

23. Fear, attended with an obstinate de-. pression of spirits, indicates a disposition to meiaiieholiaa

130 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI-

24. Si ex intestinis tenuibus aliquod dis-- sectum fuerit, non coalescit.

25. Erysipelas foris quidem intro verti, non bonum, intiis vero foras, bonum.

26. Qiiibus in febre ardente tremoresfiunt? delirium solvit.

27. Qui suppurati aut hydropici urunturj avit secantur, hi, pure, aut aqua acervatim ef- fluente, omnino moriuntur.

28. Eunuchi non laborant podagia, neque calvi iiunt.

29. Mulier non laborat podagia, nisi men*' ses ipsi defecerint.

30. Fuer non laborat podagra ante veneris iisum.

31. Oculorum dolores meri potus, aut balneum, aut fomentum, aut venae sectio, aut purgatio solvit.

32. Balbi ab alvi profluvio maxime cor- ripiuntur longo.

33. Acidum ructantes non admodum pleu^ ritici fiunt.

34. Qui calvi sunt, his varices magni non fiunt. Quibus vero, dum sunt calvi, super^ veniunt varices^ hi rursus capiiiati fiunt.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 131

24. A lesion of the small intestines is ne- ver followed by a re- union of parts.

25. Erysipelas, when it recedes inward- ly, is injurious ; but its re-appearance exter- nally is beneficial.

26. Tremors supervening in ardent fevers^ go oiF on the coming on of delirium.

27. In dropsy or empyema, the evacuation hy cautery or incision, of a great quantity of water or pus, is always followed by death.

28. Eunuchs never suffer from podagri- cal affections, or become bald.

29. Women are exempt from podagrical affections, until the cessation of the menses,

30. Gout does not appear in adolescence^ previous to venery.

31. Pains of the eyes are relieved by pure wine, bathing, fomentation, venesection and purging.

32. Stammerers are much subject to chro» uic diarrhoea.

33. Those who have acid eructations are never subject to pleuritic affections.

34. Those who are bald are not affected with severe varices : but if the latter become considerable, the hair again makes its appear- ance.

132 HIPPOGRATIS APHORISMI.

35. Hydropicis tussis superveniens, ma- lum.

36. Urinse difficultatem v^nse sectio sol- vit : secandce veto internee.^

37. Ab angina detento, tumorem fieri In COllo, bonum : foras enim vertitur.

38. Quibus occulti cancri fiunt, eos noix curare melius est. Curati enim cito pareunt Non curati vero longius tempus perdurant,

39. Convulsio fit, aut a repletione, aut ab ^yacuatione. Sic quidem etiam singultus.

40. Quibus ad hypochondrium dolores fiunt, absque inilammatione, his febris super- veniens solvit dolorem.

41. Quibus suppuratum quid in corporc existens nullum sui signum proditj his prop-

♦ L e. Secare autcm eportet intenoi vmasj fetg itoo,, Sk Villebrune.- FaesiuB, et Htf^rniti^.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 133

35. Cough supervening in dropsy is unfa- vourable.

36. Dysury is relieved by blood-letting — but it is the artery which ought to be open- ed.*

37. A tumour arising on the neck in angi- na is favourable, as it denotes a derivation of the disease externally.

38. Occult cancers should not be molest- ed ; in attempting to discuss them, they quickly become fatal : when unmolested, they remain in a scirrhous state for a length of time.

39. Convulsion may arise from repletion or evacuation ; hiccough may proceed from the same causes.

40. Pains in the hypochondrium, unattend- ed with inflammation, are relieved by fever.

41. When an abscess exists in any part of the body, w^ithout any signs of suppura- tion being present, the latter circumstance

• Hippocrates must, here, allude to the operation of arteriotomy,

as frequently practiced by the aneients, who were not aware of the dangerous consequences, for the most part, resulting from it. Ar» tenotomy is now scarcely ever performed in any other, but the tem- poral artery.

12

1S4 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

ter crassitudinem puris, aut loci, signum non exhibct.

42. In ictericis hepar durum fieri, malum.

43. Qui lienosi a dysenteria corripiunturj his longa superveniente dysenteria, hydrops supervenit, aut intestinorum Isevitas, et pe- reunt.

44. Quibus ex urinse stillicidio volvulus supervenit, in septem diebus pereunt, nisi febre superveniente urina abunde fluxerit.

45. Ulcera qusecumque annua fiunt, aut longius tempus occupant, necesse est os abs- cedere, et cicatrices cavas fieri.

46. Qui gibbi ex asthmate, aut tussi fiunty ante pubertatemj pereunt.

47. Quibus vense sectio, aut purgatio con- ducit, his vere convenit vcnam secare, aut purgationem facere.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 1S5

may arise from the inspissated state of the pus, or the thickness of the superincumbent part.

42. The induration of the liver, in jaun- dice, is unfavourable.

43. Long continued dysentery, superve- ning in affections of the spleen, induces either dropsy or lientery, and consequent death.

44. When volvulus arises from strangury ^ the patient dies in seven days, unless fever and a copious flow of urine supervene.^

45. When ulcers have continued one year, or longer, it becomes necessary to denude the bone lying beneath,- — thus forming, as it were, a depressed cicatrix.

46. Those who, before puberty, become gibbous from cough or asthma, generally pe- rish.

47. Those with whom venesection or purgatives agree, should have recourse to them in the spring.

• " An iliac passion, and that of a fatal tendency, has followed^,

upon sympcoms which have indicated the disease in the bladder or kidneys. Galen seems to have a doubt about this ; but I have once met with it, though it must be confessed that the case Is very rare and uncommon." Van Swieten, Com. abridged, p. 344.

136 HIPPOCEATIS APHORISMI.

48. Lienosis dysenteria superveniens, bo- niini.

49. Qui podagrici morbi fiunt, hi sedata infiammatione, in quadraginta diebus dece-' dunt.

50. Quibus percipum fuerit cerebrum , his necesse est febrem, et bilis vomitum su- per venire.

51. Quibus sanis dolores derepente fiunt in capite, et statim muti fiunt, ae stertunt, in septeni diebus pereunt, nisi febris apprehen- derit.

52. Considerare vero etiam oportet oculo- rum subtds apparentia in somnis. Si enim al- bi quid, palpebris commissis, subtus appa- reat, idque non ex alvi profluvio sit, aut ex potione purgante, pravum signum, et valde lethale.

53, Deliria, cum risu quidem accidentia, securiora : cum studio vero, periculosiora.

54, Inacutis affectionibus qu2e cum febre sunt, luctuosse respirationes malse.

55, Podagrici morbi, vere et autumno mo- ventur ut plurimiim.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 137

48. Dysentery supervening in affections of the spleen, is beneficial.

49. Those attacked with the gout, are entirely freed of it in forty days after the sub- sidence of the inflammation.

50. A lesion of the brain is necessarily followed by fever and bilious vomiting.

51. If sudden pains of the head come on during perfect health, attended with imme- diate aphonia and stertor, the patient dies in seven days, unless fever supervene.

52. It is particularly n cessary, in disease, to observe the appearance of the eyes during sleep ; if the eyelids be imperfectly closed, so that some of the white is observable (the patient not being, then, under the operation of purgatives, or existing diarrhoea) the symp- tom is very unfavourable, and frequently fatal.

53. Delirium, accompanied with laughter, is less dangerous, than that accompanied with a severe expression of countenance.

54. In acute diseases, attended with fe- ver, painful respiration is unfavourable,

55. Podagrical affections come on, for the most part, in spring and autumn.

12»

138 HIPPOCRATiS APHORISM!.

56» Morbis melancholicis ad haec perieulo- si sunt humorum decubitus, aut corporis sid- erationem, aut convulsionem, aut insanianij aut csecitatem significant.

57. Apoplectici autem liunt maxime, aetate ab anno quadragesimo usque ad sexa- gesimum.

58. Si omentum exciderit, necesse est putrefieri.

59. Quibus a diuturno coxendicis morbo vexatis coxa excidit, et rursiis incidit, his mucus innascitur.

60. Quibus a diuturno coxendicis morbo vexatis coxa excidit, his crus tabescit, ct claudicant, nisi usti fuerint,

APHOaiSMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 139

56. In melaiicholick* affections, the trans- lation of the humours to various parts, has a tendency to produce the following diseases : apoplexy, mania, convulsion, and blindness,

57. Apoplexy is most prevalent from the fortieth to the sixtieth year.

58. In omental hernia, the part protruded^ necessarily mortifies.

59. In long continued sciatica, where the motion of the joint of the thigh has been in- terrupted, if the mucus be again secreted, the articulation is restored.

60. In long continued sciatica, where the head of the femur has been displaced, the parts below become emaciated, and lameness ensues, vmless the actual cautery be used.

• The word melanchoUch is used here, as referring to a eause^ and

as its etymological sense imports, is synonymous with atrabilious.

J40 HIPPOCRATIS APHOBISMI.

SECTIO VII. I

1. In morbis acutis, extremarum partium frigus, malum.

2. Ex osse segrotante caro livida, malum.

3. A vomitu singultusj et occuli rubri^ malum.

4. A sudore horror, non bomim.

5. Ab insania dysenteria, aut hydrops, aut extasis, bonum.*

6. In morbo diuturno, appetitus prostra- tus, et meracsB dejectiones, malum.

7. A multo potu rigor, et delirium, ma- lum.

8. A tumoris intus ruptione, exsolutio, yomitus, et animi deliquium fit.

• Ratio hujus patet in Aph. 56. Sect. vi. Yiilebrafie.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 141

SECTION VII.

1. In acute diseases, coldness of the ex- tremities is unfavourable,

2. Lividity of the flesh, arising from an unhealthy bone, is unfavourable.

3. Hiccough, and redness of eyes, arising from vomiting, are unfavourable.

4. A sensation of horror, succeeding per- spiration, is unfavourable.

5. Dysentery, dropsy, or exstasis, fol- lowing insania, are beneficial.*

6. Long illness, attended with a prostration of appetite and unassimilated dejections, is dangerous.

7. Rigors and deliriums, proceeding froni excess of drink, are dangerous.

8. The rupture of an internal tumour is followed by lassitude, vomiting, and deliqumm anmi,

• SeeAph,56,SecVl.

142 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

9. A sanguis fluxu delirium, aut etiam convulsio, malum.

10. Ab ileo vomitus, aut singultus, aut convulsio, aut delirium, malum.

11. A pleuritide peripneumonia, malum.

12. A peripneumonia phrenitis, malum.

13. Ab ardoribus vehementibus convul- sio, aut tetanus, malum.

14. A plaga in caput, stupor aut delirium, malum.

15. A sanguinis sputo, puris sputum, malum.

16. A puris sputo, tabes, et fluxus, ma- lum. Postquam vero sputum retinetur, mo- riuntur.

17. Ab hepatis inflammatione singultus, malum.

18. A vigilia convulsio, aut delirium, ma- um.

19. Ab ossis dedunatione erysipelas (ma- um.)

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 143

9. When delirium, or convulsions, pro- ceed from haemorrhage, it is dangerous.

10. Vomiting, singultus, convulsion, or delirium, arising from iliac passion, is dan- gerous.

11. Peripneumonia, arising from pleurisy, — dangerous.

12. Phrenitis, arising from peripneumonia, — dangerous. '

13. Convulsion, or tetanus, proceeding from excessive heat, — dangerous.

14. When a blow on the head causes stu- por or delirium, the symptoms are unfavour- able.

15. A spitting of blood, followed by a purulent expectoration, is unfavourable.

16. Tabes and colliquative diarrhoea, aris- ing from purulent expectoration, are unfa- vourable ; if the expectoration {suddenly) stops, the patient dies.

17- Singultus, proceeding from hepatitis, — dangerous.

18. Convulsion, or delirium, arising from vigilancy, is dangerous.

19. Erysipelas, caused by a denudation of bonc^ — dangerous.

144 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

20. Ab erysipelate putredo, aut suppuratio (malum.)

21. A forti pulsii in ulceribus, sanguinis cruptio.

22. A dolore diuturno partium circa ven- trem, suppuratio (malum.)

23. A meraca dejectione dysenteria.

24. Ab osse "perscisso delirium, si in va- cuum penetravit.

25. A purgantis potione, convulsio, le- thale.

26. A dolore vehementi partium circa ven- trem, extremarum frigus, malum.

27. Mulieri in utero gerenti, tenesmus su- perveniens, abortire facit.

28. Quodcumque os, aut cartilago, aut nervus in corpore dissectus fuerit, neque augetur, neque coalescit.

29. Si a leucophlegmatia detente vehe- mens diarrhoea superveniat, morbum solvit.

30. Quibus spumosse egestiones in alvi profluviis, his de capite pituita defiuit.

31. Quibus febricitantibus, in urinis subsi-

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 147

20. Sphacelus, or suppuration, arising from erysipelas, — dangerous.

21. In ulcers, a strong pulsation of the part, foreshows haemorrhage.^

22. Suppuration surpervening in long con- tinued pain of the abdomen, is unfavourable,

23. A dejection of unconcocted matter is followed by dysentery.

24. Wounds, which extend into the hol- low of the bone, are followed by delirium.

25. Convulsion arising from purgatives,, proves fatal.

26. Coldness of the extremities, proceed- ing from severe pains about the abdomen, is dangerous.

27. Tenesmus, during pregnancy, produces abortion.

28. The lesion of a bone, cartilage or nerve, is never followed by a growth, or re- union of parts.

29. If a severe diarrhoea supervene in leu- cophlegmasia, the latter affection ceases.

30. Diarrhoea, attended with an evacuation of spumous matter, foreshows a defluxion of the head.

3 1. In fevers, a subsidence in the urine of

from existing aneurism.

13

148 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

dentise fiunt crassiori farinae similes, longam infirmitatem significant.

32. Quibus autem biliosae subsidentise, ab initio vero tenues, acutum morbum signi- ficat.

33, Quibus autem urinse divulsse fiunt, iis vehemens est in corpore turbatio.

34. Quibus vero in urinis bullae superstant, renum afFectiones significant, et longam fore invaletudinem.

35. Quibus autem pingue est et confertum quod supernatat, his affectiones nephriticas, et acutas significat.

36. Quibus vero, nephriticis existentibus, praedicta signa accidunt, et dolores circa mus- culos spinales fiant, si quidemadloca exteri- ora fuint, abscessum exspecta futurum ex- trorsum ; si vero dolores fiunt magis ad in- terna loca, etiam abscessum magis introrsum fore expecta.

37. Qui sanguinem vomunt, si quidem sine febre, salutare : si vero cum febre, ma- lum. Curandum autem refrigerantibus, et astringentibus.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 149

a thick farinaceous substance, indicates a long continuance of the disease.

32. A limpid urine, having a bilious de- posit, is indicative of an acute affection.

33. When the urine has a troubled, cloud- ed appearance, it denotes great commotion in the system.

34. The presence of bubbles on the sur- face of the urine, indicates an affection of the kidneys, and extended illness.

35. But if the supernatant substance be of a thick, oily consistence, it shows a nephri- tic, and, also, an acute affection.

36. In nephritic affections, accompanied with the above symptoms, together with pains about the muscles of the spine — if the pains be external, 'we are to expect the appearance of an external abscess ; but if they be situated internally, the abscess will determine itself inwardly.

37. Vomiting of blood, without existing fever, is not dangerous ; but if fever be pre- sent, it is injurious : the cure consists in rc^ frigerants and astringents.

150 HIPPOGRATIS APHORISMI.

38. Distillationes in ventrem supernum, in viginti diebus suppurantur.

S9, Si quis sanguinem ct grumos mingat^ et stranguriam habeat, et dolor incidat ad perineum, et imum ventrem, et pectinem, partes circa vesicam laborare significat.

40. Si lingua ex improviso impoten's fiat, aut aliqua corporis pars siderata, melancho- liciim hoc ipsum fit.

41. Si senioribus nimiiim purgatis, singul- tus superveniat, non bonum.

42. Si febris, quae non est a bile, detine» at, aqua multa et calida in caput affusa, fe- bris solutio fit,

43. Mulier ambidextra non fit.

44. Qui suppurati uruntur, aut secantur, si quidem purum effluat pus et album, eva- dunt : si vero subcruentum, et Gcenosum, ac graveolens, pereunt,

45. Qui ad hepar suppuratum uruntur, aut secantur, si quidem purum efiluat pus et al- bum^ superstites evadunt: ipsis enim pus

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 151

38. An extravasation in the cavity of tlie thorax, is followed within twenty days by suppuration.

39. See Aphor. 80. Sect. iv.

40. A sudden paralysis of the organs of speech, or of any part of the body, is fre- c[uently the eifect of a melancholick affection.*

41. Singultus arising in old men from hy- percatharsis, is an unfavourable symptom.

42. Fevers, not proceeding from bile, ?vre cured by an affusion of warm water on the head.

43. Women are never ambidextrous.

44. In opening an abscess, either by inci- jsion or actual cautery, if the matter issue pure and white, the patient recovers ; but if it be of a bloody, foetid and offensive nature, the disease proves fatal.

45. In opening an abscess of the liver either by incision or actual cautery, if the matter issue pure and white, the patient reco- •vers : for we are to recollect that the pus is enclosed in a sac ; but, if the matter which

• 5ec Aphor. 56. Sa^t. vK

13^

152; HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

est 111 tunica : si vero effluat velut amurca, pereunt.

46. In doloribus oculorum, postquam me- rum bibendum dederisj et multa calida la- veris, venam secto.

47. Hydropicum si tussis habeat, despe- ratus est.

48. Urinae stillicidium, et urinse difficult tatem vini potus, et venae sectio solvit ; se- candae vero ihternse (venae.)

49. Ab angina detento tumor et rubor in pectore super veniens, bonum : foras enim vertitur morbus,

50. Quibus cerebrum sphacelo fuerit af- fectum, in tribus diebus pereunt ; si vero hos effugerint, sani fuint,

51. Sternutatio fit ex capite, percalefacto cerebro, aut perhumectato, quod est in ca- pite, vacuo, Aer enim qui intus est supra modum foras effunditur. Strepit autem, quia per augustum ipsi est transitus.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. ISS

flows out, resemble inspissated oil, the patient dies.

46. In pains of the eyes, after having pre- scribed the use of good wine, and of frequent warm collyria, we are to bleed.

47. When cough takes place in dropsy the case is desperate.

48. Dysury and strangury are relieved by wine and venesection ; but we are to open an internal vein.

49. In angina, the appearance of redness and tumour on the breast is favourable ; thev denote an external derivation of the disease.

50. Sphacelation of the brain proves fatal within three days ; — if the patient escape this period, the disorder ceases.

51. Sternutation proceeds either from ca- lefaction or humidity of the brain ; for the superfluous air within the cavity of the head is thereby eflfused ; and the noise it makes in issuing, arises from the narrowness of the passage.^

• while we smile, here, we should recollect that there are manv

physiological /hypotheses which are equally rational with this fanei- jfiil «upposition of the Coan Sage. This Aphorism is conformable to the peculiar doctrine of the ancients, who made the head a mere re seyueir^ as it were, of all the humours, distributed to various parta of ^th? body.

1B4! HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

52. Quibus hepar circumcirca dolet^ his fbbris superveniens, dolorem solvit.

53. Quibus sanguinem de venis auferre conducit, his vere venam secare oportet.

54. Quibus inter septum transversum et ventrem pituita cxcluditur, et dolorem exhi- bet, in neutrum ventrem habens transitum, Ills per venas in vesicam pituita versa, mor- bi^solutio fit. - *

55. Quibus hepar aqua repletum ad omen- tum emperit, his venter aqua impletur, et moriuntur.

^^, Anxietatem, oseitationem, horrorem., vlnum par pari aqua potum solvit,

57. Quibus in urinaria fistula tuberculum fit, his suppurato eo et perrupto, soivitur dolor.

58. Quibus cerebrum concussum fuerit ab aliqua causa, necesse est eos statim mutos fieri.

59. Corporibus humidas cames habenti- bus, famem inducere oportet: fames enim siceat corpora.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 155

52, Pain, about the region of the liver, ceases on the supervening of fever.

55, When bleeding is beneficial, it should be performed in the spring.

54. When a serous collection, attended with pain, takes place between the diaphragm, and abdomen, without its having an issue in either cavity, — if the fluid be drawn out of the body by means of the veins, the disorder ceases.

55. In dropsy of the liver, if the water discharge itself through the omentum, into the abdomen, the disease proves fatal.

56. Anxiety, oscitation and horrors, are relieved by potations of wine and water, in equal quantities.

57. See Aphor. 82. Sect. iv.

58. A concussion of the brain, from what- soever cause, is followed by an immediate deprivation of speech.

59. When too much moisture abounds in the body, we ought to have recourse to ab- stinence, which has a tendency to dry up the humours.*

• Abstinence (by which we understand a spare diet,) was employ-» rd as one of the most potent means in the curative system of the an-

156 HIPPOCRAnS APHORISMI.

60. Ubi in toto corpore mutationes, et corpus perfrigeratur, et rursus calefit, aut color alius ex alio permutatur, longitudinem morbi significat.

61. Sudor multus, calidus, aut frigidus, semper fluens, humidi redundantiam adesse significat. Educere igitur oportet, robusto quidem, superne : debili vero, inferne.

62. Febres non intermittens, si per terti- urn diem vehementiores fiant, periculosse. Quocumque autem modo intermittant, signi- ficat periculi esse expertes.

63. Quibus febres longae sunt, his aut tu- bercula, aut ad articulos dolores fiunt.

64. Quibus tubercula diutina, aut ad arti- culos dolores ex febribus fiunt, hi cibis utnn-. tur copiosioribus.

65. Si quis febricitante cibum det, conva- lescenti quidem, robur ; a^grotanti vero, mor- bus fit.

APHOEISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 157

60. See Aphor. 40, Sect. iv.

61. Excessive perspiration, cold or hot,, continually going on, is indicative of a redun- dant moisture within : we ought, therefore, to evacuate it from the system, either by vo- miting, if the patient be strong, or by purga- tion, if he be weak.

62» See Aphor, 43. Sect. iv.

63* See Aphor. 44. Sect. iv. 64. See Aphor. 45. Sect. iv.

65, That nourishment which is beneficial in the convalescent stage of fever, would be highly injurious during the prevalence of the disease.

cients. In modern practice, Sydenham rigidly prescribed it in Syno cha, and with the greatest success. Dr. Cheyne ascribes most of the diseases of his day to the non-observance of it ; and Dr. E. Miller, ©f Nev/-York, in his Original Observations, observes " that the ap- proach of a febrile attack is often prevented by a timely recourse te abstinence."

158 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

66. Per vesicam prodeuntia inspicere oportet, an sint qualia sanis prodeunt. QucC igitur minime his similia, eo morbosiora ; sa- nis vero similia, minime morbosa.

67. Et quibus egestiones, si stare permis- eris, et non moveris, subsident veluti ramen.- ta ; et si pauca fuerint, parvus fit morbus : si vero muita, magnus ; his confert alvum in- ferne purgari. Si autem non purgata alvo sorbitiones dederis, quanto plures dederis, eo magis Isedes.

68. Quae cruda deorsum secedunt, ab atra sunt bile : si plura, major; si pauciora, mi- nor est morbus.

69. Exscreationes, in febribus non inter- mittentibus, lividae, et cruentae, et biliossej et graveolentes, omnes malae sunt. At rite secedentes, bonae. Sic etiam per alvum.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 159

66. We should attend to the urinary dis- charge, in order to ascertain, whether it be conformable to what takes place in health : in proportion as it departs from the healthy state, is the severity of the disease, and vice versa,

67. If, on suffering the urine to remain^ without disturbing it, we observe a deposit resembling saw-dust, the greater or less quan- tity of this deposit is indicative of the seve- rity or mildness of the disease ; in either case, it is necessary to have recourse to pu?'- gatives ; in proportion as we neglect these, for a nutritive regimen, will be the augmentation of the disease.

68. Crude dejections proceed from an atrabilious matter in the system, and in pro- portion as a greater or less quantity is pre=- sent, will be the severity of the disease.

69. In continued fever, the expectoration of a livid, bloody, bilious or fcetid mat- ter, isalike unfavourable; but, if the expec- toration be good, and in due season, it is fa- vourable : the same <may be said of the alvine and urinary discharges : furthermore, any excrementitious matter remaining in the sys-

14

160 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

et vesicam, et ubicunque quid secedens res- titerit non purgatum, malum.

70. Corpora oportet, ubi quis purgare vult, facile fluentia reddere. Et si quidem velit efficere facile fluentia sursiim, alvum sistere : si vero deorsiim, humectare.

71. Somnus, vigilia, utraque modum ex- cedentia, morbus.

72. In non inter mittentibus febribus, si externa quidem sint frigida, interna vero urantur, et sitim habeant, lethale.

73. In febre non intermittente, si labium, aut nasus, aut oculus, aut supercilium dis- torqueatur, si non videat, si non audiat, jam debilis existens ; quicquid horum fit, lethale.

74}. Leucophlegmasise hydrops supervenit.

75. Ab alvi profluvio dysenteria.

76. A dysenteria intestinorum lasvitas (su^ pervenit).

77. A sphacelo abscessus ossis.

78. A sanguinis vomitu tabes, et puris ^urgatio sursum.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 161

tern, and not coming away with the evacua- tions, proves injurious.

70. When the system requires purging, it is necessary previously to prepare the body, by a laxative regimen. On the contrary, if w^e intend to vomit, the body is to be forti- jied; but purging requires a preparatory emollient course.*

71. See Aphor, 3. Sect. ii.

72. See Aphor. 48. Sect. iv.

73. See Aphor. 49. Sect. iv.

74. In leucophlegmasia, dropsy supervenes.

75. Diarrhoea induces dysentery.

76. Dysentery is often followed by lien- tery.

77. Sphacelus produces exfoliation of the bone.

78. Vomiting of blood is followed by tabes and purulent expectoration.

» This is conformable to the French practice, and is expressed by

he term rafrakh'tr.

162 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

79. Qualia etiam in his quag per vesicam, et in his qu^ per alvum iiunt egestionibusj et in his quae per carnes, et sicubi alia natu- rae via corpus exeat : si parum, parvus mor- bus fit : si multum, magnus : si admodum uiultunij hoc ipsum lethale.

SECTIO VIII.

1. Qui supra quadraginta annos phreneti- ci iiunt, non admodum sanantur. Minas enim periclitantur, quorum nature, et astati, morbus similis fuerit.

2. Quibus m infirmitatibus occuli ex pro- posito lacrymantur, bonum. Quibus verp sine causa, malum.

3. Quibus, in febribus quartanis existent!- bus, sanguis ex naribus fiuxerit, malum.

4. Sudores in diebus criticis oborientes, vehementes et veloces, periculosi : et qui ex- pelluntur ex fronte, velut guttse, et aqu^ §a-

APHORISMS OP HIPPOCRATES. 165

79. It is essential to attend to the urinary, alvine and cutaneous excretions, in order to ascertain whether it be by these or any other outlet of nature, that the body gradually wastes itself: if the emaciation be small, so is the disease ; if much, the disease is more alarming ; but if extremely great, the disease proves fatal.

-*««• ® -El

SECTION VIII.

1. Phrenitis, occurring after the fortieth year, is incurable. The danger is less, in pro- portion as the disease accords with the con- stitution and age of the patient.

2. With those labouring under disease- tears, either as they flow voluntarily or invo- luntarily, give a favourable or unfavourable indication.

3. In those suffering under quartan fever, — haemorrhage from the nose is an unfavour- able symptom.

4. Sudden and violent sweats which break forth on critical days, are dangerous ; as also those which come out on the forehead in

14^

164 HIPPOCRATIS APKORISMI.

lientes, et frigidi valde, ac multi: necessc enim est talem sudorem prodire cum violen- tia, et laboris excessu, et expressione diutur-

5. Ex morbo diiiturno alvi defluxus, ma^ liim.

6. Qii88 medicamenta non sanant, ea fer-. rum sanat. Quae ferrum non sanat, ea ig- nis sanat. Quae vero ignis non sanat, ea in- sanabilia existini?ire oportet.

7. Tabes maxinie fiunt ab anno octavo de- cimoj usque ad quintum ettricesimum.

8. Quse secundum naturam ad tabem dis- posita sunt, onmia quidem vehement] a ; quse- dam vero etiam lethalia. Secundum autem, si quidem in eo tempore aggrotet, cum tem- pus ipsum una cum morbo impugnat, velut cum febre ardente sestas, cum hydrope hy- ems. Natura enim longe superior est : lieni vero plus afFert timoris.

APHORISMS or HIPPOCRATES. 165

large salient drops ; likewise those which are cold and abundant, — for such excretions are the effect of long, repeated, and violent, inter, nal action.

5. Diarrhoea, supervening in long continu- ed illness, is dangerous.

6. That which medicine does not eifect, the knife frequently effects ; and what the knife does not effect, actual cautery often ef- fects ; — but when all these fail, the disease is incurable.

7. «The greatest predisposition to phthisis exists from the eighteenth to the thirty-fifth year.

8. Where a predisposition to phthisis ex- ists, the symptoms are greatly aggravated, and generally end fatally ; the danger becomes greater when the disease continues beyond its proper period. The season of the year has a considerable influence oyer the disease, in the s?ane manner as summer tends to ag- gravate ardent fever, and v»'inter, the symp^ toms of dropsy : natural agents having gener- ally most influence.* If the spleen supervene, the disease becomes more alarming.

^"^ The dogmatic sect, among whom may be numbered the illiis- trious CcLsus, founded much of their euraiive sysfem on the amplifica» tiOn of this position.

166 HlPPOCRATiS APHORISMI.

9. Lingua nigra atque cruenta, si quid ho- rum signorum abest, non valde malum : mor- bum enim minorem declarat.

10. Haec igitur in febribus acutis notare oportet, quando quis moriturus sit, et quando evasurus.

11. Testis dexter frigidus et convulsus, lethale.

12. Ungues nigri et digiti manuum et pe- dum frigidi, contracti, vel remissi, mortem in propinquo esse ostendunt.

13. Labia livida, aut etiam resoluta, et in- yersa, et frigida, lethalia.

14. Aures frigidse, pellucida?, contractae, lethales sunt.

15. Et tenebricosa vertigine laborans, et lucem aversans, et somno ac ardere multo de- tent us, desperatus.

16. Et quiinrabiem actus fuerit intrepide, et non agnoscit, et neque audit, neque intei- ligit, jam moribundus est.

APHORISMS OF HIPPOCRATES. 167

9. If the tongue be neither black nor fio^ rid, the indications are by no means unfa- vourable ; for the absence of these symptoms shows the mildness of the disease.

10. The following are what we should pmiicularly notice in acute fevers^ in order to infer either a favourable or unfavourable re- sult :

11. When the right testicle is cold and spasmodically affected, the disease proves fa- tal.

12. Blackness of the nails, coldness, con- traction, or relaxation of the fingers and toes, — foreshow the near approach of death.

13. Lividity, coldness, paralysis, or inver^ sion of the lips, — fatal.*

14. The ears, cold, contracted and trans- parent, — fatal.

1 5. The patient falling into vertigo, attend^ ed with an obscurity of vision, an aversion to light, and comatose sleep, — fatal.

16. Delirium, attended with transports of rage, in which the patient has neither a sense of hearing nor seeing ; nor a consciousness? of what takes place about him — are symp». toms of approaching dissolution.

« 

• Vide CoacK PrseBotioncs, Cap. v.Aph.j.

168 HIPPOCRATIS APHORISMI.

17. Morituris signa hsec magis liunt ma- nifesta, et ventres attolimtur, atque inflantur.

18. Terminus vero mortis est, si animse calor supra umbilicum ad locum septo trans- verso superiorem ascendent, et omne humi- dum fuerit combustum. Postquam pulmo et corhumorem amiserint, calore in mortife- ris locis coacervato, caloris spiritus confer- tim exhalat, unde totum in toto constitit. Rursiis partim quidem per carnes, partim vero per spiracula in capite, unde vivere di- cimusj relinquens anima corporis tabernacu- lum, et frigidum, et mortate simulacrum, una cum bile, et sanguine, et pituita, et carne, deditione tradit.

FINIS,

APHORISMS OP HIPPOGRATES. 169

17. To these premonitory symptoms of death, succeed an elevation and turgescence of the abdomen.

18. The closing scene at length arrives, when the heat of the soul, placed near the umbilicus, ascends above the diaphragm, and the humours of the body are entirely dissi«  pated. It is then, that the lungs and pulse lose their humidity — that the heat locally con- centrates itself previous to its final extinction^ and that the spirit of heat, of which all things consist, leaves its tenement forever. Lastly, the soul, partly by the pores of the skin, part- ly by the orifices of the head, which have served the various purposes of life, leaves its earthly tabernacle and abandons the cold and inanimate image of man- — now wholly made lip of bile, of blood, of serum, and of flesh.

FINIS.