BOOK

D This section provides a quote in both Greek and Latin, likely from a Roman imperial decree preserved in the "Greek Epistles." That the science of medicine is life-saving for mankind is attested to by its evident usefulness. Therefore, the children of the philosophers rightly proclaim that this science descended from heaven. For the weakness of our nature, as well as the diseases that occur daily, are corrected through it. Thus, following a just reasoning consistent with the decrees of former kings, we command through our benevolence that you shall live free from all civic duties original: "curialibus ministerijs"; referring to the burdensome administrative and financial obligations of the Roman municipal senate (curia), from which physicians were historically exempted. for all remaining time. That is to say:
The knowledge of medicine is life-saving for men, as its obvious use proves; and therefore philosophers rightly preach that it has fallen from heaven, since both the frailty of our nature and the diseases occurring daily are corrected by it. Therefore, we, commanding that those things consistent with the reasoning of justice and the former kings be observed, mandate by our humanity that you live immune
E from all civic duties for the rest of time.

On the parts of preventive medicine, and what is to be discussed. Chapter II.

A decorative woodcut initial 'V' featuring a man (possibly a physician or scholar) seated at a desk within a room, looking towards a window.
Since, therefore, there are two parts of medicine—one curative, the other preventive, also called hygienic original Greek: ὑγιεινή (hygieinē)—this latter part has been divided by some into three branches: prophylactic original Greek: προφυλακτικήν (prophylaktikēn), which turns away future and looming diseases; preservative original Greek: συντηρητικήν (syntērētikēn), which guards current health; and restorative original Greek: ἀναληπτικήν (analēptikēn), by which those recovering from illness are refreshed. Although these were discovered last, as we have already demonstrated, they have nonetheless acquired as much splendor from the additions of many men as the first inventors would have hardly dared to hope for. This is due both to the abundance of things asserted for this preventive branch and the incredible utility it has been seen to provide in both past and present times. Furthermore, the things devised and organized by physicians to establish this branch are encompassed by four names, each of which includes various and complex matters under it. For it was agreed upon by Galen Galen of Pergamon (129–c. 216 AD), the most influential physician of the Roman Empire, whose systems dominated Western medicine for 1,500 years. and other medical authorities that good health can be preserved by just so many safeguards. These are: things taken in original Greek: τὰ προσφερόμενα (ta prospheromena), things excreted original Greek: τὰ κενούμενα (ta kenoumena), external encounters original Greek: τὰ ἔξωθεν προσπίπτοντα (ta exothen prospiptonta), and activities performed original Greek: τὰ ποιούμενα (ta poioumena). Those things taken in are defined as drinks and food, whether used as nourishment or as medicine. Those under excretion include sweats, feces, phlegm, urine, and all other similar things. External encounters include water, air, saltiness, the sea, oil, and...