Complete Works of Hippocrates

the art and in all things, just as the diseases and the affections are, and the treatments for these. 2 They are most sharp original: "ὀξύταται" in those where it is necessary to assist those who are losing their breath, 3 or those on the brink, 4 or those who are unable to defecate, 5 or those who are being strangled, 6 or to free a woman giving birth or someone who is wounded, or whatever is of such a nature. 7 These occasions are sharp, and a little later does not suffice: 8 for the many perish a little later. 9 The occasion, therefore, is whenever a person suffers something, that someone should assist him before he exhales his life. 10 This, when it is grasped at the proper time, brings benefit. 11 This occasion is, therefore, nearly the same in all other diseases. 12 For always, in whatever one might benefit, one has benefited in the occasion. 13 But as for those diseases or wounds that do not lead to death, but are painful, and pains arise in them, yet it is possible, if one treats them correctly, for them to cease: 14 for these, the benefits provided by the physician do not suffice when they are applied: 15 for even without the presence of the physician, they would have ceased. 16 There are other diseases for which the occasion to be treated is at a time of day; it makes no difference whether very early or a little later. 17 There are other diseases for which the occasion to be treated is once a day, and it makes no difference at what time this happens. 18 Others are every third or fourth day. 19 And others once a month. 20 And others every three months; it makes no difference whether in the increase or the wane of the fourth month. 21 These are the occasions in which they have no other certainty than this. 22

occasions, to speak in summary, are many and varied in the art, just as diseases and affections, and the cures for these are. 2 They are especially sudden in those to whom, when their spirit fails, it is necessary to give help, 3 and who can neither pass urine nor feces, 4 and who are suffocated, 5 and if it is necessary to free a woman giving birth 6 or who is wounded: and whatever is of this sort. 7 And these occasions 75 are sudden, and a little later is not sufficient: 8 for most people die a little later. 9 The occasion is, if a man suffers any of these things, that someone should assist him before he breathes his last, 10 this entirely helps from the occasion. 11 This occasion is indeed almost the same in all other diseases. 12 For always, in whatever a man assists, he assists at the proper time. 13 But whichever diseases or wounds do not lead to death, but are dangerous, and pains occur within them, yet it is possible for them to cease if one treats them rightly: 14 these are not helped by the remedies applied by the physician when they are applied. 15 For they would have ceased even if the physician were not present. 16 Other diseases exist, for which the occasion for them to be cured is the morning hour of the day, but it makes no difference if it is very early or a little later. 17 Other diseases exist for which 85 the occasion is that they be cured once a day, and it does not matter at what time this is done. 18 Others are cured every third or fourth day, 19 and others once a month, 20 and others every third month, and it makes no difference whether it happens at the growth or end of the third month. 21 Such, therefore, are the occasions in which they have no other certainty than this. 22