Epitome of the Complete Works of Galen

are constituted. Furthermore, if we establish that the elements are impassable (as some have thought), the similar parts will be afflicted by only two diseases: namely, the constriction of the passages and their relaxation. They will enjoy absolute health while the structure of those elements is moderate. But if the elements of our body suffer reciprocally among themselves and are entirely mixed through the whole (which must be held as an unshakable truth), as many simple diseases must be named as there are primary elements.

The elements of our body suffer mutually among themselves and are entirely mixed through the whole.

There are four primary elements, namely: hot, cold, moist, and dry. From their moderate

Primary elements are four.

mixture, health arises; from their immoderate mixture, sickness arises. Therefore, there will be four simple diseases of the similar parts in number: namely, heat, cold, moisture, and dryness, when each of these qualities exceeds the measure of nature. But the diseases of the instrumental parts—both for those who say bodies consist of impassable elements and for us who judge that they are composed of elements subject to affection—are entirely common.

From where health and disease arise.

The simple diseases of similar parts are four.

There are four kinds of them. The first is where the form appropriate to the member is vitiated; the second is where a fault is found in the number, such as if something is missing that was opportune to have, or if something unnecessary abounds. The third kind consists in the magnitude of the organ, where something has grown excessively or has been similarly diminished. The fourth kind refers to a depraved composition, which usually happens either through a varied natural position or a changed connection of the part.

Diseases of dissimilar parts are contained in four kinds.

Furthermore, the first instruments are called those which, because they are produced from similar parts, are constituted for the sake of one function—that is, operation—such as a muscle or a vein. But those which are again composed of these, such as a finger, and even more so a foot, are called second instruments. The diseases themselves will be common from both instruments. However, it is impossible to find any other kind of disease beyond those already mentioned that would be proper to either simple or composite parts.

First instruments are those which are constituted from similar parts for the sake of one function.

What the second instruments are.