Epitome of the Complete Works of Galen

A solution of continuity is a common disease to both similar and dissimilar parts.

There is, however, one disease common to similar and dissimilar bodies: namely, the breaking of unity. Let us turn, however, to examining the remaining differences of simple diseases in similar parts. Therefore, the authors who believed in impassable elements posited two diseases in similar bodies: namely, either the constriction or the relaxation of the passages, each of which is again divided into other differences. For constriction happens when the whole body is contracted at once, or only the passages are obstructed; relaxation happens when the whole body is relaxed in every part at once, or only the passages are opened.

The diseases of similar parts, according to the constituent impassable elements, are constriction and relaxation.

Similarly, according to the second opinion, a twofold difference of the diseases of similar parts arises for us. For sometimes they are altered by the qualities alone, and sometimes with a flux of humors—a second mode which truly excites a conspicuous tumor. Furthermore, this and that of these differences takes on various differences. But let us turn to discussing the diseases of instrumental parts (whose weakness is born either from an imbalance of the passages or from intemperance). The function of the whole instrument will be vitiated primarily when the part itself, which is the cause of the function, is sick.

The individual diseases of similar parts are double: insofar as they affect either by qualities alone, or with the addition of a flux of humors.

Although the stronger affections of the remaining parts serving it also impede the action itself. Therefore, injuries that offend or at least impede the operation of the whole organ immediately and by their own proper reason must be thought of as sicknesses. But if they do not attempt this by themselves, but only by the reason that they offend the operation of the first instrument, they are causes of diseases, not diseases themselves.

When the function of an instrument is vitiated.

Affections that primarily injure function are diseases.

Causes of diseases, what they should be called.

Each disease usually happens in instrumental parts in a twofold way. For it either follows other morbid affections or is contracted from the first generation. Furthermore, when some part is raised into a tumor and for this reason its passages are occluded, if such a particle has no

Instrumental disease happens in two ways.