Epitome of the Complete Works of Galen

at one and the same time, different particles are distressed. It matters not, however, if you say that there is a single composite sickness, or several, but located in different parts.

GALEN OF PERGAMUM ON

The Causes of Diseases, Book One.

Now, however, let us turn to discussing the causes of the diseases that invade similar parts according to the more generous sect referring to a school of medical thought, beginning with immoderate heat.
From what occasions immoderate heat may be ignited.

Universal bodies are accustomed to heat up more than is right, either from improper movement, or from putrefaction, or from contact with another hotter body, or from constriction, or from food suitable for igniting heat. Furthermore, when someone has used immoderate exercise,
The duty of moving pertains to the joints and muscles.

if the heat arising from it has not occupied the whole body, it induces only fatigue: namely, of the joints and muscles, to which the duty of moving especially pertains. If, however, it extends through the whole body,
Anger is the heat that is near the heart, as it were a certain fervor.

it ignites a fever. From anger also, which is as it were a certain fervor of the heat near the heart, when it is dispersed through the whole body, a fever is accustomed to be kindled. Also in tumors contrary to nature, where humors putrefy, the heat is gradually communicated again to the heart, and finally a fever is excited. Therefore, here the second and third cause of heat contrary to nature must be understood. For because of putrefaction, and because of the proximity of the part wasting away in these tumors, a febrile heat is ignited.
How fever arises from constriction.

The fourth species of cause consisted in constriction, and rightly so. For if, because of a constricted skin, those things that were accustomed to be exhaled are prevented from being exhaled, then, if they are fuliginous sooty/vaporous waste, they are turned into the cavities of the heart, they burn them, and immediately ignite a fever. The use of hot foods (for in that we established the fifth genus) sometimes ignites a fever: just as also do acrid drugs, whether they be remedies, or deleterious and contrary. However, not everyone falls ill from these causes equally