GALEN ON THE AFFECTED PARTS

Ed. Chart. VII. [380. 381.]       Ed. Bas. III. (249.)

...we would have been able to find none of these things. However, it will not be enough to have proceeded only to this point. It is better to consider what the cause might be of the conditions mentioned, through which the urine Original: "οὖρον." is held back. The path of this investigation is as follows: one must examine all the symptoms, both present and past. The physician should observe the present symptoms himself, but for those that occurred previously, he should inquire not only from the patient, but also from the patient's family members.

Suppose, for the sake of an example, there is a swelling in the region called the pubes The lower part of the abdomen. Original: "ἐφήβαιον.", clearly indicating by its outline that the bladder The organ that collects urine. Original: "κύστιν." is full, yet nothing is excreted. Is it not clearly evident that either the expulsive action The functional movement that pushes fluid out. Original: "ἀποκριτικὴν ἐνέργειαν." of the urine is necessarily paralyzed, or the passage of the urethra The tube through which urine is discharged. Original: "οὐρήθρας." is blocked?

First, therefore, one must consider if a paralysis is possible, remembering how the excretion of urine occurs in healthy people when they choose. This happens when the muscle surrounding the [381] neck of the bladder stops its action, while the bladder itself performs its own function. The action of the muscle happens according to our will, but...

...of the actions we have learned, we would have been able to find nothing of this kind. But it will not suffice to have proceeded to that point; rather, it is better to weigh what might be the cause of the things said, on account of which the urine is suppressed. This is the way of observation: it is necessary to look at all symptoms, both past and present. The physician looks at the present ones; as for those that went before, he asks not only the sufferer but also his family members.

Let there be, for example, a swelling in the pubes The groin area. Original: "pube.", as they call it, showing clearly in its outline that the bladder Original: "vesicam." is filled, but nothing is excreted. Does it not clearly stand to reason that either the expulsive action of the urine is necessarily weakened, or the passage of the urethra Original: "urethrae." is blocked?

Therefore, one must first consider whether the faculty The natural power or ability of an organ. Original: "facultas." could have been weakened, remembering how the excretion of urine happens for those in good health when they wish; where the muscle surrounding the neck of the bladder has rested from action, while the bladder itself performs its duty. The action of the muscle is completed by our will, but the action of the bladder and in...