BOOK IV. 17

GALEN VOLUME VIII. B

Edition by Chartier, Volume VII. [383.]

Edition of Basel, Volume III. (251.)

...the peristaltic motion original: "περισταλτικὴν κίνησιν" / "peristalticum motum". This refers to the wave-like muscular contraction that moves contents through a tubular organ. would be in vain. From the knowledge of these things, we diagnose the affected parts along with their specific ailments. This is not achieved by investigating the theoretical question of whether we should say an obstructed organ is "affected" or "lacks affection."

A similar question concerns parts that are currently suffering but do not yet possess a proper condition original: "διάθεσιν οἰκείαν" / "proprium affectum". Galen is discussing the difference between a temporary symptom caused by another organ and a lasting pathological state within the organ itself. within themselves. They define a "proper condition" as one that remains even after the cause that produced it has been removed.

Based on this reasoning, some argue that the head is not truly affected during those headaches caused by bilious humor original: "χολώδη χυμὸν" / "bilioso humore". In ancient medicine, an excess of yellow bile was thought to cause irritation and heat that could travel to other parts of the body. contained in the stomach. Once this bile is expelled through vomiting, the headache stops immediately. They say the head is only truly affected if the pain remains after vomiting.

This is even more clear when symptoms similar to suffusions original: "ὑποχεομένων" / "suffusioni". This term refers to "cataracts" or visual obstructions. Galen suggests these can sometimes be temporary "shadows" caused by stomach issues rather than permanent eye disease. appear in the eyes because of waste products gathering at the orifice of the stomach original: "στόμα τῆς γαστρὸς" / "orificio ventriculi". Galen refers to the cardia, or the upper opening of the stomach, which he believed had a strong nervous connection to the head and eyes.. These are merely shadows of diseases. Our predecessors were very busy with these theoretical questions, but they wrote very little about the actual diagnosis of the affected sites.