The Complete Works of Claudius Galen, Vol. 8

GALEN: ON AFFECTED PARTS

BOOK IV. 18

Edition by Chartier, Volume VII. [383. 384.]

Edition of Basel, Volume III. (251.)

...But we will follow the opposite path to theirs. We shall train and, as one might say, instruct those who are eager to become skilled in the diagnosis of affected parts.

[384] Suppose, as was proposed a little while ago, that the bladder is distended and the person is unable to urinate. Now, by contrast, let us suppose that a suppression of urine has occurred without any swelling in the area of the bladder. In such a case of ischuria original: "ἰσχουρίαν" / "ischuriam". A medical term for the inability to pass urine., it is necessary that either the ureters original: "οὐρητῆρας" / "ureteras". These are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. or the kidneys are obstructed.

Once again, we must look at the symptoms that occurred before the suppression of urine. We must ask whether the kidneys were previously suffering from calculi original: "λιθιώντων" / "lapidis". This refers to the formation of stones in the kidney or bladder., or from inflammation, or from some other ailment. We must also examine the condition of the entire body. Our goal is to distinguish, as far as is possible through technical conjecture, whether the obstruction occurred in the kidneys themselves due to stones or thick humors original: "παχεῖς χυμοὺς" / "crassis humoribus". In Galen’s system, health depends on the balance of four bodily fluids. If these fluids become too thick, they can block narrow passages., or if it occurred in the ureters. These ureters are the passages extending from the kidneys to the bladder.

Some cases allow for an exact diagnosis, as we said a little earlier regarding those signs that reveal the specific nature of the affected substance. Others fall under...