The Complete Works of Galen, Vol. 11

GALEN ON THE THERAPEUTICS FOR GLAUCON

...to outline the method. This is achieved through the quality and quantity of each remedy, the way they are used, and the most difficult thing of all to determine: the right time original: "καιροῦ" (kairos). In ancient medicine, this refers to the critical moment or the opportune time for an intervention. to use them. Regarding this timing, which is quite fleeting, Hippocrates original: "Ἱπποκράτης", our guide in all things good, says that you often see not only average doctors but even the best ones making mistakes. Furthermore, that same man wrote that it is a great achievement to hit upon the correct quantity of medicine relative to the patient's strength.

Since it appears that both the timing and the quantity of remedies contribute greatly to successful healing, you will find these details are unique to each individual patient. Because nothing unique can be fully explained in words, we are forced to write about what is common to all, even if that is of secondary importance in actual practice.

We often visit sick people whom we did not know when they were healthy. [345] Therefore, we do not know what their complexion, body type original: "σχέσεως" (scheseōs). This refers to the patient's physical build or habitus., natural heat, or pulse original: "ἀρτηριῶν" (arteriōn). Galen refers to the movement of the arteries, which he used as a primary diagnostic tool. were like before. If we had known these things earlier, we would be better judges of the disease's magnitude.

...to outline the method of healing. This is achieved by the quality and quantity of each remedy, the method of use, and the timing, which is the most difficult of all these to know. As Hippocrates, the author of all good things for us, teaches, this timing is quite fleeting. You see that not only common physicians, but certainly the best ones, are often deceived by it. Indeed, the same man wrote that it is difficult to reach the correct quantity of a medicine by a right guess in proportion to the patient's strength.

Since it is well established that both the timing and the quantity of remedies contribute greatly to proper healing, and since these are specific to individual patients, nothing that is specific can be explained with words. For this reason, we are compelled to write about what is general, even if that is secondary in practical use.

We often visit certain patients with whom we were not acquainted while they were healthy. Consequently, we do not know what color, what bodily habit, what native heat, and what pulse of the arteries they had before. If these things had been perceived by us before, we would certainly be better judges of the magnitude of the illness.