GALEN: ON HOW TO DETECT THOSE WHO FEIGN ILLNESS

Ed. Chartier Vol. VIII [916.] Ed. Basel Vol. III (368.)

[916] (368) People pretend to be ill for many different reasons. It is the duty of a physician to discover the truth in all such situations. Even laypeople The original Greek text uses "idiotai" and the Latin uses "idiotae," referring to individuals who lack specialized medical training. expect the physician to distinguish those who are lying from those who are telling the truth. After all, conditions such as phlegmon An ancient medical term for localized inflammation, redness, and heat., erysipelas A bacterial skin infection characterized by a bright red, swollen rash., and oedema Swelling caused by fluid retention in the body's tissues. can be produced intentionally by the use of external medications. A physician is able to detect and identify these symptoms even when they have been created on purpose.

GALEN’S SHORT TREATISE ON HOW TO DETECT THOSE SIMULATING DISEASE.

People simulate being sick for many reasons. It seems appropriate for the physician to find the truth in all such matters; even the unlearned themselves believe the physician should discern those who are deceiving from those who are speaking the truth. For indeed, physicians are permitted to detect and distinguish inflammation, erysipelas, and swellings that have been intentionally created by external medicines.

This section provides a Latin translation of the Greek text above. Galen emphasizes that the physician's expertise extends beyond just curing disease to include the forensic-like ability to spot fraud, especially when patients use irritating substances to mimic real skin conditions.