GALEN ON HIS OWN BOOKS

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...brought back to me for the sake of correction, I took possession of them and applied a title to one of them: On Sects for Beginners. This is the work that should be read first by everyone who intends to learn the medical art. In this book, the general divisions that distinguish the various schools from one another are taught. I say "general divisions" because there are also certain specific differences within these schools, which students are taught more fully later in their training.

By now, almost everyone knows the names of the three sects original: "haireseis," meaning a school of thought or a chosen way of practice. The first is called the Dogmatic or Logical sect. The second is the Empirical sect. The third is the Methodic sect. Whatever is specific to each school, or the ways in which they differ from one another, has been written in that book.

Additionally, for those just entering their studies, I dictated the works On Bones and On Pulses. During that same stay in Rome, I also gave two introductory books to a friend who was a Platonist A follower of the philosophy of Plato. One book contained the anatomy of the arteries and veins, and the other contained the anatomy of the nerves. I also gave to someone else a work titled An Outline of the Empirical Way. Because I did not have copies of any of these works myself, I had to retrieve them from the people who had them when I returned for my second...

The following section contains the Latin translation of the Greek text provided above. For the sake of clarity and accessibility, the content remains the same as the English translation provided in the top half of this page.

...brought to me for the sake of correction, I obtained them and added a title to the one concerning the sects for those being introduced to the subject. This book should be read first by those about to receive instruction in the medical art. In it, the sects that differ from one another in their general nature are taught. I said "general nature" because certain specific differences also exist within them, in which those who have been introduced are later more fully instructed.

The names of the three sects are now known by almost everyone. One is called both Dogmatic and Rational. The second is Empirical. The third is Methodic. Therefore, whatever is proper to each, or even those things in which they mutually differ, is written in that book.

Furthermore, for those being introduced, the book On Bones and the book On Pulses were dictated. Moreover, during that journey, two introductory books were given to a Platonic friend: one containing the dissection of the arteries and veins, and the other the dissection of the nerves. To another was given A Sketch of the Empirical Instruction. Since I possessed none of these, I received them from those who had them, when for the second...