Aphorisms of Hippocrates

to such a degree that it disposes and prepares the nourishment for diseases: which diseases are strengthened also by the circumstances. For circumstances look toward natural, preternatural, and non-natural things: for they serve all and are their ministers. Therefore, for curing illnesses, there is need of the expertise of natural, non-natural, and preternatural things, and the rest that follow these, and finally the circumstances. That natural things ought to be known, Hippocrates writes in an example regarding some parts of the body in Book 2 of Epidemics, Section One, when he says: "Long heads should be considered from the manner of living, and long necks from inclinations, and the amplitude and thickness of veins from the same, and narrowness and breadths, shortness and thinness from their contraries." Regarding other parts, however, let us read the Book on Art and the others. But in Book 1 on Diseases, he says this: "Observe of the body whether it be hot, or cold, or moist, or dry; and whether it be strong, or weak, or dense, or rare." Regarding non-natural things, it has been written by him in many places; but in the Epistles, it is read: "It behooves one to be attentive and to live in a peculiar manner, where you have prepared yourself for these parts: so that the occurring diseases may receive no increase through diligent care and good order: so that you may not use venereal intemperance, nor incontinence of diverse foods, nor immoderate sleep in an exercised body." But more copiously concerning these in the Book on Diet, or the manner of living, and elsewhere. Concerning circumstances, Hippocrates deals with some in the Book on Airs, Waters, and Places, where he also writes that Astronomy contributes not a little to the medical art: because together with the seasons, the ventricles in humans change. And in the Book on the Nature of Man, he asserts that the seasons of the year increase or diminish the humors; and likewise