Aphorisms of Hippocrates

the contrary. Therefore, one must look to the regimen, and the time, and the age, and the diseases in which it may be suitable or not.

Hippocrates therefore proposed that the physician ought to do those things which are opportune for the cure of the disease. But at this time he explains what those opportune things are which he ought to do in a disease made from repletion: for one disease is made from repletion, another from inanition. But since, as we have said before, for the physician to do what is opportune, natural, non-natural, preternatural things, and circumstances must be known before he betakes himself to the cure: and since the cure cannot be perfected except through instruments, which are three: diet, pharmacy, and surgical operation; therefore, in this aphorism he takes up the beginning regarding what opportunity the inanition of the vessels should be done through the manner of diet, and arguing by comparison he says: Just as if, while the belly is purged spontaneously, or a spontaneous vomiting occurs, if such things are purged as ought to be purged, it is beneficial, and the sick bear it lightly; conversely, it is harmful, and they bear it with difficulty: thus, if, while the vessels are emptied by the physician through the manner of diet, or spontaneously for the cure of the disease, such an inanition of the vessels occurs as ought to be done, it is beneficial, and they bear it well; conversely, however, it is harmful, and they bear it with difficulty. Inanition is done by one of the three instruments, of one of which, that is, the inanition which is done through the manner of diet, Hippocrates deals, and therefore the inanition is threefold. But that which is done by pharmacy or surgical operation is truly called evacuation; but the inanition of the vessels from the manner of diet is what is dealt with in these first aphorisms. But regarding that which is done by medicines, Hippocrates will discourse in another part of this book. But what he may feel regarding that inanition which is done by diet is read in