The Complete Works of Claudius Galen, Vol. 18 Pt. 2

Ed. Chart. VIII. [ 584. ] Ed. Bas. V. (118.)

the sick omit not that which they are entirely ignorant of, as some of the commentators write—namely, the locations in the depth of the body that are affected, or their causes and dispositions—but rather, of the causes, only those called procatarctic, and of the symptoms regarding the body, those which are apparent; for example, red cheeks in those with peripneumonia; for some of such things they do omit. Therefore, when the patients hear from the physicians those things which they themselves did not mention during their account, they reasonably marvel at them. By what method we might accomplish this, I shall demonstrate as the discourse proceeds.

III.

He would best perform the treatment who foresees the future from present affections. For to make all the sick healthy is impossible. For this would be better than foreknowing what is about to come to pass.

[The sick] omit not those things of which they are altogether ignorant, as is the opinion of certain interpreters—namely, the parts affected deep within the body, or their causes and dispositions—but rather, of the causes, only the antecedent ones, which they call procatarctic, and of the bodily symptoms, those which are conspicuous, such as red cheeks in those suffering from peripneumonia; for they do omit some of these. If the sick hear such things recounted by physicians, which they themselves had omitted while narrating, they justly admire them. By what method this may be done, I shall explain as the discourse progresses.

III.

He will establish the treatment best who shall have foreseen future [states] from present affections; for no one can make all the sick healthy. For that would be more excellent than to foreknow the future.