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

Ed. Chart. VIII. [584. 585.] Ed. Bas. V. (118.)

Here he sets forth the second utility of prognosis. For from knowing precisely the condition of the patient, one will prevent some of the symptoms accustomed to follow it, and will prevent the magnitude of others. And he will effectively withstand all of them in common, being prepared beforehand, like a good helmsman, for a storm that is about to occur.

[585] Since, however, men die—some held by the force of the disease before they can call the physician, and others dying immediately after calling one, some living one day, and others for a little longer time, before the physician can resist each disease with his art—the physician must therefore know the natures of such conditions, and to what extent they exceed the strength of the body; and at the same time, if there is anything divine in the diseases, he must learn its foresight. And one must always [examine] the differences of the diseases that are epidemic...

He explains here the second utility of precognition: for having diligently investigated the patient's affection, he will prevent some of the symptoms that are accustomed to succeed that condition, and he will diminish the magnitude of others. Briefly, he will strenuously oppose them all, having been instructed long before, just as a good helmsman [does] when a storm is imminent.

Since, indeed, men die—some held by the force of disease before they summon a physician, and others, even after the physician has been called, die suddenly, some within the first day, others after a few more days, before the physician can resist each disease with his art—the physician ought by all means to know the natures of such diseases, [and] how much they exceed the strength of the body, and at the same time, if there is anything divine in these diseases, to learn the foresight of it. Moreover, he ought to [examine] the differences of diseases that are constantly epidemic among the people...