Physiologia Medica

MEDICAL PROSCENIA

and explained by speech, and finally administered and perfected by the human hand, with whatever kind of instrument, kata dunamin kai gnōsin anthrōpinēn according to human power and knowledge.

Finally, if by reason of the End, we shall primarily and by themselves narrate all those theorems and istorēmata observations which serve the preservation of perfect health and the restoration of imperfect health. We will include whatever contributes to the cure of a perfect Disease and the prevention of an imperfect one. By accident, we will also include those things which pertain to the integrity of Actions and the commendation of Form.

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CHAPTER III.

The Series of PROLEGOMENA of the Medical Art.

Now that the name of Medicine has been explained and adapted to our purpose, the Subject itself must then be considered according to its principal headings. We shall first establish this, starting from the fact that the habit acquired skill of the medical craftsman is Medicine. Therefore, account must be taken partly of Medicine, and partly of the Doctor.

The account of MEDICINE is taken according to the type of question, which is either Simple or Composite. It is Simple regarding its existence, in two ways:
Whether, IF IT IS, CHAPTER IV.
What it is, WHAT IT IS, CHAPTER V.
The Composite account is regarding its inherent nature: first, the hoti ei that it is.

What is in it, and of what sort it is: and the dioti ei wherefore it is, or why it is in it. Thus, certain things will occur to be weighed which are in Medicine essentially, and some accidentally. Things belong to it essentially either By Themselves, as it depends on its own Causes and is said to be the Effect of them: Concerning the causes of Medicine, CHAPTER VI.
Or in respect of others, with which it seems to have commonality. These again either embrace Medicine within their scope as a species: Concerning the Genus of Medicine, CHAPTER VII. Or they are embraced within the scope of Medicine itself, either as species under a genus: thus we must treat the species of Medicine, CHAPTER VIII; or as parts under a whole: thus concerning the parts of Medicine, CHAPTER IX. Certain things belong to Medicine accidentally as Adjuncts, concerning which, CHAPTER X.

The DOCTOR, equipped with this habit, performs medical duties in a General way first. He does so insofar as he has and possesses this habit, either by his own invention or by the imitation and instruction of others. Thus (as is truly proper for a possessor) he can also communicate the same to another by Methodic precepts through teaching. This person is excellently called the medical doctor teacher, CHAPTER XI. Or he does so by historical Examples through exercise or daily practice, which we discuss professionally in the fourth book. Or insofar as he does not yet have the habit, but strives to acquire it by learning from another: this is the medical student, who will be treated in CHAPTER XII.

Immediately following this, specifically regarding our purpose in teaching Medicine, I shall provide certain things in CHAPTER XIII.