Hippocratic Writings (Classics) by Hippocrates

Author:Hippocrates [Hippocrates]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2005-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

APHORISMS

The anthology of medical truths which has been famous enough to add a word to the English language.

Section I

1. Life is short, science is long; opportunity is elusive, experiment is dangerous, judgement is difficult It is not enough for the physician to do what is necessary, but the patient and the attendants must do their part as well, and circumstances must be favourable.

2. In disturbances of the stomach and when there is spontaneous vomiting, it is beneficial to the patient if the noxious matter be voided. If it is not, then the reverse is the case. Similarly with fasting; if the desired effect be obtained there is benefit, but otherwise it is harmful. Accordingly, the place and season, the age of the patient and the nature of the disease must all be considered.

3. In the case of athletes too good a condition of health is treacherous if it be an extreme state; for it cannot quietly stay as it is, and therefore, since it cannot change for the better, can only change for the worse. For this reason it is well to lose no time in putting an end to such a good condition of health, so that the body can start again to reconstitute itself. Do not allow the body to attain extreme thinness for that too is treacherous, but bring it only to a condition which will naturally continue unchanged, whatever that may be. Likewise fasting, if taken to extremes, is treacherous; and so also is putting on weight, if excessive.

4. A light and frugal dietary is dangerous in chronic complaints and in those acute diseases where it is not indicated. Dieting which causes excessive loss of weight, as well as the feeding up of the emaciated, is beset with difficulties.

5. Sick people are in error when they take a light diet which only increases their distress. Then, whatever be wrong, they only become more ill on a light diet than they would on a slightly more substantial one. For this reason, light and frugal diets, when persisted in, are dangerous even for the healthy, because the undernourished do not bear an illness so well as the well nourished. Therefore, on the whole, light and frugal diets are more dangerous than those which are a little more substantial.

6. Desperate cases need the most desperate remedies.

7. During the specially acute phase of a disease, pain is most severe and the lightest possible diet is advisable. At other times, when a more substantial diet is permitted, it should be increased slowly in proportion as the seriousness of the disease decreases.

8. When the disease is at its height, then the lightest diet must be employed.

9. It must also be considered whether the patient will be strong enough for the diet prescribed when the disease is at its height. Will the patient be exhausted first and not be strong enough for the diet, or will the disease be blunted and exhausted first?

10. A light diet must be employed from the first in those diseases which rapidly approach their height.

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