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could be given than medicine, seeing that it has
been discovered with a view to the health, saving
and nourishment of man, in the place of that
mode of living from which came the pain, disease and
death?
PART 4
IV. That it is not commonly considered an art is
not unnatural, for it is inappropriate to call anyone
an artist in a craft in which none are laymen, but
all possess knowledge through being compelled to
use it. Nevertheless the discovery was a great one,
implying much investigation and art. At any rate
even at the present day those who study gymnastics
and athletic exercises are constantly making some
fresh discovery by investigating on the same method
what food and what drink are best assimilated and
make a man grow stronger.
PART 5
V. Let us consider also whether the acknowledged
art of medicine, that was discovered for the treatment
of the sick and has both a name and artists,
has the same object as the other art, |
I.e. that of dieting in
health. See Chapter VII. |
and what its
origin was. In my opinion, as I said at the beginning,
nobody would have even sought for medicine,
if the same ways of life had suited both the sick and
those in health. At any rate even at the present day
such as do not use medical science, foreigners and
some Greeks, live as do those in health, just as they
please, and would neither forgo nor restrict the satisfaction
of any of their desires. But those who sought
for and discovered medicine, having the same intention
as the men I discussed above, in the first place,
I think, lessened the bulk of the foods, and, without
altering their character, greatly diminished their
quantity. But they found that this treatment was
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