ANCIENT MEDICINE

no need of an empty postulate,

Or, reading χαινῆσ2, "a novel postulate." But the writer's objection is not that the postulate is novel, but that it is a postulate. A postulate, he says, is "empty" in a sphere where accurate and verifiable knowledge is possible. Only in regions where science cannot penetrate are ὑποθέσεισ2 legitimate. For this reason I read κενῆς2.

as do insoluble mysteries, about which any exponent must use a postulate, for example, things in the sky or below the earth. If a man were to learn and declare the state of these, neither to the speaker himself nor to his audience would it be clear whether his statements were true or not. For there is no test the application of which would give certainty.

PART 2

II. But medicine has long had all its means to hand, and has discovered both a principle and a method, through which the discoveries made during a long period are many and excellent, while full discovery will be made, if the inquirer be competent, conduct his researches with knowledge of the discoveries already made, and make them his starting-point. But anyone who, casting aside and rejecting all these means, attempts to conduct research in any other way or after another fashion, and asserts that he has found out anything, is and has been the victim of deception.

Or, with the reading suggested, "both deceives and is deceived."

His assertion is impossible ; the causes of its impossibility I will endeavour to expound by a statement and exposition of what the art is.

Or, reading ὅτι ἔς1τιν, "that the art really is an art, really exists."

In this way it will be manifest that by any other means discoveries are impossible. But it is particularly necessary, in my opinion, for one who discusses this art to discuss things familiar to ordinary folk. For the subject of inquiry and discussion is simply and solely the sufferings of these same