[p. 14]change to another combination. But those which originate
from pure heat or cold, and do not participate in any other quality,
will then cease when they undergo a change from cold to hot, and from
hot to cold; and they change in the manner I have described before.
Wherefore, all the other complaints to which man is subject arise
from powers (qualities?). Thus, when there is an overflow of the bitter
principle, which we call yellow bile, what anxiety, burning heat,
and loss of strength prevail! but if relieved from it, either by being
purged spontaneously, or by means of a medicine seasonably administered,
the patient is decidedly relieved of the pains and heat; but while
these things float on the stomach, unconcocted and undigested, no
contrivance could make the pains and fever cease; and when there are
acidities of an acrid and aeruginous character, what varieties of
frenzy, gnawing pains in the bowels and chest, and inquietude, prevail!
and these do not cease until the acidities be purged away, or are
calmed down and mixed with other fluids. The coction, change, attenuation,
and thickening into the form of humors, take place through many and
various forms; therefore the crises and calculations of time are of
great importance in such matters; but to all such changes hot and
cold are but little exposed, for these are neither liable to putrefaction
nor thickening. What then shall we say of the change? that it is a
combination (crasis) of these humors having different powers toward
one another. But the hot does not loose its heat when mixed with any
other thing except the cold; nor again, the cold, except when mixed
with the hot. But all other things connected with man become the more
mild and better in proportion as they are mixed with the more things
besides. But a man is in the best possible state when they are concocted
and at rest, exhibiting no one peculiar quality; but I think I have
said enough in explanation of them.
PART 20
Certain sophists and physicians say that it is not possible for any
one to know medicine who does not know what man is [and how he was
made and how constructed], and that whoever would cure men properly,
must learn this in the first place. But this saying rather appertains
to philosophy, as Empedocles and certain others have described what
man in his origin is, and how
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