Of The Epidemics   

the blue-eyed, the leucophlegmatic, and that with the scapulae

having the appearance of wings: and women in like manner, with

regard to the melancholic and subsanguineous, phrenitic and dysenteric

affections principally attacked them. Tenesmus troubled young

persons of a phlegmatic temperament. Chronic diarrhoea, acrid and

viscid discharges from the bowels, attacked those who were troubled

with bitter bile.

15. To all those which have been described, the season of spring was

most inimical, and proved fatal to the greatest numbers: the summer

was the most favorable to them, and the fewest died then; in autumn,

and under the Pleiades, again there died great numbers. It appears

to me, according to the reason of things, that the coming on of summer

should have done good in these cases; for winter coming on cures the

diseases of summer, and summer coming on removes the diseases of

winter. And yet the summer in question was not of itself well

constituted, for it became suddenly hot, southerly, and calm; but, not

withstanding, it proved beneficial by producing a change on the

other constitution.

16. I look upon it as being a great part of the art to be able to

judge properly of that which has been written. For he that knows and

makes a proper use of these things, would appear to me not likely to

commit any great mistake in the art. He ought to learn accurately

the constitution of every one of the seasons, and of the diseases;

whatever that is common in each constitution and disease is good,

and whatever is bad; whatever disease will be protracted and end in

death, and whatever will be protracted and end in recovery; which

disease of an acute nature will end in death, and which in recovery.

From these it is easy to know the order of the critical days, and

prognosticate from them accordingly. And to a person who is skilled in

these things, it is easy to know to whom, when, and how aliment

ought to be administered.