§1## ΠΕΡΙ ΙΗΤΡΟΥ
1.
1.
Ἰητροῦ μέν ἐστι προστασίη, ὁρῇν εὔχρως τε καὶ εὔσαρκος πρὸς τὴν ὑπάρχουσαν αὐτῷ φύσιν· ἀξιοῦνται γὰρ ὑπὸ τῶν πολλῶν οἱ μὴ εὖ διακείμενοι τὸ σῶμα οὕτως, οὐδ’ ἂν ἑτέρων ἐπιμεληθῆναι καλῶς·
As for the physician’s appearance, it is proper for him to look healthy in color and well-fleshed, in accordance with his natural constitution; for those whose own bodies are not in this good condition are considered by the multitude to be unable to take proper care of others.
ἔπειτα τὰ περὶ αὐτὸν καθαρίως ἔχειν, ἐσθῆτι χρηστῇ καὶ χρίσμασιν εὐόδμοις, ὀδμὴν ἔχουσιν ἀνυπόπτως· πρὸς ἅπαντα ταῦτα γὰρ ἡδέως ἔχειν ξυμβαίνει τοὺς νοσέοντας.
Next, he should keep himself clean, wearing excellent clothing and using sweet-smelling ointments with an odor that arouses no suspicion; for patients happen to feel pleased by all these things.
Δεῖ δὲ σκοπέειν τάδε περὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τὸν σώφρονα, μὴ μόνον τὸ σιγᾷν, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ τὸν βίον [τὸ] πάνυ εὔτακτον, μέγιστα γὰρ ἔχει πρὸς δόξαν ἀγαθὰ, τὸ δὲ ἦθος εἶναι καλὸν καὶ ἀγαθὸν, τοιοῦτον δ’ ὄντα πᾶσι καὶ σεμνὸν καὶ φιλάνθρωπον· τὸ γὰρ προπετὲς καὶ τὸ πρόχειρον καταφρονεῖται, κἂν πάνυ χρήσιμον ᾖ·
A prudent physician must also consider the following concerning his soul: not only to keep silence, but also to be highly orderly in his life, for these things bring the greatest benefits for reputation. He should also have a noble and good character, and being such, be both dignified and kind to all; for rashness and readiness to handle things familiarly are despised, even if they are very useful.
σκεπτέον δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐξουσίης· τὰ γὰρ αὐτὰ παρὰ τοῖς αὐτέοις σπανίως ἔχοντα ἀγαπᾶται.
One must also watch over one's freedom of access; for among the same people, the same things when seldom available are appreciated.
Σχήμασι δὲ, ἀπὸ μὲν προσώπου σύννουν μὴ πικρῶς· αὐθάδης γὰρ δοκέει εἶναι καὶ μισάνθρωπος, ὁ δὲ εἰς γέλωτα ἀνιέμενος καὶ λίην ἱλαρὸς φορτικὸς ὑπολαμβάνεται· φυλακτέον δὲ τὸ τοιοῦτον οὐχ ἥκιστα.
In demeanor, his face should be thoughtful but not sour; for a sour person is thought to be self-willed and misanthropic, while one who lets himself go in laughter and is overly cheerful is considered vulgar; and such conduct must be avoided not least.
Δίκαιον δὲ πρὸς πᾶσαν ὁμιλίην εἶναι· χρὴ γὰρ πολλὰ ἐπικουρέειν δικαιοσύνην· πρὸς δὲ ἰητρὸν οὐ μικρὰ συναλλάγματα τοῖσι νοσοῦσίν ἐστιν·
He must be just in all his social relations, for justice must bring much assistance; and the transactions of the sick with the physician are of no small importance.
καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὺς ὑποχειρίους ποιέουσι τοῖς ἰητροῖς, καὶ πᾶσαν ὥρην ἐντυγχάνουσι γυναιξὶν, παρθένοις, καὶ τοῖς ἀξίοις πλείστου κτήμασιν· ἐγκρατέως οὖν δεῖ πρὸς ἅπαντα ἔχειν ταῦτα.
For they put themselves in the hands of the physicians, and at every hour physicians meet with wives, maidens, and possessions of the greatest value; therefore, one must maintain self-control in all these matters.
Τὴν μὲν οὖν ψυχὴν καὶ τὸ σῶμα οὕτω διακεῖσθαι.
Thus, then, should the soul and the body be disposed.
§22.
2.
Τὰ δὲ ἐς τὴν ἰητρικὴν τέχνην παραγγέλματα, δι’ ὧν ἔστιν εἶναι τεχνικὸν, ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς συνοπτέον, ἀφ’ ὧν καὶ μανθάνειν ὤνθρωπος ἄρξαιτο·
The precepts concerning the medical art, through which one can be a skilled practitioner, must be viewed as a whole from the beginning, starting from where a person would begin to learn.
τὰ τοίνυν ἐν ἰητρείῳ θεραπευόμενα σχεδὸν μανθανόντων ἐστίν.
Therefore, the things treated in the clinic are almost entirely for learners.
Δεῖ δὲ πρῶτον μὲν τόπον ἔχειν οἰκεῖον, ἔσται δὲ τοῦτο ἐὰν μήτε πνεῦμα ἐς αὐτὸν παραγινόμενον ἐνοχλῇ μήθ’ ἥλιος ἢ αὐγὴ λυπέῃ.
First, then, one must have a suitable place; and this will be so if neither wind blowing into it disturbs, nor the sun or glare annoys.
Φῶς δὲ τηλαυγὲς τοῖς μὲν θεραπεύουσιν ἄλυπον, οὐχ ὁμοίως δὲ τοῖς θεραπευομένοις ὑπάρχει·
A far-shining light is harmless to those who treat, but it is not the same for those who are treated.
πάντως μὲν οὖν τοιαύτην τὴν αὐτὴν μάλιστα φευκτέον, δι’ ἣν ξυμβαίνει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς νοσέειν·
By all means, then, one must especially avoid such light by which it happens that the eyes become diseased.
τὸ μὲν οὖν φῶς τοιοῦτον εἶναι παρήγγελται·
Now, regarding the light, it is prescribed to be of this sort.
τοῦτο δὲ, ὅπως μηδαμῶς ἐναντίως ἔξει τῷ προσώπῳ τὰς αὐγάς· προσενοχλεῖ γὰρ τὴν ὄψιν ἀσθενέως ἔχουσαν· πᾶσα δ’ ἱκανὴ πρόφασις ἀσθενέοντας ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐπιταράξαι·
Further, one must see to it that the light rays do not fall directly opposite the face; for they disturb the sight when it is weak, and any pretense is sufficient to disturb weak eyes.
τῷ μὲν οὖν φωτὶ τοῦτον τὸν τρόπον χρηστέον ἐστίν.
Therefore, the light must be used in this manner.
Τοὺς δὲ δίφρους ὁμαλοὺς εἶναι τοῖς ὕψεσιν ὅτι μάλιστα, ὅπως κατ’ αὐτοὺς ὦσιν.
The seats should be as equal as possible in their heights, so that they may be on a level with them.
Χαλκώματι δὲ πλὴν τῶν ὀργάνων μηδενὶ χρήσθω· καλλωπισμὸς γάρ τις εἶναί μοι δοκεῖ φορτικὸς σκεύεσι τοιουτέοισι χρῆσθαι.
Let him use no bronze vessel except for the instruments; for it seems to me to be a vulgar adornment to use such utensils.
Τὸ δ’ ὕδωρ παρέχειν δεῖ πότιμον τοῖς θεραπευομένοις καὶ καθαρόν.
One must provide clean and drinkable water for those being treated.
Τοῖς δὲ ἀπομάγμασιν καθαροῖς καὶ μαλθακοῖς χρῆσθαι, πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὀθονίοις, πρὸς δὲ τὰ τραύματα σπόγγοις· αὐτόματα γὰρ ταῦτα βοηθεῖν δοκεῖ καλῶς.
For wiping, one should use clean and soft materials, linen cloths for the eyes, and sponges for the wounds; for these seem to assist well of their own accord.
Τὰ δ’ ὄργανα πάντα εὐήρη πρὸς τὴν χρείαν ὑπάρχειν δεῖ τῷ μεγέθει καὶ βάρει καὶ λεπτότητι.
All the instruments must be handy for use in their size, weight, and thinness.
§33.
3.
Τὰ δὲ προσφερόμενα ἅπαντα μὲν χρὴ συνορῇν ὅπως συνοίσει· μάλιστα δὲ πλεῖστον, εἰ ὁμιλεῖν μέλλει τῷ νοσοῦντι μέρει·
One must see to all the things applied, how they will be beneficial, but especially and most of all if they are to remain in contact with the diseased part.
ταῦτα δέ ἐστιν ἐπιδέσματα καὶ φάρμακα καὶ τὰ περὶ τὸ ἕλκος ὀθόνια καὶ τὰ καταπλάσματα· πλεῖστον γὰρ χρόνον ταῦτα περὶ τοὺς νοσέοντάς ἐστι τόπους.
These are bandages, medications, linens around the ulcer, and poultices; for these remain for the longest time on the diseased parts.
Ἡ δὲ μετὰ ταῦτα ἀφαίρεσις τούτων, ἀνάψυξίς τε καὶ περικάθαρσις, καὶ τῶν ὑδάτων κατάντλησις, ὀλίγου τινός ἐστι χρόνου· καὶ ὅπου χρὴ μᾶλλόν τε καὶ ἧσσον ἐσκέφθαι δεῖ· τούτων γὰρ ἀμφοτέρων ἡ χρῆσις εὔκαιρός τε καὶ μὴ γενομένων μεγάλην ἔχει διαφορήν.
On the other hand, the subsequent removal of these, the cooling, the cleansing, and the pouring of water, is of short duration; and one must consider where more or less is required, for the timely use of both of these, or their absence, makes a great difference.