Source edition
Galen. Claudii Galeni Opera Omnia, Volume 11. Kühn, Karl Gottlob, editor. Leipzig: Knobloch, 1826.
Source data
A Digital Corpus for Graeco-Arabic Studies · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a medical treatise addressing physical and surgical methods of bodily fluid control and bloodletting in ancient and medieval medicine. It systematically discusses the use of therapeutic leeches, the principles of "revulsion" (directing fluids away from affected areas) to prevent humor imbalances, and the application of cupping, incision, and scarification. The first half explains the practical aspects of handling leeches—including their breeding, preparation, and application—alongside the theoretical principles of revulsion. The second half details the indications and medical benefits of cupping, as well as the specific conditions and contraindications for incision and scarification, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding the loss of vital breath (pneuma) through excessive venesection. Ultimately, the work presents a blend of clinical practice and theoretical caution aimed at restoring humoral balance without compromising the patient's vital force.