Source edition
Hippocrates. Oeuvres complètes d'Hippocrate, Vol. 9. Littré, Émile, editor. Paris: Baillière, 1861
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 treatise that presents practical knowledge and steadfast ethics for physicians in ancient Greek medicine in the form of "precepts." The author emphasizes the importance of time and critical opportunity (kairos) in medical treatment, arguing that practitioners should rely on actual observation and clinical results rather than empty theories. Regarding medical ethics, it counsels that saving lives and preserving one's honor must take precedence over monetary reward. The text also discusses managing capricious patients, the relationship between the love of humanity (philanthropia) and the love of the art, and the importance of consultation and cooperation among physicians. Finally, it addresses various physical and psychological factors in treatment, underscoring the importance of fostering the patient's peace of mind and adhering to practical experience over half-baked theoretical speculation.