Note 356 — ON ANCIENT MEDICINE.

M. Littré is inclined to give the Pythagorean philosopher, Alcmæon, the credit of priority in broaching the philosophical theory which runs through this treatise. His only authority, however, on this point is Plutarch (De Placit. Philos., v., 30); whereas Galen, as he admits, says expressly that Hippocrates himself is the author of this theory. Now, I must say that, of the two, Galen appears to me to be the better authority, being profoundly skilled both in medical and philosophical literature. But further, neither Diogenes Laertius in his life, nor any other writer who has noticed Alcmæon, says anything of his having promulgated the theory of the Crasis.