Note 534 — ON REGIMEN IN ACUTE DISEASES.

Galen, in his Commentary, mentions that the Cnidians described seven species of diseased bile, and twelve diseases of the bladder; and, again, four diseases of the kidneys; and, moreover, four species of strangury, four species of tetanus, and four of jaundice; and, again, three species of phthisis. Galen, having made this statement, remarks that they looked to the peculiarities of the body, instead of regarding the identity of the diatheses, as was done by Hippocrates. In other words, they split diseases into endless varieties, instead of attending to the essence or general nature of each. The system of Hippocrates, then, was founded on a rational prognosis, whereas that of the Cnidians was founded on mistaken principles of diagnosis. The principles of the Hippocratic system are admirably explained and developed in Galen’s great work On the Method of Cure, or Therapeutics.