PART 2
II. But medicine has long had all its means to
hand, and has discovered both a principle and a
method, through which the discoveries made during
a long period are many and excellent, while full discovery
will be made, if the inquirer be competent,
conduct his researches with knowledge of the discoveries
already made, and make them his starting-point.
But anyone who, casting aside and rejecting
all these means, attempts to conduct research in
any other way or after another fashion, and asserts
that he has found out anything, is and has been the
victim of deception.
1 His assertion is impossible ;
the causes of its impossibility I will endeavour to
expound by a statement and exposition of what the
art is.
2 In this way it will be manifest that by any
other means discoveries are impossible. But it is
particularly necessary, in my opinion, for one who
discusses this art to discuss things familiar to ordinary
folk. For the subject of inquiry and discussion
is simply and solely the sufferings of these same
[p. 17]
ordinary folk when they are sick or in pain. Now
to learn by themselves how their own sufferings
come about and cease, and the reasons why they get
worse or better, is not an easy task for ordinary
folk ; but when these things have been discovered
and are set forth by another, it is simple. For
merely an effort of memory is required of each man
when he listens to a statement of his experiences.
But if you miss being understood by laymen,
and fail to put your hearers in this condition, you
will miss reality. Therefore for this reason also
medicine has no need of any postulate.
