PART 16
XVI. The power, too, to study correctly what has
been written I consider to be an important part of
the art of medicine. The man who has learnt these
things and uses them will not, I think, make
great mistakes in the art. And it is necessary to
learn accurately each constitution of the seasons
as well as the disease ; what common element
in the constitution or in the disease is good, and
what common element in the constitution or in the
disease is bad ; what malady is protracted and fatal,
what is protracted and likely to end in recovery ;
what acute illness is fatal, what acute illness is likely
to end in recovery. With this knowledge it is easy
to examine the order of the critical days, and to
prognosticate therefrom. One who has knowledge
of these matters can know whom he ought to treat,
as well as the time and method of treatment.
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