The statements which have thus far been made in these pages with regard to Hippocrates are only of a general character, and it may therefore be interesting for the reader to have placed before him a few selected extracts from the writings which have formed the basis of these statements. The English text here used is a translation of the German version of Robert Fuchs, to which reference has already been made. It would have been a pleasure to use for this purpose the admirable English translation of Frederick Adams, published in 1849 under the auspices of the Sydenham Society of Great Britain; but, unfortunately, this version contains only a part of the Hippocratic writings, and, besides, this writer did not at that time have the advantage of consulting the French and German versions which have been published since 1849. It seems almost unnecessary to state here, by way of preface, that the small amount of space which may properly be devoted to these extracts renders it necessary to present many of them in a very fragmentary and disconnected form, merely enough text being furnished to give the reader some slight idea both of the manner in which Hippocrates and those associated with him handled certain medical topics, and also of the views which they entertained with regard to the same subjects. BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM SOME OF THE HIPPOCRATIC WRITINGS _Aphorisms._--I.--1. Life is short, art is long, the right moment lasts but an instant,[26] experience is often deceptive, a correct judgment is hard to reach. 6. For the most serious ills extreme measures cautiously employed are the best. 8. When an illness has reached its acme the lightest diet must be prescribed. 11. During the exacerbations nourishment should be withheld, for at these times the giving of food is harmful; and in illnesses which are characterized by periodic paroxysms it is also best not to give food during the paroxysms. 13. Old people bear fasting very well, and the same is almost true of persons of mature age; but young individuals do not bear abstinence from food so well, and this is particularly the case with children, especially with those of a lively disposition. 24. In acute illnesses laxative remedies should rarely be administered, and then only in the early stage of the malady and with great caution. II.--2. When sleep puts an end to delirium it is a good sign. 3. When either sleep or wakefulness oversteps the proper limit it is harmful. 5. Causeless depression is an indication of some disorder. 19. In acute diseases the prognosis as regards either death or recovery, is very uncertain. 44. Corpulent persons are more likely than those who are slender to die a quick death.