The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
But beside these differences between _Hippocrates_ and us, the
Physitians of these times and those of Antiquity; the condition of the
disease, and the intention of the Physitian, hold a main consideration
in what time and place soever. For Physick is either curative or
preventive; Preventive we call that which by purging noxious humors, and
the causes of diseases, preventeth sickness in the healthy, or the
recourse thereof in the valetudinary; this is of common use at the
spring and fall, and we commend not the same at this season.
Therapeutick or curative Physick, we term that, which restoreth the
Patient unto Sanity, and taketh away diseases actually affecting. [SN:
_Diseases Chronical and Acute what they be._] Now of diseases some are
cronical and of long duration, as quartane Agues, Scurvy, etc. Wherein
because they admit of delay we defer the cure to more advantagious
seasons; Others we term acute, that is, of short duration and danger, as
Fevers, Pleurisies, etc. In which, because delay is dangerous, and they
arise unto their state before the Dog-daies determine, we apply present
remedies according unto Indications; respecting rather the acuteness of
the disease, and precipitancy of occasion, then the rising or setting of
Stars; the effects of the one being disputable, of the other assured and
inevitable.
And although Astrology may here put in, and plead the secret influence
of this Star; yet _Galen_ in his Comment, makes no such consideration;
confirming the truth of the Aphorism from the heat of the year; and the
operation of Medicines exhibited. [SN: _Strong purgations not so well
given in the heat of summer, and why._] In regard that bodies being
heated by the Summer, cannot so well endure the acrimony of purging
Medicines; and because upon purgations contrary motions ensue, the heat
of the air attracting the humours outward, and the action of the
Medicine retracting the same inward. But these are readily salved in the
distinctions before alleadged; and particularly in the constitution of
our climate and divers others, wherein the air makes no such exhaustion
of spirits. And in the benignity of our Medicines; whereof some in their
own natures, others well prepared, agitate not the humors, or make
sensible perturbation.
[Sidenote: _A Problem._]
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