THE FINAL SYSTEMi GALEN 



phere of religion and reli^ous philosophy, 

 which belonged to the dawning of a different 

 era, was already tending to becloud man's 

 vision of the natural world Further advance 

 in exact science could not be expected, nor was 

 medicine likely to gain much more from the 

 clear and undeflected observation of its practi- 

 tioners. Its ancient course was well-nigh run. 



Magnificently was it to be concluded in the 

 achievements of Galen's genius. He was born 

 at Pergamus in Asia Minor. An intelligent 

 father took care that he received the best edu- 

 cation that the town afforded in grammar and 

 rhetoric, as well as mathematics, natural 

 knowledge and philosophy. One may assume 

 that the varied stores of ancient philosophy 

 and knowledge had been rifled by this prodi- 

 gious learner, when at the age of seventeen 

 he decided to devote himself to medicine. 

 Pergamus afforded good masters and opportu- 

 nities for practice, especially in its widely 

 sought Asclepieion, where patients were treated 

 skillfully, and sometimes cured by miracle. 

 Galen's readiness to recognize miracles was 

 rather significant of the time and ominously 

 prophetic. 



Having drained the opportunities of Per- 



[lOl] 



