384 INTRODUCTORY LECTURES. 



of his opinions ; and it is there we find some singularities which 

 we can hardly approve of. 



Aretaeus Cappadox either lived in the time we have mention- 

 ed, that is before Galen, or we have in his writings what pro- 

 bably was produced at that period. He was of a sect called 

 the Pneumatic ; but that affected only his reasoning, and we 

 can hardly perceive its effect upon his practice. This in Are- 

 taeus, with respect to its general character, seems to have been in 

 the best condition. Diseases are well described and distinguish- 

 ed, many remedies are proposed, and that without attachment 

 to, or prejudice against any one in particular. His practice is in 

 general bold and firm ; and every means, dietetic, pharmaceuti- 

 cal, or chirurgical, are employed in it. 



These are the remarks we have to make on the state of physic 

 before the time of the celebrated Galen ; but we are now come 

 to a remarkable period of our history, when we are to consider 

 it in the hands of this great leader and those of his followers. 

 Hitherto we have found the face of physic frequently changing 

 and sometimes hurt by the extravagance of sectaries ; now we 

 are to find it more steady, but perhaps not less hurt by being 

 in the hands of servile followers, 



Fifth Period. Galen was born of wealthy parents, and en- 

 joyed all the advantages of a liberal education ; these he im- 

 proved by uncommon diligence, and he became conversant 

 with every kind of literature. He devoted himself to medicine, 

 and did not spare any pains in acquiring the knowledge of it; 

 he studied under various masters, and applied to every branch 

 of the science. He particularly studied anatomy, and under- 

 took journeys in different countries to ascertain the state of 

 medicine. Thus prepared he appeared at Rome, and was im- 

 mediately considerable enough to be an object of envy ; and 

 the artifices of that envy were sufficient to prevent his progress 

 in business, and even to make him retire again to his own coun- 

 try. However, he had acquired so much reputation at Rome 

 as to attract the notice of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius ; and, 

 after some time, by the invitation of that illustrious prince and 

 philosopher, he was again brought back to Rome, and estab- 

 lished there with great credit. He soon gained the favour of 

 the Empress Faustina, and therefore that of the ladies of the 



