A basic overview; The Nature of Man, Hippocrates

 Why you might read the Nature of Man

This text is put together for a more general audience. As such it does not expect any prior knowledge. This makes it rather informative as to what Hippocrates expected people to know. This is of course in regards to the subject of Medicine.

In my Self Education Project, it serves to inform my understanding of the texts around it. As well as add to my understanding of bloodletting.

Content of the Nature of Man

This short book is the transcript of a speech given at a debate. It starts by refuting the idea that man is made of one element. Whether it be Earth, Fire, Air or Water. Or if it is Yellow Bile, Black Bile, Phlegm or Blood. Instead, Hippocrates proposes that man is made of all four of Yellow Bile, Black Bile, Phlegm and Blood. He continues on to say that each of the four has its season of the greatest amount in the body. For example, winter brings an increase in Phlegm and so on through the seasons. Having made his point he moves on to the placement of blood vessels in the body. He details six and for each of the six gives the place where they should be cut for bloodletting. He finishes with some general information about when to change the regime. He contrasts this with when to make only small changes. He also details the difference between an epidemic and the outbreak of many sicknesses. 

Reflections on the Nature of Man

This text contains the most detailed instructions for bloodletting that we have seen. Yet we still do not have any idea what sort of illness this should be used for. It is clear that Hippocrates must think this is common knowledge. He has yet to explain it in the scientific way he has laid out everything else.

While what he thinks the body is made of is outdated now. It is inline with understanding at the time. Also, the idea that man is all of those things is a step forward in understanding both the physical nature of man. As well as the nature of cures and sickness.

What others have to say about the Nature of Man

 Health is a harmonious balance of the Four Humors.  Disease results from their disharmony and imbalance.  The physician's job is to restore health by correcting the imbalance and restoring harmony to the humors. From Greek Medicine 

Comparisons with other texts

Regime of Acute Diseases is also vague on the use of bloodletting. There we see it as a side note in some of the treatments. While in this work it is detailed a little more as to where to cut but not when to cut.

This is the first time Hippocrates has seriously gone into the four humors. But his analysis and exposition follow his scientific mindset. He sets down this idea in The Science of Medicine.

Conclusion

While this book is back to basics. It still provides us with unique information around how Hippocrates saw the four humors. He also gives quite a bit of detail on the circulatory system. He finishes the book with a discussion on treating Epidemics verses treating an outbreak of different diseases. We have looked at how others have characterised his view of the humors. As well as how we are slowly getting a better picture of bloodletting.

Have you read The Nature of Man? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read The Nature of Man but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Nature of Man.