ABSTRACT
§ 1 . Throughout the history of this period reference has been made to work distinctly medical in its character. The age was scientific, and the nature of man has many aspects. Nothing would be more natural than to find the art of healing dictating to psychology or the metaphysician dictating to the medical practitioner. This was, in fact, the case; but the antithesis between science and philosophy was still undeveloped, and presents itself rather as an opposition between the different philosophies of science. Such knowledge as we have of these early medical schools throws considerable light on the mental attitude of all the early philosophers. The main source for our knowledge is the body of writings attributed to Hippocrates. Unfortunately the dates of the different treatises cannot be determined, and there is consequently considerable danger in attempting to connect any particular doctrine expressed in those treatises with the individuals already mentioned. In spite of this there is no material more important for this period than the philosophical portions of those writings, and before passing on to Plato, in whom we find the next statement of these principles, a brief review of some doctrines will be given.
