Latin Texts & Translations

And, indeed, it appears to me not amiss to take the present opportunity of reviewing some remarkable facts in the days of our forefathers connected with this subject. Cassius Hemina, ^[Note] one of our most ancient writers, says that the first physician that visited Rome was Archagathus, the son of Lysanias, who came over from Peloponnesus, in the year of the City 535, L. Æmilius and M. Livius being consuls. He states also, that the right of free citizenship ^[Note] was granted him, and that he had a shop ^[Note] provided for his practice at the public expense in the Acilian Cross-way; ^[Note] that from his practice he received the name of "Vulnerarius;" ^[Note] that on his arrival he was greatly welcomed at first, but that soon afterwards, from the cruelty displayed by him in cutting and searing his patients, he acquired the new name of "Carnifex," ^[Note] and brought his art and physicians in general into considerable disrepute.

That such was the fact, we may readily understand from the words of M. Cato, a man whose authority stands so high of itself, that but little weight is added to it by the triumph ^[Note] which he gained, and the Censorship which he held. I shall, therefore, give his own words in reference to this subject.