4. Chap. 4.-The Empiric Branch Of Medicine.

CHAP. 4.—THE EMPIRIC BRANCH OF MEDICINE.

Another sect again, known as that of the Empirics[1]—be- cause it based its rules upon the results of experiment—took its rise in Sicily, having for its founder Acron of Agri- gentum, a man recommended by the high authority of Empedocles[2] the physician.

1. Or "Sect of Experimentalists." They based their practice upon experience derived from the observation of facts. The word "Empiric" is used only in a bad sense at the present day. For an account of Hippocrates, see end of B. vii.; of Chrysippus, see end of B. xx.; and of Erasis- tratus, see end of B. xi.

2. See end of B. xi.