SECT. VIII.—THAT CRITICAL SYMPTOMS APPEARING IN THE COMMENCEMENT ARE UNFAVORABLE.
The signs of concoction are never unfavorable, for concoction always take place when nature prevails, and therefore the signs of it are always favorable. But the critical signs may sometimes appear unfavorably, owing to the crisis partaking of a double character (as was said with regard to the critical days), being sometimes favorable and sometimes unfavorable. They ought not therefore to appear at the commencement, nor during the increase of the disease, but after its acme, at which time nature is prevailing over the disease.
Commentary. The opinion here delivered is derived originally from Galen, but is maintained also by Oribasius, and the other authorities. It requires no comment.