Of Medicine, in Eight Books

"Of Medicine, in Eight Books" by Aulus Cornelius Celsus is a detailed exploration of medical wisdom from the 1st century AD, acting as a handbook for doctors and academics into the health and medical viewpoints of old Rome that incorporates philosophy, food, medical procedures, and surgical methods. The writing starts by explaining how crucial medicine is, relating it to farming ideas and the history of treating illnesses. Celsus talks about how medicine changed from basic ways to a more organized system, naming important people like Hippocrates and the philosophical foundations of medical care, and he divides medicine into three main areas: diet, medicine use, and surgery that highlights how vital it is to have both knowledge and real-world experience to be a good doctor; this introduction prepares readers for thorough talks in later books, giving a deep historical base for medical actions of that era.