which possesses great value for the history of anatomical nomenclature. The same authority says that Rufus was the first to describe the chiasma, that he came very near establishing the existence of two different kinds of nerves—motor and sensory—and that he attributed the control of all bodily functions to the nervous system. He also states that he was one of the first to furnish a description of the oriental bubonic plague. Some idea of Rufus' style of writing may be gathered from the following quotations which have been taken from his short treatise entitled "The Questioning of Patients":—[1]
It is necessary to question the patient, for by so doing one may
gather more exact information concerning the nature of the malady,
and will then be able to treat it more intelligently. In this way
also one may learn whether the patient's mind is in a normal or
an excited state, and whether any change has taken place in his
physical strength. Some idea regarding the nature and seat of
the disease is usually obtained from such questioning. If, for
example, the patient answers clearly and to the point, and does
not hesitate; if his memory does not play him false; if his speech
is not thick or indistinct; if, being a well-bred man, he gives his
responses in a polite and cultivated manner; or if, in the case of
a person who is naturally timid, the answers reflect this timidity,
then you may feel confident that your patient's mind is not affected.
But if, on the other hand, you ask him about one thing and he gives
you a reply about something entirely different; if, as he talks, he
appears to forget what he was talking about; if he has a trembling
tongue the movements of which are also uncertain; and, finally,
if from a certain state of mind he passes rapidly to one of a totally
different character,—all these changes are evidences that the brain
is beginning to be affected. . . . If the patient speaks distinctly
and with a fairly strong voice, and is able to tell his story
without stopping from time to time in order to rest, the
inference is warranted that his physical strength is not materially
affected. . . .
The following quotation is from his treatise on gout:—
If the patient complains that one of his joints is painful, he
should be asked whether or not the part has received a blow. If
- ↑ Translated from Oeuvres de Rufus d'Éphèse; édition Grecque et Française, par Daremberg et Ruelle, Paris, 1879.
