Lesson 28

Introduction

In this lesson, we explore the word "quam", which has two main uses: as an interrogative adverb meaning "how?" and as a comparative conjunction meaning "than". This word is particularly important in medical and scientific Latin for making comparisons and asking questions about quantities and qualities.

Part A (Interleaved English and Latin)

28.1 Medicus the doctor rogat asks quam how graviter seriously aeger the patient labōrat is suffering

28.2 Quam how multae many herbae herbs in in hortō garden crēscunt grow

28.3 Sapientior wiser quam than frāter brother medicus the doctor est is

28.4 Quam how diū long febris fever manet remains

28.5 Haec this medicīna medicine fortior stronger quam than illa that est is

28.6 Quam how celeriter quickly vēna the vein sanguinem blood mittit sends

28.7 Herbārius the herbalist quaerit asks quam how altae tall plantae the plants sunt are

28.8 Magis more perītus skilled quam than discipulus student magister the teacher appāret appears

28.9 Quam how bene well vulnera wounds sānantur are healing

28.10 Malus sickness peior worse quam than dolor pain fit becomes

28.11 Quam how mūltum much remedium remedy aegrō to the patient dare to give dēbēmus we ought

28.12 Pharmacopōla the pharmacist rogat asks quam how purae pure herbae the herbs sunt are

28.13 Ars skill medicī of the doctor melior better quam than fortūna luck est is

28.14 Quam how validus strong pulsus pulse est is

28.15 Morbī diseases graviōrēs more serious quam than dolōrēs pains sunt are

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part B (Complete Sentences)

28.1 Medicus rogat quam graviter aeger labōrat. The doctor asks how seriously the patient is suffering.

28.2 Quam multae herbae in hortō crēscunt? How many herbs grow in the garden?

28.3 Sapientior quam frāter medicus est. The doctor is wiser than his brother.

28.4 Quam diū febris manet? How long does the fever remain?

28.5 Haec medicīna fortior quam illa est. This medicine is stronger than that one.

28.6 Quam celeriter vēna sanguinem mittit? How quickly does the vein send blood?

28.7 Herbārius quaerit quam altae plantae sunt. The herbalist asks how tall the plants are.

28.8 Magis perītus quam discipulus magister appāret. The teacher appears more skilled than the student.

28.9 Quam bene vulnera sānantur? How well are the wounds healing?

28.10 Peior quam dolor malus fit. The sickness becomes worse than the pain.

28.11 Quam mūltum remedium aegrō dare dēbēmus? How much remedy should we give to the patient?

28.12 Pharmacopōla rogat quam purae herbae sunt. The pharmacist asks how pure the herbs are.

28.13 Melior quam fortūna ars medicī est. The doctor's skill is better than luck.

28.14 Quam validus pulsus est? How strong is the pulse?

28.15 Morbī graviōrēs quam dolōrēs sunt. Diseases are more serious than pains.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part C (Latin Only)

28.1 Medicus rogat quam graviter aeger labōrat.

28.2 Quam multae herbae in hortō crēscunt?

28.3 Sapientior quam frāter medicus est.

28.4 Quam diū febris manet?

28.5 Haec medicīna fortior quam illa est.

28.6 Quam celeriter vēna sanguinem mittit?

28.7 Herbārius quaerit quam altae plantae sunt.

28.8 Magis perītus quam discipulus magister appāret.

28.9 Quam bene vulnera sānantur?

28.10 Peior quam dolor malus fit.

28.11 Quam mūltum remedium aegrō dare dēbēmus?

28.12 Pharmacopōla rogat quam purae herbae sunt.

28.13 Melior quam fortūna ars medicī est.

28.14 Quam validus pulsus est?

28.15 Morbī graviōrēs quam dolōrēs sunt.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part D (Grammar Explanation)

"Quam" has two main functions in Latin that English speakers should understand: -

As an Interrogative Adverb (meaning "how"): -

Used to ask questions about manner, degree, or extent -

Often paired with adjectives or other adverbs -

Examples from our lesson: -

quam graviter (how seriously) -

quam diū (how long) -

quam bene (how well) -

As a Comparative Conjunction (meaning "than"): -

Used after comparative adjectives -

Introduces the second term of comparison -

Examples from our lesson: -

sapientior quam frāter (wiser than brother) -

fortior quam illa (stronger than that)

Key Grammar Points for English Speakers: -

Unlike English "than," Latin "quam" is always a separate word -

Word order is more flexible than in English -

The same case is used before and after "quam" in comparisons -

Questions using "quam" often end with the verb

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part E (Cultural Context)

For English-speaking medical students, understanding "quam" is crucial because: -

Medical Terminology: -

Used in classical medical texts for comparisons -

Essential in pharmaceutical measurements -

Important for describing symptoms and treatments -

Historical Medical Practice: -

Roman doctors frequently used comparative analysis -

Questions using "quam" were standard in diagnosis -

Comparative methods in traditional medicine -

Modern Application: -

Still used in modern Latin medical terminology -

Important for reading historical medical texts -

Relevant for pharmaceutical Latin -

Cultural Significance: -

Reflects Roman analytical thinking -

Shows importance of precise questioning -

Demonstrates systematic approach to medicine

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part F (Literary Citation)

From Celsus' "De Medicina" (3.2):

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Considerandum it must be considered etiam also est is quam how acūtus acute morbus disease sit may be quam how inveterātus chronic quam how vīrēs strength laborantis of the patient ferant may bear

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

"Considerandum etiam est quam acūtus morbus sit, quam inveterātus, quam vīrēs laborantis ferant."

"It must also be considered how acute the disease may be, how chronic, how well the patient's strength may bear it."

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

Celsus uses "quam" three times in this passage to emphasize the different aspects that a physician must consider. This demonstrates the systematic approach to diagnosis in Roman medicine.

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

-

"Considerandum est" is a gerundive construction indicating necessity -

Each "quam" introduces an indirect question -

"Laborantis" is a substantive participle meaning "the patient" -

Subjunctive "sit" and "ferant" are used in indirect questions

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Genre Section: Medical Prescriptions

Part A (Interleaved Text)

28.16 Medicus the doctor quaerit asks quam how efficāx effective hoc this remedium remedy contrā against dolōrēs pains sit might be

28.17 Magis more salūtāris healthful quam than vetus the old haec this nova new medicīna medicine vidētur seems

28.18 Herbārius the herbalist rogat asks quam how multae many rādīcēs roots in in ūsū use cotīdiānō daily sint might be

28.19 Quam how subtīliter finely herbae herbs ad for unguentum ointment terī to be ground dēbent ought

28.20 Fortior stronger quam than solita usual dosis dose aegrō for the patient necessāria necessary est is

28.21 Pharmacopōla the pharmacist quaerit asks quam how diū long hae these herbae herbs siccārī to be dried dēbeant ought

28.22 Quam how cautē carefully venēna poisons tractanda to be handled sunt are

28.23 Validior more potent quam than prīma the first secunda second mixtiō mixture appāret appears

28.24 Medicus the doctor percontātur inquires quam how gravēs severe effectūs effects medicāmentī of the medicine sint might be

28.25 Quam how properē quickly hoc this remedium remedy parārī to be prepared dēbet ought

28.26 Perītior more skilled quam than iunior the younger senior the elder medicāmentārius pharmacist miscet mixes

28.27 Quam how accurātē accurately ponderēs weights metiendae to be measured sunt are

28.28 Melior better quam than vulgāris common cūra treatment requīritur is required

28.29 Medicus the doctor dubitāt doubts quam how efficācēs effective hae these pīlulae pills sint might be

28.30 Quam how sapienter wisely dosēs doses computandae to be calculated sunt are

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part B (Complete Sentences)

28.16 Medicus quaerit quam efficāx hoc remedium contrā dolōrēs sit. The doctor asks how effective this remedy might be against pains.

28.17 Magis salūtāris quam vetus haec nova medicīna vidētur. This new medicine seems more healthful than the old one.

28.18 Herbārius rogat quam multae rādīcēs in ūsū cotīdiānō sint. The herbalist asks how many roots might be in daily use.

28.19 Quam subtīliter herbae ad unguentum terī dēbent. How finely the herbs ought to be ground for the ointment.

28.20 Fortior quam solita dosis aegrō necessāria est. A stronger than usual dose is necessary for the patient.

28.21 Pharmacopōla quaerit quam diū hae herbae siccārī dēbeant. The pharmacist asks how long these herbs ought to be dried.

28.22 Quam cautē venēna tractanda sunt. How carefully poisons must be handled.

28.23 Validior quam prīma secunda mixtiō appāret. The second mixture appears more potent than the first.

28.24 Medicus percontātur quam gravēs effectūs medicāmentī sint. The doctor inquires how severe the effects of the medicine might be.

28.25 Quam properē hoc remedium parārī dēbet. How quickly this remedy ought to be prepared.

28.26 Perītior quam iunior senior medicāmentārius miscet. The elder pharmacist, more skilled than the younger one, mixes (the medicines).

28.27 Quam accurātē ponderēs metiendae sunt. How accurately the weights must be measured.

28.28 Melior quam vulgāris cūra requīritur. Better than common treatment is required.

28.29 Medicus dubitāt quam efficācēs hae pīlulae sint. The doctor doubts how effective these pills might be.

28.30 Quam sapienter dosēs computandae sunt. How wisely the doses must be calculated.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part C (Latin Only)

28.16 Medicus quaerit quam efficāx hoc remedium contrā dolōrēs sit.

28.17 Magis salūtāris quam vetus haec nova medicīna vidētur.

28.18 Herbārius rogat quam multae rādīcēs in ūsū cotīdiānō sint.

28.19 Quam subtīliter herbae ad unguentum terī dēbent.

28.20 Fortior quam solita dosis aegrō necessāria est.

28.21 Pharmacopōla quaerit quam diū hae herbae siccārī dēbeant.

28.22 Quam cautē venēna tractanda sunt.

28.23 Validior quam prīma secunda mixtiō appāret.

28.24 Medicus percontātur quam gravēs effectūs medicāmentī sint.

28.25 Quam properē hoc remedium parārī dēbet.

28.26 Perītior quam iunior senior medicāmentārius miscet.

28.27 Quam accurātē ponderēs metiendae sunt.

28.28 Melior quam vulgāris cūra requīritur.

28.29 Medicus dubitāt quam efficācēs hae pīlulae sint.

28.30 Quam sapienter dosēs computandae sunt.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part D (Grammar Explanation)

In medical prescriptions, "quam" serves several crucial functions: -

Interrogative Uses in Medical Context: -

Questions about quantity (quam multae) -

Questions about quality (quam efficāx) -

Questions about method (quam subtīliter) -

Questions about duration (quam diū) -

Comparative Uses in Prescriptions: -

Comparing doses (fortior quam solita) -

Comparing treatments (melior quam vulgāris) -

Comparing effectiveness (validior quam) -

Special Medical Terminology: -

Technical comparative phrases -

Standard formulaic questions -

Prescription-specific constructions -

Grammar Patterns in Prescriptions: -

Use of gerundives (tractanda, computandae) -

Subjunctive in indirect questions (sint, sit) -

Impersonal constructions with dēbēre -

Word Order in Medical Latin: -

Position of quam in technical phrases -

Standard prescription formatting -

Emphasis patterns in medical instructions

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

---