← Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
The temporal adverbs tum and tunc both mean "then" in Latin, serving as crucial connectors in medical and pharmaceutical texts to indicate sequence, timing, and temporal relationships. While largely interchangeable, tum is more common in classical prose, while tunc often appears with a slightly more emphatic sense. These adverbs are essential for understanding medical procedures, herbal preparations, and the timing of treatments in Latin medical texts.
FAQ Schema: Q: What does tum/tunc mean in Latin? A: Tum and tunc are temporal adverbs meaning "then" or "at that time." They indicate when something happens in relation to other events, particularly important in medical instructions and pharmaceutical preparations where timing is crucial.
In this lesson, we'll explore how tum/tunc functions in medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal contexts, appearing in various positions within sentences to create natural Latin prose. You'll encounter these adverbs in instructions for preparing medicines, descriptions of disease progression, and accounts of herbal remedies.
Educational Schema: -
Subject: Latin Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Focus: Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Herbal Latin -
Lesson Type: Reading and Grammar -
Learning Method: Interlinear Translation with Grammar Analysis
Key Takeaways: -
Both tum and tunc mean "then" and are largely interchangeable -
These adverbs indicate temporal sequence in medical procedures -
Position in the sentence can vary for emphasis -
Essential for understanding timing in pharmaceutical preparations -
Common in correlative constructions (cum...tum = "when...then")
56.1 Prīmum first herbam herb collige gather, tum then siccā dry in in umbrā shade
56.2 Aegrōtus sick-person tunc then febrem fever altam high habēbat was-having
56.3 Medicus physician vēnit came et and tum then remedia remedies dedit gave
56.4 Tunc then morbus disease gravior more-serious factus made est is
56.5 Coque boil rādīcēs roots horam hour, tum then colā strain
56.6 Vulnera wounds prīmō first lavā wash, tunc then medicāmentum medicine applica apply
56.7 Pharmaca drugs tum then efficācia effective sunt are cum when rīte properly praeparāta prepared
56.8 Tunc then temporis of-time pestilentia plague urbem city vastābat was-devastating
56.9 Sī if dolor pain persistit persists, tum then aliud another remedium remedy temptā try
56.10 Herbārius herbalist plantās plants siccāvit dried, tunc then pulverem powder fēcit made
56.11 Cum when sānguis blood fluit flows, tum then comprēssiōnem compression adhibe apply
56.12 Tum then dēmum at-last vīrēs strength aegrī of-sick-person redeunt return
56.13 Medicāmentum medicine ter thrice dā give, tunc then effectum effect observā observe
56.14 Prīmō at-first pallēbat was-pale, tum then color color melior better appāruit appeared
56.15 Tunc then igitur therefore novam new cūram treatment incipere to-begin oportet it-is-necessary
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56.1 Prīmum herbam collige, tum siccā in umbrā. First gather the herb, then dry it in the shade.
56.2 Aegrōtus tunc febrem altam habēbat. The patient then had a high fever.
56.3 Medicus vēnit et tum remedia dedit. The physician came and then gave remedies.
56.4 Tunc morbus gravior factus est. Then the disease became more serious.
56.5 Coque rādīcēs horam, tum colā. Boil the roots for an hour, then strain.
56.6 Vulnera prīmō lavā, tunc medicāmentum applicā. First wash the wounds, then apply the medicine.
56.7 Pharmaca tum efficācia sunt cum rīte praeparāta. Drugs are effective then when properly prepared.
56.8 Tunc temporis pestilentia urbem vastābat. At that time a plague was devastating the city.
56.9 Sī dolor persistit, tum aliud remedium temptā. If the pain persists, then try another remedy.
56.10 Herbārius plantās siccāvit, tunc pulverem fēcit. The herbalist dried the plants, then made powder.
56.11 Cum sānguis fluit, tum comprēssiōnem adhibe. When blood flows, then apply compression.
56.12 Tum dēmum vīrēs aegrī redeunt. Then at last the sick person's strength returns.
56.13 Medicāmentum ter dā, tunc effectum observā. Give the medicine three times, then observe the effect.
56.14 Prīmō pallēbat, tum color melior appāruit. At first he was pale, then better color appeared.
56.15 Tunc igitur novam cūram incipere oportet. Then therefore it is necessary to begin a new treatment.
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56.1 Prīmum herbam collige, tum siccā in umbrā.
56.2 Aegrōtus tunc febrem altam habēbat.
56.3 Medicus vēnit et tum remedia dedit.
56.4 Tunc morbus gravior factus est.
56.5 Coque rādīcēs horam, tum colā.
56.6 Vulnera prīmō lavā, tunc medicāmentum applicā.
56.7 Pharmaca tum efficācia sunt cum rīte praeparāta.
56.8 Tunc temporis pestilentia urbem vastābat.
56.9 Sī dolor persistit, tum aliud remedium temptā.
56.10 Herbārius plantās siccāvit, tunc pulverem fēcit.
56.11 Cum sānguis fluit, tum comprēssiōnem adhibe.
56.12 Tum dēmum vīrēs aegrī redeunt.
56.13 Medicāmentum ter dā, tunc effectum observā.
56.14 Prīmō pallēbat, tum color melior appāruit.
56.15 Tunc igitur novam cūram incipere oportet.
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The temporal adverbs tum and tunc are indeclinable words that indicate time sequence in Latin. Both mean "then" or "at that time," with subtle differences in usage.
Basic Functions: -
Simple temporal marker: indicates when something happens -
Sequential connector: shows order of events -
Correlative partner: pairs with other temporal words -
Emphatic time marker: stresses a particular moment
Position in Sentence: Unlike English where "then" often begins sentences, Latin tum/tunc can appear: -
Initial position (for emphasis): Tunc morbus gravior factus est -
After first word: Aegrōtus tunc febrem habēbat -
Middle position: Medicus vēnit et tum remedia dedit -
With correlatives: Cum...tum (when...then)
Common Mistakes: -
Confusing with English word order - don't always put tum/tunc first -
Using tum/tunc when sequence is already clear from context -
Forgetting that both forms mean the same thing -
Missing correlative constructions like cum...tum
Comparison with English: -
English "then" is more positionally fixed -
Latin uses word order for emphasis more than English -
Latin can omit tum/tunc when sequence is obvious -
English often requires "then" where Latin might omit it
Step-by-Step Usage Guide: -
Identify the time relationship between events -
Choose tum or tunc (largely interchangeable) -
Place it where it creates emphasis or clarity -
Consider if a correlative structure would be clearer -
Check if the temporal relationship is already obvious
Special Constructions: -
tum dēmum = "then at last" -
tunc temporis = "at that time" (genitive of time) -
cum...tum = "when...then" (correlative) -
prīmum...tum = "first...then" (sequential) -
tum...tum = "at one time...at another"
With Other Time Words: -
prīmō...tunc = "at first...then" -
ante...tum = "before...then" -
post...tunc = "after...then"
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For English speakers learning medical Latin, understanding tum/tunc requires appreciating how Roman medical writers conceptualized time and sequence in treatments. Ancient physicians and herbalists were deeply concerned with the proper timing of interventions, believing that the success of remedies often depended on when they were administered.
In Roman medical practice, the sequence of treatments followed strict protocols. Physicians would first observe symptoms (prīmō observāre), then diagnose (tum dīiūdicāre), and finally prescribe (tunc medicāre). This sequential thinking permeates Latin medical texts, where tum/tunc marks critical transitions in therapeutic procedures.
Herbal medicine particularly emphasized timing. The collection of medicinal plants followed lunar and seasonal calendars, with specific procedures: first identifying the proper time (tempus idōneum), then gathering (tum colligere), then preparing (tunc praeparāre). The Romans believed that herbs gathered at the wrong time lost their virtus (power).
The phrase "tunc temporis" (at that time) frequently appears in medical case histories, marking when particular symptoms appeared or treatments were applied. Roman physicians kept detailed records of disease progression, using temporal markers to track the efficacy of treatments. This systematic approach to medical timing influenced European medicine for centuries.
Understanding these temporal markers helps modern readers navigate historical pharmaceutical texts, where the sequence of preparation steps could determine a remedy's effectiveness. The precision of Roman medical Latin, with its careful use of temporal adverbs, reflects a sophisticated understanding of pharmacology that recognized timing as a crucial variable in treatment success.
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From Celsus, De Medicina 3.4.1-2:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Sī if quis anyone ex from aestū heat viā journey balneō bath exercitātiōne exercise immōdicā excessive dēfessus exhausted est is, huic to-this-person optimum best est is quiēscere to-rest. Cum when vērō truly corpus body refēcit has-refreshed, tum then dēmum at-last cibus food dandus to-be-given est is, isque and-that exiguus small et and facilis easy. Tunc then enim for stomachus stomach īnfīrmus weak est is.
Sī quis ex aestū viā balneō exercitātiōne immōdicā dēfessus est, huic optimum est quiēscere. Cum vērō corpus refēcit, tum dēmum cibus dandus est, isque exiguus et facilis. Tunc enim stomachus īnfīrmus est.
If anyone is exhausted from heat, travel, bathing, or excessive exercise, it is best for this person to rest. When truly he has refreshed his body, then at last food should be given, and that small and easily digested. For then the stomach is weak.
Celsus demonstrates the medical importance of timing through his use of tum and tunc. The passage shows a clear therapeutic sequence: first exhaustion occurs, then rest is prescribed, and only after recovery should food be given. The phrase "tum dēmum" (then at last) emphasizes that eating must wait until the proper time. The final "tunc enim" explains why timing matters - because the stomach's condition varies with the body's state.
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"tum dēmum" - emphatic construction meaning "then and only then" -
Correlative "cum...tum" structure linking recovery to eating -
"dandus est" - gerundive showing necessity -
"tunc enim" - explanatory use of tunc with enim (for) -
Word order places temporal markers strategically for emphasis
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This is a Latin medical formulary containing recipes and instructions for treatments. Here's a structured summary:
Initial Remedies: - 56.16: Chamomile flowers infused in boiling water - 56.17: Honey warmed in a vessel, then citron juice added - 56.18: Dried herbs crushed and sieved
For Nighttime Cough (56.19): - Poppy syrup to be taken
Salve/Ointment (56.20): - Almond oil mixed with wax to make an ointment
General Protocol (56.21): - Medicine taken before meals
Willow Bark Decoction (56.22-56.24): - Day 1: one drachm - Then gradually increase - Reduce dosage when fever declines
Mint Plaster (56.25-56.26): - Fresh mint leaves ground with vinegar - Applied as plaster to wounds
Frequency (56.27): - Three times daily - Discontinue on the seventh day
For Nausea (56.28): - Ginger with warm water
1. Stop bleeding 2. Suture the wound 3. Allow scar to form
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56.16 Recipe flōrēs chamomillae, tum aquam ferventem super eōs funde. Take chamomile flowers, then pour boiling water over them.
56.17 Prīmum mel in vāse calefac, tunc succum citrī adde. First warm honey in a vessel, then add citron juice.
56.18 Herbās siccātās contunde, tum per crībrum trāice. Crush the dried herbs, then pass through a sieve.
56.19 Sī tussis nocte vexat, tunc syrupum papāveris sūme. If a cough troubles at night, then take poppy syrup.
56.20 Oleum amygdalārum cum cerā misce, tum unguentum fac. Mix almond oil with wax, then make an ointment.
56.21 Tunc aegrōtus medicāmentum ante cibum sūmat. Then the patient should take the medicine before food.
56.22 Cortice salicis dēcoctō, tum liquōrem aegrō dā. The willow bark having been boiled, then give the liquid to the sick person.
56.23 Prīmō diē ūnam drachmam dā, tunc gradātim auge. On the first day give one drachm, then gradually increase.
56.24 Cum febris dēclīnat, tum dōsim minue. When the fever declines, then reduce the dose.
56.25 Folia recentis mentae tere, tunc cum acetō misce. Grind fresh mint leaves, then mix with vinegar.
56.26 Tum oportet emplastrum super vulnus pōnere. Then it is necessary to place a plaster over the wound.
56.27 Medicāmen ter diē sūme, tunc septimō diē intermitte. Take the drug three times a day, then discontinue on the seventh day.
56.28 Sī nausea adest, tum zingiber cum aquā calidā bibe. If nausea is present, then drink ginger with warm water.
56.29 Prīmum sanguinem siste, tunc vulnus suē. First stop the blood, then sew the wound.
56.30 Tunc tandem cicātrix pulchra formābitur. Then finally a beautiful scar will form.
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56.16 Recipe flōrēs chamomillae, tum aquam ferventem super eōs funde.
56.17 Prīmum mel in vāse calefac, tunc succum citrī adde.
56.18 Herbās siccātās contunde, tum per crībrum trāice.
56.19 Sī tussis nocte vexat, tunc syrupum papāveris sūme.
56.20 Oleum amygdalārum cum cerā misce, tum unguentum fac.
56.21 Tunc aegrōtus medicāmentum ante cibum sūmat.
56.22 Cortice salicis dēcoctō, tum liquōrem aegrō dā.
56.23 Prīmō diē ūnam drachmam dā, tunc gradātim auge.
56.24 Cum febris dēclīnat, tum dōsim minue.
56.25 Folia recentis mentae tere, tunc cum acetō misce.
56.26 Tum oportet emplastrum super vulnus pōnere.
56.27 Medicāmen ter diē sūme, tunc septimō diē intermitte.
56.28 Sī nausea adest, tum zingiber cum aquā calidā bibe.
56.29 Prīmum sanguinem siste, tunc vulnus suē.
56.30 Tunc tandem cicātrix pulchra formābitur.
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In medical recipes and prescriptions, tum/tunc serves crucial functions that English speakers must understand for accurate interpretation of pharmaceutical instructions.
Sequential Instructions: Medical recipes use tum/tunc to mark steps that must occur in order: -
Recipe flōrēs, tum aquam funde (Take flowers, then pour water) -
The sequence is critical for proper preparation
Conditional Timing: The si...tunc construction indicates when to apply treatments: -
Sī tussis vexat, tunc syrupum sūme (If cough troubles, then take syrup) -
This shows treatment depends on symptoms
Paired Actions: Prīmum...tunc shows prioritized steps: -
Prīmum mel calefac, tunc succum adde (First warm honey, then add juice) -
Order affects the remedy's effectiveness
Dosage Progression: Temporal markers indicate how to adjust doses: -
Prīmō diē ūnam drachmam, tunc gradātim auge -
Shows initial dose, then increase pattern
Processing Stages: In herbal preparation, each tum marks a processing step: -
Herbās contunde, tum per crībrum trāice -
Each stage transforms the material
Common Prescription Patterns: -
Preparation sequence: verb + object, tum + next action -
Conditional treatment: sī + symptom, tunc + remedy -
Time-based dosing: time expression + dose, tunc + change
Imperative Mood with tum/tunc: Most instructions use imperatives: -
Recipe, funde, misce, sūme (take, pour, mix, take) -
Tum/tunc connects these commands
Ablative Absolute with tum: -
Cortice dēcoctō, tum liquōrem dā -
Shows completed action before next step
Future Tense for Results: -
Tunc tandem cicātrix formābitur -
Indicates expected outcome after treatment
These patterns reflect the systematic nature of Roman pharmacy, where precise timing and sequence were considered essential for therapeutic success. Understanding these temporal markers helps modern readers accurately interpret historical medical texts and appreciate the sophistication of ancient pharmaceutical practice.
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course, a comprehensive program designed for autodidact learners seeking to master Latin through authentic texts and practical applications. The course, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), represents over 15 years of innovation in online language learning materials, with development beginning in 2006.
The reading method employed in these lessons follows the principles outlined at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk. Each lesson uses a carefully structured approach: -
Interlinear Translation (Part A): Breaking down Latin texts word-by-word to build vocabulary and pattern recognition 56.16 Recipe take flōrēs flowers chamomillae of-chamomile, tum then aquam water ferventem boiling super over eōs them funde pour
56.17 Prīmum first mel honey in in vāse vessel calefac warm, tunc then succum juice citri of-citron adde add
56.18 Herbās herbs siccātās dried contunde crush, tum then per through crībrum sieve trāice pass
56.19 Sī if tussis cough nocte at-night vexat troubles, tunc then syrupum syrup papāveris of-poppy sūme take
56.20 Oleum oil amygdalārum of-almonds cum with cerā wax misce mix, tum then unguentum ointment fac make
56.21 Tunc then aegrōtus patient medicāmentum medicine ante before cibum food sūmat should-take
56.22 Cortice bark salicis of-willow dēcoctō having-been-boiled, tum then liquōrem liquid aegrō to-sick-person dā give
56.23 Prīmō at-first diē day ūnam one drachmam drachm dā give, tunc then gradātim gradually auge increase
56.24 Cum when febris fever dēclīnat declines, tum then dōsim dose minue reduce
56.25 Folia leaves recentis of-fresh mentae mint tere grind, tunc then cum with acetō vinegar misce mix
56.26 Tum then oportet it-is-necessary emplastrum plaster super over vulnus wound pōnere to-place
56.27 Medicāmen drug ter thrice diē in-day sūme take, tunc then septimō on-seventh diē day intermitte discontinue
56.28 Sī if nausea nausea adest is-present, tum then zingiber ginger cum with aquā water calidā warm bibe drink
56.29 Prīmum first sanguinem blood siste stop, tunc then vulnus wound suē sew
56.30 Tunc then tandem finally cicātrix scar pulchra beautiful formābitur will-be-formed
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