← Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
The conjunction quoque (also, too) is an essential word in Latin medical and pharmaceutical texts. Unlike English, where "also" or "too" can appear in various positions, Latin quoque follows specific placement rules that are crucial for proper understanding of medical prescriptions and botanical descriptions.
Quoque is an enclitic conjunction, meaning it cannot stand first in its clause and typically follows the word it emphasizes. In medical Latin, it frequently appears when listing additional symptoms, ingredients, or therapeutic effects.
Q: What does quoque mean in Latin? A: Quoque means "also" or "too" in Latin. It is a conjunction used to add information or indicate that something applies in addition to what has already been stated.
In this lesson, quoque appears in various medical, pharmaceutical, and herbalist contexts: -
Adding symptoms to medical descriptions -
Including additional ingredients in prescriptions -
Noting supplementary therapeutic effects -
Connecting related botanical properties -
Linking similar medicinal preparations
Course Title: Latin for Medical Professionals Lesson Number: 76 Topic: Conjunction "quoque" in Medical Contexts Level: Beginner to Intermediate Learning Objectives: -
Understand the placement and function of quoque -
Apply quoque in medical and pharmaceutical contexts -
Read authentic Latin texts containing quoque
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Quoque never begins a sentence or clause -
It typically follows the word it emphasizes -
In medical texts, it commonly adds symptoms, ingredients, or effects -
Understanding its placement is crucial for accurate translation of prescriptions -
It differs from "et" (and) by emphasizing addition rather than simple conjunction
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76.1 Medicus physician febrem fever quoque also nōtat notes
76.2 Papāver poppy somnōs sleep facit makes dolōrem pain quoque also lēvat relieves
76.3 Hic this morbus disease stomachum stomach afficit affects cor heart quoque also
76.4 Camomilla chamomile ūtilis useful est is īnfantibus for infants quoque also
76.5 Pharmacopōla pharmacist unguentum ointment parat prepares pōtiōnem potion quoque also miscet mixes
76.6 Nōn not sōlum only caput head dolet hurts sed but oculī eyes quoque also
76.7 Herbārius herbalist flōrēs flowers colligit collects rādīcēs roots quoque also servat preserves
76.8 Mel honey tussim cough cūrat cures guttur throat quoque also lēnit soothes
76.9 Aeger patient aquam water bibit drinks medicāmentum medicine quoque also sūmit takes
76.10 Salvia sage memoriam memory adiuvat helps concoctionem digestion quoque also meliorat improves
76.11 Vīnum wine rubrum red sanguinem blood auget increases vīrēs strength quoque also reddit restores
76.12 Herbarum of herbs mixtūra mixture corpus body pūrgat purges animum mind quoque also sēdat calms
76.13 Medicus physician vēnās veins īnspicit examines linguam tongue quoque also videt sees
76.14 Rosa rose pellem skin ēmollit softens odōrem scent quoque also bonum good dat gives
76.15 Theriacum antidote venēna poisons expellit expels morbōs diseases quoque also plūrimōs very many sanat heals
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76.1 Medicus febrem quoque nōtat. The physician also notes fever.
76.2 Papāver somnōs facit, dolōrem quoque lēvat. Poppy induces sleep and also relieves pain.
76.3 Hic morbus stomachum afficit, cor quoque. This disease affects the stomach and the heart as well.
76.4 Camomilla ūtilis est īnfantibus quoque. Chamomile is useful for infants too.
76.5 Pharmacopōla unguentum parat, pōtiōnem quoque miscet. The pharmacist prepares ointment and also mixes potions.
76.6 Nōn sōlum caput dolet, sed oculī quoque. Not only does the head hurt, but the eyes also.
76.7 Herbārius flōrēs colligit, rādīcēs quoque servat. The herbalist collects flowers and also preserves roots.
76.8 Mel tussim cūrat, guttur quoque lēnit. Honey cures cough and also soothes the throat.
76.9 Aeger aquam bibit, medicāmentum quoque sūmit. The patient drinks water and also takes medicine.
76.10 Salvia memoriam adiuvat, concoctionem quoque meliorat. Sage helps memory and also improves digestion.
76.11 Vīnum rubrum sanguinem auget, vīrēs quoque reddit. Red wine increases blood and also restores strength.
76.12 Herbarum mixtūra corpus pūrgat, animum quoque sēdat. The mixture of herbs purges the body and also calms the mind.
76.13 Medicus vēnās īnspicit, linguam quoque videt. The physician examines the veins and also looks at the tongue.
76.14 Rosa pellem ēmollit, odōrem quoque bonum dat. Rose softens the skin and also gives a pleasant scent.
76.15 Theriacum venēna expellit, morbōs quoque plūrimōs sanat. The antidote expels poisons and also cures very many diseases.
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76.1 Medicus febrem quoque nōtat.
76.2 Papāver somnōs facit, dolōrem quoque lēvat.
76.3 Hic morbus stomachum afficit, cor quoque.
76.4 Camomilla ūtilis est īnfantibus quoque.
76.5 Pharmacopōla unguentum parat, pōtiōnem quoque miscet.
76.6 Nōn sōlum caput dolet, sed oculī quoque.
76.7 Herbārius flōrēs colligit, rādīcēs quoque servat.
76.8 Mel tussim cūrat, guttur quoque lēnit.
76.9 Aeger aquam bibit, medicāmentum quoque sūmit.
76.10 Salvia memoriam adiuvat, concoctionem quoque meliorat.
76.11 Vīnum rubrum sanguinem auget, vīrēs quoque reddit.
76.12 Herbarum mixtūra corpus pūrgat, animum quoque sēdat.
76.13 Medicus vēnās īnspicit, linguam quoque videt.
76.14 Rosa pellem ēmollit, odōrem quoque bonum dat.
76.15 Theriacum venēna expellit, morbōs quoque plūrimōs sanat.
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Quoque is an enclitic conjunction in Latin, which means it has specific placement rules that differ significantly from English "also" or "too."
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Never First: Quoque cannot begin a sentence or clause -
Post-positive: It follows the word it emphasizes -
Usually Second or Third: Often appears as the second or third word in its clause
Pattern 1: Direct Object + quoque + Verb Example: "febrem quoque nōtat" (also notes fever) The quoque emphasizes that fever is noted in addition to other symptoms.
Pattern 2: Subject + quoque at clause end Example: "cor quoque" (the heart also) When listing affected organs or body parts.
Pattern 3: With nōn sōlum...sed...quoque Example: "Nōn sōlum caput dolet, sed oculī quoque" This construction means "not only...but also"
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Placing quoque first -
WRONG: "Quoque medicus venit" -
CORRECT: "Medicus quoque venit" (The doctor also comes) -
Confusing with etiam -
Quoque = also/too (adds to what's already stated) -
Etiam = even/also (can be more emphatic) -
Misplacing in lists -
WRONG: "herbae, flōrēs, quoque rādīcēs" -
CORRECT: "herbae, flōrēs, rādīcēs quoque" -
Using anachronistic medical terminology -
Classical Latin used "concoctio" (digestion), not "digestio" -
"Concoquere cibum" meant "to digest food" (literally "to cook thoroughly") -
Many modern medical Latin terms are Renaissance or later innovations
Medical Latin evolved significantly over time: -
Classical Period (Celsus, Pliny): Used metaphorical terms like "concoctio" for digestion -
Medieval Period: Incorporated Arabic medical concepts through translation -
Renaissance/Early Modern: Created many new Latin terms from Greek roots -
Modern Pharmaceutical Latin: Standardized terminology, often different from classical usage
For authentic classical medical texts, prefer: -
concoctio/concoquere for digestion -
spiritus for breath/spirit (not respiratio) -
vena for blood vessels (arteria was borrowed later from Greek) -
febris for fever (not pyrexia)
English speakers often struggle with quoque because: -
English "also" can move freely: "Also, he came" / "He also came" / "He came also" -
Latin quoque has fixed post-positive placement -
English "too" usually goes at the end; Latin quoque follows the emphasized word
-
Identify what is being added or emphasized -
Place quoque immediately after that word -
Never start a sentence with quoque -
In lists, quoque follows the last item -
With parallel verbs, quoque can follow each verb
Word Type: Enclitic conjunction Meaning: also, too Position: Post-positive (never first) Cannot: Begin a sentence or clause Usually: Follows the word it emphasizes Common phrases: -
nōn sōlum...sed...quoque (not only...but also) -
et...quoque (both...and also) -
-que...quoque (and...also)
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For English speakers learning medical Latin, understanding quoque is essential for several cultural and practical reasons:
Roman physicians used quoque when adding ingredients to compound medicines. A prescription might read: "Recipe mellis unc. ii, acētī quoque unc. i" (Take two ounces of honey, also one ounce of vinegar). The placement of quoque shows that vinegar is an additional, not alternative, ingredient.
Ancient medical texts use quoque to build comprehensive symptom lists. Galen and other physicians would describe primary symptoms, then use quoque to add secondary observations, creating detailed clinical pictures that influenced medical practice for centuries.
Herbalists like Dioscorides used quoque when describing multiple properties of plants. For example, a plant might be described as treating wounds, with quoque introducing additional uses like reducing fever or aiding digestion.
The careful use of quoque in pharmaceutical Latin continues today. Modern prescriptions and pharmaceutical texts maintain this precision, distinguishing between primary and additional effects or ingredients.
Misunderstanding quoque in medical texts can have serious consequences. If quoque is missed or misplaced, additional symptoms might be overlooked, or supplementary ingredients omitted from preparations.
The use of quoque reflects the Roman preference for precise, economical expression. Unlike verbose medical writing in some traditions, Latin medical texts use words like quoque to build meaning incrementally and clearly, a practice that created the foundation for scientific Latin still used in medicine today.
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From Celsus, De Medicina 2.8.10-11:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Oportet it is necessary autem however eum him quī who per through haec these things satis sufficiently prōficit improves abstinēre to abstain ā from vīnō wine, ā from venere sexual activity, ā from balnēīs baths, nisi unless rārō rarely; ūtī to use autem however gestātiōne passive exercise, frictione massage, exercitātiōne exercise quoque also quae which et both corpus body dūret may harden et and cibum food concoquere to digest adiuvet may help.
Oportet autem eum quī per haec satis prōficit abstinēre ā vīnō, ā venere, ā balnēīs, nisi rārō; ūtī autem gestātiōne, frictiōne, exercitātiōne quoque quae et corpus dūret et cibum concoquere adiuvet.
However, it is necessary for one who improves sufficiently through these means to abstain from wine, from sexual activity, from baths, except rarely; but to use passive exercise, massage, and also exercise which both hardens the body and helps to digest food.
Oportet autem eum quī per haec satis prōficit abstinēre ā vīnō, ā venere, ā balnēīs, nisi rārō; ūtī autem gestātiōne, frictiōne, exercitātiōne quoque quae et corpus dūret et cibum concoquere adiuvet.
This passage from Celsus demonstrates the medical use of quoque in adding therapeutic recommendations. Note: -
Position: "exercitātiōne quoque" - quoque follows the word it emphasizes -
Function: Adds exercise to the list of beneficial activities (gestātiō and frictiō) -
Medical Context: Creates a comprehensive treatment plan -
Relative Clause: "quae et corpus dūret..." modifies the entire phrase "exercitātiōne quoque" -
Parallel Structure: The passage contrasts things to avoid (abstinēre ā...) with things to use (ūtī...), with quoque adding the final recommendation
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76.16 Recipe take rhēī of rhubarb drach. drachm ii two, sennae of senna quoque also drach. drachm i one
76.17 Mannae of manna unc. ounce ss half addātur let be added, tamarindī of tamarind quoque also q.s. sufficient quantity
76.18 Decoctiō decoction hordēī of barley parātur is prepared, glycyrrhizae of licorice quoque also rādix root additur is added
76.19 Syrupus syrup violarum of violets dulcem sweet sapōrem taste dat gives, rosarum of roses quoque also parvam small partem part admiscē mix in
76.20 Oleum oil amygdalārum of almonds dolōrem pain lēvat relieves, camphorae of camphor quoque also grānum grain ūnum one addendum must be added est is
76.21 Pulvis powder zingiberis of ginger stomachum stomach calefacit warms, piperis of pepper quoque also modicē moderately ūtere use
76.22 Infūsum infusion menthae of mint nausiam nausea tollit removes, foeniculi of fennel quoque also sēmina seeds addantur let be added
76.23 Tinctura tincture valerianae of valerian somnum sleep inducit induces, passiflorae of passionflower quoque also guttās drops x ten sūme take
76.24 Emplastrum plaster sinapis of mustard sanguinem blood trahit draws, capsici of pepper quoque also vim power habet has similem similar
76.25 Aqua water rosārum of roses faciem face lavat washes, flōrum of flowers auranthī orange quoque also pars part miscētur is mixed
76.26 Decoctum decoction corticis of bark quercūs oak diarrhoeam diarrhea sistit stops, tormentillae of tormentil quoque also rādīcem root coque boil
76.27 Cataplasma poultice lini of flax tumōrem swelling minuit reduces, althaeae of marshmallow quoque also folia leaves ūtilia useful sunt are
76.28 Gargarisma gargle salis of salt guttur throat pūrgat cleanses, acētī of vinegar quoque also paulum a little admiscendum must be mixed est is
76.29 Collyrium eye wash zinci of zinc oculōs eyes sanat heals, borācis of borax quoque also minimum minimum additur is added
76.30 Unguentum ointment sulphuris of sulfur scabiem itch cūrat cures, picis of tar quoque also partem part parvam small contineat let it contain
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76.16 Recipe rhēī drach. ii, sennae quoque drach. i. Take two drachms of rhubarb, also one drachm of senna.
76.17 Mannae unc. ss addātur, tamarindī quoque q.s. Let half an ounce of manna be added, also a sufficient quantity of tamarind.
76.18 Decoctiō hordēī parātur, glycyrrhizae quoque rādix additur. A decoction of barley is prepared, and licorice root is also added.
76.19 Syrupus violarum dulcem sapōrem dat, rosarum quoque parvam partem admiscē. Syrup of violets gives a sweet taste; mix in also a small portion of roses.
76.20 Oleum amygdalārum dolōrem lēvat, camphorae quoque grānum ūnum addendum est. Oil of almonds relieves pain, and one grain of camphor must also be added.
76.21 Pulvis zingiberis stomachum calefacit, piperis quoque modicē ūtere. Powder of ginger warms the stomach; use pepper also in moderation.
76.22 Infūsum menthae nausiam tollit, foeniculi quoque sēmina addantur. An infusion of mint removes nausea; let fennel seeds also be added.
76.23 Tinctura valerianae somnum inducit, passiflorae quoque guttās x sūme. Tincture of valerian induces sleep; take also ten drops of passionflower.
76.24 Emplastrum sinapis sanguinem trahit, capsici quoque vim habet similem. A mustard plaster draws blood; pepper also has similar power.
76.25 Aqua rosārum faciem lavat, flōrum auranthī quoque pars miscētur. Rose water cleanses the face; a portion of orange flowers is also mixed in.
76.26 Decoctum corticis quercūs diarrhoeam sistit, tormentillae quoque rādīcem coque. A decoction of oak bark stops diarrhea; boil also tormentil root.
76.27 Cataplasma lini tumōrem minuit, althaeae quoque folia ūtilia sunt. A flax poultice reduces swelling; marshmallow leaves are also useful.
76.28 Gargarisma salis guttur pūrgat, acētī quoque paulum admiscendum est. A salt gargle cleanses the throat; a little vinegar must also be mixed in.
76.29 Collyrium zinci oculōs sanat, borācis quoque minimum additur. Zinc eye wash heals the eyes; a minimum of borax is also added.
76.30 Unguentum sulphuris scabiem cūrat, picis quoque partem parvam contineat. Sulfur ointment cures the itch; let it also contain a small portion of tar.
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76.16 Recipe rhēī drach. ii, sennae quoque drach. i.
76.17 Mannae unc. ss addātur, tamarindī quoque q.s.
76.18 Decoctiō hordēī parātur, glycyrrhizae quoque rādix additur.
76.19 Syrupus violarum dulcem sapōrem dat, rosarum quoque parvam partem admiscē.
76.20 Oleum amygdalārum dolōrem lēvat, camphorae quoque grānum ūnum addendum est.
76.21 Pulvis zingiberis stomachum calefacit, piperis quoque modicē ūtere.
76.22 Infūsum menthae nausiam tollit, foeniculi quoque sēmina addantur.
76.23 Tinctura valerianae somnum inducit, passiflorae quoque guttās x sūme.
76.24 Emplastrum sinapis sanguinem trahit, capsici quoque vim habet similem.
76.25 Aqua rosārum faciem lavat, flōrum auranthī quoque pars miscētur.
76.26 Decoctum corticis quercūs diarrhoeam sistit, tormentillae quoque rādīcem coque.
76.27 Cataplasma lini tumōrem minuit, althaeae quoque folia ūtilia sunt.
76.28 Gargarisma salis guttur pūrgat, acētī quoque paulum admiscendum est.
76.29 Collyrium zinci oculōs sanat, borācis quoque minimum additur.
76.30 Unguentum sulphuris scabiem cūrat, picis quoque partem parvam contineat.
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In medical prescriptions, quoque serves specific grammatical functions:
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Adding Ingredients Pattern: "Recipe X [measurement], Y quoque [measurement]" Example: "Recipe rhēī drach. ii, sennae quoque drach. i" -
Compound Preparations Pattern: "Primary ingredient [action], secondary quoque [specification]" Example: "Oleum amygdalārum dolōrem lēvat, camphorae quoque grānum ūnum addendum est" -
Therapeutic Additions Pattern: "[Medicine] [effect] [verb], [substance] quoque [additional info]" Example: "Tinctura valerianae somnum inducit, passiflorae quoque guttās x sūme"
Measurements: -
drach. (drachma) = drachm -
unc. (uncia) = ounce -
ss (semis) = half -
q.s. (quantum sufficit) = sufficient quantity -
gtt. (guttae) = drops
Prescription Verbs: -
Recipe = take (imperative) -
addātur = let be added (subjunctive) -
miscē = mix (imperative) -
sūme = take (imperative) -
coque = boil (imperative)
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With Passive Subjunctive "tamarindī quoque q.s." - where q.s. implies an understood addātur -
With Gerundive "acētī quoque paulum admiscendum est" - vinegar also must be mixed -
With Direct Commands "tormentillae quoque rādīcem coque" - also boil tormentil root -
In Parallel Structures Often creates balanced formulations showing primary and secondary ingredients
Medical Latin uses many abbreviations, and quoque often appears with: -
Measurement abbreviations (unc., drach.) -
Preparation forms (tinct., decoct., infūs.) -
Instructions (q.s., p.r.n., stat.)
Understanding these patterns is crucial for reading historical prescriptions and understanding modern pharmaceutical Latin.
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This Latin reading course is part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive approach to teaching Latin through authentic texts and practical applications. Created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been developing innovative online language learning materials since 2006, these lessons employ the "construed text" method that has proven highly effective for autodidacts.
The method, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, breaks down Latin texts into their smallest meaningful units, allowing students to see direct correspondences between Latin and English. This approach is particularly valuable for medical professionals, pharmacists, and herbalists who need to understand Latin terminology and texts in their fields.
Each lesson in this series: -
Focuses on high-frequency Latin vocabulary essential for professional use -
Provides extensive interlinear glossing for beginners -
Progresses to natural Latin syntax in later sections -
Includes authentic literary citations from medical and scientific texts -
Offers specialized genre sections relevant to medical and pharmaceutical practice
The Latinum Institute's materials have been recognized for their effectiveness in self-directed learning. Evan der Millner's work has been cited in various academic publications on Latin pedagogy and digital humanities. The Institute's YouTube channel (Latinum Institute) provides supplementary audio materials, while the Patreon community offers additional resources and support.
This course particularly benefits: -
Medical students needing to understand anatomical terminology -
Pharmacists working with traditional nomenclature -
Herbalists studying historical botanical texts -
Researchers accessing pre-modern medical literature -
Anyone interested in the foundations of scientific Latin
By combining traditional philological rigor with modern pedagogical insights, these lessons enable students to develop real reading competence in Latin, moving beyond mere memorization to genuine comprehension of this vital professional language.
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