Lesson 72: Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
neque (and not, nor; neque ... neque, neither ... nor)
Introduction
The conjunction neque (also shortened to nec) is an essential word in Latin medical and pharmaceutical texts. It means "and not" or "nor" and is frequently used to express negative coordination. When doubled as neque ... neque, it means "neither ... nor." This conjunction appears regularly in medical descriptions where symptoms are absent, contraindications are listed, or when describing what a remedy does not contain or affect.
Definition: neque is a coordinating conjunction that negates and connects words, phrases, or clauses. It combines the functions of "et" (and) with "nōn" (not).
FAQ Schema
Q: What does neque mean in Latin? A: Neque means "and not" or "nor" in Latin. When used twice (neque ... neque), it means "neither ... nor."
How This Word Will Be Used
In this lesson, you'll encounter neque in various medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal contexts:
Describing absent symptoms in diagnoses
Listing contraindications for remedies
Specifying what herbs or medicines do not contain
Indicating which treatments are not suitable for certain conditions
Educational Schema
Course: Latin for Medical Professionals Level: Intermediate Topic: Negative Coordination in Medical Latin Learning Objective: Master the use of neque/nec in medical and pharmaceutical contexts
Key Takeaways
neque = "and not" or "nor"
Can be shortened to nec
neque ... neque = "neither ... nor"
Essential for expressing negative coordination in medical texts
Frequently appears in contraindications and differential diagnoses
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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)
72.1 Aegrotus the sick person febrem fever habet has neque and not dolōrem pain
72.2 Neque neither opium opium neque nor mandragora mandrake aegrō to the patient data given est was
72.3 Medicus the physician sanguinem blood mittit lets neque and not pūrgat purges
72.4 Herba the herb calida hot est is neque and not sicca dry
72.5 Neque neither vīnum wine neque nor cervīsia beer febricitantī to the one with fever danda to be given sunt are
72.6 Vulnus the wound profundum deep neque but not lātum wide est is
72.7 Pharmacopōla the pharmacist unguentum ointment parat prepares neque and not potionem potion
72.8 Neque not calidā with hot aquā water neque nor frīgidā with cold lavāre to wash debet he should
72.9 Tumor the swelling magnus large neque but not dolōrōsus painful appāret appears
72.10 Remedium the remedy celeriter quickly neque but not perfectē perfectly sanat heals
72.11 Neque neither mel honey neque nor saccharum sugar diabēticō to the diabetic dandum to be given est is
72.12 Herbārius the herbalist radicem root colligit collects neque and not flōrem flower
72.13 Medicina the medicine amāra bitter est is neque and not dulcis sweet
72.14 Neque neither diēs day neque nor nox night dolōrem pain minuit lessens
72.15 Venenum the poison letāle deadly neque but not cūrābile curable est is
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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)
72.1 Aegrotus febrem habet neque dolōrem. The patient has fever but not pain.
72.2 Neque opium neque mandragora aegrō data est. Neither opium nor mandrake was given to the patient.
72.3 Medicus sanguinem mittit neque pūrgat. The physician lets blood but does not purge.
72.4 Herba calida est neque sicca. The herb is hot but not dry.
72.5 Neque vīnum neque cervīsia febricitantī danda sunt. Neither wine nor beer should be given to one with fever.
72.6 Vulnus profundum neque lātum est. The wound is deep but not wide.
72.7 Pharmacopōla unguentum parat neque potionem. The pharmacist prepares an ointment, not a potion.
72.8 Neque calidā aquā neque frīgidā lavāre debet. He should wash with neither hot nor cold water.
72.9 Tumor magnus neque dolōrōsus appāret. A large but painless swelling appears.
72.10 Remedium celeriter neque perfectē sanat. The remedy heals quickly but not completely.
72.11 Neque mel neque saccharum diabēticō dandum est. Neither honey nor sugar should be given to a diabetic.
72.12 Herbārius radicem colligit neque flōrem. The herbalist collects the root, not the flower.
72.13 Medicina amāra est neque dulcis. The medicine is bitter, not sweet.
72.14 Neque diēs neque nox dolōrem minuit. Neither day nor night lessens the pain.
72.15 Venenum letāle neque cūrābile est. The poison is deadly and incurable.
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Part C (Latin Text Only)
72.1 Aegrotus febrem habet neque dolōrem.
72.2 Neque opium neque mandragora aegrō data est.
72.3 Medicus sanguinem mittit neque pūrgat.
72.4 Herba calida est neque sicca.
72.5 Neque vīnum neque cervīsia febricitantī danda sunt.
72.6 Vulnus profundum neque lātum est.
72.7 Pharmacopōla unguentum parat neque potionem.
72.8 Neque calidā aquā neque frīgidā lavāre debet.
72.9 Tumor magnus neque dolōrōsus appāret.
72.10 Remedium celeriter neque perfectē sanat.
72.11 Neque mel neque saccharum diabēticō dandum est.
72.12 Herbārius radicem colligit neque flōrem.
72.13 Medicina amāra est neque dulcis.
72.14 Neque diēs neque nox dolōrem minuit.
72.15 Venenum letāle neque cūrābile est.
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Part D (Grammar Explanation)
Grammar Rules for neque
Neque is a coordinating conjunction that combines negation with coordination. Here are the essential rules:
Basic Function: neque = et + nōn (and + not)
Example: "habet febrem neque dolōrem" = "has fever and not pain"
Alternative Form: neque can be shortened to nec
Both forms are equally correct
nec is more common in poetry for metrical reasons
Position in Sentence:
Usually placed before the word or phrase it negates
Can begin a sentence when negating the entire clause
Double Usage (neque ... neque):
Means "neither ... nor"
Each neque precedes the element being negated
Example: "Neque opium neque mandragora" = "Neither opium nor mandrake"
Common Mistakes
Confusing with et nōn:
WRONG: "et nōn dolōrem" (awkward)
RIGHT: "neque dolōrem" (elegant)
Incorrect placement in double construction:
WRONG: "neque opium mandragora neque"
RIGHT: "neque opium neque mandragora"
Using with already negative words:
WRONG: "neque numquam" (double negative)
RIGHT: "neque umquam" (and never)
Comparison with English
Unlike English, which often uses "and not" or "but not," Latin prefers the single word neque for elegance and clarity. Where English might say "has fever and doesn't have pain," Latin simply says "febrem habet neque dolōrem."
Step-by-Step Guide for Using neque
Single neque: Replace "et nōn" with "neque"
"gives medicine and not poison" → "dat medicinam neque venenum"
Double neque: For "neither ... nor"
"neither hot nor cold" → "neque calidus neque frīgidus"
With verbs: Can negate entire verbal phrases
"prepares but doesn't administer" → "parat neque administrat"
Note on Rare Construction
The use of "neque" meaning "but not" within a single clause (as in 72.1 "habet febrem neque dolōrem") is relatively rare in classical Latin. More common alternatives include:
"habet febrem sed non dolōrem" (using sed non)
"habet febrem, dolōrem autem non habet" (using autem with repetition of verb)
"febrem habet, non dolōrem" (using asyndeton with non)
This construction appears occasionally in technical and medical texts where brevity was valued, but learners should be aware it's not the standard classical phrasing. The more typical use of neque is in the "neque ... neque" construction or at the beginning of a clause.
Grammatical Summary
Type: Coordinating conjunction
Meaning: and not, nor
Forms: neque (full form), nec (shortened form)
Special construction: neque ... neque (neither ... nor)
Position: Before the negated element
Cannot combine with: Other negative words (creates double negative)
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Part E (Cultural Context)
In Roman medical practice, the use of neque was crucial for precise medical documentation. Roman physicians like Celsus and Scribonius Largus used this conjunction extensively when describing:
Differential Diagnosis: Romans carefully noted what symptoms were present and which were absent. The phrase "habet febrem neque tussim" (has fever but not cough) helped narrow down conditions.
Contraindications: Medical texts frequently used "neque ... neque" to list what should not be given to patients. This was especially important in an era without modern pharmacology.
Humoral Theory: The four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) were described in terms of what they were and were not. A condition might be "calida neque sicca" (hot but not dry).
Herbal Properties: Roman herbalists classified plants by multiple properties. A plant might be described as "amāra neque calida" (bitter but not heating).
Treatment Protocols: Roman medical texts often specified what not to do, using neque to warn against harmful practices. This negative instruction was as important as positive directions.
The precision offered by neque allowed Roman medical writers to create clear, unambiguous texts that could be followed by physicians throughout the Empire. This linguistic precision contributed to the standardization of medical practice across diverse regions.
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Part F (Literary Citation)
From Celsus, De Medicina 3.7.1 (on recognizing fever types):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Febris fever quae which neque neither remittit remits neque nor intermittit intermits sed but eōdem in the same tenōre course permanet remains continua continuous dicitur is called. Haec this neque neither certōs fixed circuitūs cycles habet has neque nor manifestās clear accessiōnēs attacks sed but perpetuō perpetually urget presses.
Part F-B (Complete Translation)
Febris quae neque remittit neque intermittit sed eōdem tenōre permanet continua dicitur. Haec neque certōs circuitūs habet neque manifestās accessiōnēs sed perpetuō urget.
A fever which neither remits nor intermits but remains in the same course is called continuous. This has neither fixed cycles nor clear attacks but presses perpetually.
Part F-C (Literary Analysis)
Celsus demonstrates the medical precision of neque in this passage. The double use of "neque ... neque" appears twice, creating a clear clinical definition by exclusion. This negative definition was typical of Roman medical writing, where what a condition was NOT could be as diagnostically important as what it was.
Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)
First "neque ... neque": connects two verbs (remittit, intermittit)
Second "neque ... neque": connects two noun phrases (certōs circuitūs, manifestās accessiōnēs)
The conjunction "sed" provides contrast to the negative descriptions
Word order emphasizes the continuous nature through the parallel negative constructions
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Genre Section: Medical Prescription
Part A (Interleaved Text)
72.16 Recipe take herbam herb betonicae of betony neque and not flōrem flower sed but radicem root
72.17 Aegrotō to the sick person neque neither lac milk neque nor caseus cheese dandus to be given est is
72.18 Pulvis the powder subtīlis fine sit let it be neque and not crassus coarse
72.19 Medicāmentum the medicine māne in morning sūmendum to be taken est is neque and not vesperī in evening
72.20 Neque neither ante before cibum food neque nor post after prandium lunch bibat let him drink
72.21 Emplastrum the plaster calidum warm impōne apply neque and not frīgidum cold
72.22 Infāns the infant lac milk māternum maternal sūgat may suck neque and not aliēnum foreign
72.23 Neque neither sōl sun neque nor lūna moon vulnus wound tangat may touch
72.24 Decoctum the decoction dulce sweet fac make neque and not amārum bitter
72.25 Patientī to the patient neque neither vīnum wine neque nor acetum vinegar permitte permit
72.26 Unguentum the ointment lene gentle esto let it be neque and not ācre sharp
72.27 Neque neither calidīs in hot neque nor frīgidīs in cold locīs places aeger the patient iaceat may lie
72.28 Pilulae the pills parvae small sint let them be neque and not magnae large
72.29 Morbō by disease oppressus oppressed neque neither labōret may work neque nor iter journey faciat may make
72.30 Potio the potion tepida lukewarm detur let it be given neque and not fervens boiling
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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)
72.16 Recipe herbam betonicae neque flōrem sed radicem. Take the herb of betony, not the flower but the root.
72.17 Aegrotō neque lac neque caseus dandus est. Neither milk nor cheese should be given to the sick person.
72.18 Pulvis subtīlis sit neque crassus. Let the powder be fine, not coarse.
72.19 Medicāmentum māne sūmendum est neque vesperī. The medicine should be taken in the morning, not in the evening.
72.20 Neque ante cibum neque post prandium bibat. Let him drink neither before food nor after lunch.
72.21 Emplastrum calidum impōne neque frīgidum. Apply the plaster warm, not cold.
72.22 Infāns lac māternum sūgat neque aliēnum. Let the infant suck maternal milk, not foreign.
72.23 Neque sōl neque lūna vulnus tangat. Let neither sun nor moon touch the wound.
72.24 Decoctum dulce fac neque amārum. Make the decoction sweet, not bitter.
72.25 Patientī neque vīnum neque acetum permitte. Permit the patient neither wine nor vinegar.
72.26 Unguentum lene esto neque ācre. Let the ointment be gentle, not sharp.
72.27 Neque calidīs neque frīgidīs locīs aeger iaceat. Let the patient lie in neither hot nor cold places.
72.28 Pilulae parvae sint neque magnae. Let the pills be small, not large.
72.29 Morbō oppressus neque labōret neque iter faciat. One oppressed by disease should neither work nor travel.
72.30 Potio tepida detur neque fervens. Let the potion be given lukewarm, not boiling.
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Part C (Latin Text Only)
72.16 Recipe herbam betonicae neque flōrem sed radicem.
72.17 Aegrotō neque lac neque caseus dandus est.
72.18 Pulvis subtīlis sit neque crassus.
72.19 Medicāmentum māne sūmendum est neque vesperī.
72.20 Neque ante cibum neque post prandium bibat.
72.21 Emplastrum calidum impōne neque frīgidum.
72.22 Infāns lac māternum sūgat neque aliēnum.
72.23 Neque sōl neque lūna vulnus tangat.
72.24 Decoctum dulce fac neque amārum.
72.25 Patientī neque vīnum neque acetum permitte.
72.26 Unguentum lene esto neque ācre.
72.27 Neque calidīs neque frīgidīs locīs aeger iaceat.
72.28 Pilulae parvae sint neque magnae.
72.29 Morbō oppressus neque labōret neque iter faciat.
72.30 Potio tepida detur neque fervens.
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Part D (Grammar Explanation for Medical Prescriptions)
Special Uses of neque in Medical Latin
In Imperatives and Prescriptions:
"Recipe herbam neque flōrem" - The imperative is understood to apply to both elements
neque creates clear pharmaceutical instructions
With Passive Periphrastic (Gerundive):
"neque lac dandus est" - expressing what must not be given
Common in contraindications
In Jussive Subjunctive:
"Pulvis subtīlis sit neque crassus" - let it be fine, not coarse
Used for gentle commands in prescriptions
Temporal Restrictions:
"māne sūmendum est neque vesperī" - specific timing instructions
"Neque ante cibum neque post prandium" - dietary timing
Common Prescription Patterns
Quality Specifications:
Positive quality + neque + negative quality
Example: "lene esto neque ācre" (be gentle, not sharp)
Substance Restrictions:
neque + substance A + neque + substance B
Example: "neque vīnum neque acetum" (neither wine nor vinegar)
Environmental Conditions:
Often with ablative of place
Example: "Neque calidīs neque frīgidīs locīs" (in neither hot nor cold places)
Medical Prescription Vocabulary with neque
Temperature: calidum neque frīgidum (warm, not cold)
Consistency: subtīlis neque crassus (fine, not coarse)
Taste: dulce neque amārum (sweet, not bitter)
Timing: māne neque vesperī (morning, not evening)
Texture: lene neque ācre (smooth, not sharp)
Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Medical Prohibitions
Identify what is prohibited
Choose between single neque or double neque ... neque
Use appropriate mood:
Subjunctive for gentle prohibition
Imperative + neque for direct commands
Place neque before each prohibited element
Example Construction:
English: "The patient should take neither opium nor wine"
Steps:
Subject: patiens (the patient)
Verb: sūmat (should take) - subjunctive
Objects: neither opium nor wine
Latin: "Patiens neque opium neque vīnum sūmat"
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About This Course
The Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists course is part of the Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course series, specifically designed for autodidactic learners in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. These lessons follow the innovative method developed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, which emphasizes:
Construed Text Method: Each lesson breaks down Latin texts into the smallest meaningful units, allowing learners to see direct word-for-word correspondences between Latin and English. This granular approach is particularly valuable for medical professionals who need precise understanding of pharmaceutical and medical terminology.
Progressive Complexity: Starting with simple medical phrases, the lessons gradually introduce more complex grammatical structures while maintaining focus on practical medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal vocabulary.
Authentic Medical Texts: The literary citations (Part F) feature genuine excerpts from Roman medical writers like Celsus, Scribonius Largus, and Pliny, giving learners direct access to historical medical Latin.
Genre-Based Learning: Each lesson includes a genre section focusing on practical medical writing styles - prescriptions, case histories, herbal preparations, and diagnostic descriptions.
Cultural Context: Understanding Roman medical practice enhances comprehension of medical Latin terminology still used today in pharmacology and botanical nomenclature.
The curator, Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. His work with the Latinum Institute has pioneered accessible Latin learning methods for specialized fields. The Institute's materials are used by medical students, pharmacists, herbalists, and historians of medicine worldwide.
These lessons are particularly suited for:
Medical professionals seeking to understand pharmaceutical nomenclature
Herbalists working with botanical Latin
Historians of medicine reading original texts
Pharmacists decoding traditional prescriptions
Anyone interested in the roots of medical terminology
Each lesson stands alone while building systematically on previous vocabulary and grammar, making the course ideal for self-directed learning at your own pace.
For more information and additional resources, visit:
latinum.substack.com
latinum.org.uk
References to Evan der Millner's work can be found in various online Latin learning communities and academic discussions of innovative Latin pedagogy.
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