Lesson 79: Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
sīc - in this manner, thus; sīc ... ut: in the same way as
Introduction
The adverb sīc is one of the most versatile and frequently used words in Latin medical and pharmaceutical texts. It means "in this manner," "thus," "so," or "in this way." Medical writers use sīc to describe procedures, compare symptoms, and explain causal relationships in prescriptions and diagnoses.
Definition: sīc is an adverb that indicates manner or method, often pointing to something previously mentioned or about to be explained. It can also introduce result clauses (sīc...ut = "so...that") and create comparisons.
FAQ Schema
Question: What does sīc mean in Latin?
Answer: Sīc is a Latin adverb meaning "in this manner," "thus," "so," or "in this way." It indicates how something is done or refers to a previously mentioned method or manner.
In this lesson, sīc appears in various medical contexts: describing preparation methods for remedies, explaining diagnostic procedures, comparing symptoms, and establishing cause-and-effect relationships in treatments. You'll encounter it in instructions for compounding medicines, clinical observations, and therapeutic protocols.
Educational Schema
Course: Latin for Medical Professionals
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Adverbs of Manner - sīc
Skills: Reading comprehension, medical vocabulary, pharmaceutical instructions
Prerequisites: Basic Latin grammar, medical terminology
Key Takeaways
sīc is an indeclinable adverb (never changes form)
Often correlates with ut to mean "in such a way that"
Essential for understanding medical procedures and prescriptions
Frequently appears in comparative constructions
Used to reference previously stated methods or results
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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)
79.1 Sīc thus herbam the herb praeparā prepare ut so that vīrēs powers servētur may be preserved
79.2 Medicus the physician sīc in this manner vulnus the wound cūrāvit treated
79.3 Pharmacopola the pharmacist medicāmentum the medicine sīc thus miscuit mixed
79.4 Nōn not sīc thus sed but aliter otherwise rādīcem the root coque cook
79.5 Sīc so febris the fever augētur is increased ut that aeger the patient dēlīret may become delirious
79.6 Herba the herb sīc in this way siccāta dried diūtius longer dūrat lasts
79.7 Morbus the disease sīc thus prōgreditur advances in in corpore the body
79.8 Sīc in such a way dosis the dose augeātur should be increased ut that effectus the effect videātur may be seen
79.9 Pharmacēs drugs nōn not sīc in this manner miscendae to be mixed sunt are
79.10 Aeger the patient sīc thus iacēbat was lying in in lectō the bed
79.11 Venenum the poison sīc so operātur works ut that cor the heart sistat may stop
79.12 Sīc in this way oleum the oil ex from sēminibus seeds exprimitur is pressed out
79.13 Medicus the physician sīc thus dīxit said dē about morbō the disease
79.14 Remedium the remedy sīc so parātum prepared efficācius more effective est is
79.15 Sīc in such a manner antiquī the ancients medicī physicians cūrābant used to cure
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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)
79.1 Sīc herbam praeparā ut vīrēs servētur. Prepare the herb in this way so that its potency may be preserved.
79.2 Medicus sīc vulnus cūrāvit. The physician treated the wound in this manner.
79.3 Pharmacopola medicāmentum sīc miscuit. The pharmacist mixed the medicine thus.
79.4 Nōn sīc sed aliter rādīcem coque. Cook the root not in this way but otherwise.
79.5 Sīc febris augētur ut aeger dēlīret. The fever increases so much that the patient becomes delirious.
79.6 Herba sīc siccāta diūtius dūrat. The herb dried in this way lasts longer.
79.7 Morbus sīc prōgreditur in corpore. The disease advances thus in the body.
79.8 Sīc dosis augeātur ut effectus videātur. Let the dose be increased in such a way that the effect may be seen.
79.9 Pharmacēs nōn sīc miscendae sunt. Drugs are not to be mixed in this manner.
79.10 Aeger sīc iacēbat in lectō. The patient was lying thus in bed.
79.11 Venenum sīc operātur ut cor sistat. The poison works in such a way that the heart stops.
79.12 Sīc oleum ex sēminibus exprimitur. In this way oil is pressed from seeds.
79.13 Medicus sīc dīxit dē morbō. The physician spoke thus about the disease.
79.14 Remedium sīc parātum efficācius est. A remedy prepared in this way is more effective.
79.15 Sīc antiquī medicī cūrābant. Thus the ancient physicians used to cure.
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Part C (Latin Text Only)
79.1 Sīc herbam praeparā ut vīrēs servētur.
79.2 Medicus sīc vulnus cūrāvit.
79.3 Pharmacopola medicāmentum sīc miscuit.
79.4 Nōn sīc sed aliter rādīcem coque.
79.5 Sīc febris augētur ut aeger dēlīret.
79.6 Herba sīc siccāta diūtius dūrat.
79.7 Morbus sīc prōgreditur in corpore.
79.8 Sīc dosis augeātur ut effectus videātur.
79.9 Pharmacēs nōn sīc miscendae sunt.
79.10 Aeger sīc iacēbat in lectō.
79.11 Venenum sīc operātur ut cor sistat.
79.12 Sīc oleum ex sēminibus exprimitur.
79.13 Medicus sīc dīxit dē morbō.
79.14 Remedium sīc parātum efficācius est.
79.15 Sīc antiquī medicī cūrābant.
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Part D (Grammar Explanation)
Grammar Rules for sīc
sīc is an indeclinable adverb, meaning it never changes its form regardless of the grammatical context. Here are the essential grammar points for English speakers learning to use sīc in Latin medical texts:
1. Basic Functions
Demonstrative Adverb: Points to a manner or method
Example: "Medicus sīc vulnus cūrāvit" (The physician treated the wound in this manner)
Refers to a previously described or about-to-be-described method
Intensifying Adverb: Emphasizes degree
Example: "Sīc febris augētur" (The fever increases so much)
Similar to English "so" in intensity
2. Common Constructions
sīc...ut (result clause): "in such a way that," "so...that"
Main clause: sīc + indicative verb
Result clause: ut + subjunctive verb
Example: "Sīc dosis augeātur ut effectus videātur" (Let the dose be increased in such a way that the effect may be seen)
nōn sīc...sed: "not in this way...but"
Creates contrast between methods
Example: "Nōn sīc sed aliter rādīcem coque" (Cook the root not in this way but otherwise)
3. Word Order Flexibility
Unlike English, where "thus" typically comes at the beginning or end of a clause, Latin sīc can appear:
Initial position (emphasis): "Sīc herbam praeparā"
Post-subject: "Medicus sīc vulnus cūrāvit"
Post-object: "Pharmacopola medicāmentum sīc miscuit"
Final position: "Pharmacēs nōn sīc miscendae sunt"
Common Mistakes
Confusing with sī (if)
sīc = thus (adverb)
sī = if (conjunction)
Common error: Writing "sī" when meaning "thus"
Forgetting the subjunctive in sīc...ut clauses
Correct: "Sīc facit ut aeger sanētur" (subjunctive)
Incorrect: "Sīc facit ut aeger sanātur" (indicative)
Overusing English word order
English: "Prepare the herb thus"
Latin flexibility: "Sīc herbam praeparā" / "Herbam sīc praeparā" / "Herbam praeparā sīc"
Missing the long vowel
Always write sīc with macron
The long ī distinguishes it from other similar words
Comparison with English
English "thus" and "so" are more restricted in placement than Latin sīc:
English typically: "Thus the physician spoke" or "The physician spoke thus"
Latin allows: "Sīc medicus dīxit" / "Medicus sīc dīxit" / "Medicus dīxit sīc"
English often requires helping words that Latin doesn't:
English: "prepared in this way"
Latin: "sīc parātum" (literally "thus prepared")
Step-by-Step Guide for sīc...ut Construction
Identify the manner/method in the main clause
Place sīc near the verb or action it modifies
Use indicative mood in the main clause
Begin the result clause with ut
Use subjunctive mood in the ut-clause
Check that the result logically follows from the manner
Example breakdown:
Main action: "dosis augeātur" (dose should be increased)
Manner: "sīc" (in such a way)
Result: "ut effectus videātur" (that the effect may be seen)
Complete: "Sīc dosis augeātur ut effectus videātur"
Grammatical Summary
Part of Speech: Adverb
Declension: Indeclinable
Meaning: thus, so, in this manner, in this way
Common phrases: sīc...ut (so...that), nōn sīc (not thus), sīc et (thus also)
Mood triggers: When paired with ut, requires subjunctive in the ut-clause
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Part E (Cultural Context)
For English-speaking medical professionals learning Latin, understanding sīc provides insight into how ancient and medieval physicians communicated precise instructions. Roman and medieval medical texts relied heavily on sīc to ensure accurate transmission of medical knowledge across generations.
In pharmaceutical preparations, sīc marked critical procedural steps. When Galen wrote "sīc praeparātur" (it is prepared thus), he signaled that the exact method was essential for the remedy's efficacy. Deviation from the prescribed manner could render the medicine useless or even harmful.
Medieval monastery infirmaries used sīc in their recipe books (receptaria) to preserve traditional preparation methods. The phrase "sīc fēcērunt maiōrēs nostrī" (thus did our ancestors) legitimized treatments by appealing to established tradition—a crucial consideration in pre-modern medicine where empirical testing was limited.
The construction sīc...ut appears frequently in toxicology texts, describing how poisons affect the body: "Venenum sīc operātur ut..." (The poison works in such a way that...). This precise cause-and-effect language helped physicians recognize poisoning symptoms and apply appropriate antidotes.
Modern pharmaceutical Latin preserves this precision. Prescription abbreviations like "ut dict." (ut dictum = as directed) descend from this tradition of exact procedural language. When modern pharmacists see "sīc" in historical texts, they recognize an ancestor of today's precise pharmaceutical instructions.
The word also appears in the famous notation [sīc] in modern texts, indicating that an apparent error in a quotation appears thus in the original—maintaining the Roman concern for accurate transmission of information.
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Part F (Literary Citation)
From Celsus, De Medicina 5.26.23 (On treating wounds):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Ubi when vulnus a wound pūs pus movet produces, sīc thus cūrandum to be treated est it is: prīmum first id it calidā with warm aquā water fovēre to foment, deinde then sīc in such a way dēligāre to bandage ut that ēmittere to discharge umōrem the fluid possit it may be able; sed but nōn not sīc so artē tightly ut that dolor pain augeātur may be increased.
Part F-B (Complete Translation)
Ubi vulnus pūs movet, sīc cūrandum est: prīmum id calidā aquā fovēre, deinde sīc dēligāre ut ēmittere umōrem possit; sed nōn sīc artē ut dolor augeātur.
When a wound produces pus, it must be treated thus: first foment it with warm water, then bandage it in such a way that it can discharge the fluid; but not so tightly that pain is increased.
Part F-C (Literary Analysis)
Celsus demonstrates the medical precision of sīc through three distinct uses in this passage. First, "sīc cūrandum est" introduces the entire treatment protocol. Second, "sīc dēligāre ut" specifies the exact bandaging technique with its intended result. Third, "nōn sīc artē ut" warns against excessive tightness. This triple use of sīc creates a careful balance between therapeutic action and potential harm—a fundamental principle in medicine expressed through precise adverbial language.
Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)
"sīc cūrandum est" - gerundive construction with sīc defining method
"sīc dēligāre ut...possit" - sīc...ut with subjunctive showing purpose/result
"nōn sīc artē ut...augeātur" - negative sīc...ut with subjunctive of result to be avoided
"fovēre" and "dēligāre" - complementary infinitives depending on implied "oportet" (one ought)
Word order places sīc strategically at key procedural transitions
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Genre Section: Medical Recipe/Prescription
Part A (Interleaved Text)
79.16 Recipe take herbam herb betonicae of betony et and sīc thus praeparā prepare
79.17 Prīmum first herbam the herb mundā clean et and sīc in this way siccā dry in in umbrā shade
79.18 Deinde then sīc thus pulverā powder ut so that tenuissima very fine fīat it may become
79.19 Pulverem the powder sīc in this manner servā preserve in in vāse vessel fictilī earthen
79.20 Cum when opus need est there is, sīc thus ūtere use: cocleāre a spoonful ūnum one sūme take
79.21 Aquam water calidam warm addē add et and sīc so miscē mix ut that pōtiō a potion fīat may be made
79.22 Aegrō to the patient sīc in this way dā give ut so that ante before cibum food bibat he may drink
79.23 Nōn not sīc thus praeparēs you should prepare sī if febris fever adest is present
79.24 Sed but sīc in this manner faciās you should do: cum with mellē honey miscē mix remedium the remedy
79.25 Dosis the dose sīc thus moderanda to be regulated est is ut so that vīrēs strength aegri of the patient nōn not dēficiant may fail
79.26 Ter three times in in diē a day sīc thus medicāmen the medicine sūmendum to be taken est is
79.27 Sīc in such a way continuā continue cūram the treatment ut that morbus the disease cedat may yield
79.28 Sī if dolor pain redit returns, sīc thus age act: dosim the dose augē increase
79.29 Medicāmentum the medicine sīc so temperātum tempered citō quickly sanat heals
79.30 Hoc this modō in manner sīc thus veterēs the ancients medicī physicians betonicam betony praescrībēbant used to prescribe
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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)
79.16 Recipe herbam betonicae et sīc praeparā. Take the herb betony and prepare it thus.
79.17 Prīmum herbam mundā et sīc siccā in umbrā. First clean the herb and dry it in this way in the shade.
79.18 Deinde sīc pulverā ut tenuissima fīat. Then powder it thus so that it becomes very fine.
79.19 Pulverem sīc servā in vāse fictilī. Preserve the powder in this manner in an earthen vessel.
79.20 Cum opus est, sīc ūtere: cocleāre ūnum sūme. When there is need, use it thus: take one spoonful.
79.21 Aquam calidam addē et sīc miscē ut pōtiō fīat. Add warm water and mix it so that a potion is made.
79.22 Aegrō sīc dā ut ante cibum bibat. Give it to the patient in this way so that he may drink it before food.
79.23 Nōn sīc praeparēs sī febris adest. Do not prepare it thus if fever is present.
79.24 Sed sīc faciās: cum mellē miscē remedium. But do it in this manner: mix the remedy with honey.
79.25 Dosis sīc moderanda est ut vīrēs aegri nōn dēficiant. The dose must be regulated thus so that the patient's strength does not fail.
79.26 Ter in diē sīc medicāmen sūmendum est. Three times a day the medicine must be taken thus.
79.27 Sīc continuā cūram ut morbus cedat. Continue the treatment in such a way that the disease yields.
79.28 Sī dolor redit, sīc age: dosim augē. If pain returns, act thus: increase the dose.
79.29 Medicāmentum sīc temperātum citō sanat. Medicine tempered in this way heals quickly.
79.30 Hoc modō sīc veterēs medicī betonicam praescrībēbant. In this manner thus the ancient physicians used to prescribe betony.
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Part C (Latin Text Only)
79.16 Recipe herbam betonicae et sīc praeparā.
79.17 Prīmum herbam mundā et sīc siccā in umbrā.
79.18 Deinde sīc pulverā ut tenuissima fīat.
79.19 Pulverem sīc servā in vāse fictilī.
79.20 Cum opus est, sīc ūtere: cocleāre ūnum sūme.
79.21 Aquam calidam addē et sīc miscē ut pōtiō fīat.
79.22 Aegrō sīc dā ut ante cibum bibat.
79.23 Nōn sīc praeparēs sī febris adest.
79.24 Sed sīc faciās: cum mellē miscē remedium.
79.25 Dosis sīc moderanda est ut vīrēs aegri nōn dēficiant.
79.26 Ter in diē sīc medicāmen sūmendum est.
79.27 Sīc continuā cūram ut morbus cedat.
79.28 Sī dolor redit, sīc age: dosim augē.
79.29 Medicāmentum sīc temperātum citō sanat.
79.30 Hoc modō sīc veterēs medicī betonicam praescrībēbant.
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Part D (Grammar Explanation for Medical Prescriptions)
Special Uses of sīc in Medical Recipes
Medical prescriptions demonstrate unique grammatical patterns with sīc that English-speaking medical professionals need to master:
1. Imperative Instructions with sīc
When sīc appears with imperatives, it specifies exact procedural steps:
"sīc praeparā" (prepare thus) - 2nd person singular imperative
"sīc age" (act thus) - introduces specific actions
"sīc ūtere" (use thus) - followed by detailed instructions
Unlike English, which might say "prepare as follows," Latin places sīc directly with the imperative verb.
2. Sequential Instructions
Medical recipes use sīc with temporal markers:
"prīmum...et sīc" (first...and thus)
"deinde sīc" (then thus)
Shows progression through preparation stages
3. Conditional Modifications
"nōn sīc...sī" construction for contraindications:
"Nōn sīc praeparēs sī febris adest" (Do not prepare thus if fever is present)
Subjunctive "praeparēs" shows potential action to be avoided
"sed sīc faciās" provides alternative method
4. Purpose and Result in Dosing
sīc...ut with gerundive for administration:
"sīc moderanda est ut" (must be regulated so that)
"sīc dā ut...bibat" (give thus so that he may drink)
Subjunctive in ut-clause shows intended outcome
5. Passive Prescriptive Constructions
"sīc medicāmen sūmendum est" (the medicine must be taken thus)
Gerundive + esse creates obligation
sīc modifies the entire prescriptive phrase
Common Prescription Patterns
Recipe + sīc: Opening formula
"Recipe herbam...et sīc praeparā"
Standard opening for herbal preparations
Temporal sīc: During preparation
"sīc siccā in umbrā" (dry thus in shade)
Specifies environmental conditions
Dosage sīc: For administration
"ter in diē sīc...sūmendum est"
Frequency and manner combined
Comparison with Modern Prescription Latin
Modern: "Sig:" (signā = label) Classical: "sīc ūtere" (use thus)
Both introduce patient instructions, but classical Latin provides more detailed procedural guidance.
Word Order in Medical Instructions
Flexible placement for emphasis:
Command emphasis: "Sīc pulverā ut tenuissima fīat"
Modification emphasis: "Pulverem sīc servā"
Contrast emphasis: "Nōn sīc praeparēs"
Grammatical Markers in This Genre
Imperatives: praeparā, mundā, siccā, pulverā
Gerundives: moderanda, sūmendum
Purpose clauses: ut + subjunctive
Temporal clauses: cum + indicative
Conditional clauses: sī + present indicative
These patterns create precise, unambiguous medical instructions essential for patient safety.
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About This Course
The Latinum Institute's Latin Reading Course represents a revolutionary approach to Latin language acquisition, specifically designed for autodidacts—self-directed learners who wish to master Latin independently. Created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been developing innovative online language learning materials since 2006, these lessons draw from decades of experience in classical language pedagogy.
The course methodology, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, employs a unique "construed text" approach. This technique, refined from traditional grammar-translation methods, presents Latin texts with interlinear glossing that allows learners to see the direct correspondence between Latin and English at the most granular level. This approach particularly benefits medical professionals, pharmacists, and herbalists who need to understand historical medical texts with precision.
Each lesson follows a carefully structured format:
Part A provides word-by-word interlinear translation, enabling learners to grasp vocabulary and grammatical relationships simultaneously
Parts B and C present the same content in increasingly natural Latin, training the brain to process authentic Latin syntax
Part D offers comprehensive grammatical explanations tailored for English speakers
Parts E and F provide cultural context and authentic literary examples
The medical focus of this series addresses a specific need in the healthcare community. Many historical medical texts, pharmaceutical preparations, and botanical descriptions remain untranslated. This course empowers healthcare professionals to access this knowledge directly, understanding not just vocabulary but the precise procedural language essential for interpreting historical remedies and preparations.
The Latinum Institute's materials have been continuously refined through online delivery since 2006, incorporating feedback from thousands of learners worldwide. Evan der Millner's work has been recognized in various academic citations and reviews for its innovative approach to classical language learning in the digital age.
For autodidacts, this structured approach offers several advantages:
No prior knowledge assumed—each lesson builds systematically
Self-paced learning with complete explanations
Immediate practical application to medical and pharmaceutical texts
Cultural and historical context that enriches understanding
Authentic texts that demonstrate real Latin usage
The course recognizes that modern learners need efficient methods that respect their time while delivering genuine competence. By focusing on high-frequency vocabulary and essential grammatical constructions within a medical context, learners achieve functional literacy faster than through traditional academic approaches.
Further resources and supplementary materials are available at latinum.org.uk, where learners can access additional exercises, audio resources, and community support. The method's success lies in its respect for both the complexity of Latin and the intelligence of independent learners who choose to master this foundational language of Western medicine and science.
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