Hiccup and sneeze

Use in the book

Aristophanes cannot speak, so Eryximachus speaks first while prescribing breath-holding, gargling and finally a sneeze. The narrative does not state confidently that overeating caused the hiccup. Once cured, Aristophanes asks whether the orderly body desires such noises and ticklings. The joke takes up Eryximachus’ own language of bodily desires and order without delivering a formal refutation of his entire medical cosmology.

Places to read

1. 185c–eThe interruption, exchanged turns and successive remedies.
2. 189a–bThe sneeze becomes a comic challenge to the doctor.

Translation in this edition

The edition preserves the uncertain cause and the sequence of remedies. The practical sequence also governs the changed order of the speeches.

γαργαλισμός (gargalismos)

gargalismos — A tickling or irritation, invoked with noise to challenge a solemn picture of bodily order.

• 189a — γαργαλισμῶν. Part of Aristophanes’ teasing question about what the orderly body desires.

Read: Hiccup and sneeze.

λύγξ (lynx)

lynx — A hiccup, the bodily interruption that changes the order of speeches.

• 185c — λύγγα. The cause is left uncertain: surfeit or something else.
• 185d — ἡ λύγξ. The doctor’s proposed remedies address it.

Read: Hiccup and sneeze.

πταρμός (ptarmos)

ptarmos — A sneeze, the noisy remedy that finally stops the hiccup.

• 189a — τὸν πταρμὸν. Aristophanes reports the successful intervention.

Read: Hiccup and sneeze.

πτάρνυμαι (ptarnymai)

ptarnymai — To sneeze; the imperative gives the doctor’s final proposed remedy.

• 185e — πτάρε. The command follows breath-holding and gargling.

Read: Hiccup and sneeze.