Organon §84

Let the patient talk.

Obtain information from the patient's relations.

Observe the patient.

Write the case accurately.

Do not interrupt.

The patient complains of the process of his ailments. The patient's relations tell what he has complained of, his behavior and what they have perceived about him. The physician sees, hears and notices through the remaining senses what is altered or unusual about the patient. He writes everything down with the very same expressions used by the patient and his relations. The physician keeps silent, allowing them to say all they have to say without interruption, unless they stray off to side issues. 141 Only let the physician admonish them to speak slowly right at the outset so that, in writing down what is necessary, he can follow the speaker.

Comment

141 Every interruption disturbs the narrator's train of thought. All he would have said at first does not occur to him again in precisely the same way after the interruption.