"If disease is postulated as caused by gods,

"如果假定疾病是由于上帝
daemons or demons,

恶魔或者魔族引起的
scientific progress is impossible.

那么科学进步就不可能发生
If it is attributed to hypothetical humors,

如果这归功于设想的体液
the theory can be tested and improved.

那这个理论可以被检验并改进
The conception of natural causation was the essential first step.

自然因果关系的概念是第一步
It marks incomparably the most epochal advance

它在人类的认知历史上
in the intellectual history of mankind."

标志着无可比拟的划时代进步"
that perhaps is putting it a little strongly,

这个说法或许有点太夸张了
but you certainly get the point.

但是你们一定明白他的意思
Now, why perhaps was there a rational scientific medicine

那么为什么在5世纪的希腊
in fifth century Greece?

会出现一个理性的科学医学呢