I believe there are lots of reasons why the Roman Empire declined but the 3 most important ones are, Government corruption and political instability, Invasions by Barbarian tribes, and The rise of the Eastern Empire, but the one I think is the most important is the first one reason.
So that the doctor would give him hope that he would recover so he would continue the treatment.
The answer is gold speculators
So they could mainstain a stronger colonie and become a better empire
