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De Medicina (Celsus)
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De Medicina

Author: Celsus
Translator: Walter George Spencer
81
In
interiore
uero
faucium
parte
interdum
exulceratio
esse
consueuit
.
In
hac
plerique
extrinsecus
cataplasmatis
calidis
fomentisque
umidis
utuntur
:
uolunt
etiam
uaporem
calidum
ore
recipi
.
Per
quae
molliores
alii
partes
eas
fieri
dicunt
oportunioresque
uitio
iam
haerenti
.
Sed
si
bene
uitari
frigus
potest
,
tuta
illa
praesidia
;
si
metus
eius
est
,
superuacua
sunt
.
Vtique
autem
perfricare
fauces
periculosum
est
:
exulcerat
enim
.
Neque
utilia
sunt
quae
urinae
mouendae
sunt
,
quia
possunt
,
dum
transeunt
,
ibi
quoque
pituitam
extenuare
.
Asclepiades
multarum
rerum
,
quas
ipsi
quoque
secuti
sumus
,
auctor
bonus
,
acetum
ait
quam
acerrimum
esse
sorbendum
:
hoc
enim
sine
ulla
noxa
comprimi
ulcera
.
Sed
id
supprimere
sanguinem
,
ulcera
ipsa
sanare
non
potest
.
Melius
huic
rei
Lycium
est
,
quod
idem
quoque
aeque
probat
,
uel
porri
uel
marrubii
sucus
,
uel
nuces
Graecae
cum
tracanto
contritae
et
cum
passo
mixtae
,
uel
lini
semen
contritum
et
cum
dulci
uino
mixtum
.
Exercitatio
quoque
ambulandi
currendique
necessaria
est
,
frictio
a
pectore
uehemens
toti
inferiori
parti
adhibenda
.
Cibi
uero
esse
debent
neque
nimium
acres
neque
asperi
,
mel
,
lenticula
,
tragum
,
lac
,
tisana
,
pinguis
caro
,
praecipueque
porrum
et
quicquid
cum
hoc
mixtum
est
.
Potionis
quam
minimum
esse
conuenit
;
aqua
dari
potest
uel
pura
,
uel
in
qua
malum
Cotoneum
palmulaeue
decoctae
sint
.
Gargarizationes
quoque
lenes
,
sin
hae
parum
proficiunt
,
reprimentes
,
utiles
sunt
.
Hoc
genus
neque
acutum
est
et
potest
esse
non
longum
:
curationem
tamen
maturam
,
ne
uehementer
et
diu
laedat
,
desiderat
.
9 But in the interior parts of the throat there is sometimes ulceration. For this most employ plasters and hot foments externally; they also order hot steam to be inhaled by the mouth. Others say that by these measures the parts are rendered more soft and more liable to the complaint already existing there. But these applications are salutary if cold can be completely avoided; if cold is to be apprehended, they are useless. But anyhow to rub the throat is dangerous; for it provokes ulceration. Nor are diuretics useful, because in the course of being swallowed they can also make thin the phlegm there, which is better suppressed. Asclepiades, who wisely advises many things, which we also ourselves practise, said that very sour vinegar should be sipped; for by this the ulcers are constricted without doing harm. But whilst vinegar can suppress bleeding, it cannot heal the actual ulcerations. For that purpose lycium is better, and Asclepiades approved equally of it, or leek or horehound juice, or almonds pounded up with tragacanth and mixed with raisin wine, or linseed pounded and mixed with sweet wine. Exercise also by walking and by running is necessary, and smart rubbing from the chest downwards should be applied to the whole of the lower part of the body. The food too should be neither very acrid nor rough, honey, lentils, wheat porridge, milk, pearl barley gruel, fat meat and especially a leek decoction and anything mixed with it. Of drink the least possible is proper; water can be given either by itself, or when quince or dates have been boiled in it. Bland gargles are of service also, or when ineffectual then repressants. This sort of affection is not acute, and cannot last long; nevertheless, it requires timely treatment, lest it should become a severe and chronic complaint.
82
Tussis
uero
fere
propter
faucium
exulcerationem
est
.
Quae
multis
modis
contrahitur
:
itaque
illis
restitutis
ipsa
finitur
.
Solet
tamen
interdum
per
se
quoque
male
habere
,
et
uix
,
cum
uetus
facta
est
,
eliditur
.
Et
modo
arida
est
,
modo
pituitam
citat
.—
Oportet
hysopum
altero
quoque
die
bibere
;
spiritu
retento
currere
,
sed
minime
in
puluere
;
ac
lectione
uti
uehementi
,
quae
primo
impedita
tussi
,
post
eam
uincit
;
tum
ambulare
;
deinde
per
manus
quoque
exerceri
,
et
pectus
diu
perfricari
;
post
haec
quam
pinguissimae
ficus
uncias
tres
super
prunam
incoctas
esse
.
Praeter
haec
,
si
umida
est
,
prosunt
frictiones
ualidae
cum
quibusdam
calfacientibus
,
sic
ut
caput
quoque
siccum
uehementer
perfricetur
;
item
cucurbitulae
pectori
admotae
;
sinapi
ex
parte
exteriore
faucibus
inpositum
,
donec
leuiter
exulceret
;
potio
ex
menta
nucibusque
Graecis
et
amylo
;
primoque
adsumptus
panis
aridus
,
deinde
aliquis
cibus
lenis
.
At
si
sicca
tussis
est
,
cum
uehementissime
urget
,
adiuuat
uini
austeri
cyathus
adsumptus
,
dum
ne
amplius
id
interposito
tempore
aliquo
quam
ter
aut
quater
fiat
;
item
laseris
quam
optimi
paulum
deuorare
opus
est
;
porri
uel
marrubii
sucum
adsumere
;
scillam
delingere
,
acetum
ex
ea
uel
certe
acre
sorbere
;
aut
cum
spica
alii
contriti
duos
uini
cyathos
.
Vtilis
etiam
in
omni
tussi
est
peregrinatio
,
nauigatio
longa
,
loca
maritima
,
natationes
;
cibus
interdum
mollis
,
ut
malua
,
ut
urtica
,
interdum
acer
;
lac
cum
alio
coctum
;
sorbitiones
,
quibus
laser
sit
adiectum
,
aut
in
quibus
porrum
incoctum
tabuerit
;
ouum
sorbile
sulpure
adiecto
;
potui
primum
aqua
calida
,
deinde
in
uicem
aliis
diebus
haec
,
aliis
uinum
.
10 Cough again is generally owing to ulceration of the throat. This is incurred in many ways: and so when the throat has healed the cough is ended. Nevertheless, at times cough is a trouble by itself, and when it has become chronic, is difficult to get rid of. Sometimes the cough is dry, sometimes it excites phlegm. Hyssop should be taken every other day; the patient should run whilst holding the breath, but not where there is dust; he should practise reading loudly, which may at first be impeded by the cough, but later overcomes it; next walking; then manual exercises also, and the chest should be rubbed for a long while. After such exercises he should eat three ounces of very juicy figs, cooked over charcoal. Besides the above, when the cough is moist, smart rubbings with some kind of heating substance are good, provided that the head too is briskly rubbed when dry; in addition, cups are applied to the chest; mustard put on outside over the throat until there is slight excoriation; and a draught taken, composed of mint, almonds, and starch; first of all dry bread should be eaten, then any kind of bland food. But if the cough is dry and very troublesome, it is relieved by taking a cup of dry wine, provided that this is done only three or four times at rather long intervals; further, there is need to swallow a little of the best laser, to take juice of leeks or horehound; to suck a squill, to sip vinegar of squills, or at any rate sharp vinegar; or two cupfuls of wine with a bruised clove of garlic. In every case of cough it is of use to travel, take a long sea voyage, live at the seaside, swim, sometimes to take bland food, such as mallows, or nettle-tops, sometimes acrid; milk cooked with garlic; gruels to which laser has been added, or in which leeks have been boiled to pieces; a raw egg to which sulphur has been added; at first warm water to drink, than, in turn, one day water, the next day wine.
83
Magis
terreri
potest
aliquis
,
cum
sanguinem
expuit
:
sed
id
modo
minus
,
modo
plus
periculi
habet
.
Exit
modo
ex
gingiuis
,
modo
ex
ore
et
quidem
ex
hoc
interdum
etiam
copiose
,
sed
sine
tussi
,
sine
ulcere
,
sine
gingiuarum
ullo
uitio
,
ita
ut
nihil
excreetur
.
Verum
ut
ex
naribus
aliquando
,
sic
ex
ore
prorumpit
.
Atque
interdum
sanguis
profluit
,
interdum
simile
aquae
quiddam
,
in
qua
caro
recens
lota
est
.
Nonnumquam
autem
is
a
summis
faucibus
fertur
,
modo
exulcerata
ea
parte
,
modo
non
exulcerata
,
sed
aut
ore
uenae
alicuius
adaperto
,
aut
tuberculis
quibusdam
natis
, exq
ue
his
sanguine
erumpente
.
Quod
ubi
incidit
,
neque
laedit
potio
aut
cibus
neque
quicquam
ut
ex
ulcere
excreatur
.
Aliquando
uero
gutture
et
arteriis
exulceratis
frequens
tussis
sanguinem
quoque
extundit
:
interdum
etiam
fieri
solet
,
ut
aut
ex
pulmone
aut
ex
pectore
aut
ex
latere
aut
ex
iocinere
feratur
.
Saepe
feminae
,
quibus
sanguis
per
menstrua
non
respondit
,
hunc
expuunt
.
Auctoresque
medici
sunt
uel
exe sa
parte
aliqua
sanguinem
exire
,
uel
rupta
,
uel
ore
alicuius
uenae
patefacto
:
primam
ΔΙΑΒΡΩΣΙΝ
,
secundam
ΡΗΞΙΝ
[
ΣΧΑΣΜΟΝ
] ,
tertiam
ΑΝΑΣΤΟΜΩΣΙΝ
appellant
.
Vltima
minime
nocet
,
prima
grauissime
.
Ac
saepe
quidem
euenit
,
uti
sanguinem
pus
sequatur
.
Interdum
autem
qui
sanguinem
ipsum
suppressit
,
satis
ad
ualetudinem
profuit
:
sed
si
secuta
ulcera
sunt
,
si
pus
,
si
tussis
est
,
prout
sedes
ipsa
est
,
ita
uaria
et
periculosa
genera
morborum
sunt
.
Si
uero
sanguis
tantum
fluit
,
expeditius
et
remedium
et
finis
est
.
Neque
ignorari
oportet
eis
,
quibus
fluere
sanguis
solet
aut
quibus
dolet
spina
coxaeue
aut
post
cursum
uehementem
uel
ambulationem
,
dum
febris
absit
,
non
esse
inutile
sanguinis
mediocre
profluuium
,
idque
per
urinam
redditum
quoque
ipsam
lassitudinem
soluere
;
ac
ne
in
eo
quidem
terribile
esse
,
qui
ex
superiore
loco
decidit
,
si
tamen
in
eius
urina
nihil
nouauit
;
neque
uomitum
huius
adferre
periculum
,
etiam
cum
repetit
,
si
ante
confirmare
et
implere
corpus
licuit
et
ex
toto
nullum
nocere
,
qui
in
corpore
robusto
neque
nimius
est
neque
tussim
aut
calorem
mouet
.
Haec
pertinent
ad
uniuersum
:
nunc
ad
ea
loca
,
quae
praeposui
,
ueniam
.
Si
ex
gingiuis
exit
,
portulacam
manducasse
satis
est
;
si
ex
ore
,
continuisse
eo
merum
uinum
;
si
parum
id
proficit
,
acetum
.
Si
inter
haec
quoque
grauiter
erumpit
,
quia
consumere
hominem
potest
,
commodissimum
est
impetum
eius
admota
occipitio
cucurbitula
,
sic
ut
cutis
quoque
incidatur
,
auertere
:
si
id
mulieri
,
cui
menstrua
non
feruntur
,
euenit
,
eandem
cucurbitulam
incisis
inguinibus
eius
admouere
.
At
si
ex
faucibus
interioribusue
partibus
processit
,
et
metus
maior
est
et
cura
maior
adhibenda
.
Sanguis
mittendus
est
,
et
si
nihilo
minus
ex
ore
processit
,
iterum
tertioque
,
et
cotidie
paulum
aliquid
.
Protinus
autem
debet
sorbere
uel
acetum
uel
cum
ture
plantaginis
aut
porri
sucum
,
imponendaque
extrinsecus
supra
id
,
quod
dolet
,
lana
sucida
ex
aceto
est
,
et
id
spongia
subinde
refrigerandum
.
Erasistratus
horum
crura
quoque
et
femora
brachiaque
pluribus
locis
deligabat
.
Id
Asclepiades
adeo
non
prodesse
,
etiam
inimicum
esse
proposuit
.
Sed
id
saepe
commode
respondere
experimenta
testantur
.
Neque
tamen
pluribus
locis
deligari
necesse
est
,
sed
satis
est
infra
inguina
et
super
talos
,
summosque
umeros
,
etiam
brachia
.
Tum
si
febris
urget
,
danda
est
sorbitio
,
et
potui
aqua
,
in
qua
aliquid
ex
is
,
quae
aluum
adstringunt
,
decoctum
sit
.
At
si
abest
febris
,
uel
elota
halica
uel
panis
ex
aqua
frigida
et
molle
quoque
ouum
dari
potest
,
potui
uel
idem
,
quod
supra
scriptum
est
,
uel
uinum
dulce
uel
aqua
frigida
:
sed
sic
bibendum
erit
,
ut
sciamus
huic
morbo
sitim
prodesse
.
Praeter
haec
necessaria
sunt
quies
,
securitas
,
silentium
.
Caput
huius
quoque
cubantis
sublime
esse
debet
,
recteque
tondetur
;
facies
saepe
aqua
frigida
fouenda
est
.
At
inimica
sunt
uinum
,
balneum
,
uenus
,
in
cibo
oleum
,
acria
omnia
,
item
calida
fomenta
,
conclaue
calidum
et
inclusum
,
multa
uestimenta
corpori
iniecta
.
Etiam
frictiones
* *
ubi
bene
etiam
sanguis
conquieuit
.
Tum
uero
incipiendum
est
a
brachiis
cruribusque
,
a
thorace
abstinendum
.
In
hoc
casu
per
hiemem
locis
maritumis
,
per
aestatem
*
mediterraneis
opus
est
.
11 When blood is spat up there is more cause for alarm, although that presents at one time less, at another more of danger. Blood sometimes comes from the gums, sometimes from the mouth, and that at times copiously, yet without cough, without ulceration, without any disease of the gums, so that there is no expectoration. But just as there is on occasion bleeding from the nostrils, so also does it burst out from the mouth. And sometimes it is blood which flows, sometimes something resembling water in which fresh meat has been washed. On the other hand, blood may come from the uppermost part of the throat, at one time when there is ulceration in that part, at another without ulceration, but either the mouth of some blood-vessel has opened, or the blood breaks out of certain tubercles which have originated there. When this happens, neither food nor drink does harm, nor is there any expectoration as from an ulcer. When, however, the throat and air tubes are ulcerated, the frequent cough also forces out blood; at times it is even brought up out of the lung or out of the chest or out of the sides or out of the liver. Often women, in whom the blood is not being given out through the menses, expectorate blood. According to medical authorities blood gains exit either from some part eroded, or ruptured, or from the opened mouth of some blood-vessel; the first they call diabrosis, the second rhexis, the third anastomosis. The last is the least harmful, the first, the worst. And often indeed it happens that pus follows the blood. Now at times to stop the bleeding suffices to promote recovery; but if there follow ulcerations, or pus, or a cough, according to the situation there arise various and dangerous classes of diseases. But if only blood flows out, both the remedy and the ending are the quicker. Nor ought we to ignore that in those who are in the habit of bleeding or in whom the back or hips ache whether after hard running or walking, a limited flow of blood is not disadvantageous as long as fever is absent, and when blood is passed by the urine it even relieves this very lassitude; nor indeed, in the case of a fall from a height, is there anything alarming if blood comes with the urine, so long as there is nothing else unusual in the urine; nor does vomiting of blood bring about danger, even when repeated, if before it recurs the body is allowed to regain strength and fill up; and it does no harm at all in a robust man, if not excessive, and when it excites neither cough nor fever. The foregoing are general remarks: now I come to the particular points mentioned above. If blood escapes from the gums, it suffices to chew purslane; if from the mouth, undiluted wine should be held in it; if this does no good, then vinegar. If in spite of these remedies there is a severe outburst, since this may be the death of the patient, its attack is best diverted by applying a cup to the occipital region, after first incising the skin; when this happens in a woman whose menses are not forthcoming, a cup is applied to each groin, likewise after making incisions. But if the bleeding comes from the throat, or from more internal parts, there is more to fear, and a more active treatment is to be adopted. Blood should be let, and if the flow from the mouth is not lessened, the venesection should be repeated a second or a third time, and every day a little. From the first also the patient should sip either vinegar or plantain or leek juice with frankincense, and outside over the seat of pain there is to be applied unscoured wool soaked in vinegar, cooled at intervals by means of a sponge. Erasistratus used also to bind up the legs and thighs and the forearms of such patients in several places. This constricting Asclepiades declared far from being beneficial, to be even harmful. But that it often answers well experience bears witness. Yet there is no necessity to bind the patient in many places; it is enough to do it below the groins and above the ankles and at the upper part of the arms, also the forearms. Further, if fever is troublesome, gruel must be given, and for drink water in which has been boiled any one of the intestinal astringents. But if fever is absent, there may be given: either washed spelt or bread soaked in cold water and also soft eggs, and for drink either that mentioned above, or sweet wine or cold water; but drink must be given with the knowledge that in this disease thirst is an advantage. Besides these, there are needed rest, freedom from care, and silence. The head also of the patient whilst in bed should be kept raised, and well shaved; the face is often to be bathed with cold water. On the other hand, there is danger in wine, the bath, coition, oil in the food, all acrid food; the same applies to hot foments, a hot close room, much bedclothes piled on the patient. Rubbings also are useful after the bleeding has quite stopped. Then indeed a beginning can be made on the arms and legs, avoiding the chest. A patient in this case should live through the winter by the sea, during the summer inland.
84
Faucibus
subest
stomachus
;
in
quo
plura
longa
uitia
incidere
consuerunt
.
Nam
modo
ingens
calor
,
modo
inflatio
hunc
,
modo
inflammatio
,
modo
exulceratio
adficit
:
interdum
pituita
,
interdum
bilis
oritur
;
frequentissimumque
eius
malum
est
,
quo
resoluitur
,
neque
ulla
re
magis
aut
adficitur
aut
corpus
adficit
.
Diuersa
autem
ut
uitia
eius
,
sic
etiam
remedia
sunt
.
Vbi
exaestuat
,
aceto
cum
rosa
extrinsecus
subinde
fouendus
inponendusque
puluis
cum
oleo
et
ea
cataplasmata
,
quae
simul
et
reprimunt
et
emolliunt
.
Potui
,
nisi
quid
obstat
,
egelida
aqua
praestanda
.
Si
inflatio
est
,
prosunt
admotae
cucurbitulae
neque
incidere
cutem
necesse
est
:
prosunt
sicca
et
calida
fomenta
,
sed
non
uehementissima
.
Interponenda
abstinentia
est
;
utilis
in
ieiunio
potio
est
apsinthi
uel
hysopi
uel
rutae
.
Exercitatio
primo
leuis
,
deinde
maior
adhibenda
est
,
maximeque
quae
superiores
partes
moueat
;
quod
genus
in
omnibus
stomachi
uitiis
aptissimum
est
.
Post
exercitationem
opus
est
unctione
,
frictione
;
balneo
quoque
nonnumquam
,
sed
rarius
;
interdum
alui
ductione
;
cibis
deinde
calidis
neque
inflantibus
,
eodemque
modo
calidis
potionibus
,
primo
aquae
,
post
,
ubi
resedit
inflatio
,
uini
austeri
.
Illud
quoque
in
omnibus
stomachi
uitiis
praecipiendum
est
,
quo
modo
se
quisque
aeger
refecerit
,
eo
ut
sanus
utatur
:
nam
redit
huic
inbecillitas
sua
,
nisi
eisdem
defenditur
bona
ualetudo
,
quibus
reddita
est
.
At
si
inflammatio
aliqua
est
,
quam
fere
tumor
et
dolor
sequitur
,
prima
sunt
quies
,
abstinentia
,
lana
sulpurata
circumdata
,
in
ieiuno
absinth
ium.
Si
ardor
stomachum
urget
,
aceto
cum
rosa
subinde
fouendus
est
:
deinde
cibis
quidem
utendum
modicis
;
inponenda
uero
extrinsecus
quae
simul
et
reprimunt
et
emolliunt
:
postea
deinde
his
detractis
utendum
calidis
ex
farina
cataplasmatis
,
quae
reliquias
digerant
;
interdum
aluus
ducenda
,
adhibenda
exercitatio
et
cibus
plenior
.
At
si
ulcera
stomachum
infestant
,
eadem
fere
facienda
sunt
,
quae
in
faucibus
exulceratis
praecepta
sunt
.
Exercitatio
,
frictio
inferiorum
partium
adhibenda
;
adhibendi
lenes
et
glutinosi
cibi
,
sed
citra
satietatem
:
omnia
acria
atque
acida
remouenda
.
Vino
,
si
febris
non
est
,
dulci
,
aut
si
id
infla
t
,
certe
leni
utendum
:
sed
neque
praefrigido
neque
nimis
calido
.
Si
uero
pituita
stomachus
impletur
,
necessarius
modo
in
ieiuno
,
modo
post
cibum
uomitus
est
:
utilis
exercitatio
,
gestatio
,
nauigatio
,
frictio
.
Nihil
edendum
bibendumque
nisi
calidum
uitatis
tantum
is
,
quae
pituitam
contrahere
consuerunt
.
Molestius
est
,
si
stomachus
bile
uitiosus
est
.
Solent
autem
i
,
qui
sic
temptantur
,
interpositis
quibusdam
diebus
hanc
,
et
quidem
,
quod
pessimum
est
,
atram
uomere
.—
His
recte
aluus
ducitur
,
potiones
ex
absinthio
dantur
:
necessaria
gestatio
,
nauigatio
est
;
si
fieri
potest
,
ex
nausia
uomitus
* ,
uitanda
cruditas
,
sumendi
cibi
faciles
et
stomacho
non
alieni
,
uinum
austerum
.
Vulgatissimum
uero
pessimumque
stomachi
uitium
est
,
cum
cibi
non
tenax
est
,
soletque
desinere
ali
corpus
ac
sic
tabe
consumi
.—
Huic
generi
inutilissimum
balineum
est
:
lectiones
exercitationesque
superioris
partis
necessariae
,
item
unctiones
frictionesque
;
his
perfundi
frigida
atque
in
eadem
natare
,
canalibus
eiusdem
subicere
et
stomachum
ipsum
et
magis
etiam
a
scapulis
id
,
quod
contra
stomachum
est
,
consistere
in
frigidis
medi
catisque
fontibus
,
quales
Cutiliarum
Sumbruinarumque
sunt
,
salutare
est
.
Cibi
quoque
adsumendi
sunt
frigidi
,
qui
potius
difficulter
coquntur
,
quam
facile
uitiantur
.
Ergo
plerique
,
qui
nihil
aliud
concoquere
possunt
,
bubulam
coqunt
.
Ex
quo
colligi
potest
neque
auem
neque
uenationem
neque
piscem
dari
debere
nisi
generis
durioris
.
Potui
quidem
aptissimum
est
uinum
frigidum
,
uel
certe
bene
calidum
meracum
,
potissimum
Raeticum
uel
Allobrogicum
aliudue
,
quod
et
austerum
et
resina
conditum
est
:
si
id
non
est
,
quam
asperrimum
maximeque
Signinum
.
Si
cibus
non
continetur
,
danda
aqua
et
eliciendus
plenior
uomitus
est
,
iterumque
dandus
cibus
;
et
tum
admouendae
duobus
in
fra
stomachum
digitis
cucurbitulae
ibique
duabus
aut
tribus
horis
continendae
sunt
.
Si
simul
et
uomitus
et
dolor
est
,
imponenda
supra
stomachum
est
lana
sucida
uel
spongia
ex
aceto
uel
cataplasma
,
quod
refrigeret
.
Perfricanda
uero
non
diu
sed
uehementer
brachia
et
crura
et
calfacienda
.
Si
plus
doloris
est
,
in
fra
praecordia
quattuor
digitis
cucurbitula
utendum
est
,
et
protinus
dandus
panis
ex
posca
frigida
:
si
non
continuit
,
post
uomitum
lene
aliquid
ex
is
,
quae
non
aliena
stomacho
sint
:
si
ne
id
quidem
tenuit
,
singuli
cyathi
uini
singulis
interpositis
horis
,
donec
stomachus
consistat
.
Valens
etiam
medicamentum
est
radiculae
sucus
,
ualentius
acidi
Punici
mali
c
um
pari
modo
suci
,
qui
ex
dulci
Punico
malo
est
,
adiecto
etiam
intubi
suco
et
mentae
,
sed
huius
minima
parte
;
quibus
tantundem
,
quantum
in
his
omnibus
est
,
aquae
frigidae
quam
optime
miscetur
:
id
enim
plus
quam
uinum
ad
conprimendum
stomachum
potest
.
Supprimendus
autem
uomitus
est
,
qui
per
se
uenit
. S ed
si
nausia
est
aut
si
coacuit
intus
cibus
aut
computruit
,
quorum
utrumlibet
ructus
ostendit
,
eiciendus
est
;
protinusque
,
cibis
adsumptis
isdem
,
quos
proxime
posui
,
stomachus
restituendus
.
Vbi
sublatus
est
praesens
metus
,
ad
ea
redeundum
est
,
quae
supra
praecepta
sunt
.
12 Below the throat is placed the stomach, in which there tend to occur many chronic complaints. For sometimes great heat affects it, sometimes flatulence, sometimes inflammation, sometimes ulceration; at times phlegm collects, at times bile; but the most frequent malady is that in which it undergoes paralysis, nor does anything else so affect it, or, through it, the whole body. As diverse as are its complaints, so are the remedies. When heated, it should be bathed externally at intervals with vinegar and rose oil, and road dust applied with oil, and those plasters which simultaneously repress and soothe. For drink, unless there is anything against it, lukewarm water is the best. If there is flatulence, it is beneficial to apply cups, but there is no need to incise the skin; dry and hot foments do good, but not the strongest kind. At intervals there should be enjoyed abstinence from food; a draught of wormwood or hyssop or of rue on an empty stomach is useful. Exercise at first should be light, then more is to be taken, especially such as moves the upper limbs; the kind most appropriate in all complaints of the stomach. After exercise there is need of anointing, rubbing, occasionally also the bath, yet less often than usual; now and then a clyster; later, food which is hot but not flatulent, and similarly hot drinks, first water and after the flatulence has subsided, dry wine. In all complaints of the stomach this also is to be prescribed, that each should adopt in health that regimen which has cured him; for his weakness will recur unless his health is protected by the same measures as those by which it was restored. But if there is inflammation of any kind, which is generally followed by swelling and pain, the primary remedies are rest, abstinence, a belt of sulphurated wool, and the wormwood draught upon an empty stomach. If a burning heat troubles the stomach, it should be fomented at intervals with vinegar and rose oil; next food should be given in moderation, external applications are also to be made which simultaneously both repress and soothe; next after that, when these are taken off, hot meal plasters are put on to disperse the remnants of the disease: now and again a clyster must be given, exercise must be taken, and a fuller diet. But if ulcers attack the stomach, generally the same treatment should be applied as has been prescribed in the case of an ulcerated throat (IV.9). Exercise, also rubbing of the lower extremities, is to be practised; bland and glutinous foods taken short of satiety; and all pungent and sharp food withdrawn. Sweet wine is to be used if there is no fever, or if that causes flatulence at any rate light wine, but neither very cold nor too hot. If the stomach becomes filled with phlegm an emetic is needed, sometimes on an empty stomach, sometimes after food: there is benefit in exercise, rocking, a sea-voyage, rubbing. Nothing should be eaten or drunk unless hot, whilst such things must be avoided as have tended to collect phlegm. There is worse trouble when the stomach is vitiated by bile. Patients who are troubled with this, vomit up bile at intervals of some days, and worst of all, vomit black bile. For such a clyster is appropriate, and draughts of wormwood should be given; rocking and a sea-voyage are necessary; vomiting when possible is induced by sea-sickness; indigestion must be avoided, the food should be such as is readily swallowed, and not repugnant to the stomach, the wine must be dry. But the commonest and worst complaint of the stomach is paralysis, when it does not retain food, and the nutrition of the body is wont to cease, and so it is consumed by wasting. In this sort of disease the bath is most harmful; reading aloud and exercise of the upper limbs are needed, as also anointing and rubbings; it is good for the patient to have cold water poured over him, and to swim in cold water, also to submit his stomach to jets of it, especially at the back of the stomach from the shoulder-blades downwards, to bathe in cold medicinal springs, such as those at Cutilia and Simbruvium. Food should be also taken cold, rather that which is digested with difficulty than that which readily decomposes. Hence many who can digest nothing else, digest beef, and therefore it may be inferred that neither poultry no venison, nor fish except the harder kinds, should be given. The most suitable drink is wine cold, or else undiluted and well heated, particularly Rhaetic or Allobrogic wine, or any other which is both dry and seasoned with resin; if there is none of the above at hand, then the harshest possible, especially Signine wine. If food is not retained, water must be given and a more copious vomit elicited, after which food is to be given again, and then cups are to be applied two fingers' breadth below the stomach, and they are to be kept on two or three hours. If simultaneously there is both vomiting and pain, there should be placed over the stomach unscoured wool or sponge soaked in vinegar, or a refrigerant plaster. The arms and legs too are to be rubbed sharply, but not for long, and to be kept warm. If pain is more severe, a cup is to be put on four fingers' breadth below the praecordia, and following that bread in cold vinegar and water is to be given; should this not be retained, after the vomiting, anything light or not unsuitable for the stomach can be given; if even that is not retained, give a cupful of wine every hour until the stomach settles down. Radish juice also is an active remedy; more active still is a mixture of the juice of sour and sweet pomegranates in equal parts, with the addition of endive and mint juice, the least quantity of the last; the whole of the above may be mixed thoroughly well with an equal quantity of cold water, which is better than wine for tightening up the stomach. Now, vomiting when spontaneous should be arrested; but if there is nausea, or if food turns acid inside, or decomposes, both of which are manifested by eructations, the food should be evacuated, and the stomach forthwith replenished by the taking of food of the kind just noted (§ 9). When immediate apprehension has been removed a return should be made to the prescriptions given above (§ 7).