De Medicina |
Translator: Walter George Spencer
|
|
| 89 |
At renes ubi adfecti sunt , diu male habent . Peius est , si frequens biliosus uomitus accedit .—Oportet conquiescere , cubare molliter , soluere aluum , si aliter non respondet , etiam ducere ; saepe desidere in aqua calida ; neque cibum neque potionem frigidam adsumere ; abstinere ab omnibus salsis , acidis , acribus , pomis ; bibere liberaliter ; adicere modo cibo modo potioni piper , porrum , ferulam , album papauer ; quae maxime inde urinam mouere consuerunt . Auxilio quoque his exulceratis sunt , si adhuc ulcera purganda sunt , cucumeris semina detractis corticibus sexaginta , nuclei ex pinu siluestri XII , anesi quod tribus digitis sumi possit , croci paulum , contrita et in duas mulsi potiones diuisa : si uero dolor tantum leuandus est , eiusdem cucumeris semina XXX , idem nuclei XX , nuces Graecae V , croci paululum , contrita e t cum lacte potui data . A c super quoque recte quaedam malagmata iniciuntur , maximeque ea , quae umori extrahendo sunt .
|
17 As regards the kidneys, these when they have become affected, continue diseased for a long while. It is worse if bilious vomiting is added. The patient should rest, sleep on a soft bed, keep the bowels loose even using a clyster when they do not act otherwise; he should sit frequently in a hot bath; take neither food nor drink cold, abstain from everything salted, acid, acrid, and from orchard fruit; drink freely; add whether to the food or to the drink pepper, leeks, fennel, white poppy; which are the most active in causing a discharge of urine. As an additional remedy when there is ulceration of the kidneys, if the ulcerations are still in need of being cleaned, sixty cucumber seeds stript of the husk, twelve pine kernels, of aniseed as much as can be taken up by three fingers, and a little crocus, are rubbed up together, and divided between two draughts of honey wine: but if it is merely pain was has to be relieved, thirty of the cucumber seeds, twenty pine kernels, five almonds, and a little crocus are rubbed up together and given in milk. And besides it is right to apply certain emollients, and especially such as extract humour. |
| 90 |
A uisceribus ad INTESTINA ueniendum est , quae sunt et acutis et longis morbis obnoxia . Primo que facienda mentio est choler ae , quia commune id stomachi atque intestinorum uitium uideri potest : nam simul et deiectio et uomitus est , praeterque haec inflatio est . Intestina torquentur , bilis supra infraque erumpit , primum aquae similis , deinde ut in ea recens caro lota esse uideatur , interdum alba , nonnumquam nigra uel uaria . Ergo eo nomine morbum hunc cholera m Graeci nominarunt . Praeter ea uero , quae supra conprehensa sunt , saepe etiam crura manusque contrahuntur , urget sitis , anima deficit ; quibus concurrentibus non mirum est , si subito quis moritur : neque tamen ulli morbo minor e momento succurritur .—Protinus ergo , ubi ista coeperunt , aquae tepidae quam plurimum bibere oportet et uomere . Vix umquam fi t ne uomitus sequatur : sed etiamsi incidit , miscuisse tamen nouam materiam corruptae prodest ; parsque sanitatis est uomitum esse subpressum . Si id incidit , protinus ab omni potione abstinendum est : si uero tormina sunt , oportet frigidis et umidis fomentis stomachum fouere , uel si uenter dolet , isdem egelidis , sic ut uenter ipse mediocriter calentibus iuuetur . Quod si uehementer et uomitus et deiectio et sitis uexant , et adhuc subcruda sunt , quae uomuntur , nondum uino maturum tempus est : aqua , neque ea ipsa frigida , sed potius egelida danda est ; admouendumque naribus est puleium ex aceto , uel polenta uino adsparsa , uel menta * secundum naturam est . At cum discussa cruditas est , tum magis uerendum est , ne anima deficiat . Ergo tum confugiendum est ad uinum . Id esse oportet tenue , odoratum , cum aqua frigida mixtum , uel polenta adiecta uel infracto pane , quem ipsum quoque adsumere expedit quotiensque aliquid aut stomachus aut uenter effudit , totiens per haec uires restituere . Erasistratus primo tribus uini guttis aut quinis aspergendam potionem esse dixit , deinde paulatim merum adiciendum . Is si et ab initio uinum dedit et metum cruditatis secutus est , non sine causa fecit : si uehementem infirmitatem adiuuari posse tribus guttis putauit , errauit . At si inanis est homo , et crura eius contrahuntur , interponenda potio apsinthi est . Si extremae partes corporis frigent , unguendae sunt calido oleo , cui cerae paulum sit adiectum , calidisque fomentis nutriendae . Si ne sub his quidem quies facta est , extrinsecus contra uentriculum ipsum cucurbitula admouenda est , aut sinapi superinponendum . Vbi is constitit , dormire oportet ; postero die utique a potione abstinere , die tertio in balneum ire ; paulatim se cibo reficere . Somno quisquis facile adquiescit * * * itemque lassitudine et frigore . Si post suppressam choleram febricula manet , aluum duci necessarium est , tum cibis uinoque utendum est .
|
18 From the viscera we proceed to the intestines, which are subject to diseases, both acute and chronic. And in the first place mention is to be made of cholera, because it appears to be a complaint common to the stomach and intestines: for there occur simultaneously diarrhoea and vomiting, and in addition flatulence. The intestines are griped, bile bursts upwards and downwards; first it is watery, then like water in which fresh meat has been washed; at times it is white in colour, at other times black or variously coloured. Hence the Greeks term this affection by the name of cholera. Besides those symptoms which are mentioned above, often the legs and arms are also contracted, there is urgent thirst, and fainting; when such things occur together, it is not to be wondered at if the patient dies suddenly, and yet in no other disease is there less time for affording relief. Therefore immediately upon the commencement of the above signs, the patient should drink as much as he can of tepid water, and vomit. Vomiting hardly ever fails to follow; but even if it does not occur, nevertheless it is advantageous to have mixed fresh material with that which is decomposed; the cessation of vomiting is a step towards recovery. If this happens, the patient should abstain forthwith from all drink; if there are still gripings, the stomach should be treated with cold and moist foments, or if there is pain in the belly, these should be lukewarm, so that the belly itself is relieved by moderately warm applications. But if vomiting, diarrhoea and thirst give rise to severe distress, and the vomit still contains undigested food, it is not yet a fitting time for wine: water should be given, not cold but rather lukewarm: pennyroyal in vinegar should be applied to the nostrils, or wine sprinkled with polenta, or mint in its natural state. But when the indigestion has been relieved, there is then greater apprehension of fainting. Recourse therefore should then be had to wine. The wine taken should be thin, aromatic, mixed with cold water, adding either polenta or crumbled bread, and bread by itself ought also to be taken, and as often as either the stomach or intestines discharge their contents, so often should the patient recruit his strength by these means. Erasistratus said that a draught should have mixed with it at first three or five drops of wine, subsequently gradual additions of undiluted wine. If Erasistratus both gave wine at the beginning and was influenced by fear of causing indigestion, he acted not without reason; if he thought that severe weakness could be relieved by three drops of wine, he erred. But if the patient is empty and his legs are contracted, a draught of wormwood should be given at intervals. If the extremities become cold, they should be anointed with hot oil to which a little wax has been added, and stimulated by hot foments. If there is no relief even from the above remedies, outside over the actual stomach cups should be applied, or mustard laid upon it. When he has settled down, he should go to sleep. On the next day he should be sure to abstain from drinking, on the third day he should go to the bath, gradually recruit himself with food. Whoever easily gets to sleep is quickly restored; the trouble is brought back by indigestion and also by fatigue and cold. If, after the suppression of the cholera, slight fever persists, there is need for a clyster, and then to take food and wine. |
| 91 |
Sed hic quidem morbus et acutus est , et inter intestina stomachumque uersatur sic , ut cuius potissimum partis sit , non facile dici possit . In ipsius uero uentriculi porta consistit is , qui * * et longus esse consueuit : coeliacus a Graecis nominatur . Sub hoc uenter indurescit , dolorque eius est ; aluus nihil reddit , ac ne spiritum quidem transmittit ; extremae partes frigescunt ; difficulter spiritus redditur . —Commodissimum est inter initia calida * et cataplasmata toto uentri imponere , ut dolorem leniant , post cibum uomere , atque ita uentrem exinanire ; proxumis deinde diebus cucurbitulas sine ferro uentri et coxis admouere ; uentrem ipsum liquare , dato lacte et uino salso frigido ; si tempus anni patitur , etiam uiridibus ficis , sic tamen , ne quis aut cibus aut umor uniuersus detur sed paulatim . Ergo per interualla temporis sat est cyathos binos ternosue sumere , et cibum pro portione huius ; commodeque facit cyatho lactis cyathus aquae mixtus et sic datus ; cibique inflantes et acres utiliores sunt , adeo ut lacti quoque recte contritum alium adiciatur . Procedente uero tempore opus est gestari , maximeque nauigare ; perfricari ter aut quater die , sic ut nitrum oleo adiciatur ; perfundi aqua calida post cibum ; deinde sinapi imponere per omnia membra , excepto capite , donec adrodatur et rubeat maximeque si corpus durum et uirile est . Paulatim deinde faciendus est transitus ad ea , quae uentrem conprimunt . Assa caro danda ualens , et quae non facile corrumpatur : potui uero pluuialis aqua decocta , sed quae per binos ternosue cyathos bibatur . Si uetus uitium est , oportet laser quam optimum ad piperis magnitudinem deuorare , altero quoque die uinum uel aquam bibere , interdum interposito cibo singulos uini cyathos sorbere : ex inferiore parte infundere pluuialem egelidam aquam , maximeque si dolor in imis partibus remanet .
|
19 Now the disorder just described is both acute and has its seat between the intestines and stomach, so that it is not easy to say to which part it most belongs. That which the Greeks term coeliacus has its seat at the gateway of the stomach and is usually both acute and chronic. Under this affection the belly becomes hard and painful; the bowels void nothing, not even wind; the extremities become cold; the breath is passed with difficulty. To begin with it is best to apply hot foments and plasters all over the belly to relieve pain, after food to induce a vomit and thus to empty the belly; next on the following days to apply dry cups to the abdomen and hips; to loosen the bowels, by giving milk and cold salted wine; also if in season green figs, provided that neither drink nor food is given all at once but a little at a time. It is enough, therefore, to take two or three cupfuls at intervals, and food in the same proportion; a cup of milk, mixed with one of water, and so administered, is suitable; flatulent and pungent foods are more useful, hence it is well to add pounded garlic to the milk. And as time goes on there is need for: rocking, especially a sea-voyage; rubbing three or four times a day, soda being added to the oil; hot-water affusions after food; then mustard should be put upon all the extremities, omitting the head, until there is irritation and redness, especially if the body is robust and virile. Gradual transition should next be made to remedies which confine the bowels. Roast meat, such as is nutritious and does not readily decompose, is to be given; and for drink, boiled rainwater, of which two or three cupfuls should be drunk at a time. If the disorder is of longer standing the proper thing is to swallow a bit of the best laser the size of a peppercorn, to drink wine and water on alternate days, between meals at times to sip a cupful of wine; to administer a clyster of tepid rain-water, especially if pain persists in the lower bowel. |
| 92 |
Int ra ipsa uero intestina consistunt duo morbi , quorum alter in tenuiore , alter in pleniore est . Prior acutus est , insequens esse longus potest . Diocles Carystius tenuioris intestini morbum ΧΟΡΔΑΨΟΝ , plenioris ΕΙΛΕΟΝ nominauit : a plerisque uideo nunc illum priorem ΕΙΛΕΟΝ , hunc ΚΟΛΙΚΟΝ nominari . Sed prior modo supra umbilicum , modo sub umbilico dolorem mouet . Fit alterutro loco inflammatio ; nec aluus nec spiritus infra transmittitur . Si superior pars adfecta est , cibus , si inferior , stercus per os redditur , si utrumlibet , uetus est . Adicit periculo uomitus biliosus , mali odoris , aut uarius aut niger .—Remedium est sanguinem mittere aut cucurbitulas pluribus locis admouere , non ubique cute incisa : id enim duobus aut tribus locis satis est : ex ceteris spiritum euocare abunde est . Tum animaduertere oportet quo loco malum sit : solet enim contra id tumere . Et si supra umbilicum est , alui ductio utilis non est : si infra est , aluum ducere , ut Erasistrato placuit , optimum est , et saepe id auxilii satis est . Ducitur autem percolato tisanae cremore cum oleo et melle , sic ut praeterea nihil adiciatur . Si nihil tumet , duas manus imponere oportet supra summum uentrem , paulatimque deducere : inuenietur enim mali locus , qui necesse est renitatur ; et ex eo d eliberari poterit , ducenda necne aluus sit . Illa communia sunt ; calida cataplasmata admouere , eaque imponere a mammis usque ad inguina et spinam ac saepe mutare ; brachia cruraque perfricare , demittere totum hominem in calido oleo : si dolor non quiescit , etiam in aluum ex parte inferiore tres aut quattuor cyathos calidi olei dare . Vbi per haec consecuti sumus , ut iam ex inferiore parte spiritus transmittatur , offerre potui mulsum tepidum non multum : nam ante magna cura uitandum est , ne quid bibat . Si id commode cessit , adicere sorbitionem . Vbi dolor et febricula quierunt , tum demum uti cibo pleniore , sed neque inflante neque duro neque ualido , ne intestina adhuc imbecilla laedantur : potui uero nihil * praeterquam puram aquam . Nam siue quid uinulentum siue acidum est , id huic morbo alienum est . Ac postea quoque uitare oportet balneum , ambulationem , gestationem , ceterosque corporis motus : nam facile id malum redire consueuit , et , siue cum frigus subit siue aliqua iactatio , nisi bene iam confirmatis intestinis reuertitur .
|
20 In the intestines proper two diseases have their seat, one in the small, the other in the large. The mr is acute, the latter may become chronic. Diocles of Carystus named the disease of the small intestines chordapsos, of the large eileos. I note that by many the former is now termed eileos, the latter colicos. The former excites pain, at times above, at times below the navel. At one or the other of these places there is inflammation; neither motion nor wind is passed downwards. If the upper part is affected, food, if the lower, faeces is returned by the mouth; if either happens the disease is chronic. Additional signs of danger are if the vomit is bilious, malodorous, either varying in colour of black. The remedy is blood-letting or cupping in several places, the skin not being incised at all; for it is sufficient to do so in two or three places; in the others it is quite enough to extract wind. Next attention should be turned to the seat of disease: for there is commonly a swelling over it. And if this is situated above the navel, there is no use in the clyster; if below, to clyster the bowels as Erasistratus advised is the best remedy and often that is all the treatment required. Now the clyster should consist of strained pearl barley gruel, together with oil and honey, nothing else being added. If there is no swelling, the two hands should be placed upon the upper part of the belly, and little by little drawn downwards; for the seat of the trouble may be thus discovered, owing to its being necessarily resistent; and from this one can form an opinion whether the bowels should be clystered or not. The treatments common to both forms are: the application of hot plasters, put on from the breasts to the groins, and back to the spine, and often changed; rubbing of the arms and legs; immersing the patient all over in hot oil. If the pain is not relieved, there is injected into the bowels from below three or four cupfuls of hot oil. When we have brought it about by these measures that wind is now passed down and out, tepid honeyed wine, not much, is given to drink; for before that every care should be taken that nothing at all is drunk. If the honeyed wine is kept down, then give gruel. When pain and feverishness have subsided, then at length a fuller diet is adopted, but nothing flatulent nor solid nor rich, lest the intestines, whilst still weak, take harm; but for drink nothing is better than plain water, for in this disease vinous and acid drinks are objectionable. Subsequently the patient should avoid the bath, walking, rocking and other bodily movements; for this disorder is very liable to recur, and, unless the intestines have already returned to a sound state, either cold or shaking of any kind may cause a return of the trouble. |