Of Medicine, in Eight BooksCelsus, Aulus Cornelius
History
Of Medicine, in Eight Books
Celsus, Aulus Cornelius
Medicine, Greek and Roman
But where the period is certain, all these things are more easily
tried; because we can more readily inform ourselves of the succession
both of the fits and the intervals. Now in this kind, when they are of
long standing, fasting is not good: in the first days only we are to
make use of it to oppose the distemper; after that the cure is to be
divided, and first the shuddering, then the fever is to be removed.
Wherefore as soon as a person has shuddered, and after the shuddering
has grown hot, it is fit to give him warm water to drink a little salt,
and force him to vomit: for generally such a shuddering arises from
something bilious oppressing the stomach. The same method is to be
pursued, if at the next period also it has again appeared: for thus it
is often removed. And by this time one may find out the species of the
fever.
Wherefore when the third fit is expected, which may possibly come on,
the patient must be brought to the bagnio, and care must be taken
that he be in the bath at the time of shuddering. If he have felt it
there also, let him do the same nevertheless, when the fourth fit is
expected: for by this repetition it is often removed. If the bath
proves unsuccessful, before the fit let him eat garlick, or drink
hot water with pepper: for these too raise a heat, which repels the
shuddering. After that, before the shuddering has time to come on, let
him cover himself up in the manner above directed under the article
of coldness: and it is proper immediately to apply all round his body
pretty hot fomentations, and chiefly extinguished tiles, and coals
wrapped up in cloths.
If notwithstanding the shuddering has broke out, he must be anointed
within the cloaths plentifully with hot oil; to which also may be added
some of the warming substances: and friction may be used, to as great
a degree as he is able to bear, and especially in his hands and feet,
and let him hold in his breath. And it must not be given over, although
the shuddering do return: for often the perseverance of the physician
overcomes the distemper of the body.
If he has vomited, warm water must be given, and he obliged to vomit
again; and the same methods must be repeated, till the shuddering is
removed. But beside these a clyster must be given, if the shuddering
gives way slowly: for that has a good effect by exonerating the
body. The last remedies after these are gestation and walking. Now
in distempers of this kind, the fittest food is such as may prove
laxative, and glutinous flesh. When wine is given, let it be austere.
CHAP. XIII.
THE CURE OF A QUOTIDIAN FEVER,
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