Of Medicine, in Eight BooksCelsus, Aulus Cornelius
History
Of Medicine, in Eight Books
Celsus, Aulus Cornelius
Medicine, Greek and Roman
The following remedies are general: to apply hot cataplasms from the
breasts as far as the groin and spine, and to change them often; to
rub the legs and arms; to dip the patient all over in warm oil. If the
pain does not abate, to give even a clyster of three or four cyathi
of warm oil. When by these means we have procured a passage for the
wind downward, to give tepid mulse to drink, but in small quantity,
for before great care must be taken that he drink nothing: if that has
succeeded well, to add gruel.
When the pain and feverishness have ceased, then we may venture upon
a fuller diet; but neither flatulent nor strong, lest the intestines
yet weak be hurt. Nothing should be drunk but pure water; for every
thing either vinous or acid is prejudicial in this distemper. And even
afterwards it is proper to avoid the bath, walking, gestation, and
other motions of the body: for the disease is apt to return upon slight
occasions; and cold, or any violent motion, before the intestines have
fully recovered their strength, brings it back again.
CHAP. XIV.
OF THE DISEASE OF THE LARGE INTESTINE, AND ITS CURE.
That distemper, which is seated in the large intestine, principally
affects that part, where I mentioned the cæcum to be situated. There
is a violent inflation; vehement pains, especially on the right side:
the intestine seems to be inverted, which almost forces out the wind.
In most people it comes after colds and crudity, then ceases; and while
they live, it often returns, and torments, but does not shorten life.
When this pain has begun, it is proper to apply dry and warm
fomentations, but first of all mild, and then stronger; and at the same
time by friction to make a derivation of the matter to the extremities,
that is, the legs and arms: if it is not removed, to make use of dry
cupping, where the pain is. There is also a medicine calculated for
this distemper, which is called colicon[DC]. Cassius claimed the glory
of this invention. It has the best effect given by way of potion; but
even externally applied by dispersing the wind it eases the pain.
Neither food nor drink should be given, till the pain be over.
The regimen for such patients I have already mentioned(27). The
composition, which is called colicon, consists of the following
ingredients: of costus, anise, castor, each p. * iii. parsley, p. *
iv. long pepper and round, each p. * v. tears of poppy, round cyperus,
myrrh, nard, of each p. * vi. these are incorporated in honey. Now this
may be both swallowed alone, and taken with warm water.
CHAP. XV.
OF A DYSENTERY, AND ITS CURE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account