Of Medicine, in Eight BooksCelsus, Aulus Cornelius
History
Of Medicine, in Eight Books
Celsus, Aulus Cornelius
Medicine, Greek and Roman
Now in autumn there is the greatest danger, upon account of the
frequent changes of the air. And for this reason one should never go
abroad, especially in the colder days, without warm cloaths and shoes,
nor sleep in the air in the night-time, or at least be well covered.
At this time the diet may be something more full, the drink less, but
stronger. Some imagine apples(28) to be hurtful, which for the most
part are eaten immoderately through the whole day, while no abatement
is made from the more substantial food. Thus the mischief does not
proceed from them, but from the aggregate of all that is taken; for
none of them contribute less to it than these. But it is not fit to
use them oftener than the other kinds. Lastly, it is necessary when
an addition is made in this article, to lessen the quantity of the
stronger food. Venery is neither good in the summer, nor in autumn; but
is less hurtful in autumn; in summer, if possible, there ought to be a
total abstinence from it.
CHAP. IV.
RULES FOR THOSE THAT HAVE A WEAKNESS IN THE HEAD.
Our next business is to consider the cases of those, who have a
weakness in any particular part of the body. He, that has a weakness
in his head, if he has concocted well, ought to rub it gently with
his hands in the morning; and never, if he can avoid it, put any
covering upon it, or clip the hair close to the skin; it is proper for
him to avoid exposing it to the moon, and more especially before her
conjunction with the sun, but never to go out after meat: if he have
his hair, to comb it every day; to walk much, but if he can, neither
under a roof, nor in the sun; and also to avoid the scorching heat
of the sun, particularly after meat or wine. He should rather anoint
than bathe, and the unction should be performed, never before a flame,
sometimes at a glowing red fire. If he come to the bath, he ought first
to wrap himself up, and sweat a little in the tepidarium, anoint there,
and then go into the calidarium; when he has sweat, not to go into the
bath, but to pour hot water over his head, so that it may run over all
his body, then tepid water in the same manner, and lastly cold; and
the last longer upon his head than the other parts; after which to rub
it for some time; lastly, to dry and anoint. Nothing is so beneficial
to the head as cold water; for this reason, he that has a weak head,
should every day in the summer hold it for some time under a pretty
strong stream. And though he has anointed without going into the bath,
and is not able to bear dipping in cold water, nevertheless he should
always pour cold water upon his head. But when he is unwilling to have
the other parts of his body touched, he must bend his head forward, so
that the water may not fall down into his neck; and that it may not
offend his eyes, or any other part, he is to throw it back now and then
with his hands, as it runs down. It is necessary for him to use a spare
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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