The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, volume 1 (of 3) : $b translated from the Greek: with a commentary embracing a complete view of the knowledge possessed by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabians on all subjects connected with medicine and surgeryPaulus, Aegineta
History
The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, volume 1 (of 3) : $b translated from the Greek: with a commentary embracing a complete view of the knowledge possessed by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabians on all subjects connected with medicine and surgery
Paulus, Aegineta
Medicine; Medicine, Arab; Medicine, Greek and Roman
We shall conclude our commentary on this Section with an outline of
the directions given by Aspasia for the management of pregnant women.
Women who have conceived are to be guarded from frights, sorrow, and all
violent mental perturbation. They are to avoid gestation in carriages,
severe exercise, inordinate breathing and blows about the loins; also the
lifting of heavy loads, dancing, and sitting on hard seats. Likewise all
acrid and flatulent food, strong clysters, and too much or too little
food and drink are to be avoided. All discharges of blood, whether from
the nose or hemorrhoids, are dangerous in the pregnant state. Moderate
and wholesome food, gestation in a sedan, gentle walking, soft friction,
and the exercise of spinning are proper. About the eighth month,
which is the most critical period of pregnancy, the diet is to be more
contracted, and the exercise increased. If the bowels are constipated
owing to compression of the rectum, by the enlarged uterus, laxative
food is to be given, such as ptisan and mallows. In the ninth month the
regimen is to be of a relaxing nature, and for this purpose the tepid
bath is to be frequently taken, for it has a great effect in rendering
parturition easy. (Apud Aëtium, xvi, 12.)
Our author borrows part of this chapter from Oribasius, and abridges the
rest from Galen and Aëtius.
SECT. II.—ON THE NURSE.
A nurse is to be chosen who is free from every complaint, and is neither
very old nor very young. She ought not to be less than twenty-five nor
more than thirty-five. Her chest should be large, as also her breasts,
and her nipples neither contracted nor turned aside. The rest of her body
should be neither very fat nor very spare. It is of great consequence
to the child that his nurse should have brought forth but a short time
before, and that her child had been a male rather than otherwise. She
ought to avoid everything of a very desiccative nature, and likewise
such as are saltish, acrid, sour, acid, bitter, very heating, or of an
offensive smell: also, such as are strongly fragrant, condiments, and
such like acrid substances. Let the nurse also abstain from venery. Let
her work with her hands and shoulders, let her labour at the mill and the
loom, and carry about the child in her arms. This may be done for three
or four months.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This Section is taken from Oribasius. (Synops. v, 2.)
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account