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
Avicenna’s directions are exceedingly minute, and seemingly very
judicious. He cautions against using drastic purgatives, and expresses
himself doubtfully of the effect of venesection. His practice consists
principally in the administration of gentle purgatives, diluent
and refrigerant medicines. He approves of pomegranates, plums, and
water-melons. Averrhoes lays down the same principles of practice.
(Collig. vii, 11.) Haly Abbas states that, as it is the nature of these
fevers to occasion heat and dryness of the body, they are to be treated
with diluents and refrigerants. Agreeably to these principles, he directs
us to give clysters and gentle laxatives, to use the tepid affusion, and
the like. (Pract. iii, 12.) Alsaharavius recommends similar treatment.
Rhases, like Haly, recommends refrigerants and diluents. He approves of
cooling purgatives, such as a combination of myrobalans and scammony, or
a draught made from prunes and manna. He speaks favorably of emetics.
Several of his authorities recommend the bath, and others approve of
wormwood. (Contin. xxx.)
It will be remarked that many of the ancient authorities recommend the
tepid bath for the cure of tertian intermittents. Prosper Alpinus informs
us that he had seen this practice successfully pursued by the Egyptian
physicians. (De Med. Ægypt.)
SECT. XXI.—THE CURE OF SPURIOUS TERTIANS.
It does not suit with spurious tertians to bathe at the commencement,
nor until symptoms of concoction have made their appearance. Neither
does it answer to give food every day, but every alternate day will
be sufficient. Rest and warm applications to the hypochondriac region
agree with them, also broths of easy digestion, and clysters not very
emollient. And if detraction of blood be expedient, it ought by no means
to be omitted. The nature of the diet ought not upon the whole to be
cooling and diluent, but things of a more incisive nature ought to be
added. They are particularly benefited by the juice of ptisan, to which
have been added pepper, hyssop, sweet marjoram, and spikenard. Also,
add pepper to honied water, boil, and give it to drink, and likewise
everything which will promote the secretion of urine, except those things
which are of a very heating and desiccant nature. In particular, after
the seventh day, give wormwood; and many have been benefited by drinking
oxymel, and taking gentle laxatives. A vomit taken with food is very
beneficial to those in whom the affection is of long continuance.
* * * * *
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