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
It remains to be mentioned that _amulets_ were very much used in ancient
times for the cure of quartans. Alexander Trallian had great confidence
in them. Galen supposed that they owed their virtues to the physical
properties of the substances which were appended. Ælius Spartianus, one
of the writers of the Augustan History, says, that the emperor Caracalla
wished to punish those who made use of amulets. On the περίαπτα,
περίαμματα, vel amuleta of the ancients, see Andreas Laurentius (de
Mirab. Strum. sanat. p. 83); Rendtorfius (Notæ in Anatolii Fragment. ap.
Fabricii Biblioth. Græc. iv, 305); and Wolfius (ap. Act. Lips. 1690.) The
practice of using amulets for the cure of diseases must have been very
ancient, for it is alluded to by Pindar (Pyth. iii), and Theophrastus (H.
P. ix, 10.) The facts recently stated in support of the system of Animal
Magnetism have been supposed to give some countenance to the ancient
belief in the efficacy of amulets.
SECT. XXIV.—THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE QUOTIDIAN.
The quotidian does not make its attack with a rigor on the first day, but
in progress of time, a chill rather than rigor takes place, which is,
with difficulty, succeeded by heat, and it has a protracted increase.
Yet, it does not make those affected hot, nor their respiration frequent
and thick, nor does it make them pant or drink cold water. But they have
vomitings of phlegm, and whatever is voided by the belly is cold, crude,
and watery, in these fevers. And they have no sweats during the first
days, neither have they an interval of freedom from fever. Their colour
is white and pale; their urine thin and white, or thick, turbid, and red.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. We have stated, in the 18th Section, that the ancients were
of opinion that quotidians derive their origin from phlegm, that is to
say, serum.
Our author’s description is abridged from Galen (Therap. ad Glauc. i.)
The other authorities treat of it in much the same terms. Even Alexander,
who aims at originality, agrees with Galen and Hippocrates, in referring
the origin of quotidians to phlegm. Palladius, in his valuable little
treatise on Fever, is at great pains to explain the manner in which
putrid extravasated phlegm gives rise to quotidian. He represents the
heat as being smothered and concealed like that of moist fuel. Celsus
describes all the varieties of the disease very minutely. Constantinus
Africanus gives an accurate description of this intermittent. He says
that the paroxysm lasts for twenty-four (eighteen?) hours, and is
followed by an interval of six hours. First, old persons, and then boys,
are said to be peculiarly subject to the disease, which is apt to make
its attack in cold countries and at cold seasons of the year. It is
attended with a great degree of cold, especially of the extremities; the
face is swelled, the colour pale, and no thirst is present.
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