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
Palladius gives the following directions for the treatment of fevers
in general. In all these diseases the skilful physician ought to know
and understand accurately the constitution and temperament of the sick;
and the peculiar form of the fever, and the formation, movement, onset,
increase, and acme of every disease, and the analogies of the paroxysms,
and the returns of the periods. And the first and general object in
all these diseases is to clear the body of impurities, and render it
perspirable; and the second in order is to contend with the prevailing
cause; for the work of the physician in all cases is to rectify whatever
is amiss about the body. (De Febribus, 29.)
Celsus recommends venesection in all fevers at the commencement, provided
the patient is not very young, weak, or has crudities in his stomach;
but after the fourth day he does not approve of it. He also makes some
ingenious remarks on the contrary methods of giving water and wine in
cases of fever. He recommends the latter when there is cold, torpor, and
restlessness. He likewise mentions the affusion of cold water and oil,
with the intention of changing the morbid state of action.
In the Epistle of Vindicianus, physician to the Emperor Valentinian,
there is an interesting history of a fever, arising from indigestion
and obstruction of the bowels, brought on by excess in eating and
drinking. In this case Vindicianus, in opposition to the advice of the
other professional attendants, would not administer a clyster, and gave
his patient nothing but salt and water, which procured first copious
perspirations, and afterwards free evacuations of the bowels. He then
directed him to use the bath, and completed the cure by giving wormwood
to remove obstructions. This is a well-marked case of intestinal fever.
(Fabricii Bibl. Græc. t. xiii.)
We may state the general characters of the urine as given in an
interesting little treatise, ‘On the Urine,’ lately published by Ideler.
In synochous fevers, as being connected with fulness of blood, the urine
is red, thick, and indicating by its colour and consistence the want of
concoction. (De Urinis Commentatio.)
Haly Abbas, during the first three days, strongly recommends venesection,
which, he says, will either have the effect of cutting short the fever
at once, or of rendering it milder. His other remedies are altogether
refrigerant, consisting of acidulated drinks, and gentle purgatives,
such as prunes, tamarinds, and the like. Alsaharavius, in like manner,
recommends depletion, and the refrigerant plan of treatment.
Serapion strongly recommends bleeding, _ad deliquium animi_, which,
he says, will probably have the effect of procuring discharges from
the bowels, and of promoting perspiration. He admits of venesection
even after the sixth or seventh day, when other circumstances indicate
it. He further prescribes refrigerant remedies, such as tamarinds,
cassia-fistula, and the like.
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