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
Averrhoes, although he approves of venesection, condemns Galen’s
direction to carry it the length of bringing on _deliquium animi_. He
also cautions against carrying the administration of cold drink too far.
Avenzoar strongly recommends bleeding _ad deliquium_. Avicenna likewise
approves of this practice. When the strength does not permit to carry
depletion so far, he directs us to open the temporal veins, or to
abstract blood by cupping. In such cases he also recommends purgatives
and refrigerant medicines. Towards the conclusion of the fever he directs
the trochisks of camphor to be given.
Rhases gives an excellent account of synochus. His remedies are bleeding,
gentle purgatives, acidulated drinks, restricted diet, and complete
abstinence from wine. He particularly recommends aloes as a purgative.
(See, in particular, Contin. xxx, v, 2.) He approves of the bath, but
prefers delaying the use of it until the decline of the fever. He is
very decided in recommending bleeding, unless the patient be of a weak
constitution, or his system loaded with crudities. After the fever is
concocted, he approves of giving cold water freely for drink.
SECT. XXIX.—ON THE DIAGNOSIS OF ARDENT FEVERS.
The following symptoms accompany ardent fevers: tongue dry, rough,
and black, griping of the stomach, excrements pale, strong thirst,
watchfulness, and sometimes delirium.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Our author’s description of the _causus_, or ardent fever,
is taken from Hippocrates (de Rat. Vic. Acut.), where the commentary
of Galen is worth consulting. According to Hippocrates, the causus is
generally produced in the summer season, owing to the veins becoming dry
and attracting bilious humours. In other parts of his works he gives an
account of several varieties of the disease, differing considerably in
character from that described in the above-mentioned work. For example,
one variety mentioned in his ‘Epidemics’ was distinguished by the absence
of thirst and delirium, and by the paroxyms occurring on the even days.
(See Galen’s Commentary, Opera, ed. Basil. t. v, 424; also, de Morbis,
i, 27; and Coacæ, 130.) He further describes, under the head of causus,
various cases of febrile complaints after childbirth and abortion, which
would now be called puerperal fevers. (Epidem. iii.)
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