COMMENTARY. This section is taken from Oribasius (Synops. vi, 22.) It will be remarked that our author’s treatment consists of diluents and refrigerants internally, with cold applications and baths. It is entirely derived from Galen. Galen defends, in very strong terms, the use of the cold bath, which had been condemned by a celebrated physician of the name of Philip. (Meth. Med. x.) He admits, indeed, that an inflammatory or erysipelatous affection of a vital organ, and a redundance of crude and putrid humours in the body, may compel us to abstain from the bath; but, in all other circumstances of hectic fever, he insists that it is the _remedium unicum_. He also recommends cold drink and cold applications to the part primarily affected. He speaks favorably also of the internal administration of refrigerants, such as lettuces, which may also be applied externally. (De Marasmo.) For diet, he recommends articles of a diluent and cooling nature, such as ptisan, bread steeped in cold water, and the milk of asses. (Meth. Med. l. c.) Aëtius, in like manner, recommends the bath, unless the use of it be contraindicated by the inflammation of some vital organ, or a fever enkindled by the putrescency of the humours. He gives minute directions for the application of the bath, the amount of which is this, that, under certain circumstances, it will be most prudent to use the tepid bath before the cold. In all cases he directs the body to be rubbed with oil before going into the bath, and to be gently rubbed with towels after coming out of it. He greatly praises the milk of asses, which he recommends to be drunk warm. Alexander also forbids the use of the bath, when inflammation of any vital part is present. He approves greatly of the milk of asses for food. He allows wine only when the patient is of a cold and dry intemperament. He inculcates the necessity of ascertaining whether the hectic fever and marasmus be connected with chronic inflammation of any internal organ, such as the stomach, mesentery, colon, liver, kidneys, womb, lungs, or diaphragm, in order that the remedies may be applied to the seat of the disease. We need not go over the practice of the subsequent Greek authors, as they follow servilely the doctrines of Galen. According to Avicenna, the great indications of cure are dilution and refrigeration. To the class of refrigerant remedies he refers barley-water, the milk of asses, and trochisks of camphor, with cooling epithemes and ointments. To the class of diluents he refers the bath, about the administration of which he is very particular. He directs us to use the tepid bath at first, and gradually bring the patient to bear the cold. When it can be borne, he says, the cold bath should be taken immediately after the hot. He also speaks favorably of the affusion of tepid water.