COMMENTARY. This Section is taken from Oribasius (Synops. v, 6.) See also Aëtius (iv, 21.) The Exanthemata here referred to would appear, properly speaking, to be the _strophuli_ of Dr. Willan, but the ancients used the term rather vaguely for several eruptive diseases. (See Book Fourth.) The Exanthemata are the “pustulæ parvæ” of Eros (apud Gynæcia, p. 59.) For the Arabians, see in particular Haly Abbas (Pract. i, 20); Avicenna (i, 3, 1); Alsaharavius (Tr. xxvi, 7 and 8.) Alsaharavius describes two cutaneous complaints of infancy by the names of _Alseafa_ and _Alkaba_. The former he describes as consisting of pustules, which affect the heads of infants, and sometimes the face. They are attended, he says, with a constant itching, and occasion erosion. His treatment is to shave the head, and to apply to it first a leaf of blite (_bletæ_ vel _betæ_?) and afterwards an ointment composed of spuma argenti, ceruse, and lye, with rose-oil and wax. The _Alkaba_ is said to be of the same nature, only that the fluid which runs from the pustules resembles honey. This, therefore, must be the _porrigo favosa_. His remedies are, to wash the head frequently with a lotion made from marjoram, mint, or centaury; and then to apply an ointment composed of spuma argenti, ceruse, Armenian bole, sulphur, almonds, and quicksilver; and also liniments of rose-oil and vinegar, with the free use of the bath. As Dr. Willan remarks, he has described the _strophuli_ by the name of pustulæ, (_bothor_.) (Tr. xxvi, 25.) He says of them: “Aliæ sunt albæ, aliæ rubeæ, aliæ nigræ, aliæ magnæ, aliæ parvæ et multæ et paucæ, aliæ fortis et acuti doloris, et mortiferæ,” &c. It appears, therefore, that he applies the term in a very lax signification. Rhases describes the Exanthemata by the name of _vesicæ_. He prescribes, at the commencement, medicines for expelling the morbific superfluity from the inner parts, such as the decoction of dates or figs, with fennel water. When the eruption is fairly come out, he recommends baths medicated with roses, myrtles, and the like; after which, the child is to be rubbed with the oil of roses or of violets. (De Morbis Infant, c. 19.) We may mention that Lanfrancus, and the other medical authorities of that age, describe them by the name of _saphati_. SECT. VII.—ON THE COUGH AND DEFLUXION OF INFANTS. When the child is seized with cough or defluxion, recourse is to be had to a linctus of honey. It is first to be bathed copiously with warm water, even to its head, and plenty of honey given: then press its tongue gently with your finger, and it will vomit up much phlegm. * * * * * COMMENTARY. See Oribasius (Synops. v, 7), and Aëtius (iv, 18.) Aëtius recommends various lohochs or linctus. One of them consists of pine-nuts, almonds, linseed, liquorice-juice, and honey. Emetics and demulcents, such as gum arabic and liquorice, are the remedies recommended by Avicenna, (i, 3, 1.)