The directions given by Avicenna are so like our author’s that we must suppose them copied from him. He directs us first to try the effect of fatiguing the patient by talking loud to him, placing many candles in his chamber, and applying ligatures to his extremities. When this method does not succeed, he recommends the soporific applications mentioned by our author. When there is nothing to forbid the use of it, he permits the syrup of poppies. (iv, i, 2, 20.) Haly Abbas likewise recommends poppies externally and internally. (Pract. iii, 23.) Averrhoes briefly directs food and applications of a soporific nature. (Collig. vii, 2.) Rhases mentions our author’s plan of treatment, and further seems to approve of liniments made of mandrogora, opium, henbane, and the juice of lettuces. (Cont. xxxi.) Cælius Aurelianus remarks that the indiscreet use of soporifics may bring on lethargy. According to Prosper Alpinus, the Methodists approved of fomentations, consisting of soporific medicines, such as lettuces, opium, and the like. (Med. Meth. vi, 8.) The earlier of the modern writers on medicine approve of applying to the nose a sponge soaked in a soporific liniment prepared from opium, henbane, mandrake, cicuta, lettuce, and the like. (See Theodoricus, iii, 8.) SECT. XLIII.—THE CURE OF CATAPHORA OR SOMNOLENCY. Sponge the forehead with oxycrate of the temperature of new milk; put tight ligatures round the extremities; and apply to the nose strong-smelling things of an incisive quality. In the remissions, apply cupping instruments between the shoulders along the spine. When the disease is protracted, errhines must be tried during the remission. Let the food consist of things having incisive and dividing properties, as recommended by us in our general directions regarding the health. * * * * * COMMENTARY. The treatment mentioned by our author is recommended by almost all the other authorities both before and after his time. See, in particular, Oribasius (Synops. vi, 33); Aëtius (v, 117); Nonnus (Epitome, 146); Avicenna (iv, 1, 2, 18); Haly Abbas (Pract. iii, 23.) Prosper Alpinus gives an excellent account of the practice of the Methodists. It consisted of painful friction, tight ligatures, rubefacients applied to the extremities or head, sternutatories, and, in short, everything calculated to rouse. (Med. Meth. vi, 7.) SECT. XLIV.—THE CURE OF HEADACH IN FEVERS.