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
them; but much drink should be avoided, and, in particular, all things
of a very liquid nature, and likewise frequent washings of the mouth.
But, if possible, gestation should be taken in a cold state of the air.
The extremities in particular are to be cooled by these means. For
those sweats which are extorted by spasms and pains, tight ligatures,
or fomentations, are to be applied to the extremities, and they may be
relieved by gently rubbing with woollen cloths.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Hippocrates has delivered many interesting remarks on sweats
which occur in fevers. (See Epidem., Aphor., Prognost. _passim._) Febrile
sweats, attended with miliary eruptions, are held to be unfavorable. “In
general,” he says, “sweats proceed either from resolution of the body,
or the intensity of the inflammation.” (Prog.) In general he holds that
febrile sweats, unless they occur on critical days are unfavorable.
(Aphor.)
Galen remarks that profuse sweats are occasioned by rarity (i. e.
relaxation) of the body, or redundance of the superfluity, or thinness
thereof. The perspiration is checked, on the other hand, either because
the superfluity is small in quantity, thick, and viscid; or because the
pores of the skin are constricted. Either state, he adds, may arise from
atony of the natural powers of the flesh. (De Causis Sympt. iii, 9.) He
says, in another place, that for the removal of copious sweats astringent
and refrigerant remedies are indicated, and that everything of a relaxing
nature ought to be avoided. He recommends cold wine, and forbids all
hot things, also ligatures to the extremities, emetics, and motion. He
approves of cool air medicated by sprinkling the apartment of the sick
with austere things, such as myrtles, vine shoots, and roses. (Therap. ad
Glauc. ii.)
Celsus directs us, when the febrile sweats are slight, to rub the body
with oil, and, when more profuse, with roses, quince ointment, or myrtle
oil, to which austere wine is to be added. (iii, 6.)
Constantinus Africanus and his prototype Synesius concur in directing
colliquative sweats to be checked by rubbing the body with oil of
myrtles, of roses, &c. They commend an epitheme made of a decoction of
roses, the flowers of the wild pomegranate, galls, and myrtle leaves,
to which a proper proportion of oil is to be added. They also direct us
to place beside the patient vessels filled with water, to sprinkle the
apartment with myrtles, roses, &c. to give him the syrup of roses, in
cold water, and to avoid exercise.
Actuarius takes notice of the miliary eruption which sometimes
accompanies profuse sweats. He reckons it an unfavorable symptom. (Meth.
Med. i, 58.) He also makes mention of other cutaneous eruptions, some
resembling those produced by nettles, or the bites of gnats, and others
of a red or black colour. (Ibid.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive