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
Serapion recommends styptic and desiccative applications, such as galls,
frankincense, alum, the flowers of vine, myrtles, and the like. (De
Antidotis, vi, 20.)
Haly Abbas briefly recommends friction with styptic oils, and to remove
the patient to a cool apartment. (Pract. iii, 24.)
Alsaharavius, in like manner, recommends friction with astringent oils,
such as those prepared with roses, pomegranates, and the like. (xxxi, 2,
8.)
Avicenna and Rhases adopt the same plan of treatment as our author.
The latter directs us to rub the body with rose oil, or myrtle oil, to
sprinkle the patient with rose water in the decoction of myrtles, to
fan him, and to lay in his chamber the tops of cooling herbs and trees.
(Contin. xxxi.)
Prosper Alpinus informs us that the Methodists approved of cool air, of
sprinkling the face with cold fluids, of rubbing the body with styptic
oils, and of giving astringent wines internally. He also mentions the
application of snow over the arteries of the extremities, and pouring
cold water over those of the wrist. It is to be regretted, however, that
this author too frequently omits to quote his ancient authorities. (See
Medic. Method., vi, 18, and vii, 3.)
SECT. XLVIII.—ON COUGH IN FEVERS.
We must endeavour to remove a cough in fevers, more especially in such as
come on with rigors, for it exasperates the fever when it is subsiding.
We must give lozenges from boiled honey to hold below the tongue, for
these melt and remove the substances which obstruct respiration. The time
for using them is at the acme of the paroxysm, and a short time before
the attack. Well-boiled hydromel must likewise be given. When there is no
suspicion of the nerves being affected, in process of time you may give
oxymel with confidence, or if not it, the decoction of hyssop, which is
a remedy also for rigors. If the fever is not of the ardent kind, you
may give castor, which is also of use to the nervous system. Electuaries
may be used, made of the kernels of the common and wild pine, iris,
linseed, bitter almonds, and nettle-seed. But the most of these may be
mixed with the food. Turpentine-rosin should be given in an egg. To the
chest and the parts about the trachea, apply a sulphurated woollen cloth,
and oil of rue, or of iris, or of dill. Tight ligatures long applied are
excellent for stopping cough, I mean to the middle and extremities. Nor
will it be unsuitable to use for the cough stavesacre dried, which may
be chewed with dried grapes or mastich. The extremities may be rubbed,
chafed, and bound with ligatures, and afterwards the retracted parts
unbound. But if the cough annoys, owing to the acrid nature of the
fever, we must use a gargle of tepid water. Cold water also is often
useful; and, in like manner, gargles of oxycrate, or of the decoctions of
dates, roses, or liquorice. Moderately cooling things are also to be laid
over the bowels and heart.
* * * * *
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