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
those affected with lassitude stand in need of wholesome food.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. There is a short treatise on this subject, among the minor
works of Theophrastus. He states that, as the excess of motion in this
case has produced a preternatural dryness of the body, the indication of
cure is to humectate, that is to say, to dilute, by baths and drinks. The
work contains many ingenious observations; but our limits do not admit of
our giving a proper outline of it.
Our author copies from Oribasius (Synops. v, 15); see, also, Aëtius (iv,
55 et seq.) They all, however, are indebted to Galen. (De Sanit. tuend.
iii, 7.) The ulcerose lassitude, he says, arises from a collection of
excrementitious superfluities, which are produced by the melting of
fat and muscle. In the second species, called the tensive, there is no
collection of humours, but the muscular fibres are excessively stretched.
The third species, or the inflammative, is characterized by a sensation,
as if the parts affected were bruised or inflamed, and happens when the
muscles, being excessively heated, attract the superfluities from the
surrounding parts. From the pain being deep seated, it has been called
ostalgia. He adds a fourth species, being a case somewhat different from
all those we have been describing. It is the contrary state to that of
the inflammative, the body appearing squalid and contracted. The first
case, as it is connected with redundance of humours, is to be cured
by discutients; and hence the proper remedy for it is much friction,
with emollient oils wholly devoid of astringency. He also approves of
the gentle exercise called the restorative. The second species, or the
tensive, is to be cured by gentle friction, with emollient oils heated in
the sun; by complete quietude, and the frequent repetition of the tepid
bath. In particular, unction with oil is proper. The third species, as
it is occasioned by violent motions, and is attended with excruciating
pains, is to be cured by the gentlest friction, with the most emollient
oils; by the most perfect rest, and the tepid bath. The fourth species,
characterized by squalor and constriction of the skin, is to be treated
by the hot bath, to warm and invigorate the skin, then by soft and slow
motions and friction; and then again by the hot bath. But, he adds, the
patient must straightway leave the cistern of the hot bath, and plunge
into that of the cold, but not remain long in it. The diet, in all these
cases, is to be restricted and cooling, especially in the Inflammative.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account