The joints often become relaxed from protracted febrile complaints, and from colic, and paralytic affections, especially when a hot and humid intemperament seizes them; and hence the motion of the joint is impeded. In these cases the juice of acacia mixed with water may be poured upon the part; or a decoction of bramble, of myrtle, of lentisk, or of the bark of elm roots will answer well; or the rind of pomegranate may be formed into a cataplasm, or myrtle leaves with myrtle ointment may be applied. For the ligaments require to be strengthened by astringent and desiccative powers; and such applications are therefore to be made to the joints, as that from willows, that called oxyrum, and the phœnicinum, with the addition of an astringent wine or vinegar. Some imagining that the weakness of the joints proceeds from cold, and having had recourse to more heating remedies, have only increased the mischief. * * * * * COMMENTARY. Our author has correctly stated that relaxation of the joints is to be cured by astringent desiccant applications. Aëtius makes mention of the simple articles enumerated here (xiv, 72), and Oribasius recommends a few of the same. (Synops. vii, 23.) Our author is much fuller than Oribasius on this head. (Ibid.) SECT. LVII.—ON WORMS. There are three different sorts of worms, the round, the broad, and thirdly, those called ascarides. They are all the offspring of crude and thick pituitous matters with a suitable putrefaction, such matters collect in children, and others who take too much food. But they do not grow from hot, acrid, or melancholic humours; for these being too strong for nutrition, are inapt for the generation of worms; and, on the contrary, bilious superfluities are particularly destructive of them. Or if at any time yellow bile be discharged along with worms, either downwards or by vomiting, you may be sure that they have been formed in the intestines, whereas the bilious humour had been collected at the mouth of the stomach, or in some other part. We shall now describe the form, generation, situation, diagnosis, and cure of each variety, beginning with the round.