Our author has copied closely from Galen. The great indications of cure, as laid down by him and acknowledged by all subsequent authorities, are to rarefy the containing parts and attenuate the spirit. By _spirit_, as we stated in another place, the ancients meant a thick air or gas. The indications which we have mentioned are best fulfilled by friction with oils, in which calefacient medicines, such as cumin, parsley, anise, and the like, have been boiled. When, however, any inflammation is suspected, he properly forbids us to use acrid or heating medicines. When the pain of the bowels is violent in cases of tympanites, he allows medicines containing opium, which are to be given by the mouth if the small intestines be affected, but are to be administered in a clyster if the large intestines be the seat of the disease. When the disease is in a muscular part, he directs us to use a combination of attenuants and emollients. In certain cases he recommends dry-cupping. Oribasius, Aëtius, Actuarius, and Nonnus, adopt the views of Galen, without any alteration. For tympanites, Scribonius recommends cumin internally. Avicenna, like our author, in ordinary cases recommends combinations of attenuants and calefacients, dry-cupping and the like, for dispelling the spirit; but when the disease arises from contusion of the muscles, he directs us to use resolvents and paregorics. Serapion approves of similar treatment. Alsaharavius recommends attenuant and calefacient remedies externally and internally. In the translation of his works, the disease is called inflatio. Rhases recommends friction with calefacient oils; he remarks that the disease occurs most commonly in the stomach and intestines. He calls it by the name of apostema inflatum. SECT. XXIX.—FOR SPRAINS AND CONTUSIONS. Sprains of the joints and contusions are remedied by unwashed wool, or a sponge soaked in vinegar and oil, and applied; by the tender parts of boiled bulbous roots with honey, by the leaves of the chaste tree, salts, and roasted nitre, triturated with cerate. The affusion of sweet water, or of hot sea water, may be used. But after the inflammation and pains have subsided, apply rubbing to the sprained parts. * * * * * COMMENTARY. See Aëtius (xiv, 71); Oribasius (Synops. vii, 14); Actuarius (Meth. Med. ii, 35); Scribonius Largus (§ 209); Rhases (Divis. i, 140.) Aëtius makes mention of all the remedies recommended by our author, with the exception of the affusion of water; which, however, is a method of treatment deserving of attention. Oribasius mentions particularly the affusion of hot sea water. Scribonius Largus recommends a plaster containing litharge, alum, ærugo, ammoniac, &c. Rhases directs us to use attenuant ointments, sedative plasters, and loose bandages, with rest. SECT. XXX.—ON CONTUSIONS OF THE FLESH AND ECCHYMOSIS.