[p. 83] attending to the crisis,
we may give emetics, unless the disease be alleviated; or if the bowels
be not moved, we may administer a clyster and give the boiled milk
of asses, to the amount of not less than twelve heminae, or if the
strength permit, to more than sixteen.
PART 6
Quinsy takes place when a copious and viscid defluxion from the head,
in the season of winter or spring, flows into the jugular veins, and
when from their large size they attract a greater defluxion; and when
owing to the defluxion being of a cold and viscid nature it becomes
enfarcted, obstructing the passages of the respiration and of the
blood, coagulates the surrounding blood, and renders it motionless
and stationary, it being naturally cold and disposed to obstructions.
Hence they are seized with convulsive suffocation, the tongue turning
livid, assuming a rounded shape, and being vent owing to the veins
which are seated below the tongue (for when an enlarged uvula, which
is called uva, is cut, a large vein may be observed on each side).
These veins, then, becoming filled, and their roots extending into
the tongue, which is of a loose and spongy texture, it, owing to its
dryness receiving forcibly the juice from the veins, changes from
broad and becomes round, its natural color turns to livid, from a
soft consistence it grows hard, instead of being flexible it becomes
inflexible, so that the patient would soon be suffocated unless speedily
relieved. Bleeding, then, in the arm, and opening the sublingual veins,
and purging with the electuaries, and giving warm gargles, and shaving
the head, we must apply to it and the neck a cerate, and wrap them
round with wool, and foment with soft sponges squeezed out of hot
water; give to drink water and hydromel, not cold; and administer
the juice of ptisan when, having passed the crisis, the patient is
out of danger. When, in the season of summer or autumn, there is a
hot and nitrous defluxion from the head (it is rendered hot and acrid
by the season), being of such a nature it corrodes and ulcerates,
and fills with air, and orthopnoea attended with great dryness supervenes;
the fauces, when examined, do not seem swollen; the tendons on the
back part of the neck are contracted, and have the appearance as if
it were tetanus; the voice is lost, the breathing is small, and
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