[p. 97]be previously
settled, and then bleed; enjoin abstinence, and forbid the use of
wine; and complete the cure by means of a suitable regimen, and wet
fomentations. But if the bowels appear to be constipated, administer
a soothing clyster.
PART 25
If you think it necessary to give medicines, you may safely purge
upwards by hellebore, but none of those should be purged downwards.
The most effectual mode of treatment is by the urine, sweats, and
exercise; and use gentle friction so as not to harden the constitution;
and if he be confined to bed let others rub him. When the pain is
seated above the diaphragm, place him erect for the most part, and
let him be as little reclined as possible; and when he is raised up
let him be rubbed for a considerable time with plenty of hot oil.
But if the pains be in the lower belly below the diaphragm, it will
be useful to lie reclined and make no motion, and to such a person
nothing should be administered except the friction. Those pains which
are dissolved by discharges from the bowels, by urine, or moderate
sweats, cease spontaneously, if they are slight, but if strong they
prove troublesome; for persons so affected either die, or at least
do not recover without further mischief, for they terminate in abscesses.
PART 26
A draught for a dropsical person. Take three cantharides, and removing
their head, feet, and wings, triturate their bodies in three cupfuls
(cyathi) of water, and when the person who has drunk the draught complains
of pain, let him have hot fomentations applied. The patient should
be first anointed with oil, should take the draught fasting, and eat
hot bread with oil.
PART 27
A styptic. Apply the juice of the fig inwardly to the vein; or having
moulded biestings into a tent, introduce up the nostril, or push up
some chalcitis with the finger, and press the cartilages of the nostrils
together; and open the bowels with the boiled milk of asses: or having
shaved the head apply cold things to it if in the summer season.
PART 28
The sesamoides purges upwards when pounded in oxymel to the amount
of a drachm and a half, and drunk; it is combined with the hellebores,
to the amount of the third part, and thus it is less apt to produce
suffocation.
PART 29
Trichiasis. Having introduced a thread into the eye of a