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OF ARETÆUS, THE CAPPADOCIAN, ON THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE DISEASE
BOOK II.
CHAPTER III. ON SYNCOPE
[p. 271]
head, since the phrenitics are relieved by the shaving and
wetting thereof. But to the heart the vicinity of the stomach
is most important, for from it the heart draws both what is
suitable and what is unsuitable to itself. And by the lungs
the heart draws spirit (pneuma) for respiration, but yet the
lungs do not hold a primary place in respiration; for the
powers are not in the organs, but there where is the original
of life and strength: But the stomach is neither the original
nor seat of life; and yet one would be injured by atony thereof:
for food which proves injurious to the heart does not hurt
the stomach itself, but by it the heart; since those dying in
such cases have symptoms of heart-affections, namely, pulse
small and feeble, bruit of the heart, with violent palpitation,
vertigo, fainting, torpor, loss of tone in their limbs, sweating
copious and unrestrainable, coldness of the whole body, insensibility,
loss of utterance. How should the stomach endure
such symptoms? For those peculiar to it are nausea, vomiting,
loss of appetite, hiccup, eructation, acidity; whereas in
cardiac affections the patients are more acute in their senses,
so that they see and hear better than formerly; they are also
in understanding more sound, and in mind more pure, not
only regarding present things, but also with regard to futurity
they are true prophets. These, then, are the powers, not of
the stomach, but of the heart, where is the soul and the nature
thereof, and to it is to be referred this affection of its powers.
But this form of disease is a solution of the natural tone
from a cold cause and humidity, and therefore they are not
affected with heat, either internally or externally, neither do
they suffer from thirst, and their breath is cold even when the
disease proceeds from strong and ardent fevers, by which syncope
is usually kindled up. For when nature is strong, and
of the proper temperament, it rules all and commands all,
whether humour, spirit (pneuma), or solid, and, by their good
order and symmetry, regulates the man in life; but if the bond
