Book 1
9
The cause of the mischief in the tonsils is the swallowing of cold, rough, hot, acid, and astringent substances; for these parts minister to the chest as to the purposes of voice and respiration; and to the belly for the conveyance of food; and to the stomach for deglutition. But if any affection occur in the internal parts, namely, the belly, the stomach, or the chest, an ascent of the mischief by the eructations takes place to the isthmus faucium, the tonsils, and the parts there; wherefore children, until puberty, especially suffer, for children in particular have large and cold respiration; for there is most heat in them; moreover, they are intemperate in regard to food, have a longing for varied food and cold drink; and they bawl loud both in anger and in sport; and these diseases are familiar to girls until they have their menstrual purgation. The land of Egypt especially engenders it, the air thereof being dry for respiration, and the food diversified, consisting of roots, herbs of many kinds, acrid seeds, and thick drink; namely, the water of the Nile, and the sort of ale prepared from barley. Syria also, and more especially Cœlosyria, engenders these diseases, and hence they have been named Egyptian and Syrian ulcers.
