Book 2
3
Drink to be given more frequently and more copiously than in other complaints. Food every day, light, digestible, mostly from grain, and that which is pleasant, even if somewhat less suitable. For, in these cases, rather than in any other, the palate is to be gratified, since not unusually the disease is generated in the stomach, so as to occasion resolution thereof. Abstinence or famine by no means; for the disease is sufficient to devour up all. But if the period be already come to a crisis, if there be a dew on the clavicle and forehead, the extremities cold; the pulse very small and very frequent, as if creeping, and feeble in tone, the patient must take a little food, and partake of wine effectually. The head, too, is to be strengthened by lotions, as also the bladder. These remedies have been described by me under Phrenitis. We are to give wine, not copiously nor to satiety, for certain patients by unseasonable repletion have died of anorexia, and inability to eat and drink; and to many patients having a good appetite, when the natural powers were dissolved, the abundant supply of food was of no avail; the food descending, indeed, into the stomach, but not ascending from the belly to recruit the strength. Let the food, therefore, be diversified, for the most part from grain, so as that it may be supped rather than masticated; or if solid, let it be made easy to swallow. Eggs, not quite consistent nor roasted whole, but deprived of their solid portion; two or three pieces of bread soaked in wine, at first hot; but, after these, everything cold, unless there be latent inflammations. The wine is to be fragrant, and not very astringent; but by no means thick. Of the Greek wines, the Chian or Lesbian, and such other of the insular wines as are thin; of the Italian, the Surrentine, or Fundan, or Falernian, or Signine, unless it be very astringent; but of these we must reject such as are very old or very young. It is to be given at first hot, to the amount of not less than four cyathi, before the crisis, nor more than a hemina even if the patient be accustomed to drink. But after these things, having given food, if the symptoms of inflammation be past, we are again to give it cold as if for a remedy of the thirst; but this from necessity, and not by itself, but along with the food. We must also take care that the wine do not affect the brain; and after this, abstain. And if after an interval, he wish to sleep, quiet is to be enforced. But if much sweat flow, the pulse come to a stop, the voice become sharp, and the breast lose its heat, we are to give as much wine as the patient can drink. For those who are cold, wine is the only hope of life. Wine, therefore, if the patient be accustomed to it, is sometimes to be taken in drink, and sometimes food is to be eaten with the wine, after an interval, as a respite from the fatigue induced by the disease and the food, for when the strength is small, they are much fatigued, even by the act of taking food. Wherefore the patient must be stout-hearted and courageous, and the physician must encourage him with words to be of good cheer, and assist with diversified food and drink.
