Book 2
2
But a more important part of the treatment lies in things drunk and swallowed, since these remedies come nearest the injured parts. Of these there are three distinct kinds: either they are calculated by the contraction or compression of the vessels to bind the passages of the flux; or to incrassate and coagulate the fluid, so that it may not flow, even if the passages were in a state to convey it; or to dry up the outlets, by retaining the blood in its pristine state, so that the parts may not thus remain emptied by the flux, but may regurgitate where the effusion is. For rarefaction of the veins, astringency is sufficient, for it runs through the pores like a fluid when poured into a water-cask newly wetted. And also in the division of vessels stypticity is the remedy, by producing contraction of the lips; but for this purpose we must use the greater and more powerful medicines. But if the form of hemorrhage be that from erosion, and if the lips of the ulcer do not coalesce by the action of the astringents, but the wound gapes, and cannot be brought together by compression, we must produce congelation of the blood, and also of the heat; for the flow is stopped by the immobility and coagulation of these. To the rare parts, then, oxycrate is sufficient for producing astriction; for the fluid is not pure blood, but the sanies thereof from small orifices; and even of this medicine, there is no necessity of much being given, or frequently; and in certain cases, the external treatment is sufficient. So, likewise, the decoction of dates and of edible carobs, when drunk, has by itself proved sufficient. Let the vinegar be from wines of an astringent nature, and if not by pharmaceutical preparation, at all events let it be such as by time has become acrid and astringent. But in dilatations of the wounds, in addition to the oxycrate, let there be given the simple medicines at first, such as the juice of plantain, of knot-grass, or of endive; of each an equal part with the oxycrate. But if the flow increase, sprinkle on it one dram of the dried hypocistis, or of acacia, on three cupfuls of the oxycrate. The juice, also, of the wild grape is very excellent. But if the ailment prevail over this, sprinkle on it triturated gall, and the dried root of the bramble, and the sea stone, the coral, triturated and dried. But the root of rhubarb is more powerful than these to cool, to dry, to astringe; in short, for every purpose. But it is used with the oxycrate alone; or, if more powerful things are required, as a remedy. To the juices of endive with plantain we add some of the root, namely, three oboli of it to three or four cyathi of the fluid. But in crosions, we must produce astringency even in it, so as to induce coagulation of the blood that flows, and also for the sake of the containing vessels, so that the veins which have sustained a large wound may shut their mouths. But the medicines which are drunk should be strong, and capable of inducing coagulation. Wherefore, give the juice of coriander with vinegar, and the rennet of a hare, or of a hind, or of a kid, but not in great quantity (for certain of these have proved fatal in a large dose); but of the juice of the coriander give not less than half a cyathus to three of the oxycrate, and of the rennet three oboli, or at most four. For such modes of the flow, the Samian earth is very excellent, and the very white Aster, and the Eretrian, and the Sinopic, and the Lemnian seal: of these, at least, one dram weight, and at most three, with some of the decoctions, as of dates, or of edible carobs, or of the roots of brambles. But if there be roughness of the windpipe, and cough along with it, we must sprinkle these things on Cretic rob. Starch, dissolved in these, is a most excellent thing for lubricating the windpipe; for along with its power of lubricating, it also possesses that of agglutinating. If, therefore, the flow of blood be not urgent, it must be given once a day, before the administration of food; but if it be urgent, also a second and third time in the evening. And from the medicines are to be made draughts of the dried substances with honey, boiled to the proper consistence; galls pulverised: and a very good thing is sumach for the condiments, also grape-stones, and the fruit of the sharp dock, either each by itself, or all together. These things, moreover, are good to be kept below the tongue during the whole time of melting; but likewise common gum with the plant, (?) and the gum tragacanth. The compound medicines of tried efficacy are infinite; and various are the usages of trochisks—of that from Egyptian thorn, of another from amber, and another named from saffron, of which the composition has been described separately.
