Book 1
5
After these sufferings, the patient is to be recruited. For, in certain cases, during the time of this treatment, the disease has been removed; but if the patient come to a renewal of his flesh and of his strength, all traces of the disease become eradicated. For the strength of nature produces health, but her weakness, disease. Let the patient, then, proceed to the process of restoration by frequenting the natural hot baths; for the medicinal substances in them are beneficial, such as bitumen, or sulphur, or alum, and many others besides these which are possessed of remedial powers. For, after the parching heat of the disease, and the annoyance of the treatment, dilution is a good thing. Moreover, rare and soft flesh most readily throws off the disease; but in melancholy the flesh is dry and dense. An oily liniment, by gentle friction, with much oil containing . . . . . . . . . . . . washed bread, with something sweet, as the Cretan must, and the Scybelitic from Pamphylia, or wine and honey which have been mixed up together for some time. Eggs, both cold and hot, which have been stripped of their shells. Of fleshes, such as are not fatty, and are detergent. Of swine, the feet and the parts about the head. Of fowls, the wings, which are not fatty. Of wild animals, hares, goats, and deer. Of autumnal fruits, whatever is excellent in its kind. When the stomach rejects the food, we must consider beforehand that what is taken be not vomited up. Wherefore, before giving food, we are to administer honeyed-water to the amount of half a cyathus, which, being drunk, is vomited up again for cleansing the stomach. For, in this way, the food remains in the stomach. Medicines which are purgative of the necessary discharges are—the fruit of the pine, of the nettle, and seeds of the coccalus,Galen identifies the κόκκαλος of Hippocrates (de vict. Acut.) with κῶνος, or the fruit of the pinus pinea. Our author would seem to make them distinct substances. There being several species of the pine tribe, it is not always easy to distinguish them from one another. and pepper; bitter almonds; and let honey give it consistence. But if you wish to dry, the best thing is myrrh, or the root of iris, the medicine from vipers, and that of Vestinus, of Mithridates, and many others. For the epithemes, the materiel of cataplasms, melilot and poppies, and the tear (gum?) of turpentine, and hyssop, and the oil of roses, or of vine-flowers; wax should give consistence to all these. Liniments of oil; gestation, promenades, and whatever promotes the reproduction of flesh, and the strength of the powers, and the restoration of nature to its pristine state of * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
