Kitap 2
CHAPTER I. THE CURE OF PERIPNEUMONIA.
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INFLAMMATION and swelling of the lungs, and along with them a sense of suffocation, which does not long endure, constitute a very acute and fatal ailment. The remedies opposed to it, therefore, ought to be of equal power and speedily applied. We are to open instantly the veins at the elbow, and both together, on the right and on the left side, rather than abstract blood from one larger orifice, so that revulsion of the humours may take place from either side of the lungs: but we must not carry it to the extent of deliquium animi for the deliquium cooperates with the suffocation. But when even a small respite has been obtained, we must suppress the flow and abstraet more afterwards; for, if the exciting causes be from blood, the venesection carries them away; and if phlegm, or froth, or any other of the humours be the agent, the evacuations of the veins widen the compass of the lungs for the passage of the breath.
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We must expel the fluids and flatus downwards, by anointing the anus after the venesection with natron, honey, rue, and the liquid resin from turpentine. Instead of the venesection,—provided there be a greater impediment,—we must give a clyster of acrid juice, namely, of salts, in addition to the natron, and turpentine resin with the honey; and rue boiled in the oil, and hyssop boiled in the water; and the fleshy parts of the wild cucumber, boiled with water, are very excellent.
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Dry-cupping applied to the back, the shoulder, and the hypochondria, is altogether beneficial. And if the chest be fleshy, so that the cupping-instrument may not by its pressure bruise the skin about the bones, it is to be also applied there; for if the humours be attracted from all parts of the body, and the spirit (pneuma) be determined outwardly, in those cases in which the lungs are, as it were, choked, there will be respite from the mischief; for peripneumonia is to be attacked in every possible way.
