Kitap 2
8
Whether it be impaction of stones, or whether it be inflammation, we must open the vein at the elbow, unless a particular period of life prove an obstacle, and blood must be taken in a full stream and in large quantity. For not only are inflammations alleviated by evacuation, but also impacted stones are slackened by the evacuation of the vessels, and thus the stones escape during the passing of the urine. Then the parts are to be relaxed by bathing them with oil of must or of privet, and by fomentations and cataplasms. The herb southernwood, the schœnus, and calamus aromaticus, should form the ingredients of the cataplasms. Then we are to apply the cupping-instrument over the kidneys, in the loins, more especially if the evacuation from this place has been of service. The bowels are to be softened by lubricating clysters, rather of a viscid than of an acrid nature, such as the juiees either of mallows or of fenugreek. Sometimes, also, diuretic medicines are to be given before food, such as are described respecting the liver, and also similar food of easy digestion: for in such cases indigestion is bad. Milk is a most excellent article, especially that of an ass; next, of a mare; even that of an ewe or a goat is useful, as being a kind of milk. If, then, they be free of fever, it is better also to prescribe the bath; but if not, they are to be placed in a sitz-bath formed of the decoction of herbs, filling the vessel up to their navel. But if it be turned to suppuration, what cataplasms and other medicines we are to use have formerly been laid down by us on many occasions.
