On Regimen In Acute Diseases   

13. In a bilious fever, jaundice coming on with rigor before the
seventh day carries off the fever, but if it occur without the
fever, and not at the proper time, it is a fatal symptom.
14. When the loins are in a tetanic state, and the spirits in the
veins are obstructed by melancholic humors, venesection will afford
relief. But when, on the other hand, the anterior tendons are strongly
contracted, and if there be sweats about the neck and face, extorted
by the violent pain of the parched and dried tendons of the sacral
extremity (these are very thick, sustaining the spine, and giving rise
to very great ligaments, which terminate in the feet,) in such a case,
unless fever and sleep come on, followed by concocted urine and
critical sweats, give to drink a strong Cretan wine, and boiled
barley-meal for food; anoint and rub with ointments containing wax;
bathe the legs and feet in hot water, and then cover them up; and so
in like manner the arms, as far as the hands, and the spine, from
the neck to the sacrum, are to be wrapped in a skin smeared with
wax; this must extend to the parts beyond, and intervals are to be
left for applying fomentations, by means of leather bottles filled
with hot water, then, wrapping him up in a linen cloth, lay him down
in bed. Do not open the bowels, unless by means of a suppository, when
they have been long of being moved. If there be any remission of the
disease, so far well, but otherwise, pound of the root of bryonia in
fragrant wine, and that of the carrot, and give to the patient fasting
early in the morning, before using the affusion, and immediately
afterwards let him eat boiled barley-meal in a tepid state, and as
much as he can take, and in addition let him drink, if he will, wine
well diluted. If the disease yield to these means, so much the better,
but, if otherwise, you must prognosticate accordingly.
15. All diseases are resolved either by the mouth, the bowels, the
bladder, or some other such organ. Sweat is a common form of
resolution in all these cases.
16. You should put persons on a course of hellebore who are troubled
with a defluxion from the head. But do not administer hellebore to
such persons as are laboring under empyema connected with abscesses,
haemoptysis, and intemperament, or any other strong cause, for it will
do no good; and if any thing unpleasant occur the hellebore will get
the blame of it. But if the body have suddenly lost its powers, or
if there be pain in the head, or obstruction of the ears and nose,
or ptyalism, or heaviness of the limbs, or an extraordinary swelling
of the body, you may administer the hellebore, provided these symptoms
be not connected with drinking, nor with immoderate venery; nor with
sorrow, vexation, nor insomnolency, for, if any of these causes exist,
the treatment must have respect to it.
17. From walking arise pains of the sides, of the back, of the
loins, and of the hip-joint, and disorder of the respiration has often
been from the same cause, for, after excesses of wine and flatulent
food, pains shoot to the loins and hips, accompanied with dysuria.
Walking is the cause of such complaints, and also of coryza and
hoarseness.
18. Disorders connected with regimen, for the most part, make
their attack accordingly as any one has changed his habitual mode of
diet. For persons who dine contrary to custom experience much swelling
of the stomach, drowsiness, and fullness; and if they take supper over
and above, their belly is disordered; such persons will be benefited
by sleeping after taking the bath, and by walking slowly for a
considerable time after sleep; if, then, the bowels be moved, he may
dine and drink a small quantity of wine not much diluted; but if the
bowels are not opened, he should get his body rubbed with hot oil,
and, if thirsty, drink of some weak and white wine, or a sweet wine,
and take repose; if he does not sleep he should repose the longer.
In other respects he should observe the regimen laid down for those
who have taken a debauch. With regard to the bad effects of drinks,
such as are of a watery nature pass more slowly through the body, they
regurgitate, as it were, and float about the hypochondria, and do