On Regimen In Acute Diseases   

sweats, and exercise; and use gentle friction so as not to harden
the constitution; and if he be confined to bed let others rub him.
When the pain is seated above the diaphragm, place him erect for the
most part, and let him be as little reclined as possible; and when
he is raised up let him be rubbed for a considerable time with
plenty of hot oil. But if the pains be in the lower belly below the
diaphragm, it will be useful to lie reclined and make no motion, and
to such a person nothing should be administered except the friction.
Those pains which are dissolved by discharges from the bowels, by
urine, or moderate sweats, cease spontaneously, if they are slight,
but if strong they prove troublesome; for persons so affected either
die, or at least do not recover without further mischief, for they
terminate in abscesses.
26. A draught for a dropsical person. Take three cantharides, and
removing their head, feet, and wings, triturate their bodies in
three cupfuls (cyathi) of water, and when the person who has drunk the
draught complains of pain, let him have hot fomentations applied.
The patient should be first anointed with oil, should take the draught
fasting, and eat hot bread with oil.
27. A styptic. Apply the juice of the fig inwardly to the vein; or
having moulded biestings into a tent, introduce up the nostril, or
push up some chalcitis with the finger, and press the cartilages of
the nostrils together; and open the bowels with the boiled milk of
asses: or having shaved the head apply cold things to it if in the
summer season.
28. The sesamoides purges upwards when pounded in oxymel to the
amount of a drachm and a half, and drunk; it is combined with the
hellebores, to the amount of the third part, and thus it is less apt
to produce suffocation.
29. Trichiasis. Having introduced a thread into the eye of a
needle push it through the upper part of the distended eyelid, and
do the same at the base of it; having stretched the threads tie a knot
on them, and bind up until they drop out: and, if this be
sufficient, so far well; but if otherwise, you must do the same
thing again. And hemorrhoids, in like manner, you may treat by
transfixing them with a needle and tying them with a very thick and
large woolen thread; for thus the cure will be more certain. When
you have secured them, use a septic application, and do not foment
until they drop off, and always leave one behind; and when the patient
recovers, let him be put upon a course of hellebore. Then let him be
exercised and sweated; the friction of the gymnasium and wrestling
in the morning will be proper; but he must abstain from running,
drinking, and all acrid substances, except marjoram; let him take an
emetic every seven days, or three times in a month; for thus will he
enjoy the best bodily health. Let him take straw-colored, austere, and
watery wine, and use little drink.
30. For persons affected with empyema. Having cut some bulbs or
squill, boil in water, and when well boiled, throw this away, and
having poured in more water, boil until it appear to the touch soft
and well-boiled; then triturate finely and mix roasted cumin, and
white sesames, and young almonds pounded in honey, form into an
electuary and give; and afterwards sweet wine. In draughts, having
pounded about a small acetabulum of the white poppy, moisten it with
water in which summer wheat has been washed, add honey, and boil.
Let him take this frequently during the day. And then taking into
account what is to happen, give him supper.
31. For dysentery. A fourth part of a pound of cleaned beans, and
twelve shoots of madder having been triturated, are to be mixed
together and boiled, and given as a linctus with some fatty substance.
32. For diseases of the eyes. Washed spodium (tutty?) mixed with
grease, and not of a thinner consistence than dough, is to be
carefully triturated, and moistened with the juice of unripe
raisins; and having dried in the sun, moisten until it is of the
consistence of an ointment. When it becomes again dry, let it be