PART 8
Such are the opinions which I entertain respecting the administering
of the ptisan; and, as regards drinks, whichsoever of those about
to be described may be administered, the same directions are generally
applicable. And here I know that physicians are in the practice of
doing the very reverse of what is proper, for they all wish, at the
commencement of diseases, to starve their patients for two, three,
or more days, and then to administer the ptisans and drinks; and perhaps
it appears to them reasonable that, as a great change has taken place
in the body, it should be counteracted by another great change. Now,
indeed, to produce a change is no small matter, but the change must
be effected well and cautiously, and after the change the administration
of food must be conducted still more so. Those persons, then, would
be most injured if the change is not properly managed, who used
[p. 68] unstrained
ptisans; they also would suffer who made use of the juice alone; and
so also they would suffer who took merely drink, but these least of
all.