CHAPTER VII. CURE OF THE ACUTE DISEASE OF THE DORSAL VEIN
AND ARTERY.
THE inflammation of the
vena cava and large artery, which
extend along the spine, was called a species of Causus by
those of former times. For in these cases the affections are
similar: febrile heat acute and acrid, loathing of food, thirst,
restlessness; a palpitating pulsation in the hypochondriac
region and in the back, and the other symptoms described by
me under this head. Moreover, the febrile heat tends to syncope,
as in cases of causus. For, indeed, the liver is formed
by the roots of the veins, and the heart is the original of the
artery. You may suppose, then, that the upper portions of
these viscera are subject to fatal ailments; for it is the heart
which imparts heat to the artery, and the liver which conveys
blood to the vein; and being both mighty parts, the inflammations,
likewise, which spring from them are great.
Wherefore we are to open the veins at the elbow, and
abstract a considerable amount of blood; not all at once, however,
but at two or three times, and on a different day, so that
the strength may recruit during the interval. Then we are to
apply a cupping-instrument and cataplasms to the hypochondrium,
where is the pulsation of the artery; and also between
the scapulæ, for there, too, there are pulsations. We are to
scarify unsparingly, and abstract much blood; for from this
sort of evacuation the patients are not much prone to deliquium.
The bowels, also, are apt to be unusually confined, and emollient
clysters are to be used to lubricate them, but not on any
account acrid ones; for they suffer an increase of fever from
brine and the melting of the natron. The juice, therefore, of
linseed and of fenugreek, and the decoction of the roots of
mallows, are sufficient to rouse and stimulate the bowels. The
extremities, namely, the feet and hands, are to be warmed
with gleucinum,
1 or Sicyonian oil, or with the liniment from
lemnestis; for these parts of them become very cold. And
before the administration of food, we must give draughts to
promote the urinary discharge, containing spignel, asarabacca,
and wormwood, to which some natron in powder is to be
added. But of all such medicines the strongest are cassia and
cinnamon, provided one has plenty of it. In such cases, milk
is both food and medicine; for they stand in need of refrigeration,
a sort of fire being wrapped up within; and also of sweet
food, and of that a copious supply in small bulk. Such virtues
milk possesses as an article of food. Plenty of the milk of an
ass which has just had a foal is to be given, and to two cupfuls
of the milk one of water is to be added. That of the cow is
also very good; and, thirdly, that of a goat. The articles of
food should be of easy digestion; for the most part juices,
such as that from the juice of the fennel; and let parsley seed
be added to it, and honey. And the water which is drunk
should contain these things.
But we must also promote sweats, and in every way make
the perspiration moist and free. Lotions to the head, as in
cases of causus. An epitheme to the chest and left mamma,
such as in syncope. To lie in bed with the head elevated, so
that everything may be alike as in causus. Gestation to a
small extent, so as to provoke sweats; a bath, also, if he be
burned up within. For these affections do not pass off by
crises, even though they be forms of causus.
