PART 6
For the most part, then, the results are the same, whether the patient
have used the unstrained ptisan or have used the juice alone; or even
only drink; and sometimes it is necessary to proceed quite differently.
In general, one should do thus: if fever commences shortly after taking
food, and before the bowels have been evacuated, whether with or without
pain, the physician ought to withhold the draught until he thinks
that the food has descended to the lower part of the belly; and if
any pain be present, the patient should use oxymel, hot if it is winter,
and cold if it is summer; and, if there be much thirst, he should
take hydromel and water. Then, if any pain be present, or any dangerous
symptoms make their appearance, it will be proper to give the draught
neither in large quantity nor thick, but after the seventh day, if
the patient be strong. But if the earlier-taken food has not descended,
in the case of a person who has recently swallowed food, and if he
be strong and in the vigor of life, a clyster should be given, or
if he be weaker, a suppository is to be administered, unless the bowels
open properly of themselves. The time for administering the draught
is to be particularly observed at the commencement and during the
whole illness; when, then, the feet
[p. 66] are cold, one should refrain from
giving the ptisan, and more especially abstain from drink; but when
the heat has descended to the feet, one may then give it; and one
should look upon this season as of great consequence in all diseases,
and not least in acute diseases, especially those of a febrile character,
and those of a very dangerous nature. One may first use the juice,
and then the ptisan, attending accurately to the rules formerly laid
down.
