[p. 67] when mixed up together,
are of a similar nature. The black hellebore acts more pleasantly
and effectually than the peplium, while, on the other hand, the peplium
expels wind much more effectually than the black hellebore, and both
these stop the pain, and many other of the laxatives also stop it,
but these two are the most efficacious that I am acquainted with.
And the laxatives given in draughts are beneficial, when not very
unpalatable owing to bitterness, or any other disagreeable taste,
or from quantity, color, or any apprehension. When the patient has
drunk the medicine, one ought to give him to swallow but little less
of the ptisan than what he had been accustomed to; but it is according
to rule not to give any draughts while the
medicine is under operation; but when the purging is stopped then
he should take a smaller draught than what he had been accustomed
to, and afterwards go on increasing it progressively, until the pain
cease, provided nothing else contra-indicate. This is my rule, also,
if one would use the juice of ptisan (for I hold that it is better,
on the whole, to begin with taking the decoction at once, rather than
by first emptying the veins before doing so, or on the third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, or seventh day, provided the disease has not previously
come to a crisis in the course of this time), and similar preparations
to those formerly described are to be made in those cases.
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
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