[p. 78] prejudicial in it will do the least possible harm,
and what is beneficial will do the more good. In a word, the acidity
of vinegar agrees rather with those who are troubled with bitter bile,
than with those patients whose bile is black; for the bitter principle
is dissolved in it and turned to phlegm, by being suspended in it;
whereas black bile is fermented, swells up, and is multiplied thereby:
for vinegar is a melanogogue. Vinegar is more prejudicial to women
than to men, for it creates pains in the uterus.
PART 17
I have nothing further to add as to the effects of water when used
as a drink in acute diseases; for it neither soothes the cough in
pneumonia, nor promotes expectoration, but does less than the others
in this respect, if used alone through the whole complaint. But if
taken intermediate between oxymel and hydromel, in small quantity,
it promotes expectoration from the change which it occasions in the
qualities of these drinks, for it produces, as it were, a certain
overflow. Otherwise it does not quench the thirst, for it creates
bile in a bilious temperament, and is injurious to the hypochondrium;
and it does the most harm, engenders most bile, and does the least
good when the bowels are empty; and it increases the swelling of the
spleen and liver when they are in an inflamed state; it produces a
gurgling noise in the intestines and swims on the stomach; for it
passes slowly downwards, as being of a coldish and indigestible nature,
and neither proves laxative nor diuretic; and in this respect, too,
it proves prejudicial, that it does not naturally form does in the
intestines: and, if it be drunk while the feet are cold, its injurious
effects will be greatly aggravated, in all those parts to which it
may be determined. When you suspect in these diseases either strong
heaviness of the head, or mental alienation, you must abstain entirely
from wine, and in this case use water, or give weak, straw-colored
wine, entirely devoid of bouquet, after which a little water is to
be given in addition; for thus the strength of the will less affect
the head and the understanding: but in which cases water is mostly
to be given for drink, when in large quantity, when in moderate, when
cold, and when hot; all these things have either been discussed already
or will be treated of at the proper time. In like manner, with respect
to all the others, such as barley-water, the
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