CHAPTER IV. CURE OF CHOLERA.
IN Cholera, the suppression of the discharges is a bad thing, for
they are undigested matters. We must, therefore, readily permit
them to go on, if spontaneous, or if not, promote them by
giving some tepid water to swallow, frequently indeed, but in
small quantity, so that there may be no spasmodic retchings
excited in the stomach. But if there also be tormina and
coldness of the feet, we are to rub the abdomen with hot oil,
boiled with rue and cumin, to dispel the flatulence; and we
are to apply wool. And, having anointed the feet, they are to
be gently rubbed, stroking them rather than pinching them.
And these things are to be done up to the knees for the
restoration of the heat; and the same is to be practised until
the fæces pass downwards, and the bilious matters ascend
upwards.
But if all the remains of the food have been discharged
downwards, and if bile be evacuated, and if there still be
bilious vomiting, retchings, and nausea, uneasiness and loss of
strength, we must give two or three cupfuls (
cyathi) of cold
water, as an astringent of the belly, to stop the reflux, and in
order to cool the burning stomach; and this is to be repeatedly
done when what even has been drunk is vomited. The cold
water, indeed, readily gets warm in the stomach, and then
the stomach rejects it, annoyed as it is both by hot and cold:
but it constantly desiderates cold drink.
But, if the pulse also fall to a low state, and become exceedingly
rapid and hurried, if there be sweat about the forehead
and region of the clavicles, if it run in large drops from all
parts of the body, and the discharge from the bowels is not
restrained, and the stomach still vomits, with retchings and
deliquium animi, we must add to the cold water a small
quantity of wine, which is fragrant and astringent, that it
may refresh the senses by its
bouquet, contribute to the
strength of the stomach by its spirit, and to the restoration
of the body by its nutritious powers. For wine is swiftly distributed
upwards over the system, so as to restrain the reflux;
and is subtil, so that when poured into the frame it strengthens
the habit, and it is strong so as to restrain the dissolving
powers. We are also to sprinkle on the body some fresh
and fragrant meal. But if the bad symptoms become urgent,
with sweating, and strainings, not only of the stomach, but
also of the nerves, and if there be hiccups; and if the feet are
contracted, if there be copious discharges from the bowels,
and if the patient become dark-eoloured, and the pulse is
coming to a stop, we must try to anticipate this condition beforehand;
but if it be come on, we must give much cold water
and wine, not indeed wine slightly diluted, for fear of intoxication,
and of hurting the nerves, and along with food, namely,
pieces of bread soaked in it. We are likewise to give of other
kinds of food, such as have been described by me under syncope,
autumnal fruit of an astringent nature, services, medlars,
quinces, or the grape.
But if everything be vomited, and the stomach can contain
nothing, we must return again to hot drink and food, for in
certain cases the change stops the complaint; the hot things,
moreover, must be intensely so. But if none of these things
avail, we are to apply the cupping-instrument between the
shoulder-blades, and turn it below the umbilicus; but we are
to shift the cupping-instrument constantly, for it is painful
when it remains on a place, and exposes to the risk of blistering.
The motion of gestation is beneficial by its ventilation,
so as to recreate the spirit (
pneuma), stay the food in the
bowels, and make the patient's respiration and pulse natural.
But if these symptoms increase, we must apply epithemes
over the stomach and chest; and these are to be similar to
those for syncope--dates soaked in wine, acacia, hypocistis,
mixed up with rose cerate, and spread upon a linen cloth, are
to be applied over the stomach; and to the chest we are
to apply mastich, aloe, the pulverised hair of wormwood,
with the cerate of nard, or of wild vine, as a cataplasm to the
whole chest; but if the feet and muscles be spasmodically distended,
rub into them Sicyonian oil, that of must, or old oil with
a little wax; and also add in powder some castor. And if the
feet also be cold, we are to rub them with the ointment containing
lemnestis and euphorbium, wrap them in wool, and
rectify by rubbing with the hands. The spine also, the
tendons, and muscles of the jaws are to be anointed with the
same.
If, therefore, by these means the sweat and discharges from
the bowels are stopped, and the stomach receives the food
without vomiting it again, the pulse becomes large and strong,
and the straining ceases; if the heat prevails everywhere, and
reaches the extremities, and sleep concocts all matters, on the
second or third day the patient is to be bathed, and remitted
to his usual course of living. But if he vomit up everything,
if the sweat flow incessant, if the patient become cold and
livid, if his pulse be almost stopped and his strength exhausted,
it will be well in these circumstances to try to make one's
escape with credit.
