Siriasis is an inflammation of the parts about the brain and its
membranes. A hollowness of the open of the head and eyes attend it, with
paleness and dryness of the body. It is relieved by an application of the
red of an egg with oil of roses to the open of the head, in the form of a
compress, and frequently changed.
_Another application for Siriasis._ Place upon the open of the head, the
leaves of that species of heliotropium called scorpiurus, the parings of
a gourd, the membrane which envelopes the fleshy part of a ripe cucumber,
the juice of the garden nightshade, with oil of roses.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Oribasius (Synops. v, 13); Aëtius (iv, 13); Avicenna (i,
3, 1); Haly Abbas (Pract. i, 20); Alsaharavius (Pract. xxvi, 9); Rhases
(de Morb. Infant. c. 5); Pseudo-Dioscorides (Euporist. i, 9); Alexander
Aphrodisiensis (Problem i, 98); Pliny (Hist. Nat. xxxii, 48.)
Aëtius and Avicenna agree in describing it as an inflammation and
swelling of the brain and its membranes, so as to occasion a hollow at
the bregma, and as being attended with ardent fever. The account given
by the others is very similar. All recommend cooling and astringent
applications to the part. According to Alexander Aphrodisiensis, children
are most subject to this affection, especially in the summer season;
for which he attempts to assign the reason. He describes it as an
inflammation of the membranes of the brain. The author of the ‘Euporista’
recommends the juices of various cooling herbs, as local applications.
Pliny represents the heat of it as excessive. He says, “Siriasesque
infantium spongia frigida crebro liumefectata, rana inversa adalligata
efficacissime sanet, quam aridam inveniri affirmant.” (l. c.)
Although somewhat out of place, we shall venture to introduce here some
account of two diseases of infancy which are omitted by our author, but
are briefly described by Aëtius and Rhases.
For prolapsus ani, Aëtius recommends various applications in the form of
powder and fomentation; but states, that what he himself constantly made
use of was tepid brine or salt water. (iv, 19.) See Rhases (de Morb. Inf.
c. 21.)
Umbilical hernia, he says, may be occasioned by crying, a blow, or a
fall. For this he recommends various astringent preparations from alum,
galls, &c., applied on a linen compress to the navel. (iv, 20.) Rhases
recommends similar applications, and also a compress with the gluten of
hides to be bound over the navel. (De Morb. Infant. c. 22.) As far as
we can recollect, Hippocrates and his commentators are the only ancient
authorities that make mention of inflammation of the navel after the cord
has dropped off. (Aphor. c. Comment. ed. Dietz, p. 374.)
SECT. XIV.—THE REGIMEN OF INFANCY, AND OF THE SUCCEEDING AGES UNTIL
MANHOOD.
Infants and children when weaned from milk, are to be allowed to live
merrily and without restraint; their food ought to be light, and their
exercise gentle. After six or seven years of age, both boys and girls
are to be consigned over to schoolmasters of a mild and benevolent
disposition; as such persons will impart instruction to them in a
cheerful manner, and without constraint; for relaxation of the mind
contributes much to the growth of the body. Boys twelve years of age
should go to teachers of grammar and geometry, and get their bodies
hardened by gymnastic exercises. From fourteen to twenty-one, their
proper employment will be the study of mathematics and initiation in
philosophy. At the same time, however, it will be proper to use more
exercise for strengthening the body, so that, exercising both mind and
body, they may be prevented from indulging their carnal desires. They
ought likewise to be restricted as to wine. To adults the fullest supply
of nourishment, both as to body and mind, ought to be allowed; wherefore,
they should use all kinds of gymnastic exercises, particularly such as
each has been accustomed to, and food which is sufficient and nutritious.
In the decline of life, both the bodily and mental supply ought to be
abridged; and the gymnastic exercises diminished in proportion. The food
also is to be gradually lessened as the habit begins to contract the
frigidity of age.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. These simple but judicious directions respecting the regimen
of the different periods of life are taken from Oribasius (Synops. v,
14); or from Aëtius (iv, 29.) Many of them are borrowed originally from
Galen. (Hyg. i.)
Similar directions are given at great length by Haly Abbas. He positively
prohibits children from taking wine. He insists that wine not only proves
prejudicial to health, but also deteriorates the morals. (Pract. i, 22.)
Alsaharavius agrees with him in proscribing wine to children. (Theor.
xiii, 2.)
Avicenna makes very judicious observations on this subject, but the
greater part of them are taken from Galen. He insists, with becoming
earnestness, on the propriety of attending to the regulation of the
passions of the child, as being conducive to his health as well as to
his morals. As soon as the boy is roused from sleep he is to be bathed;
then he is to be allowed to play for an hour; afterwards, he is to have
something to eat, and then is to be allowed more play. Afterwards he
is to be bathed; then he is to take food; and, if possible, he is to
be prevented from drinking water immediately after a meal, as it has a
tendency to make unconcocted chyle be distributed over the body. When six
years old, he is to be consigned to the care of a teacher, but he is not
to be compelled to remain constantly in school. Avicenna goes on to state
that, at the age he has then reached, he is to be more sparingly bathed,
and that his exercise is to be multiplied before eating. Like most of the
ancient authorities, he forbids wine to a child. Thus, he adds, is the
regimen of the child to be regulated until he reach the age of fourteen.
(I, i, 4.)
Averrhoes gives very sensible directions on this subject. He forbids the
use of wine and ales until manhood. (Collig. vi, 6.)