To those who are intoxicated, vomiting is an immediate relief. It will be
proper that they drink freely of water and honied water, so that they may
vomit freely, and remove the uneasy feelings. After vomiting, let them
use the bath, along with plenteous unction, and afterwards rest for some
time, well covered up, until they have slept off their debauch.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. These simple directions are extracted from Oribasius.
(Synops. v, 33.) Hippocrates recommends an emetic after intoxication. (De
Diæta, iii, 4.)
For the cure of intoxication Haly Abbas recommends the tepid bath,
affusion of tepid water, and friction with oil. If headach prevail he
directs cold rose oil to be poured on the head; or, if it is summer, cold
water. After this the person is to be rubbed, and to take things of a
cooling nature, such as prunes, tamarinds, and the like. (Pract. i, 8.)
Rhases recommends vinegar and water, or the like, for drink; the
application of vinegar and oil of roses to the head, and camphor and
water to the nose. He also approves of emetics, and of putting the
person’s hands and feet into cold water. He says one ought to sleep long
before going into the bath. (Ad Mansor. v, 71 and 77.)
The practice of taking an emetic after a debauch is often alluded to in
the works of the classical authors. Thus it is mentioned by Aristophanes
in his ‘Acharnenses.’ Suetonius, in the lives of Vitellius and Claudius,
states that these Emperors were in the practice of procuring vomiting,
in order to relieve themselves from the effects of excessive eating
and drinking. See also Pliny (Hist. Nat. xiv, 28.) Athenæus, upon the
authority of Mnestheus, the Athenian physician, recommends that a person
who has drunk wine freely should not go to rest until he has vomited more
or less. He advises afterwards either the affusion, or bath of hot water.
(Deip. xi, 67.) It appears, from Pliny, that the celebrated Asclepiades
of Bithynia condemned the use of emetics, which were so common in his
time. (Hist. Nat. xxvi, 7.) See also Celsus. (i, 3.)