In performing a journey, one will bear the fatigue best if anointed
with oil, and by not making too violent efforts; and by having the body
about the loins and to the hollow of the ribs, bound round, in summer,
with a swath of a soft consistence, six or seven fingers broad, and in
length not less than five cubits. A staff also is useful in a journey;
for in going down a declivity it serves as a pole to support the body
from falling forwards, and by leaning upon it in ascending acclivities
it will greatly assist in raising the body. When a traveller stops on a
journey he should get his body anointed, take some food adapted for the
summer, and a moderate quantity of drink. After dinner he ought to rest
awhile before proceeding. But if compelled to go on, and oppressed with
thirst, water, having some polenta sprinkled upon it, with a moderate
quantity of salt, will be of service to him. He should be careful of
heat and of the sun, and have his body covered so as not to be exposed
to the sun, lest, during the journey, his limbs become dry and stiff.
With these precautions, he will be less liable to lassitude, and all its
accompanying evils. In winter, when it is cold, before setting out he
ought to evacuate, get his body rubbed with oil, and take plenty of the
winter articles of food, and a little drink. He should also get not only
his loins, but likewise his spine and chest, properly bound with a longer
swath. When he stops, as sufficient coolness will be produced by the
relaxation, it will be better that he neither anoint, nor take food or
drink, nor any other refreshment, if he mean to remain there. But after
long journeys, or excessive fatigue of any kind, even if a person do not
complain of lassitude, it will be proper to treat him like those who do,
for thereby there will be less danger of any bad consequences.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This Section is taken from Oribasius (Synops. v, 31), who
admits that he borrows, in his turn, from Diocles. The directions are,
upon the whole, very judicious and proper.
Galen forbids travellers who have been exposed to great cold to take
heating things immediately after a journey. (Meth. Med.)
Avicenna, Averrhoes, and Haly Abbas direct a traveller to get bled
before entering upon a journey; and, in certain cases, this might be a
very proper practice to prevent the blood from being inflamed by violent
exercise, but, on the other hand, unless judiciously applied, it might
bring on such debility as would render the traveller unable to undergo
the necessary fatigue. They recommend him to hold in his mouth a small
ball of the trochisk of camphor. The Arabians, it is to be recollected,
maintained that the action of camphor is frigorific. Instead of the
draught mentioned by our author, Avicenna recommends vinegar and water.
He recommends little food, but of good nourishment; and forbids pot-herbs
and fruit. With regard to the treatment of the feet, they are to be
rubbed until they become warm, and then anointed with hot fragrant oils.
When the feet have suffered from cold, some, he says, put them into cold
water, and are thereby relieved, in like manner as congealed fruits are
sometimes restored. When the water for drink is bad, he advises to get it
distilled.
Haly Abbas gives very minute directions for the conduct of travellers.
Like our author, he advises them to gird the body with a swath or band,
and to use a staff. He forbids them to begin a journey either fasting,
or in a state of repletion with food. Exposure to the sun, he says, is
apt to occasion hectic fevers, headach, consumption, and dryness of the
body. He directs them to have the head covered. When hurt by exposure to
heat, he advises cold water, or any other thing of a cooling nature to be
poured over the head. After exposure to cold, he recommends the hot bath.
(Pract. i, 31.)
Rhases remarks that he had known all persons who had been exposed to
great heat during a journey suffer from attacks of fever, except those of
a humid and phlegmatic temperament. He forbids much food before setting
out on a journey, and even approves of getting bled and purged, if the
undertaking be severe. He recommends, if convenient, a bath at the close
of the day; then the traveller is to eat and go to sleep. He and all the
authorities quoted by him direct the body to be rubbed with oil before
and after a journey. To preserve the eyes from the effects of snow and
dust, he recommends them to be exposed to the vapours produced by pouring
wine on a heated stone, or to those of chamomile, dill, or marjoram.
To protect the feet, he directs them to be wrapped in cloths smeared
with calefacient oils. When very hot, he cautions against swallowing
much cold water at once, but recommends some cool liquid to be held
in the mouth, and cold water to be poured on the hands and feet. He
recommends travellers to chew pickled onions. During the prevalence of
extreme cold he approves of drinking some hot wine before setting out
on a journey. When the journey is over, he directs the traveller to go
into a comfortable apartment, but not to approach the fire, nor enter
the bath, nor allow himself to sleep during the space of an hour. After
this he may go into the bath, and undergo friction until his body become
ruddy, and then he may go to sleep on a soft bed; by which regimen he may
be preserved from fever, if such be the will of God. (Cont. xxxiv, Ad
Mansor. vi, 3 and 4.)