With regard to the vomitings which occur to people at sea, it is neither
easy nor expedient to contend with those which happen first; for, upon
the whole, they are generally beneficial. After vomiting, one ought not
to partake of much nor of ordinary food, but either lentils, dried and
boiled with a small quantity of pennyroyal, or bread pounded in a weak
and fragrant wine. One ought also to use but little drink, and that
containing a weak watery wine, or vinegar with honey. The lentils ought
to be first boiled, and then when they become soft, to be triturated, and
afterwards dried and put into an earthen vessel. When severe vomiting
lasts for a long time, one should resolutely abstain from all kinds of
food, and take only a little drink, which ought to be vinegar and honey
with water, containing thyme infused in it, or pennyroyal water with
some fine polenta, or some fragrant weak wine with fine polenta also. In
order to overcome the disagreeable stench on board ships, one may smell
to quinces, thyme, or pennyroyal. One ought also to look as seldom as
possible upon the sea, until one has been accustomed to live in a ship.
One must likewise attend, that the water which is drunk be not muddy,
ill-smelled, or saltish.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This Section likewise is taken from Oribasius (Synop. v,
33), who copies from Diocles. Similar directions are given by Rhases,
Avicenna, and Haly Abbas. Haly remarks that persons on board of a
ship are often infested with lice, which are engendered by want of
cleanliness. For them he recommends mercury killed, with oil, the long
bithwort, &c. (Pract. i, 31.) Avicenna says that, by wearing wool smeared
with oil and mercury, the lice will be killed. (Cant. p. ii.)
When the vomiting is unusually severe and protracted, Rhases recommends
it to be treated with anti-bilious remedies. (Ad Mansor. vi, 14, Contin.
34.)