When we wish to recruit those who are reduced in flesh, we must give them
thick wine and food containing thick juices, and prescribe slow exercise
and moderate friction,—in a word, every thing contrary to the method we
have been just describing. It may also be of use to be pitched for three
or four days. If a person go into the bath with an empty stomach, he
ought beforehand to get his body rubbed with linen cloths until it become
ruddy, and afterwards, by hard but not frequent friction, the skin may be
rendered thick and hard. Those who are pale, and not properly nourished,
ought to be roused to anger and mental emotions.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This is either copied from Oribasius (Synops. v, 41), or
from Aëtius (iv, 58.) The process of pitching the body is thus described
by Aëtius: “Dried pitch is melted in a moderate quantity of oil, and,
while still warm, is to be rubbed into the skin (the part having been
previously shaved), and before it cools completely it is to be torn away.
The plaster is to be again heated at the fire, and spread upon the skin;
and before it becomes cold it is to be torn away. This process is to be
frequently repeated.” (iii, 180.) See Celsus (i, 3.)
Galen, in his Commentary on the second Aphorism of Hippocrates,
expresses himself strongly on the danger of using precipitation in
recruiting a person that has been emaciated. He evidently writes from
ample experience, acquired in training the Athletæ. Hippocrates and his
commentator repeat this rule the “ne quid nimis” in another place. See
Galen (Op. t. v, 251, ed. Basil.)
Haly Abbas recommends moderate exercise, a short continuance in the bath,
friction with emollient oils, much sleep, two or three meals every day,
food consisting of fat meat, bread, almonds, &c. He also approves of
pitching. (Pract. i, 16.)
Avicenna recommends pitching, the bath soon after taking food, soft
friction, and the rest of the treatment recommended by Paulus. (i, 3, 4.)
Rhases treats of the same at great length. He approves of protracted
sleep; of food consisting of fat meat, wheat, and pulse; after food,
of the bath, friction with oil, and the affusion of tepid water over
the body; and also of red, thick, and sweet wines. (Ad Mansor. v, 60.)
In another work he delivers the opinions of preceding authorities,
accompanied with his own remarks. He agrees with Galen, that emaciation
generally depends upon the state of the liver. They recommend nutritive
articles of food, such as boiled and roasted flesh, and the bath, without
friction, after a meal. Both speak favorably of pitching. They also
approve particularly of sulphureous and bituminous baths. With regard
to the bath, they explain, in another place, that it is proper in these
cases only after the food is digested; for, if taken too soon after, it
loads the body with unconcocted chyle; and that, if had recourse to at
other times, it rather induces emaciation. Rhases again repeats that
many of the legumina are very nutritive. He states that the wine should
be particularly thick. (Contin. xiv.) Galen further says, that emaciated
persons are to be recruited by thick wines, food consisting of thick
juices, short exercises, and moderate friction. (Meth. Med. xiv, 16.) In
another place he gives a very striking description of the bad effects
of inanition. (De Venesect. adv. Erasistrat.) We would further direct
attention to the description given by Hippocrates of a febrile state of
the system, attended with delirium, which is sometimes brought on by too
restricted a regimen in disease. (De Diæta morb. acut. § 11.)
On the treatment of convalescents, consult Celsus (iv, 25); Galen
(Hyg.); and particularly Rhases (Contin. xxxiv). We shall give Celsus’
directions in his own words: “Ex quocunque autem morbo quis convalescit,
si tarde confirmatur, vigilare primâ luce debet; nihilominus in lecto
conquiescere: circa tertiam horam leniter unctis manibus corpus
permulcere: deinde delectationis causa, quantum juvat, ambulare,
circumcisa omni negotiosa actione: tum gestari diu: multa frictione uti:
loca, cœlum, cibos sæpe mutare: ubi triduo quatriduove vinum bibit,
uno aut etiam altero die interponere aquam. Per hæc enim fiet, ne in
vitia tabem inferentia incidat, et ut mature vires suas recipiat. Cum
vero ex toto convaluerit, periculosè vitæ genus subito mutabit, et
inordinatè aget. Paulatim ergo debebit, omissis his legibus, eo transire,
ut arbitrio suo vivat.” Galen and Rhases particularly recommend to
convalescents to drink white astringent wines diluted with water. Both
enjoin a restricted diet at first, gentle exercise, and the bath in
moderation. Haly Abbas cautions against premature friction and exercise,
but recommends the tepid bath, and gentle unction with oils. (Pract.
i, 25.) Syrasis recommends the warm bath, moderate friction with rough
towels, and unction with a little oil. (Auctores de Balneis, p. 334.)