Although this symptom seldom occurs during fevers, it sometimes does
afterwards; and, since it is allied to loss of appetite, as being the
opposite extreme, it will not be improper to treat of inordinate
appetite, both of them being in excess. Since, therefore, this affection
is generally occasioned by an acid phlegm, we must use those things which
will divide and dissipate it. Such, in particular, are all sweet and
saline things, and those which are called heating detergents. We must,
therefore, give largely of the heating wines. Such are the yellow in
colour, and those which are red without being styptic. We must also give
them the sweeter kind, although they should not be thirsty. When they
come to dinner, we must give them first all fatty things, and everything
beside which is prepared with much oil, and has no austere or astringent
property. These, although they should not overcome the cause of the
complaint, at all events, destroy the insatiable desire of food; but
abstinence from them lessens the collection of phlegm in the stomach. We
must also give pickles, and after them, plenty of the afore-mentioned
wines to be drank. By persevering with these things for some time, the
complaint subsides.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. According to Galen, one of the causes of the canine appetite
is an acid cacochymy, and another is an immoderate evacuation of the
whole body, occasioned either by strong heat or weakness of the retentive
faculty. (u. a.) Hippocrates recommends the liberal use of wine, in one
of his Aphorisms (ii, 21); and Galen, in his Commentary on the same,
states that the wine should be tawny-coloured or red, and devoid of
astringency. In another place, he directs us to purge away the offending
humour with the hiera of aloes. (De Med. sec. Locos. viii.)