SECT. LIX.—HOW TO REMEDY EMACIATED PARTS OF THE BODY.
When emaciation takes place in any part of the body, it is commonly occasioned by long-protracted rest, or by bandaging for fractures. We must, therefore, stimulate their vital powers, and attract the blood to them, by using moderate friction, suitable exercise, and by the affusion of warm water upon them in moderate quantity. This must be done until the part becomes red and swells, and we must desist before it subsides. We must also use pitching, as formerly described. When there is a sense of cold in the part, it ought to be rubbed with linen cloths, or some calefacient medicine. For this purpose, I have sometimes used the thapsia, rubbing it in either with honey or cerate.
Commentary. This is taken from Oribasius (Synops. v, 42), or Aëtius (iv, 34). See also Galen (de Sanit. tuendâ, v); Rhases (Contin. xiii); Haly Abbas (Pract. i, 16); Avicenna (i, 3, 4.) All recommend water to be poured on the part, and then it is to be rubbed with towels and hot stimulant oils, so as to produce a redness and glow in it. Most of them also approve of the pitch plaster.