SECT. LXX.—THE CORRECTION OF HOT INTEMPERAMENTS OF THE BODY.
Since, in the hot intemperaments, the bile exceeds in quantity, if it pass downward, little, it is obvious, need be done; but, if carried upwards to the stomach, it ought to be evacuated by vomiting, by taking tepid water after exercise, and before food. It will be better that the exercise taken be not swift nor hard; but, on the contrary, rather slow and gentle. Some of those who are very hot do not at all require gymnastic exercises, but walking and the bath are sufficient for them. These delight, also in baths after a meal. But those who have heat combined with dryness, require a diluent regimen by means of succulent food, baths, and abstinence from much and hard exercise; so that in the season of summer they ought to bathe early, and after a meal a second time. Cold drink is of service to them. Venery is most inimical to dry temperaments. Such ought also to abstain from exertions producing lassitude, exposure to the sun, and to avoid cares and watchfulness. Those who are naturally humid are apt in infancy to be seized with rheumatic and plethoric complaints, and also with putrid. They stand in need of more exercise, of a proper digestion in the stomach, and of secretions by urine. Wherefore such persons are much benefited by taking before diet the bath two or three times, particularly the natural hot ones. They ought also to promote the secretions by means of exercises, and the bath, and by procuring the alvine and urinary discharges before taking food. And nothing hinders them to use masticatories and cathartics, as also a wholesome diet, and wine of a diuretic quality.
Commentary. See, in like manner, Galen (de Sanitate tuenda, vi); Oribasius (Synops. v, 51); Aëtius (iv, 9); Actuarius (de Diæta, c. 12.) Of the Arabians, Haly Abbas is the author who has delivered the treatment of the temperaments in the fullest manner. (Pract. i, 15.)
It is to be remarked that the condition of the body named the hot intemperament by the ancients is the same as that now generally called a bilious habit. Accordingly, Galen directs the physician to attend whether any pain or sense of weight be felt in the region of the liver, as, in that case, he judges it unsafe to take the bath after a meal, and recommends him rather to give deobstruents, and to proscribe food of a thick viscid nature. He particularly recommends an attenuant diet, and medicines of the same description, namely, wormwood, anise, bitter almonds, &c. His views of practice, in short, appear to have been very judicious.