To those who vomit bile, a cataplasm must be applied, made of dates, the rind of pomegranate, and gall, boiled in wine or oxycrate, along with pounded bread. And acacia, hypocystis, and the flowers of the wild pomegranate and sumach, ought to be added to the cataplasm. A cupping-instrument also, when applied with a strong heat, is of great service. Food ought to be given frequently in small quantities. To those who vomit black bile and have the stomach inflated, apply sponges soaked in hot vinegar of the most acrid qualities, or a cataplasm of the leaves of the ivy boiled in wine.
Commentary. This is taken from Oribasius (Synops. vi, 41.)
Alexander states that the proper remedies for vomiting occasioned by a redundance of bile are diluents and refrigerants. He recommends internally ptisan, lettuces with a small quantity of vinegar, &c. For drink, he particularly approves of cold water, but forbids much to be given at a time. When the strength fails, he permits a small proportion of hydromel, wine, or the like, to be added to the water. In certain cases, when the patient is troubled with insomnolency, he directs us to add the heads of poppies to his drink. He also recommends external applications possessed of tonic, cooling, and repellent properties. (vii, 17.)
Serapion recommends us not to interfere with a critical vomiting. When it is continued, he directs us to give clysters and gentle purgatives at first, and afterwards vegetable acids and astringents. When these remedies fail, he directs us, if the strength be good, to bleed from the arm. He also makes mention of external applications, possessed of astringent and refrigerant properties. (iii, 15.) Haly Abbas, in like manner, cautions against stopping a critical vomiting. (iii, 24.) Alsaharavius prescribes draughts of tepid water at first, and afterwards the infusion of wormwood or of aloes. He also recommends external applications of a strengthening nature. (Pract. xvi, 20.) Avicenna’s plan of treatment appears to have been copied from our author’s. (iv, i, 2.) Rhases recommends acid drinks, such as the decoction of pomegranates and the like. (Cont. xi.)
According to Prosper Alpinus, the treatment of the Methodists consisted in administering sub-acid fruits, the juice of wormwood or of mint in wine, and in applying externally tonic epithemes, containing sumach, galls, mastich, and the like. (Med. Meth. xii, 11.)
SECT. LVII.—ON HICCOUGH.
Singultus is occasioned either by fulness, or emptiness; or by the presence of acrid and pungent humours in the stomach, and when they are vomited, it ceases. And many, if they only take the medicine composed of the three kinds of pepper, and drink wine immediately after, have hiccough. And it is well known that many people hiccup when the food spoils on the stomach. Many also hiccup from rigors. We will find an emetic a proper remedy in cases which are occasioned by fulness or pungency, and warmth in those from cold; and, when the complaint is occasioned by a plethora of humours, there is need of strong evacuation. This may be accomplished by sneezing, but when emptiness is the cause, sneezing will not cure it; for in such cases, we must give rue with wine, or nitre in honied water, or hartwort, or carrot, or cumin, or ginger, or calamint, or Celtic nard. These are the remedies for such cases as are occasioned by corruption of the food, cold, or plethora. When a redundance of cold and viscid humours is the cause, give castor to the amount of three oboli to drink in oxycrate, and the same thing will be of use when applied externally to the skin, along with old Sicyonian oil. The vinegar of squills or oxymel may also be drunk with advantage. Retaining the breath is likewise of great use.
Commentary. This Section is copied from Oribasius (Synops. vi, 42.)
According to Galen’s explanation, hiccough is occasioned by any exciting cause which rouses the stomach to violent emotions. He states that sneezing proves a cure to it. (De Caus. Sym. iii, 6.) Celsus says, in like manner, ‘Singultus sternutamento finitur.’ He states that frequent and unusual hiccuping is symptomatic of an inflamed liver. (ii, 7.) Aëtius, in like manner, says that singultus in fevers often arises from inflammation of the stomach and neighbouring parts. He treats of the complaint at great length. When it arises from pungent humours, he gives first emetics, and afterwards narcotics, such as opium, &c. He also applies a cupping instrument with great heat to the breast, stomach, and back, in certain cases. (ix, 5.)
Alexander gives an interesting account of this affection, for which he recommends various remedies. When connected with inflammation of the stomach or liver, he begins with bleeding. When it is occasioned by thick and viscid humours, he recommends an oxymel of squills, the composition of which he minutely describes. He also speaks favorably of emetics. When the humours are of a pungent nature he approves of diluents and the drinking of tepid water. Sometimes, he adds, he has known a draught of cold water prove effectual. (vii, 15.)