Commentary. This chapter is taken from Oribasius, who, in his turn, is indebted to Galen.
A similar account is given by Rhases. (Contin. xi, 1.) He recommends emetics. (Ad Mansor. iv, 16.)
SECT. XLII.—HOW TO PRODUCE EASY VOMITING.
Since to those who vomit with difficulty many disagreeable consequences are apt to happen, it will be proper to explain by what methods one may be made to vomit readily; for this operation evacuates phlegm and lightens the head, and prevents a person who may have eaten immoderately from suffering indigestion, and one who has taken too much wine from being hurt thereby. Let the substances which are taken be neither sour nor dry, but part of a sweetish and liquid nature, and part acrid. Among these the radish is deserving of praise, and also the rocket, and old pickle, green marjoram, and a small quantity of onion and leek. Vomiting is likewise promoted by ptisans of pulse containing some honey; by soup of bruised beans and the fat of flesh; but one must not only take the juice, but swallow whole lumps of it; and one must not spend much time upon mastication; but these things ought to be soft from boiling. It is clear, also, that it is the sweetish kinds of wine which ought to be preferred, for such are aptest to swim upon the stomach; and tepid drink ought to be used. It is proper also to eat almonds dipped in honey, also sweet cakes, and the moistened seed of the pompion and cucumber pounded with honey. The root likewise of the cucumber rubbed with honey has some effect. Those who wish to use more powerful medicines, mix some wine with a decoction of the bulb of the narcissus. Vomiting is also produced by the ointment of iris, if one will smear one’s fingers in it and tickle one’s throat. It is also to be attended to in vomiting not to intermit after vomiting is once begun; and to bathe the face and wash the mouth with sour wine or water, for this is beneficial to the teeth, and relieves the head.
Commentary. This Section is abridged from Oribasius. (Med. Collect. viii, 21.) The opinions of Galen, Diocles, and Archigenes, on this subject, may likewise be learned from Oribasius. Galen recommends vomiting for collections of yellow bile, and when the stomach is loaded with viscid matters, but forbids it when the stomach is weak. The opinions of Celsus are very similar: “Vomitus ut in secunda quoque valetudine sæpe necessarius biliosis est, sic etiam in iis morbis quos bilis concitavit. Vomitus utilior est hieme quam æstate; nam tum est pituitæ plus, et capitis gravitas major subest. Inutilis est gracilibus et imbecillum stomachum habentibus: utilis est plenis et biliosis omnibus si vel nimium se replerunt, vel parum concoxerunt.” The directions given by Celsus for producing vomiting are very simple: “Qui vomere post cibum volet, si ex facili facit, aquam tantum tepidam antè debet assumere: si difficiliùs, aquæ, vel salis, vel mellis paulum adjicere. At qui mane vomiturus est, antè bibere mulsum, vel hyssopum, aut esse radiculam debet, deinde aquam tepidam (ut supra scriptum est) bibere.” Galen commends the bulb of the narcissus as an emetic. He forbids those who have contracted chests to take emetics frequently. (De Purgantibus Medicinis.)
Aëtius gives an interesting account of this subject in an extract from the works of Ruffus. He forbids vomiting when the eyes are affected, or when hæmoptysis is apprehended. He commends it for the cure of arthritic diseases, dropsy, and jaundice. One of his simplest emetics consists of the decoction of radishes, with the strained infusion of dried figs. He mentions the oil of privet as a most effectual emetic. (iii, 19.)
Avicenna’s information on this subject is very ample; but, upon the whole, his directions are mostly the same as our author’s. He properly states that the too frequent repetition of emetics hurts the stomach, is prejudicial to the chest, the sight, the teeth, in chronic pains of the head, unless arising from sympathy with the stomach: and in epilepsy, when the cause of it is seated in the head, (i, 4.) According to Avicenna and Averrhoes, the proper season for emetics is the summer. (Cant. I. 1.)
Rhases says that much vomiting hurts the liver, breast, eyes, and lungs, occasioning hæmoptysis. He directs the person to bind a compress on the forehead before taking an emetic; and to wash the mouth and face with hydromel after its operation. He adds that persons who have long necks, prominent chests, and who are lean, ought to abstain altogether from emetics. (Ad Mansor. iv, 16.)