The characters of the different kinds of water, are thus given by Celsus with his usual terseness: “Aqua levissima pluvialis est: deinde fontana; tum ex flumine, tum ex puteo; post hæc ex nive, aut glacie; gravior his ex lacu; gravissima ex palude.” (ii, 18.) Their characters are somewhat differently given by Athenæus. Thus, he states, that water from snow or ice is lighter and better than rain water; otherwise his remarks on the qualities of waters are very interesting. He recommends a moderate draught of water at the commencement of a feast, in order that the veins, being in so far filled by it, may not greedily absorb the chyle before it is properly concocted. (Deipnos, ii, and Pliny, Hist. Nat. xxxi, 21.)
Our author’s account is abridged from Galen and Oribasius (Collect. Med. x), or rather is copied entire from ‘Euporist.’ (i, 14.) Aëtius gives a fuller account extracted from Ruffus (iii, 165.)
Haly Abbas treats of this subject at great length. His characters of the different kinds of water agree very well with those given by our author. He states that rain water is the purest, and snow water the most impure. Haly Abbas condemns the indulgence in a copious draught after a meal. The reasons he assigns for its proving injurious are, that it prevents the surface of the stomach from coming into proper contact with the food, and also that it reduces the natural temperature of the stomach. He recommends a person, if thirst be urgent, to allay it by drinking a small quantity slowly. (Theor. v, 29.)
Alsaharavius advocates similar views. He also forbids drink during the night, as the sensation of thirst may be fallacious; and at all events, he says, it is only increased by indulgence. (Theor. xiii, 1, and xii, 2.)
Rhases, in like manner, states that a draught of water immediately after eating impairs digestion, but is proper after digestion has taken place. (Contin. xxxiii.) Rhases, in another place, states that ice is prejudicial to the health, especially of old persons, by congealing the stomach and hurting the nerves. He admits, however, of the use of water cooled in snow, but recommends its effects to be counteracted by a moderate allowance of wine. Water which has been drawn from a very deep well he directs to boil before using it. (xxxvii, i, 70.)
In an anonymous treatise on diet lately published by Ideler, the drinking of cold water immediately after a meal is strongly condemned, as being hurtful to the digestion. (Phys. et Med. Græc. Minor. vol. ii, p. 197.)
The following are the principal beverages of the Greeks and Romans: Wine diluted with water; Mulsum, or a composition of honey and wine, resembling the modern clary; Hydromel, or honied water; Zythi, or various kinds of ales; the Spathites, a wine prepared from palms, mentioned by our author (iii, 39); the Sicera, or cider, prepared from apples; Perry, prepared from pears; Posca or oxycrate, a mixture of vinegar and water; the Cyceon, a mixture of wine, honey, flour, and water, according to Hesychius; the Dodra of the Romans, very like the cyceon; Ptisan, prepared from polenta; Barley-water, mentioned by Hippocrates (de Morb. Acut.) and well described by the Arabians; the Lora, a small table-wine prepared from the husks of grapes.
SECT. LI.—ON BATHS.
I think well of the cold bath, and yet I do not say that it is proper for those who use no restriction as to diet, but only to those who live correctly, and take exercise and food seasonably. It may answer with most people very well, when they want to get much cooled, to swim in water during the season of summer, provided they are young and brawny, and have been previously heated by friction. They ought to attend, however, that they be not in a state of lassitude from venery, or any other cause, nor suffering from indigestion, nor after vomiting nor after evacuation of the bowels, nor when in want of sleep. It may be attended with danger, if used at random. But the warm bath is the safest and best, relieving lassitude, dispelling plethora, warming, soothing, softening, removing flatulence wherever it fixes, producing sleep and inducing plumpness. It is expedient for all, man and woman, young and old, rich and poor.