“Some days back a certain Caius, who was blind, learned from an oracle that he should repair to the temple, put up his fervent prayers, cross the sanctuary from right to left, place his five fingers on the altar, then raise his hand and cover his eyes. He obeyed, and instantly his sight was restored, amidst the loud acclamations of the multitude. These signs of the omnipotence of the gods were shown in the reign of Antoninus.”
“A blind soldier, named Valerius Apes, having consulted the oracle, was informed that he should mix the blood of a white cock with honey, to make up an ointment to be applied to his eyes for three consecutive days. He received his sight, and returned public thanks to the gods.”
“Julian appeared lost beyond all hope from a spitting of blood. The gods ordered him to take from the altar some seeds of the pine, and to mix them with honey, of which mixture he was to eat for three days. He was saved, and came to thank the gods in presence of the people.”—(Smith’s Dict. Greek and Roman Ant., art. “Medicina.”)
[373] The multitude of “Eau de Cologne” makers calling themselves “Farina” is a case in point.
[374] Adams, Hippocrates, vol. i. p. 7.
[375] Galen, De Sanitate tuenda.
[376] Meryon, Hist. Med., p. 11.
[377] Baas, Hist. Med., p. 91.
[378] All-heal.
[379] Dr. Puschmann, in his History of Medical Education, p. 42, translates this passage: “Castration will I not carry out even on those who suffer from stone, but leave this to those people who make a business of it.” The words in the Greek are οὐ τεμέω δὲ ουδὲ μὴν λιθιῶντας, and much controversy has been excited by them. Some commentators of great authority think the passage forbids castration, as disgraceful things are being spoken of, such as giving poisons and procuring abortion. Certainly there is no reason for supposing that the doctors of the period would object to perform lithotomy though it is the fact that there was a class of operators who were a sort of unscientific specialists in the practice.