[404] It appears singular that Athenæus, who is undoubtedly a most learned and judicious authority on all matters relating to Dietetics, speaks as favorably of water from ice as he does of rain water. Both he praises for their lightness, (l. c.) Celsus gives the character of the different kinds of water with his characteristic terseness and accuracy: “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., 19.) Galen treats of the medicinal and dietetical properties of water in several of his works, and uniformly agrees with Hippocrates in the judgment he pronounces on them. See in particular, De Ptisana; De Sanit. tuend. ii.; Comment. ii. in Libr. de Ratione victus in Morb. acut.
[405] Athenæus, on the other hand, argues from the fact that ice is lighter than water, that water formed from ice must be light. Pliny gives a lucid statement of the opinions of those who held that water from ice is light and wholesome, and those who, like Hippocrates, held it to be just the reverse. He says in the words of Hippocrates, literally translated, “nec vero pauci inter ipsos e contrario ex gelu ac nivibus insaluberrimos potius prædicant, quoniam exactum sit inde, quod tenuissimum fuerit.” (H.N. xxxi., 21.) See also Seneca, Quæst. Natural. iv. It would appear that iced liqueurs were greatly relished at the tables of gourmands in those days. I need scarcely remark that there has been great difference of opinion in modern times regarding the qualities of water from melted snow and ice. It was at one time generally believed that it is the cause of the goîtres to which the inhabitants of the valleys bordering on the Alps are subject. This opinion, however, is by no means generally held at the present time.
[406] This is a most interesting chapter, as containing the most ancient observations which we possess on the important subject of urinary calculi. The ancients never improved the theory, nor added much to the facts which are here stated by our author. We have given the summary of their opinions in the Commentary on Paulus Ægineta, B. III., 45. I would beg leave to remark that, notwithstanding the number of curious facts which modern chemistry has evolved regarding the composition of urinary calculi, the etiology of the disease is nearly as obscure now as it was in the days of Hippocrates.
[407] Coray remarks that Prosper Martian, in his commentary on this passage, confirms the truth of the observation here made, that persons affected with calculus have the bowels constipated.
[408] Theophilus, in his treatise De Urinis, would seem to contradict this observation of Hippocrates, when he states that the urine of calculous persons is thick and milky (8.) But, according to Prosper Martian, when the calculus is in the state of formation, its characters are as described by the latter, whereas, when the calculus is already formed, the urine is limpid, as described by Hippocrates.
[409] It is worthy of remark that Celsus states just the reverse with regard to the practice of women laboring under the stone; he says: “Feminæ vero oras naturalium suorum manibus admotis scabere crebro coguntur.” (ii., 7.) Are we to suppose that he followed a different reading? Considering how well he shows himself acquainted with the works of Hippocrates, it cannot be thought that he had overlooked this passage.
[410] Our author, it will be remarked, ascribes the comparative immunity from calculus which females enjoy to their freer use of liquids. Celsus, in laying down directions for the regimen of a calculous person, as preparatory for the operation, among other things, directs, “ut aquam bibat,” (vii., 26–2.) Coray collects the opinions of several modern authorities in favor of drinking water as a preventive of calculus. Thus Tissot states that the Chinese, who drink so much water with their tea, enjoy almost an immunity from the disease. (De la Santé des Gens de Lettres, p. 196,) Campfer, in like manner, affirms that calculus has become less common in Europe since the introduction of tea, which he justly attributes to the amount of water drunk with it, rather than to any virtues of the plant itself. (Comment de Reb. in scient. nat. et medic. gestis, vol. xvi., p. 594.) Metzger attributes the diminution of the number of calculous cases in Königsberg to the use of draughts of tepid water. (Journal de Médec., vol. lxvii., 348.) The Turks, according to Thevenot, owing to their free use of water, are almost exempt from the disease. (Voyage au Lévant, c. xxvii., p. 70.)
[411] Coray makes the following remarks on the natural characters of the seasons in Greece. The natural temperature of the winter in Greece was cold and humid; thus a dry and northerly winter was reckoned an unnatural season. Spring was reckoned unnatural when the heat and rain were excessive. See further Theophrast. de Caus. Plant. ii., 1.
[412] See Aphorism iii., 11.
[413] The celebrated Haller charges Hippocrates with inaccurate observation in stating that dysenteries are epidemic in spring, which, he contends, is contrary to modern experience. (Bibl. Med. Pract., vol. i., p. 61.) Hippocrates, however, is defended by Gruner (Cens. libr. Hippocrat. ii., 5, p. 51), and by Coray. (Notes, etc., p. 159.) The latter justly argues, that although dysentery may not prevail at that season in Germany, that is no reason for holding why it may not be so in Greece. He also refers to the works of Birnstiel and Stoll for descriptions of epidemical dysentery, occurring in the season of spring.