“Jam siser, Assyriaque venit quæ semine radix
Sectaque præbetur madido satiata lupino,
Ut Pelusiaci proviset pocula zythi.”
The vicinity of Pelusium was famed for this beverage and its lentils.
[15] Diemerbrook states that, in the Plague of Nimeguen all those who were taken ill about new and full moon rarely escaped.
[16] Dr. Desgenettes, physician to the French army, in order to inspire confidence among the troops, inoculated himself twice without experiencing any other consequence than a slight inflammation of the inoculated parts. Sonnini mentions a Russian surgeon, who was a prisoner in Constantinople with a number of his countrymen, and who took it into his head to inoculate his comrades, with a view of protecting them from the contagion; but, unfortunately, two hundred of them died, and, fortunately perhaps for the survivors, the operator himself died of his own treatment.
[17] On this subject see what has been already said in the preceding article of Food, its use and abuse, in Dr. Beaumont’s experiments.
[18] Otway.
[19] Shaftesbury.
[20] Oil is, however, a useful application to wounds in warm climates. During the retreat of our troops after the battle of Talavera, I found the wounds of many of our men, that had not been dressed for three or four days, pullulating with maggots. This was not the case with the Spanish soldiers, who, to prevent this annoyance (which was more terrific than dangerous), had poured olive oil upon their dressings. I invariably resorted to the same practice when I subsequently had to remove the wounded in hot weather.
[21] A Hebrew proverb originating from a tradition that Abraham wore a precious stone round his neck, which preserved him from disease, and which cured sickness when looked upon. When Abraham died, God placed this stone in the sun.
[22] The ancients considered the spleen the seat of mirth, and the liver the organ of love; hence their old proverb.