Theses medicae de medicamentis stomachicis, quae ventriculi medentur imbecillitatib

to be managed, so that the offices of the faculty [are not hindered], and a rule is to be noted—which stands as a medical axiom—that relaxing medicines, according to Galen, should never be exhibited alone without astringents, as in stomachic cerates.

48. But in evils of the ventricle’s own dry and hot intemperance, and where vitiated humors are tenaciously impacted, overly astringent agents cause great harm by drying too much.

49. For this reason, Galen says that hiera picra and aloe—even when washed—are most harmful to those who, without vitiated humors, are affected by a hot and dry intemperance, or are affected by the quality alone in general; which, in other conditions, is most efficacious.

50. When necessity demands it, stomachic medicines are to be mixed with those for fevers. Likewise, in other cases, because of sympathy, Mesue wishes for cordials to be mixed in, because the heart is the treasury of life.

51. Therefore, just as fetid things overturn the ventricle, so do fragrant and aromatic things strengthen it, both because of the sympathy of the heart, and also because the action of the ventricle is perfected by the action of heat, which embraces what is pleasant and friendly more firmly, and digests it better.

52. Therefore, the matter having been evacuated by turns, the ventricle must be corroborated both by things taken [internally] and by those applied [externally], and its actions must be aided.

53. With these things now recounted, stomachic medicines, both solutive and alterative, which are to be used in the various bad dispositions of the ventricle, can be prepared, and many are celebrated which experience and method suggest to you.

54. Thus, according to the variety of causes, medicated wines are made, such as wormwood wine, decoctions, likewise bags, ointments, plasters in the manner of a shield, fomentations, oils, and the like.

55. Moreover, the greatest care must be taken here regarding diet, so that by a convenient method of living and the correct use of the six non-natural things, digestion and the remaining actions of the ventricle may be promoted.

56. Nature is indeed so arranged that if digestions follow one another, the subsequent one cannot amend the errors of the prior one. Hence it happens that if the first digestion is not duly performed, lientery follows, when such things are cast out as were devoured; [if] the second, dropsy, such as ascites; [if] the third, scabies and various defilements of the skin.

57. Therefore, food should be offered which is analogous to the digesting heat. For those who have a weak ventricle must be nourished with little food, of easy digestion, and at intervals; so that those things which have been emaciated for a long time may be restored slowly, and those [emaciated] for a short time, quickly. Thus, a simple table, without artifice, is always to be preferred to a manifold and varied one.

58. Drink, too, should correspond in proportion to the food, so that food floating in the ventricle does not induce a sensation of fluctuation and delay digestion.