Theses de sudore

Furthermore, more vigorous heat, attenuating the humors, purges the body rather through ἄδηλον ἀτμον insensible vapor.

XLIII.

In spring we sweat most copiously, because then all the causes of sweat coincide, and the nature of the principal parts pushes excrement to the skin; from this arise itch, ψωρᾶσαι scabies, buboes, edemas, erysipelas, ἰδρῶα sudamina, ἐξανθήματα eruptions, and other ἐκφύσεις excrescences and tubercles. Celsus, book 2, chapter 1; Galen, Aphorisms 20, book 3; and book 3, On Temperaments, chapter 3.

XLIIII Note: text repeats numbering XLIII in source.

In summer, copious sweats erupt, not so much because at that time there is greater laxity of the skin (for it is dryness that constricts the pores and consumes serum, Celsus, book 1, chapter 9) and sharper heat, as because the ichor is thinner, and there is a more liberal use of both drink and fresh herbs like lettuce, endive, apples, cherries, and other fruits, which provide the body with more humid nourishment, as are especially the ὡραῖοι καρποὶ seasonal fruits mentioned by Galen, book 2, On the Faculties of Foods, chapter 2, and book 1, chapter 19.

APPENDIX I.

Germans are indeed to be reprimanded: they macerate themselves in sweat-baths Laconicis hot rooms/sweat rooms frequently in summer, but more frequently in winter. For not only is the external constitution of the air repugnant, but also—which is of greater moment—the ταραχή disturbance contrary to the nature of the humors. Hence it very often happens that they are seized by fainting and palpitations of the heart, especially if bad juices are contained in the tunics of the stomach, as Galen warns in Method of Medicine, book 7, chapter 12; and they accelerate old age more quickly than their temperament allows. So the common saying is not inept: "Whoever bathes often and long, will soon be old." Let us be silent about the lack of rule and order in baths, which is proposed by Galen, Method of Medicine, book 10, chapter 10, and book 11, chapter 20.

APPENDIX II.

If we intend to induce sweats in those who are dropsical or others, they should be introduced into a sweat-room not at its hottest, but warmed, the heat of which ought to be increased gradually. Thus, laxity will be induced in the skin without detriment to strength.

XLV.

Daily sweats, if not from a procatarctic initial/external cause, certainly proceed from an abundance of thinner serum, the laxity of the skin, and heat expanded to the skin.