Christo praeside et auspice: Theses hasce de Dolore Colico

XLIX.
The subject is preserved by similars: the disease is routed by contraries.

L.
And because this disease is still sustained by its own causes, if anyone seeks a legitimate cure, it is necessary that he remove the causes before all else, just as they succeeded one another in the generation of the disease.

LI.
But since there are diverse genera of causes that can excite pain in the colon, and they cannot all be treated separately on this occasion, we shall pursue only the primary and most frequent ones: which are flatus, cold humors, and sharp and hot humors.

LII.
Therefore, when colic pain is made from flatus, it must be seen whether it is fostered from elsewhere, or whether it exists alone. It is fostered either because of the constriction of the bowels, or matter adhering in the intestines.

LIII.
In the constriction of the bowels, it is necessary before all else that we facilitate them: which will be done by suppositories, emollient clysters, and medicines that are laxative and gently stimulate the expulsive faculty.

LIIII.
When matter lies beneath in the intestines, we shall evacuate it in that manner which will be told shortly concerning cold humors.

LV.
But if the flatus is solitary, we shall disperse it, either by an enema from the common decoction of clysters, with oil of rue, or electuary of laurel berries; which method is always superior: or by other warm medicines, applied both inside the body and applied externally.

LVI.
Inside the body, decoctions of ginger, galangal, pepper, and warm seeds are suitable, also those commonly used: garlic, which Galen calls the Theriac antidote of the peasants, and which the experience of a certain peasant miraculously recommends in this case: ancient theriac, mithridatium: