Christo praeside et auspice: Theses hasce de Dolore Colico

for which end, after long-lasting affections of this kind, and especially in that dyspepsia indigestion of the viscera, decoctions of guaiacum, sarsaparilla, and other similar things are provided: so that the parts may gradually be vindicated to their pristine temperament: and that which is generated of excrements in the meantime may be emptied daily.

LXXI.

The diet of those with colic must be directed toward the efficient causes: so that external ones, if any still remain, may be removed: and the harm which they have brought upon the body may be corrected. In every colic, those things which are flatulent must be avoided, such as peas, beans, turnips, sweet and raw apples, diluted wine, beer, and must. The food should be moderate, and easy to digest, and contrary to the morbific cause: which is also to be understood concerning the condition of the air. In a cold cause, wine that is fragrant and generous is suitable: in a hot cause, with wine subtracted, a decoction of water is to be prepared, with licorice, raisins, jujubes, and a little cinnamon. The body, and especially the belly, should be well guarded from the injury of the external air: for which a wolf-skin is highly recommended by some, if it be worn constantly placed upon the belly. The bowels should perform their duty daily: and this, if not spontaneously, should be provoked by a domestic enema or a suppository. The rest, which pertains to sleep and vigils, to bodily exercises, to the affections of the mind, should be managed appropriately for each present constitution of the body. And this is the legitimate cure of this affection deduced from its causes.

LXXII.

But it happens not rarely that due to the ferocity of the pain, the Physician is forced to deflect from that methodical rationale, and turn the cure to the symptom itself. Where one must especially revere that excellent sentiment of the most eminent Physician, that, He who seeks the method too pertinaciously in all things, may often destroy the man along with the disease.

LXXIII.

While however the symptom draws the reason for cure to itself, it does not do so insofar as it is a symptom; but insofar as it is the cause of a greater or more grave evil. By which reason we see that not rarely inflammation of the internal viscera, acute fevers, epileptic convulsions, fainting fits, and finally even death itself, are wont to follow upon long-lasting and atrocious colic pains.