BookIII OF LENTICULAR FEVER—TVPHUS 227

the latter drink seems to me more suitable than any other.
But when it happens that the stomach cannot stand this drink,
there is no reason why a very little cinnamon may not be added.
Some doctors add to the water acetose55 syrup, others add
eitron juice. 'There are some doctors who prefer the waters
called sublimates, (distilled) for example made with chicory,
or oxalis, or dodder, or borage, or plants of that sort. But if
wine must be allowed, then select that kind called pauciferus,
(by the Greeks öX yoþöpos),5* which has & bitter taste. — If the
air in your opinion contains some virus, let there be thorough.
ventilation or a good draught, or purify it by sprinkling and
fumigations. In all else that concerns the dietetic regimen,
you should, of course, supervise it carefully.

To come now to the medical treatment. First of all, we must
enquire whether phlebotomy is advisable in these fevers or not,
and when, and in what veins; for it is certainly a fact that in
former years a majority of patients who had undergone vene—
section, died. I believe that the reason for this is that, at that
time, these fevers arose mainly from the air, as I have said.
Hence, since the contagion had come from without, it flourished
mainly in the periphery of the body and in the outer blood—
vessels. Now, by the use of phlebotomy, it was at once drawn
inwards to the spiritual elements.  Moreover, since these fevers
appeared to be mild and gentle, venesection did not take place
in the initial stage, but for the most part at a time when the
germs had already been dispersed and had taken root in all
directions. 8So the result of venesection was to agitate and
violently disturb the blood, while a very small part of the germs
and the corrupted substance was removed along with the blood;
so that the patient was exposed to greater risk than he received
benefit.

Aeccordingly, when either now or in the future you observe
that the contagion has come from without, and you have not
been summoned in the initial stage, especially when you observe
that there is no considerable plethora, then it will be better to
refrain from venesection.  But when the corruption has come
into being within the patient originally, and you have been
summoned in the initial stage, then you may safely employ
venesection and draw off & considerable amount of blood, pro—
vided that the other conditions do not forbid it. But when
you have been summoned only after the third or fourth day,