CHAPTER X
TREATMENT OF SXPHILIS OR FRENCH SICKNESS

I shall now proceed to those contagious diseases that attack
rather the external parts of the body, and shall begin with the
new disease called syphilis.  In regard to its treatment, doctors
have not been in entire agreement, especially at the time when
it first made its appearance. Just as they were mostly bewil—
dered and failed to recognise it, and hence disagreed, so too as
to its treatment their opinions have been at variance. Some
thought it was due to adustion, and tried to cure it by remedies
that counteraet adustion. 'They did no good, but rather in—
creased the evil to an astonishing degree. Those who thought
it is identica!l with elephantia prescribed viper wine"^ and
viper flesh. Some ordered complete rest, others tried baths
as well, which did no good, others devoted all their attention
to relieving the pain, and neglected the rest of the treatment.
Finally the empirics, influenced by the fact that in some ways
this disease resembles scabies fera, were the first to venture to
treat it with caustic remedies.

Next, many doctors wrote more at length on its whole treat—
ment. I was one of these, and when I was younger, and, ow—
ing to a dangerous plague in my city, had retired to my country—
place where I had abundant leisure for the task, I wrote a poem
on this disease."5 — But the poetic form, as I said above, does
not admit everything or allow the discussion of all points; I
was therefore obliged at that time to omit much.  However,
now that I am writing on the treatment of this disease, not in
verse as a poet, but as a doctor, what I have to say will be more
valuable, especially since this malady cannot be properly treat—
ed unless one has thoroughly grasped the nature of contagions.

A doctor who wishes to treat this disease by the correct method
must first of all be well informed as to the following:  First, is
the malady of recent date or inveterate; how far has it pro—
gressed and to what organs; has it already attacked the nerves,

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