Book III OF SVPHILIS 269

has it corrupted the bones? Secondly, is it more of a benign
type or malignant; is there much substance, or only a small
amount; is this viscous or traectable; is the malady wholly exter—
nal or also internal; are there many ulcers; are there more pains
than pustules, or the converse; likewise, are there more pains
than gummata, or the converse? In a word, all the differ—
ential symptoms of the disease must ever be kept in sight.
Above all, observe its analogy; for though it is per se analogous
with thick, foul phlegm, this phlegm, as I have said, varies in
its nature. Moreover, you must consider the other general
conditions, the age and sex of the patient, the season of the year,
his constitution, and so forth. For all remedies do not suit
all patients.

After careful observation of these points, you may be certain
that, once the malady has settled in the bones, there is no hope
of recovery, unless indeed one could cauterise the bones. So
either abandon that treatment, or warn the patient that the
malady will recur. When it is inveterate, the disease is still
more difficult to treat, and also when a great amount of viscous
substance is present; also when there are numerous gummata,
and the patient has a melancholic temperament. Hence, for
the more difficult cases you must apply more difficult remedies.

"To deal now with particulars. In the first place, take care
that the air is not impure or from the south; however, do not,
in order to avoid the south, choose a cold aspect, due north.'3*
The patient, must never be idle, lazy or unoccupied. He must
exercise all his energies, make every sort of effort, work and
sweat. 'That is my advice, my exhortation, my command.
Run, dance, hunt, play ball, wrestle and fence; by these means
you will liquefy the sluggish substance, make it thinner, and
drive it out, and along with it the germs of the contagion.  But,
in doing this, take care, when you stop exercising, not to let
yourself cool off at once and relax into idleness, but let the tran—
sition from violent exertion to repose be very gradual. Cover
yourself well with wraps, stay in a warm place, in fact, even
during your exercises, I do not approve of doing them in a cool
place, if that can be avoided. Moreover be careful to keep up
the normal bodily expurgations from the nose, skin, palate,
bowels, and such others as come from hemorrhoids, or men—
struation, etc. But beware of superfluous evacuation, of vene—
real especially. Do not lose your sleep, but on the other hand