Articella

The signification of altered members is divided in two ways: internally and externally. ¶ Internally in six modes. One is from the alteration of the operative power in the member. Another from events occurring from the body. Another from pain in a neighboring relevant member. Another from its proper place. Another from an unnatural movement from its place. Another from the patient's judgment. ¶ Externally it is done in three ways. Either through sight: such as white or black. Or through touch: such as hard and soft, hot and cold. Or through both: such as large or small, more or less.

¶ On the occasions of illnesses.

The occasions of illnesses are three: the alteration of nature, the inconvenient habit of an official member, and the separation of a joint.

¶ On the operation of medicine.

The operation of medicine has a triple effect. Either it preserves health according to its multitude. Or it makes health out of infirmity. Or the opposite.

¶ On the regimen of health.

There is a triple mode for governing the healthy: those prepared to fall ill, those beginning to be ill, and the failing. ¶ We govern those prepared to be ill with a suitable moderation of the aforementioned six referring to the six non-naturals: air, food/drink, sleep/waking, motion/rest, retention/evacuation, and mental affections. For those beginning to be ill, we apply a double care: either we draw off the superabundance of humors, or we repair the confection of nature by ordering the application of the six aforementioned things. Of the failing, some are infants, some are old, and some are convalescing from an illness.

¶ On the division of medicine in general.

Every medicine is either universal or particular. The universal is the right ordering of the six proceeding things. The particular is done through the contrary in three ways: it is either in similar members, in official members, or in the separation of joints. We restore the altered assimilative similar/homogenous members to likeness and restrain them by binding them to stay in their quality. ¶ If concave members are enlarged beyond measure, we astringe them to their measure and induce rest. If less, the opposite. In wide members, however, we likewise make the openings stricter according to their mode by adding the contrary of the cause from which the vice occurred. If it happens from a defect of the retentive power, we soften with fomentations and cataplasm. But if it is from a defect of the expulsive [power], we use comfortative diaphoretics sweat-inducing agents. If it is from a stiptic cause, we use softening. If from a dry cause, we use moistening. If from constriction, we use solution. Those things that are changed from a natural disposition, we restore to their place. If from an apostema abscess/swelling, we cure the abscess by ripening it. If from a natural joint, we separate it either with an opening medicine or with surgery. If from any growth, we remove it. If from roughness, we use leniency. If from leniency, we use roughness.

¶ On the ablation of superfluity.

We remove superfluity in number either in part, such as scrofula swollen lymph nodes, or in whole, such as a cancer malignant tumor. We heal the separation in number. If it happens from an abundance of blood, we remove it at any age. If from sperm, we heal it only in childhood. We greatly augment the smallness of members through motions and fomentations. We change and diminish magnitude, however, by compressing it with rest.