On Medical Matters

...or the amount of wine; for they loosen the activities of the introduced drugs and prevent their distribution, the pores having been filled beforehand by food taken earlier.

Since certain circumstances in travel often bring about similar dangers without treachery, I consider it necessary to discuss this as well; for it will be necessary first, in open-air places, as much as possible, to cook and prepare things for eating and drinking; second, under a roof, to carefully examine the ceilings; for often from the things above, harmful little animals fall, such as spiders and certain other reptiles, and the so-called gecko original: "ἀσκαλαβώτης". And it is necessary to pay attention to the vessels into which one pours the wine, clearly and carefully; for reptiles are drawn by the smell of the wine, which often, having drunk, vomited up the poison, and having fallen in, died, and became the cause of destruction to those who—

15. Sambucus placed "not" before this, just as Codex X has "not loosen."
16. Thus Aldus, Cornarius, Goupyl, and Saracenus; Asulanus: "without."
17. Thus Aldus, Asulanus, Marc., Cornarius; Goupyl and Saracenus: "pour alongside."
18. Codex X: "from."

...or the quantity of wine. For they dissolve the powers of the subsequently introduced drugs, and prevent their distribution through the body, the pores having been filled before by food taken earlier.

Since, however, in travel, unpleasant accidents often bring about similar dangers without treachery, I consider it necessary to treat this subject as well. It will be necessary, therefore, first, in a place under the open sky, as far as it is possible, to cook and prepare things necessary for food and drink; second, under a roof, to look carefully at the ceilings. For quite often, harmful little animals fall from the overhead spaces, such as spiders, certain other reptiles, and the so-called stellio note: a type of lizard. But one must also look diligently and toward the light at the vessels while pouring wine; for reptiles are attracted by the smell of the wine, which sometimes, by sipping, have vomited up their venom, and sometimes, having fallen in, have perished, and brought the cause of destruction to those to whom (the wine) was offered.