On Medical Matters

follows; a violent inflammation of the tongue, stomach, and belly; and intense pain in the intestines, accompanied by the sensation that the internal parts are being gnawed; a burning heat throughout the whole body, and nausea 66. These must be treated in the same way as those who have consumed blister beetles cantharides a toxic beetle preparation; however, we shall specifically employ melinum quince oil, prepared from quince apples and oil, instead of simple oil or iris oil.

Chapter III. [Concerning the Buprestis A poisonous beetle.] To those who have consumed a buprestis a venomous insect, the taste seems similar to putrid nitre 67. There follows severe pain in the stomach and belly; swelling of the stomach and belly, similar 68 to those suffering from dropsy; the surface of the entire body becomes distended 69; and urination is suppressed. Remedies that help those who have consumed blister beetles are beneficial to them; but they are specifically relieved, after the stomach has been emptied by vomiting and enemas, by eating dried figs; and also by a decoction of them with wine. When the danger of the acute stage has passed, they are benefited by eating Theban dates, or by drinking them crushed with honeyed wine or milk, or even...

...a violent inflammation of the tongue, stomach, and belly torments [the patient]: intense pain also racks the intestines; at the same time, the internal organs seem to be gnawed, and there is a burning heat and anguish of the whole body with tossing. These are to be helped by the same remedies. We shall, however, specifically employ melinum, which is prepared from quince apples and oil, instead of simple oil and iris oil.

Chapter III. [On the Buprestis.] Those who have swallowed a buprestis perceive a taste similar to poisonous nitre: a violent pain of the stomach and belly follows, with a swelling of those parts, such as occurs in those with dropsy: the surface of the entire body is stretched, and urine is suppressed. These are helped by the same things as [those who have swallowed] cantharides. Specifically, however, after the body has been emptied by both vomiting and clyster, they are helped by taking dried figs, and likewise by a decoction of them in wine. But when the danger from the acute nature of the condition has subsided, [they are helped] by the consumption of Theban dates, or by drinking them crushed in honeyed wine...