[De epidemia et peste]

has a hole stopped with wax, which should be perforated with a small stylus, and the water coming out should fall upon a basin, making a pleasant sound.

Chapter Four: On preservation from an epidemic through evacuation.

It does not only arise from efficient causes, such as from celestial influence, as from an antecedent cause, or from putrid and corrupt air as from a conjunct cause; rather, this deadly plague is also strengthened when it finds bodies that are full and also have a bad regimen. Therefore, the second aid is extremely necessary, namely to purge superfluous humors in summer and at the beginning of autumn. In the young and choleric, purge choler with tamarind, cassia fistula, and yellow myrobalans with a decoction of plums and similar things. In the end of autumn, however, and in winter and in those who are full, [use] things that purge gross humors, such as agaric, turbith, polypody, and the like. And let this be done cautiously and with measure. And this purging of cold humors is not done except in those who are very full and in the mentioned manner. Haly Referring to the Persian physician Haly Abbas (Ali ibn al-Abbas al-Majusi). says that they ought to purge the hot superfluity. It seems, therefore, that for the most part, the purging of hot humors is appropriate. In every season, however, whether hot or cold, this reception of pills of myrrh, saffron, and citrine aloe is valid. It is also valid in every age prepared for purging and in every temperament. For just as a pot is skimmed at the beginning of boiling, so these pills purge the superfluities that are gathered toward the principal members. They also preserve the blood from putrefaction. Phlebotomy Bloodletting. is also necessary, indeed it is good to bleed