Ex gratiosi ordinis Med. Bas. decreto M. Jacobus Seidelius Olaviensis Silesius ... ad X. Calend. Octob. hora locoque solito de arthritide respondebit

cupping glasses, and bloodletting performed in suitable places.

25. Once the pain is settled, one must proceed to the cure of the disease. Since there are two causes in general, namely the abundance of humors and the weakness of the limbs, the scope of the cure will also be twofold: the evacuation of the redundant humor and the strengthening of the weakened parts.

26. Evacuation is owed to both the antecedent and the conjunct cause: the latter is expelled by topical fomentations, oils, ointments, plasters, cerates, cupping glasses, and cauteries; the former is propelled by bloodletting, purgation, diuretics, and sudorifics.

27. Before an artificial evacuation is instituted to remove the antecedent cause, one must diligently inquire whether any natural one has been suppressed, which should be promoted first.

28. Afterwards, in those who abound in blood, if their strength and other factors permit, a vein suitable to the affected part shall be opened. If the pain is in the upper parts, the vein of the leg, both the popliteal and the malleolar of the same side; if in the lower parts, the basilica of the elbow, when the humor flows from the liver or spleen; but when it flows from the head, the humeral vein. If the parts of the opposite side, both upper and lower, are affected, then the opposite; if all of both sides are affected at once, blood will be conveniently drawn from the side that feels the lesser harm.

29. But if another humor than blood is at fault, it must be prepared and concocted with suitable medicines so that it may be better educed. In this, the nature of the parts that send [the humor] must be kept in mind, and one must diligently take care that medicines that are too hot and thinning are not exhibited, by which the dissolved material might afterwards flow more abundantly to the joints.

30. Once the humor is prepared, if it is carried to the hands, it should be purged through the anus; if to the hip or feet, through vomiting, unless something prevents it. And even though it rests in more remote parts, it should not be agitated by a stronger medicine, lest, stirred by its vehemence, it slip down to weaker parts.

31. And these, both the preparations and the purges, are also to be administered to those