Disputationis medicae de hydrope theses inaugurales LXV

humors to the kidneys, whence they are also called diuretics, in the number of which are counted aperient roots, Chicory, wormwood, germander, dodder, spikenard, lemon grass, Eupatorium, and similar things. Then also those which are observed to be beneficial by occult power, such as the liver of a wolf exhibited, a snake stone tied to the belly, also a stone found in the head of a toad attached to the neck, Jet, Jasper, and others, which if they do not help, at least do not harm.

58. To these must finally be added sudorifics and things that resolve through insensible perspiration, frictions, anointings, plasters, poultices, sachets, and other local remedies called "medical," by which the remains of the disease, whence a more dangerous hypostrophe relapse or return (which Celsus interprets as a recurrence or reversion) is accustomed to arise, are expelled, and the part is so strengthened that it may subsequently perform its functions correctly.

59. But if the disease does not yield entirely to the aforementioned, one must flee to the extreme surgical resort, namely incision or perforation, which the Greeks call paracentesis. Aegineta (Book 6, Chapter 50) and many others teach very well how and in what place this should be done, and what things should be weighed in it, although Erasistratus, the grandson of Aristotle through his daughter, preferred that this not be attempted.

60. Most of the things in the catalogue of those mentioned also have a place in the cure of Tympanites windy dropsy and hyposarca flesh-swelling, if only they are applied prudently and dexterously, and are varied according to the diversity of the conjunct cause.

61. For just as nature teaches that purgatives should be chosen and mixed in greater quantity with others for the serous and watery humor collected inside the abdomen in Ascites, and things that thin and disperse flatulence in Tympanites—since these two differences are never so separated that one is entirely without the other