Treatment of Splenetics, That is, Those Whose Spleen is Tense and Hard

Abstract

If the spleen is tense and hard and burdened, first inject an enema, next purge repeatedly with lenitive or hamech, and added diaprune: and often senna, but uncooked as we have said before about the spleen: and such as bugloss, hop, hart’s-tongue, bark of caper, and add fennel and wild celery, which dispel the winds that vex and swell the spleen. If they are distended and bleeding is indicated, make a wide opening in the veins: first cut the basilic and later the cephalic: venesection is indicated for the spleen, but if you are fearful apply leeches, attach cupping-glasses and often boldly scarify to draw off the black blood. Rub over the spleen with goose-fat, calf-marrow and oil of rue, or else with ointment made of powdered scale-fern with frankincense and ammoniac, dissolved in vinegar: inunct the region where you feel the swelling. Make tablets of iron, scale-fern, coral, tamarisk, wood of cinnamon and powdered spikenard with sugar added: one drachm to be swallowed in the early morning, another in the evening: and drink ash mixed with wine and water in a vessel which, infused, lightens the spirits and removes care and provides sleep: but chalybeate water is more useful, more allegrative.