A notice of the life and writings of Valescus de Tarenta / by Frederick P. Henry.

  • Henry, Frederick Porteus, 1844-1919.
Date:
1901
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: A notice of the life and writings of Valescus de Tarenta / by Frederick P. Henry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    one that contains a date. According to it, the book was written in 1401, about seventy years before it appeared in print. Cap. II. The second chapter, entitled “De signis prognostics et ostensivis epidemiae,” enumerates various phenomena supposed to be prognostic of an epidemic. Among them are fiery signs, “im- pressiones ignitae,” such as comets and falling stars—Stellae cadentcs—also the unaccustomed appearance of a multitude of animals, such as toads, frogs and locusts. He then mentions cer- tain states of wind and weather which, prevailing either in spring or summer, herald the appearance of an epidemic either in summer or winter. In the last sentence of this chapter is a proof that the term “epidemia” is not used by Valescus in the modern sense of that word, but has a special significance. The sentence is the fol- lowing: “Unde cum epidemia aliquando veniunt morbilli, ali- quando variolae, aliquando obtalmiae (sic) et alia hujusmodi.” From our present standpoint there are no diseases to which the term “epidemic” is more applicable than to measles and variola. Additional proof is found in a succeeding chapter that the term “epidemia” as employed by Valescus signifies the bubonic plague. Cap. III. De preservatione ab epidemia per aeris correctionem et per recessnm a loco in quo est. First, he advises flight—“et quanto longius * * * sicut ille non moritur in proelio qui non est in eo.” Then follow directions for those who are obliged to face the pestilence: “* * * Domus debet esse munda a quibuscunque super- fluitatibus maxime quae generant fetorem longe a funerariis et ab aquis stantibus, et orificia latrinarum sint clausa.” Early rising in cloudy weather is condemned: “Quando aer est caliginosus seu nebulosus non surgat demane.” The resident in a pestilential city is advised to remain in the house: “Non discurrat per villam sed occupetur per domum clausis postis et fenestris cum vitro vel cum panno in cerate ut lux entret et non aer putrefactus.” He lays stress upon the prophylactic effect of odorous substances, such as musk and amber: “Ut dicit Avicenna qui docet aerem alterare cum ambra, thure, lignoaloes et similibus.” Around the house and inside are to be strewn “rami salicis, thamarisci, quercus, et cana- rum * * * et rosetur domus cum aqua fontis, aceto, aqua rosata * * * et caveant a usione et conversatione hominum infectorum et tactu et si fiat vertatur facies et odoret acetum.” Cap. IV. De preservatione ab epidemia per evacuationem. This chapter opens with directions concerning the methods of expelling superfluous humors—“humiditates superfluas”—which should vary with the age and temperament of the patient and the season of the year. There is no discussion of the reasons for purgation, which is taken for granted, and especially in the case of the ple- thoric: “Immo etiam confortatur haec mortifera rabies quando invenit corpora repleta.” Myrrh, safifon and “aloe cicotrina” are recommended as ingredients of pills. Venesection'is advised, par- ticularly in the young and “sanguine:” “* * * vel ad dragmas vel ad uncias, de mediana vel epatica aliquando de splenetica: per
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