TREATMENT IN HAMILTON'S CASE. 117 



He advised also the use of the shower-bath, as he was 

 himself in the habit of employing it, upon the hint of 

 Celsus. In a well warmed bedroom, first wash the head 

 over with hot water, containing a few ashes, then let a 

 pail full of water, quite cold from the well, be dashed upon 

 it suddenly the beginner can rise gradually from the 

 pitcher to the pail then, after a brief pause, begin to 

 rub the head with cool, dry cloths, and go on rubbing 

 until there remains not a trace of moisture. Remain in 

 the warm chamber for two hours before going out into the 

 air. By this habit, says Cardan, the brain is kept to a 

 natural temperature, and its substance rendered firm and 

 dense. 



As applications useful but less useful he suggests 

 also the dropping, from a height, of certain warm medi- 

 cated waters over the coronal suture. 



Next to the correction of the brain, the most important 

 care of the physician, in a case like that of the archbishop, 

 must be to prevent the generation in the body of the pec- 

 cant matter. With this view, it was advised that pains 

 should be taken to promote good digestion, and to give 

 food that would not pass into thin humour and vapour. 

 Vapoury winds and moist air would be injurious; his 

 grace should walk under the shade in tranquil weather, 

 and be careful never to go out in rain or night-air. He 

 should make use of a perfume-ball, because perfumes are 

 drying; but among perfumes used by him he should not 



