LEECH BOOK. II. 245 



these most often come of meats and of cold drinks, Uook ir. 

 such as are cold oysters, and apples, and various worts, xxxvi. 



chiefly in summer, when one partaketh of such. Bath- 

 ing is harmful to them who are splenitic, chiefly after 

 meat, and copulation following on surfeit. The un- 

 measured heat of the milt cometh from fevers and 

 from the swealing or burning of fever, and in old age 

 from corruption of the blood. The milt is extended 

 and distended with swelling, and also hot air and hot 

 weather bring disease upon the milt ; when the man 

 becometh too much heated. So it is also in winter, 

 for the cold aud for the variableness of the Aveather, 

 that the milt becometh corrupted. We next treat that 

 wise men may understand whence the disease cometh 

 by bad weather, and from partaking of unholesome 

 meats and drinks, and through these things the evil 

 humours and windy things are produced in the milt, 

 and diseases wax titer ein. 



xxxvii. 



We noio explain how one must apply leechdoms to 

 the man, within and without, with hot and cold treat- 

 ments; within, with lettuce, and clote, and gourd; let 

 him drink them in wine ; let him also bathe himself 

 in sweet water. Without, he is to be leeched and 

 smeared with oil of roses, and with onlayings or 

 pioultices onade of wine and grapes, and often must 

 an onlay be wrought of butter, and of new wax, 

 and of hyssop, and of oil ; mingle with goose grease or 

 lard of swine, and with frankincense, and mint; and 

 when he bathes let him smear himself with oil ; mingle 

 it with saffron. Meats which work out good blood are 

 beneficial for him ; such as are shell fishes,^ and those 

 that have fins,^ and domestic and wild hens,^ and all 



' Not iu the Greek. [ - Wild hens arc pheasants. 



