Sources of Ancient Healing Thermalism

Celsus, De medicina, 2,17,2

Canonical Reference
Cels. Cels. 2,17,2

At balnei duplex usus est: nam modo discussis febribus initium cibi plenioris uinique firmioris valetudinis facit, modo ipsam febrem tollit; fereque adhibetur, ubi summam cutem relaxari evocarique corruptum umorem et habitum corporis mutari expedit. Antiqui timidius eo utebantur, Asclepiades audacius. Neque terrere autem ea res

But the use of the bath is twofold: for sometimes, after fevers have been dispelled, it makes the beginning of a fuller diet and a more robust health, sometimes it removes the fever itself; and it is generally employed where it is expedient to relax the skin and to call forth the corrupted humors and change the habit of the body. The ancients used it more timidly, Asclepiades more boldly. But it is not to be feared.

Pero el baño tiene una doble función: a veces, tras remitir la fiebre, propicia una alimentación más completa y una mejor salud; otras veces, elimina la propia fiebre; y generalmente se administra cuando conviene relajar la piel, favorecer la eliminación de los humores alterados y mejorar el estado general del cuerpo. Los antiguos lo usaban con más timidez, Asclepíades con más audacia. No hay que tener miedo.

Commentary

Celso habla de los usos del baño.

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Celsus 2.17.1

Formas de provocar el sudor en un enfermo que lo necesite: el calor seco y el baño en aguas calientes termales, como en Bayas.

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