Diet gun

In the case of dry stools that cause burning, the mouth becomes dry and later takes on a bitter taste, retention of feces and urine occurs.

For when the intestine loses its moisture, it swells around the feces and blocks the outlets, causing pain, fever and whatever one drinks or eats, it expels it with vomiting, in the end there is also vomiting of feces. When the condition reaches this point, the patient has no hope of living.

Precautions must be taken in advance, with the knowledge that the person is overcome by hot dryness.

His diet should consist of well-kneaded barley bread, and of wheat bread kneaded with bran porridge.

Eat boiled vegetables, except those that are irritating and dry, and the lighter fish, also boiled. Eat the heads of fish and crayfish, mussels, sea urchins, crabs, shellfish broth, and the shellfish themselves, as long as they are very moist.

Of meat, the most preferable are the forelimbs of the pig, boiled, the meat of the goat, lamb, and small dog, also boiled.

Eat boiled fish found in rivers and lakes.

Drink wine diluted with water.

Along with food, it would be good to take fruits that moisten.

Chickpeas should be eaten fresh but also dry, provided they are soaked in water before.

His food should not be too much in quantity and should be increased gradually over three days, and breakfast should be omitted.

If satiety from food or problematic functioning of the stomach occurs, vomiting should be induced.

The exercises that he will do should be neither many nor fast but all mild. The walks that he will do should be done in the morning, depending on the temperament of the person and after exercise depending on his physical fatigue.

Important Clarifications

The word “dry” according to Hippocrates refers to foods, substances or conditions that are considered to be able to collect, dry, absorb liquid or reduce moisture in the body.

Correspondingly, the word “moist” or “wet” refers to substances and diets that increase internal moisture and soften the body.

There are 4 “qualities” of foods/substances according to Hippocratic medicine

Warm or Hot: stimulate, strengthen, activate.

Cold:soothe, calm, reduce body heat.

Dry: astringent, drying, removes body fluids.

Moist or Wet: soften, relax, lubricate, increase body fluids.


HIPPOCRATES series of articles :
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET I
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET II – Foods containing flesh (meat, fish, seafood)
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET III – Fruits
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET IV – Satiety
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET V – Wine