content, that it was a fever, terminating in abscess. I shall quote his words in reference to this subject, as they are replete with sound sense and practical morality; "for, in cases of this kind,” (i. e. abscess succeeding fever) “those things are always proper which promote suppuration; especially digestive and resolving cataplasms; and dried figs are excellent for this intention. Thus, the Omnipotent who could remove this distemper by his word alone, chose to do it by the effect of natural remedies. And here we have an useful lesson given us in adversities, not to neglect the use of those things which the bountiful Creator has bestowed upon us, and at the same time to add our fervent prayers, that he would be graciously pleased to prosper our endeavours." It must be here stated, that there are two distinct classes of parasitical animals which infest the human body. The one are included under the general term of Entozoa, and the other Phthiriasis :-to which of these two classes the disease of Herod is to be referred, appears somewhat difficult to decide. Dr. Mead, with others, are decidedly of opinion, that it is the intestinal worm, and (1) Acts xii. verse 23. they are certainly borne out by the fact, that Josephus makes mention only of Herod's suffering pains, but that these were occasioned by the gnawing of worms. Josephus also states, that Herod the Great, grandfather of the individual now under consideration, died in consequence of a similar affliction. The evidence of Scripture terminalogy tends to the other opinion, for whenever the external worm is alluded to, oxwλng, or some of its compounds, are used. The Greek version of the text, now under consideration, runs thus:— παραχρῆμα δὲ ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν ἄγγελος κυρίου καὶ γενόμενος σκωληκόβρωτος (*), ... 66 ¿ğéyugev,” while in the Septuagint we constantly find the common external worm simi (1) Ekwληкоßρwτos, à vermibus exesus, seu crosus; ex σκώληξ et βρωτός, qu. à βρώσκω, comedo. 66 larly rendered; thus in Exodus, (') Their manna bred worms and stank :—kai égéÇeσe σκώληκας, καὶ επωζεσε; and in Deuteronomy (3) when speaking of grapes, "for the worm shall eat them,” ὅτι καταφάγεται αὐτὰ ὁ σκώληξ ; a quotation still more to the purpose, is that where Job says, (* my flesh is clothed with worms and dust;” φύρεται δέ μου το σῶμα ευ σαπρια σκωλήκων; and it is further borne out by other Greek writers, using a totally different word when they speak of the intestinal worm. Thus Herodotus says of Pheretima, the mother of Arcesilaus, that she was “ Ζωσα εὐλέων εξεζεσε,” destroyed alive by worms. Having said thus much, the obscurity of the text induces me not to prolong the discussion further. There are many other instances of special (1) Chap. xvi. verse 20. (2) Chap. xxviii. verse 40. individual affliction mentioned in the different books of the Old and New Testaments, besides these which I have now enumerated, such as the leprosies of Miriam, Gehazi, and Uzziah; but as the varieties of this disease have been fully illustrated, it would be tedious to enter further on them here. There are also other cases, of which so slight mention is made, (1) as would render any discussion on their nature futile and useless. I have now concluded these commentaries, and it will be no unfitting observation here, to observe, that the consideration of these diseases involves a subject of much deeper interest than that to which I have devoted the preceding pages, which it (1) The disease of King Asa is an example. Cruden states it to have been gout; to me, however, this opinion has not the slightest foundation. |