Note 30 — PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.
Francis Adams translation
It was a common practice in ancient times to kindle great fires as disinfectants or deodorizers. We have entered pretty fully upon this subject in our Commentary on Paulus Ægineta, Vol. I., p. 274. There can be no doubt that it was the established practice of the profession in the days of Hippocrates. The names of Acron, Empedocles, and Hippocrates are particularly famous as having successfully adopted the practice. See Aëtius, v., 94; Paulus Ægineta, l. c.; Pliny, H. N., xxxvi., 69; and Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride.