(Authorized Version ‘bloody flux’; Gr. δυσεντέριον, Acts 28:8)
When St. Paul and his companions, on their way to Rome, were shipwrecked on the island of Malta, the father of Publius who was governor of the island was suffering from this malady in an aggravated form. The symptoms of the disease are inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine, mucous, bloody, difficult, and painful evacuations, accompanied, with more or less fever. Owing to Publius’ kindness to the little group of delayed travellers, the Apostle visited his father, ‘prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.’ This was evidently a case of mental healing, made effective by prayer and personal contact.
C. A. Beckwith.
Originally written as two different dictionaries, this complete dictionary/encyclopedia of the New Testament, written by James Hastings, is a thorough look at Christ and the Apostolic Church.Wikipedia
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