# It happened that the father of Publius ... fever and dysentery
This is background information about Publius' father that is important to understanding the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
# had been made ill
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "was ill" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
# ill with a fever and dysentery
Dysentery is an infectious intestinal disease.
# placed his hands on him
"touched him with his hands"