en_tn_lite_do_not_use/act/28/08.md

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. AT: "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"