De Medicina |
Translator: Walter George Spencer
|
|
| 149 |
Haec in capite fere medicamentis egent . Sub ipsis uero auribus oriri parotides solent , modo in secunda ualetudine ibi inflammatione orta , modo post longas febres illuc inpetu morbi conuerso . Id abscessus genus est : itaque nullam nouam curationem desiderat , animaduersionem tantummodo hanc habet necessariam : [ quia , ] si sine morbo id intumuit , primum reprimentium faciendum experimentum est ; si aduersa ualetudine , illud inimicum est maturarique et quam primum aperiri commodius est .
|
16 Such are the disorders in the head which generally require medicaments. But just below the ears parotid swellings are inclined to occur, sometimes during health when inflammation occurs there, some after prolonged fevers when the force of the disease has been turned in that direction. It is of the nature of an abscession; and so no novel treatment is called for, only what follows must be attended to: if there is swelling without previous disease, repressants are to be tried first; if there has been illness, repressives are objectionable, and it is more convenient that the abscess should mature and be opened as soon as may be. |
| 150 |
Ad umbilicos uero prominentes , ne manu ferroque utendum sit , ante temptandum est , ut abstineat ur, aluus his ducatur , inponatur super umbilicum id , quod ex his constat : cicutae et fuliginis , singulorum P . #1108 I ; cerussae elotae P . #1108 VI ; plumbi eloti P . #1108 VIII ; ouis duobus , quibus etiam solani sucus adicitur . Hoc etiam diutius inpositum esse oportet : sed interim conquiescere hominem , cibo modico uti , sic ut uitentur omnia inflantia .
|
17 For prominent navels, in order that surgical measures need not be used, abstinence should first be tried, a clyster to induce a motion, and the following applications to the umbilicus: hemlock and soot 4 grams each; washed white lead 24 grams; washed lead 32 grams; 2 eggs; to these nightshade juice also is added. This ought to be kept on for a long time, the patient meanwhile lying up, and taking food in such moderation that all flatulence is avoided. |
| 151 |
Proxima sunt ea , quae ad partes obscenas pertinent , quarum apud Graecos uocabula et tolerabilius se habent et accepta iam usu sunt , cum in omni fere medicorum uolumine atque sermone iactentur : apud nos foediora uerba ne consuetudine quidem aliqua uerecundius loquentium commendata sunt , ut difficilior haec explanatio sit simul et pudorem et artis praecepta seruantibus . Neque tamen ea res a scribendo me deterrere debuit : primum , ut omnia quae salutaria accepi , conprehendere m ; dein , quia in uolgus eorum curatio etiam praecipue cognoscenda est , quae inuitissimus quisque alteri ostendit . Igitur si ex inflammatione coles intumuit , reducique summa cutis aut rursus induci non potest , multa calida aqua fouendus locus e st . Vbi uero glans contecta est , oriculario quoque clystere inter eam cutemque aqua calida inserenda est . Si mollita sic et extenuata cutis ducenti paruit , expeditior reliqua curatio est . Si tumor uicit , inponenda est uel lenticula uel marrubium uel oleae folia ex uino cocta , sic ut cuilibet eorum , dum teritur , mellis paululum adiciatur ; sursumque coles ad uentrem deligandus est . Quod in omni curatione eius necessarium est ; isque homo continere se et abstinere a cibo debet , et potione aquae tantum a siti uindicari . Postero die rursum adhibendum isdem rationibus aquae fomentum est , et cum ui quoque experiendum , an cutis sequatur ; eaque si non parebit , leuiter summa scalpello concidenda erit . Nam cum sanies profluxerit , extenuabitur is locus , et facilius cutis ducetur . Siue autem hoc modo uicta erit , siue numquam repugnauerit , ulcera uel in cutis ulteriore parte uel in glande ultraue eam in cole reperientur ; quae necesse est aut pura siccaue sint aut umida et purulenta . Si sicca sunt , primum aqua calida fouenda sunt ; deinde inponendum Lycium ex uino aut amurca cocta cum eodem aut cum rosa buturum . Si leuis is umor inest , uino eluenda sunt , tum buturo et rosae mellis paulum , et resinae terebenthinae pars quarta adicienda est ; eoque utendum . At si pus ex is profluit , ante omnia elui mulso calido debent ; tum inponi piperis P . #1108 I ; murrae P . #1108 #1109; croci , misyos cocti , singulorum P . #1108 II ; quae ex uino austero cocuntur , donec mellis crassitudinem habeant . Eadem autem conpositio tonsillis , uuae madenti , oris nariumque ulceribus accommodata est . Aliud ad eadem : piperis P . #1108 #1109; murrae P . #1108 #1109; croci P . #1108 #1109 #1109; misy cocti P . #1108 I ; aeris combusti P . #1108 II ; quae primum ex uino austero conteruntur , deinde ubi inaruerunt , iterum teruntur ex passi tribus cyathis et incocuntur , donec uisci crassitudinem habeant . Aerugo quoque cum cocto melle eaque quae ad oris ulcera supra conprensa sunt aut Erasistrati conpositio aut Cratonis recte super purulenta naturalia inponitur . Foli orum quoque oleae P . #1108 * ex nouem cyathis uini cocuntur ; his adicitur aluminis scissilis P . #1108 IIII ; Lyci P . #1108 VIII ; mellis sex cyath i : ac si plus puris est , id medicamentum ex melle ; si minus , ex uino diluitur . Illud perpetuum est , post curationem , dum inflammatio manet , quale supra positum est , cataplasma super dare , et cotidie ulcera eadem ratione curare . Quod si pus et multum et cum malo odore coepit profluere , elui cremore lenticulae debet , sic ut ei mellis paulum adiciatur . Aut oleae uel lentisci folia uel marrubium decoquendum est , eoque umore eodem modo cum melle utendum ; inponendaque eadem aut etiam omphacium cum melle aut id , quod ex aerugine et melle ad aures fit ; aut conpositio Andronis aut anthera , sic ut ei paulum mellis adiciatur . Quidam omnia ulcera , de quibus adhuc dictum est , Lycio ex uino curant . Si uero ulcus latius atque altius serpit , eodem modo elui debet , inponi uero aut aerugo aut omphacium cum melle aut Andronis compositio aut marrubii , murrae aut croci , aluminis scissilis cocti , rosae foliorum aridorum , gallae , singulorum P . #1108 I ; mini Sinopici P . #1108 II . Quae per se singula primum teruntur , deinde iuncta iterum melle adiecto , donec liquidi cerati crassitudinem habeant ; tum in aeneo uaso leniter cocuntur , ne superfluant . Cum iam guttae indurescunt , uas ab igni remouetur ; idque medicamentum , prout opus est , aut ex melle aut ex uino liquatur . Idem autem per se etiam ad fistulas utile est . Solet etiam interdum ad neruos ulcus descendere , profluitque pituita multa , sanies tenuis malique odoris non †cocta aut aquae similis , in qua caro recens lota est ; doloresque is locus et punctiones habet . Id genus quamuis inter purulenta est , tamen lenibus medicamentis curandum est , quale est emplastrum tetrapharmacum ex rosa liquatum , sic ut turis quoque paulum ei misceatur ; aut id , quod ex buturo , rosa , resina , melle fit , supra uero a me positum est ; praecipueque id ulcus multa calida aqua fouendum est , uelandumque neque frigori committendum . Interdum autem per ipsa ulcera coles sub cute exest ur sic ut glans excidat ; sub quo casu cutis ipsa circumcidenda est . Perpet uumque est , quotiens glans aut ex cole aliquid uel excidit uel absciditur , hanc non esse seruandam , ne considat ulcerique adglutinetur , ac neque reduci possit postea , et fortasse fistulam quoque urinae claudat . Tubercula etiam , quae phumata Graeci uocant , circa glandem oriuntur , quae uel medicamentis uel ferro aduruntur ; et cum crustae exciderunt , squama aeris inspergitur , ne quid ibi rursus increscat . Haec citra cancrum sunt ; qui cum in reliquis partibus tum in his quoque uel praecipue ulcera infestat . Incipit a nigritie . Quae si cutem occupauit , protinus specillum subiciendum , eaque incidenda est ; deinde orae uulsella prendendae ; tum quicquid corruptum est excidendum , sic ut ex integro quoque paulum dematur ; idque adurendum . Quotiens quid ustum est , hic quoque sequitur , ut inponenda lenticula sit ; deinde ubi crustae exciderunt , ulcera sicut alia curentur . Ac si cancer ipsum colem occupauit , inspergenda aliqua sunt ex adurentibus , maximeque id , quod ex calce , chalcitide , auripigmento componitur . Si medicamenta uincuntur , hic quoque scalpello quicquid corruptum est , sic ut aliquid etiam integri trahat , praecidi debet . Illud quoque aeque perpetuum est , exciso cancro uulnus esse adurendum . Sed siue ex medicamentis siue ex ferro crustae occa lluerunt, magnum periculum est , ne his decidentibus ex cole profusio sanguinis insequatur . Ergo longa quiete et inmobili paene corpore opus est , donec ex ipso crustae leniter resoluantur . Ac si uel uolens aliquis uel inprudens , dum ingreditur inmature , crustas diduxit , et fluuit sanguis , frigida aqua adhibenda est . Si haec parum ualet , decurrendum est ad medicamenta , quae sanguinem supprimunt . Si ne haec quidem succurrunt , aduri diligenter et timide debet , neque ullo postea motu dandus eidem periculo locus est . Nonnumquam etiam id genus ibi cancri , quod phagedaena a Graecis nominatur , oriri solet . In quo minime differendum sed protinus isdem medicamentis et , si parum ualent , ferro adurendum . Quaedam etiam nigrities est , quae non sentitur , sed serpit ac , si sustinuimus , usque ad uesicam tendit , neque succurri postea potest . Si id in summa glande circa fistulam urinae est , prius in eam tenue specillum demittendum est , ne claudatur ; deinde id ferro adurendum . Si uero alte penetrauit , quicquid occupatum est , praecidendum est . Cetera eadem , quae in aliis cancris , facienda sunt . Occallescit etiam in cole interdum aliquid , idque omne paene sensu caret ; quod ipsum quoque excidi debet . Carbunculus autem ibi natus primum a qua per oricularium clystere m eluendus est ; deinde ipse quoque medicamentis urendus , maximeque chalcitide cum melle aut aerugine cum cocto melle , aut ouillo stercore fricto et contrito cum eodem melle . Vbi is excidit , liquidis medicamentis utendum est , quae ad or is ulcer a conponuntur . In testiculis uero si qua inflammatio sine ictu orta est , sanguis a talo mittendus est ; a cibo abstinendum ; inponenda ex faba farina eo ex mulso cocta cum cumino contrito et ex melle cocto ; aut contritum cuminum cum cerato ex rosa facto ; aut lini semen frictum , contritum et in mulso coctum ; aut tritici farina ex mulso cocta cum cupresso ; aut lilii radix contrita . At si idem induruerunt , inponi debet lini uel faeni Graeci semen ex mulso coctum ; aut ex cyprino ceratum ; aut simila ex uino contrita , cui paulum croci sit adiectum . Si uetustior iam durities est , maxime proficit cucumeris agrestis radix in mulso cocta , deinde contrita . Si ex ictu tument , sanguinem mitti necessarium est , magisque si etiam liuent . Inponendum uero utrumlibet ex iis , quae cum cumino conponuntur supraque posita sunt ; aut ea conpositio , quae habet : nitri cocti P . #1108 I ; resinae pineae , cumini , singulorum P . #1108 II ; uuae t aminiae sine seminibus P . #1108 IIII ; mellis quantum satis sit ad ea cogenda . Quod si ex ictu testiculus al i desit , fere pus quoque increscit , neque aliter succurri potest quam si inciso scroto et pus emissum et ipse testiculus excisus est . Anus quoque multa taediique plena mala recipit , neque inter se multum abhorrentes curationes habet . A c primum in eo saepe , et quidem pluribus locis , cutis scinditur : ragadia Graeci uocant . Id si recens est , quiescere homo debet , et in aqua calida desidere . Columbina quoque oua coquenda sunt , et , ubi induruerunt , purganda ; deinde alterum deponefacere in aqua bene calida debet , alterum calidum loco subicere , sic ut inuicem utroque aliquis utatur . Tum tetrapharmacum aut rhypodes ad hoc rosa diluendum est , aut oesypum recens miscendum cum cerato liquido ex rosa facto aut eidem cerato plumbum elotum : aut adiciendum aut resinae terebenthinae murrae paulum , aut spumae argenti uetus oleum , et qu olibet ex his id perunguendum . Si , quicquid laesum est , extra est neque intus reconditum , eodem medicamento tinctum linamentum superdandum est et , quicquid ante adhibuimus , cerato contegendum . In hoc autem casu neque acribus cibis utendum est neque asperis neque aluum conprimentibus , ne aridum quidem quicquam satis utile est nisi admodum paulum : liquida , lenia , pinguia , glutinosa meliora sunt . Vino leni uti nihil prohibet . Condyloma autem est tuberculum , quod ex quadam inflammatione nasci solet . Id ubi ortum est , quod ad quietem , cibos potionesque pertinet , eadem seruari debe nt, quae proxime scripta sunt : isdem etiam ouis recte tuberculum id fouetur . Sed desidere ante homo in aqua debet , in qua uerbenae decoctae sunt ex reprimentibus . Tum recte inponitur et lenticula cum exigua parte mellis et sertula Campana ex uino cocta ; et rubi folia contrita cum cerato ex rosa facto ; et cum eodem cerato contritum uel Cotonium malum , uel malicori ex uino cocti pars interior ; et chalcitis cocta atque contrita , deinde oesypo ac rosa excepta ; et ex ea conpositione , quae habet : turis P . #1108 I ; aluminis scissilis P . #1108 II ; cerussae P . #1108 III ; spumae argenti P . #1108 V ; quibus , dum teruntur , inuicem rosa et uinum instillatur . Vinculum autem ei loco linteolum aut panniculus quadratus est , qu i ad duo capita duas ansas , ad latera duo totidem fascias habet ; cumque subiectus est , ansis ad uentrem datis , posteriore parte in ea s adductae fasciae coiciuntur , atque ubi artatae sunt , dexterior sinistra , sinisterior dextra procedit , circumdataeque circa aluum inter se nouissime deligantur . Sed si uetus condyloma iam induruit , neque sub his curationibus desidit , aduri medicamento potest , quod ex his constat : aeruginis P . #1108 I ; murrae P . #1108 IIII ; cummis P . #1108 VIII ; turis P . #1108 XII ; stibis , papaueris lacrimae , acaciae , singulorum P . #1108 XVI , quo medicamento quidam etiam ulcera , de quibus proxime dixi , renouant . Si hoc parum in condylomate proficit , adhiberi possunt etiam uehementer adurentia . Vbi consumptus est tumor , ad medicamenta lenia transeundum est . Tertium autem uitium ora uenarum tamquam ex capitulis quibusdam surgentia , quae saepe sanguinem fundunt : haemorroidas Graeci uocant ; idque etiam in ore uoluae feminarum incidere consueuit . Atque in quibusdam parum tuto supprimitur , qui sanguinis profluuio inbecilliores non fiunt : habent enim purgationem hanc , non morbum . Ideoque curati quidam , cum sanguis exitum non haberet , inclinata ad praecordia et ad uiscera mat eria , subitis et grauissimis morbis correpti sunt . —Si cui uero id nocet , is desidere in aqua ex uerbenis debet , inponere maxime malicorium cum aridis rosae foliis contritum , aut ex is aliquid , quae sanguinem supprimunt . Solet autem oriri inflammatio maxime ubi maior * * * dura aluus eum locum laesit . Tum in aqua dulci desidendum est , et fouendum ouis ; inponendi uitelli cum rosae foliis ex passo subactis ; idque si intus est , digito inlinendum ; si extra , superinlitum panniculo imponendum est . Ea quoque medicamenta , quae recentibus scissuris posita sunt , h uc idonea sunt . Cibis uero in hoc casu isdem quibus in prioribus utendum est . Si ista parum iuuant , solent inposita medicamenta adurentia ea capitula absumere . Ac si iam uetustiora sunt , sub auctore Dionysio insp ergenda sandraca est , deinde inponendum id quod ex his constat : squamae aeris , auripigmenti , singulorum P . #1108 V ; saxi calcis P . #1108 VIII ; postero die acu conpungendum . Adustis capitulis fit cicatrix , quae sanguinem fundi prohibet . Sed quotiens is suppressus est , ne quid periculi adferat , multa exercitatione digerenda materia est . Praetereaque uiris et feminis , quibus menstrua non proueniunt , interdum ex brachio sanguis mittendus est . At si anus ipse uel os uuluae procidit ( nam id quoque interdum fit ) , considerari debet , purumne id sit , quod prouolutum est , an umore muccoso circumdatum . Si purum est , in aqua desidere homo debet ; aut salsa aut cum uerbenis uel malicorio incocta . Si umidum , uino austero subluendum est inlinendumque faece uini conbusta . Vbi utrolibet modo curatum est , intus reponendum est , inponendaque plantago contrita uel folia salicis in aceto cocta , tum linteolum , et super lana ; eaque deliganda sunt cruribus inter se deuinctis . Fungo quoque simile ulcus in eadem sede nasci solet : id , si hiemps est , egelida ; si aliud tempus , frigida aqua fouendum est , dein squama aeris inspergenda , supraque ceratum ex murteo factum , cui paulum squamae , fuliginis , calcis sit adiectum . Si hac ratione non tollitur , uel medicamentis uehementioribus uel ferro adurendum est .
|
18 Next come subjects relating to the privy parts, for which the terms employed by the Greeks are the most tolerable, and are now accepted for use, since they are met with in almost every medical book and discourse. Not even the common use has commended our coarser words for those who would speak with modesty. Hence it is more difficult to set forth these matters and at the same time to observe both propriety and the precepts of the art. Nevertheless, this ought not to deter me from writing, firstly in order that I may include everything which I have heard of as salutary, secondly because their treatment ought above all things to be generally understood, since every one is most unwilling to show such a complaint to another person. So then when the penis swells up owing to inflammation, and the foreskin cannot be drawn back, or conversely drawn forwards, the place should be fomented freely with hot water. But when the glans is covered up, hot water should be injected, between it and the foreskin, by means of an ear syringe. If the foreskin is thus softened and rendered thinner, and yields when drawn upon, the rest of the treatment is more speedy. If the swelling goes on, either lentil meal or horehound or olive leaves, boiled in wine, is to be laid on, to each of which, whilst being pounded up, a little honey is to be added; and the penis is to be bandaged upwards to the belly. That is required in the treatment of all its disorders; and the patient ought to keep quiet and abstain from food, and drink water just so much as is justified by thirst. On the next day fomentations with water must again be applied in the same way, and even force should be tried as to whether the foreskin will yield; if it does not give way, the foreskin is to be notched at its margin with a scalpel. For when sanies has flowed out this part will become thinner, and the foreskin the more easily drawn upon. But whether the foreskin is made to yield by this procedure, or whether it has at no time proved resistant, ulcerations will be found, either in the ulterior part of the foreskin, or in the glans, or behind this in the penis, and these ulcerations must of necessity be either clean or dry or moist and purulent. If they are dry, they must in the first place be fomented with hot water; then apply either buckthorn in wine, or olive lees in the same, or butter with rose oil. If there is a thin humour, the ulcerations should be bathed with wine, and then to butter and rose oil a little honey and a fourth part of turpentine resin is to be added and this dressing put on. But when pus runs from the ulcers, first they are to be bathed with hot honey wine; than there is put on: pepper 4 grams; myrrh 0.66 gram; saffron and boiled antimony sulphide 8 grams each; these are heated in dry wine to the consistency of honey. Moreover, the same composition is suitable for the tonsils, a dripping uvula, and ulcerations of the mouth and nostrils. Another for the same purpose consists of pepper and myrrh 0.66 gram each; saffron 1.33 gram; cooked antimony sulphide 4 grams; roasted copper 8 grams; these are first pounded together in dry wine, then, when they are dry, are again pounded up in 125 cc. of raisin wine and heated to the consistency of birdlime. Verdigris too mixed with boiled honey, also those compositions noted above for ulcerations of the mouth, or the compositions of Erasistratus or of Craton are suitable for applying to suppurating genitals. Also . . . olive leaves are boiled in 375 cc. of wine, to which is added split alum 16 grams, lycium 32 grams; and 250 cc. of honey; and if there is more pus, this medicament is made up with honey; if less, with wine. After treatment, the general procedure, so lon as the inflammation persists, is to apply a poultice such as was mentioned above, and to dress the ulcers daily in the same way. If a free discharge of foul pus begins, the ulcers should be bathed with lentil gruel to c a little honey has been added. Or a decoction is made of olive or of mastich leaves, or of horehound, and the liquid used with honey in the same way; and the same remedies are to be laid on of even omphacium with honey, or that prescription used for the ears containing verdigris and honey, or Andron's composition, or an anthera, as long as a little honey is added to it. Some treat all ulcerations of the kind here spoken of with lycium and wine. If the ulceration spreads more widely and deeply, it should be bathed in the same way, and then there should be applied either verdigris or omphacium with honey or Andron's composition or that containing horehound, myrrh or saffron, split alum boiled, dried rose leaves and oak-galls, 4 grams each; Sinopic minium 8 grams. These are pounded up first separately, then together again, with honey added, until of the consistency of a liquid cerate; then gently heated in a bronze pot but not allowed to boil over. When drops from it begin to solidify, the pot is taken off the fire; and this composition when it is to be used is dissolved in honey or wine. But the same by itself is also good for fistulae. The ulceration at times even penetrates to fibrous tissues; there is a running discharge, then sanies, thin and foul, coloured or like water in which fresh meat has been soaked; and the place is painful and has a pricking sensation. This kind, although purulent, is none the less to be treated by bland applications, such as the tetrapharmacum plaster dissolved in rose oil with the addition of a little frankincense; or the composition made of butter, rose oil, resin and honey noted by me above. In particular this ulcer should be fomented freely with hot water, and should be kept covered, not exposed to cold. Sometimes through such an ulceration the penis is so eaten away underneath the foreskin that the glans falls off; in which case the foreskin itself must be cut away all round. It is the rule, whenever the glans of any part of the penis has fallen off, or has been cut away, that the foreskin should not be preserved, lest it come into contact, and adhere to the ulceration, so that afterwards it cannot be drawn back, and further perhaps may choke the urethra. Again, little tumours, which the Greeks call phymata, spring up around the glans; they are burnt away by caustic or the cautery; when the crusts fall off, copper scales are dusted that no more may grow there. The foregoing ulcerations stop short of canker, which in other parts, but here the more especially, attacks ulcerations. It begins in a black patch. If it invades the foreskin, at once a probe should be passed underneath, upon which the foreskin is to be incised and the margins seized with forceps; then what is corrupted is cut away, a little of the sound tissue being also removed; this is followed by cauterization. Whenever there is any cauterization, it follows too that here lentil meal is to be applied; next when the crusts have separated the ulcers are treated like others. But if the canker invades the penis itself, some one of the caustics is dusted on, and especially that composed of quick-lime, copper ore and orpiment. If medicaments fail, in this case also whatever is corrupted should be cut away with a scalpel, so far that some sound tissue is also removed. It is likewise the rule here that after the canker has been cut out, the wound is to be cauterized. But if hard scabs form, whether after caustics or the cautery, there is a great danger that haemorrhage from the penis will follow upon their separation. Therefore there is need for prolonged rest with the body almost immobile until the scabs gently separate from the penis. But if the patient, either purposely or accidentally, from moving about too soon, has detached the scabs and haemorrhage has occurred, cold water should be applied. If this has little effect, recourse must be had to medicaments which suppress haemorrhage. If these do not succeed either, the spot should be carefully and cautiously cauterized, and no opportunity afterwards given for the same risk by any sort of movement. Occasionally on this part there arises that kind of canker which the Greeks call phagedaena. In such a case there must be no delay whatever: the treatment is immediate cauterization, whether with medicaments as above, or, if these have little effect, with the cautery. There is also a sort of blackness, which is insensitive, but spreads and, if we leave it alone, extends even to the bladder, after which nothing can avail If it is situated at the lip of the glans around the urethra, a fine probe should be inserted into the urethra first that it may not be closed up; then the black patch burnt with the cautery. If it has gone deep, whatever is involved is to be cut away. The rest of the treatment is the same as for other kinds of canker. Again, now and then a callosity forms in the penis; and it is almost entirely without feeling; this also should be excised. But if a carbuncle occurs here, it is first to be irrigated with water through an ear syringe; next the growth is to be cauterized with medicaments, especially copper ore with honey or verdigris with boiled honey, or fried sheep's dung pounded up similarly with honey. When the carbuncle falls off, use the fluid medicaments prepared for ulcers of the mouth. But if any inflammation occurs in the testicles, not due to injury, blood is to be let from the ankle; there must be abstinence from food and bean meal boiled in honey wine must be applied, always cumin rubbed up in boiled honey; of pounded cumin with the rose oil cerate; or parched linseed, pounded up and boiled in honey wine; or wheat flour in honey wine boiled with cyprus shoots; or pounded lily root. If the testicles have become indurated, apply linseed or fenugreek seed boiled in honey wine; or the cyprus oil cerate; or fine wheat flour pounded up in wine to which a little saffron has been added. If the induration is already of long standing, the most efficacious something is wild cucumber root boiled in honey wine, then pounded up. If the testicles swell as the result of an injury, it is necessary to let blood, especially if they are livid as well. Then one of the compositions containing cumin mentioned above should be put on; or the composition which contains: fused soda 4 grams; pine resin and cumin, 8 grams each; black bryony berries without the seeds 16 grams; along with sufficient honey to combine them. If, as the result of an injury, the testicle lacks nutrition, generally pus develops; then the only thing to be done is of cut into the scrotum, and let out the pus, and to excise the testicle itself. The anus also is subject to many most tedious maladies, which do not require much variation in their treatment. In the first place, the skin of the anus is often fissured at several places; the Greeks call these ragadia. If this is recent, the patient should keep quiet and sit in hot water. Further, pigeon's eggs are to be boiled until hard, shelled, and then one should be covered completely in very hot water, the other is applied hot to the place, the eggs being used thus turn and turn about. Then the tetrapharmacum or the rhypodes is to be diluted for use with rose oil; or fresh wool-grease is mixed with the liquid cerate made up with rose oil; or washed lead with the same cerate; or a little myrrh to turpentine resin; or old oil to litharge; with any one of which the anus is smeared. If the lesion is external, not hidden inside, lint may be soaked in the same medicament and applied; whatever is put on is to be covered by a cerate. In such a case also neither acrid nor coarse food is to be taken nor such as constipates; dry food is not satisfactory unless in very small amount; liquid, mild, fatty and glutinous nutriment is better. There is nothing to prevent the use of mild wine. A condyloma is a small tumour due to inflammation of some kind. When it appears the same prescriptions apply regarding rest, food and drink as have just been set out. Also the tumour itself may be properly treated by fomenting similarly with eggs. But the patient should first sit in a repressant decoction of vervains. Then we may properly apply lentil meal with a little honey, also mellilot boiled in wine, bramble leaves pounded up with the rose oil cerate or a quince, or the inner rind of a pomegranate boiled in wine, pounded up in the same cerate; or copper ore boiled and pounded, then taken up in wool-grease and rose oil; and the composition containing: frankincense 4 grams, split alum 8 grams, white lead 12 grams, litharge 20 grams, into which whilst it is being pounded up rose oil and wine are dropped by turns. But the binder for this part is a square of linen or woollen cloth, which has a loop at each of two adjacent angles and a tape at each of the two opposite ones. The square having been applied underneath with the two loops upon the abdominal wall, the pes are brought round from behind and passed through the loop on its corresponding side. Each tape being drawn tight, that on the right side is carried round the back to the left, and the left tape back and round to the right side. Finally, the ends of the tapes are tied together in front of the abdomen. But if a long-standing condyloma is already indurated and does not yield to the foregoing measures, it can be burnt with a caustic consisting of: verdigris 4 grams; myrrh 16 grams; cumin 32 grams; frankincense 48 grams; antimony sulphide, poppy juice, and acacia juice, 64 grams each, and by this medicament some also produce a fresh surface on the ulcers, which I have described above. If this has little effect upon the condyloma it is possible to apply strong caustics. When the tumour has been eaten away, a change is made to mild medicaments. There is also a third lesion, in which vein mouths rise up as from little heads, which at frequent intervals pour out blood: the Greeks call them haemorrhoids. In women they may even appear at the vulvar orifice. There are some in whom it is hardly safe to suppress such a flux of blood, those who are not the weaker for it; for to these it is a purgation, not a disease. Hence some, after being cured, since the blood had no way out, and diseased matter was diverted towards the praecordia and viscera, have been carried off by sudden diseases of the gravest kind. But if the bleeding is doing harm to anyone, he should sit in a decoction of vervains, and the best thing to apply is pomegranate rind pounded up with dried rose leaves, or anything else that stops bleeding. But inflammation especially tends to occur when first a rather violent evacuation of the bowels has ruptured the epidermis, and later a hard stool has injured this spot. Then the patient should sit in soft water and foment with eggs; yolk of egg which has been stirred up with rose leaves and boiled in raisin wine is to be applied; if the haemorrhoids are internal, by the finger, if external, spread upon linen. The medicaments described above for recent fissures are suitable here also. In this case the diet should be the same as in the preceding one. But if the above treatment has little effect, it is usual to apply caustics to destroy these small heads. If they are already of long standing, then, on the authority of Dionysius, sandarach should be dusted on, and after that the composition should be applied containing copper scales and orpiment 20 grams, limestone 32 grams; the next day the haemorrhoids are to be punctured with a needle. The small heads having been cauterized, a scab is produced which prevents blood from running out. But whenever haemorrhage is thus suppressed, the diseased matter is to be dispersed by free exercise that no danger may ensue. And besides, in men and in women who are not menstruating, blood should be let from the arm now and then. If the anus itself, or, as sometimes happens, the mouth of the womb, prolapses, examination should be made to see whether what is protruding is clean, or is covered with a mucous humour. If it is clean, the patient should sit in water; either in salt water or in water boiled with vervains or pomegranate rind. If it is moist, it should be bathed with dry wine and smeared with roasted wine lees. After being treated in one of these ways, it is to be replaced, and pounded plantain or willow leaves boiled in vinegar applied, next lint, and wool over it: and these must be bandaged on, whilst the legs are kept tied together. In the same place an ulceration like a fungus may arise, which must be bathed with lukewarm water in winter, at other seasons in cold water; then copper scales are dusted on, and over that is applied a cerate made with myrtle oil to which has been added a little of copper scales, soot, and lime. If this treatment gives no relief, it is to be cauterized, either with more active medicaments or with the cautery. |
| 152 |
Digitorum autem uetera ulcera commodissime curantur aut Lycio aut amurca cocta , cum utrilibet uinum adiectum est . In isdem recedere ab ungue caruncula cum magno dolore consueuit : pterygion Graeci appellant .—Oportet alumen Melinum rotundum in aqua liquare , donec mellis crassitudinem habeat ; tum quantum eius aridi fuit , tantundem mellis infundere , et rudicula miscere , donec similis croco color ef fiat , eoque inlinere . Quidam * ad eundem usum decoquere simul malunt , cum paria pondera aluminis aridi et mellis miscuerunt . Si hac ratione ea non exciderunt , excidenda sunt ; deinde digiti fouendi aqua ex uerbenis , inponendumque super medicamentum ita factum : chalcitis , mal icorium , squama aeris excipiuntur fico pingui leniter cocta ex melle ; aut chartae combustae , auripigmenti , sulpuris ignem non experti par modus cerato miscetur ex murteo facto ; aut aeruginis rasae P . #1108 I , squamae P . #1108 II mellis cyatho coguntur ; aut pares portiones miscentur saxi calcis , chalcitidis , auripigmenti . Quicquid horum impositum est , tegendum linteolo aqua madefacto est . Tertio die digitus resoluendus , et si quid aridi est , iterum excidendum , similisque adhibenda curatio est . Si non uincitur , purgandum est scalpello tenuibusque ferramentis adurendum e t sicut reliqua usta curandum est . @@At ubi scabri ungues sunt , circum aperiri debent , corpus qua contingunt ; tum super eos ex hac compositione aeque inponi : sandracae , sulpuris , singulorum P . #1108 II ; nitri , auripigmenti , singulorum P . #1108 IIII ; resinae liquidae P . #1108 VIII ; tertioque id die resoluendum est . Sub quo medicamento uitiosi ungues cadunt , et in eorum locum meliores renascuntur .
|
19 Old-standing ulcerations of the fingers are most suitably treated by buckthorn juice, or by boiled olive lees, in either case with the addition of wine. In the same parts a small piece of flesh sometimes grows out from the nail, causing great pain; the Greeks call it pterygium. Round alum from Melos should be dissolved in water to the consistency of honey; the same quantity of honey as there was of dry alum is then poured in, and the mixture is stirred with a rod until it is of a saffron colour, and then smeared on. Some prefer to boil up the same ingredients together for the same purpose after mixing equal quantities of dry alum and honey. If the whitlow is not removed by this treatment, it should be cut away; next the finger is bathed in a decoction of vervains, and over it is then put the following composition: copper ore, pomegranate rind, and copper scales, mixed with ripe figs, lightly boiled in honey; or burnt papyrus, orpiment, and crude sulphur in equal parts may be mixed with a cerate containing myrtle oil; or scraped verdigris 4 grams, copper scales 8 grams, mixed together in 42 cc. of honey; or equal parts of limestone, copper ore and orpiment are mixed together. Whichever of these is applied, it is covered over by linen wetted with water. On the third day the finger is dressed again, any dried part is removed, and similar treatment continued. When this does not succeed, the whitlow is cleaned by means of a scalpel, and the place burnt with a fine cautery, followed by the dressing usual after cauterization. And when nails are scabrous, they must be loosened all round, where they are in contact with the flesh; next some of the following composition is put on them: sandarach and sulphur 8 grams each; soda and orpiment 16 grams each; liquid resin 32 grams. The finger is dressed again on the third day. Under this medicament, diseased nails fall off and in their stead better ones grow. |