The Compleat Surgeon Part 17

_What are the Remedies proper for a Gangrene?_

They are those that take away the mortify'd and corrupt Parts, and recall the Natural Heat; both which Indications are exactly answer'd in the Extirpation of what is already corrupted, with the Incision-Knife; and the Restauration of the Natural Heat by the following Remedies.

Take an Ounce of good Vinegar, steeping therein a Dram of White Vitriol, with as much _Sal Ammoniack_: Let it be us'd in bathing the Part; and apply thereto Bolsters well soak'd in the same Liquor. This Remedy is convenient in the first Disposition toward a Gangrene: Or, if you please, you may make use of the Yellow Water, which is made with Corrosive Sublimate and Lime-Water; taking, for Example, half a Dram of Corrosive Sublimate to be infus'd in a Pint of Lime-Water.

But a Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes is more efficacious, wherein _Unguentum aegyptiac.u.m_ is steep'd; or else Lime-Water kept for that purpose, in which have been boil'd two Ounces of Sulphur or Brimstone, with two Drams of _Mercurius Dulcis_; adding four Ounces of Spirit of Wine, to make an excellent _Phegedaenick_ Water, with which the Part may be bathed, and the Bolsters soak'd.

If the Gangrene pa.s.seth to the Bone, the Ulcer must be immediately cleans'd with Brandy, and _Euphorbium_ afterward put into it, laying also some upon the Bolsters, and {114} abstaining from all sorts of Oils and Greases. But if these Remedies prove unprofitable, recourse is then to be had to the Incision-Knife, Fire, or Amputation; the manner of performing which several Operations, is explain'd hereafter.

_What are Kibes or Chilblains?_

They are painful Tumours, which are often accompany'd with Inflammation; they happen more especially in the nervous and outward Parts, as the Heel, and are so much the more sensibly felt, as the Air and Cold are more sharp and Vehement.

_What is to be done in order to cure these Kibes or Chilblains?_

The Heel or affected Part must be wash'd and dipt in Wine boil'd with Allum and Salt, whereof a Cataplasm may be afterward made, by adding Meal of Rye, Honey, and Brimstone. The Juice of a hot Turnep apply'd with _Unguentum Rosatum_, is also very good, or _Petroleum_ alone.

_What is a _Panaritium_?_

_Panaritium_ or _Paronychia_, is a Tumour which generally ariseth in the Extremity of the Fingers, at the Root of the Nails: It is red, and accompany'd with very great Pain, even so exquisite, that the whole Arm is sensible thereof, insomuch that a Fever sometimes ensues, and a Gangrene; the Humour being contain'd between the Bone and the _Periosteum_, or that little Membrane with which it is immediately invested.

_What Remedies are convenient for the curing of _Panaritium_?_ {115}

Anodyn Cataplasms are to be first apply'd, that is to say, such as serve to a.s.swage excessive Pain, as that which is compos'd of Millk, Line-seeds beaten, large Figs, the Yolk of an Egg, Saffron, Honey and _Oleum Lumbricorum_, with the Crum of white Bread. Afterward you may endeavour to dissolve it, by applying Oil of Almonds, _Saccharum Saturni_, and Ear-Wax, or else Balsam of Sulphur. The Plaister of Mucilages, and that of Sulphur or Brimstone, dissolv'd in Wine, is also a most excellent Resolvent and Anodyn.

If it be requisite to bring this Tumour to Suppuration, white Lillies roasted under Embers may be added to the preceeding Cataplasm; or else a new Cataplasm may be made with Sorrel boil'd, fresh b.u.t.ter, and a little Leaven.

_What is a Burn_?

A burn is an Impression of Fire made upon a Part, wherein remains a great deal of Heat, with Blisters full of serous Particles, or Scabs, accordingly as the Fire hath taken more or less effect.

_What are the Remedies proper for a Burn_?

A Burn is cur'd by the speedy Application of fresh Mud re-iterated many times successively; by that of peel'd Onions, _Unguentum Rosatum_, and _Populeon_, mixt with the Yolk of an Egg and unslack'd-Lime: Cray-Fishes or Crabs pounded alive in a Leaden-Mortar; and a great Number of other things.

If the Burn be in the Face, you may more especially take the Mucilages of the Seeds of Quinces and _Psyllium_, and Frog's-Sperm, of {116} each an equal quant.i.ty, adding to every four Ounces twenty Grains of _Saccharum Saturni_. This Composition may be spread on the Part with a Feather, and cover'd with fine Brown Paper. It is an admirable and approved Receipt.

If the Burn hath made an Escar or Crust, it may be remov'd with fresh b.u.t.ter spread upon a Colewort or Cabbage Leaf, and apply'd hot. But in Case the Scab is too hard, and doth not fall off, it must be open'd, to give pa.s.sage to the _Pus_ or corrupt Matter, the stay of which would occasion a deep Ulcer underneath. The same Method is to be observ'd in the Pustules or Blisters, two Days after they are rais'd, applying also the Ointment of quick Lime, Oil of Roses, and Yolks of Eggs.

ARTICLE II.

_Of the _Erysipelas_ and its Dependances._

_What is an _Erysipelas_?_

An _Erysipelas_, commonly call'd _St. Anthony's Fire_, is a small Elevation produc'd by a Flux of Choler dispers'd and running between the Skin and the Flesh. It is known by its yellowish Colour, great Heat and p.r.i.c.kings.

_REMEDIES._

_What are the Remedies proper for an _Erysipelas_?_

An _Erysipelas_ that ariseth in the Head and Breast is not without danger, and the Cure of {117} it ought to be undertaken with great Care in the Application as well of internal as external Remedies: For it is requisite to take inwardly a Dose of the Diaph.o.r.etick Mineral, Crabs-Eyes, Egg-shels, Powder of Vipers, and other Medicines; as also Potions that have the like Virtues, such as the following. Take four Ounces of Elder-Flower-Water, adding thereto a Scruple of the volatile Salt of Vipers or Hart's-Horn with an Ounce of Syrrup of red Poppies.

Phlebotomy or Blood-letting hath no place here, unless there be a great Plethory, but frequent Clysters are not to be rejected, _viz._ such as are made of Whay, Chervil, Succory, and Violet-Plants, adding a Dram of Mineral Crystal dissolv'd with two Ounce of Honey of Violets.

As for outward Applications, Linnen-Rags dipt in the Spirit of Wine impregnated with Camphire and Saffron, are to be laid upon the Tumour, and renew'd as fast as they are dry'd. An equal quant.i.ty of Chalk and Myrrh beaten to Powder, may also be strew'd upon a Sheet of Cap-Paper over-spread with Honey, and apply'd to the Part.

If the Heat and Pain grow excessive, take half a Dram of _Saccharum Saturni_, twenty Grains of Camphire, as much _Opium_, with two Drams of red Myrrh, to be infus'd in a Gallon of White-Wine: Let this Liquor be kept to soak the Cloaths that are laid upon the _Erysipelas_, and often renew'd.

But to dress the Face, a Canva.s.s Cloth may be us'd, which hath been dipt in a Medicine prepar'd with a {118} Gallon of Whey, two Yolks of Eggs, and a Dram of Saffron.

Moreover amidst all these Remedies, it is necessary to oblige the Patient to keep to a good Diet, and to prescribe for his ordinary Drink a Diet-Drink made of Hart's-Horn, the Tops of the lesser Centory, Pippins cut in Slices with their Skins, and Liquorish; a little good Wine may be also allow'd, with the Advice of the Physician.

_Of _Erysipelatous_ Tumours or Impostumes, and their Remedies._

_What are the Tumours or Impostumes that partake of the Nature of an _Erysipelas_?_

They are the dry and moist _Herpes_, the former being that which is call'd the Tetter or Ring-Worm; and the other a kind of yellow-Bladders, Pustules, or Wheals, that cause itching, and raise small corroding Ulcers in the Skin: To these may be added divers sorts of Scabs and Itch.

The Remedies prescrib'd for the _Erysipelas_ may be us'd for both these kinds of _Herpes_; as also Lotions or Bathing-Liquors made of Lime-Water, and a Decoction of Wormwood and _Sal Ammoniack_, allowing half a Dram to four Ounces of Liquor. Or else take half a Dram of _Sal Saturni_, and put it into a Gla.s.s of the Decoction of Fumitory or Chervil. You may also make use of the Oil of Tartar _per deliquium_, to make a Liniment either alone, or mingl'd with the above-mention'd Decoctions.

{119}

ARTICLE III.

_Of the _Oedema_._

_What is the _Oedema_?_

It is a white soft Tumour, with very little sense of Pain, which ariseth from the Settling of a pituitous Humour.

_What are the Remedies proper for an _Oedema_?_

They are Fomentations, Cataplasms, Liniments, and Plaisters.

The Fomentations are made with Bundles of Wall-Wort or Dwarf-Elder, thrown into a hot Oven after the Bread is bak'd, and sprinkled with Wine: Afterward being taken out smoaking, they are unty'd, open'd, and wrapt about the Part, putting a warm Linnen Cloth over 'em. This Operation is to be re-iterated; and by this means the Humour is dissolv'd thro'

Transpiration by Sweat.

The Cataplasms are compos'd of Camomile, Melilot, St. _John_'s-Wort, Sage, Wall-Wort, Pellitory of the Wall, Roots of Briony and Onions, all boil'd together in White Wine with Honey, adding, if you please, a few c.u.mmin or Fennel Seeds beaten. Cataplasms are also made of Horse-Dung and the Seeds of c.u.mmin beaten, which are boil'd in strong Vinegar, and mixt with Barly-Meal to the Consistence of Pap.

The Plaisters are prepar'd with an Ounce of _Diapalma_, half on Ounce of _Martiatum_, a Pint of Oil of Lillies, half an Ounce of {120} c.u.mmin-Seeds powder'd, half a Dram of _Sal Ammoniack_, and an Ounce of yellow Wax to make a Consistence.

If any hardness remains, the Plaister of Mucilages may be apply'd, or that which is made of the Gums _Bdellium_, _Ammoniack_, and _Galbanum_, dissolv'd in Vinegar. But Care must be taken not to omit the Purgatives of Jalap to the quant.i.ty of a Dram in a Gla.s.s of White-Wine; or of half an Ounce of Lozenges of _Diacarthamum_, which are effectual in drawing out the bottom of pituitous and serous Humours that nourish the _Oedema's_.

_Of _Oedomatous_ Tumours and Impostumes._