Page 274
CHAP. XXI. Of a Ganglion more particularly so called.
THere are also certaine small tumors of the kinde of Lupiae or Wens, which * 1.1 grow on diverse parts of the body, but chiefely on the wrests of the hands, and anckles of the feete, being called by a more particular name Gangli••; they appeare on the top of the skinne, neither doe they ever lie deepe. The cause of * 1.2 them is either the imbecilitie of a Nerve or Tendon got by wresting, extension, a blow, labour, or other such like cause. Through which occasion the alimentary juyce which flowed to these parts, seeing it can neither be concocted, nor assimula∣ted into the proper substance, is converted into an humor of the like nature cold, and grosse; which in continuance of time heaping it selfe up by little and little about the fibers, and the very substance of the tendon, concretes into a tumor.
It is not fit to use any iron instrument to these Ganglia which possesse the tendons * 1.3 and joints, but onely apply Ammoniacum and Galbanum dissolved in Vinegar and Aqua vitae: as ℞ gummi ammon. & sagapeni in aqua vitae dissolutorum, ana. ℥j. coquantur super cineres calidos adformam emplastri, sub finem adde sulphuris vivi subtiliter pulverisati. ℥ss, fiat empl. ad usum. Also the Emplaster of Vigo with double Mercury would be good for the same purpose.
The tumor softened by these remedies, must be wrought, rubbed, or pressed, so long, untill the bladder or bagge be broken under your fingers, which I have divers times done; then it will be expedient presently to apply and binde hard thereunto•• plate of lead rubbed with Quicksilver, which may waste and consume the remainder of the tumor.
Sometimes there are Ganglia seene hanging by a small roote, as it were a string; wherefore they must be tied with a string at the roote, and every day twitched har∣der and harder, till such time as they fall off. The rest of the cure may be easily per∣formed by the common rules of Art.