The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latine and compared with the French. by Th: Johnson

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the Cure of a Cancer beginning, and not yet ulcerated.

A Cancer beginning is oft hindred from encreasing, before it fasten its roots, but when it hath once encreased, it admits no cure but by iron, as that which contemnes, by reason of the malignity & contumacy, the force of all * 1.1 medicines. Galen affirmes, he cured a Cancer not ulcerated.

Now that cure is performed by medicines, purging melancholy, by Phlebotomy, when the strength and age of the Patient may well endure it, by shunning all things, which may breed ill and faeculent bloud. The distemper of the Liver must first be corrected, the Spleene strengthened, as also the part affected; in men the Haemorrhoi∣des, in women their Courses must be procured.

Threfore thicke and muddy wines, vinegar, browne bread, cold hearbes, old cheese, old and salted flesh, Beefe, Venison, goate, hare, garlicke, * 1.2 onions and mustard, and lastly all acride, acide and other salt 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ which may by any meanes incrassate the blood, and inflame the hum•…•…

be eschewed. A cooling & humecting diet must be prescribed; fasting eschewed, as also watchings, immodera••e labours, sorrow, cares, and mournings; let him use ptisans, and in his brothes ••boile Mallowes, Spinach, Lettuce, Sorrell, Purslaine, Succory, Hops, Violets, Borradge, and the foure cold seeds. But let him feede on Mutton, Veale, Kid, Capon, Pullet, young Hares, Partridges, Fishes of stony ri∣vers, reare Egges; and use white wine, but moderately for his drinke.

The part affected with the Cancer must be gently handled, and not overburdened * 1.3 by over hard, or heavy things, or by too solide, or fat emplaisters; on the contrary gentle and mitigating medicines must be used; applying also at certaine times such things as resist venome or poyson, as Treacle and Mithridate. Asses milke is excee∣ding * 1.4 fit to asswage the acrimony of the cancorous humor. Therefore it must not only be taken inwardly, but also applied outwardly to the cancrous ulcer, making thereof a fomentation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lib. 2. ad Glau.
• * 1.2

  Diet.
• * 1.3

  How to handl•• the cancorous part.
• * 1.4

  Antidotes. Asses milke.