CHAP. XIX. Of the Paronychia.
THe Paronychia or Panaris is a tumor in the ends of the fingers, with great inflammation, comming of a maligne and venemous humor, * 1.1 which from the bones by the Periostium is communicated to the ten∣dons and nerves of that part which it affecteth, whereof cruell symp∣tomes doe follow, as pulsifique paine, a feaver, restlessenesse, so that the affected through impatiencie of the paine are variously agitated like those tor∣mented with Carbuncles: for which cause Guide and Iohannes de Vigo judge this di∣sease to be mortall; wherefore you must provide a skilfull Physitian for the cure of this disease, which may appoint convenient diet, purging and Blood letting. In the meane time the Surgeon, shall make way for the virulent and venenate matter, by making incision in the inner part of the finger, even to the bone alongst the first joynt thereof; for Vigo saith there is not a presenter remedy, if so be that it be quickly done * 1.2 and before the maturation of the matter; for it vindicates the finger from the corrup∣tion of the bone and nerves, and asswages paine, which I have often and happily tried immediatly at the beginning, before the perfect impression of the virulea∣cie.
But the wound being made you must suffer it to bleede well, then presently let him dip his finger in strong and warme vinegar, in which some treakle being dissolved may draw forth the virulencie. But to appease the Paine, the same remedies must be applyed to the affected part as are used in Carbuncles, as the leaves of Sorrell, Henbane, Hemlocke, Mandrake roasted under the Embers and beaten in a Morter with new Vnguentum Populeon, or oyle of Roses or new butter without salt: for such like medicines also helpe forward suppuration, whilest by their coldnesse, they re∣presse the extraneous heat affecting the part; and so strengthen the native heate being the author of suppuration: which reason moved the ancient Physitians to use such medicines in a Carbuncle: but if by reason of the fearefulnesse of the patient, or unskilfulnesse of the Surgion, no incision being made, a Gangren and Sphacel shall possesse the part, it remaines that you cut off with your cutting mulletts as much of the part as shall be corrupt, and performe the rest of the cure according to Art. Yet it doth not seldome happen that there may bee no neede to cut off such a finger, because it being corrupted together with the bone doth by little and little dissolve into a purulent or rather sanious and much stincking filth. But in this affect there is often caused an Eschar by the adusti∣on of putredinous heat, and superfluous flesh indued with most exquisit sence grow∣eth underneath it, which must in like manner be cut off with the Mulletts that the part may receive comfort, the paine being aswaged by the copious effusion of blood.