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

CHAP. VII. Of the inflammation and relaxation of the Vvula, or Columella.

THe Vvula is a litle body, spongy and somewhat sharpened to the forme of a pine apple, hanging even downe from the upper and inner part of the * 1.1 palat, so to breake the force of the Aire drawn in, in breathing and carryed to the Lungs, and to be as a quill to forme and tune the voyce. It often growes above measure by receiving moysture falling downe from the braine, becom∣ming sharpe by litle and litle from a broader and more swolne Basis. Which thing causes many Symptomes; for by the continuall irritation of the distilling humor the * 1.2 Cough is caused, which also hinders the sleepe, and intercepts the liberty of speech; but also by hindring respiration the patients cannot sleepe unlesse with open mouth: they are exercised with a vaine endeavoring to swallow (having as it were a morsell sticking in their jawes) and are in danger of being strangled.

This disease must be resisted and affailed by purging, bleeding, Cupping, taking of * 1.3 chysters, using astringent Gargles, and a convenient diet; but if it cannot thus be over∣come, the cure must be tryed by a causticke of Aqua fortis, which I have divers times done with good successe. But if it cannot be so done, it will be better to put to your hand, than through idlenesse to suffer the patient to remaine in imminent and deadly * 1.4 danger of strangling; yet in this there must very great caution be used; for the Chirur∣geon shall not judge the Vvula fit to be touched with an instrument or caustick, which is swolne with much enflamed, or blacke blood after the manner of a Cancer; but hee shall boldly put to his hand if it be longish, grow small by litle and litle into a sharpe, loose & soft point; if it be neither exceeding red, neither swolne with too much blood

but whitish and without paine. Therefore that you may more easily and safely cut away, that which redounds and is superfluous, desire the patient to sit in a light place, and hold his mouth open; then take hold of the top of the Vvula with your sizers, and cut away as much thereof as shall be thought unprofitable. Other-wise you shall binde it with the instrument here under described; the invention of this instrument is to be ascribed to Honoratus Tastellanus that diligent and learned man, the Kings Physition in ordinary, and the chiefe Physition of the Queene mother; Which also may be used in binding of Polypi and warts in the necke of the Wombe.

[illustration]

The Deliniation of constrictory rings fit to twitch, or binde the Columella, with a twisted thred.

A. Shewes the ring whose upper part is some-what hollow.

B. A double waxed thred, which is couched in the hollownesse of the ring, and hath a run∣ning, or loose knot upon it.

C. An iron rod, into the eye whereof the fore-mentioned double thred is put, and it is to twitch the Columella when as much thereof is taken hold of, as is unprofitable, and so to take it away without any fluxe of blood. When you would straiten the thred, draw it againe through this iron rod, and so straine it as much as you shall thinke good, letting the end of the thred, hang out of the mouth. But every day it must be twitched harder than other, untill it fall away by meanes thereof, and so the part and patient be restored to health. I have deliniated three of these instruments, that you may use which you will, as occa∣sion shall be offered.

[illustration]

A Figure of the Speculum oris, by which the mouth is held and kept open, whilest the Chirurgion is busied in the cutting away or binding the Vvula.

But if an eating ulcer shall associate this relaxation of the Vvula, together with a

fluxe of blood, then it must be burnt and seared with an hot iron, so thrust into a Trunke, or Pipe with an hole in it, that no sound part of the mouth may be offended therewith.

[illustration]

A hollow Trunke with a hole in the side, with the hot iron inserted, or put therein.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What the Vvula is, and what the use therof. The Cause of the swelling thereof.
• * 1.2

  Symptomes
• * 1.3

  The Cure.
• * 1.4

  The Cure by Chirurgery.