CHAP. XIIII. Of the Prognostickes in Gangreenes.
HAving given you the signes and causes to know a Gangreene; it is fit wee also give you the prognosticke. The fearcenesse and malignity thereof is so great, that unlesse it be most speedily withstood the part it selfe will dye, and also take hold of the neighbouring parts by the contagion of its mortification: which hath beene the cause that a Gangreene by many hath beene termed an Esthiomenos. For such corruption creepes out like poyson, and like fire * 1.1 eates gnawes and destroyes all the neighbouring parts, untill it hath spred over the whole body. For as Hippocrates writes, Lib. de vulner. capitis; Mortui & viventis nulla est proportio (i) There is no proportion betweene the dead and living. Where∣fore it is fit presently to separate the dead from the living; for unlesse that be done, the living will dye, by the contagion of the dead. In such as are at the point of death * 1.2 a cold sweat flowes over all their bodyes: they are troubled with ravings, and watchings, belchings, and hicketing molest them; and often swoundings invade them, by reason of the vapours abundantly and continually raysed from the corrupti∣on of the humors and flesh, and so carryed to the bowells and principall parts, by the Veines, Nerves, and Arteries. Wherefore when you have foretold these things to the friends of the patient; then make haste to fall to your worke.