CHAP. XXVI. Why the bones become rotten, and by what signes it may be perceived.
THat solution of Continuity which is in the bones, is called by Galen, Ca∣tagma. * 1.1 This usually is the cause of rottennesse; for, bones that are gra∣ted, bruised, rent, perforated, broken, luxated, inflamed and dispoiled of the flesh and skin, are easily corrupted; for dispoyled of their covering, they are altered by the appulse of the aire, which they formerly never felt, whence also their bloud and proper nourishment is dryed up and exhausted. Besides also, the sanies running downe by reason of wounds and old ulcers, in pro∣cesse * 1.2 of time, fastens it selfe into their substance, and putrefies by little and little; this putrefaction is encreased and caused by the too much use of oily and fatty medicines, as moist and suppurate things; for hence the ulcer becommeth more filthy and ma∣ligne, the flesh of the neighbouring parts groweth hot, is turned into pus, which pre∣sently falling upon the bone lying under it, inflames it. Lastly, the bones are sub∣ject * 1.3 to the same diseases, as the flesh that lyeth under them is; besides also accor∣ding to Galen, the beginning of inflammation oft-times proceeds from the bones; but they beat not, because, according to the opinion of the ancients, pulsation is a dolorificke motion of the Arteries, but the bones want sense. Which verily I can∣not deny, but also we must confesse that the membrane that encompasseth them, and the arteries that enter into their body, are endued with most exquisite sense. Where∣fore the arteries compressed and waxing hot by reason of the inflamed bone, cause a sense of paine in the periostium, so that the patients complaine of a dull and deepe paine, as it were sunke into the substance of the bones. The rottennesse or corrupti∣on * 1.4 is oft-times manifest to the eye, as when the bone is laid bare, for then it varieth from the naturall colour, and becomes livide, yellowish or blacke. Otherwise you may perceive it by touch, as by searching it with a probe, as when you meet with a∣ny inequality or roughnesse, or when by but gently touching it, your probe runs in∣to the substance of the bone, as into rotten wood, for a bone is naturally hard, but being rotten, becomes soft. Yet hardnesse is not an infallible signe of a sound bone. * 1.5 For I have seene rotten and bared bones, to have sometimes growne so hard, by the appulse of the aire, that a Trepan could not, without a strong endeavour, enter them. Also the rottennesse of the bone is known by the condition of the filth which flowes forth of the ulcer, for it is not onely more thin and liquid, but also more stinking. Furthermore, such ulcers have a soft, loose and watery flesh; besides also, they are un∣toward and rebellious to sarcotick & epuloticke medicines; to which if they chance to yeeld and be cicatrized, yet within a short while after the scarre will relent of its own accord, for that nature, destitute of the firm and sound foundation of the bones, cannot build up a laudible and constant flesh. Neither is it sufficient that the Surge∣on know certainly that the bone is rotten and corrupt, it is furthermore fit he know, whether this corruption be supersiciary, or pierce deepe into the substance of the bone, that he may know how much of the bone must bee scailed. For scailing is the * 1.6 onely cure of that which is corrupted; now it is scailed by that which dryes ex∣ceedingly,