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

CHAP. XIV. Of Detersives, or Mundificatives.

ADetersive is defined to be that which doth deterge or cleanse an ulcer, and purge forth a double kinde of excrement; of the which one is thic∣ker, which is commonly called sordes, which is drawne forth from the bottome of the ulcer, by the edificatious quality of the medicine, the o∣ther is more thin and watery, which the Greekes call Ichor, the Latines Sanies, which is taken away by the drinesse of the medicine; and therefore Hippo∣crates hath well advised, that every ulcer must be cleansed and dryed.

Of Detersives, some are simple, some compound, some stronger, some weaker. * 1.1 The simple are eyther bitter, sweet, or sowre: the bitter are Gentiana, Aristolochia, iris, enula, scilla, serpentaria, centaurinum minus, absinthium, marrubium, perforata, ab∣rotonon, apium, chelidonium, ruta, hyssopus, scabiosa, arthemisia, cupatorium, aloë, fu∣mus terrae, haedera terrestris, a lixivium made with the ashes of these things, lupini, oro∣bus, amygdala amara, faba, terebinthina, myrrha, mastiche, sagapenum, galbanum, am∣moniacum, the gals of Beasts, stercus caprinum, urina benè cocta, squamma aeris, aes ustum, aerugo, scoria aeris, antimonium, calx, chalcitis, misy, sory, alumen. The sweet are Viola, rosa, mellilo••um, ficus pingues, dactyli, uvae passae, glycyrrhiza, aqua hordei, aqua mulsa; vinum dulce, mel, saccharum, serum lactis, manna, thus. The sharpe are all kinde of sowre things, Capreoli vitium, acetum, and other acide things. The compound are Syrupus de absinthio, de fumaria, de marrubio, de eupatorio, de arthemisia, acetosus, lixi∣vium, oleum de vitellis ovorum, de terebinthina, de tartaro, unguentum mundificativum de apio, apostolorum, pulvis mercurialis. We use such things as deterge, that the super∣fluous * 1.2 matter being taken away, nature may the more conveniently regenerate flesh to fill up the cavity: But in the use of them, consideration is first to bee had of the whole body, whether it be healthy, plethoricke, or ill disposed, there is considera∣tion to be had of the part, which is moyster and drier, endued with a more exquisite

or duller sense. But oftentimes accidents befall ulcers besides nature, as a callus, a de∣fluxion of a hot or otherwise maligne humour, and the like symptomes. Lastly, con∣sideration is to be had, whether it be a new or inveterate ulcer; for from hence, ac∣cording to the indication, remedies are appointed different in quantity and quality: so that oftentimes wee are constrained to appoint the bitter remedy in stead of the sweet. Neither truly with a painfull and dry ulcer doth any other than a liquid de∣tersive agree: neither to the moyst any other than that of a dry consistence, as Powders.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Detersives,
• * 1.2

  Their use.