A compleat discourse of wounds, both in general and particular whereunto are added the severall fractures of the skull, with their variety of figures : as also a treatise of gunshot-wounds in general / collected and reduced into a new method by John Brown ...

CHAP. XX.

Of the Hairy Scalp, and Pericrane.

AND first, as touching the Hairy Scalp; here we may find, although the Skin of Man is allowed in all other parts to be very thin, yet upon comparing this of the Head with that of the other Parts, we shall, I say, find it much thicker then that of the Thorax or Abdomen. And as this is the thickest of the rest, so Galen writes, lib. De Temperament. it is also by so much the drier, by how much it is the harder. It hath Veins allowed it from the exteriour Branch of the externall Jugulars, the which do variously expand themselves on both sides, and are united in the front: and these do bring its nutriment. Arteries also hath it from the exteriour Branch of the Carotides, derived to the roots of the Ears and Temples: and these

do bring it its vitall Spirits. It receiveth some ends of Nerves from the first and second Conjugation of the Neck, to give it Sense, having no proper Nerve allowed it, as have other Muscles. Its Use is, as we see, to invest and cover the Skull. If this be onely wounded, this Wound requireth onely Desiccation, as other simple Wounds.

Next come we to the Pericrane; and this is held by some to be as a Periosteum to other Bones. This ariseth from severall Processes of the Dura Mater, like thin Li∣gaments, the which in process of time, by their expan∣sion, do meet with and unite to one another; and these are so firmly tied together that they form this Membrane, which is thin, soft, firm, and endued with an excellent Sense allowed it from the Nerves, dispersed through it to the Occiput and Temples. Lindanus and some others will have it to arise from the Tendons of the Muscles of the Front, Temples and Occiput, being variously ex∣panded over the Cranium. To this is generally allowed and granted as annexed a Periosteum, being a most thin Membrane, of a quick sense, by the benefit of which the Head is said to feel, its roots being herein implanted. And this is so closely annexed to the Cranium, and so ex∣actly on the other side joyned to the Pericrane, that it appears but as one: which made Fallopius mistake, when he thought that onely one Pericrane covered the Crani∣um: but upon a curious search you will find it double, investing the Head. To these Exteriour Membranes the bloud is conveyed for their nutrition from the small Ra∣mifications of the outward Jugulars, and the Spirits which they receive they have from the externall Branch of the Carotidall Arteries.

These being wounded are thus to be treated: because they adhere closely to the Cranium, being divided or lacera∣ted, the Skull it self hereby must suffer detriment in some measure; and in this case the Cranium is to be deraded▪

Secondly, the Pericrane being incised, the Bone is made bare, and may speedily be altered by the air, and there∣fore to be suspected. Thirdly, if the Bone be not here∣upon rased, no good Flesh can be made to generate, or adhere, the which upon its derasion does speedily grow: for thus the mouths of the small Vessells are opened, and the Bloud which issueth thence is a very proper Instru∣ment to set forward the Cure, by being readily brought to Suppuration for the generation of Flesh.

In Simple Wounds of the Head, we may cure with Ca∣tagmatick and Cephalick Medicines, being by Hippocrates advised to apply no moist Medicines here; but rather, by how much the Skull and its parts are drier then others, by so much are we directed to use a more drying method. The most proper Medicines here to be used are to be of Detersive, Digestive and Drying Qualities. Of this sort may be reckoned Myrrh, Aloes, Ireos, Gentian, Frank∣incense, Comfrey, Powder of red Roses, Mastick, Sar∣cocolla, Dragons bloud, Bolearmeniack, and the like: and of these, or any of them, may be made Powders which are to be sprinkled into Wounds. Wine also for Wounds is an excellent Medicine, as Galen, lib. 3. Me∣thod. cap. 4. writes. And as a Wound does chiefly re∣quire Drying medicines, Black wine for this purpose is a most excellent Receipt; for it dries both of it self and per accidens, and of its own naturall quality does dry up by Repulsion: and the Humours being repelled, the Part af∣fected is half cured. And whereas also a Simple Wound does require Agglutination, Wine for this also is the best 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for by its Astrigency it does joyn and unite the disjoyned Parts. And if you be to procure a new Flesh, here first procure a good Digestion, either with Resina Terebinth. ʒij. Vitell. Ov. n^o. j. misce; or in Win∣ter∣time with this, ℞ Terebinth. Venet. ʒvj. Ol. Hyperic. ʒiij. Pulv. Thur. ʒj. Vitell. Ov. no. j. The Matter being digested, mundisy it, by adding to some of the former some Honey

of Roses; then fill up with Flesh by Basilicon, Lini∣mentum Arcaei, and the like, and skin it with Desiccati∣vum rubrum.

Notes

• Its Use.
• Pericrane.
• Periosteum.
• Three things worthy note▪
• Cure.
• Of Wine in Wounds.