A new and needful treatise of spirits and wind offending mans body wherein are discovered their nature, causes and effects / by the learned Dr. Fienns ; and Englished by William Rowland ...

CHAP. XXVIII.

Of an Inflation or windy Impostume.

INflations come from Wind under the skin, or the Membranes of the Bones or Muscles, or gathered in fleshy parts. Now (as Aegineta saith) it is either from the thickness of the mem∣bers, or grossness of the wind. A gross vapour distends the place that contains it, by its plenty, and makes a tumour, not such as is loose, or will yield to the finger when pressed, or pit like an Oedema. The common way of Cure of these tu∣mors, is to evacuate what is preternatural, where∣soever contained. Now it cannot be evacuated, except that which is gross be relaxed, and the thickness of the vapour be extenuated. Both are done by Extenuaters, and things potentially hot. I have shewed that Oyl which is of an extenuating quality, wherein Rue or hot Seeds are boiled, doth cure the stomach and other bowels stretched by wind. Now I shall shew how other parts, as Joynts and Muscles, or Mem∣branes about the Bones, are cured when stretch∣ed with wind. This is sometimes with pain, sometimes without, and that from a single cause, namely a weak heat, or a contusion. For an inflation without pain (according to Galen lib. 4. meth.) a Lixivium with a new Sponge will cure it. As,

Take Rain-water or Wine, let Ashes of a Fig-tree or Juniper be infused therein twenty four hours. Or thus.

Take Bay-berries, Orris roots, each an ounce; Bay leaves, Rosemary, Nip, each a handful; La∣vender flowers a pugil, Cummin six drams. Boil them in Water to half, in four pints infuse ashes of Fig-tree, Beans, or Coleworts; foment therewith with a new Sponge hot. It cleanseth, drys, consumes, and discusseth wind, and the tumour. If there be pain, use no Lixivium (for by sharpness it will increase it) but use re∣laxing Oyls, as that of Dill, Rue, or Chamomil. If Diseases come from Contusions, when the Muscle or the Membrane of the Bone is bruised, then lay the Sponge aforesaid upon the Mem∣brane of the Bone. But when the Muscles are pained, use a more mitigating or asswaging Re∣medy. To these we use not Lixivium alone, but add to it boiled Wine and Oyl. It is best at the first to use no Lixivium, but Wine and a lit∣tle Vinegar and Oyl with Wooll, to foment the part. And if pain be great, use more Aba∣ters or Asswagers of it. If there be no pain, op∣pose the Inflation by stronger Medicines, as Li∣xivium, Vinegar, and then Wine: And when you are not to asswage pain, put in more Lixi∣vium and Vinegar. For such Inflations as by neglect are worse, first use things made of a Li∣xivium, then some Plaister, such as that which

is made of Sweat from mens bodies: But the use of that being forgotten in our Age, we order instead of it the Plaister of Bay-berries, or this.

Take Melilot Plaister and that of Bay-berries, each three drams; Nitre, Cummin, Sulphur, un∣slak'd Lime, Salt, each a scruple; Oyl of Bayes and Wax as much as will make a Plaister. If the wind that makes this Inflation be smoak-like, evil, and corrupt, and from a venomous mat∣ter, with great pain and heat running through the members, it is best when it is setled, to tye the part above and beneath, and to open the In∣flation with a Lancet or hot Iron, that the ve∣nomous vapor may get out. Then fill the Orifice with Aloes and Bole Armenick dissolved in Oyl of Roses and Vinegar. After three or four days, fill the wound with flesh, and heal it up. And in this case of a venomous Inflation, use a slen∣der diet, and purge, and give a little Treacle sometimes.

HItherto (Courteous Reader) I have shewed according to my abilities, the Nature and Effects of Winds, and the Diseases from them, and their Cures, for the good of the Ignorant, and help of the Diseased, and that learned and inge∣nious persons may take occasion from hence to write better. Therefore take it in good part, for it was written for profit to all, & not for contention. If you accept of these first fruits, expect better hereafter.