A general treatise of the diseases of infants and children collected from the best practical authors by John Pechey ...

CHAP. VI. Of Scabs and Ʋlcers from Milk.

OF all the particular diseases of the parts of the humane body, that are proper to, and familiar with Children, if we begin with the Head, and so proceed to all parts of the body, these Scabs and Ulcers are first to be considered; they come at the time when the Child sucks, and perpetually emit a Sanies, or purulent matter. The Scabs are white, but the Ulcers are of another colour: The Scabs are also all over the body as well as in the Face, whereas the Ulcers are chiefly in the Head: But because the causes of them do not much differ, and the method of cure is the same, we will treat of them together in this Chapter: they arise from excrementious humours which are se∣rous, and accid, and they occasion itch∣ing: These humours are collected partly in the Womb, and they arise partly

from a fault in the Mothers or Nurses milk, and afterwards are cast out by na∣ture upon the habit of the body: It is commonly held that these Ulcers keep Children in health, and not without rea∣son; for by this means nature expels the vitious humours from the inner parts of the body to the habit of it, and if they vanish, Children are subject to Fe∣vers and other Diseases, and Hippocrates says, that if there be Ulcers in the Head, about the Ears, in the Face, or in any other part of the body, Children will be free from fits.

These Scabs generally go off of them∣selves in time, but if they continue long, •• Tinea is occasioned, and the hairs fall off, and it is to be feared, that these Ul∣cers may foul the Skull, if the matter be very filthy; for it has been observed, that the Skull has been so corrupted by these Ulcers, that it has fallen off, and the Meninges have appeared.

But when there is no danger to be feared, especially when the Face is not deformed, nor the Eyes hurt, the Ulcers ought to be left to themselves, yea we ought to endeavour that the other mat∣ter be expell d, and if the Ulcers vanish, ••nd the Child fall sick upon it, we must

give Fumitory, Scabious, Carduus-Bene∣dictus, Harts-horn, or the like to drive the humour out again, and cooling and astringent things, which repel the mat∣ter must not be used: But the Nurse in the mean while ought to observe a good Diet, and to abstain from Salt and acid things, and all things that generate ill ju∣ries, as▪ Onions, Garlick, Radish, Pulse, salted Meat, and the like; and if her bo∣dy be foul, the vitious humours must be purged off; for otherwise the Child will be prejudiced, and the Disease in∣creased: but if the ill humours are eva∣cuated, these Ulcers will soon go off; wherefore these humours should be alte∣red and prepared with Medicines made of Borrage, Bugloss, Fumitory, Succory, Hops, the roots of Polypody, sharp pointed Docks, and afterwards they must be purged off with the leaves of Senna▪ Epithymum, Rhubarb, Black Hellebore, or with Diacatholicon, tryphera, Per••••∣ca, or the like; and afterwards you must give such things as strengthen the Viscera▪ and attemperate and expel the other hu∣mours. As,

Take of the Conserves of Borrage, Bugloss, Violets, Fumitory, and Succory, each 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Ounce, of the candid roots of Succory and of the bark of Citron candied, ••cah half an Ounce, of the Sp••cies Diarrhodon, Abatis, Diamargarit frigid: Harts-horn prepared, each one Scruple, with a suffici∣ent quantity of Syrup of Gilliflowers make an Electuary. Or,

Take of Harts-horn prepared two Drams, of Magistery of Goral, one Dram, of the Species Diamargarit, Frigid, half a Dram; make a Powder, whereof give the Nurse daily half a Dram, or a Dram.

••ome of these Medicines▪ may be also given to the Children, as Syrup of Bor∣rage, Fumitory, Polypody, and Hops, and the Childs Body may be evacuated, respect being had to its age, with Glisters, with Manna, or laxative raisins or the like.

But if the Disease continue long, and here is danger that great putrifaction ••ill arise under the Scab, and so foul he Skull, we must use Topicks, and first he head must be washed with a De∣oction of Mallows and Barley, or ••ith a Decoction the roots of sharp ••ointed Doke, the leaves of a Mallows, he greater Celandine Wormwood, the

Seeds of Fenugreek, Vetches, Lupines, and Beans: If you would have it abster∣sive, you must boyl the Herbs in Wine, or you may make a Lotion with roots of Marsh-mallows boyled in childs urine a∣lone, or mixed with Barley-water, af∣terwards anoint the part with the Oyl of Roses, and Bitter-Almonds mixed with a little Lytharge: Or,

Take of the Ashes of Myrtles, and Nut∣shells, each one Dram, of Tutty one Dram and an half, of old Butter washed in Rose∣water one Ounce; mingle them. Or,

Take of the juice Beets, of greater Celen∣dine, each one Ounce, Hogs-lard two Ounces, Sulphur, one Dram, mix them. Or,

Take of Lytharge moistened with Oyl of Ro∣ses, one Ounce, Ceruss half a Dram, A∣loes and Frankencense, each one Dram and an half, Myrrh on Dram, Oyls of Roses and Rue, each a sufficient quantity; mix them in a Morter. The following is stronger.

Take of the powder of Red-roses, of the roots of Briony, Pidgeons-dung, Verdegrease,

and Sulphur, each two Drams, Oyls of Junipir, and Wall-flowers, each a suffici∣ent quantity, mix them in a Morter, and anoint the part with it every other day: Or,

Take of Cerass and Lytharge, each two Drams, Balaustins, and Agarick, each one Dram, with Oyl of Roses, and a lit∣tle Vinegar, make an Oyntment: Or ha∣ving rubbed the affected part with soft Soap, wash it off with a proper decoction.

If the Skull be hurt by the Ulcers, the Scab must be first taken off, and mollifi∣ed with Mallows and Violets boyled in May Butter, or in Lard: Afterwards the Ulcer must be washed and dryed with a Lee made of the ashes of the Vine Beetch, and Ash, ••a little Butter being added to it; when the Skull appears you must apply Honey of Roses mixed with spirit of Wine; afterwards you mnst apply the powder of the roots of Birth∣wort, and Peruvian Balsam, or you may ad Turpentine washed in Tobacco∣water.