The store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the London physicians / by John Pechey ...

CHAP. C. Of the Scirrhus of the Womb.

THE signs of a Scirrhus in the Womb are a hard∣ness in the region of it, a sense of weight in the part, especially when the Sick stands, but there is no Fever or Pain, whereby it is distinguish'd from an In∣flammation, and if there be any Pain it is small. If it be in the body of the Womb it is easily known by feel∣ing the region of the Pubes, but if it be in the Neck of the Womb it may be touch'd with the Finger; it is distinguish'd from a Mola by the preceding Causes, also because in a Mola the Courses, if they flow, flow disorderly: But in a Scirrhus, if they flow, they keep their order. Also in a Mola, the Breasts are full of Milk, but in a Scirrhus they grow small.

As to the Prognostick, every Scirrhus is difficultly cur'd; for great hardness once contracted can scarce be mollified: Moreover the Natural Heat in the part af∣fected with the Scirrhus is very weak, so that it can scarce discuss the gross and almost stony Matter.

A great and obstinate Scirrhus occasions at length a Dropsie.

If a Scirrhus of the Womb be treated with too hot, and too moistening Remedies, it degenerates into a Cancer.

The Cure is to be directed to two things, viz. to the antecedent and conjunct cause.

By reason of the antecedent Cause, Bleeding must be ordered first in the Arm; if the Disease be not very inveterate: But afterwards in the inferior Veins, espe∣cially when the Courses are stopt.

The opening of the Hemorrhoidal Veins is also very proper, for they evacuate feculent Blood, and draw from the Womb, by reason of the Communication which they have with it.

Purging is also necessary, and it must be repeated by intervals. The Purges must be made of such things as evacuate Melancholy. First you must use such as are gentle, afterwards stronger.

But opening Medicines, and such as prepare the Me∣lancholy Humor must be given before Purges, in the Forms of Apozems, Juleps or Broaths, according to the Disposition of the Sick.

But besides common Apperitives, chalybeat Medi∣cines must be also used, whereby the great Obstruction in the Womb and other Parts may be dissolved.

And that the superfluous Humors may be diverted, Issues should be made in the Legs, and must be conti∣nued there till the Courses, which are generally stopt in this Disease, return orderly.

For the conjunct Cause emollient and resolving Me∣dicines must be applied outwardly in the following manner.

Take of the Roots of Marshmallows, and of Lillies, each two ounces; of the Leaves of Mallows, Violets, Marshmallows, and Bears-breach, each one handful; of the Leaves of Mugword and Calamint, half an handful; of the Seeds of Flax and Fenugreek, each one ounce; of the Flowers of Camomile and Melilot, each one pugil: Make a Decoction, wherewith fo∣ment the Region of the Pubes and Groin with a Spunge dipt in it and pressed out.

To mollifie more, a Decoction may be made of the Entrails of a Sheep, and the Roots of Briony and wild

Cucumber may be added: But you must begin with things that are gentle, and proceed by degrees to stronger

Of the same Decoction, the Dose of the Simples being increased, a Bath may be made, which is very effectual in this case, and more powerful than the Fomentation.

Glisters also and Injections may be made of the same Decoction, and frequently used; whereunto may be added the Oils of Lillies, Camomil and Sweet Al∣monds.

Take of the Oils of Lillies, and of Sweet Almonds, each three ounces; of the Mucilage of the Seeds of Fenugreek, extracted with White-Wine one ounce; of the Fats of Hens, Geese and Ducks, each one ounce and an half; of fresh Butter and of Lard, of each two ounces; with a sufficient quantity of Wax and Turpentine make an Ointment.

The following is approved of in all Scirrhus's.

Take of Bdellium, Ammoniacum, and Galbanum, each equal parts; beat them in a Mortar with Oil of Ben and Lillies; then add of the Mucilages of the Seeds of Fenugreek, Flax, and of Figs a like quan∣tity; make an Ointment.

Of the same Matter, Wax being added, an effectual Plaster may be made, and applied to the region of the Womb behind and before; or Diachylon with Orris may be applied. A Cataplasm may be made of the residue of the Decoction for the foresaid Bath, bruised and pulped, adding to it of the Meal of Fenugreek and Flax-Seeds, each one ounce, of Figs, number six, of the Powder of Orris Root two drachms, of Saffron half a drachm, of hens Fat and Oil of Sweet Almonds, each a sufficient quantity; make a Cataplasm.

The Mud of a Sulphurous Bath may be applied in∣stead of a Cataplasm.

But these Medicines must be used with great cau∣tion, lest the Scirrhus should be hardned; or what is much worse, should degenerate into a Cancer. So that it is best to desist by intervals; and it is to no purpose to use Medicines when the Scirrhus is without Pain, and of a stony nature.