A physical nosonomy, or, A new and true description of the law of God (called nature) in the body of man confuting by many and undeniable experiences of many men, the rules and methods concerning sicknesses or changes in mans body, delivered by the ancient physicians and moderns that followed them ... : also, in the second part of this book is a practice of physick drawn from the best of the moderns and completely treating of those diseases specified in the table formerly, writ by the author, though added to these new scrutinies as if they were a latter work / by William Drage ...

CHAP. IX.

Of Scurfiness in Hair.

TIs called Pitoriasis by the Greeks, Porrigo chiefly, Furfur and Furfuratio by the Latins; and is an Ulcerous disposition of the topmost Cuticle, not deep, not moist, but scaley, dry, loose, and Brun-like, which Scurfey matter by any light Scratching or Combing falls off, though from its cause, yet resident, it grows again.

CAUSE.

Cause is an hot and dry Distemper of the Skin, which converts a sharp and thin Humour that insinuates it self, and breaths through it in∣to scurf.

A second Opinion is, That the Cause is in Ichorus Juyce, which e∣roding the thin Skin, and drying, doth stir up certain Scales and Scurf.

A third Opinion is, That they are Humours, either Serous, Chollick or Flegmatick, carried with the nourishment of the Hairs thither, and the thinner Parts being discust, the thicker remain about the Roots of the Hair, and turn to a scurfey matter, being attracted by a more hot Brain.

A fourth Opinion is, That they are made, 1. From thickness and astriction of the Parts. 2. From an Humour adust, and therefore get∣ten a drying and eroding quality, and therefore cleaves and dries the Cuticle or outward Skin, effecting an Ulcerous temper of it, and solu∣tion of continuity; for from an Humour must needs be moisture; from Erosion, Ulcers; and from Drying, Scurfs; but these Humours are made from bad Nourishment aforegoing.

SUBJECT.

Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly the Head and Beard, and parts where Hairs grow, as Eyebrows, &c.

SIGNS.

Signs are the going before of an evil Dyet, engendering a corrupt and unwholsome Juyce; the Scurfs are best discovered by sight, they fall off by Scratching or Combing; the Skin is uneven, rough, with a white colour.

DIFFERENCES.

It differs from that Scaley and Scurfey affect that happens to those that have the French POX, sticking in the Palms of the Hands, and Soles of the Feet, nor doth it easily fall off, unless by great tearing and pulling it off by the Nails, and is greater (and like a continued Scale) then those Scurfs that be in other hairy parts of the Body.

DYET.

Here we must beware of Toad-stools, Fungous things, Bulbs, and windy Meats, filling the Head, and causing Crudity.

CURE.

After Evacuation and rectifying of the Blood by Internals, we must use abstersive and discussive Topicals; which either may be, 1. To wash, as a Lee of Vine Branches, Draconts, Briony, VVild Cucumers, Fumitary, Lupines, Aron, sharp-pointed Dock, &c. or a Lotion of Soap, or Baths of salt VVater, or an Oyntment of Oyl of bitter Al∣monds, and of the Kernels of Rank Nuts, with Sulphur and Vitriol. 2. Or for Friction, as with Niter Salt, Ashes of a Lee; the Hands being anointed with Oyl of Bitter Almonds, for so the serous Hu∣mours are drawn forth and consumed; Cataplasms also of Soot, Ink, Oyl, Sulphur, Allom, Mallows, and Cicers, with Vinegar.

Among others, these following are of greatest efficacy and most help∣ful; ℞ of the Juyce of Tithimale or Spurge, ℥viij. Juyce of Garlick,

ʒvj. VVater found in the hollow places of old Beech Trees, one pound, mix them, and boil therein of the Ashes of Common Reed, or Sugar-Cane, of the Ashes of the Bark of the Ash, of the Ashes also of Fig∣tree-Leaves, of each, as much as may be convenient; after a little boiling, strain them for a Lotion of the parts diseased.

Or an effectual VVater may be made of the Roots of Aron, Dra∣conts, VVall-••ue, Scabious, VVillow-Leaves and Fig-Tree, well di∣gested in Vinegar and distilled.

Unguents also of slippery things, as of extract of Fenugreek-Seeds in Juyce of Mallows, with Bears Grease, and Oyl of Nigella Seeds, excel though they be of another quality to corroding and sharp Medi∣cines, yet they deterge kindly, and loosen the Scurf, and render the Skin smooth and whole; Euphorbium, with Bears Grease, and Orobus, Gum Laserpice, with VVine-Vinegar and Pepper, Darnel Meal boild in Vinegar, with wild-Radish-Roots and Brimstone, are commended by Dioseorides and others, not only for the ordinary Scurf, but that that is made from the French POX, Alopecia or Leprosie.